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 to realize I AM MERCIFUL.”
MERCY: "When God does not give us what we deserve."
God’s mercy sets Him apart from all other gods… 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 vengeance, he received a covering.
Lucifer’s plans were immediately foiled (he wanted to see the judgment of God on Adam). He did not understand the mercy of God – having not experienced it himself.
He himself was cast down when he rebelled, and is now called the god of this world. (2 Cor 4:4). 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…
Thus all of the gods of this world must be “appeased”. But not so with our God. Lam 3:22 – It is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed…
MERCY DEMONSTRATED IN THE OLD COVENANT
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 thee…
The Lord postponed judgment, or was merciful, because something better was coming!
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 rent (Mk 15:38). This symbolized that they way was now open into His presence.
Because of Jesus, the relationship that God has with man has changed. As has His seat, here on earth…
First of all, the POSITION HAS CHANGED
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 1 Cor 6:19 (KJV)
God’s seat is no longer located in some remote place. It is not in the temple in Jerusalem. His throne room is now PRESENT.
And the NAME HAS CHANGED
The "Seat of Mercy" has become a "Throne of Grace" (Heb 4:16 – text)
The Throne of Grace
GRACE: "When God gives us what we do not deserve."
What did the work of Calvary give us?
· Bought our freedom from the slavery of sin
· Released us from the promise of death
· Gave us healing for our bodies
· Opened the doors for us to receive the Life of God
On the day of Pentecost, people were convicted of their sin. They said, “What must we do?” (Acts 2:37)
Peter replied, “Repent, and be baptized everyone one of you for the remission of sins… “ (v 38)
But notice that he did not stop with the remission of sin! He goes on - “And you shall receive the gift…” (v 38)
And then he goes on some more - “For the promise is unto you… “ (v 39)
They came expecting mercy, but found so much more! The Seat of Mercy had become the Throne of Grace.
YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Friend, you may not realize it, but your life to this point has been overshadowed by the mercy of God. He has not destroyed you for the many sins you have committed. He allowed you to live long enough to come here, today – and hear why.
He wanted you to that He now occupies a Throne of Grace! He not only wants to forgive you, but He wants to give you a new life
John 10:10 – I am come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.
Perhaps you have had the wrong perspective… Have you been approaching a Mercy Seat, not realizing that it was now a Throne of Grace?
You see, God has revealed his heart to us by the name of his throne. How amazing it is to me that when I first came to him, I came expecting the Judgment Seat, but found instead a Mercy Seat.
But for some of us – it’s still a Mercy Seat. It’s a place we can go and not be condemned. And that’s wonderful. But God has so much more in mind for us. Because of Jesus, his throne is now called the Throne of Grace! Not only will he forgive, or not give you what you deserve… But his intent is to bless, or give you what you do not deserve!
Perhaps you had a rough week this week. Perhaps you even failed God in some respect. And you came dragging in here this morning hoping - perhaps expecting - that you would receive mercy. But actually be blessed? Nah – couldn’t happen today…
Oh yes, it can… You see – your perspective is that God sits on a Mercy Seat. But that’s not what he calls it anymore. He calls it the Throne of Grace.
So many churches still gather around a Mercy Seat every weekend. So much of Christianity is talking about how great it is that God forgives. And so many Christians’ perspective is that is what Jesus is all about. He accepts them, in spite of them.
And that he does. But I came to tell you this morning that we have a different perspective - because we found out that the Mercy Seat has become a Throne of Grace. And Jesus wants you not only to walk in forgiveness – He wants you to walk in blessing. He wants you to walk in abundance. He wants to give you something!
It happens when you receive His Holy Spirit. That is the blessing of the New Covenant. The Holy Spirit is the very reason that the Lord was merciful throughout the Old Covenant. It was because He had something better in store.
And it is the reason that he has been merciful to you. It is the reason that He justified you. It is the reason He washed away your sin. It is the reason you are still here. The Lord waited, so that he could be gracious to you.
And then for those of you that have already received the Holy Spirit… Quit coming in here from week to week like you’re approaching a Mercy Seat. It’s a Throne of Grace! Quit living your life like you count on His forgiveness. Live your life like you count on His blessing!
Are you still living in the Old Covenant? Or have you stepped into the New? Are you still approaching a Seat of Mercy? Or have you found the Throne of Grace.
His gift is yours today…
