God's Dual Nature: Wrath and Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: The Duality of God's Nature: Wrath and Kindness

God's nature is a profound duality of wrath and kindness, which coexist as both a warning and an invitation. His wrath is evident in the suffering and futility of the world, a consequence of sin and rebellion. Yet, within this wrath, there is hope, as God has built hope into the curse itself. This hope is realized through the gospel, which offers salvation and redemption to all who believe. God's kindness is an invitation to repentance, urging unbelievers to turn from their ways and embrace the gospel. For believers, this duality is a call to live in the assurance of God's love and grace, knowing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. [10:24]

Romans 2:4 (ESV): "Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced both God's kindness and His discipline in your life? How can you respond to His kindness today by turning away from a specific sin?

Day 2: Purpose in Futility and Suffering

The futility and suffering in the world are not without purpose. They serve as reminders of the brokenness of creation and the need for redemption. God subjected creation to futility, not as an act of cruelty, but as a means to point us toward hope and redemption. This futility is not the end; it is a pathway to understanding the depth of God's grace and the promise of future glory. Through the gospel, believers are assured that their suffering is not in vain but is part of God's redemptive plan. [04:53]

Romans 8:20-21 (ESV): "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God."

Reflection: How can you view a current struggle or challenge in your life as an opportunity to experience God's grace and redemption? What steps can you take to align your perspective with God's promise of future glory?

Day 3: God's Kindness as an Invitation to Repentance

For unbelievers, God's kindness is an invitation to repentance. His patience and tolerance are opportunities for transformation, urging them to turn from their ways and embrace the gospel. This kindness is not to be taken for granted but is a call to change and renewal. It is a reminder that God's desire is for all to come to repentance and experience the fullness of life in Christ. [09:14]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have been resisting God's call to repentance? How can you respond to His patience and kindness today by making a change?

Day 4: Suffering and Sin as Opportunities for Growth

For believers, suffering and sin are not signs of God's wrath but opportunities for growth and sanctification. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to fight against sin, not in their own strength, but in the strength provided by God. This process of sanctification transforms the believer's experience of suffering and sin, providing assurance of God's love and grace. It is a call to live in the assurance of God's love and grace, knowing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. [19:17]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you view a current struggle with sin as an opportunity for growth and sanctification? What practical steps can you take to rely on the Holy Spirit's strength in this area?

Day 5: Embracing Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

The call is to flee from the wrath of God and embrace the righteousness offered through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not earned but given, transforming the believer's experience of suffering and sin. It provides assurance of God's love and grace, knowing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Believers are called to live in this assurance, embracing the righteousness that comes through faith and allowing it to transform their lives. [21:29]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace the righteousness that is yours through faith in Christ? How can this assurance of God's love and grace transform your daily life and interactions with others?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we explore the profound duality of God's nature as both a judge and a savior. The central theme is the simultaneous outpouring of God's wrath and kindness in our world. This duality is not contradictory but complementary, serving as both a warning and an invitation. God's wrath is evident in the futility and suffering of the world, a consequence of sin and rebellion. Yet, within this wrath, there is hope, as God has built hope into the curse itself. This hope is realized through the gospel, which offers salvation and redemption to all who believe.

The futility and suffering we experience are not without purpose. They are reminders of the brokenness of creation and the need for redemption. God subjected creation to futility, not as an act of cruelty, but as a means to point us toward hope and redemption. This futility is not the end; it is a pathway to understanding the depth of God's grace and the promise of future glory.

For unbelievers, God's kindness is an invitation to repentance. His patience and tolerance are opportunities for transformation, urging them to turn from their ways and embrace the gospel. For believers, suffering and sin are not signs of God's wrath but opportunities for growth and sanctification. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to fight against sin, not in their own strength, but in the strength provided by God.

Ultimately, the message is a call to flee from the wrath of God and embrace the righteousness offered through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not earned but given, transforming the believer's experience of suffering and sin. It is a call to live in the assurance of God's love and grace, knowing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. God's wrath and kindness coexist, serving as both a warning and an invitation. His wrath is evident in the world's suffering, but His kindness leads us to repentance and hope. This duality is a profound expression of His nature. [10:24]
2. The futility and suffering in the world are not without purpose. They are reminders of the brokenness of creation and the need for redemption. God has built hope into the curse, pointing us toward the promise of future glory. [04:53]
3. For unbelievers, God's kindness is an invitation to repentance. His patience and tolerance are opportunities for transformation, urging them to turn from their ways and embrace the gospel. [09:14]
4. For believers, suffering and sin are not signs of God's wrath but opportunities for growth and sanctification. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to fight against sin, not in their own strength, but in the strength provided by God. [19:17]
5. The call is to flee from the wrath of God and embrace the righteousness offered through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness transforms the believer's experience of suffering and sin, providing assurance of God's love and grace. [21:29]
** [21:29]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - God's Dual Nature: Wrath and Kindness
[01:03] - The Sufferings of the Present Time
[01:41] - The Futility of Creation
[02:19] - Examples of Futility
[03:50] - Who Subjected Creation to Futility?
[04:53] - Hope Built into the Curse
[05:33] - The Wrath of God in the World
[06:29] - God Giving People Over to Depravity
[08:04] - Is Wrath the Only Response?
[09:14] - God's Kindness Leading to Repentance
[10:24] - God Speaks Both Languages
[12:00] - Listening to Pain and Pleasure
[13:30] - Believers and Suffering
[15:39] - Transforming Wrath into Ministry
[17:42] - No Futility in the Christian Life
[19:17] - Fighting Sin with the Holy Spirit
[21:29] - Fleeing the Wrath of God
[22:57] - Benediction and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 1:18
- Romans 8:18-28
- Romans 2:4-5

