Blessed are the Reflectors.

The reflectors are those who do not draw attention to themselves but on The One who lives inside of them- reflecting His love, His mercy, His grace, His peace.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, for they will be shown mercy. BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, for they will see God.  BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:7-9 NIV)

• Our reflection of Jesus Christ becomes visible in our relationships.
• That reflection should never be hidden

You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden…. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14, 16 NLT)

Every follower of Christ is called to reflect the heart of the Heavenly Father to the world around them.

#1: Reflectors of Mercy

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7 NIV)

• Mercy is compassion shown toward someone who deserves judgment.

The Merciful- Who are they?

Merciful people remember where they came from.

• I received grace; therefore, I will extend grace.
• I received forgiveness; therefore, I will show forgiveness.
• I received mercy; therefore, I will show mercy.

Mercy is the reflection of God’s heart toward people.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV)

• God was motivated by His unconditional love when He sent Jesus to die on the cross for us.
• God’s mercy reached us when we could not save ourselves.
• Mercy is not earned; it is given.
• Our salvation is rooted in God’s compassion.

Father’s Day Connection: One of the greatest gifts a father can give his children is mercy

A father who constantly condemns, creates fear. A father who shows mercy creates security.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103:13 NIV)

When earthly fathers show mercy, they reflect the heart of their Heavenly Father. And when believers extend mercy to others, they do the same.

#2 Reflectors of Purity

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART, for they will see God. (Matthew 5:8 NIV)

The Pure in Heart- Who are they?

A pure heart is not a perfect heart. It is an undivided heart. Meaning a heart that is wholly devoted to God: loving Him and serving Him.

• Their public faith matches their private devotion.

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? THE ONE WHO HAS CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART (Psalm 24:3-4 NIV)

• God desires integrity in both actions and motives.
• Purity involves consistency between our public and private lives.

I will conduct the affairs of my house with a blameless heart. (Psalm 101:2 NIV)

• Character begins at home.

Father’s Day Connection:

The greatest gift a father can give his family is not perfection but authenticity.

#3: Reflectors of Peace

BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

The Peacemakers – Who are they?

• A peacekeeper avoids conflict. Rather ignore it than deal with it.
• A peacemaker addresses conflict. They address it in a way that brings healing. Peacemakers don’t ignore but help to resolve it.
• Peacemakers reflect Jesus by reconciling the lost back to Jesus.

All this is from GOD, who RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF THROUGH CHRIST and GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he HAS COMMITTED TO US THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19 NIV)

• Peacemaking reflects the character of God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ

Father’s Day Connection:

One of the most important roles of a father is to create an atmosphere of peace within the home.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21 NKJ)

• Wisdom, patience, and grace create peace.

CONCLUSION

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?