The Riches of God's Mercy
Stephen begins by thanking God for His Son, Jesus Christ, and expressing joy for His presence. He desires to see only Jesus and be filled with Him, living a life that testifies to God's glory. Stephen praises God for the morning's message, which highlighted God's eternal purpose centered on His Son. He then transitions to the practical implications of God's purpose and the riches of Christ, focusing on how they transform lives.
Stephen emphasizes God's mercy as the foundation of our relationship with Him. He cites the Apostle Paul's conversion as an example of God's surprising mercy, transforming a blasphemer into a vessel of God's glory. Stephen emphasizes that our hope rests solely on God's mercy, not on our own efforts or sacrifices. He reminds listeners that God delights in showing mercy, referencing the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Stephen concludes by urging his listeners to approach God with humility, recognizing their need for His mercy. He prays for a deeper understanding and experience of God's mercy, asking to be both vessels and channels of God's mercy to the world.
Outline
- Introduction: Gratitude for God's Presence and Desire for His Filling
- Transition: From God's Eternal Purpose to Its Practical Implications
- The Centrality of God's Mercy
- Paul's Conversion: A Testament to God's Surprising Mercy
- Our Hope Rests on God's Mercy, Not Our Efforts
- God Delights in Showing Mercy
- Approaching God with Humility and Recognizing Our Need for Mercy
- The Effects of Experiencing God's Mercy
- Humility and Inability to Boast
- Living Sacrifices Presented to God
- Extending Mercy to Others
- Conclusion: Prayer for a Deeper Understanding and Experience of God's Mercy
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
