Sermon: The King’s Mercy
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 24
Quotes for Reflection
David Brooks, How to Know a Person
Jimmy’s gaze when he greets a person derives from a certain conception of what a person is. Jimmy is a pastor. When Jimmy sees a person—any person—he is seeing a creature who was made in the image of God. As he looks into each face, he is looking, at least a bit, into the face of God. When Jimmy sees a person, any person, he is also seeing a creature endowed with an immortal soul—a soul of infinite value and dignity. When Jimmy greets a person, he is also trying to live up to one of the great callings of his faith: He is trying to see that person the way Jesus would see that person. He is trying to see them with Jesus’s eyes—eyes that lavish love on the meek and the lowly, the marginalized and those in pain, and on every living person. When Jimmy sees a person, he comes in with the belief that this person is so important that Jesus was willing to die for their sake. As a result, Jimmy is going to greet people with respect and reverence. That’s how he’s always greeted me.
A.W. Pink, The Life of David
One stroke of his sword, and he steps into a throne. Farewell to poverty! Farewell the life of a hunted goat. Reproaches, sneers, defeat, would cease; adulations, triumphs, riches would be his. But his at the sacrifice of faith; at the sacrifice of a humbled will, ever waiting on God’s time; at the sacrifice of a thousand precious experiences of God’s care, God’s provision, God’s guidance, God’s tenderness. No, even a throne at that price is too dear. Faith will wait.
Tim Keller, Forgiveness
Forgiveness is more of an event or a process. At first, when you make those commitments—granting forgiveness—you don’t feel forgiving at all. You are still angry. But if you keep the commitments in a disciplined way…then slowly but surely you will feel the forgiveness you have granted.
Application Questions:
1. How have you experienced the power of mercy in your life?
2. To experience gospel-empowered mercy requires sacrifice but offers great gain. How is this true?
3. Is there someone in your life who needs mercy?