The Goodness And Mercy Of Almighty God

The Goodness and Mercy of Almighty God

Psalm 23 Series (Final Sermon)

November 26, 2006 AM

This morning, we dive into the final verse of the 23rd Psalm, focusing on three basic themes. The Goodness of God, The Mercy of God, and our Individual Worship. In our last visit into this passage, God’s word challenged us to see if our “cups were running over” or if our cups even had anything in them at all. Today’s visit – takes that one step further. Is our worship to the God who shows us such Goodness and Mercy pleasing to Him or pleasing to us. Stay with me this morning as we discuss together “The Goodness and Mercy of Almighty God”

TEXT (23:6)

I. The Goodness of God

How good has God been to you in your life? I’m going to use my life as an example:

1. Saved at age of 6 years on March 22, 1981

2. Called into ministry in 1990, surrendered to call to preach in 2000

3. Blessed with wonderful wife and daughter

4. Forgiven even though I deserve death for my actions

Psalm 31:19

O how great is Thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men.

Psalm 52:1

The goodness of God endureth continually.

In your particular life – you can gauge the effectiveness of the goodness of God. I want to give you a few guidelines this morning to help you gauge.

1. Salvation experience

a. Romans 10:13 – Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

b. Do you remember a time in your life when you asked the Lord to be the Lord of your life?

i. If so – you’ve experienced the goodness of God

c. Do you remember a time when you were one way, but God changed you into His servant?

i. If so – you’ve experienced the goodness of God

2 Corinthians 5:17

If any man be in Christ: he is a new creature: old things are passed away and behold all things are become new.

2. Daily Experiences

a. Work, Finances, Family, etc.

3. Other Gold Mines

God is Great and Good – but He is also Merciful!

II. The Mercy of God

Many times in God’s word, the phrase “His mercy endureth forever” is used. The common question would be this – why is this the case?

Mercy is defined as God’s kindness or pity upon you and I. It is an aspect of God’s love that causes Him to help the miserable or to help the pitiful. In other words, you and I.

Attributes of God’s Mercy

1. God shows mercy to those who have broken the law

a. Daniel 9:9

i. To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him

b. 1 Timothy 1:13-16

i. And I thank Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am the chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Paul, realizing that God’s mercy was not deserved on his life – recognized the power of God’s goodness and mercy, through God’s grace (God’s riches at Christ’s expense).

2. Mercy is extended beyond the punishment that is withheld

a. Ephesians 2:4-6

i. But God, who is rich in mercy for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

b. Mercy cannot get us into heaven, but it does give us an opportunity to accepted the riches of God’s grace.

3. Mercy is extended to circumstances beyond individual’s control

a. Matthew 9:27-31

i. And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. The touched he their eyes, saying, according to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened;