WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.360 Thank you very much, Danny and Alistair. Good evening, everyone. Really good to have you with us tonight. 00:00:06.679 --> 00:00:14.400 The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. 00:00:15.439 --> 00:00:20.539 It is twice blessed. It blesses him that gives and him that takes. 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:30.240 It is an attribute of God himself, and earthly power doth then show likest God when mercy seasons justice. 00:00:31.460 --> 00:00:35.060 In the course of justice, none of us should see salvation. 00:00:36.500 --> 00:00:44.859 We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy. 00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:49.259 Shakespeare, when he put his mind to it, could be a pretty good theologian. 00:00:50.219 --> 00:00:55.339 And if we strip aside the racial stereotypes in The Merchant of Venice, 00:00:55.719 --> 00:01:00.359 we have a tale that is essentially about mercy and justice. 00:01:01.460 --> 00:01:06.500 Antonio, the merchant of Venice, wants to help his friend Bassanio in wooing Portia, 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:09.539 and so he takes a loan from Shylock. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:14.840 And he accepts the condition of the loan that if it's not repaid at the time stipulated, 00:01:14.840 --> 00:01:19.980 he will forfeit a pound of flesh to be taken from near his heart. 00:01:21.180 --> 00:01:23.939 Well, Antonio's ships that he was relying on don't come in, 00:01:24.380 --> 00:01:30.820 and so Shylock goes to court to try to enforce the stipulation that he's made. 00:01:30.819 --> 00:01:33.419 And there is Portia. 00:01:33.419 --> 00:01:36.919 Portia, dressed and disguised as a male lawyer, 00:01:37.419 --> 00:01:40.959 and she has been given permission to hear the case. 00:01:41.899 --> 00:01:46.899 And in this speech that we've read part of, she appeals to Shylock's mercy. 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:50.419 The mercy that she feels he should have, 00:01:50.819 --> 00:01:54.679 particularly because now the money that he was needing is available. 00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:56.760 But it does no good. 00:01:57.140 --> 00:02:01.200 Shylock has no mercy, and he pursues justice. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:04.460 He says, I need my pound of flesh. 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:07.080 And Portia, as the judge says, 00:02:07.160 --> 00:02:09.640 yes, you are entitled to your pound of flesh, 00:02:10.159 --> 00:02:11.780 but not a drop of blood. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.540 And of course, that is impossible. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:16.100 And the tables are turned on Shylock, 00:02:16.100 --> 00:02:20.760 and the one who refused to show mercy is himself denied mercy, 00:02:20.980 --> 00:02:24.100 as justice runs its course. 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:28.120 I'm not going to base my sermon this evening on Shakespeare. 00:02:28.819 --> 00:02:32.060 But I think there are three things in this speech 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:38.340 which are worth noting as we come to look at the mercy and the justice of God. 00:02:39.020 --> 00:02:42.980 The first is that mercy can't be forced on us. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:49.180 That's what Portia means when she says the quality of mercy is not strained. 00:02:50.020 --> 00:02:54.500 You can't twist someone's arm behind her back and say you must show mercy. 00:02:54.500 --> 00:02:55.699 That's not mercy then. 00:02:55.960 --> 00:02:57.240 That's compulsion. 00:02:57.879 --> 00:03:05.199 If there is to be mercy, it has to come freely and out of love and concern for others. 00:03:05.919 --> 00:03:11.039 And so, Portia or Shakespeare compare it to the rain that comes from heaven 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:16.080 and blesses us as it waters the ground and so on. 00:03:16.560 --> 00:03:18.139 Mercy can't be forced. 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:21.379 It must come from a right attitude. 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:26.739 Second thing is that mercy comes from God. 00:03:27.619 --> 00:03:33.979 All human mercy is simply a pale reflection of God's mercy. 00:03:33.979 --> 00:03:37.879 And as it says, it is an attribute of God himself 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:44.959 and we show ourselves most like God when we allow mercy to season justice, 00:03:44.959 --> 00:03:49.099 when we are merciful in our dealings with others. 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:58.120 And then the third lesson from this speech is that if justice was here without mercy, 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:04.560 if God was just but not merciful, we would have no hope. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:11.620 In the course of justice, it says none of us should see salvation. 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:16.480 And if we are a God who is only just and enforcing what is right, 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:22.300 then all of us would be doomed because we would have to face the consequences of our sins. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:27.699 And so we pray for mercy and hopefully we show mercy to others. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.480 Three lessons that I think are very important 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.300 and we'll probably build on them a bit as we go along. 00:04:35.259 --> 00:04:38.879 But as we approach God's mercy and justice, 00:04:39.280 --> 00:04:41.220 I'm going to do the same as we've done some other weeks 00:04:41.220 --> 00:04:44.580 and we're going to make some statements that will go up on the screen 00:04:44.580 --> 00:04:48.720 and then I'll talk a bit about them to explain what I'm meaning. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:51.960 So let's look first at justice. 00:04:53.660 --> 00:04:55.420 So here's my statement for justice. 