First Irving Sermons

Main Point: When we truly know God and delight in Him, we encounter full and endless joy.

Driving Question: “Who is God and what is He for His people?”

God, our Sovereign King (v. 2-4)

God, our Inheritance (v.5-6)

Jonathan Edwards: “God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper happiness, and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here: better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean.”

God, our Counselor (v.7)

God, our Savior (v. 8-11)

Philippians 3:7-8, 10: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection…”

Lament Definition:

A prayer in pain that leads to trust (Mark Vroegop, “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy”)

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Driving Question:

How will suffering saints renew their trust in God in the midst of sorrow and pain?

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Main Idea:

The Lord who deals bountifully with his saints is worthy of our trust in sorrow and in pain.

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1. God-Directed Pain (vv. 1-2)

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2. God-Directed Petition (vv. 3-4)

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3. God-Directed Perspective (vv. 5-6)

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Takeaways:

Walk with God’s people in the God-appointed path of lament.

Remember Jesus Christ, forsaken by His Father on the cross so that by His alienation we might receive reconciliation (1 Pet. 3:18).

Remember Jesus Christ who has triumphed over our enemies (sin, Satan, death) on the cross (Col. 2:15, Rev. 19-20).

Remember Jesus Christ - Salvation incarnate! - who was sent to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

Sing to the Lord who has dealt bountifully with his people in Jesus Christ!

Main Idea. The Lord hears our distress and delivers according to his steadfast love.

1. Our Distress (1–7)

2. His Deliverance (8–10)

Psalm 6 finds its fulfillment in Christ:

1. Christ bore the wrath David dreaded.

2. Christ entered the suffering David experienced.

3. Christ conquered the death David feared.

Main Idea. God will surely sanctify his church.

Driving Question. How does God sanctify his church?

1. Through Faithful Shepherds (12–13)

Heb. 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.”

2. Through a Faithful Church (14–22)

3. Through His Own Faithful Keeping (23–24)

Phil. 2:12–13: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you."

Takeaways.

Our sanctification rests not on our faithfulness to God, but on God's faithfulness to us.

Main Idea. We belong to Christ, so stay awake for the Day.

Driving Question. How do we stay awake for the Day of the Lord?

3 encouragements for staying awake:

1. Don't focus on the timing (1–3)

2. Remember who we are (4–10)

1. Our Identity: Not of the night, but of the Day (vv. 4–5):

2. Our Routine: So live awake, sober, and alert (vv. 6–8a)

3. Our Equipment: Put on faith, love, and hope (v. 8b)

4. Our Destiny: Destined for salvation, to live with Him (vv. 9–10)

3. Keep one another awake (11)

Takeaway.

On the Day of the Lord, what matters most is whether you belong to Christ.

Main Point: Be encouraged, there is hope amidst our grief in the Gospel of our Lord and in the promises of His Word.

Driving Question: “What produces hope in us for the return of Christ?”

The surety of the gospel (v.13-14)

The security of Christ’s promises (v.15-17)

The support of the saints (v.18)

Takeaways

In your grief, allow for the ministry of the Word to bring you hope.

In their grief, minister the Word of hope to those in grief.

1 Thess 4:1–12 A God Pleasing Church

Main Point. Characteristics of a church that pleases God.

Driving Question. How does a church live in a way that pleases God?

Three characteristics:

1. Holiness before God (2–8)

2. Love for one another (9–10)

3. Witness before the world (11–12)

Main Point. Faithful churches help one another persevere until Christ comes.

Driving Question. How do faithful churches help one another persevere?

Three ways faithful churches help one another persevere:

1. Love that pursues (2:17–3:5)

2. Faith that comforts (3:6–10)

3. Prayer that establishes (3:11–13)

Takeaways.

Love is Evident.

Faith is Exercised.

Hope is Eternal.

Main Point. The Word of God at work in his people.

Driving Question. How does God’s Word work in His people?

1. Accepted as God’s Word (13)

2. Afflicted for God’s Word (14–15)

3. Assured by God’s Word (16)

Takeaways.

1. Receive God’s Word as God’s Word.

2. Resolve to suffer for God’s Word.

3. Remember God’s judgment is coming.

Main Point. God uses faithful gospel ministry to build his church.

Driving Question. So what does a faithful gospel ministry look like?

Paul gives three vivid pictures of faithful gospel the minister.

1. The Courageous Steward (1–6)

Two Tests of Gospel Stewardship:

A. Speaking to please God, not man (vv.4–5).

B. Seeking God’s glory, not yours (v.6).

2. The Caring Mother (7–8)

3. The Consistent Father (9–12)

Takeaways. (Ordinary Gospel minister must):

Accept Conflict (v.2).

Live Sacrificially (vv.5–8).

Proclaim Christ Clearly (vv.4, 9).