February 2025
Mercy, 2 February 2025
02 02 25 Filed in: Sermons | Blessed: The Beatitudes
Blessed are the Merciful
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 2, 2025
Matthew 5:7
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: Mercy is an undeserved gift to experience and share.
Thirteen days ago, the word "mercy" made headlines after it was used in a sermon in Washington, D.C. It is our subject today. While I have no political motivations, I want to warn you that mercy is not an easy topic—unless you are in a posture of surrender.
I invite you to open your hands and say this simple prayer:
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
We have finished half of the Beatitudes—the blessings Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5. These are not merely instructions on how to live but declarations of the reality of God’s kingdom, both now and in the future. They are radical, counter-cultural, and intentionally upside down! The way of God is often the opposite of the American Dream, which some may find offensive. Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."
So far, we have studied these Beatitudes:
Today’s Beatitude may be the simplest and most logical:
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
This principle echoes the idea that we reap what we sow. Paul wrote several decades after Jesus:
"A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7b)
The concept is older than Christianity, originating in agricultural practices. But let’s take a closer look at the word "mercy."
It’s not commonly used in everyday vocabulary, and it is often misunderstood. We say, "LORD, have mercy" or hear the phrase "grace and mercy" without deeply considering its meaning.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, mercy is "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." Synonyms include leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, and charity. In essence, mercy is when you don’t receive the punishment you deserve.
The Greek word for merciful, eleemon, means "actively compassionate." The Hebrew word for mercy, rachamim, contains within it the root word for "womb," symbolizing birthing, nurturing, and deep, unconditional love. One rabbi even relates mercy to God’s "womb-love" for His people.
We all deserve eternal punishment for our sin, pride, selfishness, and rebellion. Yet, God offers mercy through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
This is why people say, "I’m better than I deserve." We deserve to pay for our sins, but Jesus took our place.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
Jesus illustrated mercy in a powerful parable:
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22, NLT)
Forgiveness is never justified, earned, or deserved. By definition, forgiveness is an act of mercy.
Jesus continued with a parable about a king settling his accounts. A servant who owed millions pleaded for mercy and was forgiven. However, this same servant later refused to forgive another man who owed him a few thousand dollars. The king, enraged by his lack of mercy, threw him into prison until his entire debt was paid.
Jesus concluded:
"That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." (Matthew 18:35)
Meditate on that for a. moment. Those are Jesus’ words. We are to show mercy. We are to forgive others.
The funny thing about human nature is we want mercy for ourselves, but justice for others. How many times have you said or thought, “That’s not fair!”? Often, it’s because someone who deserved to be punished wasn’t. But experiencing mercy feels so good.
Perhaps my favorite personal story about mercy—besides Jesus’ death and resurrection for my sins—occurred many years ago on my way to our church gathering. I was pulling out of my driveway and hit satan! Actually, I hit satan’s car! It was Halloween and someone dressed as satan was driving down my street, I didn’t see them and hit their car! Nobody was hurt and the damage wasn’t terrible, but it was real.
I knew I deserved a ticket. I knew I deserved points on my record. I knew I deserved to file a claim with my insurance company…and theirs. My car had no notable damage, but justice meant I would get their car repaired.
My friend worked for an insurance company and we discovered it was the same company that insured the other driver (satan!). To make a long story short, he was able to talk to their agent, arranged for the repairs, and I was let off the hook…no ticket, points, rate increase…it was like the accident never happened. That’s mercy!
Mercy is not fair. It is a gift. And gifts are never deserved.
But here’s the key: You can’t give what you don’t possess.
If you ask me for ten dollars and I don’t have it, I can’t give it. If you need a ride and my car won’t start, I can’t help you. But if you ask to see pictures of my grandkids, I can absolutely show you!
We can only give mercy if we have received mercy.
So What?
The message is clear: Show mercy! But we must first recognize that God made the first move. When Jesus died on the cross, he showed us mercy, declaring us forgiven and clean.
Some of you have carried guilt and shame for years. Going to church helped a little, but the burden remains. Jesus died for that! He makes us clean!
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
That is mercy! And it is available to all of us. If you are not following Jesus, surrender today. Say "yes" to Jesus! Get clean! Mercy is a free gift waiting for you to receive.
Then, express thanks to God for His mercy. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget, to get busy, to move on with life. We need to regularly pause and give thanks, not only on communion Sunday, but ideally as part of our daily rhythms. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we’ve been given so much. It’s worth celebrating. It’s one of the reasons we worship.
Then we can extend mercy to others. We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. We’ve been loved so we can love. We’ve been shown mercy so we can show it to others.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
If you call yourself a Christian, keep your "mercy tank" full so it can overflow to others. Keep your "love tank" full so it can spill onto others. If you’re not basking in God’s mercy and love—if you’re too busy to be with the LORD, meditate on His promises, and remember His goodness—you won’t have anything to give.
We all need God’s mercy. We all need mercy from others. And mercy is never deserved.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
We’ve all been shown mercy by the LORD, most significantly through the cross. Jesus took the punishment we deserve…death. He has shown us mercy, offered us the free gift of forgiveness, invites us into an eternal relationship with our Creator, and provides us with hope, peace, meaning, and joy.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
As we have received mercy, let us be quick to forgive and show mercy to others…for His glory and our benefit.
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude 2)
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
Blessed: The Beatitudes
February 2, 2025
Matthew 5:7
Series Big Idea: The greatest sermon in history is radical, revolutionary, and relevant.
