"Everything Depends on God's Mercy"

 

"Everything Depends on God's Mercy"

Romans 9:15-16 "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."

Item	Everything Depends on God's Mercy	Related Scripture
Cause/Origin	1. God's sovereign election and mercy 2. Human efforts or works cannot determine outcomes 3. The nature of God's mercy transcends human understanding	Romans 9:15-16 "For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."
Explanation	1. God's mercy is an objective fact, independent of human feelings 2. People need to clearly recognize and experience God's mercy 3. All spiritual results come from God's mercy	Ephesians 2:4 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us." Matthew 9:13 "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice."
Examples	1. Israel's election and preservation 2. Believers' experience of regeneration and salvation 3. Paul's calling and ministry	Romans 9:23  "And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory."
Application	1. Not relying on one's own zeal and pursuit 2. Allowing the Holy Spirit to lead to the right place 3. Needing a clear vision and encounter with God's mercy 4. Acknowledging that all spiritual gains come from God's mercy	Romans 9:16  "So then it depends not on  human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy."

 

Special Notes:

1.      This truth needs to be seen through revelation

2.      The recognition of God's mercy is a turning point

3.      This recognition brings life transformation

4.      This is an objective spiritual fact, not a subjective feeling

 

*Please refer to: International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones, October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 5: Living Under God's Sovereign Authority and Living According to God's Mercy

God's Sovereign Authority VS God's Sovereign Mercy

 

God's Sovereign Authority VS God's Sovereign Mercy

Rev 4:11 "You are worthy, our Lord...to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed and were created."

Isa 64:8 "But now, O Jehovah, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our Potter; and all of us are the work of Your hand."

Heb 4:16 "Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help." 

Comparison Items	God's Sovereign Authority	God's Sovereign Mercy
Meaning	- Refers to God's infinite authority, power, and position - God is sovereign over all, above all, behind all, and in all - God has complete power to fulfill His will and eternal economy	- The furthest-reaching attribute of God - Reaches further than His grace and love - Entirely dependent on God's sovereign decision
Distinctions	- Emphasizes God's sovereignty and power - Focuses on God's rule and control - Demonstrates God's position and actions	- Emphasizes God's compassion and love - Focuses on God's redemption of man - Demonstrates God's grace to the unworthy
Explanation	- Like a potter has complete authority over clay - Can determine whether vessels are honorable or dishonorable - Man cannot talk back to the Creator	- Not dependent on man's will or running - Entirely based on God's initiative - The only hope for man's salvation
Examples	- God creates and controls all things - Predestines and chooses His vessels - Determines man's destiny and purpose	- Israel's election by God - Sinners receiving redemption - Believers walking in the way of recovery
Application	- Submit to God's arrangement - Accept God's leading - Recognize one's identity and position	- Not rely on one's own efforts - Thank God for His mercy - Seek the Lord daily
Relationship Between the Two	1. Mutual Foundation: God's authority is the basis for executing mercy; mercy manifests the goodness of God's authority 2. Complementary: Authority gives mercy power; mercy gives authority warmth 3. Working Together: Executing mercy through authority; manifesting authority through mercy
Related Scripture	1. God's Absolute Sovereignty: - Dan 4:34-35 "His dominion is an eternal dominion...He does as He pleases...No one can hold back His hand..." 2. God's Authority as Potter: - Rom 9:20-21 "Who are you, O man, who answers back to God? Shall the thing molded say to him who molded it, Why did you make me thus? Or does not the potter have authority over the clay to make out of the same lump one vessel unto honor and another unto dishonor?" - Jer 18:6 "Can I not deal with you as this potter does?...As the clay is in the potter's hand, so you are in My hand." 3. God's Creative Authority: - Isa 42:5 "Thus says God...who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread forth the earth and what springs from it, who gives breath to the people upon it..." 4. God's Electing Authority: - Eph 1:4-5,11 "Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world...predestinating us...according to the good pleasure of His will..."	1. God's Sovereign Mercy: - Rom 9:15-16 "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." 2. God's Rich Mercy: - Eph 2:4 "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us..." - Matt 9:13 "I desire mercy and not sacrifice." 3. The Effect of God's Mercy: - Heb 4:16 "Let us therefore come forward with boldness to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace for timely help." - Rom 11:32 "For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." 4. Seeking God's Mercy: - Jer 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me if you search for Me with all your heart." - Deut 4:29 "And you will seek Jehovah your God from there and find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

 

This table comprehensively analyzes the relationship between God's sovereign authority and mercy. Special attention should be paid to:

 

l   These two aspects are not opposing concepts, but rather complementary to each other

l   God's authority is the foundation for His execution of mercy

l   We need to both know God's authority and experience His mercy

 

*Please refer to: International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones, October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 5: Living Under God's Sovereign Authority and Living According to God's Mercy

Who God Is VS Who We Are - Complete Comparative Analysis

 

Who God Is VS Who We Are - Complete Comparative Analysis

Isaiah 42:5 "Thus says God the LORD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread out the earth and its offspring, Who gives breath to the people on it And spirit to those who walk in it."

