Embracing God's Mercy: A Journey of Faith

 

Summary

In the sacred space of our gathering today, we delve into the profound reality of God's mercy, a mercy that is renewed each morning, transcending our flaws and sins. We are called to embrace this mercy with gratitude, turning to our Heavenly Father in our failures, and receiving His compassion not because of our faithfulness, but because of His unwavering faithfulness. His steadfast love and mercies are boundless, and for this, we are eternally grateful.

As we reflect on the world around us, we cannot ignore the suffering and affliction that plague humanity. Natural disasters, strife, war, and persecution bring sorrow to our hearts. Yet, we find solace in the knowledge that these tribulations were foretold in Matthew 24, and we trust in God's sovereignty, believing that He will intercede in His perfect timing, just as He delivered the Israelites in the wilderness.

We are reminded that our human inclination is to believe that we should get what we deserve. However, the story of Jesus Christ turns this notion on its head. He, being without sin, took upon Himself the punishment for all humanity's faults, a burden we cannot fathom. The choice before us is clear: to trust in Jesus, the Son of Man and Son of God, and receive not what we deserve but the gift of eternal life, grace, joy, and blessing.

The sermon also challenges us to distinguish between knowledge and experience. We can know about things intellectually, like the taste of a particular food or the mechanics of an exercise, but it is only through experience that we truly understand and live out these realities. This principle applies to our spiritual life as well, particularly in the practice of prayer.

Prayer is an instinctive part of human nature, a universal act that transcends cultures and beliefs. Yet, many of us struggle with prayer, finding it boring, obligatory, or confusing. We question its necessity, the delay in answers, and its effectiveness. But prayer is not a passive activity; it is a dynamic engagement with God that requires vulnerability and the willingness to listen and be transformed.

This sermon series on spiritual disciplines invites us to deepen our relationship with God through prayer, fasting, silence, solitude, and Sabbath. These practices are not just religious exercises but pathways to experiencing God in a more profound and intimate way. They are an invitation to the saints, the sleepwalkers, and the skeptics alike to discover the knowable God.

Key Takeaways:

- God's mercy is a daily gift that does not depend on our merit but on His faithfulness. We must receive it with gratitude and allow it to transform us, moving beyond guilt and shame to a place of acceptance and thanksgiving. This understanding of mercy can revolutionize our approach to God and to life itself. [14:57]

- The sovereignty of God amidst suffering is a truth that offers comfort and hope. While we may not understand all the reasons for pain and tragedy in the world, we can trust that God is in control and will act in His perfect timing. This trust is not passive; it is an active faith that calls us to intercede and seek God's compassion for those who suffer. [16:39]

- The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of God's love, challenging our notions of justice and deserving. By believing in Him, we receive not the punishment we deserve but the unmerited favor of eternal life. This profound truth should shape our identity and purpose, reminding us that we are loved beyond measure. [22:59]

- Prayer is an essential spiritual discipline that connects us to God in a way that transcends human understanding. It is not meant to be a formulaic exercise but a genuine exchange of our anxieties for God's peace. This exchange requires us to confront our fears and engage with God vulnerably and thoughtfully. [35:13]

- The spiritual disciplines are not just for the spiritually elite but are accessible and necessary for all believers. They invite us to experience God in new and deeper ways, challenging us to move beyond complacency and skepticism. Through these practices, we can discover the beauty and mystery of a life fully surrendered to God. [32:20]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Lamentations 3:22-23
2. Matthew 24:6-8
3. Philippians 4:6-7

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Lamentations 3:22-23, what are the characteristics of God's love and mercy?
2. In Matthew 24:6-8, what events are described as signs of the end times?
3. Philippians 4:6-7 instructs believers on how to handle anxiety. What are the steps mentioned in these verses?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the renewal of God's mercy each morning, as described in Lamentations 3:22-23, impact our daily lives and relationship with God? [13:19]
2. What comfort can believers find in knowing that the suffering and afflictions in the world were foretold in Matthew 24? How does this shape our understanding of God's sovereignty? [15:49]
3. Philippians 4:6-7 speaks about exchanging anxiety for God's peace through prayer. Why might this be challenging for many believers, and what does it reveal about our trust in God? [32:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed by guilt or shame. How can the understanding of God's daily renewed mercy help you move beyond these feelings to a place of acceptance and thanksgiving? [14:09]
2. When you see suffering and affliction in the world, how do you typically respond? How can you actively trust in God's sovereignty and intercede for those who are suffering, as suggested in the sermon? [16:39]
3. The sermon mentioned that Jesus' sacrifice challenges our notions of justice and deserving. How does this truth shape your identity and purpose as a believer? [22:59]
4. Prayer is described as a dynamic engagement with God that requires vulnerability. What are some specific fears or anxieties you need to confront in your prayer life to experience God's peace more fully? [35:13]
5. The spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, silence, solitude, and Sabbath are pathways to experiencing God more intimately. Which of these practices do you find most challenging, and how can you incorporate it into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? [32:20]
6. Think about a time when you relied more on your own understanding and control rather than surrendering your anxieties to God in prayer. What steps can you take to cultivate a habit of trusting God with your worries? [34:21]
7. The sermon invites saints, sleepwalkers, and skeptics to discover the knowable God through spiritual disciplines. Which group do you identify with, and what specific action can you take this week to move closer to experiencing the beauty and mystery of a life fully surrendered to God? [31:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing God's Unmerited Mercy
Mercy is not a reward for the righteous but a gift freely given by God, renewed every morning without fail. It is not contingent upon human merit but is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness. This mercy invites individuals to step out of the shadows of guilt and shame and into the light of acceptance and thanksgiving. It is a transformative force that can revolutionize one's approach to life and to the divine, offering a fresh start each day. By recognizing that mercy is not earned but given, one can live in a state of grace, aware of the profound love that underpins their existence.

