Sunday sermon from Emmanuel Presbyterian Church. P. Seung Kim talks about "The Words of Comfort For God's People" based on Isaiah 40:1-11 in All Family Worship on Aug 14, 2022.
임마누엘 장로교회의 수요예배 설교입니다. 2021년 10월 20일 예배에서는 김승균 목사님께서 마태복음 15장 1-5절 말씀을 가지고 "어린아이와 같이"라는 제목으로 말씀을 주셨습니다.
Outline of Revelation (This outline is taken from Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis Johnson. pg. 347-349)
• Revelation 1:1-8 – Prologue
• Revelation 1:9-3 – Seven Letters to Churches by Jesus
• Revelation 4:1-8:5 – Seven Seals
• Revelation 8:2-11:18 – Seven Trumpets as Warning Signs of Coming Judgment
• Revelation 11:19-15:4 – The Dragon and the Lamb: the Heart of the Conflict
• Revelation 15:5-16:21 – Seven Bowls as God’s Wrath Completed
• Revelation 17:1-19:10 – The Harlot Babylon
• Revelation 19:11-20:15 – The Last Battle
• Revelation 21:1-22:5 – The New Creation
• Revelation 22:6-21 – Epilogue
Introduction
• The main point is that because of God’s _ _ _ _ presence in our _ _ _ _ _ glory, we will be (1)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ God perfectly and (2) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by God eternally.
1) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ God perfectly
• In v.10-11, John sees the holy city Jerusalem and its radiance that looks like a _ _ _ _ _, which was God’s appearance in Revelation 4:3.
• The beauty of Church’s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is described further in v.18-21.
• It is through _ _ _ _ _ and his sacrifice that we, the people of God, will be reflecting God in our holiness and purity.
2) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by God eternally
• John sees the city’s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (its wall, gates, and foundations). The number that you notice is _ _ _ _ _ _.
• As the angel measures the city, the city is a perfect _ _ _ _ (v.16 – This is the same shape as the _ _ _ _ of _ _ _ _ _ _). God dwells with his people perfectly in our final glory (v.22 – There is no _ _ _ _ _ _).
• God will be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ present with his people to secure their place with him.
Conclusion
Outline of Revelation (This outline is taken from Triumph of the Lamb by Dennis Johnson.)
• Revelation 1:1-8 – Prologue
• Revelation 1:9-22:9 – Body
o Revelation 1:9-3:20 – ‘The things which are’: Christ is with his churches and knows their conflict
o Revelation 4:1-22:9 – ‘The things which shall take place after these things’: Christ will defeat and destroy his enemies
Revelation 4:1-11:18 – Scroll opened: current and coming woes, precursors of the end
Revelation 10:1-22:9 – Scroll delivered: the cosmic conflict of the ages
• Revelation 22:6-21 – Epilogue
Introduction
• The main point is that because Jesus has _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ his and our enemies through his
_ _ _ _ _ and resurrection, he is _ _ _ _ _ _ to reign over all things and receive our worship.
1) Reign over all things
• John sees a _ _ _ _ _ _ (v.1). Only someone who is _ _ _ _ _ _ can open it and carry it out.
• Who is worthy to open the scroll? The _ _ _ _ who is also the _ _ _ _ (v.5-7). We know who this figure is by what it does.
• As our King, Jesus comforts and strengthens us with his _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
2) Receive our worship
• Jesus is worthy to open the scroll because of his _ _ _ _ _ and resurrection (v.9-10).
• All creation join in worship of God and Jesus (v.12-14).
• The good news is that God sent Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, to make sinners like us as his kingdom and priests, holy and righteous, lead the rest of the creation in worship of God.
Conclusion
What you _ _ _ is not always what you get. The Book of Revelation shows us a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (spiritual) reality. Then, see Jesus as he is. See ourselves as we are. See our enemies as they are
Introduction
• The main point is that God _ _ _ _ _ loved us in Jesus, so that we might (1) _ _ _ _ through him and (2) _ _ _ _ others like him.
1) _ _ _ through him
• Before Jesus, we were _ _ _ _ in sin. But in Christ, we live. How? "God sent Jesus to be the
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ for our sins" (v.10).
• The love of God must be understood in light of the _ _ _ _ _ of God. We live through Jesus because he took on the wrath of God. We can have _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of not going to hell on the day of judgment because of Christ (v.17).
2) _ _ _ _ others like him
• Being loved by God leads to loving _ _ _ _ _ _ like him (v.11, 19).
• To love like God is _ _ _ _. How did God love us? In truth (Jesus and his obedience). So, the love of God must be understood in light of the _ _ _ _ _ of God.
Conclusion
Outline of 2 Timothy
• 2 Timothy 1:1-2 - Greeting
• 2 Timothy 1:3-18 - Encouragement to endure for the Gospel
• 2 Timothy 2:14-3:9 - Endurance against false teachers of the Gospel
• 2 Timothy 3:10-4:8 - Exhortation to preach the Gospel
• 2 Timothy 4:9-22 - Final instructions and greetings
Introduction
• Being in the _ _ _ _ days, how can we remain _ _ _ _ _ in Christ?
1) _ _ _ _ _ _ the godly examples
• In contrast to the lovers of self, Timothy have lived a godly life, like Paul, as well as his
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ (v.10-11, 14-15). Timothy made what is theirs his own.
• As those who follow Christ, we will be hated like him. When that happens, remain faithful. Keep _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ godly examples who you trust.
2) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in God's Word
• Paul calls Timothy to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in God's Word because
o Of those who _ _ _ _ _ him the Bible (v.14b-15a)
o God's Word's ability is unique (v.15b - Make you wise for salvation)
o God's Word is from God (v.16-17). The Bible is _ _ _ _ _ _ for right _ _ _ _ _ and right _ _ _ _ _ _.
• No one outgrows the need of the Bible. Let the Word of God _ _ _ _ _ us.
Conclusion
Outline of Philippians
• Philippians 1:1-11 – Greetings, thanksgiving, and prayer
• Philippians 1:12-26 – The priority of the Gospel
• Philippians 1:27-2:30 – Conduct worthy of the Gospel
• Philippians 3:1-4:1 – Fight for the Gospel
• Philippians 4:2-23 – Final exhortations in light of the Gospel
Introduction
• The main point is that because of the surpassing _ _ _ _ _ of knowing Christ, we do not _ _ _ _ _ in ourselves, but seek to _ _ _ _ him more.
1) Do not _ _ _ _ _ in yourself
• Paul had many reasons to _ _ _ _ _ in himself (v.4-6 – His background and efforts).
• He considers his best to be _ _ _ _ for the sake of Christ (v.7).
• Our best effort shows how far we fall short before God. Instead, glory in Christ (v.3).
2) Seek to _ _ _ _ Jesus more
• After many years and all that Paul went through after meeting Jesus, he confesses that he counts “everything as _ _ _ _ because of the surpassing _ _ _ _ _ of knowing Christ” (v.8).
• Knowing this value of Christ, Paul wants to know Jesus _ _ _ _ (v.11).
• The more we understand the _ _ _ _ _ of knowing Jesus, the more we will be moved to _ _ _ _ him, _ _ like him, and _ _ _ _ him in heaven.
Conclusion
The value of knowing Jesus surpasses everything in this world. So, we do not _ _ _ _ _ in ourselves, but seek to _ _ _ _ him more. Through it all, we know that Jesus will still be worth it. Make him your treasure, your joy, you all, and your purpose.
Outline of Romans
• Romans 1:1-15 – Introduction
• Romans 1:16-17 – The power of the Gospel: God's righteousness revealed
• Roman 1:18-3:20 – Our need for the Gospel: All have sinned and are under God's wrath
• Romans 3:21-11 – The content and outworking of the Gospel
• Romans 12:1-15:13 – Christian life in light of the Gospel
• Romans 15:14-16:27 – Paul’s plans and final words
Introduction
• The main point is that because of God’s _ _ _ _ _ in Jesus, we are to be a _ _ _ _ _ _ sacrifice.
