Gift of Mercy

“ The Spiritual Gifts  ”

 “Mercy”

 Hebrews 4:16

Introduction

  A) What does the gift of “Mercy” mean?

  1. To have compassion
  2. To have pity on others
  3. To have kindness, and forgiveness towards others
  • Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace (By going to God in prayer), that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
  • John is our example.

I. Characteristics of the gift of “Mercy”

  A) The ability to sense genuine (real) love

  • This means; that you do not get fooled by fake or false love.
  • Illustration; John’s personal relationships and his writings show us that he focused on “Love”.
  • John uses the word “Love” more than any other writer.

  B) A need for deep relationships

  • A person with the gift of “mercy” will also want to be with those who desire to have the same deep relationship (or love).
  • John had a close relationship (or love) with Jesus Christ and also with Peter.
  • John refers himself as the disciple “whom Jesus loved” in John 13:23 and John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7,20.

  C) They have the tendency to react harshly when intimate friends are rejected.

  • John (and James) asked Christ if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans who rejected Christ in Luke 9:51-56… note verse 54.

  D) They have a great concern over inward joy or distress rather than physical problems

  • The writings of John gave his readers joy, fellowship, hope, and confidence, and also about casting out fear and torment. (I John 1:3,4; I John 3:2)
  • Also see (I John 4:18 and I John 5:13,14
  • But John did not ignore physical needs… I John 3:17.

  E) They attract people who are having mental or emotional distress.

  • John had an understanding and loving spirit and many times other people with problems would go to him for help.
  • Christ went to John for the same reason in John 13:23-26.

  F) A need for people to accept you by others getting close to you and spending much time with you.

  • Again note John 13:23 and also Mark 10: 35-37.

  G) The desire to remove the cause of hurt

  • John’s message was to get Christians to stop hating and hurting each other. Read I John 3:11, 15, 16.

  H) A tendency to stay away from making decisions and firmness unless they help get rid of other hurt.

  • John was a quiet follower until it came to denying Jesus, and then he became bold. Acts 4:13, 19, 20.

  I) They have a tendency to be attracted to those who have the gift of prophecy.

  • John was always together with Peter… Luke 22:8, Acts 3:1-11, Acts 4:13-19, Acts 8:14.

 

II. Misuses of the gift of “Mercy”

  A) Failing to be firm and make decisions when necessary

  • Those who have the gift of mercy find it hard to be firm because they do not want to hurt or offend anyone.
  • However, when we are not firm and do not make important decisions at the proper times, we then cause more great hurt and disappointments.

  B) Standing up (protecting) for those who have been hurt.

  • When they hear of a person who has been hurt or offended then they hurt with them and see if they can help.
  • They will stand up for them especially when it is a friend.
  • This is alright to do this but… there are times that a person is being punished by God or another person because of their actions and we should never interfere with another person’s judgment.

  C) To have a tendency to base your decisions on your feelings rather than facts or logic (making sense).

  • Those with the gift of mercy have strong emotions and feelings.
  • Many times they will make decisions because of an emotion or feeling rather than using good sense.

  D) Having improper (not right) emotions (feelings) with those of the opposite sex.

  • Many times a person of the opposite sex will we attracted to a person with the gift of mercy because of their emotions, understanding, and sensitivity.
  • We must be very careful with this part of the gift.

  E) Trying to help those that are being punished by God

  • Many times we want to question God as to why certain things happened. (Many times we ask… God, why did you allow this young child to die? Or Why do you allow this person to have many problems.)
  • Sometimes we want to remove the suffering as soon as possible. But remember…God’s time is not our time. God knows how much we can bear.
  • We should never stand in the way of god’s wrath or punishment upon others.

  F) Feeling sorry for those who have done wrong or go against God’s laws and commandments.

  • Do not help those that violate God’s laws or standards because you feel sorry for them (Unless they have never heard the gospel).
  • But, if they refuse to obey after being taught or warned of God’s laws… then we must not feel sorry for them.

  G) Establishing possessive relationships

  • In other words… you may want to be close to certain people and not want to allow others to be close also. This will cause hurt on both parties involved.