========================

How does God regard sins and sinners on the time continuum?

========================

1)       What are we going to do?

o   We are going to find out about the following:

§  Does God hate sins but love sinners?

§  Does God ever hate sinners at all?  If so, when?

§  What is the window of time when God loves sinners?

§  What will happen when the window of time for God to love sinners runs out?

§  Is there exception to the timing of God hating sinners?

----------------------------------------

 

 

Psalm 5:4-6

4For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.

5The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong;

6you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.

----------------------------------------

2)       According to verses 4 to 6 what is the specific list of sins that is pointed out?

o   Wickedness.

o   Evil.

o   Arrogance.

o   Wrongdoing.

o   Lying.

o   Bloodthirstiness.

o   And deceit.

 

3)       Is the emphasis on God’s hatred of specific sins or God’s hatred of sinners in the current passage of the bible and why?

o   The emphasis is on God’s hatred of specific sins.

o   Because

o   The act is the emphasis in the original language.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Psalm 11:5

5The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

----------------------------------------

4)       What is the specific sin that is pointed out?

o   Violence.

 

5)       Is the emphasis on God’s hatred of the specific sin or God’s hatred of sinners in the current verse of the bible and why?

o   The emphasis is on God’s hatred of specific sins.

o   Because

o   The act is the emphasis in the original language.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Leviticus 20:23

23You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.

----------------------------------------

6)       Whom does ‘you’ refer to?

o   ‘You’ refers to the Israelites.

 

7)       What are the sins that are pointed out?

o   The customs of the nations God was going to drive out before the Israelites.

 

8)       Is the emphasis on God’s hatred of specific sins or God’s hatred of sinners in the current verse of the bible?

o   The emphasis is on God’s hatred of specific sins.

o   Because

o   The act is the emphasis in the original language.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Hosea 9:15

15“Because of all their wickedness in Gilgal, I hated them there. Because of their sinful deeds, I will drive them out of my house. I will no longer love them; all their leaders are rebellious.

----------------------------------------

9)       What are the specific sins that are pointed out?

o   Wickedness in Gilgal.

o   Rebellion.

 

10)   Is the emphasis on God’s hatred of specific sins or God’s hatred of sinners in the current verse of the bible?

o   The emphasis is on God’s hatred of specific sins.

o   Because

o   The act is the emphasis in the original language.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 1:18

18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

----------------------------------------

11)   What are the specific sins that are pointed out?

o   Godlessness.

o   Wickedness.

 

12)   Is the emphasis on God’s hatred of specific sins or God’s hatred of sinners in the current verse of the bible?

o   The emphasis is on God’s hatred of specific sins.

o   Because

o   The act is the emphasis.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 5:8

8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

----------------------------------------

13)   How does God demonstrate his own love for us?

o   Christ died for us.

o   While

o   We were still sinners.

 

14)   Does God love sinners?

o   Yes.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

15)   Does God hate sins but love sinners?

o   Yes.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 2:4-8

4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

6God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”

7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

----------------------------------------

16)   According to verse 4 what is the intention behind God’s kindness, forbearance and patience?

o   It is intended to lead us to repentance.

 

17)   According to verse 4 what is our attitude toward the riches of God’s kindness, forbearance and patience?

o   We show contempt.

 

18)   According to verse 5 what do we have coming because of our stubbornness and unrepentant heart?

o   We are storing up wrath against ourselves for the day of God’s wrath.

o   When

o   His righteous judgment will be revealed.

 

19)   According to verse 5 when is the day of God’s wrath?

o   The day of God’s wrath is the day of God’s judgment.

 

20)   According to verse 6 how will God repay each person?

o   God will repay each person according to what they have done.

 

21)   According to verse 7 what will God give to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality?

o   God will give eternal life.

 

22)   According to verse 8 what will be there for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil?

o   There will be

§  Wrath.

§  And anger.

