Sermon Notes
Transformed By Mercy
BEATITUDES – Part 5
November 2, 2025
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7 (NIV)
What is society’s attitude toward the concept of mercy?
Acts of mercy are commendable but being a merciful person is not necessarily looked upon with the same light.
In this beatitude, Jesus focuses on who the individual is rather than what the individual does.
Main Idea: Christians are merciful towards others because they have been transformed by God’s mercy.
1. God’s mercy transforms people to live a life of mercy.
“Blessed are the merciful…” (Matthew 5:7a)
Two aspects of mercy – 1) kindness shown towards the suffering, miserable, hurting, and needy, and
2) forgiveness.
The call to mercy flows from the character of God, and is central to the gospel message. In the offer of
salvation, we see God’s mercy toward people (Ephesians 2:1, 4-5).
The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) and the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke
10:25-37) illustrate how believers are transformed by both aspects of God’s mercy.
Christians are to live a life of mercy and not merely “do merciful deeds.”
2. Living a merciful life assures us of God’s mercy in the final judgment.
“… for they will be shown mercy.” (Matthew 5:7b)
God’s mercy is not conditional upon our mercy, but rather our mercy is evidence that we are truly God’s
children and we can be assured of God’s mercy in the final judgment.
As long as we are continually being transformed by his mercy, we can have assurance of God’s promise of
mercy.
What does it look like to be merciful?
Applying this passage is not as simple as “be more merciful” because merely doing merciful deeds does not
necessarily make someone a more merciful person.
Growing in mercy begins with seeing ourselves as God sees us, repenting and pressing into God’s mercy
because that is what truly transforms us to be merciful.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S.
Lewis
Small Group Discussion Questions for the Week of November 2, 2025.
Opening
Is it hard for you to forgive others? Why or why not?
Digging Deeper into the Scriptures
Read Matthew 5:7
1. What does it mean to be merciful? How is mercy different from grace?
2. Where do we see God’s attribute of mercy in the Old Testament as well as the New Testament?
3. How does God’s mercy transform us to be merciful?
Are there other Scripture passages that teach about why Christians are called to be merciful other than the
parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) and the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke
10:25-37)?
4. How do you understand the second half of this beatitude “… for they will be shown mercy”? Does this
mean God’s mercy toward us is dependent on our mercy toward others? Why or why not?
Applying the Scriptures
1. What personally helps you grow in the area of mercy?
2. Is there someone in your life that you have difficulty forgiving? How can you take steps toward being
able to forgive that person?
3. Has God put any opportunities in your life to show mercy to people? How can you extend kindness
and compassion to them?
4. As members of this church, how can you help each other grow in mercy?