Big Idea:
Trust God to reveal His great and tender mercy TO you and THROUGH you.

• God's great and tender mercy:

"eleos" (mercy) = kindness of goodwill towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them.

Our misery and affliction normally takes one of three forms: GUILT, PAIN, and FEAR.

1. God reveals His great and tender mercy TO us by our TRIALS.

a. Have you experienced sufficient guilt, pain, and fear to see your need for the mercy and help of God?

2. God reveals His great and tender mercy THROUGH us by our WITNESS.

3. God reveals His great and tender mercy through THE GOSPEL.

The Gospel according to Zechariah:
• God has visited and redeemed His people! (1:68)
God has raised up “a horn of salvation for us” to fulfill His promise to David! (1:69-71)
• God has shown us mercy to fulfill His promise to Abraham! (1:72-73)
• God will deliver us from fear and guilt so we can serve Him! (1:74-75)
• God has sent His prophet John to prepare the way and give us knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of sins! (1:76-77)
• Our Savior will give us light and peace because of the tender mercy of God! (1:78-79)

"Next Step" Takeaways
With God:
• Bring your guilt, pain, and fear to God in prayer. Be honest with Him. Write about it in your prayer journal. Ask Him to reveal His mercy to you through your trials, the witness of others, and the Gospel.

"Next Step" Takeaways
With Others:
• Identify one story of God’s mercy in your life and share it with another believer this week to encourage them.
• If you are new to our church, sign up for our First Step Welcome Lunch that is happening at 12:15pm on Sunday, January 12.

"Next Step" Takeaways
On Mission:
• Invite someone to attend our Christmas Eve services with you this Tuesday at 1pm, 3pm, or 5pm.