Sermons from 2021 (Page 5)
“Finding Life” – Luke 24:1-12
As the women approach the tomb they are met by angels who ask them why they are looking for the living among the dead. This is an excellent question that we will consider. Our condition All human beings intrinsically know that something is not right. We know that our world is not the way it should be. We know that there is something “off” with ourselves as well. Many times we experience situations like the death of a loved one,…
“A Cry for Justice” – Psalm 7:6-11
David has laid his case before the Lord and waited for God’s judgment. He feels vindicated by the Lord and now calls on God to judge the wicked who are slandering him. Calling on God for justice David calls on God to uphold His laws and decrees. God has declared these things to be wicked and punishable. David here says that his prayer is what all God’s people are praying for. You can see this in Revelation 6:10 where God’s…
“Responding to Slander” – Psalm 7:1-5
Background This is a “rambling poem” of David. It covers many different rambling thoughts, but the main circumstance that David is singing about is the slander of Cush. We do not have this incident recorded for us in Scripture, so we do not know if this was while Saul was king or after David became king. Either way, Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin so there was always some level of animosity towards David from the Benjamites. David tried…
“Overwhelming Grief” – Psalm 6
Background This Psalm of David was to be played upon a stringed instrument that was an octave lower than normal. It would be comparable to a cello. The song is one of distress, and a lower musical accompaniment adds to the melancholy feeling. We do not know the exact background of the psalm; all we know is that David is having a difficult time. This could be because of his sin, some sickness, the loss of a loved one, some…
Joy in the Midst of Difficulties – Psalm 5:8-12
Last week we left off with David’s desire to avoid evil. He acknowledged God’s hatred of evil and his fear of God. We saw how David was allowed in God’s presence because of God’s grace and mercy, not David’s righteousness. Prayer for guidance David must walk through this life surrounded by enemies who are seeking his downfall. Because of this he asks God to guide him and make his way plain. The pitfalls in life are many. We need God…
“Morning Prayers” – Psalm 5:1-7
Background This Psalm is a song that is sung in the morning. It is written by David. It is intended to be accompanied by a flute. David seeks the Lord in prayer The Psalm begins with David imploring the Lord to hear his prayer. The phrasing in the Hebrew is that David like a general is arranging his prayer like troops for the battle. He is directing his prayer in such a way that it will be heard. He then…
How to Respond to Hatred – Psalm 4
Background David wrote this Psalm. Some scholars believe Psalm 3 was written in the morning as David escaped Absalom, and that Psalm 4 was written that evening. This is why the Psalm is sometimes called “An Evening Psalm.” It appears to be written before David goes to sleep, and the content is very similar to Psalm 3. The song was written for the head of the temple choir. It was written to be sung by the musical accompaniment of stringed…
“Our Confidence in God while being Attacked” – Psalm 3:1-8
Last week we looked at the background to Psalm 3; this week we will be looking at the actual text. Psalm 3 is a four verse hymn in Hebrew. Stanza 1 (3:1-2) Betrayal and enmity David has been betrayed by his son and every moment more and more people turn against him. Jesus experienced the same thing. Not only did Judas betray Him, but all the adoring crowds that shouted praises at His entry to Jerusalem turned and shouted for…
The Background of Psalm 3
Psalm 3 was written when David fled from Absalom. In order to better understand the Psalm we will be looking at David fleeing for his life and all that took place at that time. Background David’s adultery had very far reaching effects beyond the death of his newborn child. This threw his whole family into turmoil. David’s son Ammon rapes David’s daughter Tamar. David’s other son Absalom kills Ammon for the rape. David eventually allows Absalom back in the nation…
“God’s Messiah Rules” – Psalm 2:7-12
Last week we looked at man’s sinfulness and God’s response. We left off with God’s response of sending His anointed King, the Messiah. Nature of the Messiah We see here that the Messiah is not just a King. He is also God’s Son. Here we have confirmation of many Christian doctrines. This passage shows us the Trinity and the deity of Christ among others. God’s Decree A king would give his son a portion of his kingdom to rule. Here…
“Unconverted Man’s Hatred of God” – Psalm 2:1-6
Background Psalm 2 is a coronation song for King David. It is a four verse hymn. It is abundantly clear that the Holy Spirit moves the author to sing about far greater truths than David’s coronation. Psalm 2 is a prophetic song about a far greater King, the Messiah, the Son of God. Man’s rebellion against God In the first stanza of the Psalm (verses 1-3), man’s hatred and rebellion against God is clearly spelled out. Men are raging against…
“Blessings on the Righteous” – Psalm 1:1-6
Psalm 1 contrasts the righteous man with the wicked. It is a great song for teaching others and reminding us of God’s blessings on the righteous and judgment on the wicked. Blessed The song begins with a singular exclamation: blessed. The word here means happy, joyful, at peace; it signifies the blessings of God poured out. The next phrase shows us who is blessed: the righteous man. This individual is described negatively and positively. Negative There is a progression here…