"Lamentations 3:22-23 says, 'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.' These verses encapsulate the essence of divine mercy, highlighting its perpetual renewal and the faithfulness of God that sustains it."

Reflection: How can you practice gratitude today for the mercy that God has shown you, even in areas where you feel you have failed?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Sovereign Timing
The world is rife with suffering and chaos, yet amidst this turmoil, there is an anchor of hope in the sovereignty of God. This trust is not a passive resignation but an active faith that engages with the world through intercession and compassion. It is the belief that God's timing is perfect, even when it is beyond human understanding. As believers witness the afflictions around them, they can find solace in the knowledge that God is in control and will act, just as He has done throughout history. This trust calls for a steadfast heart that looks beyond the present suffering to the ultimate deliverance that is promised.

"In the book of Daniel, we read, 'Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding' (Daniel 2:20-21). This passage reminds us of God's dominion over the events of the world and encourages us to trust in His sovereign will."

Reflection: What is one situation in your life where you need to relinquish control and trust in God's sovereign timing?

Day 3: The Scandal of Grace
The story of Jesus Christ is a narrative that defies human logic, where the innocent bears the punishment for the guilty, offering redemption and eternal life. This scandalous grace challenges the concept of getting what one deserves and instead presents a love so profound that it redeems the undeserving. Belief in Jesus means receiving a gift that is not earned—the gift of grace, joy, and blessing. This truth should not only shape one's identity but also redefine one's purpose, as they are reminded of the immeasurable love that has been bestowed upon them.

"Romans 5:6-8 declares, 'For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' These verses highlight the counterintuitive nature of God's love and the grace extended through Christ's sacrifice."

Reflection: How does the understanding of grace as an unearned gift affect the way you view yourself and others?

Day 4: The Transformative Power of Prayer
Prayer is not a monotonous ritual but a vibrant and dynamic conversation with the divine. It is an exchange where fears and anxieties are laid bare, and in return, one receives the peace and assurance of God. This transformative power of prayer requires vulnerability and a willingness to listen and be changed. It is through this practice that individuals can connect with God on a deeper level, moving beyond intellectual knowledge to a lived experience of His presence.

"James 5:16b encourages us, 'The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.' This verse not only affirms the efficacy of prayer but also calls believers to engage in it earnestly, with the expectation that it will bring about significant change."

Reflection: What is one fear or anxiety you can bring to God in prayer today, and how can you open yourself up to His transformative power?

Day 5: Accessible Pathways to the Divine
The spiritual disciplines are not reserved for a select few but are accessible to all who seek a deeper relationship with God. These practices, including prayer, fasting, silence, solitude, and Sabbath, are pathways to experiencing the divine in a more profound and intimate way. They challenge believers to step out of spiritual complacency and skepticism and into a life of discovery and surrender. Through these disciplines, one can encounter the beauty and mystery of a life fully devoted to God, finding joy and fulfillment in His presence.

"Psalm 46:10a instructs us to 'Be still, and know that I am God.' This verse invites us to embrace practices like silence and solitude, which can lead to a deeper awareness of God's presence and a more intimate knowledge of His character."

Reflection: Which spiritual discipline can you practice this week to deepen your relationship with God, and what specific steps will you take to incorporate it into your daily routine?

Quotes

1) "God's mercy towards us is renewed each and every morning, no matter what our flaws or our sins of yesterday... we can receive your mercy and your compassion not because we are faithful, but because Lord you are faithful." [14:57] (Download)

2) "We see so much of sufferings, afflictions... we still trust and believe that Lord you are sovereign and you still in control and ultimately you will intercede in your own ways and in your own timing." [16:39] (Download)

3) "One man was special, he couldn't be like us or otherwise he just getting exactly the same as us... he deserved more than the punishment of just one man, he deserved really, he got the punishment of all men's faults." [22:13] (Download)

4) "The choice today: believe and trust in God, Jesus Son of Man, Son of God, taking away what you deserve, or go your own way ultimately and get what you deserve." [23:56] (Download)

5) "Prayer invites you to listen to God before speaking, to ask like a child in your old age, to scream your questions in an angry tirade, to undress yourself in vulnerable confession." [28:19] (Download)

6) "Most Bible believing Christians find a life in prayer perhaps boring or obligatory or confusing, or most often it's all three. Yet, prayer is an instinctive part of human nature." [29:02] (Download)

7) "This series is an invitation to the Saints, to The Sleep Walkers, and to the Skeptics. It's an open invitation to get off the comfortable fence of ultimate uncertainty and find out if God really is knowable." [31:40] (Download)

8) "Prayer is not a soft place to lay our heads or a workout routine for burning spiritual fat. Prayer is this intersection between an out-of-touch western church and a spiritually curious Western world." [32:20] (Download)

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