THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Today I would like to invite you to work through one of the “Beatitudes” as part of your personal study and application of scripture.
If you are new to this material, go back and read the opening of the Sermon on the Mount as it is found in Matthew 5:1-7. It is important that we seek to understand the setting and the audience for messages like this, otherwise we can lose our way and come to conclusions that were never intended.
Before you dive into the following description of one of the character traits of a follower of Christ, spend a moment in prayer.
· Ask the Lord to help you be open to the work of his Spirit as you seek to understand and apply his truth.
· Commit yourself to the Lord. No matter where you are in the journey of becoming faithful to God, commit yourself to Jesus Christ from this moment forward.
“Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.”
There is no question that the God of Israel has communicated to all people that mercy and compassion for those of the faith community is essential. We can see this truth in messages like that of Micah 6:8:
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
In this message from the Lord to his people, the attribute of being a person who shows compassion, love, and concern for others is essential for those who seek to live in a way that pleases and glorifies the Lord.
· How have you been shown mercy by others in your life?
· How did these times of mercy help you experience love and forgiveness?
As the people of God, we too are called to show others this same kind of love and forgiveness. We are clearly called to become people who seek to show real mercy to others in life. We can hear a great example of this call from God in the message of the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This message from Paul only adds to the message of Jesus Christ in calling us to reflect on the mercy we have been shown by Christ and by others in life. As we learn to appreciate and understand the high cost of this mercy that has been shown to us, we are compelled to show some measure of this same mercy to others.
· Is there anyone in your life right now that needs to experience mercy from you?
· How can you take the first step in this relationship?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus,
I have no words to express to you other than thanks and gratitude for the way that you have demonstrated your love for me by pouring out unending mercy over me. Please help me follow in your footsteps and give a small measure of your mercy to those people around me that would benefit from receiving my love and compassion.
Thank you Lord.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH
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