BIG IDEA:
BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL FOR THEY SHALL RECEIVE MERCY
(amplification of the Beatitude from Matthew 5:7)
I. (:1-3) THE MERCIFUL WILL BE SUSTAINED BY THE MERCY OF GOD
A. His Character: The Merciful = The Helper of the Helpless
more blessed to give than to receive
consider the Lord Jesus who though He was rich, for our sakes became poor
to “consider” the helpless involves much more commitment than simply giving money
there must be personal involvement (takes time and messy interaction)
B. His Reward: The Mercy of God
1. Mercy will be repaid with more abundant mercy in your day of trouble
As you sow you shall reap
mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2)
make no mistake: even the best of men run into days of trouble
2. Long life and good reputation
“keep him alive”
“he shall be called blessed upon the earth”
3. Protection from the malicio us scheming of enemies
“do not give him over to the desire of his enemies”
4. Recovery from serious sickness
“In his illness, Thou dost restore him to health”
II. (:4-9) THE MERCIFUL WILL BE BETRAYED BY FALSE FRIENDS
A. Personal Sin Makes One Vulnerable to the Attack of False Friends
B. Personal Sin Makes One Eligible to Appeal to the Grace of God
“be gracious to me — for I have sinned against Thee”
C. False Friends Take Delight in Attacking the Merciful
1. Slander
“speak evil against me”
2. Malicious Intent
“When will he die, and his name perish?”
3. Flattery and Lies
“When he comes to see me he speaks falsehood;
His heart gathers wickedness to itself”
4. Gossip and Scheming
“All who hate me whisper together against me;
Against me they devise my hurt”
D. False Friends Paint the Lord’s Temporary Discipline as the Lord’s Unpardonable Curse
E. The Closer the Friend, the More Painful the Attack
cf. Judas vs. Jesus
III. (:10-12) THE MERCIFUL WILL SEE THEIR INTEGRITY VINDICATED
A. The Vindication of Resurrection
“be gracious to me and raise me up”
B. The Vindication of Retribution
“that I may repay them “
C. The Vindication of Silencing One’s Enemies
“my enemy does not shout in triumph over me”
Proof that God is “pleased with me”
D. The Vindication of Confirmed Integrity
“Thou dost uphold me in my integrity”
E. The Vindication of Fellowship with a Holy God
“and Thou dost set me in Thy presence forever”
BENEDICTION TO THE FIRST BOOK OF THE 5 BOOKS OF PSALMS (:13)
patterned after the five books of the Law