“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news”

Rebellion Rebuked – Future Hope – Humility required- Calling - Forgetting but not forgotten - Justice demanded - Strength for the Weary - Light - Trust -

Rebellion Rebuked – Future Hope – Humility required- Calling - Forgetting but not forgotten - Justice demanded - Strength for the Weary - Light - Trust -

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news”

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses

of the LORD

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

Health?Health?

Answered prayers?Answered prayers?

Shelter and food?Shelter and food?

Family and friends?Family and friends?

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised,

according to all the LORD has done for us - yes, the many

good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to

his compassion and many kindnesses.

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

Health?Health?

Answered prayers?Answered prayers?

Shelter and food?Shelter and food?

Family and friends?Family and friends?

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according

to all the LORD has done for us - yes, the many good things he

has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many

kindnesses. 8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children

who will be true to me”; and so he became their Saviour.

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

More than blessingsMore than blessings

SaviourSaviour

From what?From what?

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according

to all the LORD has done for us - yes, the many good things he

has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many

kindnesses. 8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children

who will be true to me”; and so he became their Saviour. 9 In all

their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his

presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and

carried them all the days of old.

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

More than blessingsMore than blessings

SaviourSaviour

From what?From what?

DistressDistress

RebellionRebellion

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according

to all the LORD has done for us - yes, the many good things he

has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many

kindnesses. 8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children

who will be true to me”; and so he became their Saviour. 9 In all

their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his

love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and

carried them all the days of old.

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

More than blessingsMore than blessings

SaviourSaviour

From what?From what?

DistressDistress

RebellionRebellion

Through mercy

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

Rebellion

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

RebellionSeparation from God

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

RebellionSeparation from God

Recognition and repentance

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

RebellionSeparation from God

Recognition and repentance

??????

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

RebellionSeparation from God

Recognition and repentance

MERCY

What are the kindnesses of God?

What are the kindnesses of God?

His mercyHis mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Biblical cycle of mercy

Relationship with God

Man’s arrogance/self sufficiency/self centredness

RebellionSeparation from God

Recognition and repentance

MERCY

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the

wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their

thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our

God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

Accepting ...Accepting ...

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he

may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let

the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them

turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to

our God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

The importance of now and not later

The importance of now and not later

Accepting ...Accepting ...

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the

wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our

God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

The importance of now and not later

The importance of now and not later

Our wickedness /unrighteousnessOur wickedness /unrighteousness

Accepting ...Accepting ...

x

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the

wicked forsake their ways and the

unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our

God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

The importance of now and not later

The importance of now and not later

Our wickedness /unrighteousnessOur wickedness /unrighteousness

The seriousness of not doing what God wantsThe seriousness of not doing what God wants

Un-loveUn-love

SelfishnessSelfishness

Own thingOwn thing

Accepting ...Accepting ...

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the

wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will

have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

Accepting ... our sinAccepting ... our sin

Turning ...Turning ...

ConfessionConfession

RenouncingRenouncing

Seeking helpSeeking help

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their

thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will

have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.8 “For my thoughts

are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my

ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are

my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than

your thoughts.

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

Accepting ... our sinAccepting ... our sin

Turning ... to GodTurning ... to God

Overcoming ...Overcoming ...

Belief in worthinessBelief in worthiness

Belief in unworthinessBelief in unworthiness

Mercy: deserving the undeserved

“Thou art my righteousness and I am thy sin”

Martin Luther

Living in the mercy of God

Living in the mercy of God

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according

to all the LORD has done for us - yes, the many good things he

has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many

kindnesses. 8 He said, “Surely they are my people, children

who will be true to me”; and so he became their Saviour. 9 In

all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his

presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed

them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

The mercy of God is the real kindness

that makes sense of our other

disappointments

The mercy of God is the real kindness

that makes sense of our other

disappointments

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us 8... he became their Saviour. 9 ... In his love

and mercy he redeemed them

In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them

What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?

Maker and judge of allWe confess the sins which again and again

we have so hurtfully committed against you, our Lord and King.

By right you should be angry and displeased with us.We sincerely repent and are truly sorry

for the wrong things we have done -Their memory is painful and more than we can bear.

Have mercy on us, most merciful Father;For Jesus' sake forgive us all that is past,

And renew our lives from this dayThat we may serve you and please you,

And bring honour and glory to your name;Through Jesus Christ our Lord . Amen.

