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Mercy and Grace Lesson Objective: By the end of this lesson, we will be able to understand the biblical concepts of mercy and grace, recognize their importance in God's relationship with humanity, and apply these principles in our daily lives by extending mercy and grace to others as a reflection of God's love. Main Scripture: Hebrews 4:16 (NIV): “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Introduction Definitions - Mercy is the withholding of deserved punishment, while grace is the giving of undeserved blessings. - Mercy is God not punishing us for our sins, while grace is God blessing us in ways we haven't earned. - Mercy and Grace in Jesus Christ: Through Christ's sacrifice, we see the ultimate display of both. - Mercy: God holds back the punishment our sins deserve. - Grace: God gives us eternal life, adoption as His children, and countless blessings. Key Scriptures: - Mercy: *“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”* (Lamentations 3:22-23) - Grace: *“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”* (2 Corinthians 12:9) Section 1: Understanding Mercy 1. Mercy in the Old Testament - Example 1: The Israelites in the Wilderness (Exodus 32) - After the Israelites made the golden calf, God was prepared to destroy them. But after Moses intercedes, God shows mercy, sparing the people despite their rebellion. - Scripture Reference: *“Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.”* (Exodus 32:14) - Example 2: King David’s Sin of Pride (1 Chronicles 21) - David orders a census, acting in pride, and this angers God. A plague breaks out, but David pleads for mercy. God relents and halts the punishment. - Scripture Reference: *“Then the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put his sword back into its sheath.”* (1 Chronicles 21:27) 2. Mercy in the New Testament - Example 1: Peter’s Denial and Restoration (Luke 22, John 21) - Peter denies Jesus three times, which could have led to separation from Christ. Yet after the resurrection, Jesus extends mercy to Peter, restoring him and calling him to "feed His sheep." - Scripture Reference: *“Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me? ... Feed my lambs.’”* (John 21:15-17) - Example 2: The Apostle Paul’s Conversion (1 Timothy 1:12-16) - Paul, formerly a persecutor of Christians, receives incredible mercy from Jesus on the road to Damascus. Not only is he forgiven, but he is called to be an apostle. - Scripture Reference: *“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience.”* (1 Timothy 1:16) Additional Example: - Mercy for King Ahab (1 Kings 21:25-29) - King Ahab was described as one of the most wicked kings of Israel. Yet when he humbled himself before God after being confronted by Elijah, God showed mercy by delaying the judgment on Ahab's family. - Scripture Reference: *“Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”* (1 Kings 21:29) Reflection Questions: - How does God’s mercy change the way we view our mistakes? - How can we extend mercy to those around us, even when they don’t deserve it? --- Section 2: Understanding Grace 1. Grace in the Old Testament - Example 1: Noah and the Flood (Genesis 6-9) - While the world was full of wickedness, Noah found grace in God’s sight. Though humanity deserved destruction, God graciously chose to save Noah and his family. - Scripture Reference: *“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.”* (Genesis 6:8) 2. Grace in the New Testament - Example 1: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) - Paul describes how he pleaded with the Lord to remove a “thorn in the flesh,” but God’s grace was sufficient for him. Paul learned that God’s strength is made perfect in his weakness. - Scripture Reference: *“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”* (2 Corinthians 12:9) - Example 2: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) - The son squandered his inheritance in sinful living. Upon his return, his father doesn't just forgive him; he restores him fully as a son, throwing a celebration. This is an abundant display of grace. - Scripture Reference: *“For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”* (Luke 15:24) Additional Example: - The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Luke 8:43-48) - This woman, considered unclean due to her condition, approached Jesus in faith. Jesus not only healed her physically but extended grace by calling her “daughter” and publicly affirming her faith, restoring her dignity. - Scripture Reference: *“Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’”* (Luke 8:48) Reflection Questions: - How can we actively live in God's grace, knowing that His favor is undeserved? - In what areas of your life have you seen God's grace recently? --- Section 3: The Relationship Between Mercy and Grace Example: The Apostle Peter (Luke 22, John 21) - Mercy: Peter denies Jesus three times, deserving rejection. But Jesus, after His resurrection, extends mercy by restoring Peter, not condemning him for his failure. - Grace: Jesus goes beyond simply forgiving Peter; He entrusts him with leadership, calling Peter to “feed His sheep” and shepherd His people. Example: The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) - Mercy: The shepherd seeks out the lost sheep, saving it from danger. The sheep deserves to be lost due to its own wandering. - Grace: The shepherd doesn’t just bring the sheep back; he joyfully carries it on his shoulders, celebrating its return. - Scripture Reference: *“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’”* (Luke 15:5-6) --- Section 4: Application - Living Out Mercy and Grace (15 minutes) 1. Showing Mercy to Others - Practical Example: Forgiving someone who has wronged you deeply. Often, we want to respond with punishment or vengeance, but mercy calls us to withhold what they deserve. - Discussion: Can you think of a time when someone showed you mercy when you didn’t deserve it? 2. Extending Grace to Others - Practical Example: Offering help or a kind word to someone who hasn’t earned it, or perhaps to someone who has treated you poorly. - Discussion: How might showing grace to someone change their heart or perception of God’s love? 3. Relying on God's Mercy and Grace - Scripture Reference: *“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”* (Hebrews 4:16) - This verse shows how God invites us to come to Him for both mercy (when we’ve sinned) and grace (when we need help or strength). --- Closing Prayer and Final Reflection (5 minutes) - Prayer: Ask God to give us hearts that reflect His mercy and grace in our relationships and actions. - Reflection: Encourage each of us to meditate on how mercy and grace have shaped our relationship with God and challenge each of us to show these qualities to others.

More Messages from Joe Summers

From Series: "Sunday Service"

These are the regularly scheduled Sunday lessons