God's Great Mercy

                                      "Men will never worship God with a sincere
                                       heart, or be roused to fear and obey Him with
                                       sufficient zeal, until they properly understand
                                       how much they are indebted to His mercy."
                                                                                  John Calvin


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          God made us, His people, alive through Christ and saved us because of His love
     and grace and mercy.



                                              "But because of his great love for us,
                                               God, who is rich in mercy, made us
                                               alive with Christ even when we were
                                               dead in transgressions -- it is by grace
                                               you have been saved."
                                                                              Ephesians 2:4-5  


                                               "In his great mercy he has given us new
                                                birth into a living hope through the
                                                resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
                                                and into an inheritance that can never
                                                perish, spoil, or fade ..."
                                                                               1 Peter 1:3-4a


                                               "He chose to give us birth, through the word
                                                of truth ..."
                                                                                James 1:18a


                                               " ... he saved us, not because of righteous things
                                                 we had done, but because of his mercy ..."
                                                                                Titus 3:5a


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          God is not required to give mercy to everyone, but everyone who receives
     His mercy and grace will be saved.  Good works will not save anyone.


                                                " ... I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,
                                                  and I will have compassion on whom I have
                                                  compassion."
                                                                                     Romans 9:15


                                                " It (salvation) does not depend on man's desire
                                                  or effort, but on God's mercy."
                                                                                     Romans 9:16


                                                "Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to
                                                  have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to
                                                  harden."
                                                                                      Romans 9:18


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          God is pleased to show His mercy.


                                                  "You do not stay angry forever
                                                    but delight to show mercy."
                                                                             Micah 7:18b


          God answers prayer not because of our good works, but because of his
      mercy.


                                                  "We do not make requests of you because
                                                   we are righteous, but because of your great
                                                   mercy."
                                                                               Daniel 9:18b
 


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          Worship is not just performing religious rituals, but having the proper
     attitude of the heart, and obeying God's word.


                                                  "God is spirit, and those who worship
                                                   him must worship in spirit and truth."
                                                                                  John 4:24


          Believers must offer themselves in worship to God.


                                                  " ... present your bodies as a living
                                                    sacrifice, holy and acceptable to
                                                    God, which is your spiritual worship."
                                                                                Romans 12:1b


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           Understanding His mercy is essential to true worship of God.