Living in Gratitude and Expectation of God's Mercy

 

Summary

In reflecting on the passage from 2 Timothy 1:16-18, we are reminded of the profound importance of gratitude and prayer in the Christian life. Onesiphorus, a faithful servant, diligently sought out Paul in Rome, ministering to him without shame of his chains. This act of kindness and courage is a testament to the power of Christian fellowship and the importance of supporting one another in times of need. Paul, in turn, expressed his gratitude through prayer, asking for mercy upon Onesiphorus and his household. This teaches us that when we are unable to repay kindness in tangible ways, we can always offer our prayers as a form of gratitude.

The sermon also emphasizes the inevitability and significance of "that day"—the day of judgment. It is a day anticipated throughout scripture, a day when Christ will be revealed in all His glory, and every eye shall see Him. This day will be marked by the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment of all humanity. It is a day of revelation, where the true nature of every heart will be exposed, and the righteous will be separated from the wicked. The sermon urges us to live in a state of perpetual vigilance and expectancy, always prepared for the Lord's return.

Moreover, the sermon highlights the mercy of God, which is available to us today. It is a call to repentance and a reminder that while judgment is certain, mercy is still accessible. We are encouraged to seek God's mercy now, to forgive others, and to live righteously, for there will be no mercy for those who reject Christ or live in wickedness. The urgency of the message is clear: today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in seeking the Lord.

Key Takeaways:

- Gratitude and Prayer: Onesiphorus' example teaches us the importance of gratitude and prayer. When we receive kindness, we should respond with thankfulness and prayer for our benefactors, recognizing that prayer is a powerful way to bless others. [01:37]

- The Day of Judgment: The day of judgment is a central theme in scripture, a day when Christ will be revealed in glory. It is a day of accountability, where the true nature of every heart will be exposed. We must live in readiness, prepared for the Lord's return. [03:31]

- Revelation and Conviction: On that day, the hidden things will be revealed, and the true character of every person will be known. It will be a day of conviction, where the righteous will be vindicated, and the wicked will face judgment. [13:21]

- The Urgency of Mercy: God's mercy is available to us today, but it requires us to forgive others and live righteously. There will be no mercy for those who reject Christ or live in wickedness. We must seek God's mercy now, while it is still available. [17:29]

- The Present Opportunity: Today is the day of salvation. We are urged to seek the Lord now, to repent and turn to Him, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. The urgency of the message is a call to action, to ensure our eternal destiny is secure. [31:32]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:15] - Onesiphorus' Faithfulness
- [01:07] - The Power of Gratitude and Prayer
- [02:09] - The Need for Prayer
- [03:11] - The Day of Judgment
- [04:18] - Scriptural Anticipation of That Day
- [05:23] - Vigilance and Expectancy
- [07:04] - The Coming of the Son of Righteousness
- [08:09] - Revelation of Christ's Glory
- [09:47] - The General Assembly
- [11:11] - The Convocation of Three Worlds
- [13:21] - Wondrous Revelations
- [15:32] - Final Judgment
- [17:10] - The Mercy of That Day
- [28:48] - The Present Day of Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Timothy 1:16-18
- Jude 1:14-15
- Matthew 25:31-46

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Observation Questions:

1. What actions did Onesiphorus take to support Paul during his imprisonment in Rome? How did Paul respond to these actions? [00:15]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of "that day" mentioned by Paul in 2 Timothy 1:18? [03:31]

3. How does the sermon describe the revelation of Christ's glory on the day of judgment? [08:09]

4. What are some characteristics of those who will not receive mercy on the day of judgment, as mentioned in the sermon? [17:29]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Onesiphorus' example of seeking out Paul in Rome illustrate the importance of Christian fellowship and support? [01:07]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the anticipation of the day of judgment should influence a Christian's daily life? [05:23]

3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's mercy and our willingness to forgive others? [17:46]

4. How does the sermon portray the urgency of seeking God's mercy today, and what are the consequences of neglecting this opportunity? [19:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when someone showed you kindness or support. How did you express your gratitude, and how might you incorporate prayer as a form of gratitude in the future? [01:37]

2. The sermon emphasizes living in readiness for the Lord's return. What practical steps can you take to live in a state of vigilance and expectancy? [05:23]

3. Consider your current relationships. Is there someone you need to forgive to align with the sermon’s message about mercy? How can you take steps toward forgiveness this week? [17:46]

4. The sermon warns against the danger of neglecting salvation. What distractions or priorities might be hindering your spiritual growth, and how can you address them? [19:07]

5. How can you actively seek God's mercy in your daily life, and what changes might you need to make to live righteously? [17:29]

6. The sermon calls for immediate action in seeking the Lord. What is one specific action you can take this week to deepen your relationship with God? [31:32]

7. Reflect on the urgency of the message that today is the day of salvation. How can this urgency influence your interactions with others who may not know Christ? [31:32]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Gratitude and Prayer
Gratitude and prayer are powerful responses to kindness received. Onesiphorus exemplified this by seeking out Paul in Rome, ministering to him without shame of his chains. His actions highlight the importance of Christian fellowship and supporting one another in times of need. Paul, unable to repay Onesiphorus' kindness in tangible ways, expressed his gratitude through prayer, asking for mercy upon Onesiphorus and his household. This teaches us that when we receive kindness, we should respond with thankfulness and prayer for our benefactors, recognizing that prayer is a powerful way to bless others. [01:37]

"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone who has shown you kindness recently. How can you express your gratitude through prayer for them today?


