Embracing Mercy: A Mother's Day Reflection
Summary
### Summary
Welcome, everyone. Today, we are diving into the theme of "Mercy for Mother's Day," focusing on Micah 6:8. This passage is one of my life verses, and it provides a roadmap for how we can make a difference in a world that is increasingly chaotic and filled with suffering. The scripture says, "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God" ([01:32]). This message is not just for mothers but for everyone. Our world is in desperate need of mercy, and as followers of Christ, we can be the vessels through which God's mercy flows.
Mercy is a concept that transcends time and culture. It is something we receive from God and then give away to others. The Bible mentions mercy over 300 times, more than it mentions hell, forgiveness, or even grace ([07:20]). This shows how crucial mercy is in the eyes of God. Mercy involves kindness, compassion, and tenderheartedness. It is about doing good deeds and showing love, even when it is difficult.
One of the most powerful ways to experience and extend mercy is through worship. Worship allows us to enter the throne room of God, where we can receive a fresh impartation of mercy ([10:37]). The first heaven is where we are, the second heaven is the unseen realm where spiritual battles occur, and the third heaven is the throne room of God. In worship, we transcend these realms and find ourselves in the presence of God, where mercy and grace abound ([11:59]).
Mercy is not just a feeling; it is a choice. Just like choosing to love your spouse, you must choose to love mercy. This choice can transform your life and relationships. For example, in my own marriage, I had to learn to love unconditionally, which changed everything for me ([17:46]). Similarly, choosing mercy means choosing forgiveness over blame, patience over irritation, and kindness over harshness ([21:41]).
In practical terms, loving mercy involves three key steps: choosing forgiveness, choosing patience, and choosing kindness. Forgiveness keeps you in a place of mercy, as Psalm 86:5 says, "For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon you" ([22:14]). Patience, as described in Galatians 5:22, is another fruit of the Spirit that connects to mercy ([23:23]). Lastly, kindness, as mentioned in Colossians 3:12-13, is essential for maintaining a merciful disposition ([27:36]).
Our world glorifies anger and quick judgment, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to show mercy, even when it is not reciprocated. This is a blessed way to live, as those who are full of mercy will be shown mercy ([18:21]).
Finally, I want to extend an invitation to those who may not have a relationship with God. Jesus Christ is reaching out to you, offering forgiveness and a new way of life. If you feel that you need to settle the issue of God in your heart, I encourage you to pray with me and invite Jesus into your life ([31:10]).
### Key Takeaways
1. Mercy is a Divine Mandate: Mercy is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible, more than hell, forgiveness, or grace. This highlights its importance in God's eyes. Mercy involves kindness, compassion, and tenderheartedness. It is something we receive from God and then give away to others. This divine mandate calls us to be conduits of God's mercy in a world that desperately needs it. [07:20]
2. Worship as a Gateway to Mercy: Worship allows us to enter the throne room of God, where we can receive a fresh impartation of mercy. The first heaven is where we are, the second heaven is the unseen realm where spiritual battles occur, and the third heaven is the throne room of God. In worship, we transcend these realms and find ourselves in the presence of God, where mercy and grace abound. [11:59]
3. Choosing Mercy is Transformative: Mercy is not just a feeling; it is a choice. Just like choosing to love your spouse, you must choose to love mercy. This choice can transform your life and relationships. For example, in my own marriage, I had to learn to love unconditionally, which changed everything for me. Similarly, choosing mercy means choosing forgiveness over blame, patience over irritation, and kindness over harshness. [17:46]
4. Practical Steps to Love Mercy: Loving mercy involves three key steps: choosing forgiveness, choosing patience, and choosing kindness. Forgiveness keeps you in a place of mercy, as Psalm 86:5 says, "For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon you." Patience, as described in Galatians 5:22, is another fruit of the Spirit that connects to mercy. Lastly, kindness, as mentioned in Colossians 3:12-13, is essential for maintaining a merciful disposition. [21:41]
5. Mercy in a World of Anger: Our world glorifies anger and quick judgment, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to show mercy, even when it is not reciprocated. This is a blessed way to live, as those who are full of mercy will be shown mercy. Choosing mercy over anger and judgment not only aligns us with God's will but also brings peace and fulfillment into our lives. [18:21]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Introduction and Mother's Day Fun Facts
[01:32] - Micah 6:8 and the Importance of Mercy
[03:05] - The World Needs Mercy
[05:20] - What is Mercy?
[07:20] - Mercy in the Bible
[10:37] - The Three Heavens and Worship
[11:59] - The Throne Room of God
[13:15] - Worship and Mercy
[16:02] - How to Love Mercy
[17:46] - Choosing to Love Mercy
[18:21] - Blessed are the Merciful
[19:00] - Justice vs. Mercy
[21:41] - Practical Steps to Love Mercy
[22:14] - Choose Forgiveness
[23:23] - Choose Patience
[27:36] - Choose Kindness
[28:55] - Prayer and Invitation
[29:53] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[31:10] - Prayer for Salvation
[33:09] - Next Steps and Closing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Micah 6:8, what are the three things the Lord requires of us? How do these requirements relate to each other?
