Mercy Received, Mercy Given
Nick Johnson
• When sinful men and women turn a faithful expectation into a presumptuous one, they stop being amazed by it.
Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD has said: 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'" And Aaron held his peace. — Leviticus 10:3
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. — Genesis 6:5
• God endures with patience what deserves destruction, so that the riches of His glory might be displayed in the people He means to show mercy.
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. — Hebrews 2:17
• Jesus' earthly ministry was built on mercy, so that the mercy of God could be bought at the cross.
• Spurgeon said, "gratitude for one mercy refreshes the memory as to thousands of others."
Discussion Questions
1. The sermon opens with the image of a stream you stop hearing because you've lived near it too long. In what areas of your life have you grown numb to God's mercy — where have you started treating His grace as something expected rather than something amazing?
2. Aaron stood silent when his sons were struck down because he knew he himself had deserved the same judgment at Sinai and was spared. How does remembering a specific moment of undeserved mercy in your own life change the way you respond when God's holiness feels severe or hard to accept?
3. The sermon describes God's holiness as a single light that breaks into colors — justice in one direction, mercy in another — and says the fire that should have fallen on us fell on Jesus instead. How does seeing the cross as the place where God's holiness and mercy meet change the way you think about what you've been forgiven?
4. The message challenges us to show mercy in two directions: to fellow believers and to those still outside the faith. Which of those two directions is harder for you right now, and what do you think is at the root of that resistance?
5. Spurgeon said, "Gratitude for one mercy refreshes the memory as to thousands of others." What is one specific mercy — recent or long-standing — you could bring to mind at the start of each day this week to keep your heart from going numb?