Grace Community Bible Church Sermons

Pastor Rob Davis: Divine Justice: The Standard and Definition

Divine justice is the attribute of God by which all of His actions are just because they flow from and are governed by His perfect character.

The standard of divine justice is God’s character.

1. Proof #1—God’s character is just.
2. Proof #2—God’s actions (which flow from and validate His character) are just:
   1. Rewarding believers because of Christ’s merits applied to them.
   2. Fulfilling His promises.
   3. Judging:
      1. in righteousness.
      2. with impartiality.
3. Proof #3—God’s punishment of sin (which is necessitated by His righteous, impartial judging) is just.
4. Proof #4—God’s punishment of His Son (which is required by and vindicates His just and merciful character) is just.

Pastor Rob Davis: Matt. 21:1-11

In Matthew 21:1-11 (and Luke 19:39-44 and John 12:19) we are shown four facets of Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem.

1. Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem was preceded by preparation.
   1. Through the Lord’s omniscience.
      1. The donkey procured (vv. 1-3).
      2. The prophecy fulfilled (vv. 4, 5).
   2. Through the people’s obedience (vv. 6, 7a).
2. Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem was a peasant’s processional (vv. 7b, 8).
3. Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem included a proclamation of praise (v. 9).
4. Jesus’ “triumphal” entry into Jerusalem was followed by perplexing pronouncements.
   1. By the crowd (vv. 10, 11).
   2. By the Pharisees (John 12:19).
   3. By Jesus (Luke 19:39-44).

Pastor Rob Davis: Matt. 20:29-34

In Matthew 20:29-34 Jesus heals two blind men and contrasts those who follow Him merely physically (without saving faith) and those who follow Him spiritually (with saving faith).

1. The physically sighted but spiritually blind crowd merely physically follows Jesus (vv. 29, 31a).
   1. They refuse to show mercy to the blind men (vv. 29-31a).
   2. They rebuke the blind men’s request for mercy (v. 31a).
2. The physically blind but spiritually sighted men spiritually follow Jesus.
   1. Their request for mercy is persistent (vv. 30, 31b).
   2. Their request for mercy is specific (vv. 32, 33).
   3. Their request for mercy is answered (v. 34).

Pastor Rob Davis: Matt. 20:20-28

In Matthew 20:20-28 James and John (through their mother) seek greatness in the kingdom and Jesus teaches us both negatively and positively about true greatness.

1. True greatness is not achieved by:
   1. Exercising our influence or status (vv. 20, 21).
   2. Exercising our abilities (vv. 22, 23).
   3. Exercising our rights (v. 24).
   4. Exercising our power or authority (v. 25).
2. True greatness is achieved by:
   1. Becoming a servant (v. 26).
   2. Becoming a slave (v. 27).
   3. Becoming like Jesus (v. 28).