00:04:56.140 --> 00:04:58.020 God is always just. 00:04:58.019 --> 00:05:05.000 He punishes unrepentant sinners and forgives the penitent who trust in Jesus. 00:05:05.979 --> 00:05:09.539 He expects us to act justly. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:11.319 There's a number of statements there. 00:05:11.419 --> 00:05:14.019 First, I've said God is always just. 00:05:14.099 --> 00:05:17.199 If you've been at the other services in this series, 00:05:17.719 --> 00:05:21.659 you will have really been struck, I think, by God's consistency. 00:05:22.859 --> 00:05:24.379 God is always holy. 00:05:24.919 --> 00:05:26.439 God is always good. 00:05:26.439 --> 00:05:30.019 God is always faithful and loving. 00:05:30.719 --> 00:05:33.660 And so God is always just. 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:39.579 There is never any injustice in God's dealings with us. 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:44.100 Now we look around our world and we see a lot of injustice. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:47.860 Most of all at the moment, of course, as we look at Ukraine 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:50.540 and we look at what Putin's doing there, 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:52.780 and we say that is totally unjust. 00:05:52.780 --> 00:05:55.520 It is totally unjustifiable. 00:05:56.140 --> 00:06:00.740 And there are many other situations like that that we probably could consider. 00:06:01.640 --> 00:06:05.760 But even when human beings are trying to be just, 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:08.180 they don't always succeed. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:13.080 They don't succeed because they don't know everything about a situation. 00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:16.719 And there may be relevant facts and something that we come across 00:06:16.719 --> 00:06:18.359 that we're unaware of, 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:23.879 and so we do the wrong thing because we didn't know the full story. 00:06:24.800 --> 00:06:27.779 And we can also be unjust because we're prejudiced, 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:29.039 because we're biased, 00:06:29.459 --> 00:06:33.639 because we tend to do things that are in our own interests. 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.099 When it comes to God, 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:38.800 neither of these applies. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:42.459 God is absolutely just. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:44.819 He sees the full picture. 00:06:46.039 --> 00:06:46.819 Hebrews 4 says, 00:06:47.099 --> 00:06:50.319 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. 00:06:51.180 --> 00:06:54.439 Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:57.579 to whom we must give account. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:01.419 So God knows everything that happens in our world. 00:07:01.419 --> 00:07:03.360 He knows everything that happens in our lives. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:07.180 He knows everything that happens in our hearts. 00:07:07.779 --> 00:07:12.019 He has complete knowledge as we never do. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:19.139 And God applies that knowledge in a way that is absolutely fair and unbiased. 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:22.079 Remember in Genesis chapter 18, 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:28.379 as Abraham is pleading with God for the city of Sodom to be saved, 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:31.039 if they can find some righteous people there. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:32.659 What he says is, 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:36.980 Will not the judge of all the earth do right? 00:07:37.580 --> 00:07:41.460 And we can be sure the judge of all the earth will do right. 00:07:42.040 --> 00:07:44.040 God will always ask justly, 00:07:44.380 --> 00:07:48.660 and his purposes are without bias, without discrimination. 00:07:48.800 --> 00:07:53.860 He is absolutely fair and righteous and just. 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:56.820 God is always just. 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.779 Then the second sentence there says, 00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:06.259 He punishes unrepentant sinners and forgives the penitent who trust in Jesus. 00:08:07.099 --> 00:08:12.519 We might wonder, well, can't God's mercy just ignore all our sins? 00:08:12.519 --> 00:08:16.560 Couldn't a God who is completely merciful just say, 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:19.899 Well, I forgive you, whatever the situation, whatever you've done, 00:08:20.259 --> 00:08:21.839 then you are forgiven. 00:08:22.899 --> 00:08:25.819 Can you imagine what would happen in our courts, in the earthly courts, 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.539 if that attitude was taken? 00:08:28.099 --> 00:08:30.419 If a murderer comes before the judge and just says, 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:34.179 It doesn't matter what you've done, you're forgiven, you can go free. 00:08:34.179 --> 00:08:36.939 It would be unjust. 00:08:37.859 --> 00:08:39.739 It wouldn't be right. 00:08:41.539 --> 00:08:45.319 And we as sinners, as those who have rebelled against God, 00:08:45.819 --> 00:08:49.699 the right treatment for us, the just treatment for us, 00:08:50.059 --> 00:08:52.179 would be God's punishment. 00:08:53.259 --> 00:08:57.039 The best known verses in the New Testament, I guess, is Romans 6, verse 23. 00:08:57.959 --> 00:09:00.979 For the wages of sin is death. 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:02.519 Wages is what we deserve. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:07.019 Wages is what we should get and what we are entitled to. 00:09:07.699 --> 00:09:11.519 And Paul says the wages of sin is death. 00:09:11.600 --> 00:09:16.340 And of course, the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:21.179 So God would be absolutely entitled and absolutely just 00:09:21.179 --> 00:09:25.899 if he were to punish us all, to give us what we deserve. 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:29.919 And the punishment, the right thing for sin, 00:09:29.919 --> 00:09:33.579 is eternal separation from God, 00:09:33.979 --> 00:09:37.639 going to hell after we die. 00:09:38.719 --> 00:09:41.779 But that's only half of the justice of God. 00:09:42.479 --> 00:09:46.120 So the justice of God is in punishing unrepentant sinners, 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:51.539 but also in forgiving the penitent who trust in Jesus. 00:09:51.539 --> 00:09:58.639 And that is just as much part of the justice of God as the punishment aspect of it. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:05.059 Because God is just, because Jesus has died on the cross for our sins, 00:10:05.480 --> 00:10:09.559 then if we trust in him and if we're repentant of our sins, 00:10:10.099 --> 00:10:14.500 then the justice of God demands that we are forgiven. 00:10:14.500 --> 00:10:19.840 I don't know if you noticed in both our readings how that comes out. 00:10:19.960 --> 00:10:21.580 1 John 1, verse 9, 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:26.120 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:32.399 and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 00:10:32.940 --> 00:10:33.879 And then from Isaiah, 00:10:34.059 --> 00:10:36.179 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you. 00:10:36.820 --> 00:10:39.059 Therefore he will rise up and show you compassion, 00:10:39.059 --> 00:10:43.579 for the Lord is a God of justice. 00:10:44.199 --> 00:10:49.019 So there are two sides to God's justice that we need to be aware of. 00:10:49.619 --> 00:10:52.500 The one side that says that those who reject him, 00:10:53.019 --> 00:10:56.199 that those who are not repentant for the wrong they've done, 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:59.959 they must suffer the consequences of that. 00:11:00.839 --> 00:11:04.759 And no one will be able to stand before the throne of Christ 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:09.740 and say it's unfair that I'm being condemned for my sin. 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:12.759 That is absolutely what we deserve. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:15.319 That is the wages of sin. 00:11:16.259 --> 00:11:17.939 And yet if we know the Lord Jesus, 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:20.360 if our trust is in him, 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:25.279 then the punishment having been taken for the wrong in our lives, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:28.340 the penalty having been paid, 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:34.319 the God of justice will ensure that we are forgiven. 00:11:34.759 --> 00:11:39.179 God punishes unrepentant sinners, 00:11:39.700 --> 00:11:44.019 but forgives the penitent who trust in Jesus. 00:11:45.080 --> 00:11:46.960 Then the final thing as we look at justice 00:11:46.960 --> 00:11:51.919 is that God expects us to act justly. 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:55.480 Again and again as we go through the New Testament 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:56.980 and indeed the New Testament, 00:11:57.759 --> 00:12:01.720 we find that the command that we are to act justly 00:12:01.720 --> 00:12:05.379 and to do right in our dealings with others. 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:06.960 There's no mercy on that. 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:08.580 Perhaps Micah 6 verse 8. 00:12:09.300 --> 00:12:11.420 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 00:12:12.279 --> 00:12:14.399 And what does the Lord require of you? 00:12:15.200 --> 00:12:18.560 To act justly and to love mercy 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:22.700 and to walk humbly with your God. 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:25.940 And it is our responsibility in our lives 00:12:25.940 --> 00:12:28.000 as we deal with other people 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:30.259 to deal with them justly 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:34.340 and to take a stand against injustice. 00:12:35.340 --> 00:12:37.379 It is not right for a Christian 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:39.560 to try to get the better of someone else 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:40.780 for their own good 00:12:40.780 --> 00:12:43.460 and not have any interest in other people. 00:12:43.520 --> 00:12:44.860 That is very much what was happening 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:47.140 that many of the prophets were speaking out 00:12:47.140 --> 00:12:51.340 against Micah and Amos and others as well. 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:54.200 We need to be those who do what is right, 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:57.120 who act justly in our lives 00:12:57.120 --> 00:13:01.879 and to reflect through that the justice of our God. 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.780 God is always just. 00:13:04.440 --> 00:13:06.280 He punishes unrepentant sinners 00:13:06.280 --> 00:13:08.780 and forgives the penitent who trust in Jesus. 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:13.259 He expects us to act justly. 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:17.720 Let's move on and think about God's mercy. 00:13:17.860 --> 00:13:19.060 And here's my statement for that. 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:20.100 See what you think of it. 00:13:20.100 --> 00:13:24.360 God is merciful to the miserable who call on him. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:26.779 His mercy is costly 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:29.779 and prompts us to sacrificial living, 00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:32.940 showing mercy to others. 00:13:33.480 --> 00:13:36.320 God is merciful to the miserable. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.620 I got that from a Bible dictionary. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:38.840 I quite like their definition. 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:42.399 They said that mercy is the love of God 00:13:42.399 --> 00:13:45.019 shown to those who are miserable. 