Justice, Mercy & Grace
Eph 2:1-10
INTRO: Dad & Son A Father disciplines his son for lying tell him he is going to get 5 swats of the belt (That is Justice). takes him to bedroom & begins, 1 swat, 2 swat, 3 swat and stops. (That is Mercy) Then dad hugs his son tells him he loves him and takes him to get an ice cream. (That is Grace)
I. Justice v1 Trespass
A. LAW Begins with the Law (rules regulations, God’s standard of Holiness)
*10 Comandments. Where can you find them? Yellow pages a 5 yr old replied
1. Social order come by the law Ezr 7:25-26 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that [is] in thine hand, set magistrates and judges, which may judge all the people that [are] beyond the river, all such as know the laws of thy God; and teach ye them that know [them] not. Ezr 7:26 And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether [it be] unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment.
Rom 13:1-6
2. Obedience brings benefits + blessings
a. Law abiding citizens don’t go to jail, pay fines
b. Good citizens God blesses Peace, security
3. Governments responsible to control the flesh
a. Use Laws = letter authority, power, sword
1. “Letter killeth..”
4. Sin is against the Law of God 1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5. The law isn’t for saving nor can it save
a. it can only condemn only reveal our guilt
b. We are sinner born to sin, the breaking of the law proves
that point, shows us the ugly truth of our unworthiness
Ro 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
B. Guilty: The justice of God is what you, I deserve
1. We are law breakers deserving hell Ro 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
1Co 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
2. Sin’s tragedy, burden weight do you feel it?
a. No remorse, no regret no sorrow
1. That’s the problem *"How much does sin weigh? Eighty pounds? Ten pounds?" "Tell me, if I put a 400 pound weight on the chest of a dead man, would he feel it?" "No, because he is dead," Exactly! "And the man who feels no load of sin is dead spiritually."
3. Because we are dead we can’t come into the place of the
Living heaven
a. We are worthy separation from God for eternity
b. We deserve every bit of wrath that God can pour down
upon us
4. Not debatable: No off for Technicalities no appeals
5. Condemned
C. Punishment is sure *Paul Harvey reported of a sign out in front of the Livermore CA Del valle pet Hospital. Parking reserved for clients only. All violator will be neutered
1. Justice demands consequences, punishment No mercy *Shoplifters will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law
Ro 6:23 For the wages of sin [is] death;
Ga 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Nu 32:23 ’.. behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out. “
2. Purpose of punishment
a. Deterrent: stops or discourages more crimes (fear)
1. If not done quick enough ie.. Not much of a deterrent
Ec 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
b. Justice: Vengence - right Ge 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
1. Not vigilantism: only the Gov. has God’s authorization
a. Fair, impartial, just
4. Remember we each deserve to die
a. Every disease, wreck, so-called accident is a matter of
justice
b. Justice is getting what we deserve
1. Every minute of time, each day we continue to live is a God sparing us, His mercy
II. Mercy v4 Not getting what we deserve
Ps 108:4 For thy mercy [is] great above the heavens: and thy truth [reacheth] unto the clouds.
A. God is merciful toward us in 3 ways
1. 1st Not immediately executing His Judgment
La 3:22 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Ps 86:15 But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
a. If God was NOT so merciful, the world would have been
destroyed long ago & we either never would have existed
or would be already in eternal hell
1. But God is merciful
2. 2nd He gives us Opportunity (time) to Repent
a. Lk 13:6-9 Parable of the fig Tree. Master ready to cut it down,
but teaching of God’s will give another chance to come around
b. Every day we live, every breath we breath is an
opportunity to get right with our Holy Creator to repent
to turn to Him 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
c. But even God’s mercy is limited, he will finally say
enough 2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
3. 3rd No Hell for the Repentant (saved)
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ac 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
a. He doesn’t want any to end up in Hell
III. Grace v5-9 God gives us what we don’t deserve
Mercy is a part of Grace, but Grace is much much more than mercy
If there is no Grace there is no mercy
A. Grace Saves us saved by grace
1. No Works, no human effort, no performance by us
a. Not a matter of being good enough, religious enough
1. No works of religion ordinances, rituals ceremonies NO FLESH
2. No Bragging: I deserve, I am worthy, I did …..
a. God isn’t obligated to us
3. God is Good though we don’t deserve it why?
Ro 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
a. He wants us to turn to Him in love, faith gratefulness
4. God’s Love is the basis of Grace, not our works
Ro 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
5. His Grace Justifies us makes us clean & pure
a. As if we never sinned Tit 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
B. Grace changes us v10
1. Never be the same
**Lee Strobel Yale educated Law degree, confessed atheist investigative reporter/writer for the Chicago Tribune newspaper. After he saw the difference Jesus made in Leslie his wife’s life. He began an 2yr intense investigation into the claims or Christ & Christianity. Nov. 8, 1981 He turned to Jesus as His Lord & savior & was for ever changed. He has written award winning books The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith Now pastors The Saddleback Valley Community Church in CA & can be seen on tv in his own talk show called ‘Faith under Fire
2. We have others among us that were in sins such as adultery, drugs & alcohol. Materialism
a. But Christ has changed their heart, their attitude, their life
& their eternal destiny
C. Grace supplies our needs Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
*GRACE God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
1. Peace *Young man came to his pastor, “What can I do to find peace in my life? I have tried most everything I am still restless, unsatisfied.” Pastor responded, ‘You’re too late!” “What? Do you mean I am too late to find peace? Am I too late to be saved?” Asked the man. “No you are just to late to do anything about it. JESUS took care of it 2000 yrs ago. He did all that needed to be done for your salvation & peace.”
a. That is the amazing thing about Grace Christ did it all
already
2. Strength to meet each days challenge Eph 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
3. Wisdom for the decisions Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
4. Joy Ga 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Ro 5:11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
CONCLUSION
1. God is a Just God, Our sin must be dealt with
a. Jesus died on the cross to forgive us, to redeem us
2. Today, Salvation is offered to you as a gift by a Gracious
loving God
a. He doesn’t want any to spend eternity separated from Him
b. He has done EVERYTHING to save
c. It is up to each individual to acknowledge their sin & to
trust in Christ’s work on the cross for their salvation
3. To believe in Jesus is to turn from own way of sin &
condemnation onto Him & a life change
4. To refuse is to remain lost and forever condemned
a. What will you do with the savior and His gift He offers you?
