07-22-2025 PART 2: Kindness, Severity, and the Power of Continued Trust

Section 1:

The core message of this segment comes from Romans 11:22, where Paul urges believers to recognize both the kindness and severity of God. Dr. Dave explains that God is gentle like a lamb to those who continue in faith, but ferocious like a lion toward those who disobey. This contrast isn’t a contradiction but a complete picture of who God is. God’s kindness is not based on works but on our trust and ongoing surrender. Dr. Dave affirms that those who believe—truly believe and continue in that belief—are the ones who experience God's ongoing kindness. This ongoing trust is a theme echoed in John 3:16, where belief is not a one-time event, but a continued act of faith.

Section 2:

Dr. Dave humorously and honestly reminds the audience that God is not a genie who responds to our commands—He is sovereign. He uses light-hearted stories, like his s’mores addiction or waving at neighbors, to create relatable bridges to deep truths. Believers are encouraged to share praise reports, testimonies, and prayer requests because doing so honors God and strengthens both the individual and the Christian community. He also poses a trivia question about the day of Pentecost—the event in Acts 2 that marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—as a way to engage the audience further with scripture and learning.

Section 3:

The final third offers a compelling and heartfelt appeal to trust more deeply in God’s kindness. Dr. Dave points out that as we trust God more, He reveals even greater kindness—kindness that has no limit. This is not only theologically profound but also pastorally encouraging, especially for those struggling with their faith journey. His prayer concludes the section by asking God to help us recognize both His kindness and severity and to grow in faith through that understanding. The message is clear: God’s kindness is endless for those who continually trust, and this trust leads to deeper revelations of His love.