Blessed Are The Merciful

Temple Baptist Church - 9-11-2016

Matthew 5:7

 

Introduction:

 

A.  In this verse, we find that those who are merciful obtain mercy.

 

1.  In Matthew 6:12, one of the verses in the Model Prayer in which our Lord taught us to pray, He ties our request for forgiveness with our forgiveness of others.

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

2.  This is one portion of prayer that we are probably more familiar with than any other:  the need for forgiveness of sin.  If you are saved this morning, you have no problem with knowing that you are both a sinner and sinful. 

 

3.  This is one of the works of the Holy Ghost who indwells the believer.  One of the most evident signs of salvation is sensitivity to sin.  Things that never bothered you as an unbeliever now bring you to a place of repentance.

 

B.  There will be times when other will sin against a child of God and each of us throw ourselves on the mercy of God.  I have never come a place in my life that thought myself worthy of God’s love and know that I am just an old hell deserving sinner.

 

Lamentations 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

 

C.  If we expect to be recipients of God’s mercy, then we need to show mercy to those who sin against us also.  I want to quote this verse again:

 

Matthew 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 

D.  At this point, let me say that I know that we are not God and God knows that we are but flesh so I thank Him that his mercy extends beyond the realm of the mercy that I show to others.

 

E.  But, at the same time, we need to strive to be as merciful to others as we expect God to be merciful to us.  Let’s examine the mercy of God that we are to pattern our lives after.

 

1.  God Forgives Immediately.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Psalms 86:5  For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

 

We Are To Forgive Immediately.

 

Matthew 5:23-25  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24  Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

 

The First Mention Of Forgiveness - Genesis 50:17-21  So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him. 18  And his brethren also went and fell down before his face; and they said, Behold, we be thy servants. 19  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.  (Notice the word “Now.”  We are to forgive immediately as we desire God to forgive immediately!)

 

2.  God Forgives Completely.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (There is nothing in the believer’s life that God cannot or will not forgive!  What a blessing!)

 

Psalms 25:18  Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins.  (Notice the prayer.)

 

Psalms 85:2  Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

 

Psalms 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

 

Isaiah 38:17  Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.

 

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

 

Micah 7:19  He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

 

We Are To Forgive Completely.

 

Ephesians 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

 

3.  God Forgives Continuously.

 

1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Psalms 130:4  But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.  (“There is” is present tense!  You will always find forgiveness with the Lord.)

 

We Are To Forgive Continually.

 

2 Corinthians 2:7  So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.  (“Ought” speaks of moral obligation.)

 

Matthew 18:21-22  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

 

“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”