What does God really want from us? n We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe the component parts of the Christian's heart. (Mt 5:1-12)

What does God really want from us?What does God really want from us?

We noted last lessons that the beatitudes We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe the component parts of the describe the component parts of the Christian's heart. Christian's heart. (Mt 5:1-12)(Mt 5:1-12)


We noted last lessons that the beatitudes We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe the component parts of the describe the component parts of the Christian's heart. Christian's heart. (Mt 5:1-12)(Mt 5:1-12)

These are not mere random thoughts but These are not mere random thoughts but rather a description of the kind of heart rather a description of the kind of heart that pleases God.that pleases God.


We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe the component parts of the Christian's heart. the component parts of the Christian's heart. (Mt 5:1-12)(Mt 5:1-12)

These are not mere random thoughts but rather a These are not mere random thoughts but rather a description of the kind of heart that pleases description of the kind of heart that pleases God.God.

Too often we think God will be pleased with Too often we think God will be pleased with things and accomplishments alone. In this we are things and accomplishments alone. In this we are greatly mistaken! greatly mistaken! (Micah 6:6-8)(Micah 6:6-8)


(Micah 6:8)(Micah 6:8) - He has shown you, O man, - He has shown you, O man, what what is is good; And what does the LORD good; And what does the LORD require of you But require of you But to do justlyto do justly, , To love To love mercymercy, And to walk humbly with your , And to walk humbly with your God?” God?”


We are now seeing the fruits of the We are now seeing the fruits of the character of God manifested in our lives. character of God manifested in our lives. (Rom 8:29)(Rom 8:29)


(Romans 8:29 NKJV)(Romans 8:29 NKJV) - - “For whom He “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined foreknew, He also predestined to be to be conformed to the image of His Sonconformed to the image of His Son, that He , that He might be the firstborn among many might be the firstborn among many brethren.”brethren.”


"The first four beatitudes look toward God, "The first four beatitudes look toward God, the next three toward men. Mercifulness, the next three toward men. Mercifulness, purity in heart, and peacemaking are virtues purity in heart, and peacemaking are virtues which mark the godly as blessed." --- which mark the godly as blessed." --- Jimmy TutenJimmy Tuten


The world will scoff at these things. But The world will scoff at these things. But remember, the world will never have this remember, the world will never have this blessedness, or happiness that can only come blessedness, or happiness that can only come from God.from God.


"Up to this point in our discussion we have "Up to this point in our discussion we have seen stress on man's need and his seen stress on man's need and his consciousness of that need. Now Jesus lays consciousness of that need. Now Jesus lays stress on the disposition that comes out of stress on the disposition that comes out of that fulfilled need." --- Jimmy Tutenthat fulfilled need." --- Jimmy Tuten

The sign of God's Character in us --- The sign of God's Character in us --- MercifulnessMercifulness (Mt 5:6)(Mt 5:6)

What is mercy? What is mercy? (Mt 5:7)(Mt 5:7)


(Matthew 5:7 NKJV)(Matthew 5:7 NKJV) - - “Blessed “Blessed are are the the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.”


Merciful is from Gr. "Merciful is from Gr. "eleemon, eleoseleemon, eleos," ," meaning "mercy, pity, especially on meaning "mercy, pity, especially on account of misery" (Berry). "...good will account of misery" (Berry). "...good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them" (Thayer).with a desire to relieve them" (Thayer).


Merciful is from Gr. "Merciful is from Gr. "eleemon, eleoseleemon, eleos," ," meaning "mercy, pity, especially on meaning "mercy, pity, especially on account of misery" (Berry). "...good will account of misery" (Berry). "...good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them" (Thayer).with a desire to relieve them" (Thayer).

Mercy denotes Mercy denotes bothboth an attitude and an an attitude and an action.action.


What is mercy? What is mercy? (Mt 5:7)(Mt 5:7) "It is not enough just to feel for another. "It is not enough just to feel for another.

(Jas 2:15-18)(Jas 2:15-18)


(James 2:15-18 NKJV)(James 2:15-18 NKJV) - “If a brother or - “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,sister is naked and destitute of daily food, {16} {16} and one of you says to them, “Depart and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed not give them the things which are needed for the body, what for the body, what does it does it profit?profit? {17} {17} Thus Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.works, is dead.


{18} {18} But someone will say, “You have But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”you my faith by my works.”


Consider some Bible examples of mercy.Consider some Bible examples of mercy.


Consider some Bible examples of mercy.Consider some Bible examples of mercy. The Good Samaritan showed mercy. The Good Samaritan showed mercy.

(Lk 10:30-37)(Lk 10:30-37)


(Luke 10:30-37 NKJV) (Luke 10:30-37 NKJV) “Then Jesus answered and “Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain said: “A certain man man went down from Jerusalem to went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded of his clothing, wounded him, him, and departed, leaving and departed, leaving him him half dead.half dead. {31} {31} “Now by chance a certain priest “Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.passed by on the other side. {32} {32} “Likewise a “Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.looked, and passed by on the other side.


{33} {33} “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.compassion. {34} {34} “So he went to “So he went to him him and bandaged and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.care of him. {35} {35} “On the next day, when he “On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave departed, he took out two denarii, gave them them to the to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’repay you.’


{36} {36} “So which of these three do you think was “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” {37} {37} And he said, “And he said, “He who showed mercy on He who showed mercy on himhim.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do .” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.””likewise.””


The publican wanted mercy. The publican wanted mercy. (Lk 18:13)(Lk 18:13)


(Luke 18:13 NKJV)(Luke 18:13 NKJV) - - “And the tax “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise much as raise his his eyes to heaven, but beat eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a God, be merciful to me a sinnersinner!’”!’”


The ten lepers received mercy from Jesus. The ten lepers received mercy from Jesus. (Lk 17:13)(Lk 17:13)


(Luke 17:13 NKJV) (Luke 17:13 NKJV) “And they lifted up “And they lifted up their their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!””mercy on us!””


Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.


Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit. Mercy and love:Mercy and love: "Love has man as its "Love has man as its

object because of humanity, whatever the object because of humanity, whatever the state. Mercy is extended specifically because state. Mercy is extended specifically because suffering and affliction. Love is toward suffering and affliction. Love is toward mankind per se, where mercy is toward men mankind per se, where mercy is toward men because of imperfections, with a desire to because of imperfections, with a desire to bring relief." --- Jimmy Tutenbring relief." --- Jimmy Tuten


Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.


Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit.Mercy works with other fruits of the Spirit. Mercy and grace:Mercy and grace: "The noun "The noun "eleos" "eleos" and its and its

derivatives always deal with what we see of derivatives always deal with what we see of pain, misery, and distress, the results of sin; and pain, misery, and distress, the results of sin; and "charis," "charis," 'grace,' always deals with the sin and 'grace,' always deals with the sin and guilt itself. The one extends relief, the other guilt itself. The one extends relief, the other pardon ... With God pardon ... With God charis charis (grace) is always (grace) is always first and first and eleos eleos (mercy) second." - R.C.H. (mercy) second." - R.C.H. LenskiLenski


How do you view the weaknesses of others?How do you view the weaknesses of others?


How do you view the weaknesses of others?How do you view the weaknesses of others? Brethren may say: "I do not have to like Brethren may say: "I do not have to like

you," "I have no patience for him," Often you," "I have no patience for him," Often this is a sure sign of having no mercy.this is a sure sign of having no mercy.


How do you view the weaknesses of others?How do you view the weaknesses of others? Brethren may say: "I do not have to like Brethren may say: "I do not have to like

you," "I have no patience for him," Often you," "I have no patience for him," Often this is a sure sign of having no mercy.this is a sure sign of having no mercy.

Mercy will go a long way in keeping the Mercy will go a long way in keeping the tongue from falsely attacking tongue from falsely attacking brethren! brethren! (Mt 12:7)(Mt 12:7)


(Matthew 12:7 NKJV)(Matthew 12:7 NKJV) “”But if you had “”But if you had known what known what this this means, ‘means, ‘I desire mercy and I desire mercy and not sacrificenot sacrifice,’ you would not have ,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”condemned the guiltless.”


Even the world talks about mercy. What they have Even the world talks about mercy. What they have does not come from God! does not come from God!


Even the world talks about mercy. What they have Even the world talks about mercy. What they have does not come from God! does not come from God!

"Mercy is a quality not wholly unknown even in a "Mercy is a quality not wholly unknown even in a world of basically self‑seeking men. But it is a world of basically self‑seeking men. But it is a selective, capricious mercy that does not move from selective, capricious mercy that does not move from principle and is not a settled disposition of the heart principle and is not a settled disposition of the heart and character. The same man who is capable of and character. The same man who is capable of occasional compassion still finds the sorrows of others occasional compassion still finds the sorrows of others

too burdensome and revenge too sweet." too burdensome and revenge too sweet." - Paul - Paul EarnhartEarnhart


God pleads with us to have mercy. God pleads with us to have mercy. (Col 3:12; Hos 6:6, 12:6)(Col 3:12; Hos 6:6, 12:6)


(Colossians 3:12 NKJV) (Colossians 3:12 NKJV) “Therefore, as “Therefore, as the the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender merciestender mercies, kindness, humility, , kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;”meekness, longsuffering;”


(Hosea 6:6 NKJV) (Hosea 6:6 NKJV) “For “For I desire mercy I desire mercy and not sacrificeand not sacrifice, And the knowledge of , And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”God more than burnt offerings.”


