Tim Keller | April 3, 2011
We’re looking at the characteristics—also known as the “attributes”—of God according to the Bible. This sermon looks at the wrath of God—an attribute that probably gives modern Western people the shudders. From the passage, we’ll learn that God’s wrath is: 1) Warranted wrath; 2) Controlled wrath; and 3) Absorbed wrath.
Examining the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, we see God’s anger as something that’s justified and kept under control. It’s interesting to note that when Jesus was arrested, all kinds of people were involved, showing that it’s common for us humans to push back against God’s rule. This reminds us of when Saint Augustine was a boy and stole some pears. The idea that living a good life will always bring God’s blessings, and the habit of shaping God into something we can easily handle, highlight the need for us to truly grasp the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice.