1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

The first three beatitudes highlight our sin and need for God 1.Poor in spirit – recognize our sinfulness and need for God 2.Mourn – grieve our inability to do anything about our sin, therefore we cry out to God 3.Meek – true understanding of our sinfulness, allows us to respond without malice or a vengeful spirit because understand all we have is from God This hunger and thirst for righteousness is filled by God (#4) Next three beatitudes look at the result of being filled.

What does it mean to be merciful? Definition: compassion plus action to relieve suffering, especially those in debt or without claim to favorable treatment. Seen in… God’s acts of providence to sustain us Matthew 5: But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

What does it mean to be merciful? Definition: compassion plus action to relieve suffering, especially those in debt or without claim to favorable treatment. Seen in… God’s acts of providence to sustain us God providing forgiveness of sin Ephesians 2:4-5 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.

What does it mean to be merciful? Definition: compassion plus action to relieve suffering, especially those in debt or without claim to favorable treatment. Seen in… God’s acts of providence to sustain us God providing forgiveness of sin Jesus Note: does NOT mean turning a blind eye to law breaking.

6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

Now Not Yet

Now Have been shown mercy John 3:16 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Now Have been shown mercy Currently able to receive mercy 1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Now Have been shown mercy Currently able to receive mercy Not Yet When giving an account of our life to Jesus 2 Corinthians 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Are you merciful?