{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapologia-church.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Fblessed-are-the-mercifulmatt-5-7-8MOldEyl","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"Blessed Are The Merciful Pt. 1(Matt 5:7)","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/2e05ac13-7483-4be5-b7e6-6777ddc01cb1/1cc18708-c956-4dfc-b382-d63b3866684e/apologiastudios-showimage.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/c5c86d4e-f127-455b-aa54-6623cab19fda\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"Blessed Are The Merciful Pt. 1(Matt 5:7)\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"The Sermon on the Mount is the most popular sermon in the history of the world.  In the beginning of the sermon, the Lord Jesus pronounces divine happiness (blessings) upon His people.  He promises blessings upon His people for things that seem upside-down.  Blessed are those who mourn?  Blessed are the meek?  Blessed are the persecuted?  And in today's message:\nBlessed are the merciful.\nSeems out of place for many.  What if we are wounded?  What if we are abused?  Doesn't God care about justice?  Isn't God concerned with truth?  How can Jesus pronounce divine blessedness upon those who are merciful and tell us that the mercy-ing ones are the ones who receive mercy?\nOpen your Bibles and ask God to open your hearts and minds to this glorious truth.\n\nSoli Deo Gloria!\nJeff Durbin\nLead Pastor/Elder\nSunday, May 3, 2015\n\n"}