Just As If You Never Sinned Series

Just As If You Never Sinned - Captain Erika Hernandez

Romans 3:23-25

http://pomonacorps.blogspot.com/2009/08/08-09-09-just-as-if-you-never-sinned.html

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live life Just as If We never sinned! There so many in the world that have not idea how that would feel like, not having the heaviness in our heart or burden of knowing all the wrong we have done with no escape.

In The Salvation Army.... we believe that we are justified by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and that he that believeth hath the witness in himself. And all of these children have learned that simple truth this week.

This entire week we have had a great time learning about God and how He listens, provides, forgives, protects and rules.

The children have been learning the Lord’s Prayer the entire week and has shown them just how loving and merciful God is in what He does for us, His children.

When a Seat of Mercy Becomes a Throne of Grace

Exodus 25:17-25:22

17 And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof… …

22 And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel. Ex 25:17, 22 (KJV)

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 4:15-16 (KJV)

In Exo 25, we find the Lord giving instructions for his dwelling place on earth Notice that he calls it a MERCY SEAT. If you were God of the universe, the Creator of all things – what would you call your throne?

I think God’s choice of names for his throne is interesting. He is awesome. He is holy. He is just.

But he says, “When you approach me – first and foremost I want you torealize I AM MERCIFUL.”

The Lord’s Prayer starts our in acknowledging just how power and holy God is saying. “Our Father who art in heaven hollowed be thy name, they kingdom come they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.”

MERCY: "When God does NOT give us what we deserve."

We are first introduced to his mercy in Genesis 3. Adam thought that they would die when they ate of the fruit. He hid in fear and shame. But instead of revenge, he received a covering.

Lucifer’s plans were immediately unsuccessful (he wanted to see the judgment of God on Adam). He did not understand the mercy of God.

Lucifer is the inspiration behind all other gods. We know that he is a liar, and the father of lies (John 8:44) But he does not understand mercy…

MERCY DEMONSTRATED IN THE OLD COVENANT

But how did the mankind experience mercy before Jesus?

6 Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.

7 But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: Heb 9:6-7 (KJV)

Every year, on the day of atonement – sins were “pushed back” one more year. God said, “You will NOT YET be judged for sin…”

You might ask, “Why would the Lord wait?” If judgment is coming eventually, why show mercy now???

Isa 30:18 – Therefore will the Lord wait, THAT HE MAY BE GRACIOUS unto YOU… The Lord postponed judgment and punishment, and was merciful, because something better was coming! Jesus Christ!

A NEW COVENANT

11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. Heb 9:11-12 (KJV)

When Jesus was here on earth, He became the perfect sacrifice for sin. At His death, the veil was torn (Mk 15:38). This symbolized that God’s presence wasn’t just in one place but all over the earth! Even in our hearts.

Because of Jesus, the relationship that God has with man has changed. As has His seat, here on earth… This is the reason why Jesus had taught the people how to pray, because they didn’t know what it was like to pray to God the Father.