THRIVING IN GOD'S KINGDOM
Sunday August 23, 2026
Sermon Title: Mercy given and given away
Series Big Idea: Jesus' most famous sermon reveals the deep and lasting satisfaction of living life His way
Sermon Big Idea: Mercy poured out reflects mercy received in Christ
Introduction
Jesus shapes the blessed life around kingdom values that run opposite to the world’s expectations. In Matthew 5:7, He shows us that mercy received in Christ must overflow as mercy given to others.
The Merciful See with Compassion’s Eyes
Mercy starts when we allow God to reshape how we see people, not with avoidance or indifference, but with the compassion of Christ. Kingdom people recover a gut-level compassion that moves them toward, not away from, those in need.
The Merciful Respond With Costly Action
True mercy is not just felt, but demonstrated in real, sacrificial actions that often cost us time, resources, and comfort. Following Jesus means choosing compassion even when it interrupts our plans or demands personal sacrifice.
Conclusion
Mercy is not simply a checkbox, but the natural overflow of a life transformed by Christ’s own mercy. As we see and serve others, we discover the deep satisfaction promised to those who thrive by living His way.
Matthew 5:7 Bibliography
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Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997. Print.
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Quarles, Charles L. Matthew. Ed. T. Desmond Alexander, Thomas R. Schreiner, and Andreas J. Kˆstenberger. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 2022. Print. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary.
Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.
Phillips, John. Exploring the Gospel of Matthew: An Expository Commentary. Kregel Publications; WORDsearch, 2014. Print. The John Phillips Commentary Series.
Butler, John G. Analytical Bible Expositor: Matthew. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications, 2008. Print.
Platt, David. Exalting Jesus in Matthew. Ed. Daniel L. Akin, David Platt, and Tony Merida. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2013. Print. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary.
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker. Bellingham, WA: Logos, 2024. Print.
Brown, Francis, Samuel Rolles Driver, and Charles Augustus Briggs. Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon 1977: n. pag. Print.
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Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
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Brown, Jeannine K. Matthew. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2015. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.
Wilkins, Michael J. Matthew. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004. Print. The NIV Application Commentary.
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Blomberg, Craig. Matthew. Vol. 22. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992. Print. The New American Commentary.
Barnes, Albert. Notes on the New Testament: Matthew & Mark. Ed. Robert Frew. London: Blackie & Son, 1884–1885. Print.
Turner, David, and Darrell L. Bock. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Vol 11: Matthew and Mark. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2005. Print.
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Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999. Print.
Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993. Print.
Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992. Print.
Willmington, H. L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.
Souter, Alexander. A Pocket Lexicon to the Greek New Testament 1917: n. pag. Print.
Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009. Print.
Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001. Print. The Tyndale Reference Library.
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