February 27, 2019
Let Not #
Pro 3:1-6
Intro.
Take advantage of the opportunity! At the risk of sounding like a salesman, Solomon, is saying, when the opportunity of Mercy and Truth come knocking on your door, don’t refuse, don’t turn it down!
I. Let not! - Mercy & Truth (3) #
II. Grab hold of Mercy and truth! (write on heart) #
A. Mercy - not getting what we deserve. #
Mercy is not letting sin slide, but rather a recognition of that sin, judgment cast, and the sentence remitted or forgiven.
mercy - that benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves
B. Truth - We have sinned, cold hard facts! #
As sinners, we are deserving of eternal damnation in hell.
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Rom. 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
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Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Rev. 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Truth says, You have sinned, you will die, you deserve hell.
C. Mercy - God saying, “I will extend forgiveness!” #
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Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
There is an opportunity to latch onto this salvation… “Let not mercy and truth [forsake thee]{.underline}.”
Get it while there is opportunity!
Get it while He is knocking!
a) Rev. 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
III. Grant - Bind it about thy neck #
1. Necklace, the neck is a prominent place to display something #
- Gen. 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and [put a gold chain about his neck]{.underline};
2. Daniel also had a chain placed about his neck… #
A. Mercy starts with forgiveness from the giver #
1. Mercy and forgiveness go hand in, God loved mankind, and desired to forgive, that is why He opened the door to extend mercy to mankind! #
- You couldn’t approach God and ask for forgiveness if He had not taken the first step!
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
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Take the first step, extend mercy!
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Mercy and truth should not forsake us
B. Mercy is undeserved/unexpected by the recipient #
- What makes mercy so effective, is any logical person, can see they don’t deserve the opportunity they are afforded!
C. Mercy is a renewed opportunity for the recipient #
D. Mercy generates a love, respect, loyalty #
1. There is enough vindictiveness, cut throat, harsh truth in the world… May we show a little mercy and truth to the world. #
2. Truth, not to compromise, but mercy to be kind. #
E. Mercy keeps us from becoming empty pharisees. #
1. Mercy is the heart of the law. The law without mercy is condemnation! #
2. That is what the pharisees loved, to condemn others! #
F. Bind mercy and truth about thy neck! #
1. Don’t forget to balance Mercy with truth, and display it! “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” #
IV. Gain - Favour & Understanding! (4) #
A. God’s Favour #
1. Above all things, prefer favour with God! #
a) 1Sam. 2:26 And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.
2. There is no greater OT Prophet than Samuel! #
b) Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
3. There is example after example that we could name, but none so great as Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour! #
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Rom. 8:31 ¶ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
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Matt. 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
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Seek to please God first, then let God exalt you before man.
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No need to exalt yourself, or seek out man’s acceptance/favor