God Gives Mercy To The Unjust

Big Truth:

God Gives Mercy To The Unjust

Micah 7:18-19; Romans 3:21-25; 5:8; 1 Peter 1:3–5

Bible Verse:

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James 2:13b

Big Ideas:

  • God, who is just, pursues those who are unjust.
  • There is no human being who deserves God’s mercy.
  • God gives mercy to those who turn from sin and trust in Him.
  • God’s mercy triumphs over judgment through the true and greater Jonah.

Bible Story:

Jonah 1:1-4:11

God commanded Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to tell the Ninevites that they were going to be destroyed because of their sinful ways. Jonah disobeyed God and instead headed toward Tarshish. God did not allow Jonah to continue in his disobedience. He pursued Jonah, causing a great storm in the sea, which resulted in Jonah being thrown overboard. It was through God’s mercy that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish and his life was saved. Jonah then went to Nineveh and the Ninevites heard Jonah’s message and repented of their sins. God spared them, showing them mercy instead of the justice that they deserved. God pursues the unjust to show them mercy because He is a merciful God.

Foundation:

God Is Just – God Gives Mercy

Every decision that God makes is perfect and completely just. He is a good judge who cannot and does not allow evil to go unpunished. This means that God must punish injustice. The problem that we all face is that we are unjust sinners. We deserve justice. God’s justice is why we need a substitute, and He sent Jesus to become that substitute. Instead of justice, those who place their faith in Jesus receive mercy.

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Every child should know that:

  • God’s justice means He always does what is right
  • God’s mercy means that he does not give us what we deserve

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Every child should be able to:

  • Think about the decisions they have to make in light of what God says is right and wrong
  • Obey God because He always does what is right

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Every child should feel:

Thankful because God shows us mercy when we do not do what is right

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Every child should want:

  • To trust God and to obey Him because He is just