Isaiah 64:8 "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; and we all are the work of Your hand." 

Analysis Aspects	Who God Is	Who We Are	Their Relationship	Practical Application	Related Scripture
Essential Position	- Sovereign over all - Creator - Potter	- Created beings - Clay - Vessels	- Creator-creature relationship - Shaper-shaped relationship - Sovereignty-submission relationship	- Recognize God's sovereign authority - Accept our created position - Maintain our created duty	- Rev 4:11 "You created all things" - Isa 42:5 "God who created the heavens" - Jer 18:1-6 "Like clay in the potter's hand" - Rom 9:20-21
Authority  & Power	- Possesses infinite authority - Above all things - Acts according to His will	- No right to resist God's will - Cannot talk back to Creator - Submit under God's authority	- Ruler-ruled relationship - Ordainer-ordained relationship - Authority-obedience relationship	- Fear God's authority - Submit to God's leading - Accept God's arrangement	- Dan 4:34-35 "King of heaven" - Rom 9:19-20 "Who are you to talk back to God?" - 1 Kings 22:19 "sitting on His throne"
Sovereign Acts	- Acts according to eternal purpose - Makes various vessels - Shows mercy and chooses	- Being shaped - Being made - Being chosen	- Maker-made relationship - Chooser-chosen relationship - Mercy giver-receiver relationship	- Thank God for His selection - Receive God's mercy - Cooperate with God's making	- Eph 1:4-5,9-11 "according to His good pleasure" - Rom 9:21-23 "Potter's authority" - 2 Tim 2:20-21 "vessel for honor"
Glory Purpose	- Express glorious riches - Execute salvation plan - Fulfill eternal economy	- Contain God - Express God's glory - Become honorable vessels	- Glory-expression relationship - Content-container relationship - Riches-containment relationship	- Pursue being filled with God - Live out God's glory - Become useful vessels	- Rom 9:23 "make known the riches of His glory" - 2 Cor 4:7 "treasure in earthen vessels" - Eph 1:11 "obtained an inheritance"
Implementation Process	- Choose according to will - Actively show grace & mercy - Continually make & renew	- Being chosen - Receiving grace - Accepting making	- Giver-receiver relationship - Grace-reception relationship - Making-cooperation relationship	- Cherish God's selection - Enjoy God's grace - Cooperate with God's work	- Eph 1:5 "according to His good pleasure" - Rom 9:18 "He has mercy on whom He desires" - Phil 2:13 "works in you"

Key Summary:

1.      Basic Principles

o   God has absolute sovereignty; humans should fully submit

o   God is Creator and Shaper; humans are created beings and being shaped

o   All things are for God's glory

2.      Practice Points

o   Acknowledge and respect God's sovereignty

o   Willingly accept God's making

o   Strive to become useful vessels

o   Live out God's glorious testimony

3.      Way of Blessing

o   Experience God through submission

o   Be renewed in His making

o   Be enriched in containing Him

o   Be well-pleasing in expressing Him

Original Theme Analysis:

"Who God Is VS Who We Are" reveals the fundamental relationship between God and humans based on biblical truth. This theme explores:

1.      Divine Perspective

o   God's sovereign authority

o   His creative power

o   His eternal purpose

o   His sovereign rights

2.      Human Position

o   Our created status

o   Our dependent nature

o   Our vessel function

o   Our responding role

3.      Relationship Dynamics

o   Creator-creature interaction

o   Sovereign-servant relationship

o   Potter-clay formation

o   Content-container purpose

4.      Practical Implications

o   Understanding divine authority

o   Accepting human position

o   Living out proper relationship

o   Fulfilling divine purpose

This theme fundamentally addresses the core questions of existence, purpose, and relationship between God and humans, providing essential understanding for spiritual life and practical living.

*Please refer to: International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones, October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 5: Living Under God's Sovereign Authority and Living According to God's Mercy