Sermon for the Watford church of Christ
“How God moves us from despair to hope”, Psalm 130
Introduction
- Hope comes from God - 8 times in Psalm
1. God can handle our despair, vv1-4
A. Express Despair
- “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5 NIV11)
B. Express Need
- “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!” (Romans 6:20–21 NIV11)
Transition - v4
- “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” (2 Corinthians 5:15 NIV11)
2. God is worth waiting for, vv5-6
A. Expect him to show up, Psalm 5.1-3
“Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” (Psalm 5:1–3 NIV11)
B. Expect him to act
Conclusion, vv7-8
- Decisively put hope in God
- Because you know he is love
For discussion
- What emerged for you from this lesson?
- What are you most in despair over right now?
- Do you believe God cares?
- What does it mean to put our hope in the Lord?
- “But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.“Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”” (Acts 7:55–56 NIV11)
- “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV11)
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email:
malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book:
"An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John
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