Three Essential Questions
After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.
- What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?
- What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?
- What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?
"You must show mercy to others, or God won't show mercy to you when he judges you one day. But the person who shows mercy will stand without fear at the judgment. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:13 (NCV)
Mercy = Love in action
WHY DOES GOD EXPECT ME TO
SHOW MERCYTO EVERYONE?
1. BECAUSE GOD CONTINUALLY SHOWS ME MERCY
"God is so rich in mercy, and he loves us so very much, that when we werespiritually dead and doomed because of our sins, he gave us a new life inChrist!" Ephesians 2:4-5a
"Shouldn't you have mercy on others, just as I have shown mercy to you?"
Matthew 18:33
2. BECAUSE GOD WANTS ME TO BECOME LIKE HIM
"I don't want your sacrifices! I want you to be merciful!" Hosea 6:6
"God has clearly shown you what is good and how he expects you to live:
You must treat everyone justly, love mercy and walk humbly before God." Micah 6:8
3. BECAUSE I NEED MERCY TO GET INTO HEAVEN
Jesus: "If you refuse to forgive others, your Father in Heaven will not forgiveyour sins." Matthew 6:15 (NLT)
"God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7
4. BECAUSE BEING MERCIFUL IS A REMEDY FOR DEPRESSION
Jesus: "Happy are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7 (LB)
"A merciful person helps himself, but a cruel person hurts himself." Proverbs 11:17 (GW)
HOW DOES GOD EXPECT ME TO
SHOWMERCY TO EVERYONE?
1. FORGIVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY MESS UP
"When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won'tgive up in despair."2 Cor. 2:7 (CEV)
"Forgive us our sins, just as we forgive those who have sinned against us." Luke 11:4 (NLT)
ACTION PLAN: Who do you need to forgive this week? Who do you need to give another chance to this week?
2. BE PATIENT WITH PEOPLE'S QUIRKS
"Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because
of your love." Ephesians 4:2 (LB)
"Accept one another just as Christ has accepted you. This brings gloryto God!" Romans 15:7 (NLT)
ACTION PLAN: What quirk or irritation do you need to be patient with and accepting in a family member?
3. SHOW RESPECT TO PEOPLE YOU DISAGREE WITH
"Treat everyone you meet with dignity." 1 Peter 2:17 (Mes)
"Don't get bitter or angry or use harsh words that hurt each other.Don't yell at one another or curse or ever be rude. Instead, be kindand merciful." Ephesians 4:31-32a (CEV)
ACTION PLAN: Who do you need to treat with respect this week that you disagree with?
4. HELP ANYONE WHO IS HURTING
"Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it." Prov. 3:27 (TEV)
"Jesus saved us, not because of good things we did, but because of hismercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life." Titus 3:5 (NLT)
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