Day 2: Living in Readiness for the Day of Judgment
The day of judgment is a central theme in scripture, a day when Christ will be revealed in glory. It is a day of accountability, where the true nature of every heart will be exposed. This day will be marked by the resurrection of the dead and the final judgment of all humanity. The sermon urges us to live in a state of perpetual vigilance and expectancy, always prepared for the Lord's return. We must live in readiness, prepared for the Lord's return, ensuring that our lives reflect His teachings and love. [03:31]

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed." (2 Peter 3:10, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to live in readiness for Christ's return, ensuring your life reflects His teachings and love?


Day 3: Revelation and Conviction on the Day of Judgment
On the day of judgment, the hidden things will be revealed, and the true character of every person will be known. It will be a day of conviction, where the righteous will be vindicated, and the wicked will face judgment. This day is anticipated throughout scripture as a day of revelation, where the true nature of every heart will be exposed. The sermon emphasizes the importance of living righteously and being prepared for this day of accountability. [13:21]

"For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." (Ecclesiastes 12:14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your life and actions. Are there hidden areas you need to bring before God for forgiveness and transformation today?


Day 4: The Urgency of Seeking God's Mercy
God's mercy is available to us today, but it requires us to forgive others and live righteously. The sermon highlights the urgency of seeking God's mercy now, as there will be no mercy for those who reject Christ or live in wickedness. We are encouraged to seek God's mercy today, to forgive others, and to live righteously, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. The urgency of the message is clear: today is the day of salvation, and we must not delay in seeking the Lord. [17:29]

"Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive or an area of your life where you need to seek God's mercy today? How can you take action on this immediately?


Day 5: Embracing the Present Opportunity for Salvation
Today is the day of salvation. The sermon urges us to seek the Lord now, to repent and turn to Him, for tomorrow is not guaranteed. This call to action emphasizes the importance of ensuring our eternal destiny is secure by embracing the present opportunity for salvation. We are encouraged to live righteously and seek God's mercy while it is still available, recognizing the urgency of the message. [31:32]

"Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2b, ESV)

Reflection: What is one step you can take today to embrace the present opportunity for salvation and ensure your eternal destiny is secure?

Quotes



Gratitude is never failing in Christians when they have received a benefit they are sure to acknowledge it when Paul was at Rome ones forus found him out very diligently and was not ashamed of his chains but ministered to his necessities and therefore Paul felt bound to him and to his family In Perpetual thankfulness. [00:00:51]

Learn hence that if we can do nothing else for our benefactors we can bless them by our prayers let us be abundant in pouring out supplications before God for all those who in any way have done us a service we learn also from the text that the best of men have need to be prayed for. [00:01:37]

Paul speaks of the day of judgment here he does not specify it because it was so commonly believed in and expected among Christians that it was quite sufficient for him to say that day from the earliest times wherever there has been Divine Light that day has been expected. [00:03:31]

After trying to discover what I can of the future I arrive at this conclusion from scripture that the Lord would have us be in a state of Perpetual vigilance and expectancy and hence he has studied the scriptures with phrases to the effect that he comes quickly. [00:05:23]

It will be a day of days its Dreadful surroundings are spoken of in scripture but after all words can but fee describe them it will be a day especially notable for the revelation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as yet he is hidden among the sons of men. [00:07:04]

There will be a general assembly held on that day such as never has been held before for first the Son of God shall be the center of all eyes and around him shall be his father's angels heaven shall send her pomp to swell his train he shall come and his Saints also shall come with him. [00:09:47]

On that day we shall detect the hypocrite see him Yonder The mask has fallen see the leprosy upon his brow then shall we see the men who were misrepresented who accounted the offscouring of all things though of them the world was not worthy. [00:13:21]

The wicked shall be turned into Hell and Hell means not Mercy but Misery the men that have lied in the breaking of God's law from day to day from childhood to manhood perhaps from manhood to old age and have died still sinning for them there shall be no mercy whatsoever. [00:18:10]

There shall be no mercy for those who neglect salvation again I give you God's words for it how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation these people had not done any particular mischief to anybody else they had not persecuted Christ they had not reviled his gospel. [00:19:29]

Today it is not judgment but love that rules the hour now the great white Throne is not yet set neither is it a trumpet that rings in your ear but it is an affectionate voice which speaks to you and says Mercy is to be had yet Mercy is to be had by false professors. [00:28:48]

This is a night this very night in which prayer will be answered God has said seek and ye shall find this is a night in which Christ waits to be gracious he is exalted on high on purpose to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins this is a night in which sin may be forgiven. [00:29:20]

May God impress you with this thought may he impress you moreover with this thought that today is the accepted time today is the day of salvation and may some of you be unable to sleep tonight until you have found the Savior for should Swift death This Night orake you. [00:31:32]

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Transcript
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