2. The sermon mentions that mercy is mentioned over 300 times in the Bible, more than hell, forgiveness, or grace. Why do you think mercy is emphasized so much in the scriptures? [07:20]
3. How does the pastor describe the three heavens, and what role does worship play in experiencing God's mercy? [10:37]
4. What are the three practical steps to loving mercy mentioned in the sermon? [21:41]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is mercy considered a divine mandate, and how does it reflect God's character? [06:19]
2. How does worship serve as a gateway to receiving mercy, according to the sermon? What does it mean to enter the "throne room of God"? [11:59]
3. The pastor shared a personal story about learning to love unconditionally in his marriage. How does this story illustrate the transformative power of choosing mercy? [17:46]
4. In what ways does the world glorify anger and quick judgment, and how are Christians called to respond differently? [18:21]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show mercy but chose not to. What could you have done differently, and how might it have changed the outcome? [19:00]
2. Worship is described as a way to receive a fresh impartation of mercy. How can you incorporate more worship into your daily routine to experience this? [13:15]
3. Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from more mercy. What specific actions can you take to show forgiveness, patience, and kindness in that relationship? [21:41]
4. The sermon emphasizes that mercy is a choice. What are some practical ways you can choose mercy over anger or judgment in your daily interactions? [19:00]
5. The pastor mentioned that those who are full of mercy will be shown mercy. How can you cultivate a merciful heart, and what impact do you think it will have on your life and those around you? [18:21]
6. Identify a person or group in your community who is often overlooked or judged harshly. How can you extend mercy to them in a tangible way this week? [03:05]
7. The sermon concludes with an invitation to accept Christ and receive His mercy. If you have already accepted Christ, how can you share this message of mercy with someone who hasn't? If you haven't, what is holding you back from accepting this invitation? [31:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Mercy as a Divine Mandate
Mercy is a central theme in the Bible, mentioned over 300 times, more than hell, forgiveness, or even grace. This highlights its importance in God's eyes. Mercy involves kindness, compassion, and tenderheartedness. It is something we receive from God and then give away to others. This divine mandate calls us to be conduits of God's mercy in a world that desperately needs it. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody and extend this mercy to those around us, reflecting God's love and compassion in our actions and attitudes. [07:20]
Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you had the opportunity to show mercy but chose not to. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future, embodying God's call to mercy?
Day 2: Worship as a Gateway to Mercy
Worship allows us to enter the throne room of God, where we can receive a fresh impartation of mercy. The first heaven is where we are, the second heaven is the unseen realm where spiritual battles occur, and the third heaven is the throne room of God. In worship, we transcend these realms and find ourselves in the presence of God, where mercy and grace abound. This divine encounter through worship not only refreshes our spirit but also equips us to extend mercy to others. [11:59]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV): "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: During your next worship time, focus on entering God's presence and receiving His mercy. How does this experience change your perspective on extending mercy to others?
Day 3: Choosing Mercy is Transformative
Mercy is not just a feeling; it is a choice. Just like choosing to love your spouse, you must choose to love mercy. This choice can transform your life and relationships. For example, in personal relationships, choosing mercy means choosing forgiveness over blame, patience over irritation, and kindness over harshness. This conscious decision to embody mercy can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections and a more fulfilling life. [17:46]
Colossians 3:12-13 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Identify a relationship in your life that could benefit from more mercy. What specific actions can you take to choose mercy in that relationship today?
Day 4: Practical Steps to Love Mercy
Loving mercy involves three key steps: choosing forgiveness, choosing patience, and choosing kindness. Forgiveness keeps you in a place of mercy, as Psalm 86:5 says, "For you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon you." Patience, as described in Galatians 5:22, is another fruit of the Spirit that connects to mercy. Lastly, kindness, as mentioned in Colossians 3:12-13, is essential for maintaining a merciful disposition. These practical steps help us to live out the call to mercy in our daily lives. [21:41]
Psalm 86:5 (ESV): "For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you."
Reflection: Reflect on which of the three steps—forgiveness, patience, or kindness—you find most challenging. How can you intentionally practice this step in your interactions today?
Day 5: Mercy in a World of Anger
Our world glorifies anger and quick judgment, but as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to show mercy, even when it is not reciprocated. This is a blessed way to live, as those who are full of mercy will be shown mercy. Choosing mercy over anger and judgment not only aligns us with God's will but also brings peace and fulfillment into our lives. This counter-cultural approach to life can be a powerful testimony to the transformative power of God's love. [18:21]
James 2:13 (ESV): "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
Reflection: Think of a recent situation where you felt anger or judgment towards someone. How can you choose to show mercy instead, and what impact might that have on your relationship with that person?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Mercy is something we receive from God and then give away to people. That's what makes life fun. Receiving God's mercy, but not being like the Dead Sea, where stuff goes in, where water and life goes in and then never goes back out. So you're not the Dead Sea. You're more like the Jordan River. You're a conduit. Mercy comes into you and mercy goes out from you. Mercy comes to you from Almighty God and mercy goes out from you to bless the people around your life. That, my friend, is a fun way to live. I've tasted a little bit of it and I wanna have more. How about you?" [08:06]
2. "Our world is glorifying anger right now. I mean, you cannot, you can't be on social media without seeing the glorification of anger. I mean, road rage, something that didn't exist just as recently as a few years ago. Now it's everywhere. I mean, I find myself driving now in a more conservative way than I ever have before. And Dawn would tell you that's a minor miracle. Because I don't want to get shot. Because anger is so crazy. It's crazy in our world right now. Everybody's mad about something. Everybody's eager to jump on and hammer somebody if they make a post, if they share something to try to encourage other people." [04:43]
3. "Why is it that we love for justice for them, but not for me? Why is it we get so excited when that person driving below the speed limit in the fast lane gets pulled over for driving. Why is it that we're driving too slow in the fast lane? Why is it that we drive by going, yeah, finally, finally somebody being forced to obey the law, get out of the fast lane. Anyway, I've never seen that happen, but I'm praying for it. Why, because we love justice for other people, but we don't love it for ourselves. We love mercy for ourselves. But really, we should love mercy for other people just as much as we love mercy for ourselves." [19:38]
4. "Mercy is not just a feeling; it is a choice. Just like choosing to love your spouse, you must choose to love mercy. This choice can transform your life and relationships. For example, in my own marriage, I had to learn to love unconditionally, which changed everything for me. Similarly, choosing mercy means choosing forgiveness over blame, patience over irritation, and kindness over harshness." [17:46]
5. "How about mercy? How many times do you think mercy? The concept of mercy is in the Bible. In the holy scriptures written by God. Anybody wanna guess? Over 300 times. Over 300 times. Now, I know many of you would think, well, I think hell is probably in the Bible more than mercy. I think forgiveness, forgiveness is huge. I mean, without forgiveness, we can't have eternal life, but mercy is bigger than that. Grace, I mean, books and books and messages and sermons and memorized scripture on grace, but mercy still has more volume, the voice of God spoke about mercy in the holy scriptures. More than the rest of those. That amazes me. And it gets me excited to teach about it today." [07:20]
### Quotes for Members
1. "So as those who have been chosen by God, everybody chosen by God today, just say amen. Thank you, Lord. Holy and beloved, put on, everybody say put on, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And there you have two words, compassion and kindness, which interface and connect to the word mercy. Bearing with one another and forgiving each other, whoever has to complain against anyone, just as the Lord forgave you, so also must you forgive. Just choose kindness and not harshness. And when you do, kindness and not harshness, mercy will stay with you. You won't forfeit it with your flesh and with your disposition that's not bent toward God." [27:36]
2. "Full of mercy? May that be all of us today, amen, somebody? Full of mercy, guess what? We're gonna be shown mercy. By who? Maybe not by another person on the planet, but our God will show us mercy when we choose to be full of mercy. Listen, those who are full of it get more of it, of mercy. Those who are full of mercy get more mercy. So why don't we choose mercy first, why is it we fly off first? Why is it that we want them to be punished for what they said and what they did?" [19:00]
3. "How do we love mercy? Well, it's a choice that you make. Just like you make a choice when you get married, make a choice to love your spouse. Now, I wasn't taught this. I had to learn this the hard way. So Don and I fell in love, dated off and on for years. Somebody had problems with commitment and kept messing things up. But finally, once the knots got knocked off of this knotty head, I realized she was the one God gave me to love. I proposed, she said yes. As quick as we could, we got married. Then the work began." [16:37]
4. "How do we love mercy? Here's the first one. A in your notes there, choose forgiveness, not blame. Choose forgiveness, not blame. You forgive yourself so easily, but you blame others so easily. Choose forgiveness with everybody, yourself included. Psalm 86, verse five, for you, Lord, are good and ready to forgive. Thank you, Lord, that you're ready to forgive. And abundant in loving kindness, one of the words in the Bible that interfaces and intertwines with mercy. That's why I put it in. You, O Lord, are good, ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all who call upon you." [22:14]
5. "Where do we find mercy? Where is it a guarantee that when you go there, you're gonna find mercy? And the answer is in that scripture in the throne room, where the throne of God is. Now, maybe you understand the three heavens, maybe you don't. And I wanna explain this because it really helped me to understand the importance of worship. One day, back before I understood this, and once I gained understanding of it, it changed my worship life. Amen, from God. Yes, my worship life has changed, thank you, Lord." [10:01]
6. "Mercy is something we receive from God and then give away to people. That's what makes life fun. Receiving God's mercy, but not being like the Dead Sea, where stuff goes in, where water and life goes in and then never goes back out. So you're not the Dead Sea. You're more like the Jordan River. You're a conduit. Mercy comes into you and mercy goes out from you. Mercy comes to you from Almighty God and mercy goes out from you to bless the people around your life. That, my friend, is a fun way to live. I've tasted a little bit of it and I wanna have more. How about you?" [08:06]
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