1) Present our _ _ _ _ _ _ as worship
• Being a living sacrifice is _ _ _ _ and not _ _ _ _ the Old Testament sacrifice.
• To present our bodies as worship means to give _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to God in
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to his grace in Jesus. This is a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ thing to do (v.1).
• To present our bodies as worship, we cannot be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to this world, but be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by the Word (v.2).
2) Serve the _ _ _ _ with your gifts
• The church is made up of many different kinds of people, but is united to _ _ _ _ _ _ and to one another (v.5).
• To serve the different parts of the church, God gives different _ _ _ _ _ (v.6-8). Gifts are used to build up the body, not our pride.
• Paul's focus is on what kind of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ one should have in using the gifts (v.3).
Conclusion
As a living sacrifice, first, remember who you are by God's grace in Jesus. Then, be who you are in your life.
What is the importance of "body"? Jesus saves us with his _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ body.
Outline of Romans
• Romans 1:1-15 – Introduction
• Romans 1:16-17 – The power of the Gospel: God's righteousness revealed
• Roman 1:18-3:20 – The need for the Gospel: All have sinned and are under God's wrath
• Romans 3:21-11 – The content and outworking of the Gospel
• Romans 12:1-15:13 – Christian life in light of the Gospel
• Romans 15:14-16:27 – Paul’s plans and final words
Introduction
• The main point is that because we are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ by _ _ _ _ _ alone in _ _ _ _ _ and his righteousness alone, we _ _ _ _ _ in him, not in ourselves.
1) Justified in _ _ _ _ _ alone
• What does it mean to be justified? Westminster Shorter Catechism Q & A 33.
o Justification is an act of God's free grace, wherein he pardons all our sins, and accepts us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, and received by faith alone.
o It means God _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ us to be righteous because of faith in Jesus.
• We cannot be justified before God by our own obedience to his law (Romans 3:20).
• The good news is that God's righteousness has been manifested _ _ _ _ _ from the law (v.21). God _ _ _ _ _ the righteousness that he _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
• God's righteousness in v.21 refers to Jesus' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ obedience to God's law (passive obedience and active obedience). That is how God is both _ _ _ _ and the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of the one who has faith in Jesus (v.26).
2) Justified by _ _ _ _ _ alone
• _ _ _ _ _ is an instrument by which we receive Christ's righteousness. This means that what is Jesus' is counted as ours (Romans 4 - Abraham).
• This is called imputation: By faith, when God sees us, ungodly sinners, he sees Jesus and his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Because of our faith in Jesus, we are not just forgiven of our sins, but we are also counted as if we have _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ obeyed the law.
• This is all God and there is nothing to boast in ourselves, not even the _ _ _ _ or _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of your faith (v.27).
Conclusion
Outline of Acts (Sequel to the Gospel of Luke)
• Acts 1-7 = The Word growing and spreading in Jerusalem
• Acts 8-12 = The Word growing and spreading in Judea and Samaria
• Acts 13-28 = The Word growing and spreading to the end of the earth
Introduction
• The main point is that because Jesus has given his Spirit in his _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, we are to be his _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ until his return in glory.
1) The _ _ _ _ _ to be witnesses
• Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit soon. They Holy Spirit gives them the _ _ _ _ _ to be witnesses of Christ.
• The apostles are _ _ _-witnesses of Christ. There is power in their _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Acts is full of sermons). They perform signs as God's confirmation of their testimony.
• We are not eye-witnesses, but we are _ _ _-witnesses. The same Spirit who was with the Apostles and wrote their testimony is with us.
2) The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ for witnesses
• The Spirit is given to the church because Jesus was _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (v.9). The cloud was a sign of _ _ _ _ _ (Acts 2:33). Jesus went up to take his rightful place as the _ _ _ _.
• The assurance for witnesses is that what we do is not a lost cause. Jesus will come back in glory, just as he was taken up (v.11).
• We _ _ _ _ for the return of Jesus. Meanwhile, we have a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to spread and
_ _ _ _ _ to reach. Jesus is physically not here, but he did not leave us on our own.
