The God of All Circumstances

Psalm 107

Sermon Notes

1. Failure of Life Apart from God

a. The failed search for rest vv. 4-9

b. The failed run from God vv. 10-16

c. The failed pursuit of self vv. 17-22

d. The failed search for freedom vv. 23-32

2. The Cry for Help

3. The Steadfast Love of the God of Every Circumstance

Reflection Questions:

1. True deliverance is God drawing us back to him, and us finding full satisfaction in him alone. What ways can suffering draw us to God, and what ways can freedom from suffering draw us to God?

2. God is able to deliver, save, and pull his beloved children out of any circumstance. What are some things in your life that you need to be rescued from? What would true deliverance look like in those circumstances?

3. Sometimes we put ourselves in bad situations. Sometimes we want our sin more than our Savior. However, our sin will always bite us in the end. What are some ways that you can begin to see the emptiness of earthly pursuits and cry to God for help? How does knowing that God will forever be faithful to his covenant promises (Hesed) give you encouragement as you turn away from the empty things of this world?

Trusting God for Protection, Provision, and Perfection

Psalm 16

Sermon Notes

1. God Will Protect You vv.1-4

2. God Will Provide for You vv.5-6

3. God Will Perfect You vv.7-11

Reflection Questions?

1. How has God protected you and those you love? How did God protect David? How did God protect Daniel? How did God protect the 12 Apostles? Can we really say that we have no good apart from God? Do we delight in the saints and avoid those that run after other gods?

2. How has God provided for you and those you love? Is the LORD your chosen portion and your cup? What does David mean when saying, "the lines fallen for me in pleasant places?" Do you have a beautiful inheritance?

3. What does David mean when he says he will "always set the LORD before me?" Is your heart glad, and does your whole being rejoice in God, His presence and His goodness? Do you know the paths of life? Do you find fullness of joy in God's presence? Do you look forward to pleasures forevermore in glory?

The Lone Deliverer

Psalm 3

Sermon Notes:

1. Enemies of the Deliverer

2. Protection of the Deliverer

3. Peace of the Deliverer

4. Justice of the Deliverer

Reflection Questions:

1) Who are the enemies of God in your own personal life? How can you best pray for them?

2) What are things or people you look to for relief and deliverance?

3) What are your abilities, resources, or relationships that you look to as sustaining you? How can we rightly understand God's use of them in our lives vs. a sinful view?

There Can Be Only One

Psalm 2

Sermon Notes:

1) Rival Kingdoms

2) God's Response to His Rivals

3) The Son Declares Salvation & Judgment

4) Injunctions to Respond

Reflection Questions:

1. In what ways do you see the nations in an uproar against God?

2. How can our response to the nations be similar to God's?

3. How should our "thick, blood-bought, family" relationship with our God affect our thoughts, emotions, repentance, and obedience?

Our Great Shepherd and Why It’s Great to Be at Forestgate

Psalm 23

Sermon Notes:

1) Because His Grace has brought us safe thus far, 2 Sam 7:18. Past Grace

  • Fellow Christians

  • Fun Surroundings

  • Strategic Location

2) Because His Grace our hope secures. Present Grace

  • The contrast with the world around us – “Rejoice! The culture has turned against you.”

  • The constant need for missionary activity, across the street and around the world.

  • The perfect place for a counterculture.

3) Because His Grace will lead us home. Future Grace

Reflection questions:

1. How has God brought you safe thus far? How have you seen His grace in the past year, two years, over your entire life?

2. Why do we have reason to believe God will be gracious, despite many dangers, toils, and snares, today and in the future?

3. Consider this quote: “When our joy comes from our gifts and our success, we will always be under pressure. For we are only as good as the last sermon, the last youth talk, the last spiritual conversation, the last few months of Christian service, the last success. … The remedy to glory much in grace. It is a privilege to be used in ministry; but it is a much greater privilege to be recipients of grace.” (Christopher Ash, Zeal without Burnout, pp.105-6)

Cyrus, God’s Ungodly Servant

Isaiah 45

Sermon Notes:

1) What the Ungodly meant for evil, God meant for good news, 1-7

2) What God’s people despised, God meant for freedom and restoration, 8-13

3) When God means to save and bless, God makes His Plan and Promise Clear, 14- 25

Reflection questions:

1) Read Genesis 50:20. How does Joseph’s life (in slavery, in prison) remind you of Israel’s exile and God’s plan to bring them home through Cyrus’ decree?

2) Read Psalm 1. Does God promise (through the metaphor of the tree, which represents “the blessed man”) that His people will never experience hardship? If not, what does He promise? What is He trying to tell us about our life?

3) Are God’s plans always 100% clear to us? Is God’s Word always 100% clear about every detail? Are they clear enough? See also Jeremiah 29:10-14; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Isaiah 45:15-22.

A Superior, Astounding Savior

Isaiah 44

Sermon Notes:

1) The Only God Who Can Save, 1-8

2) The gods Who are Only Good for Firewood, 9-20

3) The Only God who Astounds as He Saves, 21-28

Reflection questions:

1. If a human says, “I’m the only one who can save you,” then what would you call it? If God says the same thing, what would you call it?

2. What is an idol? A carving of wood or stone? Something you trust more than God? Something that you think can give your life ultimate meaning and purpose? Who worshipped/worships idols?

3. Why did God use Cyrus to release God’s people out of exile? Read Romans 11:33-36, and ask yourself: What does this passage show me about God that I need to understand better?

Redemption: The Past Forgotten, the Exodus Renewed

Isaiah 43

Sermon Notes:

1) No Fear, 43:1-7

2) No Rivals, 43:8-19

3) New Exodus, 43:16-28

4) New Israel, 44:1-5

Reflection questions:

1) In Matthew 10:28, Jesus tells us not to fear man, but to fear God, “who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” In Isaiah 43, God tell His people not to fear, and then lists all of the reasons to trust Him, including His great power (vv3, 8- 15). How are both commands based on God’s superior power?

2) How does knowing that God has no rivals (vv8-13) help you avoid trusting idols? What does this (from John Calvin) mean: “The human heart is a perpetual idol factory”?

3) How is the salvation that Christ brings like a new and better Exodus? (See Exodus 20:1-2; John 8:34; Gal 4:8; Romans 6:15-23.)