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:48.799 Now it has to be said there are mercies of God 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:51.139 that are shown to everyone. 00:13:51.699 --> 00:13:53.579 The sun rises in the morning. 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:57.419 The rain comes down and waters the crops. 00:13:57.919 --> 00:14:00.480 God's mercy are renewed each day 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:04.759 and are available to the good and to the bad. 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:06.919 But that's not what we're talking about here. 00:14:06.919 --> 00:14:13.819 We're talking about God's mercy to those who realize that they need mercy. 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:17.040 What I've called the miserable. 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:22.120 Let's think for a second about the life of Jesus in the New Testament. 00:14:23.080 --> 00:14:28.040 Many times people came to him and appealed for mercy. 00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:30.540 For example, as he was going to Jericho 00:14:30.540 --> 00:14:33.860 or on his way to Jerusalem as he was heading to the cross, 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:37.080 there were two blind men sitting by the roadside 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:38.419 and they shouted, 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:43.639 Lord, son of David, have mercy on us. 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:47.259 A woman came to him and said, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.720 same kind of thing, 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:51.440 Lord, son of David, have mercy on me. 00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:55.259 My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly. 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:57.600 Another man came to Jesus and said, 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:59.420 Lord, have mercy on my son. 00:14:59.420 --> 00:15:03.480 He has seizures and is suffering greatly. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:06.480 Here were people coming to Jesus, 00:15:07.180 --> 00:15:08.740 recognizing their need, 00:15:09.200 --> 00:15:12.680 coming in their misery in the circumstances that they were faced with 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:15.220 and pleading to him for mercy 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:19.080 that he would step into the circumstances that they had 00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:21.159 and to make things better. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.800 Not because they deserved it. 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:27.340 Not because there was anything in them that particularly merited it. 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:30.480 But that they knew that Jesus was merciful 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:35.920 and that he particularly cared and were concerned about those who were in need 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:39.779 and those who recognized that need. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.800 Of course, when we think of the mercy of God, 00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:46.039 that is probably not particularly what we think about. 00:15:46.100 --> 00:15:49.580 It's important, but it's not the primary thing we think about. 00:15:49.639 --> 00:15:52.680 We think of the mercy of God to the sinner. 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:59.059 To the sinner who recognizes that they're in a hopeless situation by themselves. 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:02.799 There's no way that they, by their own efforts, 00:16:03.059 --> 00:16:05.719 can make themselves right with God. 00:16:06.239 --> 00:16:11.799 And so they throw themselves on the mercy of God. 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:17.039 One of the most beautiful stories ever told is the story of the prodigal son. 00:16:17.819 --> 00:16:20.059 Of this son who went away from his father, 00:16:20.199 --> 00:16:21.259 taking his inheritance, 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.879 wasted it all, 00:16:23.339 --> 00:16:25.219 ended up in abject poverty, 00:16:25.479 --> 00:16:27.679 feeding pigs and eating their food. 00:16:28.219 --> 00:16:29.199 And eventually thinks, 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:31.319 well, maybe I could go back to my father. 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:34.559 Maybe he would accept me as a servant. 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:38.019 That would be a lot better than where I am now. 00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:42.240 And as he comes to the father in his need and in his misery, 00:16:42.819 --> 00:16:44.079 the father rushes out. 00:16:44.159 --> 00:16:46.179 He's been waiting, looking for him. 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:48.779 He rushes out, hugs him, greets him, 00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:52.759 throws a party to celebrate his return. 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:56.759 He shows mercy on his son. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:17:00.299 And that is how our God is. 00:17:01.159 --> 00:17:03.120 I also read earlier from Psalm 103. 00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:05.619 I was thinking of that too. 00:17:06.099 --> 00:17:07.920 Psalm 103, just read the relevant verses. 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:10.279 Again, he does not treat us as our sins deserve 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:13.139 or repay us according to our iniquities. 00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:16.579 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 00:17:17.319 --> 00:17:19.839 so great is his love for those who fear him. 00:17:20.619 --> 00:17:23.119 As far as the east is from the west, 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:28.660 so far has he removed our transgressions for us. 