Sin & The Mercy of God

1999060

Introduction

A. Many of us, perhaps all, have b/c somewhat dumbed down to sin. Sin all around us in the world. Sin is probably more prevalent than some of us realize b/c the way the devil packages it.

1. think of the many ungodly things portrayed on TV.

2. foul language, illicit, deviant sex, homosexuality, lying, abortion etc. all glorified & promoted.

B. What has happened to many …. Is the failure to realize the seriousness of sin…because we see no immediate consequences.

1. Devil – our enemy – wants man to belive there no consequence for sin.

2. go out, have fun…please every desire. Afterall…you deserve it!

3. if there is any draw back…it minimized – even ignored. Oh well…I’ll worry about that later.

C. Another problem we have to deal with – is that majority of people refuse to take personal responsibility for actions.

1. Blame it on childhood. Parental abuse…

2. I inherited traits that make me the way I am.

D. Let us not fall into trap of minimizing sin. Sin is what causes man to be lost.

1. to be eternally separated from God

2. sin = what caused God to have to send His Son to die in our place so that we might have opportunity to be delievered from sin.

3. note the sacrifice of Christ in our place

a) Jhn. 3:16; 1 Jhn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9

4. Note the teaching in the Scriptures concerning the penalty of sin.

a) Jhn. 8:34-36 – slave of sin.

b) Isa. 59:2 – separate from God.

c) Rom. 3:23; 6:23 – all have sinned…all in danger of et. Death.

d) Only hope…life through Christ.

E. Purpose of lesson today to examine the seriousness of sin & the wonderful mercy of God.

1. consider how the great mercy of God has been extended to man through the ages.

2. many times..He could have destroyed man – for continued & blatant resistance to the will of God.

3. But yet note Isa 1:18-20

a) this said to Israel. Note their condition at the time.

b) Certainly a people who didn’t realize seriousness of sin: note they mired up in it!

c) Idolatry (complete w/child sacrifice), rebellion, rejection of the will of God.

d) Rampant disregard for sanctity of life, immorality all over…yet…note word of God He = willing to forgive!

F. We must consider the mercy of god & take advantage of it before it eternally too late.

I. God demonstrates His mercy in His offer to forgive man.

A. See Psa. 103:6-10

1. Note esp. 103:10 – we have not been punished as we should have for our transgression.

2. 103:11 – this due to His great/wonderful mercy. Have you taken advantage of His mercy?

3. Note: mercy of God/grace of God = conditional in nature – toward those who fear/obey Him – 103:13-18

4. those who do not obey…those who do not take advantage of mercy of God – will get what they deserve – when you look at the bottom line.

B. This mercy demonstrated in the sending of Jesus to die.

1. Rom. 5:8-9

2. while we in rebellion; while man still turned against God; Christ died in hopes of our turning to Him.

3. up to you/me to make decision to turn/burn. God has promised to forgive man of his sins – Heb. 10:16-17

C. Have you received forgiveness of your sins? Do you realize the fate of the sinner? What are you going to do?

II. God demonstrates His Mercy by His willingness to Reason w/Sinners.

A. Isa. 43:25-26 –

1. principle applied to Israel of old & still applies today. God willing to forgive – if we’ll do our part.

2. note: our responsibility! Some: no action on our part necessary.

B. Mt. 11:28-30

1. Jesus invites us to come & place our burdens on Him

2. Put our trust in Him/live our lives in obedience to the will of God.

C. This (mercy) especially demonstrated by God’s willingness to reason w/man – even after man’s mistreatment of Him!

1. Consider the Israelites again – Jer. 2:13, 32

2. How many times had they rejected Him? Trampled on the law of God? Yet…he willing to forgive!

3. Lk. 23:34 – words of Christ on the cross.

4. Eph. 2:1-5 – consider our own actions b/f we came to Chirst. Would they parallel contents here?

a) how many of us would this describe?

b) We do not deserve the joy that has been so richly distributed to us.

III. God’s mercy demonstrated by not only forgiving – but transforming us!

A. Back it Isa. 1:18 – He will help us transform ourselves from being slave of sin to slave of righteousness.

1. We b/c a new person – a new creature – 2 Cor. 5:17-18.

2. we’ve been reconciled to Him

3. the enmity b/t us & him has been taken away – we’ve been recreated to live for Him – 5:15-16.

B. We can be made part of the people of God. 1 Pet. 2:9-10

1. to be raised out of the filthyness/mire/stench of sin & given a new life that is pleasing/acceptable to Him!

2. Talk about mercy!

3. as long as we continue to be faithful…repent of sin when we fall short….He will forgive us! 1 Jhn. 1:7

IV. God demonstrates mercy by showing interest in man.

A. Think how many opportunities God has had to give up on man.

1. then consider Psa. 8:3-4. Think on the eternal scheme of things.

a) man not as significant as he thinks he is.

b) Man not the smartest/most wonderful thing.

c) There is a God – to whom all of us are subject to!

B. Yet…what do we read in 1 Tim. 2:4

1. He wants YOU to give up the habit of sin & turn to Him!

2. what sinful thing could possibly be worth losing a home in heaven over?

3. yet many despise His mercy & do not seek to grow closer to Him!

4. just like in Paul’s day – Rom. 2:4

C. Are you despising His mercy?

1. How can one take all of this for granted?

2. By refusing to grow stronger in Him. Are you showing any interest in Him?

3. How do you expect to grow w/a lack of service?

4. Don’t take His mercy for granted!

V. God’s Mercy show despite Man’s continued Refusals.

A. How many times have you rejected His mercy – by indulging in sin? How many times have you taken for grated by being apathetic in your spiritual walk?

1. Yet…God = patient.

2. Not happy w/those who delay.

B. Mt. 23:37 – Note Jesus’ statements concerning Jerusalem & the Israelites.

1. Note the willingness of God to receive them.

2. But…they not ready/willing.

C. Ezek 33:11 – God has no pleasure in punishing man for evil.

1. make no mistake…He will punish evildoers.

2. no one’s fault but yours if you suffer eternal punishment!

D. 2 Pet. 3:9-11

1. God…longsuffering…patient.

2. waiting for you to turn….wanting you to obey!

3. Yet many – perhaps some here today – continue to refuse Him!

4. How many have done this to death – only then to realize too late! Don’t you be next!

Conclusion

A. God shows His mercy by offering to forgive man on simple terms.

1. Think of the seriousness of sin – how terrible it is - & then the terms of partdon offered through the gospel of Christ.

2. have you taken advantage of these terms?

