Christ's Coming: Hope in Our Brokenness and Failure
Summary
In reflecting on Psalm 40, the focus is on the profound declaration, "Lo, I come," which echoes through the ages as a testament to Christ's willingness to meet humanity in its deepest need. This phrase is not just a historical statement but a present reality, emphasizing that Christ comes to us in our failures, our sins, and our moments of despair. The sermon explores the various instances when Christ's coming is most significant, drawing parallels between the biblical narrative and our personal experiences.
The first instance is when human efforts and probation fail, as seen in the Garden of Eden. Despite the perfect conditions for obedience, Adam and Eve's failure necessitated a Savior. Similarly, our own attempts at righteousness often fall short, leaving us in need of Christ's redemptive presence. In these moments of failure, Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come," offers hope and restoration.
The second instance is when we are deceived by sin, much like Eve was by the serpent. Sin promises freedom and pleasure but delivers bondage and despair. Yet, even in our deception, Christ comes to liberate us, breaking the chains of sin and offering true freedom through His sacrifice.
The third instance is when our self-made coverings, our attempts to hide our shame and guilt, prove inadequate. Just as Adam and Eve's fig leaves were insufficient, our self-righteousness cannot cover our sin. It is in this nakedness that Christ comes, offering His righteousness as our covering.
The fourth instance is when our excuses and justifications fail. When we can no longer blame others or circumstances for our sin, Christ comes as our advocate, offering forgiveness and reconciliation.
Finally, Christ's coming is a promise for the future, a second advent when He will return to restore all things. This future hope is a reminder that even in the darkest times, Christ's presence is assured.
Key Takeaways:
- Christ Comes in Our Failure: When we face the reality of our failures and sins, Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come," is a promise of hope and redemption. He meets us in our brokenness, offering His strength and salvation when we have none of our own. [07:31]
- Liberation from Deception: Sin deceives us with false promises, leaving us in bondage. Yet, Christ comes to break these chains, offering true freedom and life. His coming is a reminder that no deception is too great for His truth to overcome. [10:34]
- Righteousness as Our Covering: Our attempts to cover our shame with self-righteousness are inadequate. Christ comes to clothe us in His righteousness, providing the only covering that can truly hide our sin and make us acceptable before God. [13:53]
- Advocate in Our Guilt: When we can no longer justify our actions, Christ comes as our advocate. He pleads on our behalf, offering forgiveness and reconciliation through His sacrifice. In our guilt, He is our hope. [16:05]
- Promise of His Return: Christ's coming is not just a past event but a future promise. He will return to restore all things, and this hope sustains us in times of darkness and despair. His presence is assured, and His return is imminent. [20:20]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Psalm 40
- [00:56] - Reflections on Preaching and God's Timing
- [02:47] - The Significance of "Lo, I Come"
- [05:01] - Human Failure and Christ's Coming
- [07:31] - Christ's Presence in Our Brokenness
- [10:34] - Liberation from Sin's Deception
- [13:53] - Righteousness as Our Covering
- [16:05] - Christ as Our Advocate
- [20:20] - The Promise of Christ's Return
- [23:59] - The Glory of Christ's Person
- [29:26] - Christ as Our Foundation
- [36:00] - Christ as the Way to Himself
- [41:04] - The Father's Will and Christ's Love
- [44:02] - Receiving Christ's Coming
- [50:56] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 40:6-8: "Sacrifice and offering thou did not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the phrase "Lo, I come" signify in the context of Psalm 40, and how is it related to Christ's willingness to meet humanity's needs? [00:34]
2. How does the sermon describe the failure of human efforts in the Garden of Eden, and what was the result of this failure? [05:18]
3. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the deception of sin, and how does Christ's coming address this deception? [09:26]
4. What is the significance of Christ offering His righteousness as a covering for our inadequacies, according to the sermon? [13:53]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon interpret the phrase "Lo, I come" as a present reality rather than just a historical statement? What implications does this have for believers today? [03:51]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's coming provides hope and restoration in moments of personal failure? [07:31]
3. How does the sermon explain the inadequacy of self-made coverings for sin, and what does it mean for Christ to be our righteousness? [13:04]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the future promise of Christ's return, and how should this influence a believer's life? [20:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent failure or sin in your life. How can you invite Christ's presence into that situation to find hope and redemption? [07:31]
2. Consider a time when you were deceived by sin's false promises. How did you find liberation, and how can Christ's truth guide you in future decisions? [10:34]
3. What are some "self-made coverings" you rely on to hide your shame or guilt? How can you replace these with Christ's righteousness? [13:53]
4. When have you found yourself making excuses for your actions? How can you embrace Christ as your advocate and seek forgiveness and reconciliation? [16:05]
5. How does the promise of Christ's return provide hope in your current circumstances? What steps can you take to live with this future hope in mind? [20:20]
6. Identify an area in your life where you feel spiritually naked or exposed. How can you allow Christ to clothe you in His righteousness this week? [13:53]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of Christ's presence in moments of despair or darkness? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this awareness? [22:52]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ Meets Us in Our Failures
In moments of personal failure and sin, Christ's declaration, "Lo, I come," offers profound hope and redemption. Just as Adam and Eve's disobedience in the Garden of Eden necessitated a Savior, our own attempts at righteousness often fall short. It is in these moments of brokenness that Christ meets us, offering His strength and salvation when we have none of our own. His presence is a promise that we are not alone in our struggles, and His grace is sufficient to restore us. [07:31]
Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all."
