Sermon Notes
DEVOTIONS
FROM THE PSALMS
A
TORN SOUL AND A TRUSTING HEART
Life is not always a piece of
cake. Some things cut deep into the heart. Others seem to tear at
your soul and leave you helpless to respond. The latter was the
situation with David in Psalm 7:1-2. David was being slandered. Cush
the Benjamite was accusing him of trying to kill King Saul and take
over the throne of Israel by force. David had two responses.
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I.
II.
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David responded in
truth by confessing his need and his helplessness.
David responded in
trust by putting his deliverance in God’s hands.
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Whenever you
have a torn soul, it is always safe to trust the Lord. He takes care
of His of people and works all things together for good (Deuteronomy
32:35).
CROWNED
WITH GLORY AND HONOR
Compared to the universe man
seems pretty insignificant. Yet in Psalm 8 David reminds us that when
God created man He crowned him with glory and gave him a place of
honor.
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I.
II.
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Man’s Glory—Man’s
status is just below that of the angels (v5)
Man’s Honor—Man’s
dominion is over the whole creation of God (v6-8)
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As it turns out, man is more
significant than the entire created universe; he has more power and
authority than anything else that God created. It is no wonder David
praised Him in verses 1 and 9. We should too.
BIBLE
STUDY
This
section contains a verse-by-verse, expository outline of the
Book
of 1 Peter. It is an important book for the times in which we live.
Keep
these monthly notes for later reference and an in-depth study.
AN
INTRODUCTION OF HOPE
(From 1 Peter 1:1-2; 1st
in the series)
The
apostle Peter is writing to Jewish Christians who have been
oppressed, persecuted, and chased out of Jerusalem. His message
should encourage all Christians, giving them hope in every situation
where they are intimidated for their faith. Peter reminds us that
Christians are part of a select group chosen by
God on the basis of three things.
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I.
II.
III.
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According to God’s
foreknowledge—This not only means
God knew in advance those who would receive Jesus. It means God
made His choice before they had done anything good or bad. If He
knew all about us then, and if He chose us, we can be assured He
will not change His mind now.
Through the presence
of the Holy Spirit—The word
translated sanctification
means to be purified, or to be in a state of holiness. Such a
state is never attained through the human nature, which can never
be truly pure. This state can only be attained through the new
birth and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
By faith’s
obedience to turn to Jesus and by his blood sacrifice for the
remission of sins—To obey the gospel
is to turn to Jesus and have your sins forgiven by his blood.
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It
is when you believe these truths with all your heart that you are
counted among the Elect of God. Before that time, you are considered
separated from God and lost. But after you obey the gospel, the grace
of God and the peace of God are increased and multiplied in your
life. Peter’s introduction truly offers assurance.
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