Made for More: Grace and Mercy

Forgiveness is not for us, we must release it and let it go.

God has mercy on us first and then he wants us to have it on others.

We are covered in sin but God cleanses us, his blood gives us a clean slate.

Mercy- Compassionate treatment, Act of Kindness, forgiveness and grace.

Grace- Devine favor bestowed freely on people as in granting redemption from sin. Something you didn’t work for.

Mercy should motivate compassion in us, we should have it on others.

Lamentations 3:22-23

'22 It is because of the Lord’ s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassion never fail.   23 They are new every morning; Great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. '

Sin would kill us if not for God.

Mercy is new every morning, no matter what happened.

He is waiting for us to let him have his way in us.

Psalm 136 (refer to whole chapter)

His mercy endures forever.

We can’t out sin his mercy, but that doesn’t excuse our sin and there are still repercussions.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

' 3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts and encourages us in every trouble so that we will be able to comfort and encourage those who are in any kind of trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.'

We want mercy form God but won’t allow it to flow through us. God gives mercy so we can in turn give mercy to others when they hurt us.

John 1:12

'12 But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name-- '

Acts 19:2

' 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [in Jesus as the Christ]?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”'

Whose blessings are you holding up because you won’t have mercy?

Who’s lives you won’t allow to be changed because you won’t have mercy and let it go?

Is it worth it?

Those people still have control over you when you don’t let it go.

It shouldn’t be a struggle, we should just receive God.

When we receive his mercy there is no struggle, but we have to receive the one who gives the mercy.

Hebrews 4:15-16

' 15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin.  16 Therefore, let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].'

Mercy forgives and grace helps us not to do it again.

Grace leads us onward and helps us get it right the next time.

He knows why we did what we did and understands.

He wants us to be patient and kind to others and forgive others like he forgives us.

To receive his mercy, we have to receive him first.