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Observation Questions:

According to Romans 1:18, how is God's wrath revealed in the world? What does this reveal about His nature? [00:36]
In Romans 8:18-28, what does Paul say about the sufferings of the present time compared to future glory? How does this relate to the concept of futility? [01:03]
How does Romans 2:4-5 describe God's kindness, and what is its intended purpose for unbelievers? [09:14]
What examples of futility and suffering were mentioned in the sermon, and how do they serve as reminders of the brokenness of creation? [02:19]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the duality of God's wrath and kindness serve as both a warning and an invitation, according to the sermon? [10:24]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that suffering and sin can be opportunities for growth and sanctification for believers? [19:17]
How does the sermon explain the concept of hope being built into the curse, and what role does this play in the believer's life? [04:53]
What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's wrath and His desire to save people through the gospel? [21:29]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering or futility. How did you perceive God's presence in that situation, and how might you view it differently now in light of the sermon? [01:03]
The sermon emphasizes God's kindness as an invitation to repentance. Is there an area in your life where you feel God is inviting you to change or grow? How can you respond to this invitation? [09:14]
Consider the duality of God's nature as both a judge and a savior. How does this understanding impact your relationship with Him and your daily walk of faith? [10:24]
The sermon calls believers to fight against sin with the strength provided by God. What practical steps can you take to rely more on the Holy Spirit in your battle against sin? [19:17]
How can you live in the assurance of God's love and grace, especially during times of suffering or when facing personal challenges? What specific actions can you take to remind yourself of this assurance? [20:51]
The sermon encourages believers to flee from God's wrath and embrace righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you actively pursue this righteousness? [21:29]
Identify a person in your life who might be experiencing futility or suffering. How can you offer them hope and point them toward the promise of future glory as described in the sermon? [04:53]

Sermon Clips

I declare it as a Biblical truth throughout that wherever judgment is pouring out in this age kindness is being poured out simultaneously in this age. God warns us with his wrath and he woes us with his kindness. What a great word God warns us with his wrath and Woos us with his kindness. [00:00:06]

The creation was subjected to futility. What's that? Who did that? What's the futility? I think the futility is the suffering referred to in verse 18 and the apparent pointlessness of it all. You work hard, you give to the church, you set aside a little bit for retirement each paycheck. [00:01:32]

God did it because only God can do it in Hope. Adam didn't sin to produce hope for the human race. Satan didn't tempt to produce hope for the human race. God cursed the ground and the creation and then said and very soon the seed of the woman is going to crush his head. [00:04:40]

The wrath of God is being poured out in human degradation. Human degradation. Look at chapter 1 verse 24. He finishes talking about idolatry and sin there in his introductory paragraph and now he launches into some specifics and he says in verse 24 of chapter 1, therefore God gave them over. [00:06:01]

Do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience? Those are big words folks. This is addressed to unbelievers. Do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and tolerance and patience not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? [00:09:02]

God is always speaking both languages in your life unbeliever. Listen, listen to your pain and listen to that Sunshine. Jesus said the sun rises on the good and the evil, rains fall on the just and the unjust, screaming the patience of God with this wicked age that disbelieves day in and day out. [00:11:52]

Death, where is thy Victory? Oh death, where is thy Sting? The sting of death sin, the power of sin is the law, but thanks be to God, God who gives us the victory over death through Jesus Christ Our Lord. So here's the answer about death. Death for the Christian is not taken away. [00:16:18]

There is no such thing as futility in the Christian Life, period. Lightning strikes, it is not feudal. Stroke will come, visit me, please pray for me, it will come. This articulate loudmouth preacher will be a very sad case someday. He will not be pretty to look at. It will come but not futility. [00:18:14]

Sin no longer for the Christian is a place from which you sink lower and lower and lower into degradation but a place where you meet a dethroned enemy in the power of the Holy Spirit and you fight not in your own strength but in his strength. Doesn't go away. [00:19:05]

The mark of the believer is you get up fighting. That's the mark of the believer. No perfection in this age I don't believe but a lot of good fighting. Those are my three answers to how you now believer experience the transformed wrath. He doesn't take it all away overnight. [00:20:08]

Flee the wrath of God. Flee believer and unbeliever flee the wrath of God. Where to? Verse 17. We're going to come back. It's going to end every sermon for the next who knows how many months. Go into verse 17 and clothe Yourself by faith not works with the righteousness of a holy God. [00:21:20]

Clothe yourselves with it by faith, live in it, love it, cherish it, and as you walk out here today click your heels with gladness that come what may there is no futility and tell somebody that they can have that. Let's pray oh God oh God would you perform that here now. [00:21:53]

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God's Dual Nature: Wrath and Redemption

Devotional

Day 1: The Duality of God's Nature: Wrath and Kindness

Day 2: Purpose in Futility and Suffering

Day 3: God's Kindness as an Invitation to Repentance

Day 4: Suffering and Sin as Opportunities for Growth

Day 5: Embracing Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

God's Dual Nature: Wrath and Redemption

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