Teachings Blog: Notes and Insights

START STRONG CONFERENCE DAY 1 :

TOPIC: ENCOUNTER WITH THE GOD OF MERCY MINISTERING:

PASTOR LADIPO ADEYEMI

MERCY IS RECEIVED, NOT ASSUMED

• Just like salvation, divine Mercy is available to everybody but it is not automatically received by everybody

• You do not walk in the operations of mercy by assumption. You ask God for mercy and receive mercy by faith, trusting God's character as a merciful God

(Romans 11:32 – “For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.”)

• God desires to show us mercy but we must ask and depend on him for mercy.

• Mercy must first be given by God then received by man, not presumed.

• Mercy is not controlled by the one who needs it, but by the One who has the ability and authority to give it.

• Many people miss mercy because they find their own way instead of depending on God. (Jeremiah 7:21–22)

Praying is proof that we depend on God. However we must not trust in our prayers or other works, rather our hope and trust must be in God's love and mercy.📌

HOW GOD SHOWS MERCY

God has always revealed Himself as merciful.
Before God assigns responsibility, He first reveals His nature.

Exodus 34:6 – “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”

God introduces Himself to Moses as MERCIFUL before He gives him instructions or assignments. This shows that everything God does flows from mercy.

Psalm 136 repeatedly declares, “For His mercy endures forever.”

• The mercy of God is not seasonal, emotional, or temporary.
  It outlasts the recipient. (Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”)

God’s Mercy endures forever. It will always outlive the receiver. 📌

GOD HAS NEVER CHANGED

The God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are the same.
God never changed—we are the ones who often misunderstand Him.

Malachi 3:6 – “For I am the LORD, I do not change.”
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

Every doctrine taught by Jesus and the apostles has its roots in the Old Testament. Mercy was not introduced in the New Testament—it was revealed more clearly.

MERCY VS SACRIFICE

Mercy flows from the nature of the giver, not the merit of the receiver.

Man is frail and inadequate.

When we face diverse trials and challenges the human tendency is to ask God “Lord, why me? I have been faithful, I have sacrificially served You? Why did you allow this to happen to me oh God?” God takes no pleasure in this kind of attitude. This is the reason the Pharisee who trusted in his works, missed God’s mercy.(Luke 18:11) Instead of us trying to compensate for our inadequacies and failures by offering only sacrifices and good works to God, let us run to Him and ask for His mercy.

Hosea 6:6 – “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice.”
Hebrews 4:16- “Let us come boldly before the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy…”

God does not need what we offer.

Psalm 50:10 – “For every beast of the forest is Mine…..”

Rather God favors a contrite heart, not religious performance.

Psalm 51:17—”The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.”

It is not our works (which will surely receive its reward) that attracts God’s mercy, but a broken and contrite heart.📌

MERCY AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE

Some people doubt God’s Word because of their personal experiences.
Ironically, that doubt is the very reason they never have biblical experiences.

Mercy is the nature and character of God.

(Psalm 145:8 – "The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love". )
Because of God's merciful nature, we can approach Him with confidence.📌

THE OPERATIONS OF MERCY:

• Forgives sin

• Wipes away consequences

• Restores dignity

• Grants blessings we do not deserve

Mercy does not only forgive sins, it compensates for human inadequacy.Example: Blind Bartimaeus
Mercy did not just forgive him; it also restored what he lacked, his eyesight.

Another example is in Luke 10:33 – The Good Samaritan
Compassion is the feeling, mercy is the action.

Compassion was the root, mercy is the expression.

Mercy does not just forgive and waive punishment, it also releases unmerited grace, divine favor and endless blessings.

Example is the prodigal son in Luke 15, who though deserving the father’s punishment for squandering his inheritance. However because he returned home broken and contrite, the father offered him forgiveness and the restoration of his sonship.

Another example is king David. Though he committed atrocities that deserved punishment, God granted him the Davidic Covenant in 2 Samuel 7, and the sure mercies of David in Isaiah 55:3

A contrite heart automatically qualifies a person for mercy.📌

THE POSTURE THAT ATTRACTS MERCY

Mercy responds to the posture of our hearts before God and not our performance.

Example of the right heart posture to obtain divine mercy:

• Brokenness

• Humility

• Dependence on God

• Faith and trust in God

HOW GOD’S MERCY OPERATES

God’s mercy expresses itself through:

1. Healing: Philippians 2:27

2. Provision: Matthew 14:14–21

3. Sustaining Grace: 2 Corinthians 4:1

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Mercy toward others is evidence of a contrite heart.

The true understanding of God's mercy will determine how well we treat others.

Everyone who has received God’s mercy has an obligation to extend mercy to others.📌