1. God is rich in mercy.

2. God's mercies are infinite.

3. God is a merciful Father.

1. A person with mercy remembers why you needed mercy.

2. Mercy is having sympathy and then putting it into action.

3. Mercy is practical help that is undeserved.

4. Mercy is compassionate love in tangible ways.

(In the time of Jesus, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notorious for its danger and difficulty, and was known as the "Way of Blood" because "of the blood which is often shed there by robbers". *Wilkinson, "The Way from Jerusalem to Jericho" The Biblical Archaeologist)

1. God requires us to love mercy.

2. God blesses us when we show mercy.

3. God commands us to show mercy to the weak.

4. God reminds us to never neglect the quality of mercy.

“Real life is very complex for Christian people who seriously want to live out their faith in a sinful world. If we ask, ‘How shall we know when to do justice and how to show mercy?’ I would answer, by getting as close to Jesus as you possibly can. I know of no hard and fast rules in Scripture to dictate for every situation. And I don't think this is an accident. The aim of Scripture is to produce a certain kind of person, not provide an exhaustive list of rules for every situation.” –John Piper

1. Mercy means being patient with people’s quirks.
2. Mercy mean helping anyone around you who is hurting.
3. Mercy means giving people a second chance.
4. Mercy means doing good to those who hurt you.
5. Mercy means being kind to those who offend you.
6. Mercy means building bridges of love to the unpopular.
7. Mercy means valuing relationships over rules.
8. Mercy is kindness in the face of unkindness.
9. Mercy is letting go of being “right” for the sake of a relationship.
10. Mercy is remembering the driver who just cut you off while they were texting is deeply loved by God.
11. Mercy is keeping your eye on the bigger picture of salvation, and not getting caught up in the minutiae of religious duty (losing focus while doing a good thing).
12. Mercy is remembering God’s mercy to you and showing kindness to others.

“Pray this prayer today: ‘Heavenly Father, your Word convicts me. I want your blessing in my life, and I want to be a merciful person. As I look at these seven things, I think of shortcomings and weaknesses in my own life. I pray that rather than just hearing the Word, I would do something about it. Give me the courage to be merciful. Give me the strength this week to step out in faith and do radical, premeditated acts of mercy that point others to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.’” –Rick Warren

From John Piper “Should a merciful person always show mercy?”
· Can a Christian be consistently merciful and yet be a parent who disciplines a child for disobedience?
· Can a Christian be consistently merciful and yet be an employer who pays good wages for excellent work but dismisses irresponsible employees who do shoddy work?
· Can a Christian be consistently merciful and yet be a legislator who enacts laws that give stiff penalties for drunk driving and child abuse?
· Can a Christian be consistently merciful and yet follow the biblical mandate for church discipline?

· A biblical parent will usually follow the wisdom of Scripture in discipline (Proverbs 13:24; Ephesians 6:4). But there will be times when a child's fault will be forgiven without punishment to teach the meaning of mercy and woo the child to Christ.
· A biblical judge will usually be scrupulously just by impartially sentencing criminals according to the grievousness of their crimes (Romans 13:4). But there will be times when he will dispense clemency for some greater good.
· A biblical employer will usually pay a fair wage and insist on good workmanship (2 Thessalonians 3:10). But there will be times when he will pay more than a person's work deserves, and go an extra mile, with a sick or aging or distressed or inadequately trained employee.
· And biblical discipline will be needed (1 Corinthians 5:1-13), but will also remember the parable of the wheat and the tares that teaches patience with the imperfection of the church till the end of the age (Matthew 13:24-30).
*John Piper

Seasonal Sermon Series:“‘Tis the Season…”
“Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!” Ephesians 5:16 The Message
A Sermon Series Focusing on the Virtues of the Season
November 26, 2017 – To Be Merciful!
December 3, 2017 – To Be Kind!
December 10, 2017 – To Be Generous!
December 17, 2017 – To Be Compassionate!
December 24, 2017 – To Be Full of Faith!
December 31, 2017 – To Be Hopeful!