Wrath and Grace
Commentary
There are those who find great difficulty in resolving what is for them a conflict between the concepts of God's grace and his wrath.
For some, wrath is the face God wore during Old Testament times and grace is the face he shows us in the New Testament.
For others, wrath seems to be the way God punishes us when we are disobedient while grace is his reward for those who do his will.
Somewhere Martin Luther gives us a clarification when he notes that wrath and grace are like the two sides of a coin, the two sides of God's love. What Luther means is: whether we experience his face of grace or of wrath, what we are facing is God's action meant to drive us to him and to the gift of salvation.
Wrath is not just anger, nor the venting of spleen. Wrath is not enmity or hatred. Wrath is God's unwillingness to tolerate evil and, as Gustaf Aulen says, is evidence of his unyielding opposition to sin. That opposition is meant to awaken, startle, challenge, chasten, (choose whatever words you wish), and drive us back to him just as his love seeks to woo us home again.
Re-read Francis Thompson's Hound of Heaven and discover the depth of meaning he finds in wrath. Then read Isaiah 43:1-7 and discover the purpose of grace and wrath. Both are instruments of his love for us.
OUTLINE I
The Ears Through Which We Hear God
2 Chronicles 36:14-23; Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21
Introduction: Begin by asking the questions: "Which motivates us most readily to repentance? Is it the threat of wrath and judgment or is it the realization of the reality of God's grace and mercy? Are our scripture lessons in conflict?"
A. Choose illustrations from biblical sources and from the history of the church that are meant to illustrate both. Extreme examples of the hope of motivation by wrath are burnings at the stake (destruction of the body for the sake of the soul) and the Inquisition.
B. Show how we distort the message when we move too far in one direction or the other. There is a tension here requiring that we do not lose the value of one while extolling the meaning of the other.
C. Re-read the theme articles and do some homework in this area in an effort to enable the hearers to see that God is always the same and how we perceive him, judging or loving, is generally the result of the situation in which we encounter him. When I had been obedient and good and my father called my name, I heard a caring father's voice no matter what he had in mind. When I was involved in those things my father disapproved, no matter what he had in mind, I was sure his tone of voice revealed that he was after me. My ears interpreted the voice.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to make the decision for obedience and fidelity. Then, no matter how they encounter God, they will perceive him as love.
OUTLINE II
Get Ready
John 3:14-21
Introduction: This is a good place to point out that most of us never get past John 3:16. We all know the verse. It is important to us. It speaks of God's intent. Unfortunately, not all are pleased by that intent.
A. Make it clear the good news for some is the bad news for others.
B. Apply this axiom to individual situations. If the good news of grace requires a response of a changed life and we do not want to change, then this is not good news.
C. Apply the insight to nations and institutions. If the good news causes some to begin to regain their self-worth, to seek freedom, to believe that God did not intend them to be servile or second class, then trouble is certain for someone. If the good news leads some to protest exploitation, to seek justice, to pursue peace, there will be those who will fight back.
Conclusion: Remind the hearers if they really do plan to get serious about being Christian and carrying out what they believe, they'd better be ready. Jesus tried it and discovered that those who hate the light are quick to try to extinguish it.
OUTLINE III
Being Good Listeners
Ephesians 2:4-10
Introduction: A reminder of the overall purpose of the letter to the Ephesians -- to bring unity in all things through the church -- will serve as an adequate background. The emphasis should be put on the fact that the church is meant to be the instrument. It is God who accomplishes the unity by the gift of his spirit.
A. Unity is grounded in the gift of grace. When all realize that, then, in gratitude, they make themselves available as channels of that grace to others.
B. Of course, it is not our works moving God to do what he does, but that does not mean we are to do nothing. Our works are not meant to activate God. Rather, they are our response to a God who has already acted. See 2 Corinthians 5:19.
C. What is taking place then is what God has always had in mind. We are, like the people of Israel, meant to be instruments of his purposes. See Isaiah 42:1-7.
Conclusion: Seek to engender a spirit of humility and gratitude on the part of the hearer. Such a spirit will make better listeners of us. Good listeners have a better chance of being helpful instruments in the hand of God.
