Sermonette: Have Mercy
Showing Mercy and Compassion Despite Our Differences
#1700s
Hunter D. Swanson
Given 01-Apr-23; 12 minutes
description: God has called people from varied backgrounds and circumstances, some of which may annoy or embitter spiritual siblings who are unable to perceive backgrounds or experiences different from what they are used to. Differences in others may lead to aggressions and bitter perspectives interfering with unity and difficulty to display mercy, kindness, good will, or compassion. All of us have sinned (Romans 3:23) and have suffered. But how many times have we seen others suffer and displayed the cold-hearted behavior of the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan, who both passed by on the other side of the road? The Samaritan, dipping into his time and financial resources, displayed compassion, putting to shame the religious leaders who should have known better. Have we seen someone in our fellowship in need of help, but has formerly irked us with his annoying behavior patterns? Our Lord and Savior had demonstrated that we should experience joy when we find a lost sheep in the wilderness, symbolic of the sinner who repents. When we become fixated on past resentment, we will never find opportunities to display mercy, enabling a repentant brother to move forward. Colossians 3:12-14 encourages us follow the example of Our Savior, putting on tender mercies, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another as Christ did for us.