(Hosea 12:6 NKJV)(Hosea 12:6 NKJV) - - “So you, by “So you, by the help the help of of your God, return; your God, return; Observe mercy and Observe mercy and justicejustice, And wait on your God continually.”, And wait on your God continually.”

The Christian's unwavering focus -- those who are The Christian's unwavering focus -- those who are pure in heart. (Mt 5:8)pure in heart. (Mt 5:8)

The word "Pure" is from the Greek word The word "Pure" is from the Greek word katharos, katharos, used twenty‑eight times In the used twenty‑eight times In the New Testament.New Testament. It is translated by such It is translated by such terms as "pure," "clean'' and "clear.“terms as "pure," "clean'' and "clear.“


"Blessed are those whose motives are "Blessed are those whose motives are absolutely unmixed, whose minds are absolutely unmixed, whose minds are utterly sincere, who are completely and utterly sincere, who are completely and totally single-minded." - J.B. Phillipstotally single-minded." - J.B. Phillips


We must have a single focus in this life. We must have a single focus in this life. When we have this everything will When we have this everything will come come from pure motives!from pure motives! (Mt 6:22-24; 2 Cor 11:2) (Mt 6:22-24; 2 Cor 11:2)


(Matthew 6:22-24 NKJV) (Matthew 6:22-24 NKJV) “”The lamp of the body “”The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.body will be full of light. {23} {23} “But if your eye is “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great great is is that darkness!that darkness! {24} {24} “No one can serve two “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”


(2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV) “But I fear, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from corrupted from the simplicitythe simplicity that is in that is in Christ.”Christ.”



The fruits of an impure heart.The fruits of an impure heart.



The fruits of an impure heart.The fruits of an impure heart. You will depend upon your own guile and You will depend upon your own guile and

"wisdom" rather than trust God."wisdom" rather than trust God. (2 Cor 4:2) (2 Cor 4:2)


(2 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 4:2 NKJV) - “But we have - “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”man’s conscience in the sight of God.”


You will lack the resolve and courage that You will lack the resolve and courage that comes by faith.comes by faith. (Jas 1:7-8, 4:8) (Jas 1:7-8, 4:8)


(James 1:7-8 NKJV)(James 1:7-8 NKJV) “For let not that man “For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;the Lord; {8} {8} he is he is a double-minded mana double-minded man, , unstable in all his ways.”unstable in all his ways.”


(James 4:8 NKJV)(James 4:8 NKJV) - “Draw near to God - “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your your hands, hands, you you sinners; and sinners; and purify purify your your hearts, hearts, you you double-mindeddouble-minded.”.”


"The true vision of God will not be granted "The true vision of God will not be granted to the shrewd and calculating who play to the shrewd and calculating who play dishonest games; or to the doubleminded dishonest games; or to the doubleminded who can never quite put both feet in the who can never quite put both feet in the kingdom (James 1:7‑8),kingdom (James 1:7‑8), but to those who but to those who are absolutely honest and single of heart are absolutely honest and single of heart toward God." - Paul Earnharttoward God." - Paul Earnhart


(Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV)(Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV) - - “The lamp of “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.good, your whole body will be full of light. {23} {23} “But if your eye is bad, your whole “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how the light that is in you is darkness, how great great is is that darkness!”that darkness!”

How We are Blessed by These!How We are Blessed by These!

"Blessed "Blessed are are the merciful, For they shall the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy."obtain mercy." (Mt 5:7) (Mt 5:7)



What does God's mercy mean to you?What does God's mercy mean to you? (2 Cor 1:3; Eph 2:4; Jas 5:11)(2 Cor 1:3; Eph 2:4; Jas 5:11)


(2 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 1:3 NKJV) - - “Blessed “Blessed be be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ, the Father of merciesthe Father of mercies and God of all and God of all comfort,”comfort,”


(Ephesians 2:4 NKJV) (Ephesians 2:4 NKJV) “But God, “But God, who is who is rich in mercyrich in mercy, because of His great love , because of His great love with which He loved us,”with which He loved us,”


(James 5:11 NKJV) (James 5:11 NKJV) “Indeed we count “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by intended by the Lord; that the Lord; that the Lord is very the Lord is very compassionate and mercifulcompassionate and merciful.”.”



