Mercy Ministry and The NT

• Chris Barksdale
• Jan 11, 2010
• Series: Mercy Ministry
• Categories: Church Planting Articles

 Chris Barksdale | Lead Pastor | Hollywood Church | Hollywood, CA

 
 Chris Barksdale, “The History and Practice of Mercy Ministry”
Unpublished document © Chris Barksdale

Mercy Ministry and the NT

 
Introduction:

Jeremiah 29:4-7  "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have
sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon:  5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat
their produce.  6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give
your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not
decrease.  7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the
LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
 
1. Does the NT command us to show mercy and do justice?  
 
Luke 6:35  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your
reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the
evil.  
 
Luke 10:25-37  And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall
I do to inherit eternal life?"  26 He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How do you read it?"  
27 And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."  28 And he said
to him, "You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live."  29 But he, desiring to justify
himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  30 Jesus replied, "A man was going down
from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and
departed, leaving him half dead.  31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when
he saw him he passed by on the other side.  32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place
and saw him, passed by on the other side.  33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where
he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.  34 He went to him and bound up his
wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn
and took care of him.  35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the
innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come
back.'  36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among
the robbers?"  37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." And Jesus said to him, "You go,
and do likewise."
 
1 Timothy 6:17-19   As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set
their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to
enjoy.  18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,  19
thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take
hold of that which is truly life.
 
Titus 3:14   And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of
urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Hebrews 13:2  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
James 1:27  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit
orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.   
 
James 2:5-8  Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world
to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?  6 But
you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who
drag you into court?  7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you
were called?  8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
 
2. Isn’t the church supposed to just do justice and show mercy to those
within the church?  
 
Physical Family
 
1 Timothy 5:8  But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his
household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
 
Spiritual Family
 
1 John 3:16-18  By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down
our lives for the brothers.  17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need,
yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  18 Little children, let us not
love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
 
Human Family
 
Galatians 6:10  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to
those who are of the household of faith.  
 
Ephesians 4:28   Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his
own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:15  See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good
to one another and to everyone.
 
3. Is showing mercy and doing justice just for people who are gifted in
that area? Does every Christian need to be involved?

Romans 12:6-8  Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if
prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his
teaching;  8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the
one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
 
Romans 12:16  Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited.   
 
Romans 12:20  If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
 
4. Did Jesus model mercy and justice in His life?
 
In His teaching:
 
Luke 4:16-21  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom,
he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.  17 And the scroll of the
prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,  
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set
at liberty those who are oppressed,  19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."  20 And he rolled
up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue
were fixed on him.  21 And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in
your hearing."
 
Luke 6:20   And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
 
Luke 8:1  Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the
good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him,
 
Luke 9:11  When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to
them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.
 
Luke 10:8-9  Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.  9
Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
 
Luke 11:1-2  Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his
disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."  2 And he said to
them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
 
And in His life:
 
Matthew 9:10-13  “And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and
sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.  11 And when the Pharisees saw
this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  12
But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who
are sick.  13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to
call the righteous, but sinners."
 
Matthew 11:19  The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look at him! A glutton
and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds."
 
Luke 15:2  And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and
eats with them."
 
Luke 19:7  And when they saw it, they all grumbled, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man
who is a sinner."
 
John 4:27  Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman,
but no one said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?"
 
Acts 10:38  God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about
doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
 
Mark 1:29-34  And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and
Andrew, with James and John.  30 Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and
immediately they told him about her.  31 And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up,
and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.  32 That evening at sundown they brought to
him all who were sick or oppressed by demons.  33 And the whole city was gathered together at
the door.  34 And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many
demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
 
Mark 1:40-43  And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you
can make me clean."  41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to
him, "I will; be clean."  42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.  43 And
Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once,
 
Mark 3:1-5  Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand.  2 And
they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse
him.  3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come here."  4 And he said to them, "Is it
lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent.  5
And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man,
"Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.
 
Mark 6:53-56  When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the
shore.  54 And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him  55 and ran
about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard
he was.  56 And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the
marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as
many as touched it were made well.
 
Luke 9:6  And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing
everywhere.
 
5. Did the early church follow this same model?

Acts 2:42-47  And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the
breaking of bread and the prayers.  43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and
signs were being done through the apostles.  44 And all who believed were together and had all
things in common.  45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing
the proceeds to all, as any had need.  46 And day by day, attending the temple together and
breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,  47
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day
those who were being saved.
 
Acts 3:1-7  Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth
hour.  2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the
temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.  3 Seeing Peter
and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.  4 And Peter directed his gaze at
him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."  5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to
receive something from them.  6 But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I
give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"  7 And he took him by the
right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.
 
Acts 4:33-37  And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of
the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.  34 There was not a needy person among
them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of
what was sold  35 and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.  
36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of
encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus,  37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought
the money and laid it at the apostles' feet.
 
Acts 6:1-4  Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the
Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily
distribution.  2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right
that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables.  3 Therefore, brothers, pick out
from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint
to this duty.  4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
 
Acts 6:7   And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied
greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.
 
Galatians 2:9-10  and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived
the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that
we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.  10 Only, they asked us to remember
the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.  
 
Steve Timmis “The poor need a welcome to replace their marginalization; they
need inclusion to replace their exclusion; to replace their powerlessness they
need a place where they matter. They need community. They need the Christian
community. They need the church.”
 
6. Are doing acts of mercy/justice rewarding?  
 
Matthew 10:42  And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he
is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."  
 
Luke 14:13-14  But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,  14
and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of
the just."
 
Acts 20:35  In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the
weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give
than to receive.'"  
 
Tim Keller “A deep social conscience and a life poured out in deeds of service to
others and especially the poor is the inevitable sign of real faith and real
connection with God.”
 
7. This is a little overwhelming and convicting. Where do we find
motivation for doing this?
 
Luke 6:27-36  "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  29 To one who strikes you on the
cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic
either.  30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not
demand them back.  31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.  32 "If you
love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.  
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners
do the same.  34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to
you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.  35 But love your enemies, and
do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be
sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.  36 Be merciful, even as your
Father is merciful.
 
2 Corinthians 8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet
for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.