"Sinners In The Hands Of A Redeeming God"
Text: Hebrews 10:31
"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands
of the living God."
Introduction-
Years ago, in the 1700’s a man lived by the
name of Jonathan Edwards. He was a powerful preacher
who preached one of the greatest sermons of all time-
"Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God." The response
to his sermon was that deep conviction fell on those
who heard it, and many conversions came about. God
used it to speak to the people of his day. I know
that my sermon probably won’t have the impact that
his did, unless God so chooses, but I felt led to
develop this sermon from the opposite angle-not God’s
wrath, which is real and scarey, but from the angle
of His love, which is amazingly wonderful. We should
experience reverence and fear from a perfect, holy,
and righteous God. He is Almighty God-no one to trifle with. It is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God if one dies or is living with-
out Him. Our sins will find us out. Judgment will
fall, and Hell is hot! But, think with me this morning, if you will, about falling into the hands of
a loving, redeeming God.
I. For those who cast themselves upon His mercy,
there is certain salvation.
"...whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord
shall be saved." Acts 2:21
"Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of
the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."
Isaiah 45:22
"...God be merciful to me a sinner." Luke 18:13
"...I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I
am not come to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance." Matthew 9:13
II. For those who repent, there is forgiveness.
" The Lord is not slack concerning His promise
as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering
to usward, not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance."
2nd Peter 3:9
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at:
but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He
will judge the world by that man whom he hath
ordained; wheof he hath given assurance unto all
men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Acts 17:30-31
The wrath of God is hanging over the heads of
unrepentant sinners. They are condemned already.
But-
"...God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent
Him to bless you, in turning away every one of
you from his iniquities." Acts 3:26
The love and mercy of God forever surrounds those
who are the recipients of His grace.
III. For those who believe, there is acceptance,
and love.
"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein
He hath made us accepted in the beloved."
Ephesians 1:6
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath
bestowed upon us, that we should be called
the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not; because it knew Him not."
1st John 3:1
"And we have known and believed the love that
God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth
in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."
1st John 4:16
This love of God made Him, like a kind Shepherd,
search for us, until He found us.
Like the Father of the Prodical Son, God lavished
His love on us, even in our rags and filth, un-
deserving His grace, but receivers of His mercy.
Invitatiion-God loves us with an everlasting
love. He chose us in Christ before the foundation
of the world, and He called us by His grace, in
the realm of time, and His love will forever
abide for us for endless ages.
Oh, how terrible is God’s wrath, and how wonder-
ful is His love! Come home now to the God who
loves you and wants to give you eternal life.
"
