Embracing Mercy: God's Gift and Our Call

Summary

Mercy is the great equalizer in our lives. None of us deserve it, yet God freely offers it to all who come to Him through Jesus. No matter our background, our failures, or the ways we’ve fallen short, God’s mercy is available. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, values every single one of us—He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and He rejoices over every sinner who repents. In the same way, the parable of the lost coin reminds us that each person is precious and valuable in God’s eyes, regardless of what the world or our past may say.

But mercy is not just something we receive; it’s something we are called to give. Jesus sets a high standard for us, calling us to love deeply and wait patiently, even when it’s difficult. Mercy means showing empathy, not just sympathy—stepping into someone else’s pain, praying with them, and refusing to let bitterness or gossip take root. It’s about breathing life into others with our words, offering encouragement and hope, and being intentional in how we speak and act.

Mercy also means giving second chances, just as God continually gives us another opportunity to turn back to Him. Sometimes, this requires us to slow down, replay situations in our minds, and choose grace over reaction. Intercessory prayer—praying for others persistently and with faith—can change circumstances and bring about miracles, even when the person we’re praying for isn’t present. The story of the Canaanite woman shows that faith and mercy together unlock the miraculous. She refused to be defined by cultural barriers or rejection, and her persistent faith drew out the mercy of Jesus, resulting in her daughter’s healing.

Ultimately, mercy is about seeing people as God sees them: valuable, loved, and worthy of grace. It’s about letting our faith rise above what the world says is possible, trusting that God’s mercy is already present and waiting for us to bring our faith to the table. No matter who we are or what we’ve done, God’s mercy is there to fix what’s broken and to invite us into a life dedicated to Him.

Key Takeaways

- Mercy is the great equalizer, reminding us that none of us are worthy on our own, yet God’s love and forgiveness are available to all. This truth humbles us and calls us to see ourselves and others through the lens of grace, not merit. When we recognize our own need for mercy, we become more willing to extend it to others, breaking down barriers of pride and judgment. [03:15]

- Every person is valuable and important to God, regardless of their past, status, or what others have said about them. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin reveal God’s relentless pursuit and deep joy over each individual who turns to Him. Our challenge is to see the value in every person, even those the world overlooks or dismisses, and to treat them with the same dignity and compassion that Jesus does. [06:42]

- Mercy requires us to love deeply and wait patiently, especially when it’s hard. This means practicing empathy—stepping into the pain of others, praying with them, and refusing to let bitterness or gossip take root in our hearts. True mercy is not passive; it actively seeks to bring healing and restoration, even when it costs us comfort or pride. [10:57]

- Giving second chances is at the heart of mercy. God’s mercy doesn’t keep count of our failures; it offers us a fresh start again and again. We are called to do the same for others, slowing down our reactions, replaying situations with grace, and choosing to respond with forgiveness rather than retaliation. This posture of mercy opens the door for redemption and transformation in our relationships. [25:51]

- Faith and mercy together unlock the miraculous. The Canaanite woman’s story teaches us that persistent faith, even in the face of rejection or cultural barriers, draws out the mercy of God. Sometimes, the miracle we seek for ourselves or others doesn’t require physical presence, but a heart full of faith and a willingness to trust in God’s compassion. When we bring our faith to the table, God’s mercy is already waiting to meet us. [38:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:42] - The Reality of Mercy and Salvation
[03:34] - God’s Sovereignty and the Definition of Mercy
[03:59] - Jesus the Good Shepherd
[04:18] - Parable of the Lost Sheep
[05:37] - Parable of the Lost Coin
[06:42] - Our Value and Importance to God
[07:13] - The System of Mercy and God’s Expectations
[09:45] - Loving Deeply and Waiting Long
[10:57] - The Power of Empathy
[13:32] - Bitterness, Gossip, and the Call to Pray
[15:34] - Stepping In with Mercy
[18:30] - The Golden Rule and Giving Grace
[20:21] - Letting Words Breathe Life
[24:54] - Mercy and Second Chances
[28:24] - The Power of Intercessory Prayer
[32:32] - Mercy in the Gospels: The Canaanite Woman
[38:12] - Faith, Mercy, and Miracles
[43:15] - Mercy for All, No Matter the Background
[44:33] - Responding to Mercy with a Dedicated Life

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power and Practice of Mercy

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### Bible Reading

- Luke 15:1-10 (Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin)
- Matthew 15:21-28 (The Canaanite Woman’s Faith)
- Colossians 3:12 (“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”)

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### Observation Questions

1. In the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (Luke 15:1-10), what actions do the shepherd and the woman take when something valuable is lost? What is their response when it is found?
2. How does Jesus respond to the Canaanite woman at first in Matthew 15:21-28, and how does her response show her faith?
3. According to Colossians 3:12, what qualities are believers called to “put on”? How does this relate to the idea of mercy?
4. The sermon says, “Mercy is the great equalizer this morning. That because I have fallen short, you have fallen short, we still can receive that salvation.” What does it mean that mercy is an “equalizer”? [[03:15]]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus tells two similar parables (the lost sheep and the lost coin) back-to-back? What does this repetition say about God’s heart for people?
2. The Canaanite woman is persistent even after being ignored and even insulted. What does her story teach about the relationship between faith and mercy? [[38:12]]
3. The sermon talks about empathy, not just sympathy, as a key part of mercy. What is the difference between the two, and why is empathy so important in showing mercy to others? [[12:02]]
4. The pastor mentions that mercy is not just something we receive, but something we are called to give, even when it’s hard. Why is it so difficult to extend mercy, especially to those who have wronged us? [[25:07]]

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### Application Questions

1. The parables show that God values every person, even those the world overlooks. Is there someone in your life or community who you tend to overlook or dismiss? What is one practical way you can show them mercy this week? [[06:42]]
2. The sermon challenges us to “love deep and wait long,” especially when people wrong us. Think of a current relationship where you are struggling with patience or compassion. What would it look like to “wait long” and “love deep” in that situation? [[09:59]]
3. The pastor shared about the power of praying with and for others, even those you may be upset with. Is there someone you need to stop talking about and start praying for? What’s one step you can take to do that this week? [[13:32]]
4. The message says, “Mercy means giving second chances, just as God continually gives us another opportunity to turn back to Him.” Is there someone you need to give a second chance to? What’s holding you back, and how can you move toward forgiveness? [[25:51]]
5. The Canaanite woman’s faith and persistence led to a miracle for her daughter, even though her daughter wasn’t present. Is there someone in your life who needs a breakthrough, but isn’t able or willing to seek God themselves? How can you intercede for them in prayer this week? [[40:30]]
6. The sermon talks about letting our words “breathe life” into others. Think about your conversations at home, work, or church. Are your words bringing encouragement and hope, or something else? What’s one way you can be more intentional with your words this week? [[20:21]]
7. The pastor said, “Mercy is about seeing people as God sees them: valuable, loved, and worthy of grace.” What is one area of your life where you struggle to see yourself or others through this lens? How can you ask God to help you change your perspective? [[44:01]]

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Devotional

Day 1: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Seeks and Values Every Lost One
No matter how far you have wandered or how lost you feel, Jesus sees you as precious and worth pursuing. He leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, rejoicing over every sinner who repents. Your value is not determined by your past, your mistakes, or what others have said about you—Jesus Himself declares you important and worthy of His mercy. Let this truth sink in: you are never too lost for His love to find you. [05:20]

John 10:11 (ESV)
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most lost or overlooked? How can you invite Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to meet you there today?

Day 2: Mercy Is Undeserved—Freely Received, Freely Given
Mercy is the great equalizer; none of us deserve it, yet God pours it out on us. Jesus calls us not only to receive His mercy but to extend it to others, even when it feels impossible. This means loving deeply, waiting patiently, and showing compassion, especially to those who have wronged us. Mercy is not just a feeling but an action—one that reflects the heart of Christ to the world around us. [07:13]

Matthew 5:7 (ESV)
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”

Reflection: Who in your life is hardest for you to show mercy to? What is one step you can take today to extend undeserved kindness to them?

Day 3: Let Your Words Breathe Life and Healing
The words you speak have the power to build up or tear down, to bring hope or deepen wounds. Gracious words, spoken with empathy and intention, can change the atmosphere of a difficult situation and offer hope where there is despair. Instead of gossiping or speaking harshly, choose to pray with and for others, letting your words be a source of encouragement and healing. [20:21]

Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

Reflection: Think of someone who needs encouragement today. How can you intentionally speak life into their situation with your words or prayers?

Day 4: Mercy Means Giving Second Chances—Again and Again
God’s mercy is not a one-time event; it is a continual invitation to start anew. Just as God gives us endless second chances, we are called to extend the same grace to others, even when it’s difficult or undeserved. Sometimes this means slowing down, replaying the situation in your mind, and choosing to respond with grace rather than react in anger. Mercy doesn’t keep count—it keeps the door open for redemption. [25:20]

Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Reflection: Is there someone you need to offer a second chance to today? What would it look like to let go of keeping score and extend mercy instead?

Day 5: Faith and Mercy Together Unlock Miracles
When you bring your faith to Jesus, even if you feel unworthy or like an outsider, His mercy is already waiting for you. The story of the Canaanite woman shows that persistent faith, combined with God’s mercy, can break through barriers and bring about miracles—even for those who feel undeserving or excluded. No matter your background or situation, God’s mercy is available; all He asks is that you come to Him in faith. [38:12]

Matthew 15:21-28 (ESV)
And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Reflection: Where do you need a breakthrough or miracle in your life? How can you bring persistent faith to Jesus today, trusting in His mercy even when the answer seems delayed?