 

23)   Will God’s wrath and anger be against the sins of sinners or against sinners on the day of judgment?

o   God’s wrath and anger will be against unrepentant sinners on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

1 Thessalonians 1:10

10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

----------------------------------------

24)   What does Jesus rescue us from?

o   Jesus rescues us from the coming wrath.

 

25)   Whose wrath is it?

o   It is God’s wrath.

 

26)   Whom is God’s wrath against?

o   God’s wrath is against unrepentant sinners.

 

27)   When is God’s wrath coming?

o   God’s wrath is coming on the day of judgment.

 

28)   Will God’s wrath be against the sins of sinners or against sinners on the day of judgment?

o   God’s wrath will be against unrepentant sinners on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Revelation 6:15-17

15Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains.

16They called to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!

17For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can withstand it?”

----------------------------------------

29)   According to verse 15 who hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains?

o   The kings of the earth.

o   The princes.

o   The generals.

o   The rich.

o   The mighty.

o   And everyone else, both

§  Slave.

§  And free.

 

30)   According to verse 16 what did all the people call to the mountains and the rocks for?

o   They called for the mountains and the rocks to

§  Fall on them.

§  And hide them

Ø  From the face of him who sits on the throne. 

Ø  And from the wrath of the Lamb.

 

31)   Who is the Lamb, given John 1:29?

o   Jesus is the Lamb of God.

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud John 1:29  that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

29The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

32)   Who sits on the throne, given Hebrews 12:2?

o   God the Father sits on the throne.

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud Hebrews 12:2 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

33)   According to verse 15 whom is the wrath of the Lamb against?

o   The wrath of the Lamb is against all the people.

 

34)   According to verse 17 when will the wrath of the Lamb be against all the people?

o   On the great day of the wrath of

§  God the Father.

§  And the Lamb.

 

35)   When is the great day of the wrath of God the Father and the Lamb?

o   The great day of the wrath of

§  God the Father.

§  And the Lamb.

o   Is the day of judgment.

 

36)   Will God’s wrath be against the sins of sinners or against sinners on the day of judgment?

o   God’s wrath will be against unrepentant sinners on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Revelation 14:9-11

9A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand,

10they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.

11And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”

----------------------------------------

37)   According to verse 9 what will happen to anyone who worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand?

o   They will drink the wine of God’s fury.

 

38)   When will they drink the wine of God’s fury?

o   On the day of judgment.

 

39)   According to verses 10 and 11 what is the manifestation of God’s wrath?

o   There will be torment with burning sulfur.

o   The smoke of torment will rise

§  For ever.

§  And ever.

o   There will be no rest

§  Day.

§  Or night.

 

40)   Will God’s wrath be against the sins of sinners or against sinners on the day of judgment?

o   God’s wrath will be against unrepentant sinners on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

41)   Does God ever hate sinners at all?  If so, when?

o   Yes, God hates unrepentant sinners on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

2 Peter 3:5-9

5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water.

6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.

7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

----------------------------------------

42)   According to verse 7 what will happen on the day of judgment?

o   The present

§  Heavens.

§  And earth.

o   Will be destroyed by fire along with the destruction of the ungodly.

 

43)   According to verses 5 and 7 by whose word will the present heavens and earth be destroyed by fire along with the destruction of the ungodly?

o   By God’s word.

 

44)   According to verse 8 what is time like from the Lord’s perspective?

o   With the Lord

§  A day is like a thousand years.

§  And a thousand years are like a day.

 

45)   According to verse 9 why does the Lord not rush to keep his promise?

o   The Lord is patient with us,

§  Not wanting anyone to perish.

§  But everyone to come to repentance.

 

46)   What is the window of time when the Lord is patient with us such that we can come to repentance?

o   The Lord is patient with us until the day of judgment.

 

47)   What will happen to the Lord’s love for sinners on the day of judgment?

o   On the day of judgment the Lord will

§  Run out of patience for unrepentant sinners.

§  And turn from

Ø  Loving sinners. 

Ø  To hating sinners.

Ø  And destroying sinners. 

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

48)   What is the window of time when God loves sinners?

o   God loves sinners until the day of judgment.

 

49)   What will happen when the window of time for God to love sinners runs out?

o   On the day of judgment the Lord will

§  Run out of patience for unrepentant sinners.

§  And turn from

Ø  Loving sinners. 

Ø  To hating sinners.

Ø  And destroying sinners. 

----------------------------------------

 

 

1 Thessalonians 2:14-16 (Young's Literal Translation)

14for ye became imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God that are in Judea in Christ Jesus, because such things ye suffered, even ye, from your own countrymen, as also they from the Jews,

15who did both put to death the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and did persecute us, and God they are not pleasing, and to all men [are] contrary,

16forbidding us to speak to the nations that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always, but the anger did come upon them -- to the end!

----------------------------------------

50)   Whom does ‘ye’ in verse 14 refer to?

o   ‘Ye’ in verse 14 refers to the Thessalonians believers.

 

51)   According to verse 14 whom did the Thessalonians believers become imitators of?

o   They became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that were in Judea.

 

52)   According to verse 14 on what basis did the Thessalonians believers become imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that were in Judea?

o   They suffered from their own countrymen.

o   As

o   The churches of God in Christ Jesus that were in Judea from the Jews.

 

53)   Whom does ‘us’ in verse 15 refer to?

o   ‘Us’ in verse 15 refers to Paul and his church-planting team.

 

54)   What does ‘the nations’ in verse 16 refer to?

o   ‘The nations’ in verse 16 refers to the Gentiles.

 

55)   According to verses 15 and 16 what did the Jews do?

o   They

§  Killed

Ø  The Lord Jesus. 

Ø  And the prophets.

§  And persecuted Paul and his church-planting team in an effort to keep them from speaking to the Gentiles.

§  So that

§  They might be saved.

 

56)   According to verse 15 how did the Jews relate to God and all people?

o   They were

§  Not pleasing to God.

§  And hostile to all people.

 

57)   According to verse 16 what did the Jews fill up from their effort to keep the Gentiles from getting saved?

o   They filled up their sins always.

 

58)   According to verse 16 what came upon the Jews as a result who committed the wrongdoings?

o   God’s wrath did come upon them to the end.

 

59)   What does it mean for God’s wrath to come upon those Jews to the end?

o   It means that

§  God did not wait until the day of judgment before pouring out his wrath against these Jews who committed the wrongdoings.

§  Instead God poured out his wrath against them at the point of God’s judgment that is before the day of judgment.

§  Their lot is not going to change whatsoever from thereon out to the end.

 

60)   When is the point of God’s judgment for the majority of unrepentant sinners?

o   The point of God’s judgment for the majority of unrepentant sinners is on the day of judgment.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

61)   Is there exception to the timing of God hating sinners?

o   Yes, because God turns from loving to hating some unrepentant sinners prior to the day of judgment.

========================

How does God regard sins and sinners on the time continuum?

========================

 

 

 

 

========================

How does God treat sinners and Jesus for the salvation of sinners?

========================

62)   What are we going to do?

o   We are going to find out about the following:

§  God loved sinners to the utmost and hated Jesus to the utmost for the salvation of sinners.

§  God was merciful with sinners to the utmost and just with Jesus to the utmost for the salvation of sinners.

§  God was gracious with sinners to the utmost and vengeful toward Jesus to the utmost for the salvation of sinners.

----------------------------------------

 

 

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

----------------------------------------

63)   What is the name that Jesus referred to himself as in verse 16?

o   Jesus referred to himself as the one and only Son of God.

 

64)   According to what Jesus said in verse 16 what will happen to those who believe in him as the Son of God?

o   They shall

§  Not perish.

§  But have eternal life.

 

65)   According to what Jesus said in verse 16 what motivated God to give his one and only Son to save the world?

o   God’s love for the world did.

 

66)   In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 16 what is so amazing about God’s love for the world?

o   God so loved the world.

o   That

o   He gave his one and only Son.

 

67)   How does God relate to his one and only Son, given John 3:35, John 5:20, John 5:22, John 17:24, Matthew 11:27 and Colossians 1:19?

o   From these passages of the bible we know that God loves his one and only Son to the utmost.

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud John 3:35 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud John 5:20 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

20For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud John 5:22 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

22Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud John 17:24 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud Matthew 11:27 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

27“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud Colossians 1:19 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

68)   How much did God love sinners when he gave sinners his one and only Son whom he loved to the utmost for their salvation?

o   God loved sinners to the utmost in giving his one and only Son for their salvation.

o   Whom

o   He loved to the utmost.

----------------------------------------

 

 

1 Peter 2:24

24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”

----------------------------------------

69)   Whom does ‘he’ refer to?

o   ‘He’ refers to Jesus.

 

70)   Was Jesus at the point of God’s judgment when he bore our sins in his body on the cross?

o   Yes.

 

71)   How does God treat sinners at the point of God’s judgment from what we discussed earlier?

o   God hates sinners for their sins at the point of God’s judgment.

 

72)   How did God treat Jesus at the point of God’s judgment when he bore all our sins in his body on the cross?

o   God hated Jesus at the point of God’s judgment.

o   When

o   He bore all our sins in his body on the cross.

 

73)   How much did God hate Jesus at the point of God’s judgment when he bore our all sins in his body on the cross?

o   God hated Jesus to the utmost at the point of God’s judgment.

o   Because

o   He bore all our sins in his body on the cross.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

74)   How much did God love sinners and hate Jesus for the salvation of sinners?

o   God

§  Loved sinners to the utmost.

§  And hated Jesus to the utmost.

o   For the salvation of sinners.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Matthew 18:23-34

23“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.

24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him.

25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.

26“At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’

27The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.

28“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.

29“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’

30“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.

32“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.

33Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’

34In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.

----------------------------------------

75)   According to verses 24 and 25 what did the first servant deserve as a result of owing his master ten thousand bags of gold?

o   He deserved to have

§  Himself.

§  And his wife.

§  And his children.

§  And all that he had.

o   Be sold to repay the debt.

 

76)   According to verses 26 and 27 did the first servant and his wife and his children and all that he had get sold to repay the debt and why?

o   No, because his master

§  Took pity on him.

§  Canceled the debt.

§  And let him go.

 

77)   What is the definition of mercy as seen in the way the first servant was treated by his master?

o   Mercy is not getting the bad things.

o   That

o   One deserves.

----------------------------------------

 

 

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9

8He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

9They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

----------------------------------------

78)   Whom does ‘he’ in verse 8 refer to?

o   ‘He’ in verse 8 refers to Jesus.

 

79)   According to verse 8 whom will Jesus punish?

o   Jesus will punish those who

§  Do not know God.

§  And do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

 

80)   According to verse 9 what will be the punishment?

o   They will be

§  Punished with everlasting destruction.

§  And shut out

Ø  From the presence of the Lord. 

Ø  And from the glory of his might.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Titus 3:4-5

4But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,

5he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

----------------------------------------

81)   According to verse 5 on what basis did God save us?

o   God saved us,

§  Not because of righteous things we had done.

§  But because of his mercy.

 

82)   What are we saved from in accordance with 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 discussed earlier?

o   We are saved from everlasting destruction.

 

83)   How merciful was God with sinners for their salvation and why?

o   God is merciful with sinners to the utmost for their salvation.

o   Because

o   They are saved from everlasting destruction that they deserve.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 3:25-26

25God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

26he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

----------------------------------------

84)   According to verse 25 how did God present Christ as a sacrifice of atonement?

o   God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood.

 

85)   According to verse 25 how is Christ to be received as a sacrifice of atonement?

o   By faith.

 

86)   According to verse 25 what had God left undone in his forbearance?

o   In his forbearance God had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.

 

87)   According to verse 25 what did God demonstrate when he presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement?

o   God demonstrated his righteousness.

