The Rev. Lowell Ivey presented the story of how he came to Christ while serving 15 years in prison in Texas, and then how he was called into the gospel ministry. He also spoke about Metanoia Prison Ministries, an agency of the Presbyterian Church in America, of which he is the director.

Salvation is entirely of God — by grace alone, through faith alone, for the glory of God alone. I. God's Grace A. Not by human effort B. By the sovereign, initiating grace of God alone II. God's Gift A. Grace received through faith B. Faith itself a gift of God C. Not a work of man III. God's Glory A. We are His workmanship B. Created in Christ for good works C. To the praise of His glory

Theme: God condemns unfaithfulness. I. The Nature of Unfaithfulness A. Deliberate [worse than the lack of caring of the sluggard] 1. Refusing to listen 2. Refusing to do 3. Having an attitude of rejection a. Abhorring—casting off; loathing b. Despising B. Breaking the Lord's covenant (v. 15)—that's the key 1. What is a covenant? a. An agreement between two or more parties b. Covenants have been used throughout history: marriage; property; HOA; Mayflower Compact; U.S. Constitution c. A treaty is in many ways a covenant—sometimes explicitly d. National covenants [Covenanters] e. Church covenants [congregational] f. Stipulations g. Blessings for obedience, curses for unfaithfulness 2. We make covenants, because God is a covenant-making God 3. God made two distinct, overarching covenants with man a. The covenant of works—man could earn salvation b. The covenant of grace—salvation not by works, but via faith Application A. Do not think that you can earn your salvation by your own works 1. If you believe that, you will go straight to hell 2. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone B. Believe in Jesus 1. Trust in Him and His grace and His sacrifice on the cross 2. And then live for Him, out of gratitude, not out of payment

Theme: The Bible condemns unreliability. I. The Sluggard A. A sluggard—slothful; lazy B. The various descriptions 1. Characterized by laziness—Proverbs 22:13; 26:13-14 2. He's not a self-starter—Proverbs 6:9-10 3. He doesn't finish things—Proverbs 12:27; 19:24; 26:15 4. He will not face things—Proverbs 20:4; 22:13; 26:13-16 5. He is restless—Proverbs 13:4; 21:25-26 6. He is helpless in the tangle of his affairs—Prov. 15:19 7. He is useless—Proverbs 18:9; 10:26 II. The Irresponsibility A. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes B. The meaning—irritation and frustration leading to tears III. Examples of Irresponsibility A. Real-world examples B. Personal examples 1. Forgetting to set the alarm clock and being late to work 2. Neglecting to pay a bill on time 4. Committing to doing a job in church but not doing it 5. Neglecting divine worship 6. Not tithing Application A. Don't despair if you've ever been guilty of neglecting a duty B. Consider whether your being neglectful is due to laziness C. Entrust yourself to Jesus, who was never undependable

Theme: Jesus tells His disciples to do good to all men. I. The Command to Do Good (vv. 27-31) A. General: "Love your enemies"; "Do good to them" B. Blessing: "Bless them that curse you"; "And pray for them" C. Forbearance (v. 29) D. Charity (v. 30) E. Summation (v. 31)—the Golden Rule II. Inadequate Goodness (vv. 32-34) A. Three instances B. Explanation—even sinners do the same III. The Reasons for Goodness (vv. 35-38) A. Repetition of the injunction/command to lend (v. 35a) B. Reward (v. 35b) C. Inheritance (v. 35c) D. Imitation (vv. 35d, 36) E. Law of justice (vv. 37-38) Application A. Root out weeds and false fruit B. Live out a life of goodness as set forth in Romans 12:9-21 C. Rejoice in Christ's fulfillment of this fruit

