"How God Greets A Failure?"

Title: "How God Greets a Failure?"

Text: Romans 7 and Romans 8.

Introduction: In this message I want to show a parallel between a text found in the Old Testament and this text found in the New Testament.

In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel mentions that Israel had rejected the leadership of the Lord. Instead of relying upon God as their King, they desired to be led by the wisdom of an earthly king. How would God deal with his children?

In Romans Chapter seven, Paul said that, when he relied upon his own flesh, he would always be met with constant failure. How does God respond to us when we fail? Read Romans Chapter Eight!

Still, in the way of introduction let me remind you that we are all struggling!

(Rom 7:24,25) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

If the great apostle Paul could be struggling with sin and failure, certainly we too have our struggles against the flesh that we abide in.

And it was to the inner-circle of Christ’s most devoted disciples that Jesus said these words,

(Mat 26:41 KJV) Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Even the best of the best fail!

Sin hurts.

(1 Sam 12:25) But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed...

The message that I am bringing today is not to encourage failure! But, it is to inform you that God knows that you are made of dust. He knows that we are weak. He has saved us and keeps us saved by his grace! (Genesis 18:27)

How does God respond to us when we fail him?

1. I will not condemn you.

(Rom 8:1 KJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

You should never have the feeling that when you come within the four walls of your Church family, everyone is pointing their fingers at you in judgment. The blood of Christ has been provided to forgive us of all of our sins. Let’s greet one another with a holy kiss!

2. I will not forget you.

(Rom 8:16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

We are abiding in Christ. He lives within us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) The worst thing in the world is the feeling of loneliness. It is wrong for a Church to ever let any one in the Church feel "forgotten."

3. I will not forsake you.

(Rom 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

A translation of this verse perhaps could be read in this way, "God is moving all of heaven to work on your behalf. Rejoice! God is coming to your rescue!"

In 1 Samuel 12, Samuel reminded the children of Israel that every time that needed help and would call upon him in their distress, God would send them a deliverer.

4. I will never stop loving you.

(Rom 8:38,39) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not even you, can stop God from loving you!

Again, let me repeat this brief outline. How does God respond to us when we have failure in our lives? He says, "I will not condemn you. I will not forget you. I will not forsake you. And I will never stop loving you!"

We have a covenant relationship with God. God reminded Israel that they could always rely upon the God of all grace. He is our forever Father! We are his forever family!

(1 Sam 12:22) For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

At this time of "Thanksgiving," be ever thankful for the grace of God.

As a Church, let us love others in the same way, that God loves us! Amen!