Forestgate

Psalm 55

Sermon Notes:

1. Angst

2. Anger

3. Assurance

Matthew 4:1-11

Sermon Notes:

1. God Meets Our Needs

2. God Directs Our Path

3. God Offeres Us Himself

Psalm 51

Sermon Notes:

1. The Astonishing Problem of Sin

2. An Astonishing Repentance

3. The Astounding God of Mercy

Reflection Questions:

1. It can be difficult to see our sin for what it really is. In what ways have you recently seen how astonishing your sin is, and how much you need to be saved from it? How do you still struggle with seeing your sin as God sees it?

2. David realized all his scheming and lies were worthless, in light of God's perfection. Repentance from sin is costly because we must sacrifice our selfworth. However, it also shows an astonishing truth and hope about what life might be if we are saved. What are some of the joys and hopes you have experienced when you have truly turned from your sin?

3. Are you still surprised by who God is? If so, what have you been surprised by recently? How can meditating on the mercy of God help you grow in wonder and love for Him?

Psalm 27

Sermon Notes:

1. The Lord is a Protecting Light

2. Dwelling in His Temple

3. Confidence in Prayer

4. Confidence in the Future that Waits

Psalm 88

Sermon Notes:

1. The reality of suffering (how it impacts us daily)

2. A Christian response to suffering (what is our response)

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?

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?

Psalm 105

Sermon Notes

1. Summons to Praise

2. Grounds for Praise

3. Canaan to Egypt

4. In Egypt

5. Egypt to Canaan

Reflection Question:

What are some of the works that God has done in your own life that show his faithfulness?

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?

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?