Big Idea: Mercy is an undeserved gift to experience and share.
Thirteen days ago, the word "mercy" made headlines after it was used in a sermon in Washington, D.C. It is our subject today. While I have no political motivations, I want to warn you that mercy is not an easy topic—unless you are in a posture of surrender.
I invite you to open your hands and say this simple prayer:
"Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening."
We have finished half of the Beatitudes—the blessings Jesus proclaimed in the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5. These are not merely instructions on how to live but declarations of the reality of God’s kingdom, both now and in the future. They are radical, counter-cultural, and intentionally upside down! The way of God is often the opposite of the American Dream, which some may find offensive. Jesus said,
"Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear."
So far, we have studied these Beatitudes:
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)
- Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
- Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Today’s Beatitude may be the simplest and most logical:
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
This principle echoes the idea that we reap what we sow. Paul wrote several decades after Jesus:
"A man reaps what he sows." (Galatians 6:7b)
The concept is older than Christianity, originating in agricultural practices. But let’s take a closer look at the word "mercy."
It’s not commonly used in everyday vocabulary, and it is often misunderstood. We say, "LORD, have mercy" or hear the phrase "grace and mercy" without deeply considering its meaning.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, mercy is "compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm." Synonyms include leniency, clemency, compassion, grace, pity, and charity. In essence, mercy is when you don’t receive the punishment you deserve.
The Greek word for merciful, eleemon, means "actively compassionate." The Hebrew word for mercy, rachamim, contains within it the root word for "womb," symbolizing birthing, nurturing, and deep, unconditional love. One rabbi even relates mercy to God’s "womb-love" for His people.
We all deserve eternal punishment for our sin, pride, selfishness, and rebellion. Yet, God offers mercy through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.
This is why people say, "I’m better than I deserve." We deserve to pay for our sins, but Jesus took our place.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
Jesus illustrated mercy in a powerful parable:
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
Jesus replied, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven!” (Matthew 18:21-22, NLT)
Forgiveness is never justified, earned, or deserved. By definition, forgiveness is an act of mercy.
Jesus continued with a parable about a king settling his accounts. A servant who owed millions pleaded for mercy and was forgiven. However, this same servant later refused to forgive another man who owed him a few thousand dollars. The king, enraged by his lack of mercy, threw him into prison until his entire debt was paid.
Jesus concluded:
"That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." (Matthew 18:35)
Meditate on that for a. moment. Those are Jesus’ words. We are to show mercy. We are to forgive others.
The funny thing about human nature is we want mercy for ourselves, but justice for others. How many times have you said or thought, “That’s not fair!”? Often, it’s because someone who deserved to be punished wasn’t. But experiencing mercy feels so good.
Perhaps my favorite personal story about mercy—besides Jesus’ death and resurrection for my sins—occurred many years ago on my way to our church gathering. I was pulling out of my driveway and hit satan! Actually, I hit satan’s car! It was Halloween and someone dressed as satan was driving down my street, I didn’t see them and hit their car! Nobody was hurt and the damage wasn’t terrible, but it was real.
I knew I deserved a ticket. I knew I deserved points on my record. I knew I deserved to file a claim with my insurance company…and theirs. My car had no notable damage, but justice meant I would get their car repaired.
My friend worked for an insurance company and we discovered it was the same company that insured the other driver (satan!). To make a long story short, he was able to talk to their agent, arranged for the repairs, and I was let off the hook…no ticket, points, rate increase…it was like the accident never happened. That’s mercy!
Mercy is not fair. It is a gift. And gifts are never deserved.
But here’s the key: You can’t give what you don’t possess.
If you ask me for ten dollars and I don’t have it, I can’t give it. If you need a ride and my car won’t start, I can’t help you. But if you ask to see pictures of my grandkids, I can absolutely show you!
We can only give mercy if we have received mercy.
So What?
The message is clear: Show mercy! But we must first recognize that God made the first move. When Jesus died on the cross, he showed us mercy, declaring us forgiven and clean.
Some of you have carried guilt and shame for years. Going to church helped a little, but the burden remains. Jesus died for that! He makes us clean!
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
That is mercy! And it is available to all of us. If you are not following Jesus, surrender today. Say "yes" to Jesus! Get clean! Mercy is a free gift waiting for you to receive.
Then, express thanks to God for His mercy. This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget, to get busy, to move on with life. We need to regularly pause and give thanks, not only on communion Sunday, but ideally as part of our daily rhythms. Because of the cross and the empty tomb, we’ve been given so much. It’s worth celebrating. It’s one of the reasons we worship.
Then we can extend mercy to others. We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. We’ve been loved so we can love. We’ve been shown mercy so we can show it to others.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
If you call yourself a Christian, keep your "mercy tank" full so it can overflow to others. Keep your "love tank" full so it can spill onto others. If you’re not basking in God’s mercy and love—if you’re too busy to be with the LORD, meditate on His promises, and remember His goodness—you won’t have anything to give.
We all need God’s mercy. We all need mercy from others. And mercy is never deserved.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
We’ve all been shown mercy by the LORD, most significantly through the cross. Jesus took the punishment we deserve…death. He has shown us mercy, offered us the free gift of forgiveness, invites us into an eternal relationship with our Creator, and provides us with hope, peace, meaning, and joy.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7)
As we have received mercy, let us be quick to forgive and show mercy to others…for His glory and our benefit.
Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. (Jude 2)