For some, wrath is the face God wore during Old Testament times and grace is the face he shows us in the New Testament.
For others, wrath seems to be the way God punishes us when we are disobedient while grace is his reward for those who do his will.
Somewhere Martin Luther gives us a clarification when he notes that wrath and grace are like the two sides of a coin, the two sides of God's love. What Luther means is: whether we experience his face of grace or of wrath, what we are facing is God's action meant to drive us to him and to the gift of salvation.
Wrath is not just anger, nor the venting of spleen. Wrath is not enmity or hatred. Wrath is God's unwillingness to tolerate evil and, as Gustaf Aulen says, is evidence of his unyielding opposition to sin. That opposition is meant to awaken, startle, challenge, chasten, (choose whatever words you wish), and drive us back to him just as his love seeks to woo us home again.
Re-read Francis Thompson's Hound of Heaven and discover the depth of meaning he finds in wrath. Then read Isaiah 43:1-7 and discover the purpose of grace and wrath. Both are instruments of his love for us.
OUTLINE I
The Ears Through Which We Hear God
2 Chronicles 36:14-23; Numbers 21:4-9; Ephesians 2:4-10; John 3:14-21
Introduction: Begin by asking the questions: "Which motivates us most readily to repentance? Is it the threat of wrath and judgment or is it the realization of the reality of God's grace and mercy? Are our scripture lessons in conflict?"
A. Choose illustrations from biblical sources and from the history of the church that are meant to illustrate both. Extreme examples of the hope of motivation by wrath are burnings at the stake (destruction of the body for the sake of the soul) and the Inquisition.
B. Show how we distort the message when we move too far in one direction or the other. There is a tension here requiring that we do not lose the value of one while extolling the meaning of the other.
C. Re-read the theme articles and do some homework in this area in an effort to enable the hearers to see that God is always the same and how we perceive him, judging or loving, is generally the result of the situation in which we encounter him. When I had been obedient and good and my father called my name, I heard a caring father's voice no matter what he had in mind. When I was involved in those things my father disapproved, no matter what he had in mind, I was sure his tone of voice revealed that he was after me. My ears interpreted the voice.
Conclusion: Invite the congregation to make the decision for obedience and fidelity. Then, no matter how they encounter God, they will perceive him as love.
OUTLINE II
Get Ready
John 3:14-21
Introduction: This is a good place to point out that most of us never get past John 3:16. We all know the verse. It is important to us. It speaks of God's intent. Unfortunately, not all are pleased by that intent.
A. Make it clear the good news for some is the bad news for others.
B. Apply this axiom to individual situations. If the good news of grace requires a response of a changed life and we do not want to change, then this is not good news.
C. Apply the insight to nations and institutions. If the good news causes some to begin to regain their self-worth, to seek freedom, to believe that God did not intend them to be servile or second class, then trouble is certain for someone. If the good news leads some to protest exploitation, to seek justice, to pursue peace, there will be those who will fight back.
Conclusion: Remind the hearers if they really do plan to get serious about being Christian and carrying out what they believe, they'd better be ready. Jesus tried it and discovered that those who hate the light are quick to try to extinguish it.
OUTLINE III
Being Good Listeners
Ephesians 2:4-10
Introduction: A reminder of the overall purpose of the letter to the Ephesians -- to bring unity in all things through the church -- will serve as an adequate background. The emphasis should be put on the fact that the church is meant to be the instrument. It is God who accomplishes the unity by the gift of his spirit.
A. Unity is grounded in the gift of grace. When all realize that, then, in gratitude, they make themselves available as channels of that grace to others.
B. Of course, it is not our works moving God to do what he does, but that does not mean we are to do nothing. Our works are not meant to activate God. Rather, they are our response to a God who has already acted. See 2 Corinthians 5:19.
C. What is taking place then is what God has always had in mind. We are, like the people of Israel, meant to be instruments of his purposes. See Isaiah 42:1-7.
Conclusion: Seek to engender a spirit of humility and gratitude on the part of the hearer. Such a spirit will make better listeners of us. Good listeners have a better chance of being helpful instruments in the hand of God.
