"The Shining Face of God"

Me:

When I was a young man, I can remember many times being in trouble and my parents having to deal with my infraction. I did not always receive a spanking, but you can rest assured that if it were a spanking that I needed there would be one forthcoming! There was always that excruciatingly painful time between the moment your parents found out what you had done and the moment you received your punishment! But you know as much as I dreaded the punishment there was something else that troubled my spirit much more and that was that I knew my parents were disappointed and ashamed of my behavior.

We:

In fact, I would wager that many of you could probably relay stories that are very similar to mine from your childhood. And I bet some of them would be very interesting indeed! While disappointment and punishment can be very powerful deterrents to misbehavior, I believe there is an even greater motivator to help us make good choices and refuse sinful temptation. In fact, I believe that what God's word has to say on this matter has the potential to change our lives forever if we can just grasp its truth. The scripture will be looking at tonight shows us how God deals with difficult relationships, how he handles those who have wronged him and desire to live sinful lives without his input. We could take a second here and recall our own relationships with difficult people in our lives. Once we have those people in our thoughts then we need to turn the mirror of introspection onto ourselves and realize that we are those people to God.

Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned every one to his own way; And the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

How does God deal with us, his children? How does he motivate us to do better?

God:

Psalm 67:title To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.

Psalm 67:title KJV 1900

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song.

Psalm 67:1 God be merciful unto us, and bless us; And cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

Psalm 67:2 That thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations.

Psalm 67:3 Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee.

Psalm 67:4 O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: For thou shalt judge the people righteously, And govern the nations upon earth. Selah.

Psalm 67:5 Let the people praise thee, O God; Let all the people praise thee.

Psalm 67:6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; And God, even our own God, shall bless us.

Psalm 67:7 God shall bless us; And all the ends of the earth shall fear him.

3 ways God deals with His children - vs 1

1. With holds punishment we deserve!

Numbers 14:18 The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

2. Gives us what we do not deserve!

Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

3. Smiles at us with approval!

Numbers 6:25 The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

2 Results of how God deals with His children - vs 2

1. “God’s Way” will be known!

Ezekiel 18:25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

2. Sinners will desire Salvation!

It’s God’s Mercy, blessing and approval that gets the attention of a lost world! Kings and queens visited Solomon because of God’s blessing. The world turns to the USA because of God’s blessing. When God removes his blessing no one cares!

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

You:

So, what about you? Are there people in your life that you could demonstrate God's mercy too? Are there people in your life that you could bestow blessing upon? Is there someone in your life that needs your approval?h

We:

You know people who live in the world in sin are living extremely difficult lives. Sometimes you and I take for granted all the benefits we receive by knowing how to handle situations the way God would handle them. We have his word and the end welling power of the Holy Spirit to teach us every minute of every day. Those in the world do not have these advantages. They need us. They need us to demonstrate the mercy of God. They need us to pour undeserved blessing upon them. Most of all they need to know that we love and approve of them and our hearts desire is it they too will trust Jesus as their savior and began to experience the advantages of a life lived for him!

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.