Conclusion
Outline of the New Testament • Gospels and Acts
• Pauline Epistles
• General Epistles
• Revelation
Introduction
• The main point is that because Jesus is bringing the kingdom of _ _ _ _ _ _, we need to
_ _ _ _ _ of our sin and trust in him.
1) The call to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ • What is repentance? It is more than saying sorry. It is conscious _ _ _ _ _ _ _ away from sin
toward God.
• Jesus directs this call to repentance to “the people dwelling in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _” (v.16).
• Jesus knows and is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ their sin.
• In Christ, forgiveness of our sin is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ when we confess our sins.
2) The coming of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ • Jesus calls everyone to repent, “for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (v.17).
• The kingdom of heaven is the new _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (new heavens and new earth).
• The urgency to repent is that with the kingdom of heaven nearing, the final
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is coming as well.
• Jesus was preaching this message to signal that he came to _ _ _ _ sinners, not punish them
(v.23 – Jesus went “proclaiming the _ _ _ _ _ _ of the kingdom”).
• Being the citizens of the kingdom of heaven shapes our entire _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Conclusion
The kingdom of heaven is here, but not yet in full. It will be when Jesus returns. Until then, let us keep
on repenting of our sins, trusting our King Jesus Christ.
Outline of Malachi
• Malachi 1:1-5 – First dispute about God’s love for Israel
• Malachi 1:6-2:9 – Second dispute about true worship
• Malachi 2:10-16 – Third dispute about covenantal unfaithfulness
• Malachi 2:17-3:5 – Fourth dispute about the inevitable coming of justice
• Malachi 3:6-12 – Fifth dispute about the proper response to the Lord’s faithfulness
• Malachi 3:13-4:6 – Sixth dispute about the reward for faithful service
Introduction
• The main point is that because our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on the Day of the Lord is secured in _ _ _ _ _, we can prepare for and look forward to that day.
1) Two _ _ _ _ _ _
• Two distinct groups are the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and the _ _ _ _ _ _.
• The wicked say that it is _ _ _ _ to serve God (v.14).
• The righteous are those who _ _ _ _ God and _ _ _ _ _ his name (v.16-18).
• It is not true that those who don’t serve God will get away with their ways forever. One day, God will show clear _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ between the righteous and the wicked.
2) Two _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
• The day is coming when the difference between the righteous and the wicked will be very clear in two different _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (4:1-3).
• God is working and warning through his _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to bring people as his children (4:5-6).
• That prophecy of Elijah in 4:5 is fulfilled in _ _ _ _ the _ _ _ _ _ _ (Luke 1:16-17).
• In the first coming of Jesus, he was coming to _ _ _ _ sinners, not judge.
Conclusion
Just as the Old Testament Christians waited for the first coming of Jesus, we are waiting for the _ _ _ _ _ _ of Jesus. As we wait, know and be assured that our obedience and service in Christ is not in _ _ _ _ (1 Corinthians 15:58-59).
Outline of Zephaniah
• Zephaniah 1:1-2:3 – Introduction and Judgment against Judah and the world on the Day of the Lord
• Zephaniah 2:4-3:8 – Judgment against nations and Judah on the Day of the Lord
• Zephaniah 3:9-20 – Salvation for God’s people on the Day of the Lord
Introduction
• The main point is that because God _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ over us in Jesus, we can rejoice in him _ _ _ and on the _ _ _ of the Lord.
1) A _ _ _ _ to rejoice
• God’s people are called to rejoice (v.14). This comes as surprise in light of what we read in Zephaniah 1:1-3:8 (the Day of the LORD as the day of _ _ _ _ _ _ and total judgment).
• That day is also the day of rejoicing for God’s people. How? God is with his people (v.15).
• This is fulfilled in Christ (His names were _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _).
• What should be our response to knowing and believing this? Rejoice! Rejoice, even when there is not much to rejoice about because it is based on God and what he has done for us in Jesus.
2) A God who _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ over us
• God promises to rejoice over his people (v.17 – like a _ _ _ _ _ _ _, a _ _ _ _ _ _ _, and a _ _ _ _ _ _).