Quotes

mercy. And it's a scary concept because we want to think that everybody's saved, but the truth of the matter is not everybody is saved. Not everybody has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Not everybody has treated Jesus like their Lord and Savior. Not everybody has worshiped Jesus like their Lord and Savior. These are basic fundamental requirements to receive his mercy. Even I myself have fallen short, but I still received his mercy. That's what mercy is. It's undeserved. I don't deserve it. it just as much as you don't deserve it. [00:02:30]

And though I carry a title of a pastor, I have fallen short at times of my life, just like you have fallen short in times of your life. And I'm here to tell you that mercy is the equalizer this morning. That because I have fallen short, you have fallen short, we still can receive that salvation. That's what mercy does. [00:03:12]

In Luke 15 verse 1-7, he says this. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him and the Pharisees and scribes grumbled saying, "This man receives sinners and he eats with them." This is them talking about Jesus. So Jesus tells this parable in verse four. He says, "What man of you having a hund sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?" [00:04:29]

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. Just so I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance." [00:04:58]

Regardless of what you've been told in life, regardless of the cards that have been dealt to you in life, regardless of how you were brought up, Jesus thinks you're important and he knows you're valuable. I don't know about you, but that tells me and that teaches me that that he carries a lot of mercy for us. [00:06:47]

It's a system that he's given us because the mercy he showed you, you must now give mercy back. And I think we forget that we serve a God that has expectations of us. It's not just that we just come to church. It's not that we just come to worship or that we just come to pray. But there are expectations that you have to carry that are going to seem challenging in this walk with the Lord. [00:07:29]

Now that you know the scriptures, now that you've accepted him, now that you understand what he did for you, now you need to replicate that. And that's not a really fantastic thing for a lot of people. As a matter of fact, a lot of people don't want to be held accountable to that type of lifestyle because Christ had set a standard that was so high that it's almost impossible to meet. [00:08:56]

And when I think about Christ, you are such an example. I have to be like you. But your standard is so high. I cannot be like you. You had so much mercy. You had so much forgiveness. You have so much grace and love. There is no way my filthy rags can even compare to that and even quarter of that. But yet that is the standard that he has set for us. [00:09:20]

So, how do we show mercy to each other? This is my first point. You're going to have to love deep and you're going to have to wait long. I'm going to say it again. You're going to have to love deep and you're going to have to wait long. In other words, when people wrong you, you're going to have to be patient with them. You're going to have to be compassionate towards them. [00:09:54]

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings for one another. So, let me tell you something. What does that look like when it's being acted out? Well, a lot of us what we tend to do is talk about people without praying for them, right? No one's ever done that here. I know I'm talking about another church, maybe another church in another city somewhere in the United States, but we do more talking than praying. [00:12:24]

Sometimes we don't like certain people because they've done us wrong. And what we end up doing is we end up talking about them and talking about them and talking about them and gossiping about them and then slandering them cuz it always grows. So then you start to slander them and then what you've done is made a decision in your own life to not be friends with that individual or even talk to them anymore or even go to the same room with them or even go to the same party with them and then it just keeps growing and growing and growing and growing because that's what bitterness and hate does. [00:12:59]

But if we had some empathy during those arguments, it requires you to listen. It requires you to be patient. It requires you to have compassion to see what they're seeing, you know, and and so sometimes what you got to do, and here's a little tip. Um, when you're in that fight with your spouse, just grab their hand and say, "Let's pray." [00:14:40]

Stop taking a step back. Mercyy's going to require you to step in. That's good. It's going to require you to step in. And you're going to have to tell people, you know, let me pray with you. Let me walk this walk with you. Let me look you dead in the eye and have my shoes pointed right at you while you're talking to me so you know that I'm about to pray with you and you know that I'm going to go through this with you. [00:17:42]

So stop expecting from others what you wouldn't give to them. In Matthew chapter 9 verse 36, seeing the people, he felt compassion for them because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Sometimes people are lost. Let them be lost so they can be found. Don't kick them out of the church. Don't slander them. Don't gossip about them. Let them come back. [00:19:35]

When you look at a perspective with when you look at something with a perspective of mercy, it's going to bring a different tone to the circumstance. The circumstance still exists. But when you start to say words and you start to breathe life, the circumstance still exists, but the atmosphere kind of changes a little bit in that circumstance. Maybe you got a bad report. Maybe you you you are dealing in a tough situation. [00:23:10]

Mercy is about second chances. This is a this is a dark one cuz when somebody's war wronged you, you don't want to give a second chance. And sometimes you didn't want to give a first chance, but you got to get a second chance, right? But you got to give a second chance. When people have wronged you, when people have have been have been talking about you, see, you got to understand something that redemption starts with second chances. [00:24:57]

Because he wanted to show his mercy to everybody around. That's why he wanted to see her faith. See, when you mix faith and mercy, you get a miracle. It takes your faith and his mercy in order to receive a miracle. And a miracle was about to take place. [00:38:10]

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Transcript

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