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I greet you in the name of the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth,
This week was a little different than our usual schedule. On most Tuesdays we do Bible study, then eat and fellowship. This week I had the Footsteppers visit Food For Life. The Footsteppers are a group of young homeschoolers that visit different ministries helping out in any way needed. They were excited to be with us, quite an energetic bunch, and we wouldn't have it any other way. We started out with song, and dance. Then they pulled out the puppets. I wasn't sure how the puppets would be received. I was surprised, people had smiles on their faces with an occasional snicker.
This week time restraints required me to give the message during the dinner. In fact, I planned on not giving a message at all, but when I saw the looks on peoples faces it reminded me of the great responsibility the Lord has given me. I saw one person say to another, "That's why I came!" What a blessing! People are wanting to fill their souls, not just their stomachs. Here is a copy of this weeks sermon on giving place to God.
James 2:13 for judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy, mercy triumph over judgement.
Give place to God - Romans 12: 19-20
Romans 12: 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath.
It is not a Christians place to choose who receives mercy. In many ministry circles we have become quick judges instead of dealers of the grace of God. The only one who is righteous is the only one who has the right to deal out wrath. God is always right. He is the only one who sees all things clearly from the inside out. He sees the heart of a man and knows his path. People are full of sin, and seem to have no problem dealing out retribution to others. Although, the judgment we place upon others we would never extend to ourselves. We deserve mercy, while others deserve God’s wrath? How can this be? Are we the ones who judge righteously?
Even Jesus committed Himself to the one who judges rightly, and left room for the judgment of God:
1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.
22. Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth,
23. who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to the one who judges righteously."
Only Christ committed no sin. So, only Christ can judge another rightly. Yet He committed Himself to the Father.
Our commitment is to trust God with the outcome of all things. When we give room to God, we place our trust in His means and methods. Not trusting in ourselves is an act of the spirit of truth in our hearts.
Application: Let mercy limit mercy! Not, let revenge limit mercy!
When do we stop showing mercy? We cut off mercy when showing mercy is no longer merciful.
"Look at all I’ve done for that person, and what thanks do I get?
This person is bleeding me dry, I quit!"
When showing mercy in the name of Jesus we deal out grace to our enemies, Christians don’t cut off mercy; we just change the form of mercy. When we are ministering to our friends or enemies we can sometimes be embarrassed by the lack of response. It is important to not let pride decide our final analysis. It is still merciful to not bail out a person who needs to feel the consequence of their actions.
"Our mercy to others should agree to the mercy we would want shown to us."
~Jonathan Edwards
This is the Gospel! Mercy is shown, even though we should receive His wrath. How we treat others is a picture of how we view God has treated us.
How has God treated us? ___________ How should we treat others? ___________
For it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord.
20. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
God is not telling us to sling hot coals on our enemies with kindness. That would be an oxymoron. This text speaks of a black smith, who welds metals. Metals are hard and unbendable, but when we heap coals on the hard material it changes the pliability. In the same way our kindness towards our enemies not only gives room for wrath, it also gives room for grace, melting the hard heart in order to bring man to repentance. It also causes the enemies anger to be inexcusable. Our intention is to bring all men to the Gospel. The good news of evil men reconciled to a holy God.
Give place to God - Romans 12: 19-20
Romans 12: 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath.
It is not a Christians place to choose who receives mercy. In many ministry circles we have become quick judges instead of dealers of the grace of God. The only one who is righteous is the only one who has the right to deal out wrath. God is always right. He is the only one who sees all things clearly from the inside out. He sees the heart of a man and knows his path. People are full of sin, and seem to have no problem dealing out retribution to others. Although, the judgment we place upon others we would never extend to ourselves. We deserve mercy, while others deserve God’s wrath? How can this be? Are we the ones who judge righteously?
Even Jesus committed Himself to the one who judges rightly, and left room for the judgment of God:
1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps.
22. Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth,
23. who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return, when He suffered He did not threaten, but committed Himself to the one who judges righteously."
Only Christ committed no sin. So, only Christ can judge another rightly. Yet He committed Himself to the Father.
Our commitment is to trust God with the outcome of all things. When we give room to God, we place our trust in His means and methods. Not trusting in ourselves is an act of the spirit of truth in our hearts.
Application: Let mercy limit mercy! Not, let revenge limit mercy!
When do we stop showing mercy? We cut off mercy when showing mercy is no longer merciful.
"Look at all I’ve done for that person, and what thanks do I get?
This person is bleeding me dry, I quit!"
When showing mercy in the name of Jesus we deal out grace to our enemies, Christians don’t cut off mercy; we just change the form of mercy. When we are ministering to our friends or enemies we can sometimes be embarrassed by the lack of response. It is important to not let pride decide our final analysis. It is still merciful to not bail out a person who needs to feel the consequence of their actions.
"Our mercy to others should agree to the mercy we would want shown to us."
~Jonathan Edwards
This is the Gospel! Mercy is shown, even though we should receive His wrath. How we treat others is a picture of how we view God has treated us.
How has God treated us? ___________ How should we treat others? ___________
For it is written, vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the Lord.
20. Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
God is not telling us to sling hot coals on our enemies with kindness. That would be an oxymoron. This text speaks of a black smith, who welds metals. Metals are hard and unbendable, but when we heap coals on the hard material it changes the pliability. In the same way our kindness towards our enemies not only gives room for wrath, it also gives room for grace, melting the hard heart in order to bring man to repentance. It also causes the enemies anger to be inexcusable. Our intention is to bring all men to the Gospel. The good news of evil men reconciled to a holy God.
Be Blessed,
Chef Paul