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:30.839 Or Ephesians chapter 2, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:33.119 talking about God's wrath, 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:35.460 but about God's mercy as well. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.759 Like the rest, says Paul, 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:40.340 we were by nature deserving of wrath. 00:17:40.579 --> 00:17:43.740 But because of his great love for us, 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:45.960 God, who is rich in mercy, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:48.380 made us alive with Christ, 00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:51.340 even when we were in transgressions. 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:56.460 It is by grace you have been saved. 00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:59.240 God's mercy is abundant. 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.579 It's free. 00:18:00.579 --> 00:18:03.079 And it lifts us out of our misery, 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.319 out of the pit that we're in, 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:08.079 as sinful human beings. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:11.340 And it places us in the heavens with Christ Jesus. 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:16.000 It gives us a living relationship with the God of heaven. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:19.059 It assures us of forgiveness of sins 00:18:19.059 --> 00:18:23.440 and an eternal future with the Lord Jesus. 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:28.880 And it is available to all who call on the Lord. 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:31.440 Anyone who comes to God for mercy 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:33.900 and recognizes their sin 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:38.019 can experience God's forgiveness. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:41.359 But of course, there are many who don't. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:47.539 Not everyone is compelled to come and trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.559 And those who spurn God's mercy, 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:54.759 those who have no interest in the mercy that God offers, 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:58.359 ultimately they must face his justice. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:01.099 Mercy is freely available. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:04.700 It's freely available to anyone who believes. 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.519 And yet there are many, many, sadly, 00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:09.539 who will not receive God's mercy 00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:12.259 because they don't believe. 00:19:13.660 --> 00:19:17.180 Then I've said God's mercy is costly. 00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:22.180 God's mercy is costly because it cost him his only son, 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:27.340 as the Lord Jesus went to the cross and took our place. 00:19:28.200 --> 00:19:29.720 The Scripture Union group this week, 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:31.059 we were talking to the children 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:34.839 about the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:36.079 by his four friends 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:40.059 and they opened up the roof and lowered him down. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:41.859 And what does Jesus say? 00:19:41.919 --> 00:19:43.200 The first thing he says is, 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:46.379 son, your sins are forgiven. 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.720 That creates a bit of a furore. 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:51.000 People would think he'd say, rise up and walk. 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:55.399 And they're thinking, how can he forgive sins? 00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:59.900 And Jesus said, and I think this is a really important question, 00:20:00.780 --> 00:20:03.640 which is easier to say to this paralyzed man, 00:20:04.320 --> 00:20:05.519 your sins are forgiven, 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:10.259 or to say, get up, take your mat and walk? 00:20:10.780 --> 00:20:12.840 And perhaps many of the people there were thinking, 00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:16.300 well, obviously it's easier to say your sins are forgiven 00:20:16.300 --> 00:20:19.500 because no one can really know one way or the other 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.740 whether it's right. 00:20:21.340 --> 00:20:23.400 If you say, rise, get up your mat and walk 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:24.460 and nothing happens, 00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:28.480 then it's obvious that you're a fraud. 00:20:29.660 --> 00:20:31.540 But the reality is the opposite. 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:37.360 It was easy for Jesus to heal the paralyzed man physically. 00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:39.640 He was the great God of heaven, 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:42.740 the creator and sustainer of the universe. 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:46.480 But how difficult was it for him to be able to say, 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:48.620 your sins are forgiven, 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:52.780 because that required him to take the penalty for them. 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:58.319 And to bear the weight of sin as he hung on the cross. 00:20:59.139 --> 00:21:03.460 God's mercy to us is very costly. 