Be Compassionate (5 of 8)
Series: The ''Be'' Attitudes
Tony Thomas
Matthew 5:7
Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg was appointed foreign minister of Austria in 1848. Less than a year later, the Hungarian's revolted. In a matter of days, however, that uprising was suppressed and the rebels were captured.
Schwarzenberg debated with his advisers over what his response should be. He was new to leadership, and the people were watching. Should he be lenient, or should he be harsh? An aid suggested that he show mercy. ''Yes indeed, good idea,'' said Schwarzenberg. ''But first we will have a little hanging.''
Mercy is a rare commodity these days! Our eyes, ears and emotions are assaulted on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. From radio to TV, from Facebook to Twitter, from the basketball court to the barroom we see violence, injustice, bigotry, prejudice and intolerance.
Acts of mercy are so rare that, when they do occur, they make headline news. Joseph Walker, an Air Force veteran who served in Viet Nam, died without heirs or friends to bury his remains. When the Texas Veteran's Committee discovered that his remains went unclaimed, they put out an appeal. 5,000 Texas veterans escorted him to the cemetery in a procession that stretched for nearly three miles!
We're in a series called the Be Attitudes, and it's based on the opening words to the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus made eight paradoxical statements that contrasted his teachings with the world's philosophies.
The first Be Attitude is, ''Blessed are the poor in spirt.'' The phrase, ''poor in spirit,'' means, ''To crouch.'' The Bible teaches that Jesus will exalt us if we crouch, by humbling ourselves before him.
The second Be Attitude is, ''Blessed are those who mourn.'' In the last five years, Steve and I have preached 73 funerals for members of our church family! We have lots of families who are learning what it means to mourn and to be comforted.
The third Be Attitude is, ''Blessed ...
Series: The ''Be'' Attitudes
Tony Thomas
Matthew 5:7
Prince Felix of Schwarzenberg was appointed foreign minister of Austria in 1848. Less than a year later, the Hungarian's revolted. In a matter of days, however, that uprising was suppressed and the rebels were captured.
Schwarzenberg debated with his advisers over what his response should be. He was new to leadership, and the people were watching. Should he be lenient, or should he be harsh? An aid suggested that he show mercy. ''Yes indeed, good idea,'' said Schwarzenberg. ''But first we will have a little hanging.''
Mercy is a rare commodity these days! Our eyes, ears and emotions are assaulted on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. From radio to TV, from Facebook to Twitter, from the basketball court to the barroom we see violence, injustice, bigotry, prejudice and intolerance.
Acts of mercy are so rare that, when they do occur, they make headline news. Joseph Walker, an Air Force veteran who served in Viet Nam, died without heirs or friends to bury his remains. When the Texas Veteran's Committee discovered that his remains went unclaimed, they put out an appeal. 5,000 Texas veterans escorted him to the cemetery in a procession that stretched for nearly three miles!
We're in a series called the Be Attitudes, and it's based on the opening words to the Sermon on the Mount. In this sermon Jesus made eight paradoxical statements that contrasted his teachings with the world's philosophies.
The first Be Attitude is, ''Blessed are the poor in spirt.'' The phrase, ''poor in spirit,'' means, ''To crouch.'' The Bible teaches that Jesus will exalt us if we crouch, by humbling ourselves before him.
The second Be Attitude is, ''Blessed are those who mourn.'' In the last five years, Steve and I have preached 73 funerals for members of our church family! We have lots of families who are learning what it means to mourn and to be comforted.
The third Be Attitude is, ''Blessed ...
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