The Majesty of Mercy
Griffith Baptist Church – 7/6/08
P.M. Service
Text: Psalm 36
Main Verse: Psalms 36:5 - Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
The Introduction
The subject of mercy is so expansive and wonderful that time could not allow for a thorough discussion of it.
When you think of mercy, what do you think of?
More importantly, how does mercy apply to you?
We see in many places in Scripture where God’s mercy and grace are mentioned together.
o 1st mention – Genesis 19:19 – 19Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, . . .
o 1st demonstrated – Genesis 3:21 – Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
o Other places are 1st Tim. 1:2, 13-14; 2nd Tim. 1:2; Titus 1:4; Heb. 4:16; and 2nd John 1:3.
Grace and mercy are great sisters that mean much to us:
Grace –the goodness or love of God given to those who have not deserved it.
Mercy – the judgment or wrath of God withheld from those who do deserve it.
o It is God being faithful despite man’s unfaithfulness
o It emphasizes pity, sympathy and love.
There is majesty and splendor in mercy because it is an attribute of the King Himself, our God and Father.
Transition Statement: Let’s first take a look at the royal remedy of the King.
Body
1. The Royal Remedy of the King
A. God’s Mercy is ready to meet needs – Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
i. To obtain means to lay hold of by the hands, to take possession of . . .
a. The throne of grace is the source of the mercy of God
b. It indicates abundance – for those who desire it
c. It indicates that God’s foremost desire is mercy, not judgment – James 2:13 - For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
d. WARNING: God is not mocked (Gal. 6:7). Do not push the limits of God’s goodness. We should never test the extent of God’s mercy and live any way we want. More on this in a moment)
ii. Psalm 36:5 says that his mercy is in the heavens
a. “heavens” not “heaven”
b. This is the 1st (earth’s atmosphere), 2nd (the stars and universe), and 3rd (the heaven of heavens, the dwelling place of the throne of God and current home to all the dead believers) heavens
c. God’s mercy emanates from His throne and saturates all of creation
B. God’s Mercy seeks the salvation of the lost – Ephesians 2:4-8 – 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
i. God’s mercy is priceless
ii. He gives mercy now to show the riches of His grace later (vv. 4, 7)
iii. Mercy shunned is mercy wasted
iv. There was enough mercy at the cross for all humanity to abundantly possess.
C. God’s Mercy is demonstrated in Jesus
i. His compassion for the multitudes (Matt. 9:36, 14:14, 15:32)
ii. For the blind (Matt. 20:34)
iii. For a leper (Mark 1:41)
iv. For a possessed child (Mark 9:20-27)
v. For a widow’s plight (Luke 7:13)
vi. His parables teach mercy (Matt. 18:27; [prodigal’s father] Luke 15:20; [good Samaritan’s pity] Luke 10:33)
vii. In His atoning death – Hebrews 2:17 - Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Transition Statement: This is how God works in mercy, but His children are also expected to imitate His mercy toward others.
2. The Regal Replication In His Children
A. God expects mercy in His children – Matthew 9:13 – But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.; see also Matthew 12:7. Also in Matthew 23:23 – Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
i. Sometimes, we think we are righteous because we:
a. Come to church
b. Tithe
c. Serve
d. Pray, etc.
ii. All these things are good, but there are greater inner qualities more important to God
a. Sincerity
b. Love
c. Fruit of the spirit
d. Mercy
e. Faith
f. Grace
g. Obedience
iii. These are things that please God and should fuel our deeds. Otherwise, we do good deeds in our own strength and not in His.
B. We cannot expect mercy from God when we are without mercy – Read Matthew 18:21-35
i. This is in the practice of forgiveness
a. We should never be harsh in our judgments
b. Mercy first as God places mercy
c. The end result is in the last two verses, anger and judgment from God (34-35) - 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
ii. James 2:13 - For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
C. Mercy is a sign that we are true disciples of Christ – Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
i. This is written to those who are true disciples of the Lord
ii. We must exhibit mercy because that is a characteristic of our master, Jesus Christ
iii. A disciple always reflects the character of his/her master
D. Mercy should be shown to everyone around us – Luke 10:36-37 – 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise
i. Treating others as Christ treated others
ii. Not just to each other, but to all we come in contact with
iii. Compassion to those less fortunate
iv. Lovingkindness to those we come in contact with
v. Respectful to others
vi. Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
E. Mercy is connected with God’s wisdom – James 3:17 – 17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
i. Godly wisdom has, as one of its attributes, mercy
ii. Besides mercy, look at all of the other attributes connected with wisdom
a. First pure – untainted and perfect
b. Peaceable - always seeking peace as an end
c. Gentle – humble
d. Easy to be entreated – reasonable, willing to yield to others
e. Good fruits – good deeds
f. Without partiality – unwavering
g. Without hypocrisy – absolute sincerity
iii. Mercy is inseparable from Godly wisdom
Conclusion:
Do you have mercy on display?
Do you give God’s mercy to others as He has given it to you?
Have you shared God’s mercy with the lost?
