Description

The sermon by Jeffrey Johnson on Psalm 40 focuses on the theme of deliverance and the multi-faceted ways God works in the lives of believers. It is structured around eight key points of marvel related to God's deliverance, as evidenced in the Psalm.

1. God lifts us out of despair, symbolized by the "mire" and "clay," bringing us to a new and stable foundation in Christ.
2. God gives us a new song of joy and worship.
3. God's deliverance is inimitable and unique.
4. God is constantly working, even when we don't see it.
5. God delivers not just individuals but nations as well.
6. God's law is written in our hearts.
7. God is pleased with our repentance, faith, and worship.
8. God will deliver us from our enemies.

Johnson also emphasizes that David, the Psalmist, recognizes his own sinfulness yet is confident in God's faithfulness and mercy for deliverance. This assurance is not rooted in self-righteousness, but in God's attributes.

In the conclusion, Johnson offers three key applications:

1. The goal of salvation and deliverance is to worship God, who is the ultimate joy and hope.
2. Although we are poor and needy, God takes thought for us, giving us what we need to serve Him.
3. We must continually rely on God for present and future deliverance from the challenges we face.

The sermon aims to encourage believers to not just marvel at the aspects of God's deliverance but to live in the light of it, cultivating a heart of worship and dependency on God. Johnson ends by exhorting believers to continually seek and call out to God for deliverance, acknowledging that though past deliverance has been experienced, the need for present and future deliverance remains.