Reflection: Think of a recent failure or sin in your life. How can you invite Christ into this situation to experience His hope and redemption today?
Day 2: Freedom from Sin's Deception
Sin often deceives us with false promises of freedom and pleasure, only to leave us in bondage and despair. Like Eve, who was deceived by the serpent, we too can fall into the trap of sin's lies. Yet, Christ comes to liberate us, breaking the chains of sin and offering true freedom through His sacrifice. His coming is a reminder that no deception is too great for His truth to overcome, and His presence brings genuine freedom and life. [10:34]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: Identify a specific area in your life where you feel deceived by sin. How can you seek Christ's truth and freedom in this area today?
Day 3: Christ's Righteousness as Our Covering
Our attempts to cover our shame and guilt with self-righteousness are inadequate, much like Adam and Eve's fig leaves. In our nakedness, Christ comes to clothe us in His righteousness, providing the only covering that can truly hide our sin and make us acceptable before God. His righteousness is a gift that transforms our identity and restores our relationship with God, offering us a new way to live. [13:53]
Isaiah 61:10 (ESV): "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness."
Reflection: Reflect on an area where you rely on self-righteousness. How can you embrace Christ's righteousness as your true covering today?
Day 4: Christ as Our Advocate in Guilt
When our excuses and justifications fail, and we can no longer blame others or circumstances for our sin, Christ comes as our advocate. He pleads on our behalf, offering forgiveness and reconciliation through His sacrifice. In our guilt, He is our hope, reminding us that we are not defined by our failures but by His love and grace. [16:05]
1 John 2:1-2 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."
Reflection: Consider a situation where you feel guilty and without excuse. How can you turn to Christ as your advocate and receive His forgiveness today?
Day 5: The Promise of Christ's Return
Christ's coming is not just a past event but a future promise. He will return to restore all things, and this hope sustains us in times of darkness and despair. His presence is assured, and His return is imminent, offering us a future filled with His peace and justice. This promise encourages us to live with anticipation and faith, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that His ultimate victory is certain. [20:20]
Revelation 21:4-5 (ESV): "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return influence your perspective on current challenges? What steps can you take to live with hope and anticipation today?
Quotes
When man's probation was a failure, man in the Garden of Eden had every Advantage for obedience and life. He had a perfect nature created without bias towards evil and he was surrounded with every inducement to continue loyal to his maker. He was placed under no burdensome law. [00:05:05]
How craftily he put it, how cunningly he insinuated that God was jealous of what man might become and was keeping him back from a nobler destiny. He even dared to say ye shall not surely die, thus giving the Lord the LIE direct. He seemed to say his threat is a mere bug bear. [00:07:58]
It is easy to make a covering which pleases us for a season, but self-righteousness, presumption, pretended infidelity, and fancied natural Excellence—all these things are like green fig leaves which shrivel up before long, lose their freshness, and are rather an exposure than a covering. [00:12:56]
When you dare no longer plead your innocence nor mention extenuation and excuses, then Jesus comes in. If conscience oppresses you so sorely that you cannot escape from it, if it be so that all you can say is guilty, willfully guilty, then Jesus comes. [00:15:55]
When man is at his worst, Christ is seen at his best. The Lord walks to us on the sea in the middle watch of the night. He draws nigh to those Souls which draw nigh to death. When you part with self, you meet with Christ. When no shred of Hope remains, then Jesus says lo I come. [00:19:50]
He will come when iniquity abounds and the love of many hath waxed cold. He will come when dreams of a golden age shall be turned into the dread reality of abounding evil. Do not dream that the world will go on improving and improving and that the Improvement will naturally culminate in the Millennium. [00:20:23]
Jesus is now the one pillar on which to lean, the one foundation on which to build, the one and only rest of our weary souls. He sets himself where we can see him, for he cries low I come, that is to say, see me come. He comes openly that we may see him clearly. [00:29:29]
Jesus was a savior 1900 years ago, and he is a savior still, and he will be a savior until all the chosen race shall have been gathered home. He tells us I said lo I come, but he does not say I said I will go away and quit the work. [00:31:34]
He is come. You have not to say how can I come to him. He comes to you. You do want to mediate it between your soul and God, but you do not want any mediator between yourself and Jesus, for he says lo I come to you in all your filthiness, in all your condemnation, in all your hopelessness. [00:44:02]
He does not come with half a Salvation and look to you to complete it. He does not come to bring you a robe half woven which you were to finish. How could you finish it? Could the best Saint in the world add anything to Christ's righteousness? No good man would even dream of adding his Homespun. [00:48:04]
He says lo I come and I trust you will reply my Lord if Thou Art come all is come and I am complete in thee thou o Christ art all I want more more than all in thee I find receive him receive him at once dear children of God and sinners that have begun to feel after him. [00:49:33]
The Holy Ghost shall apply it with power to your hearts. Join with me in prayer that many may see Jesus just now and May at once behold and accept the present salvation which is in him. Amen. [00:50:56]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Nov 06, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?