First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord's Day December 3, 2000 Anno Domini

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the Merciful.

  1. The Book of Mercy
    1. Mercy early on.
  1. Mercy at the end.
Revelation 21:4

"Behold, I make all things new."

  1. Mercy in the middle.
Biblical worship teaches mercy.

Exodus 25:22

The history of Israel is a history of mercy.

  1. Mercy in the present.
The throne: Hebrews 4:16

The presence: Hebrews 12:22-24

The priest: Hebrews 2:17

  1. The nature of God teaches mercy.
    1. God is merciful.
Exodus 34:6-7

Luke 6:36 "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful."

Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 111:4; Psalm 116:5; Psalm 145:8

  1. God is also just.
Psalm 18:25

Psalm 59:5

Col 1:19-20

  1. The mercy of God shown in the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 2:38

Psalm 41:4

Luke 18:13

  1. The Kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of mercy.
    1. Blessed are the merciful.
Ephesians 2:4-7
  1. Criteria for showing mercy.
God's, Romans 9:15

Ours, Zech 7:9-10; James 2:13-17; Philippians 2:1-3

  1. Being merciful requires self-examination.
How do you speak to others? Ephesians 4:29.

Being merciful means learning to forgive. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Matthew 18:35.

How do you see the human condition? Romans 12:15-16

  1. Be merciful, says the Lord.
2Cor 1:3-4

" Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy."