Building Life on God's Mercies in Christ

Building our lives on the mercies of God in Jesus Christ is a profound and transformative journey. The essence of this message is to encourage and enable us to root our lives deeply in the mercies of God, as revealed through Jesus Christ. This journey is divided into two parts: first, the necessity of building our lives on something substantial, and second, ensuring that foundation is the mercies of God.

The word "therefore" is pivotal in understanding this message. It signifies that our actions and lives should not be arbitrary or rootless but should be built on a solid foundation. Just as decisions in life, like signing a significant document or making life-altering choices, are based on a series of thoughtful considerations and experiences, so should our spiritual lives be grounded in the profound truths of God’s mercies. This foundation is not just a theological concept but a practical reality that should influence every aspect of our lives.

The Christian life is distinct because it is built on the knowledge of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Unlike other worldviews, such as Hinduism, which may not emphasize doctrinal foundations, Christianity insists that our ethics and morality are deeply rooted in the knowledge of God’s character and deeds. This understanding is crucial because our ultimate goal is to magnify the glory of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. Our lives should reflect this mercy, making Jesus the focal point of admiration, not ourselves.

For parents, this means teaching children the significance of "therefore" in their behavior. It’s not enough to instruct them to "just do it." Instead, their actions should be grounded in the mercies of God, providing a robust foundation for their choices. This approach ensures that when they face the world, they are not merely asking, "What’s wrong with it?" but rather, "How can I live in a way that glorifies Jesus?"

Finally, building our lives on the mercies of God means embracing, receiving, and trusting in that mercy. It involves allowing this mercy to shape every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our actions, words, and thoughts reflect the profound love and grace of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Foundation of Life: Our lives should be built on a solid foundation, not arbitrary choices. The word "therefore" signifies that our actions are rooted in the profound truths of God’s mercies, ensuring that our lives are not rootless but grounded in divine purpose. [09:49]
• 2. Christian Distinctiveness: Unlike other worldviews, Christianity insists that our ethics and morality are deeply rooted in the knowledge of God’s character and deeds. This foundation is essential for living a life that magnifies the glory of God’s mercy in Jesus Christ. [14:53]
• 3. Parental Guidance: Parents should teach their children the significance of "therefore" in their behavior, ensuring that their actions are grounded in the mercies of God. This approach provides a robust foundation for their choices, helping them to glorify Jesus in all they do. [18:30]
• 4. Mercy as a Lifestyle: Building our lives on the mercies of God means embracing, receiving, and trusting in that mercy. It involves allowing this mercy to shape every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our actions, words, and thoughts reflect the profound love and grace of God. [25:32]
• 5. Responding with Mercy: In times of stress and challenge, our reflexes should be merciful, treating others better than they deserve. This response is only possible when our lives are deeply rooted in the mercy of God, allowing us to reflect His love and grace to the world. [30:24]
  ** [30:24]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:16] - Encouragement and Enabling by the Holy Spirit
• [00:38] - Building Lives on the Mercies of God
• [01:02] - Prayer for Transformation
• [03:21] - Building on a Solid Foundation
• [04:06] - Church Decisions and Their Foundations
• [06:16] - Missionary Testimonies and Their Impact
• [09:27] - The Meaning of "Therefore"
• [11:09] - Doctrine and Practice
• [12:02] - Contrasting Worldviews
• [15:24] - The Goal of Christian Living
• [18:08] - Application for Parents
• [21:34] - Building on the Mercy of God
• [23:52] - The Purpose of the Incarnation
• [25:32] - Living by Mercy
• [30:24] - Prayer for a Merciful Heart

1. What is the significance of the word "therefore" in Romans 12:1, and how does it connect to the previous chapters of Romans? [09:27]
2. How does the sermon describe the Christian life as being distinct from other worldviews, such as Hinduism? [11:48]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the importance of building our lives on a solid foundation? [05:03]
4. According to the sermon, what are the two components of mercy as described in the New Testament? [27:12]

1. How does the concept of "therefore" in Romans 12:1 challenge the way Christians should approach their daily decisions and actions? [09:49]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christian ethics and morality are deeply rooted in the knowledge of God’s character and deeds? [14:53]
3. How does the sermon propose that parents should teach their children about the significance of "therefore" in their behavior? [18:30]
4. What does it mean to build one's life on the mercies of God, and how does this foundation impact a believer's response to stress and challenges? [30:24]

1. Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was it based on a solid foundation of God's mercies, or was it more arbitrary? How might you approach similar decisions differently in the future? [09:49]
2. Consider your current understanding of Christian ethics. How can you deepen your knowledge of God’s character to ensure your actions reflect His glory? [14:53]
3. If you are a parent, how can you incorporate the teaching of "therefore" into your parenting style to help your children make choices that glorify Jesus? [18:30]
4. Identify a situation in your life where you need to respond with mercy. How can you allow God's mercy to shape your response in a way that reflects His love and grace? [30:24]
5. Think of a time when you reacted to a stressful situation without mercy. What steps can you take to ensure your reflexes are more merciful in the future? [30:24]
6. How can you actively embrace, receive, and trust in God's mercy this week? What specific actions will you take to let this mercy shape your thoughts and words? [25:32]
7. In what ways can you make Jesus the focal point of admiration in your life, ensuring that your actions point others to Him rather than yourself? [16:20]