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us 8... he became their Saviour. 9 ... In his love

and mercy he redeemed them

In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them

What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.Forgive us that so little of your love reaches others through us,that we bear so lightly wrongs and sufferings that are not our own.Forgive us when we cherish things that divide us from othersand make it hard for them to live with us.Forgive us when we are thoughtless in our judgements,hasty in condemnation, grudging in forgiveness and proud in spirit.Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.

 Forgive the poverty of our worship,

the formality and selfishness of our

prayers, our unbelief,our neglect of fellowship,

our false pretences,and our wilful ignorance

of your ways.

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.Forgive us when we waste our time or

misuse our gifts.Forgive us when we excuse our own

wrongdoingor evade our responsibilities.

Forgive us when we refuse to overcome evil with good,

when we speak unchecked words which belong to the darkness, when we draw

back from the cross.

Go on up to the mountain of mercyGo on up to the mountain of mercy

To the crimson,To the crimson, perpetual tide perpetual tide

Kneel down Kneel down on the on the shore,shore,

Be thirsty Be thirsty no moreno more

Go under and Go under and be purifiedbe purified

Follow Christ to the holy mountainFollow Christ to the holy mountain

Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the Sinner, sorry and wrecked by the fallfall

Cleanse your heart and your soulCleanse your heart and your soul In the fountain that flows In the fountain that flows

For you and for me and for allFor you and for me and for all

At the wonderful, tragic, At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious treemysterious tree

On that On that beautiful beautiful

scandalous scandalous night you and night you and

me were me were atoned by His atoned by His

blood and blood and forever forever

washed whitewashed white

On that beautiful scandalous On that beautiful scandalous nightnight

On the hillside you On the hillside you will be deliveredwill be delivered

At the foot At the foot of the of the cross cross

justifiedjustified

And your spirit restoredAnd your spirit restored By the river that pours By the river that pours

From our blessed Saviour’s sideFrom our blessed Saviour’s side

At the wonderful, At the wonderful, tragic, tragic,

mysterious treemysterious tree

On that beautiful, On that beautiful, scandalous night,scandalous night,

you and me you and me were atoned by His blood were atoned by His blood and forever washed whiteand forever washed white

On that beautiful,On that beautiful, scandalous scandalous

nightnight

You carried the sin of mankind You carried the sin of mankind on your backon your back

And the sky went black

Go on up to the mountain of mercyGo on up to the mountain of mercy

To the crimson perpetual tide.To the crimson perpetual tide. Kneel down on the shore, Kneel down on the shore,

be thirsty no more be thirsty no more

Go under and be purifiedGo under and be purified

At the wonderful, tragic, At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious treemysterious tree

On that On that beautiful, beautiful,

scandalous scandalous night; night;

you and me you and me were atoned were atoned by His blood by His blood and forever and forever

washed whitewashed white

On that beautiful scandalous nightOn that beautiful scandalous night

At the wonderful, tragic, At the wonderful, tragic, mysterious treemysterious tree

On that beautiful, scandalous night; you and me

Were atoned by His blood and forever washed white

On that beautiful On that beautiful scandalous nightscandalous night

Miraculous nightMiraculous night

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us 8... he became their Saviour. 9 ... In his love

and mercy he redeemed them

In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them

What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.Forgive us that so little of your love reaches others through us,that we bear so lightly wrongs and sufferings that are not our own.Forgive us when we cherish things that divide us from othersand make it hard for them to live with us.Forgive us when we are thoughtless in our judgements,hasty in condemnation, grudging in forgiveness and proud in spirit.Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.

 Forgive the poverty of our worship,

the formality and selfishness of our

prayers, our unbelief,our neglect of fellowship,

our false pretences,and our wilful ignorance

of your ways.

Lord, have mercy on us and forgive us.Forgive us when we waste our time or

misuse our gifts.Forgive us when we excuse our own

wrongdoingor evade our responsibilities.

Forgive us when we refuse to overcome evil with good,

when we speak unchecked words which belong to the darkness, when we draw

back from the cross.

Isaiah 637 I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us 8... he became their Saviour. 9 ... In his love

and mercy he redeemed them

In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?In what areas of our lives do we need God’s mercy?

Isaiah 556 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways

and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them

What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?What is stopping me living in God’s mercy?