Give Thanks for God is Merciful

INTRODUCTION.

A.        There is a great quality of God which much never be taken for granted. This great quality of God is His mercy.

B.        In the Old Testament, there are several Hebrew words translated as mercy. One such word is checed which means, “loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion.” (Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words)

C.        In the New Testament, there are two words translated as mercy.

1.         Eleos = “is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it.” (Ibid.)

2.         Oiktirmos = “compassion, pity, mercy” (The exhaustive concordance of the Bible, Strong’s)

D.        God shows mercy to those who follow Him. Christians must be aware of God’s mercy and thank Him continuously.

I.         EXAMPLE OF THANKSGIVING: DAVID OFFERED THANKSGIVING FOR GOD’S MERCY. (Psalms 136)

            A.        Notice the continuing theme: “for His mercy endures forever.” The mercy (steadfast love) is connected with everything God did for Israel.

            B.        David offered thanks to the Lord! (Psalms 136:1-3)

            C.        David connects the mercy of God with the creation. (Psalms 136:4-9 )

            D.        David connects the mercy of God with God’s deliverance of Israel. (Psalms 136:10-22)

            E.        David connects the mercy of God with all that God provided for Israel. (Psalms 136:23-25)

            F.        David offered thanks for God’s great mercy. (Psalms 136:26)

II.       GOD CONTINUES TO SHOW MERCY TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE.

            A.        While the physical nation of Israel was at one time God’s chosen people, under the new covenant of Jesus Christ, Christians are now God’s chosen people. (1 Peter 2:9-10; Titus 2:13,14)

            B.        God is the Father of Mercies. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

                        1.         God saved us. (Titus 3:4-7)

                        2.         God mad us alive together with Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

                        3.         God has “begotten us again to a living hope.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

                        4.         God comforts us in our afflictions. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)

                        5.         God is merciful towards our iniquities, because of the new covenant of Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 8:7-12)

                        6.         The Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 5:9-11)

                        7.         God’s great mercy is found at the “throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:14-16)

CONCLUSION.

A.        If you are a Christian, then thank the Lord every single day for His wonderful mercy, grace, and loving kindness which He has shown towards you. If you are guilty of sinful activities, then confess your sins to the Father, asking Him for forgiveness. (See 1 John 1:9; 2:1,2)

B.        Will you allow God to have mercy upon you? You can “boldly come before the throne of grace” through belief and obedience. By so doing, you will receive the great mercy of God through Him forgiving you of your sins and accepting you as one of His own people.

1.         Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God? (John 3:16)

2.         Repent (turn away) of your sins. (Luke 13:3)

3.         Confess your belief in Jesus Christ before men. (Romans 10:9-10)

4.         Then obey Jesus’s command to be baptized. (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38)

5.         At this point, you will be saved and all of your past sins will be washed away. (See Acts 22:16)

Give Thanks for God is Merciful -- October 3, 2004 -- File # 1277 - Mercy

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK