Grace and Mercy

Well, happy feast, everyone! What a wonderful day it is, a beautiful, special day, and a separate feast from the Feast of Tabernacles, this beautiful eighth day. I'd like to start with a little story you may have heard about a court jester. I'm not talking about Mr. Ledbetter. This is not about getting even.

But there was this court jester, and one day he went way too far, and he insulted the king. Trying to be funny, it was an affront to the king. And the king became so infuriated that he sentenced the court jester to be executed.

The jester begged the king, please don't kill me. No, not the guillotine. I couldn't take that. No, have mercy on me. No, the king would not have mercy. The court loved this jester so much that they went to bat for him, and they begged the king to have mercy on him, who had served him so well for so many, many, many years.

Eventually, the king slightly relented, but only enough to give the jester his choice as to how he would die. So the king said to the jester, how do you want to die? The jester said, of old age. Now, in a way, that joke encapsulates the meaning of this day. In fact, if you had to choose two words that summarize the meaning of this eighth day, what would they be?

Two words. The words I chose were grace and mercy. Grace and mercy really summarize the symbolism of this eighth day, because this day God demonstrates his grace and his mercy, not only to us, his church at this time, but to all mankind in the future.

Now, we know if we look back to the days that God set apart for us to observe. If we had to find those holy days in the Bible, all listed together, where would we turn? Alright, I heard some of it. Leviticus 23 outlines God's plan, and it gives those holy days. And this day has an interesting name that's listed there in Leviticus 23, verse 39. What is that day called? The eighth day. That's it. The eighth day. That's the reference in Leviticus 23, 39. If we were to look at Numbers, chapter 29, verse 35, guess what it says there? You don't even have to turn there, because it says exactly the same thing. This day is the eighth day. In fact, Nehemiah chapter 8, verse 18, calls this eighth day a solemn assembly. It's a special day, a sacred day, that God set apart as a special feast day, a solemn day, a sacred day.

And then, of course, as we heard in the sermonette a little bit, Revelation chapter 20 describes the future fulfillment of this day. Because what's going to take place ultimately on this day to fulfill the meaning of this day?

Well, there's going to be a resurrection. There's going to be a resurrection of dry bones, as we heard in the special music as well. Dry bones, like Ezekiel 37 talks about, will come back to physical life. There will be a fulfillment of this day. Sometimes we call it the second resurrection.

We don't want to be there for the second resurrection other than being spirit beings at that time. We want to be in the first resurrection, the better resurrection, where we will be spirit at that time, that the rest of humanity will be resurrected back to physical life.

Sometimes, tying Revelation 20 with that, we call it the Great White Throne Judgment. Because that's when people will be back to physical life, all who had ever lived, and have an opportunity at that time. In fact, sometimes we call it the general resurrection. Those are all the same thing. Second resurrection, Great White Throne Judgment, general resurrection, all the same thing.

It points to something so very special that this is part of the plan and purpose that God established right from the start. So surprising that may be, that Christ said, don't marvel at this. Don't be surprised. Don't be fooled. Don't be shocked by this very fact.

The hour is coming, which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth. That's what Christ said. That was a prophecy. And so we look forward to that time as we fulfill the symbolism today. So who is it that you think of that you can't wait to see? Someone who hasn't been a part of God's church during their lifetime. Someone who didn't understand God's truth. Someone that was lost in this world's darkness. You see, that's why grace and mercy really do summarize and encapsulate what this day is all about. Because God will raise up those individuals back to physical life with an opportunity that will be entirely different than the life that they lived previously.

Now, they're going to have that opportunity to learn and understand the truth. And eventually, have that opportunity to be a part of the family of God. I call that grace and mercy in action. In fact, if we want to look inside the heart of God, I think a passage that summarizes that is one that Paul wrote to the young minister, Timothy.

Look over at 1 Timothy 2. Some might begin to read this particular passage and say, well, what does that have to do with anything? Because Paul tells Timothy to pray for this world's leadership. It's like, well, why would I want to do that? There are a bunch of unconverted individuals out there. They don't know the truth. They don't know God's way. They don't understand. Why should I be praying for the president? Why should I pray for the government? Why should I pray for those that are ruling our cities today? That doesn't seem to fit with what God's all about because we know they don't follow God's way. But yet, there it is, 1 Timothy 2, right at the very beginning of that chapter. Paul writes to Timothy, I exhort, first of all, that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. So we pray for all. Verse 2, he says, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all good godliness and reverence, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. But that's not the only reason. It's not just to pray that they leave us alone, that we may have peace, and that we can worship God in peace and safety and reverence. Yeah, that's a big part of it, but that's not the only purpose. If we don't keep reading, we miss the connection to the eighth day. Notice what it says. Paul says it's a good thing to pray in that way. It's acceptable in the sight of God our Savior. Verse 4, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. You see, there's a connection to this eighth day. God's perspective is grace and mercy, that all mankind will have an opportunity for salvation. And we can begin to live that example of God's way right now, right in front of their eyes, to show that that is God's desire, that is His will. That's what His purpose is all about. And it says then, there's one God, one mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ, who gave Himself a ransom for all. Not just for the church, not just for me, not just for you, but for all mankind. God so loved the world. And so in the second resurrection, the time that this day pictures, the rest of the world will have an opportunity. In fact, they will have to respond to grace and mercy. So for us, we could even ask ourselves, how do I respond to grace and mercy? Because today is not only a day that represents God reaching out to the rest of mankind, but it's also a challenge for us. How do I respond to grace and mercy? We are challenged to understand it. We're challenged to not only understand it, but to practice it and live it. That's our calling, brethren. And it's absolutely essential. Why? Why would God make a special day that's summarized through grace and mercy? I think it's because it's a fundamental part of the character of God.

And of course, when you think about that, is that something we deserve? Is that something that we've earned? Am I worthy of grace and mercy? Well, God, I keep the Sabbath. God, I came to the feast. I'm celebrating the eighth day. I must deserve something. Well, what do I deserve? What do you deserve? The wages of sin is death. That's what we deserve. And yet, what does God extend? Grace and mercy. So I think it's important that we define our terms. If you were to define mercy, what would that sound like? If you came up with an everyday definition of mercy, what would it be? Now, I asked one of my smart alec friends about how they might define mercy. And you know what they said? Well, that's easy. It's French for thank you. Merci, right? No, that's not what we're talking about today. If we talk about mercy, we're talking about a decision. It's a decision not to give someone what they deserve. It's a decision not to give someone what they deserve. It's sort of like withholding a penalty, not giving retribution when that's what's deserved. And in fact, when we put those two together, mercy and grace, it helps round out our definition. If we want to understand that more fully, mercy is not getting what you deserve. A punishment that's withheld. In a way, it's like a judge. When you go before the judge, you are guilty. The judge finds you guilty. But then what does he do? He doesn't punish you. He doesn't give you what you deserve. Now, it's interesting when we tie that in with grace. Our definition for grace is getting what you don't deserve. So God favors us, gives us what we haven't earned. God gives us blessings and favor, which we don't deserve. So grace is like getting something that you can hardly imagine. It is so an amazing blessing that is an inexplicable gift. An amazing gift that God gives us. In fact, if we tie it in with our court analogy, it's like that judge. That same one that found us guilty, now, tying grace, he not only finds us guilty, but he awards us $10 million. That's what grace is. So mercy and grace are two beautiful sides of a coin. And that coin, ultimately, is love. Grace and mercy go together so beautifully to define what this day is all about. Mercy takes us on a path of forgiveness, and grace leads us to reconciliation. And it's not just a little bit of what God is all about. Peter records for us in 1 Peter 5, verse 10. Turn with me over to 1 Peter 5. Just a short little passage. But notice the insight it gives us into God's character as it comes to this beautiful trait of not getting what we deserve, but getting something we can hardly imagine. That's what grace is all about. Getting what we don't deserve. Unmerited favor, that God does favor and love us and bless us. 1 Peter 5, verse 10. Notice what God is like. 1 Peter 5, verse 10. It says, May the God of grace? No, it doesn't say that, does it? 1 Peter 5, 10 says, May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you've suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. And so we see God working in our life through grace, through what we don't deserve, what we have not earned, but that God has favored us and blessed us, and He is the God of all grace. And it doesn't stop there. When we look at the attributes of God's character, we can't leave out mercy. Turn over to Psalm 59, verse 7. Psalm 59, verse 7 describes the other side of that coin of love.

We see the God of all grace, and yet we also see the side of the coin that doesn't give us what we deserve. Look at the side of mercy found in Psalm 59, verse 17. Psalm 59, verse 17, short little passage here, it says, Oh, my strength, I will sing praises, for God is my defense, my God of mercy. We serve a God of mercy. Why? Because we need it. Do you have need for mercy and grace?

Well, hopefully we see our need for mercy. This day is a reminder of that very thing, that we need grace and mercy. You may have heard about the minister that was pulled over for speeding. The policeman began to write out a ticket, and I said to... And this minister said...

The minister said to the policeman, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. The policeman wrote out the ticket, handed it back to the minister, and he said, Go and sin no more. We need mercy. We need grace. And that encapsulates this very day. And one of the amazing attributes of grace and mercy, that certainly symbolizes what happens in the future fulfillment of this day, is that grace and mercy anticipate repentance.

But it doesn't wait for repentance. Now that's an important concept to think of. Grace and mercy anticipate repentance. They look forward to repentance. But they come first. They come before repentance. Turn with me over to Titus 3, verse 3. Here's another young minister. Paul wrote to the young minister, Timothy, also writes to Titus some very similar concepts as he writes to these young men who are beginning to serve God's people in the ministry. And in Titus 3, verse 3, it describes this very fact, how mercy and grace anticipate repentance, but it doesn't wait for repentance.

And so it describes us. In fact, it describes all mankind, the state of the dead who never knew God. This is where they're at. And this is where we were at before God called us to his truth. Notice Titus 3, 3. We ourselves were also once foolish. We were disobedient. We were deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. Boy, that's a description of this world that we live in, isn't it? That's the state of the dead. That's where they lived their whole life in that type of an atmosphere. But, verse 4, when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness by which we've done.

We know what we deserve. We know what we've earned. Death. But according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Christ Jesus our Savior. That having been justified by his grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. And so when did God pour out mercy? When did he pour out grace abundantly? Before we even knew of it.

Before we even realized that. You see, the dead are in that state. They're dead. They know nothing right now. But God has already attributed the fact that he's going to give them grace and mercy.

And he has to do that. Why does that have to happen? Because once they're resurrected, without grace and mercy, there would be no opportunity to understand. It would not understand God's purpose and plan without grace and mercy. So before repentance, God already has grace and mercy right there. This ties in so perfectly with what Paul wrote to God's people in Rome. We know that passage. You can just write down Romans 5, verse 8. That reminds us that God demonstrated his love to us when?

While we were still sinners, grace and mercy anticipated repentance, but it certainly didn't wait on it. It was there while we were ready for it. And so grace anticipates repentance, but doesn't wait on it. And of course, when we think about that, now what are we going to do about it? What will mankind do about it as they come back to life in that great white throne judgment? Well, see, with grace and mercy, there has to be a response.

First response. The first response is that grace and mercy should inspire repentance. It didn't wait on it, but now that it's there, now that they've come back to life, it should inspire repentance. Of course, think about that as it impacts us. When God called us and opened our minds to his truth, did we have to repent?

Absolutely. Absolutely. In fact, look over at Romans 2, verse 4. Romans 2, verse 4 is a great reminder of this very fact, that in the white throne judgment, on this eight day in its fulfillment, that grace and mercy of God that's been extended to them should inspire change.

Romans 2, verse 4 reminds us of that very fact. If it doesn't inspire change, it says, do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance and long suffering? It says, not knowing the goodness of God leads you to repentance. And that's what mankind's going to have to do. Their response has to be one of repentance. So they've got to change their thinking.

That genuine repentance is something that's going to bring a deep sorrow, a great regret, a heartache for the fact that their sins caused the death of the Savior of all mankind. Recognizing that very fact and recognizing that Christ died for them. So they have to rethink that old life, just like we've had to do.

And we have to remember that that grace is something that changes our thinking. We rethink, that's the literal definition of repentance, rethinking. And that rethinking is going to then change our attitude and inspire repentance. So that we recognize where our life has led when we've lived by our own power and our own thinking. When we've got to change that. And then, of course, that inspired repentance takes us right to God. And so even though we are in regret and we just ache because our sins brought about the death of our Savior, it's certainly a reminder that we're not to stay in that state of regret and sorrow and heartache.

That then it brings us right to the throne of God. And of course, we can imagine that time when Christ is reigning and ruling. And He's sitting on His throne. We're told what we need to do at that time when we sin, when we seek forgiveness. What are we to do? Wallow and self-pity? We're supposed to be so discouraged and depressed that we just stay in our sin? Not at all. This day is also a reminder that we are to come boldly to the throne of what?

Grace. Come boldly, Hebrews 4, verse 16, is that reminder. Come boldly to the throne of grace. Don't be so depressed and discouraged in our sins that it doesn't bring us to before God. So we can come before God and not just slinking up to Him, but boldly. Because we know what His answer will be. What will His answer be when we come to Him in true sorrow and regret? Get out of here. No, of course not.

He loves us. Loves us so much. He gave His Son for us. And so no wonder, Hebrews 4, 16 says, come boldly to the throne of grace, and what will we obtain? Mercy. We will obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. That's a promise. That is an absolute promise of God. What are all mankind going to find when they're resurrected and they look back on their dreadful lives? Lived in total opposite way of God's thinking. What are they going to find? A harsh God that's going to bring lightning upon them?

No, they're going to look back on their lives and see what a waste it really was. And they'll see the hope of a future lived by God's standard. And when they turn to God, what will they find? They will obtain grace and mercy. Just like we have. Because we know we deserve death. But grace and mercy for us has inspired repentance. And when we turn to God, we will find it. Every time. Every time when we go to God in repentance. And of course, that also reminds us of a second verse. Going to God in repentance is a great start.

That's where it's got to begin. And the same thing happens in the great white throne judgment. When mankind turns to God, they have the truth open. The Bible is open to them. God's way of understanding comes into their hearts and minds. They repent. They see their sins. They come to the throne of God and obtain grace and mercy. Does it stop there? No. Grace and mercy inspires obedience. It doesn't stop with just repentance. Grace and mercy also has a second response. That one of obedience. You see, we've been given that opportunity now.

And as God opens our minds, and we go before God, and we ask forgiveness, and He grants us that forgiveness, like the policeman said, go and sin no more. That's right. That's what Christ said. More importantly, that's what Christ said. And so we see at the heart, mercy and grace really are a core motivation for obedience.

They're a catalyst for obedience in our life, because we've recognized we're really unfit to make the right choices on how to live. The way I live my life, if it was up to me, well, the Bible describes us. We're blind. We're ignorant. We don't know the way. We don't know how to direct our steps. But with mercy and grace, with God's Holy Spirit, it can be totally different. It's a totally different aspect.

In fact, if you are still there in the book of Romans, take a look at Romans 6. Romans 6 describes the normal, everyday state of mankind. And that is, we are sinners.

We are sinners. But because of the grace and mercy of God, and because He's poured out His Spirit upon us, we can repent. We can change. And we then can respond with obedience. Romans 6, 12. It says, don't let sin rule or reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lust. Don't present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin. And of course, as mankind looks back over their life, over the history of mankind, they're going to see just that.

That's how mankind lived their life. But now, they're alive from the dead. And so, Paul writes, present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead. And that's us now. That's us now. We're living this eighth day in that sense. That we are alive from the dead.

And we symbolize that at our baptism, didn't we? We went under that watery grave, and we killed that old man. And we were resurrected. We came to life with a new life. A new life lived in Christ. And so in verse 14, he says, sin shall not have dominion over you.

For you are not under law, but under grace. And that's what mankind will come to see. When they recognize the penalty of sin is death, you're not under that death penalty. You're not under the death penalty of the law when you repent, and then when you respond with obedience. When we continue to practice sin, we don't change our attitude.

Ultimately, there is no genuine repentance. Then it's death. It's death. That's all that can be in store. And in fact, as we think about it, I think we see this facet of grace and mercy that's also important. When God guides us and corrects us and leads us. Even correction and punishment, for that matter, are acts of mercy and grace. God's teaching, God's training, God's discipline is just that.

That God wants us to change and be like Christ. He has this perfect balance that by mercy and grace we're given the power through God's Holy Spirit. So not only does he demand obedience, but he doesn't leave us to our own ways to try to accomplish it. He equips us so that we can obey. And that same thing will happen in the future as well. Psalm 101 speaks to this beautiful balance. Look at Psalm 101, verse 1, right at the very beginning.

Psalm 101, verse 1. Look at this balance between even grace and mercy and the aspects of correction that tie in with it as well. Psalm 101, verse 1 speaks to that very thing. That all that God does in us and to us is done through his eyes of loving us. It gives us that undeserved favor and blesses us. Psalm 101, verse 1, it says, I will sing of mercy and justice.

In fact, we sing a couple of songs like that here at the feast where we sang about God's great love and mercy and grace. And here it says, I'll sing of mercy and justice to you, O Lord. I will sing praises. I'll behave wisely in a perfect way. Yeah, that grace and mercy leads to obedience. He says, oh, when will you come to me? And we ask that question today. When will Christ return? When will you come to me?

Well, we know he lives in us and through us right now, and that should change our life. So, Psalmist says, I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. It inspires obedience. And so that's an interesting aspect, that even correction and punishment are acts of mercy and grace. And of course, justice fits in here as well. I know some of you are probably going to get your pictures taken today.

We got ours taken a little bit earlier this morning. I looked at that picture. I was like, this is terrible. This picture doesn't do me justice. Of course, the photographer looked at the picture and said, sir, you don't need justice. You need mercy. You see, and we think about that. That's exactly God's approach. We deserve justice, but he gives us mercy and grace. And if we refuse mercy and grace, we take the sacrifice of Christ lightly. If those in the resurrection do that very thing, what alternative does God have? If we don't respond to his calling right now, this is our opportunity. If we don't repent and turn to God in obedience, we turn our back and we take that sacrifice of Christ lightly.

If those in the future do not respond to God's mercy and grace, what alternative does God have?

Other than the lake of fire. You see, that leaves God no other alternative. I mean, that's not what he wants. Not at all. He doesn't want any to perish, but that all should come to repentance. That's what Peter writes. But leaving no alternative to God, even the lake of fire, is an act of mercy.

Because when you live in opposition to God, you are living in pain. You are going to suffer. It is going to be awful. God is going to put mankind out of his misery if they will not come to the truth. And so our response to grace and mercy should inspire obedience.

Now, it doesn't stop there. As we think about the symbolism and fulfillment of this day, there is more to grace and mercy than just receiving it. There is a third response we should have. We are also responsible for giving grace and mercy.

We know Christ said, blessed are the merciful. Blessed are the merciful. Do we demonstrate mercy and grace in our life? You see, this is a reminder for us how we can put this day into practice throughout the year. Do we really demi- because sometimes our patience is going to be challenged. Life is going to present difficulties. That's the nature of life.

We're going to leave this place where we've been living in a beautiful millennial setting. We're going to get back to our job, and those same people we have to work with that are just so irritating are going to be there.

Not talking about the home office. That was in a general sense.

We're going to have those same irritations throughout our days, and we're going to have to deal with them.

I mean, I heard about a graceful kindergarten teacher. Boy, talk about the challenges that teachers have.

One day class had ended, and the teacher was helping one of her little kindergarten students get his boots on. It was wintertime. You know, all the stuff you've got to get on, the little kids in the wintertime. This little one was trying to pull his boots on as hard as he could and just couldn't get them on. So, mercifully, she sees him and goes over there, and she could see why these boots were just something else. So, she started pushing, and he started pulling, and those boots just didn't want to go on. Finally, they did! She got them on, finally! Right at that point, after working up this great sweat getting these boots on, the little boy said, Teacher, they're on the wrong foot! Teacher goes, oh, sure enough, they are! So, they had to pull and strain to get those boots back off, and finally try to get them back on the right feet. So, they're pushing and shoving, getting them back on the right feet. It took forever, it seemed. And finally, they're back on the right feet. And the little boy says, Teacher, these aren't my boots. Oh, you've got to be kidding me! So, Teacher bites her tongue, and then rather than just scream, Why didn't you tell me that in the first place? She starts pulling those boots back off, and she's tugging and pulling at them, finally gets those boots back off again. And, wait a second. Right as she gets them pulled off, the little boy says, These are my brother's boots. So, I've got to put them back on. My mom made me wear them. Oh, great. So, he's pushing those boots back on. She wasn't sure if she'd just laugh or cry or scream. But, she mustered up enough grace to start to put those back on his feet, on the right feet this time. And finally, gets those boots back on, and she says to the little boy, All right, this is fantastic. Where are your mittens? Yeah, the little boy said, I stuffed them in the toes of my boots. Yeah, life is going to be frustrating, isn't it? Life is going to bring frustration. There's no doubt about that. How are we going to respond? Are we going to remember this day? That grace and mercy should be our response, as life brings us all the challenges. You see, all too often in the church, we've demanded justice. We want justice. We love justice. We love judgment. And maybe we've oftentimes been just too critical. Maybe we even loved condemnation. Did you see what they did? Why don't you take care of them? They shouldn't be here. And we have a tendency to have that kind of judgment on others.

But that's not what this day is all about. We shouldn't be that way. You see, do we reflect the character of God the Father and Jesus Christ? That we reflect that character of mercy and judge and grace. Because we have to. We have to. There's a beautiful passage in Colossians 3, verse 12, that shows us our perspective when it comes to demonstrating this. And taking personal responsibility for giving grace and mercy. Notice those attributes described here as Paul writes to God's church in Colossae. And he reminds them and reminds us by extension.

Look at the meaning of this day and put that into practice. This isn't something we're just waiting for in the future for all mankind. As God's chosen people today, we should be responding to that grace and mercy with repentance and obedience. But also extending it to others as well. So Colossians 3, verse 12, it says, therefore, as the elect of God. That's us. We've already been chosen. He says, we're to be holy and beloved.

Put on tender mercies. Interesting that that's the first trait that's mentioned there. Put on tender mercies. You see, because God knows how frustrating life can be and we need to turn to Him every single day. And as His people, God equips us so we can do this very thing. So that we can extend mercy. It is the character of God. And He goes on, we continue to build on that.

Kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another. Yep, we get out in that world. We're going to have to do just that. And yes, we're going to have to forgive one another. And we put it in the proper context. We put it in perspective. If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, you also must do. So in our response, just like those in the Great White Throne Judgment, we're responsible for giving grace to others as well. And what should that do to us?

It should change us. How much should mercy and grace change us? We all should be in the choir. Okay, that sounds kind of funny. But it's true. Isn't that what grace and mercy should do to us? And how much it should change us? We're told just a little bit from here. Look at verse 16. Colossians 3, 16. What does it say when we have God's Word in us? When we put on tender mercies? When we forgive as Christ forgave us? We sing, it says, with grace in our hearts. We put on mercy and it can't help but come out.

That we sing it. It puts a song in our heart. That sounds kind of funny. But that's the level of change. In fact, turn over another page or so. Colossians 4, verse 6. It should change the way we talk. It should change our actions and our speech as well.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one. God says that is so critical and so important. He almost repeats exactly the same words in Ephesians 5, verse 19. That we should have that in our heart. That we should just sing out.

And it can't help but come out of us. That God extended grace and mercy to us and we can't help but give it to others. It has to be that way. Because I think it reflects something that is so vital, that is at the core of God's plan and His purpose for all mankind. Not just in the great white throne judgment, but for us right now as well. Look back to the minor prophets, Micah 6, verse 8. Let's notice how Micah was inspired by God to record this for us.

Look at the level of responsibility that God holds us accountable for. Micah 6, verse 8. We know this is so true because we're sitting here today. We are so blessed by God. And Micah 6, verse 8 reminds us of that very fact. It begins in that passage, verse 8. He has shown you, O man, what is good.

Did you have a good feast? What a blessing. We can have a good life because this feast should encapsulate what our life is all about. God has shown us what is good and what is our response to grace and mercy. What does the Lord require of you? But to do. Obedience. Do justly. Love mercy. And walk humbly with your God. And so as we leave this feast, we could ask, do I truly love mercy? Love it so much it changes who I am. Love it so much I can't help but let it come out of my heart, out of my mind, out of my thinking. And if I don't, Christ gives us a reminder as well. Look back to Matthew 9, verse 13. Matthew 9, verse 13 is such a fantastic reminder of this very fact. We're not quite there yet. And there's still a little bit of the journey that's ahead of us. And with that journey ahead of us, Christ reminds us what we need to do. Matthew 19, verse 13. Matthew 19, 13. Christ tells us our responsibility. Our responsibility in the meantime as we're awaiting the return of Christ, as we look forward to the Second Resurrection, the Great White Throne Judgment, Christ reminds us. Matthew 9, verse 13. Go and learn what this means. Maybe we can take this day and use it as a launching point to learn what God's plan and His purpose are all about at a deeper level. He says, go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I didn't come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. And there we have that beautiful two-sided coin once again. By the grace of God, He's shown us His truth. And now we have a responsibility to go and learn. That means, yes, I increase my understanding of it. I increase my knowledge of that. But it's more than just increasing what I know about it. We know it also means I've got to project that out to others. I've got to live it. I've got to do it as well. And so we've got to put that into practice. And so God gives us that wonderful gift that enables us with the abilities and the strengths to overcome. And He does a miraculous thing that's really just as miraculous as the great resurrection that's on the horizon. I mean, what a phenomenal time to watch dry bones come together and muscles come together on men who live their lives apart from God's way. Phenomenal miracle, but no less miraculous than the transformation He's given us. From our feeble, embarrassing, our puny little efforts of our own, God can change that into something that's effective and satisfying and wonderful and rewarding.

A kind of service that brings honor and glory to Him. This day pictures that very thing. And so as we celebrate this eighth day, we remember the general resurrection. We remember the great white throne judgment, the second resurrection.

And we remember what comes first. It's not about getting what you deserve. God's withheld that punishment. But getting what you don't deserve. What we can hardly imagine. That's what's on the horizon and that's what we experience right now. And these qualities anticipate repentance, but don't wait for it because it will happen. It will happen in the future.

But that must have an impact now. Grace and mercy demand a choice. And so we must respond. We must respond now in repentance and obedience. And not just for ourselves, not just receiving, but we're also responsible for giving.

So as we strive to be like our Heavenly Father and our elder brother, let's clearly grasp the great significance of this time. And thank God for this great day of grace and mercy.