Is It Possible To Go Beyond The Mercy Of God

IS IT POSSIBLE TO GO BEYOND THE MERCY OF GOD

I Samuel 6:19-20

Intro: We find in the reading of the scripture the Philistines had the Ark of the Covenant in their country for seven months and was experiencing all kinds of difficulty. They decided to send the ark back to Bethshemesh (a Levitcal City). With it they sent offerings as a witness of what they had went through. They attached the ark two a cart pulled by two milch kine which are milk cows still nursing their young. This was a witness to the Philistines that the plagues were from God because the milch kine under natural circumstances would never leave their young. But being led by the supernatural spirit of God the cows took the ark to Bethsehmesh. When the cows pulled into the field where the men were working and the men saw the ark they rejoiced. In verse 19 we see the men looking into the ark and being smitten (50,070) by God because of their error (Num 4:20) I don’t want to preach on looking in the ark. However, these men had to remove something before they looked into the ark. That was the mercy seat. These men had to go beyond the mercy of God and it cost them their life. I want to preach on the subject “Is It Possible To Go Beyond The Mercy Of God”.

Now I realize the word “mercy” is in the Bible or made reference to 265 times. I am also aware that the phrase that “mercy endureth forever” is in the Word of God 43 times. Of those 43 times 34 of those are in Psalms and of those 34 times 26 of those is in Psalms 136 where all 26 verse have the phrase “mercy endureth forever”. And I certainly do believe in “enduring mercy” but for the believer. (Ps 33:18, 22, 103:17, 118:4) For the unbeliever mercy is granted because God is merciful and longsuffering. The Bible says He is slow to anger. (Joel 2:13). However, through continual rejecting of God and His Word mercy finally expires.

It Is Possible To Go Beyond The Mercy Of God:

I. When you dismiss the warning from the Man of God

A. Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5)

B. Noah built the ark and preached 120 years

C. After the gathering of the animals and the entry of Noah and his family the door of the ark stayed opened 7 more days (Genesis 7:4)

D. People by-passed the door and jeered at Noah

E. But when God shut the door mercy expired (Gen 7:16)

II. When you disesteem or disregard the hope of eternal life (to regard with disfavor)

A. Rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-22)

B. Anything you disesteem over salvation and the hope of eternal life

III. When you are deceived by yourself

A. Rich man (Luke 12:16)

B. Had to build bigger barns

C. Lu 12:19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

IV. When you desecrate the Holy Ghost (Mt 12:31-32; Mr 3:28-29; Lu 12:10)

A. Mr 3:28-29 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:

But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

V. When you die a lost soul

A. 2 Thess 1:8-9

In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;