Episode  Title – Dogs, Dogs, Dogs

Lesson Title: Begging for Mercy

Biblical Theme:  Mercy

 

Matthew 5:7  Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

 

In terms of how to get ahead today, our society isn’t much on mercy.  Yet according to the authority of the kingdom of heaven, worldly accomplishments are ultimately of no importance at all.  Indeed, Christians set different priorities and seek different blessings.  It’s easy to be kind to those that can benefit you; much harder to those who can’t repay, or worse, would hurt you.  Nevertheless, you’ve got to give mercy to get mercy, which God grants dependent on his grace.

 

Parable: The Moral of Mayberry…

The “quality of mercy” may not be strained, but it sure got worked over here.  Opie showed mercy to the first dog by keeping him off the streets.  And Andy showed mercy to Opie by keeping the other dogs out of the pound.  But Barney only showed mercy to himself when he retrieved the dogs to relieve his guilt!  Briefly, describe why each had or didn’t have the quality of mercy.

Andy: had mercy out of paternal love.

 

Opie: had mercy out of a tender heart.

 

Barney: had mercy first selfish, then genuine.

 

Otis: had mercy out of persuasion.

 

Investigator: had mercy out of kinship.

 

Dog owner: had mercy out of love for lost “sheep”.

 

What have you done for another recently?

Personal response.

 

Show mercy as you were shown mercy.  Read Luke 6:36. Just as you learned mercy from the Lord, others should learn mercy from you.  When you refuse, you set yourself above Christ’s law of love and show you do not appreciate his mercy.  Think how Opie showed mercy and how Barney did not. 

 

How could Opie show mercy so easily?  Why did Barney have such a hard time?

Opie learned mercy from Andy.  The he acted from that knowledge with a kind heart. While Barney had been shown mercy, he let selfishness stop him from putting anyone else first.

 

If we need mercy, we need to give mercy.  By contrast, if we are mean, likely no one will want to do us any favors.  Indeed when we show mercy to others, God reacts as if we are showing mercy to him.  Read Matthew 25:37, 40.  Compare how Andy and Barney approached Otis.

 

Between Andy and Barney, who convinced Otis to take the dogs?  How and why?

Barney threatened to kick Otis out.  Then Andy reassured Otis , asked nicely and Otis agreed.

 

Often mercy comes at a cost.  We should not always expect a reward for showing mercy, just as we shouldn’t only show kindness when we know we’ll be rewarded.  See Phillipians 2:3-4.  Our mercy could have a price as any other gift we give would.  Indeed, loss is a greater indicator of compassion than gain.

 

Among Opie, Andy and Barney, ultimately who showed the most mercy?  Why?

Barney did.  For Opie to keep the dogs and for Andy to feed the dogs didn’t really cost them. But Barney sacrificed his goal for funds, which he later received because he showed mercy.

 

What benefit would the owner get from finding his dogs?  How is he like a certain Shepherd?

The main benefit was taking them back under his care.  In this, he was like our Shephered.

 

Reflection:  At The Fishing Hole…

James 2:13A:  Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.

 

Mercy saves us from judgment without mercy.  When we do not give mercy to others, after we ourselves have received it from God, we show we don’t appreciate his compassion.  Read Ephesians 4:31-32  Mercy involves acting in love towards others.  God acted in love by sending his Son to die for you.  While it is human nature to deny you are weak,  you will find his mercy when you admit you need him.  Read Proverbs 28:13.  The best way to show you need his mercy is to show mercy to others.

 

Like Andy, have you showed mercy when you received no benefit?  Give an example.

Personal Response.

 

To show mercy, Otis had to be asked and Barney had to be attacked, by his own conscience!  With our resources, God wants us to give willingly from the heart, not reluctantly from outside pressure.  Read  2nd. Corinthians 9:7.  If we only give a little to others, we will only receive a little from the Lord.

 

Like Otis, have you only showed mercy after being asked?  Give an example.

Personal Response.

 

Like Barney, have you showed mercy out of guilt?  Give an example.

Personal Response.

 

The Investigator was kind to Andy because Andy was kind to the dogs.  Likewise, when we see someone do good, we should support them in their efforts.  As believers, we must encourage fellow believers to strengthen them in our mutual faith.  Read Hebrews 3:13-14.

 

Like the Investigator, have showed mercy to those who showed mercy?  Give an example.

Personal Response.

 

Action: Get Your Bullet…

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

 

Mercy to others confirms loyalty to the Lord.  In fact, God values mercy more than sacrifice.  Read Matthew 9:13. Through your kindness, you can witness others.  Read Jude 1:22-23. If your witness is effective, those you reach are spared judgment.  As a Christian, the more you see suffering, the more mercy you should offer.  Indeed, this is how God comforts you.

 

Whom will you show mercy to?

Everyone, regardless of whether they can reward you, can’t repay you or would even hurt you.

 

How will you receive mercy from God?

Show mercy to all others.  When you refuse, you set yourself above Christ’s law of love.

 

Why will your mercy overcome judgment?

First, your mercy saves you from judgment.  Next, through your kindness, you can witness to others.  If your witness is effective, those you reach are spared judgment also.

 

Is there someone you should show mercy to?  Why haven’t you?

Personal response.