122 – THE MERCY OF GOD

SEMESTER 2

122 – THE MERCY OF GOD

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE: THEOLOGY II LESSON # 22
THE MERCY OF GOD

Read Romans 9:14 through 24.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Much comfort is lost through fear of dealing candidly with such texts.

III: Calling a cow’s tail a leg.

2. So by withdrawing from the particularism of such texts, we do not extend mercy beyond Scripture.
3. We, rather, belie the speaker, confuse the hearer, and withhold comfort from Christians.
4. Scripture teaches that mercy is extended to all who come to Christ. (Jn. 6:37)
5. Scripture teaches, with equal clarity, that mercy is bestowed sover­eignly, not universally.
6. Let us not joust, or choose between these truths, but co-ordinate them.

I. THE HARDENING OF SINNERS

1. In hardening sinners, God puts no sinful principle, or impulse in them.
2. They are, by nature, vessels, fitted unto wrath. (Rom. 9:22, Eph. 2:3)
3. God only permits (within His sovereign decree) their nature to act.

III: The murderers of Christ: Pharaoh, Herod, etc. Notice Acts 14:16.

4. Every cause for salvation is objective mercy.
5. Every cause for destruction is permitted transgression.
6. Contemplation of mercy drives us to humility, and thus, praise to God.

III: Jacob, the supplanter, have I loved.

II. MERCY’S DEFINITION

1. Webster – Compassionate treatment of an enemy.
2. Robert Haldane – That adorable, perfection in God by which He pities, and relieves the miserable.

III: One thrown on the mercy of the court.

3. God’s mercy is described, in Scripture, as great (I Kings 3:6), plenteous (Ps. 86:5), tender (Luke 1:78), abundant (I Pet. 1:3), rich (Eph. 2:4), everlasting (Ps. 103:17).
4. The word mercy appears more than 250 times in Scripture.

III. MERCY DISTINGUISHED FROM GRACE

1. Mercy is different from grace, perhaps the negative side.
2. Grace can be shown without sin, but not mercy.

III: The unfallen angels.

3. Mercy and love differ, in that love can flow up, or level.
4. Mercy and patience differ, as in rain on the just and the unjust.

III: God was patient with Pharaoh.

IV. MERCY’S DEMONSTRATION

1. The mercy of God is demonstrated in the gift of His Son. (Luke 1:78)
2. Mercy is seen in the calling of the sinner to regeneration.

III: The calling of Paul, God’s enemy.

V. CHRIST, OUR MERCY SEAT

1. The Old Testament mercy seat was visible, physical and symbolic.
2. The New Testament mercy seat is Christ, (set to be a propitia­tion) invisible, spiritual, yet real.
3. What the Old Testament mercy seat proclaimed, the New Testament mercy seat procures.
4. The approach is not physical, but by faith. It is not the entering of the tabernacle, or walking an aisle. It is in the heart.

III: The publican.

VI. GOD’S MERCY IS PARTICULAR, PERSONAL AND LIMITED

1. Man’s philosophy is, God would have mercy upon everyone if He only could.

i. This limits God’s power and wisdom.
2. Bible revelation is, He hath mercy on whom He will.