Big Idea: Our God is both Merciful, Gracious and Just. God delights in showing mercy to sinners and forgiving their sin but must also deal with the judgement we deserve. The plan to redeem sinners is realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
God the Father
3-1 There is but one living and true God,1 immanent, transcendent, infinite in being and perfection, pure spirit,2 invisible, immutable,3 eternal, almighty, all wise,4 most holy, most free, most loving, most gracious, most merciful, longsuffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin,5 the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, and withal most just and terrible in His judgments, hating all sin. He will by no means clear the guilty.
Our God is Most ____________________ and ______________________.
Exodus 34:6 (ESV) The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
It pleases God to show mercy.
Micah 7:18 (ESV) — 18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.
Ephesians 2:4 (ESV) — 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
“God is more inclinable to mercy than wrath. Mercy is his darling attribute, which he most delights in…”
Ezekiel 18:23 (ESV) — 23 Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live?
“God’s longsuffering speaks of his being perfectly placid in himself and toward sinners in spite of their continual disobedience and disregard for his warnings. God does not ‘lose his temper’ but rather acts calmly with proper affection according to his eternal sovereign plan.” –John MacArthur
Our God is Withal __________________________.
Exodus 34:7 (ESV) keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
God judges and he judges justly.
Psalm 9:7–8 (ESV) — 7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, 8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.
Romans 2:12-16; 3:21-26
God’s abundant mercy and grace has not only dealt justly with the punishment we all deserve, but He has also renewed us to live holy and righteous lives.
Titus 2:14 (ESV) who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Questions to consider
Is it a comfort to know that the God of the universe cares for you?
How has God shown his mercy and grace to you?
How does the reality of God mercy and justice affect the way you evangelize?
