Good morning -
History records that it was a sermon that touched off a great spiritual awakening in America. It was preached by a man named Jonathan Edwards and was entitled, "Sinners In the Hands Of An Angry God". This fiery message about God's impending judgment struck a responsive chord with many in the 1740's and had a major impact on the course of America's history.
The message of God through Jeremiah the prophet was often about coming judgment, a subject that was none too popular. Throughout biblical history we find that God has often acted in righteous judgment, and yet today there is a strange silence on the subject. Much is said and taught about God being a God of mercy but little if anything is said about the fact that He is a holy God who acts in judgment.
Perhaps the most sobering passage in the Bible on this subject is 2 Peter 3:9-13: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."
Nowhere else do we see the dual themes of God's mercy and judgment weaved together more intricately. They are both inseparable qualities of our Creator, and yet far greater emphasis is placed on His mercy these days. From the perspective of today's emphasis, God appears to be a kindly white-haired man who would never harm a flea, much less consign people to the judgment fires. Yet in our age, as in any age, there is behavior and lifestyle that is not pleasing to Him but the call to repentance is rarely heard. Can God truly be pleased with all He sees today?
Lest I sound too self-righteous, let me assure you that there is plenty in my own life that causes me concern. I find too common of a kinship with the lethargic, lukewarm believers in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), among other things. But regardless of the condition of the messenger's own household, isn't there a responsibility to warm of danger to the unprepared?
It's not been my personal desire to unsettle or alarm you with today's thoughts, but rather to call you - and myself - to balanced introspection according to God's truth. This moment that we have right now is a sheer act of grace from our Creator. Let's use it to carefully consider our lives in light of the truth we learn from Peter, and from the great prophets throughout the ages.
Enjoying today's grace with an eye on accountability,
Pastor Steve
History records that it was a sermon that touched off a great spiritual awakening in America. It was preached by a man named Jonathan Edwards and was entitled, "Sinners In the Hands Of An Angry God". This fiery message about God's impending judgment struck a responsive chord with many in the 1740's and had a major impact on the course of America's history.
The message of God through Jeremiah the prophet was often about coming judgment, a subject that was none too popular. Throughout biblical history we find that God has often acted in righteous judgment, and yet today there is a strange silence on the subject. Much is said and taught about God being a God of mercy but little if anything is said about the fact that He is a holy God who acts in judgment.
Perhaps the most sobering passage in the Bible on this subject is 2 Peter 3:9-13: "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells."
Nowhere else do we see the dual themes of God's mercy and judgment weaved together more intricately. They are both inseparable qualities of our Creator, and yet far greater emphasis is placed on His mercy these days. From the perspective of today's emphasis, God appears to be a kindly white-haired man who would never harm a flea, much less consign people to the judgment fires. Yet in our age, as in any age, there is behavior and lifestyle that is not pleasing to Him but the call to repentance is rarely heard. Can God truly be pleased with all He sees today?
Lest I sound too self-righteous, let me assure you that there is plenty in my own life that causes me concern. I find too common of a kinship with the lethargic, lukewarm believers in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), among other things. But regardless of the condition of the messenger's own household, isn't there a responsibility to warm of danger to the unprepared?
It's not been my personal desire to unsettle or alarm you with today's thoughts, but rather to call you - and myself - to balanced introspection according to God's truth. This moment that we have right now is a sheer act of grace from our Creator. Let's use it to carefully consider our lives in light of the truth we learn from Peter, and from the great prophets throughout the ages.
Enjoying today's grace with an eye on accountability,
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 11:07 AM
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