Heritage Baptist Church of Frankfort IL

This psalm pictures God holding a courtroom session. He brings His people into His court. This is not a court to pass judgment, but to serve as a warning. Two groups of God's people are warned about the way that they worshipped and what they thought about God.

This chapter contains 2 of the 7 miracles recorded by John. The one is familiar to all of the gospels. The other is recorded in some of the gospels. The two miracles engender responses from the audience. Sadly on both occasions the wrong response occurs. The miracles displayed Jesus' supernatural power because He was God. His miracles should cause us to respond rightly.

Christ is our High priest. He took on human flesh and went through the same human experience we go through, yet He did not sin. He is able to help us as we go to God the Father to fellowship with Him.

Jesus in the first part of John 5 had defended His own Deity. He had healed a man on the Sabbath and the religious leaders wanted verification of His authority. Jesus gave testimony to His own Deity. However, He knew the culture called for two or three witnesses. He gave multiple other witnesses that pointed to His Deity starting with John the Baptist and ending with Moses.

This psalm is not one of the familiar ones. It's subject is not one that people want to think about, but will be forced to think about it sometime. The issue is death. Death is the great evener. It treats everyone the same. The question for everyone is "Who will redeem you out of death?"

Lament is not only personal. It should be part of the community of the church. There are ways for the church to reflect a Biblical attitude of lament in services and ministry.

The study of lament has helped us to learn the pattern of lament and learning from lament. Now in the series we look at how lament can become a part of personal, daily lives. It is something believers need to become familiar with.

Jesus did all of his miracles for a reason. The reason for the healing by the man at the pool was for Jesus to have the opportunity to challenge religious leaders with the fact that He was God. He was equal with the Father and did all of the same works as the Father. This witness of Jesus to Himself is one of the clearer statements about the unity of the Godhead.

The book of Lamentations does not end with a happily ever after. Real life is like that. However, the chapter does provide a guide to seeing God's grace in the midst of devastation. God displays His grace in unusual ways but it can be seen.-Note- the beginning of the recording is missing the initial prayer and start of introduction.

What does Christ delight in? Like a doctor delights to help a patient in their need, so Christ delights in helping a sinner. He especially enjoys helping sinners that are part of His family.