Choosing Mercy: Embracing Christ's Transformative Power

 

Summary

Today, as we gathered to celebrate Palm Sunday and the commencement of Holy Week, I reflected on the profound symbolism of Christ's humble entry into Jerusalem, an act that set in motion the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. In my sermon, I delved into Romans chapter 9, focusing on the theme of "Stone and Clay in the Hands of the Father." I explored the paradox of God's sovereign authority and the human choice to either worship God or ourselves. This choice is the crux of our existence, and despite God's omnipotence, He allows us the freedom to choose because love cannot be compelled.

I emphasized that God's desire is always for mercy over judgment, as evidenced by the message of the cross and the sacrifice of Christ. James chapter 2 reminds us that mercy triumphs over judgment, and it is through God's grace that we are offered salvation. The choice to accept this gift of mercy is ours alone, and it is by our own decisions that we find ourselves either eternally separated from God or embraced by His love.

Furthermore, I spoke of God's restoration power, His ability to take our stony hearts and transform them into hearts of clay, moldable and ready to be shaped for His glory. Christ came not to provide a temporary treatment for sin but to offer a complete cure, to save us to the uttermost. This transformative power is not defined by our past or our struggles but by the Creator who has given us purpose and identity.

As I concluded, I shared my personal testimony of restoration, how I encountered Jesus and found purpose and identity in Him. I urged the congregation to consider their own choices and the opportunity to embrace the restoration power of Christ. I invited everyone to reflect on the urgency of the moment, to recognize that it is "go time" for making a decision to follow Christ, as we are drawing near to the day when He will return.

Key Takeaways:

- The choice to love and worship God is the fundamental decision of our lives, and it cannot be coerced. God's sovereignty is magnificently displayed in His patience and longsuffering, giving us every new day as another chance to choose Him. This choice is not just a one-time decision but a daily act of devotion and surrender to His will. [19:37]

- Mercy is at the heart of God's character, and it is His preferred response to our failings. The cross is the ultimate demonstration of this truth, where instead of exacting judgment, God offers us redemption. As believers, we are called to embody this same spirit of mercy in our interactions with others, reflecting the grace we have received. [26:13]

- Restoration is a key aspect of God's nature; He is in the business of making all things new. Our past does not define us in the eyes of God. Through Christ, we are offered a fresh start, a new identity that is not marred by our previous failures or sins. This restoration is available to all who come to Him in repentance and faith. [28:44]

- The willingness of Christ to wait for us, to endure our shortcomings and rebellions, is a profound expression of His love. This extraordinary patience should move us to gratitude and a deeper commitment to live lives worthy of the sacrifice He made for us. Our response to His patience should be a fervent pursuit of holiness and a passionate proclamation of the gospel. [17:56]

- The urgency of the present moment cannot be overstated. As we see the day of Christ's return approaching, we must live with an acute awareness of the times and be diligent in making the most of every opportunity to share the hope we have in Jesus. The decision to follow Christ is not just a personal milestone but a matter of eternal significance that should be made with both sobriety and joy. [22:08]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 9:19-24 (ESV)
> "You will say to me then, 'Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?' But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?' Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?"

2. James 2:12-13 (ESV)
> "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment."

3. Ezekiel 36:26 (ESV)
> "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 9:19-24 say about God's authority over creation? How does Paul illustrate this with the metaphor of the potter and the clay?
2. According to James 2:12-13, what is the relationship between mercy and judgment? How does this reflect God's character?
3. In Ezekiel 36:26, what transformation does God promise to perform in the hearts of His people?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the metaphor of the potter and the clay in Romans 9:19-24 help us understand God's sovereignty and our role as His creation? [06:12]
2. What does it mean that "mercy triumphs over judgment" in the context of James 2:12-13? How should this influence our interactions with others? [26:13]
3. How does the promise of a new heart in Ezekiel 36:26 relate to the concept of restoration discussed in the sermon? [28:44]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the idea of God's sovereignty. How did you reconcile your personal choices with His ultimate authority? [06:12]
2. How can you embody the principle that "mercy triumphs over judgment" in your daily life, especially in difficult relationships? [26:13]
3. Have you experienced a transformation similar to the one described in Ezekiel 36:26? If so, how has it changed your life? If not, what steps can you take to seek this transformation? [28:44]
4. The sermon emphasized the urgency of making a decision to follow Christ. What is holding you back from making or reaffirming this decision today? [21:29]
5. How can you actively pursue a heart of clay, moldable by God, rather than a heart of stone? What practical steps can you take this week to be more open to God's shaping? [28:44]
6. The pastor shared his personal testimony of restoration. How can sharing your own story of faith and transformation impact others in your community? [45:34]
7. Considering the pastor's call to recognize the urgency of the present moment, what specific actions can you take to live with an acute awareness of Christ's return? [22:08]

