The Miracle Of Mercy - Part 1 - What Mercy Means

Part 1 - Sunday, September 18, 2016

Pastor Chuck Bernal

 A NEW DAY will dawn on us BECAUSE our God is LOVING AND MERCIFUL. (Luke 1:78 - GW)

 The Lord God came down in a cloud and stood beside Moses there on the mountain. God spoke his holy name, “the Lord.” Then he passed in front of Moses and called out, “I am the Lord God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted. (Exodus 34:6 – CEV)

 For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:31 – ESV)

 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23 – ESV)

 Hebrew – “Hesed”/ Greek – “Eleos” 

 We need mercy when we’re ____________________________________________________________________ A HUMILIATED WOMAN

 Jesus was teaching a crowd and some Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery. They put her on display in front of the crowd, then said to Jesus. “This woman has been caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. So what do you say?” . . . . Jesus stood up and said, “Here’s my answer: If any one of you has never sinned, then you may throw the first stone.” Then he stooped down again and continued writing in the dirt! The accusers began to slip away, beginning with the oldest, until it was just Jesus and the woman. Jesus stood back up and quietly said to her, “Where are your accusers? Is there no one left to condemn you?” “No, one Lord,” she said. Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you! Now go on, and leave your sinful ways.”  (John 8:2-11)

 GOD’S MERCY ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 I was sent to announce freedom to all held captive andnforgiveness to all who’ve been imprisoned. (Isaiah 61:1 (Jesus)

 I have come to save the world and not to judge it. (John 12:47 - LB)

 O Lord, you are so good and kind, so ready to forgive, so full of mercy for all who ask your aid. (Psalm 86:5- LB)

 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin. So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will receive mercy and find the grace to help us in our time of need.  (Hebrews 4:15-16 - CEV)

We need mercy when we’re ___________________________________________________________________ A DISAPPOINTED MAN

 In Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, which was surrounded by five covered porches. A large crowd of all sorts of disabled people would lie by the pool, waiting for a miracle. There was a legend that every once in a while an angel would stir up the water, and whoever was the first to get in the water while it was still moving would get what they needed and be made whole. One poor man had been waiting by the pool for 38 years. When Jesus saw this man and heard that he’d been lying there for such a long time, he asked the man “Do you want to get well?’” “Sir,’ the man replied, “I have no one to help me get into the pool when the water is stirred! While I’m trying to get there, somebody else always get ahead of me!” Then Jesus simply said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and start walking!” When the man trusted Jesus, he was immediately able to walk again.  (John 5:2-9)

 GOD’S MERCY ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 What is impossible with men is possible with God. (Luke 18:27 - NIV)

 As you get to know Jesus better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life. (2 Peter 1:3 - LB)

 We need mercy when we’re ________________________________________________________________________ A HOPELESS MAN

 One of the criminals being executed on a cross beside Jesus ridiculed him saying, “If you’re supposed to be the Messiah, why don’t you save yourself . . . and us too!” But the second criminal rebuked him, “Man, don't you even fear God when you’re dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong!” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I guarantee you that today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)

 GOD’S MERCY _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 Anyone who asks for mercy from the Lord shall have it and shall be saved. (Acts 2:21 - LB)

 The Lord God is waiting to show you how kind he is and to have mercy on you. The Lord always does what’s right and he blesses those who trust him!  (Isaiah 30:18 - CEV)

 The Lord wants to show his mercy to you . . .  (Isaiah 30:18 – ICB)

 MERCY: HOW DO WE RECEIVE IT?

 We may receive mercy for our failures and find His amazing grace . . .  (Hebrews 4:16 – Amp)