• God shows his love to those who don’t deserve to be loved (v.19). He does this because he is that kind of God, not because he has to.
• God does this by sending Jesus Christ “who for the _ _ _ that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
• What we see now is not the end of story. Keep singing and rejoicing!
Conclusion
For the Old Testament saints, they trusted in the Savior to _ _ _ _. For us, we trust in the Savior that _ _ _ _ and will _ _ _ _ back. On that day, it will be a wedding between Christ and his bride.
For now, we long to gather together to sing praise and rejoice in the Lord in the same building. But more than that, we long to see the final day when we will rejoice in God _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Outline of Amos
• Amos 1-2:6 – Introduction and prophecy of judgement against various nations
• Amos 2:7-6 – Prophecy of judgment against Judah and Israel
• Amos 7-9 – Prophetic visions of judgment and salvation
Introduction
• The main point is that by _ _ _ _ _ in Jesus, we can please God with our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,
in our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _.
1) What does the passage _ _ _?
• Amos 5:1-17 – God calls Israel to repent and return to God.
• Amos 5:18-20 – God tells them they are not safe from the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on the day of the LORD.
• Amos 5:21-27 – Israel’s obedience had no hearts in them.
o V.21-23, 25-27 – God rejects their _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (God uses strong language). This kind of worship is not just empty, but offensive to God.
o V.24 – Their empty worship is shown in their _ _ _ _. By not loving their
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, they showed that they have no love for God.
• God sees their _ _ _ _ _ _. The consequence is that Israel will be exiled (v.27).
2) How does the passage _ _ _ _ _ to us?
• The Israelites and the Pharisees serve as _ _ _ _ _ _ _ for us in our worship and life.
• As we are not able to gather at church building to worship together, it is a good time to consider:
o Our worship – Have we become indifferent in our worship? Have we at times only go through the motions, while our hearts are far from God?
o Our life – Do we live lives that reflect our worship on Sunday? Have we confessed love for God, while neglecting to love our neighbors?
• The good news for us is that our hope lies in, not in our hearts or obedience, but in Jesus Christ and his _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Conclusion
Because of Jesus, we can look forward to the day of the LORD, not as darkness, but light. Look to him and listen to his Word, as you seek to obey out your heart.
Hosea 2:2-23 “Love That Will Not Let Us Go”
Outline of Hosea (mainly to the Northern Kingdom of Israel)
• Hosea 1-3 – Hosea’s marriage to Gomer reflecting God’s covenant with Israel
• Hosea 4-14 – Prophecy against and for Israel
Introduction
- God uses Hosea’s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to Gomer to show, first, his relationship with _ _ _ _ _ _, and then, with us.
- The main point is that because of God’s _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ love in Jesus, we are secured as his people despite our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
1) The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of unfaithfulness
• Gomer commits adultery, as well as idolatry. Gomer’s adultery reflects Israel’s idolatry.
• The consequence of unfaithfulness is not divorce, but _ _ _ _ _ (Leviticus 20:10). As for Israelites, the consequence is covenant curse (Hosea 1:4-9 – the names of the children).
• We are like Gomer. God holds us accountable for our unfaithful hearts.
• Yet, God’s desire is to _ _ _ us back.
2) The _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ of the faithful One
• God expresses his commitment by making many _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
o V.14-15 – Bring back good memory (_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _) and replace bad memory (the Valley of _ _ _ _ _, which means _ _ _ _ _ _ _)
o V.16-17 – Protect and provide as “My Husband”
o V.18-20 – Betroth forever (like renewing their wedding vows)
o V.23 – A reversal of curse symbolized by new names for children.
• God wants to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ with the Israelites.
• These promises are fulfilled in Christ (Romans 5:6-8).
Conclusion
This story is meant to show us our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ heart toward God. It also shows God’s steadfast love in Jesus that will not let us go.
Introduction
The main point is that God _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ us in Christ so that we can be prepared to be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ even in the midst of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
1) The context
• Jeremiah 45 was written “in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah” (BC 605-604).