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing God Daily Defines Our Lives
The fundamental decision of one's life is the choice to love and worship God. This decision is not a one-time event but a continuous act of devotion that must be made each day. It is a choice that reflects the understanding of God's sovereignty and His patience with humanity. Every new day is a gift from God, presenting another opportunity to choose Him over the self. This daily choice is an act of surrender to His will, acknowledging that true love cannot be forced upon anyone. It is a voluntary act of worship that aligns one's life with the divine purpose and will. [19:37]

"Choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15 ESV)

Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to demonstrate your choice to serve and worship God above all else?

Day 2: Mercy: The Heart of God's Character
God's character is deeply rooted in mercy, preferring to extend grace rather than judgment. This is most profoundly demonstrated through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which stands as the ultimate act of mercy towards humanity. Believers are called to embody this spirit of mercy in their daily interactions, mirroring the grace they have received. It is a call to live out the gospel in a way that reflects God's preference for mercy over judgment, and to extend that same mercy to others, just as it has been extended to them. [26:13]

"For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13 ESV)

Reflection: How can you show mercy to someone in your life today, reflecting the mercy that God has shown you?

Day 3: Restoration Through Christ's Transformative Power
God's nature is to restore and make all things new, and through Christ, individuals are offered a fresh start. This transformative power is not hindered by one's past or struggles; instead, it is defined by the Creator who gives purpose and identity. The new identity in Christ is free from the blemishes of past failures or sins. This restoration is available to anyone who approaches God with a repentant heart and faith, ready to be molded like clay for His glory. [28:44]

"And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways do you need God's restorative power in your life, and how can you open yourself up to His transformative work today?

Day 4: Christ's Patience Calls for Our Holiness
The patience of Christ is a testament to His enduring love, a love that waits for us despite our shortcomings. This extraordinary patience is a call to gratitude and a deeper commitment to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. It is an invitation to pursue holiness and to passionately proclaim the gospel, motivated by the profound expression of love that Christ has shown. Our response to His patience should be a fervent pursuit of a life that honors Him in every aspect. [17:56]

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'" (1 Peter 1:15-16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you can pursue greater holiness in response to Christ's patience and love for you?

Day 5: The Urgency of the Present Moment
The present moment holds great urgency as believers anticipate the return of Christ. It is a time to be acutely aware of the times and to be diligent in seizing every opportunity to share the hope found in Jesus. The decision to follow Christ carries eternal significance and should be approached with both sobriety and joy. Living with this sense of urgency means making the most of every moment, understanding that the choice to follow Christ has far-reaching implications. [22:08]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV)

Reflection: What is one way you can make the most of today, living with the urgency of Christ's imminent return and sharing the hope you have in Him?

Quotes

"God's Sovereign Authority found in verse 19 would we all agree that the father is Sovereign and has the authority in this place the creator of the universe the man the god who says Let There and boom nothingness obeys that command would you say he has the authority in this place today he is Sovereign and has Authority if God is Sovereign though why is there still a choice this is the tone of which Paul is writing here in Romans chapter 9: 19 will you say then um why does he still find fault if God is so Sovereign why is there a choice what choice might" [06:12]( | | )

"upon the option of Wrath and mercy God will always always desire Mercy that's the message of the Cross that's the reason for Christ to come James chapter 2 says it like this in verse 12 so speak and so act as those uh who are to be judged by the law of freedom for judgment will be merciless to the one who has shown no mercy but listen Mercy triumphs over judgment isn't that good today Church Mercy triumphs over judgment more than any judgment God could ever place on you he would rather give you Mercy but it's only by way of your choice the only people that will ever find themselves separated eternally from God in a hell that they don't belong in is by way of their choice God has freely giving us Grace today" [26:13]( | | )

"Christ came to bring about the cure for sin not treatment the pharmaceutical companies want to treat you so that they can make money off of you Jesus wants to cure you so that he can bring you into the full oh I'm getting on somebody's nerves Jesus wants to he wants to cure you he wants to save you to the uttermost he wants to take the problem that you're dealing with which is your sin which is your Rebellion which is your Stony Heart full of pride full of uh angst he wants to take that and make it a a a a" [28:04]( | | )

