Greetings Flag Branch members and friends and thanks for taking the time to join me for some Fine Points from yesterday’s service and message “Learning the Eternal Lesson”.
How many times have you told someone or have been told “I hope you learned your lesson”. The reason anyone needs to learn a lesson is so that it can inform them about choices and decisions they must make going forward. The lesson most people and many Christians have failed to learn is the importance of mercy.
The lesson of mercy is so important because of its eternal ramifications. Mercy may be the one thing above all else God wants us to learn. Mercy contains aspects of all the other things God desires in mankind. The attributes of grace, forgiveness and love are all found in mercy.
Mercy is the response to those who suffer and are in need without the means to alleviate their pain or need. The world as designed by God is made to teach mankind the lesson of mercy. Mercy is a divine attribute. Jesus said God is merciful and we are to be like Him.
God also prefers mercy to sacrifice. A sacrifice is often a ceremonial gesture where something of value is offered or given as a way of atoning or improving a situation. There is noting wrong with sacrifice. In fact, God has ordained sacrifice and it has its own place and role in the redemption of mankind. The point of any sacrifice in the end is and should be about the welfare of people.
Mercy is greater than sacrifice and preferred to it. Mercy is not only about the welfare of others but mercy speaks to the moral character of the individual. A sacrifice is an act or action, but mercy is a condition of the heart. Mercy, like agape or divine love, looks beyond faults and circumstances and sees need and suffering and wants to do something about it.
Mercy epitomizes the life, work and message of Jesus. Hebrews 2:17 describes Jesus as our fully human merciful and faithful high priest before God. Jesus is acquainted with suffering, He came to a suffering people and taught us the meaning of mercy. Going forward, we need to look for opportunities to address the suffering of mankind and be careful not to contribute to it. This is what mercy does.
Happy or blessed are the merciful because they shall receive mercy. James 2:13 tells us if we fail to show mercy in the judgement we will receive none. This is why Jesus said to the Pharisees to go and learn this lesson that I desire mercy and not sacrifice. This lesson is one we all need to learn and abide by because of the eternal consequences of not doing so.
Remember to visit our website to see our latest news, announcements and worship activities and opportunities. Be sure to download our mobile app on your phones and mobile devices. Don’t forget to read and listen to my Sunday School preview that comes out on Thursday. Get a jump on Sunday School by reading the SS Daily Bible Readings at our website or by clicking the link. As always, remember to fear God and keep His commandments
Pastor Jordan