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.500 And we should never forget, 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:07.240 as we think about it, 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:10.799 as we rejoice in all that God has given us, 00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:15.059 we should never forget the cost of that to the Lord Jesus. 00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:18.740 And we should be forever thankful and adoring of him 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:23.379 for the great mercy and love that he showed. 00:21:24.559 --> 00:21:26.639 And then finally, as we think about mercy, 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:29.799 I've said it prompts us to sacrificial living, 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:32.700 showing mercy to others. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.519 Just very quickly to back that up, 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.779 Romans 12 and verse 1. 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:38.679 I'm sure we all know it very well. 00:21:38.680 --> 00:21:40.700 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, 00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.740 in view of God's mercy, 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:46.740 to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, 00:21:47.279 --> 00:21:48.860 holy and pleasing to God, 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:53.000 this is your true and proper worship. 00:21:53.560 --> 00:21:54.900 In view of God's mercy, 00:21:55.560 --> 00:21:58.360 in view of all that God has done for us, 00:21:58.860 --> 00:22:01.160 in view of the sacrifice that God made 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:04.700 in Jesus and the cross at Calvary, 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:07.440 we should be willing to offer ourselves 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:10.019 as a sacrifice to him. 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:13.420 There should be nothing that is too much for us 00:22:13.420 --> 00:22:18.220 as we think on the mercy of our God 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:20.200 shown to us in our need. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:24.920 Our lives should be wholly devoted to him. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:29.440 And we should also be merciful. 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:31.440 Be merciful, says Jesus, 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:34.660 just as your Father is merciful. 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.440 And then in the Beatitudes, 00:22:36.660 --> 00:22:37.779 blessed are the merciful, 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:40.860 for they will be shown mercy. 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:45.080 And if we are not willing to show mercy to others 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:46.860 when they do us wrong, 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:49.900 then that suggests that we haven't understood 00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:52.160 God's mercy to us. 00:22:52.779 --> 00:22:55.299 If God has been so merciful to us 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.840 in such a big thing, 00:22:57.480 --> 00:22:59.259 shouldn't we be merciful to others 00:22:59.259 --> 00:23:02.000 in the small things of life? 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.980 Of course, that takes our minds 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.079 to the parable of the unmerciful servant. 00:23:06.079 --> 00:23:08.900 The NIV talks about him having a debt 00:23:08.900 --> 00:23:10.980 of 10,000 bags of gold 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:14.579 and his master freely forgives him. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.700 And then this ungrateful servant 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.960 goes to another servant, 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:20.240 who owes him 100 silver coins, 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:23.940 a tiny fraction of what he's been forgiven. 00:23:23.940 --> 00:23:29.680 And yet he's not willing to show mercy to that small extent. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:35.960 He hasn't understood or appreciated the mercy that's been shown to him. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:40.259 And if we have experienced God's mercy in our lives, 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.079 if we have someone against someone, 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:47.579 if they've wronged us in some way, 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:51.420 then we should be willing to be merciful to them. 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:55.039 And if they are repentant for what they've done, 00:23:55.420 --> 00:24:00.380 to freely forgive them as God forgave us. 00:24:00.380 --> 00:24:04.000 God is merciful to the miserable who call on him. 00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:08.300 His mercy is costly and prompts us to sacrificial living, 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:11.460 showing mercy to others. 00:24:12.260 --> 00:24:14.860 To finish with one last parable. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:18.460 The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. 00:24:18.540 --> 00:24:22.700 Remember these two men who came to the temple to pray. 00:24:23.300 --> 00:24:24.900 And one is full of himself. 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:29.360 And he thinks that he is right before God. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:32.040 He lists all the things he does, 00:24:32.240 --> 00:24:35.019 his giving, his fasting, and so on. 00:24:35.340 --> 00:24:37.940 And he thinks, if there's a God of justice, 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:40.860 then I'm going to be okay. 00:24:41.720 --> 00:24:43.940 And he just doesn't realize 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:46.800 that his righteousness is like filthy rags, 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:48.380 and that none of us, 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:51.440 if God treats us as we deserve, 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:55.519 none of us is justified before him. 00:24:56.400 --> 00:24:58.720 And alongside him, you have the tax collector, 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.400 cowering in the corner, 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:02.039 not even willing to look up, 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.240 and just saying, 00:25:03.360 --> 00:25:06.759 God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.920 And Jesus said, 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:12.720 when only one of them went home justified, 00:25:13.460 --> 00:25:15.799 and it wasn't the one who thought he was okay 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:17.180 to begin with. 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.600 He was relying on justice, 00:25:19.940 --> 00:25:21.759 and he was relying on justice 00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:24.400 that was very different from the standard 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.860 that he set. 00:25:26.779 --> 00:25:29.759 The one who threw himself on the mercy of God, 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:31.680 he is the one who is forgiven. 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:36.019 He is the one who is shown mercy by God 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:39.900 and is justified through his faith in God. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:41.980 And so Jesus concludes, 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:44.279 everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:49.139 and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:53.119 Let's rejoice tonight in the justice of God, 00:25:53.660 --> 00:25:56.420 that we have a God who is absolutely fair 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:58.180 and impartial in his dealings, 00:25:58.379 --> 00:26:01.319 and who always does what is right. 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:05.119 And rejoice in the fact that if we know Jesus, 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.319 if we are trusting Jesus, 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:10.359 then he is just and has forgiven our sins. 00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:11.079 Let me challenge, 00:26:11.079 --> 00:26:12.740 if we're not trusting in Jesus, 00:26:13.139 --> 00:26:15.199 to put our faith in him. 00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:17.919 And as we reflect on God's mercy, 00:26:18.480 --> 00:26:20.319 let's again rejoice in it, 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:23.819 but let's apply it to the way we live, 00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:26.220 that we may live lives that are sacrificed 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.839 to the Lord Jesus, 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.319 and that we may show mercy 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:32.639 to others who need it. 00:26:33.439 --> 00:26:34.099 Let me pray, 00:26:34.179 --> 00:26:35.119 and then we're going to sing, 00:26:35.419 --> 00:26:36.839 and then we'll have our time of prayer. 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.639 Let's pray together. 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:40.539 Father, we thank you for your word this evening. 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:42.399 We thank you for the fact 00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:46.759 that you are such a just and merciful God, 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:50.079 that the two are not in contradiction of one another, 00:26:50.639 --> 00:26:52.879 but they fit together perfectly, 00:26:52.879 --> 00:26:54.559 that you are the one who is fair, 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:56.319 who does what is right. 00:26:57.299 --> 00:27:00.019 And yet, because you do what is right, 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:03.579 you have done a merciful thing for us, 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:07.119 to give us a way to be forgiven for our sins 00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:09.699 through the blood of the Lord Jesus. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:14.019 Help us to understand your justice and your mercy, 00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:17.139 and help us to reflect them in our lives too, 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.139 we pray. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:19.559 We ask you to be with us now 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:21.239 as we continue together in prayer 00:27:21.239 --> 00:27:24.259 for ourselves and for our world. 00:27:24.659 --> 00:27:25.919 We ask in Jesus' name. 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:27.119 Amen. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.279 Amen. 00:27:27.719 --> 00:27:28.459 Amen. 00:27:28.699 --> 00:27:29.059 Amen. 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.500 Amen. 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:29.559 Amen. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:30.659 Amen. 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:30.859 Amen. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:31.059 Amen. 00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.199 Amen. 00:27:31.219 --> 00:27:32.659 Amen. 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.719 Amen. 00:27:37.719 --> 00:27:38.699 Amen. 00:27:42.879 --> 00:27:47.339 Thank you. 00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:48.799 Amen. 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.359 Amen. 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:49.419 Amen. 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:49.939 Amen. 00:27:49.939 --> 00:27:51.059 яться 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.159 Amen. 00:27:52.259 --> 00:27:53.079 Amen. 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.079 Amen. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.659 Amen.