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>Contrast of wrath and mercy


Ephesians 2:1-4


The condition of our Canadian society seems to be getting worse and worse because Christians are becoming fewer and fewer. And the ones that call themselves Christians are less and less committed to the calling for which God has liberated them and do not take their responsibility as seriously as they should.

Do Christians think, talk and walk like the rest of the people in our society or are we counter cultural - seeking to be different because we are following God's ways. Do we think carefully about all that we hear and see. Are you sensitive to the subtle ways in which society is shaping your thinking to accept their agenda and the ways of the Devil? The world is brainwashing us and our children in very subtle ways. If anyone watches more than 2 hours of TV a week you are being very seductively influenced by the world's philosophy.

Advertizing shows us the glamour, the thrill of a high priced world that is attractive, appealing but destructive. It never shows any of the pain and trouble that comes with sin. It does not show the depression or destructive lifestyles that accompany the fast life. It does not show you the disease and abuse that accompanies a sensual lifestyle. The world has hidden its message in subtle humour that makes us laugh at the principles of purity and righteousness while glorifying violence, sin, alcoholism, drugs and destruction.

When we are dead in our trespasses and sin we are going to hell if we should die. Trespasses refer to our wrongs which we may commit in ignorance and sins refers to the wrongs we wilfully commit. We do not have any relationship with God if we are dead and in fact we are under the control of Satan who entices us to violate God's ways. God has given us rules for living a joyous, loving and happy life. If we disobey any of these ways of God we will not receive the blessings God wants for us. We will begin to experience the chastisement of God in our lives and trouble will come and disturb us. There will be disruption in our families, we could loose our jobs, we could experience turmoil, depression and poverty of spirit, soul and body. What were the last three sins which you committed? Anger, lying, bitterness, cheating, stealing, adultery, disrespect of your parents? What about transgressions like not giving 10% of our income to the work of God, working on the sabbath, being drunk, not being filled with the spirit of God, failure to pray. All these transgressions and sins have serious consequences, the most serious consequence is not entering heaven when we die.

If you were to die in a car accident leaving the church today, do you know without a doubt that you will go to heaven or is there unconfessed sin in your life which will keep you from entering that beautiful place God is preparing for all who are obedient to His word. Revelation 21:7,8 says, "He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

Some of you may say, "Well I am not that bad. I have never been immoral. I am certainly not a murderer." Jesus had some pretty strict interpretation of God's laws and he should know what they mean because he was God's son. Jesus said in Matthew 5:22, "But I tell you that if anyone is angry with his brother, or sister, will be subject to judgement. ... anyone who calls others a fool will be in danger of the fire of hell." Have you ever gotten angry or called someone a fool? God says you are in trouble.

Then in Matthew 5:27 , 28 Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery." but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Can you honestly say that you have never thought about touching someone inappropriately? I would hope that some of you could but if you have thought lustfully, confess it and you will be assured of eternal life.

Spurgeon said " He who doubts human depravity had better begin to study himself.." Marriage Counselor, John Regier has identified 10 areas of sin which break down marriages. Pride, hypocrisy, generational sin, immorality, rebellion, bitterness, materialism, abuse - spiritual, emotional and physical, negative spirit, returning evil for evil, secret and unconfessed sin. It is important to examine our lives and make sure that we are living a holy and pure life. If we are not we cannot be sure that we will experience the glory of heaven when we die.

We cannot have haughty, prideful attitudes that we are better than others who have not yet understood the good news about mercy, forgiveness, and God's peace and love. We would have come under God's condemnation and wrath if it was not for God being merciful and being willing to forgive us of all the past sins we ever committed. God said that the wages of sin is death. We would be no different than the prostitute, murder or thief if it was not for the goodness and mercy of God who directed people to tell us about a different and more exciting way of life which brings peace, forgiveness and love. Are you sure this morning that you would go to be with Christ if you were to die today? You can be sure. I John 5:11-13 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. Have you asked Jesus to come into your heart and cleanse you from all sins; those you purposefully committed and the transgressions which you may not have been aware of. If not why not ask Jesus right now to cleanse you from all unrighteousness so that you can walk out of this room this morning a new person, cleansed, forgiven and full of joy and peace. Allow God to make you to be a new creation. Allow all the past sin and wickedness to be forgiven and its influence over your life be removed and you will be a changed person this morning. May God help us to choose life and peace this morning.

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