| Introduction By now you have grown used to the idea that you are not getting a Kindle Fire this year and have come to terms with being satisfied with kindling for fire instead. All joking aside, you know that there are very few things that essential for a happy Christmas. So far we have seen two essentials, two truths that are fundational for a happy Christmas: Jesus Christ is the God-Man who came to save us from our sins and Christmas is all about the glory of God. This morning we will consider a third essential: the mercy of God. Mary says that the coming of Jesus has happened because of the mercy of the Lord (54-55). Psalm 103 helps us understand God's mercy, which is his covenant faithfulness to us and that is where we are going to spend our time today. This Psalm teaches us that the Lord is the soul's all-sufficiency. In it the Lord reveals himself as the merciful Lord who keeps covenant with his people. In response to whom he is, the entire creation must worship the Lord. I. The Soul's All-Sufficiency, vv. 1-5 A. The entire being is to bless the Lord, v. 1 B. The entire being is to bless the Lord because of whom he is, vv. 2-5 II. The Lord's Mercy, vv. 6-19 A. The Lord is the executor of righteousness, v. 6 B. The Lord makes his ways known to his people, v. 7 C. The Lord is merciful and gracious, v. 8a D. The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in mercy, v. 8b-9 E. The Lord is forgiving, vv. 10-12 F. The Lord is a father to his people, vv. 13-14 G. The Lord is a loving God, vv. 15-18 H. The Lord is a reigning king, v. 19 III. The Creation's Response - Worship, vv. 20-22 A. The angels B. The heavenly hosts C. The servants D. The works E. At the end, David brings the attention back to the soul of the forgiven sinner. Conclusion Let us remember the mercy of the Lord. Let us remember that we are sinners forgiven by the grace of God. | |||
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Friday, December 28, 2012
Christmas Essential: The Mercy of God - Lk. 1:46-56; Ps. 103