• Baruch was Jeremiah’s scribe, as well as his friend and fellow servant of God (Jeremiah 32:12; 36).
• Chronologically, Jeremiah 45 doesn’t follow Jeremiah 44. The context shows us that Jeremiah 45 gives comfort for God’s people in the midst of judgment and suffering.
2) The complaint
• Baruch complained about how the Israelites remained unrepentant against God and they turned against him and Jeremiah. Baruch was weary and distraught.
• Baruch and his complaint help us to diagnose our own hearts. Baruch didn’t expect to suffer, so when suffering came he blamed God (v.3).
3) The comfort
• God’s plan is to judge all people (v.4-5). That is why Baruch is not to seek great things for himself.
• God’s comfort is that Baruch will be spared of his life.
• This is the same comfort for Christians, who are in the midst of spiritual war. We will be spared from the final judgment through Jesus, who suffered on our behalf.
• We are now called to suffer for his sake (Example: Paul).
Conclusion
SHOW LESS
Introduction
What is the main point? Because God plans to bring his people to our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ home through Jesus, we can seek _ _ _ _ _ _ of our _ _ _ _ _ _ _ city as _ _ _ _ _ _.
1) How are we to live as exiles?
· Jeremiah wrote this letter to the exiled Israelites in Babylon. What does it mean to be exiled?
· What was God’s plan for them as exiles in Babylon? Settle down in Babylon (v.5-6), and seek and pray for their _ _ _ _ _ _ (v.7).
· This passage applies to us now because, as Christians, we are _ _ _ _ _ _ in this world, called to seek and pray for shalom of where we live now, even for those who have different worldviews.
· The way that we seek shalom might look the _ _ _ _ as non-Christians (v.5-6 – No “Christian” way to build houses, plant gardens, or marrying). But the real and ultimate shalom comes from knowing God through _ _ _ _ _ (Romans 5:1).
· Our neighbors need someone who will _ _ _ _ them, not _ _ _ them.
2) Where are we headed as exiles?
· God will _ _ _ _ his promise and bring them back after _ _ years (v.10-11).
· Even after coming back from exile, things were never the same (Ezra 3).
· The physical things of the old covenant (land, temple) were types of the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ reality to come (Revelation 21:3).
· We can seek shalom here and even suffer as exiles because we are seeking a heavenly _ _ _ _ (Hebrews 11:14).
· Are you ready to leave? Are you seeking a homeland?
Conclusion
As you seek a heavenly _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, you will be able to seek _ _ _ _ _ where you are now.
Introduction
What is the context of the passage?
What is the goal of today’s sermon?
What is the main point? In spite of our sin, God _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and gives us _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ in him by
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ his love for us in Jesus. How does God confirm love?
o By _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ us whose we are
o By _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to bring us to him
1. By _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ us whose we are
• God confirms his love for the Israelites by reminding them that they belong to him, in spite of their sin (v.1-4).
• We need this confirmation as well. We are tempted like the Israelites to fear that God will stop loving us when (not if) we sin.
• How does God confirm his love for us? Romans 5:8. God loves us in Jesus while we were
_ _ _ _ _ _ _. Remember whose you are and let that give you comfort and confidence that God will never stop loving us even when we sin.
2. By _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ to bring us to him
• Israel’s fear was that God will _ _ _ _ _ _ _ them in exile and never return to the Promise Land. God comforts them by promising that he will bring them back (v.5-6).
• God’s promise goes beyond Israel’s return from exile to worldwide.
• God will bring his people to him by _ _ _ name, which is fully revealed in Jesus. Through Jesus, we can be sure that God will bring us to him and never leave us or forsake us.
• God is still in the process of gathering his people to himself. Respond by _ _ _ _ _ in Jesus.
• As for Christians, we can _ _ _ _ _ _ our Father as his sons and daughters by showing the kind of committed love we received from God in family and church in spite of sin.
Conclusion
What was the goal of today’s sermon? To be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , not to be _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Be sure of God’s love for us in Jesus by (1) remembering whose you are and (2) holding unto God’s promise.
What comfort do we have when Jesus returns? Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 52.