"God's been waiting on you some of you in here I don't know who you are but you feel it you feel the Holy Spirit knocking on you knocking on your heart's door God's been waiting on you God's been looking he's been waiting he's been watching and no he's not some scary old man on a throne up in heaven with a lightning bolt ready to strike you down because he saw what you did on your way to church today no that's not it at all he's been waiting on you he's been watching you to see will he choose today will he choose today just to accept the payment that I paid on the cross will he choose will today be that day where he chooses to bow and come to uh to an altar and and and and choose to believe and trust in the name of the" [18:29]( | | )

"this is the highlight of God's sovereignty get me church this is the highlight of God's sovereignty that even in his sovereignty even in his power even in his might and though he may be justified to do us in because of our sin in God's sovereignty he is longsuffering to give you the chance to make the choice he's longsuffering to give you the chance to choose him today and each day you wake up it's another chance it's a fearful place to be in limbo of the choice the great choice it's a fearful place because I don't know if I'll wake up in the morning I'm 30 years old and I feel it some of y'all are like boy you got a long way to go I hope so but boy I feel 30 right" [19:37]( | | )

"now it's everything I knew it would be some of y'all like my my Heyday was in my 30s I'm like buddy where where do I go to get the hay listen I don't know if I wake up tomorrow morning okay it's a fearful place to be in that limbo I'm not saying this to scare anybody I'm not say saying this to invoke anybody to do anything listen let the Holy Spirit speak in this place if you if you have not chosen to give your life to Christ but it's been on your heart the holy spirit's been knocking God's been speaking to you God doesn't paint things on the wall okay if you're looking for a great big sign it's not Jeff Foxworthy this is not your sign the sign is the still small voice inside of you that says Child come home child I love you child in me there's Freedom child in me there's restoration child in me I can make you everything I've designed you to be child in me you don't have to come with anything together matter of fact come messed up I will put you together that's what the holy spirit is saying in this place today" [20:17]( | | )

"listen his willingness to wait on you this is the very meaning of Palm Sunday isn't it in a nutshell that Christ would come in signifying hey it's go time today I want to tell you Church hey it's go time you better better understand you better know if you've been riding the fence with Christ if you've been limboing in this decision to truly follow him and give him your life listen it's go time the king is riding in he's getting ready to to to to pay the price on the cross it's go time church more specifically for our culture today Church you better recognize that it's go time we are drawing near to the day in which our King rides back in and his church better be ready and his church better be um um receiving he better be Christ Church better be ready and Adorn for for the groom because a faithful day is near when Jesus comes back to return for his church and if you are not found covered by the blood of Jesus it's a scary place to be" [22:08]( | | )

"the Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you do you hear that he's patient towards you some of you think God's mad at you some of you think God's given up on you some of you think that God has turned his back on you he's given you way too many chances you've given him way too many promises that you've not held your end of the bargain up on uh and some of you think that he's just chosen to go away and turn his back never to be seen again that's not true um this is the truth here uh God is patient toward you not willing for any" [22:46]( | | )

"those of you I don't know who you are but some of you surely I'm not naive to think that everybody in here is given their life to Christ but those of you who have always just kind of shrug this thing off will you choose today whether or not it's going to happen like will you give your life to Christ today will you choose Jesus Austin I don't know how to do this what are you talking about choose Christ does it just mean like I leave today choosing to like follow like where's the rules that give me a list of rules give me the instructions there's no list of rules there's no what it is is it's a heart with a posture of repentance choosing to turn away from your own selfish lustful prideful desires and making Jesus the Lord of your life it's choosing to depend upon Christ for your salvation believing that he is the Son of God that he did come to die on a cross for our sins that he was buried and that he rose and by that confession of Faith you are saved you are saved to the uttermost and all that that we could talk about in the past like I could tell you stories about how I've been just dumb in my past like I've done some dumb things and I've sinned boy I've been a sinner I'm subject to sin to some more but what I'm saying is I can I can tell you about a time when Jesus came into my life and he saved me and he saved me to the uttermost and He restored me he cured me he didn't just treat me he cured me I don't know who's in here that needs that restoration I don't know who's in here that needs that save or that Saving Grace I don't know who's in here that needs to give their life to the Lord maybe you need to uh lay some things down at the altar maybe you need to bring something that's been weighing you down to the altar this thing shouldn't be dry and cold we should heat this altar her up with our sacrifice of our praise our sacrifice of our worship to God Amen so the band's going to get started I'm going to get off this stage quit rambling but I want to give you the opportunity today would you come would you choose today to give your life to the Lord or maybe you need to lay some things down at the altar maybe you need to be set free of some things that are B binding you up and chaining you in whatever the case may be Jesus has restoration power would you stand with me" [49:52]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?