Mercy: What Kind of People Find the Road to Mercy?: June 18, 2017

Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’  13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’  14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

INTRODUCTION

1.  The Road to Mercy Is Through Persistence
2. The Road to Mercy Is Not Self-righteousness
3. The road to Mercy is One of Humility and Repentance

CONCLUSION

REFLECTION QUOTE:

To the question, why is humanity in such great need of mercy, Pope Francis said, “Because humanity is wounded, deeply wounded.” There is much truth in his comment. We are all wounded and need mercy, and often in this world we do not find the mercy we need.

Yet, the message of mercy is important in every Christian tradition; it is important for every Believer. Have you been wounded in life, by another man or woman? Perhaps you have been abandoned or betrayed in a cruel way. Perhaps you have been the one to harm and wound another. Each of these categories have hope. All of us can experience the gift of mercy. Do you know that God will extend mercy to each of us if we ask for it in humility? How do we ask God? We ask in truth and in transparent humility. God’s nature is one of mercy. Let us never forget, that in a world that is “me” centered, God’s love is available, if only we ask.

Mercy is God’s identity card.  

Mercy is in reality the core of the Gospel message.