God's Patience - 9/13/09pm

Ezekiel 20:1-4 -The elders of Israel seek the Lord
Ezekiel 20:5-9 -Israel’s unfaithfulness when coming out of Egypt
Ezekiel 20:10-17 -Israel’s unfaithfulness on the way to Canaan
Ezekiel 20:18-24 -Israel’s unfaithfulness when wandering in the wilderness
Ezekiel 20:25-26 -The depths of Israel’s depravity
Ezekiel 20:27-32 -Israel’s unfaithfulness in the promised land

Romans 9:18-33 -God’s patience had a purpose: it was for those who were obedient, and those to come who would be obedient
Israel had been rebellious against God, yet the Lord did not destroy them. Why? Because there were those that would come later that would serve the Lord, and by patiently enduring those who rebelled, He could show mercy on those who did not. In short, that God was patient with rebellious Israel so that we today might be saved.

Romans 2:1-11 -Do not despise God’s patience, leading to repentance
Some in Rome had been unrighteous judging others of the same thing they themselves had been doing. Paul here makes a point: God has shown patience to those that sin that they might repent of what they are doing and turn back to following Him. We too should have this attitude. Not to tolerate and accept the sin, but to patiently strive to turn the sinner back to God and to give opportunity and time for such to happen.

I Timothy 1:12-17 -Paul is an example of God’s patience
Paul serves as an example of God’s patience. The Lord did not destroy Paul when he blasphemed and persecuted the Lord’s church. Instead, opportunity was provided for Paul to repent and obey the Lord.

I Peter 3:18-22 -God’s patience in the days of Noah led to salvation
Christ, through Noah, preached what men must do. They rejected the word of God and continued in their sin, leading to their “imprisonment.” Nonetheless, eight were saved by the Lord’s patience. Instead of immediately destroying all, he gave opportunity for salvation.

II Peter 3:1-18 -”The longsuffering of our Lord is salvation”
The Lord has not destroyed the earth, giving opportunity for all men to obey the gospel and have eternal salvation. Will you not obey the gospel? Or will you delay until God’s patience has reached its end and it is too late?