By David L. Larsen
II. AFTER — THE DIVINE MERCY (2:4-10)
But the hole in which we find ourselves is not deeper than God’s great
love and rich mercy can handle — we can be extricated and saved by
God’s grace [at this point wallow abit in the super-abounding grace
of God. Share some word study of charis and some definitions. One of
our avocations is collecting definitions of grace — like: something
for nothing when you don’t deserve anything]. The metaphor of
resurrection links us to Christ’s bodily resurrection and his victory
over sin, death, the world and the devil. His deliverance extends even
to our session with him “in the heavenly realms” (6) and our becoming
collectively God’s eternal exhibit of his kindness to undeserving
creatures (7). And this miracle is performed entirely AB
EXTRA, i.e. from outside of ourselves. Not a shred of merit or
boasting is allowed on our part because this is the work of grace —
it is “the gift of God” (8). Not a scintilla of merit remains for our
Pelagian hearts — “Not by works, so that no one can boast” (9). The
effecting of this change is to pass from death to life and is what we
speak of as conversion. Conversion is both a birth certificate and a
driver’s license, since it propels the believers and motivates us
“to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (10).
[At this point consider giving your own personal testimony of coming
to faith in Christ or use a recent convert in the church].
In a recent course on evangelistic preaching, a student brought an
unconverted cousin to class. After hearing the gospel proclaimed, he
led he r to Christ on their way home. She in turn led her suite mate
at college to the Lord and her suite mate led her father to Christ.
So God’s merciful and gracious work of salvation continues around the
world to this hour. There are many lines in the sea and people are
coming to Christ in great numbers, particularly in the two-thirds
world. The Graham Crusade in Colombia last year resulted in 704,844
documented commitments to receive Christ. ALL PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD!
Advertisement
_________________
Sermon brief provided by: David L.
Larsen, Professor Emeritus of Preaching, Trinity Evangelical Divinity
School