What does God's mercy mean to you?What does God's mercy mean to you? (2 Cor 1:3; Eph 2:4; Jas 5:11)(2 Cor 1:3; Eph 2:4; Jas 5:11)

Paul's life was transformed by God's mercy. Paul's life was transformed by God's mercy. Can you join him in this view? Can you join him in this view? (1 Tim 1:13-16)(1 Tim 1:13-16)


(1 Timothy 1:13-16 NKJV) (1 Timothy 1:13-16 NKJV) “although I was “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did did it it ignorantly in unbelief.ignorantly in unbelief. {14} {14} And the And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. {15} {15} This This is is a faithful saying and worthy of all a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.


{16} {16} However, for this reason I obtained However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.”everlasting life.”


You can throw away God's mercy! Are you You can throw away God's mercy! Are you listening?listening? (Jas 2:13) (Jas 2:13)


(James 2:13 NKJV)(James 2:13 NKJV) - - “For judgment is “For judgment is without mercywithout mercy to the one who has to the one who has shown no shown no mercymercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”



"Mercy means refraining from cruelty. We "Mercy means refraining from cruelty. We will watch our words. We will refrain from will watch our words. We will refrain from a revengeful spirit, harsh judgements, a revengeful spirit, harsh judgements, slander, gossip, and backbiting." - Joe slander, gossip, and backbiting." - Joe CorleyCorley



"Mercy means refraining from cruelty. We "Mercy means refraining from cruelty. We will watch our words. We will refrain from a will watch our words. We will refrain from a revengeful spirit, harsh judgements, slander, revengeful spirit, harsh judgements, slander, gossip, and backbiting." - Joe Corleygossip, and backbiting." - Joe Corley

Please look at your heart carefully! The Please look at your heart carefully! The unmerciful will be lost.unmerciful will be lost.


Remember Jesus warning to the Pharisees.Remember Jesus warning to the Pharisees. (Mt 9:13; 23:23)(Mt 9:13; 23:23)


(Matthew 9:13 NKJV) (Matthew 9:13 NKJV) “”But go and learn “”But go and learn what what this this means: ‘I means: ‘I desire mercy and not desire mercy and not sacrificesacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the .’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””righteous, but sinners, to repentance.””


(Matthew 23:23 NKJV) (Matthew 23:23 NKJV) “”Woe to you, “”Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier and have neglected the weightier matters matters of of the law: justice and the law: justice and mercymercy and faith. These and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”others undone.”


"Blessed "Blessed are are the pure in heart, For they the pure in heart, For they shall see God."shall see God." (Mt 5:8) (Mt 5:8)



We will see the character of God and have We will see the character of God and have Him dwell within us.Him dwell within us. (2 Pt 1:3-4) (2 Pt 1:3-4)


(2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV) (2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV) “as His divine power “as His divine power has given to us all things that has given to us all things that pertain pertain to life to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue,who called us by glory and virtue, {4} {4} by by which have been given to us exceedingly great which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption escaped the corruption that is that is in the world in the world through lust.”through lust.”



We will see the character of God and have We will see the character of God and have Him dwell within us.Him dwell within us. (2 Pt 1:3-4) (2 Pt 1:3-4)

On the other hand the impure will dwell On the other hand the impure will dwell upon the evil and in that condition never see upon the evil and in that condition never see or know our God.or know our God. (Tit 1:15; Mt 6:22-23) (Tit 1:15; Mt 6:22-23)


(Titus 1:15 NKJV) (Titus 1:15 NKJV) “To the pure all things “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”mind and conscience are defiled.”


(Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV) (Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV) “”The lamp of “”The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.good, your whole body will be full of light. {23} {23} “But if your eye is bad, your whole “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how the light that is in you is darkness, how great great is is that darkness!”that darkness!”


What is our attitude towards what God has What is our attitude towards what God has done for us?done for us?


What is our attitude towards what God has What is our attitude towards what God has done for us?done for us?

True happiness comes when we are True happiness comes when we are crucified and Christ is exalted. crucified and Christ is exalted. (Gal 2:20)(Gal 2:20)


(Galatians 2:20 NKJV)(Galatians 2:20 NKJV) - “I have been - “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the live, but Christ lives in me; and the life life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”Himself for me.”


What will judgment day be like for you?What will judgment day be like for you?

Documents

What does God really want from us? n We noted last lessons that the beatitudes describe the component parts of the Christian's heart. (Mt 5:1-12)