The Sermon on the Mount
Basic Christian Living #5

Matthew 5

One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
The Beatitudes
3 “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Reminder:  Blessed (makarios) - This is an internal blessing unlike  eulogeo that means external blessing prosper

Review:
Blessed are those who are poor in spirit…. Those who are totally bankrupt before God and see their need for Him
Blessed are those who Mourn…. Those who mourn over there sins against God will be blessed
Blessed are the meek… Meekness is not weakness, it is Strength under control of the Holy Spirit
Blessed are those that Hunger and thirst for Righteousness….  We should be hungry for more of Jesus, trusting that He will always fill those who come to Him.

Key verse: 7 God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

I. What does Mercy mean?
*merciful* (Greek: *eleēmones*) refers to active compassion — not emotions or feelings, but love expressed in tangible relief of another’s misery.

II. Mercy Begins with Prevenient Grace
Titus 3:5 — “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”

The merciful are those who:
Know their spiritual bankruptcy (Matt 5:3)
Have mourned their sin (Matt 5:4)
Have been humbled before God (Matt 5:5)
Hunger for righteousness (Matt 5:6)

III. Mercy is an Evidence of Sanctification
Luke 6:36 — “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

IV. Mercy ends with a Promise
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”

Matthew 6:14–15: “If you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
James 2:13 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Here are some ways to show mercy:
1. Personal Mercy
Forgive quickly, Speak gently, Restore patiently
2. Practical Mercy
Feed the poor. Visit prisons. Take care widows and orphans
3. Redemptive Mercy
Mercy does not excuse sin.  It aims to redeem the sinner.


Blessed are the merciful.
They live in grace.
They extend grace.
And one day, they will stand before Mercy Himself — and receive what they have loved.