 

88)   According to verse 26 what does God’s demonstration of his righteousness show?

o   It shows that God is

§  Just.

§  And the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

 

89)   In accordance with verse 25 how many of our sins did Jesus as the sacrifice of atonement atone for?

o   Jesus atoned for all our sins.

o   Because

o   All our sins were left unpunished.

 

90)   In accordance with verse 25 how did Jesus atone for all our sins committed beforehand unpunished?

o   Jesus atoned for all our sins committed beforehand unpunished through the shedding of his blood.

 

91)   How just was God with Jesus for our salvation?

o   God was just with Jesus to the utmost for our salvation.

o   Because

o   Jesus needed to atone for all our sins committed beforehand.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

92)   How merciful was God with sinners and how just was God with Jesus for the salvation of sinners?

o   God was

§  Merciful with sinners to the utmost.

§  And just with Jesus to the utmost.

o   For the salvation of sinners.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Ephesians 2:8-9

8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

9not by works, so that no one can boast.

----------------------------------------

93)   According to verses 8 and 9 do we deserve salvation and why?

o   No, because this is

§  Not from ourselves, it is the gift of God.

§  Not by works, so that no one can boast.

 

94)   What is the definition of grace in accordance with the current passage of the bible?

o   Grace is getting the good things.

o   That

o   One does not deserve.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 3:23

23For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

----------------------------------------

95)   Who has sinned?

o   All have sinned.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Romans 6:23

23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

----------------------------------------

96)   What is the wages of sin?

o   The wages of sin is death.

 

97)   Who are destined for death?

o   We all are.

o   Because

o   All have sinned.

----------------------------------------

 

 

John 5:24

24Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.

----------------------------------------

98)   What is the consequence for us when we hear Jesus’ word and believe God who sent him?

o   We

§  Will not be judged.

§  But have crossed over from death to life.

 

99)   What is the magnitude of salvation grace by faith?

o   It is

§  From death.

§  To life.

o   As a free gift from God.

 

100)  How gracious was God with sinners for their salvation and why?

o   God was gracious with sinners to the utmost for their salvation.

o   Because

o   Instead of death, we receive eternal life.

o   That

o   We do not deserve.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Isaiah 53:4-6

4Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.

5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

6We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

----------------------------------------

101)  Whom does ‘he’ in verse 4 refer to?

o   ‘He’ in verse 4 refers to Jesus.

 

102)  According to verses 4 and 5 what did Jesus do on our behalf?

o   Jesus

§  Took up our pain.

§  And bore our suffering.

o   He was pierced for our transgressions.

o   He was crushed for our iniquities.

 

103)  According to verse 4 what is our mistaken notion about the pain and suffering Jesus went through?

o   We considered him

§  Punished by God.

§  Stricken by him.

§  And afflicted.

o   We don’t think that it had anything to do with us.

 

104)  According to verse 5  how did that which Jesus suffered on our behalf benefit us?

o   The punishment that was on him brought us peace.

o   By his wounds we are healed.

 

105)  According to verse 6  how much of our iniquity has the Lord laid on Jesus?

o   The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

106)  According to verse 6  what is our prevailing condition when the Lord has laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all?

o   We all, like sheep, have gone astray.

o   Each of us has turned to our own way.

 

107)  Why did the Lord punish and strike Jesus?

o   The Lord

§  Punished.

§  And struck Jesus.

o   For all our iniquities that were laid on him.

 

108)  What is the consequence for us for Jesus to be punished and struck by the Lord for the iniquity of us all?

o   The consequence is that we don’t need to be punished for our iniquities.

 

109)  Was the Lord’s wrath against the sins of sinners or against Jesus at the point of his judgment when he laid on him the iniquity of us all?

o   The Lord’s wrath was against Jesus at the point of his judgment.

o   When

o   He laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 

110)  How vengeful was God toward Jesus at the point of judgment when he laid on him the iniquity of us all?

o   God was vengeful toward Jesus to the utmost at the point of his judgment.

o   Because

o   Jesus was punished for the iniquity of us all.

----------------------------------------

 

 

Conclusion

111)  How did God treat sinners and Jesus for the salvation of sinners?

o   God was

§  Gracious with sinners to the utmost.

§  And vengeful toward Jesus to the utmost.

o   For the salvation of sinners.

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How does God treat sinners and Jesus for the salvation of sinners?

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There is perfect harmony in God’s nature

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112)  What attributes of God were at work for sinners in order to save sinners?

o   God’s

§  Love.

§  Mercy.

§  And grace.

 

113)  What attributes of God were at work against Jesus while he bore the sins of the world in order to save sinners?

o   God’s

§  Hatred.

§  Justice.

§  And vengeance.

 

114)  What is the problem with God if he is primarily loving, merciful and gracious and sinners have their sins forgiven without Jesus having to pay the penalty for their sins?

o   God

§  Is indulgent.

§  And perverts justice.

 

115)  What is the problem with God if he is primarily hateful, just and vengeful and all sinners end up burning in the fire of hell without any hope of salvation?

o   God is legalistic.

 

116)  How did God’s attributes operate together to bring about the salvation of sinners and in the meantime ruling out legalism yet without being indulgent and perverting justice?

o   God’s

§  Love.

§  Mercy.

§  And grace.

o   and God’s

§  Hatred.

§  Justice.

§  And vengeance.

o   Operated

§  At maximal strength.

§  And in perfect

Ø  Tension. 

Ø  And unison with one another.

 

117)  What might be a handy descriptive term for the collective state of God’s attributes operating together as they did to bring about the salvation of sinners?

o   The perfect harmony in God’s nature.

 

118)  How does the condition of our nature contrast with the perfect harmony in God’s nature?

o   Some of us

§  Are indulgent.

§  And pervert justice.

o   Others are legalistic.

o   None of us has perfect harmony in our nature.

 

119)  Given that we lack harmony in our nature, how do our character traits operate with one another?

o   Some of our character traits are dominant.

o   Others are recessive.

o   Consequently the dominant character traits would be dragging the recessive character traits along.

o   And so each of us lacks harmony in our nature in a wide array of individual ways.

 

120)  How do we account for the caprice in our character?

o   Our character traits operate

§  At different strengths.

§  At different times.

o   Thus accounting for the caprice in our character.

 

121)  What does the bible say about the mutability (changeability) in God’s nature, given Hebrews 13:8?

o   God does not change.

 

·  The facilitator asks a specific participant to read out loud Hebrews 13:8 that says,

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

122)  How do we account for the immutability in God’s nature?

o   All God’s attributes are dominant.

o   There are no recessive attributes in God’s nature.

o   Consequently God’s attributes operate

§  At maximal strength.

§  And in perfect

Ø  Tension. 

Ø  And unison with one another.

o   Unlike humans, none of God’s attributes would be dragging other attributes along thus leaving no room for change in God’s nature.

 

123)  How do we account for the perfection in God’s nature?

o   What does not change for eternity to come is perfect.

o   God is perfect.

o   Since

o   God is immutable.

 

124)  Let’s have a sanity check.  Is hell perfect since it has no possibility for change for eternity to come and why?

o   Yes, because unrepentant sinners want to have nothing to do with God.

o   There they will have it in hell.

o   Where

o   God is totally absent, for eternity to come.

o   In the same way heaven is perfect.

o   Because

o   Repentant sinners want to be with God.

o   There they will have it in heaven.

o   Where

o   God is fully present, for eternity to come.

 

125)  How do we account for the imperfection in our character?

o   Unlike God we

§  Change all the time.

§  And therefore are not perfect.

 

126)  What might be the cause for extreme views of God such as God primarily being loving toward sinners or primarily being hateful of sin?

o   We harbor extreme views of God.

o   When

o   We

§  Take snapshots of God haphazardly.

§  And do not view him

Ø  Holistically. 

Ø  And systematically in the bible.

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There is perfect harmony in God’s nature

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