Theme: Jesus tells His disciples to do good to all men. I. The Command to Do Good (vv. 27-31) A. General: "Love your enemies"; "Do good to them" B. Blessing: Bless those who curse you and pray for them C. Forbearance (v. 29) 1. "And to him who smites you in the cheek, offer the other" 2. "and from him who takes away your cloak . . ." 3. Major lessons a. Forego minor injuries b. Don't engage in private vengeance c. Have a proper attitude D. Charity (v. 30) 1. "Give to everyone who asks you" 2. "[He] who takes away your goods, ask them not again" E. Summation (v. 31) 1. "And as you would that men would do to you, . . ." 2. A word of warning regarding misuse of the Golden Rule Application A. Don't be fooled by those who would misuse the Golden Rule 1. Those who would distort its meaning 2. It is not simply what any religion can teach a. Man is not able to fulfill it in his own strength b. This love for man is based properly on a love for God B, Never forget or neglect the gospel as the foundation 1. Evil has to be rooted out via the gospel 2. Contra utilitarianism being the motive, Jesus said, "for this is the law and the prophets"; not, "This is the best policy" 3. Only the Holy Spirit can bring about goodness in the heart

God contrasts the kindnesses of the righteous and the wicked. I. The Kindness of the Righteous A. Regarding animals B. Regarding other people [lesser to greater] II. The Kindness of the Wicked A. The natural inclination of the wicked is toward cruelty B. Yet, the wicked regard such as being "tender mercies" C. Scriptural examples 1. Balaam and his ass (Numbers 22:22-32) 2. Judah sold Joseph (Genesis 37:26-28) 3. Nahash threatening to blind the right eyes (I Sam. 11:1-2) 4. Rehoboam treated his own people with contempt Observation—examples of cruelty to avoid Application A. Understand why this contrast is in this verse B. Look by faith to Jesus, who suffered greatly from cruel tender mercy: Matthew 27:34; Luke 23:13-16

God contrasts the kindnesses of the righteous and the wicked. I. The Kindness of the Righteous A. Regarding the animals 1. Because it makes sense—animals are his servants 2. Because the beast is God's creature 3. Providing for beasts (Deuteronomy 22:6-7; 25:4) B. Surely we can argue from the lesser to the greater C. To whom is the righteous man to be merciful? 1. His animals—Genesis 24:19, 32; 33:13-14 2. His enemies—Psalm 35:11-16 3. His children—Colossians 3:21 4. His wife—Colossians 3:19; I Peter 3:7 Application A. Follow the example we are to display—God's mercy 1. "blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy" 2. God has been abundantly kind to us 3. He sends rain on the just and on the unjust 4. Psalm 36:7; 103:8; 145:9, 15-16; Lamentations 3:22-23 5. He expects us to be merciful to others a. Bowels of compassion (Colossians 3:12-13; I John 3:17) b. Actually doing what is merciful (James 2:16) 6. Avoid fake fruit and artificial kindness B. Hold onto Jesus, who showed great compassion 1. Mark 1:40-44 (re leper); 8:1-2 (multitudes without food) 2. Luke 7:11-15 (widow who had lost her only son) 3. Luke 7:19-23 (answer given to John's disciples) 4. John 20:11-18 5. How do we do this? a. Make sure that you're engaged in kind acts with a view to God's glory b. May your kindnesses be offered as gratitude for Christ's sacrifice (1) Not as something that is meritorious (2) Offered as good works on the basis of Christ's atonement c. Rely on Christ's imputed righteousness (1) Those deeds of kindness were in fulfillment of the law (2) Therefore, embrace Him and trust in His righteousness

Theme: Paul instructs us to cultivate kindness. I. Context of Holy Living A. Truth B. Anger C. Provision D. Edification E. Kindness II. Culmination of Duties A. These prior duties deal with kindness or lack thereof B. Command—"Be kind" 1. The nature of kindness a. Benevolence; good will b. The Good Samaritan c. Christocentric: chreistoi—pun with christos 2. This kindness is a Spirit-imparted goodness of heart 3. "to one another" C. Result—forgiving one another 1. Luke 7:42; Matt. 18:33; Col. 3:12 2. Just as God in Christ has forgiven you D. Foundation—being tender-hearted (splangchnon) III. Cultivation of Kindness A. Cherish one another B. Consider God's great love C. Contemplate Christ's great sacrifice [5:2] Application A. Respect human dignity B. Build up one another in the Body of Christ C. Develop the sense of community