3. If not,…why not?

B. Tit. 3:5 – key to pardon = belief in Christ & his mission to save man from sin.

1. Acts 2:38 – repent of sins

2. Rom. 10:9-10 – confess that Jesus the Christ b/f men.

3. be baptized in water for remission of sins – Acts 22:16

4. This = terms of pardon.

C. Then…God expects you to be faithful to Him by remaining in obedience to His will. Are you willing to do that?

D. Fellow Christians: Are you taking His mercy for granted? Get back on track!

E. I N V I T A T I O N



Sin & The Mercy of God 1999060 Introduction A. Many of us, perhaps all, have b/c somewhat dumbed down to sin. Sin all around us in the world. Sin is probably more prevalent than some of us realize b/c the way the devil packages it. 1. think of the many ungodly things portrayed on TV. 2. foul language, illicit, deviant sex, homosexuality, lying, abortion etc. all glorified & promoted. B. What has happened to many …. Is the failure to realize the seriousness of sin…because we see no immediate consequences. 1. Devil – our enemy – wants man to belive there no consequence for sin. 2. go out, have fun…please every desire. Afterall…you deserve it! 3. if there is any draw back…it minimized – even ignored. Oh well…I’ll worry about that later. C. Another problem we have to deal with – is that majority of people refuse to take personal responsibility for actions. 1. Blame it on childhood. Parental abuse… 2. I inherited traits that make me the way I am. D. Let us not fall into trap of minimizing sin. Sin is what causes man to be lost. 1. to be eternally separated from God 2. sin = what caused God to have to send His Son to die in our place so that we might have opportunity to be delievered from sin. 3. note the sacrifice of Christ in our place a) Jhn. 3:16; 1 Jhn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8-9 4. Note the teaching in the Scriptures concerning the penalty of sin. a) Jhn. 8:34-36 – slave of sin. b) Isa. 59:2 – separate from God. c) Rom. 3:23; 6:23 – all have sinned…all in danger of et. Death. d) Only hope…life through Christ. E. Purpose of lesson today to examine the seriousness of sin & the wonderful mercy of God. 1. consider how the great mercy of God has been extended to man through the ages. 2. many times..He could have destroyed man – for continued & blatant resistance to the will of God. 3. But yet note Isa 1:18-20 a) this said to Israel. Note their condition at the time. b) Certainly a people who didn’t realize seriousness of sin: note they mired up in it! c) Idolatry (complete w/child sacrifice), rebellion, rejection of the will of God. d) Rampant disregard for sanctity of life, immorality all over…yet…note word of God He = willing to forgive! F. We must consider the mercy of god & take advantage of it before it eternally too late. I. God demonstrates His mercy in His offer to forgive man. A. See Psa. 103:6-10 1. Note esp. 103:10 – we have not been punished as we should have for our transgression. 2. 103:11 – this due to His great/wonderful mercy. Have you taken advantage of His mercy? 3. Note: mercy of God/grace of God = conditional in nature – toward those who fear/obey Him – 103:13-18 4. those who do not obey…those who do not take advantage of mercy of God – will get what they deserve – when you look at the bottom line. B. This mercy demonstrated in the sending of Jesus to die. 1. Rom. 5:8-9 2. while we in rebellion; while man still turned against God; Christ died in hopes of our turning to Him. 3. up to you/me to make decision to turn/burn. God has promised to forgive man of his sins – Heb. 10:16-17 C. Have you received forgiveness of your sins? Do you realize the fate of the sinner? What are you going to do? II. God demonstrates His Mercy by His willingness to Reason w/Sinners. A. Isa. 43:25-26 – 1. principle applied to Israel of old & still applies today. God willing to forgive – if we’ll do our part. 2. note: our responsibility! Some: no action on our part necessary. B. Mt. 11:28-30 1. Jesus invites us to come & place our burdens on Him 2. Put our trust in Him/live our lives in obedience to the will of God. C. This (mercy) especially demonstrated by God’s willingness to reason w/man – even after man’s mistreatment of Him! 1. Consider the Israelites again – Jer. 2:13, 32 2. How many times had they rejected Him? Trampled on the law of God? Yet…he willing to forgive! 3. Lk. 23:34 – words of Christ on the cross. 4. Eph. 2:1-5 – consider our own actions b/f we came to Chirst. Would they parallel contents here? a) how many of us would this describe? b) We do not deserve the joy that has been so richly distributed to us. III. God’s mercy demonstrated by not only forgiving – but transforming us! A. Back it Isa. 1:18 – He will help us transform ourselves from being slave of sin to slave of righteousness. 1. We b/c a new person – a new creature – 2 Cor. 5:17-18. 2. we’ve been reconciled to Him 3. the enmity b/t us & him has been taken away – we’ve been recreated to live for Him – 5:15-16. B. We can be made part of the people of God. 1 Pet. 2:9-10 1. to be raised out of the filthyness/mire/stench of sin & given a new life that is pleasing/acceptable to Him! 2. Talk about mercy! 3. as long as we continue to be faithful…repent of sin when we fall short….He will forgive us! 1 Jhn. 1:7 IV. God demonstrates mercy by showing interest in man. A. Think how many opportunities God has had to give up on man. 1. then consider Psa. 8:3-4. Think on the eternal scheme of things. a) man not as significant as he thinks he is. b) Man not the smartest/most wonderful thing. c) There is a God – to whom all of us are subject to! B. Yet…what do we read in 1 Tim. 2:4 1. He wants YOU to give up the habit of sin & turn to Him! 2. what sinful thing could possibly be worth losing a home in heaven over? 3. yet many despise His mercy & do not seek to grow closer to Him! 4. just like in Paul’s day – Rom. 2:4 C. Are you despising His mercy? 1. How can one take all of this for granted? 2. By refusing to grow stronger in Him. Are you showing any interest in Him? 3. How do you expect to grow w/a lack of service? 4. Don’t take His mercy for granted! V. God’s Mercy show despite Man’s continued Refusals. A. How many times have you rejected His mercy – by indulging in sin? How many times have you taken for grated by being apathetic in your spiritual walk? 1. Yet…God = patient. 2. Not happy w/those who delay. B. Mt. 23:37 – Note Jesus’ statements concerning Jerusalem & the Israelites. 1. Note the willingness of God to receive them. 2. But…they not ready/willing. C. Ezek 33:11 – God has no pleasure in punishing man for evil. 1. make no mistake…He will punish evildoers. 2. no one’s fault but yours if you suffer eternal punishment! D. 2 Pet. 3:9-11 1. God…longsuffering…patient. 2. waiting for you to turn….wanting you to obey! 3. Yet many – perhaps some here today – continue to refuse Him! 4. How many have done this to death – only then to realize too late! Don’t you be next! Conclusion A. God shows His mercy by offering to forgive man on simple terms. 1. Think of the seriousness of sin – how terrible it is - & then the terms of partdon offered through the gospel of Christ. 2. have you taken advantage of these terms? 3. If not,…why not? B. Tit. 3:5 – key to pardon = belief in Christ & his mission to save man from sin. 1. Acts 2:38 – repent of sins 2. Rom. 10:9-10 – confess that Jesus the Christ b/f men. 3. be baptized in water for remission of sins – Acts 22:16 4. This = terms of pardon. C. Then…God expects you to be faithful to Him by remaining in obedience to His will. Are you willing to do that? D. Fellow Christians: Are you taking His mercy for granted? Get back on track! E. I N V I T A T I O N