| (Copyright 08-16-2025) by Rod Reynolds (Wentzville, Missouri) |
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| Dear Friends and Brethren, I did not post a sermon or send out a newsletter last Sabbath because some other matters came up requiring my attention, and for lack of time I was not able to complete the editing of the sermon I had planned on posting for the Sabbath. I have completed it now, however, and for this Sabbath I have edited and posted a sermon titled “God is Gracious.” There are many ways in which God’s grace is revealed and demonstrated throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Unfortunately, the idea of “grace” has often been perverted and misrepresented by false teachings, implying that there is a conflict between the concept of God’s grace and that of obedience to his commandments. One reason that some turn aside from God is that they don’t really believe that God is gracious. Some believe in God just enough to have a morbid fear of what might happen to them, but they don’t have enough faith to really believe that God can or will forgive their sins and save them from death. The Old Covenant God made with Israel at Mt. Sinai was predicated on grace, as shown in Exodus 34:5-7. But God in his love and mercy also is a just God, and in his mercy and love for mankind he requires obedience to his laws which are given to us for our benefit. In God mercy, grace, longsuffering, and truth are united with holiness and justice. Like the Old Covenant, the New Covenant is also predicated upon grace, and it is through grace that we are ultimately saved (Acts 15:11; Romans 6:23; II Timothy 1:9). God knows our frame, our weaknesses and our inherent sinfulness, but he is always ready to pardon us upon repentance, and his plan is not a plan of destruction for mankind but one of salvation. In today’s sermon, I point out some ways in which God’s grace towards all mankind, including you and me, is demonstrated. And also, specific things you can do to enjoy the fullness of God’s grace. In Christian love, Rod Reynolds Editor’s Note: We do not listen to video links or read print material that is linked to items we print, so we may or may not agree with those links. We only look at print material that is sent to us for print. Laura Lee ————————————————————————————- Reprinted with permission from: Messenger Church of God https://www.cogmessenger.org/ ————————————————————————————- |
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