Embracing God's Goodness and Everlasting Love

 

Summary

In today's sermon, I explored the profound truths found in Psalm 118, emphasizing the attributes of God and how they impact our lives. I began by reflecting on the nature of God's goodness, underscoring that God is not just good in action but is the very essence of goodness itself. This goodness is reflected in the grace, love, and mercy we extend to others, which are mere glimpses of God's infinite goodness.

I then delved into the enduring love of God for His children. I drew parallels between the perfect parental love God has for us and the love parents have for their children, even when they have to set boundaries due to destructive behaviors. I used the example of the Prodigal Son to illustrate God's readiness to welcome us back with open arms, regardless of our past failures.

The sermon also highlighted that God's love is everlasting and unfailing. Unlike human relationships that can be severed by repeated hurts, God's love remains steadfast. This enduring love is a source of comfort and assurance, especially when we feel unworthy or defeated.

I reminded the congregation that God is with us, so we need not fear. Drawing from the imagery of angels in the Bible, I pointed out that their message often begins with "Do not be afraid," because God's presence is a constant reassurance in the face of life's uncertainties.

God is also our helper, refuge, strength, and defense. In times when we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, God provides the support and protection we need. As we approach Easter, I emphasized that God is our salvation, offering us freedom from sin and death, and the promise of eternal life.

The sermon concluded with a call to practice celebration, recognizing that each day is a gift from God. Even when days are tough and joy seems elusive, we are encouraged to remember God's goodness and the blessings He bestows upon us. This practice of celebration is not just for moments of triumph but also for everyday life, as we acknowledge God's presence and work in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

- God's goodness is not merely an action but His very nature. When we exhibit goodness, grace, love, and mercy, we are reflecting a fraction of God's inherent goodness. This understanding should inspire us to act with kindness and compassion, knowing we are mirroring the divine. [35:19]

- The enduring love of God is unlike any human affection; it is unconditional and inexhaustible. No matter how far we stray or how deep we fall, God's love remains. This truth should give us the courage to face our shortcomings and seek reconciliation, trusting in God's unwavering love. [39:42]

- God's presence with us is a powerful antidote to fear. The biblical command "Do not be afraid" is rooted in the assurance of God's companionship. As we navigate life's challenges, we can find peace in the knowledge that we are never alone. [41:07]

- God as our helper and refuge signifies that we have a divine ally in our struggles. This relationship offers us a sanctuary and strength that surpasses human capabilities. In recognizing God as our helper, we can approach life's difficulties with confidence and resilience. [43:14]

- Celebrating each day as a gift from God is a practice that can transform our perspective on life. It requires us to actively remember and rejoice in God's blessings, even on days when joy seems distant. By cultivating a habit of celebration, we can foster a spirit of gratitude and contentment. [53:17]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 118:1-6, 14-24
2. Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
3. Hebrews 13:5-6

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 118:1, what are we encouraged to do and why?
2. In the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), how does the father react when his son returns home?
3. What does Hebrews 13:5-6 say about God's presence and our response to fear?
4. In the sermon, what are some attributes of God that were highlighted? ([33:58])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the enduring love of God, as described in Psalm 118 and the Parable of the Prodigal Son, challenge our understanding of forgiveness and reconciliation? ([36:48])
2. What does it mean for God to be our refuge and strength according to Psalm 118 and the sermon? How can this understanding impact our daily lives? ([43:14])
3. The sermon emphasized the practice of celebration. How does recognizing each day as a gift from God change our perspective on daily struggles? ([50:59])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy or defeated. How did the knowledge of God's enduring love help you through that period? ([38:09])
2. In what ways can you actively practice celebrating God's goodness in your daily life, even when joy seems distant? ([50:59])
3. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and not be afraid when facing uncertainties or challenges? ([41:07])
4. Think of a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed. How did you seek God's help and refuge during that time? If you didn't, how might you approach it differently next time? ([43:14])
5. Identify one specific way you can reflect God's goodness, grace, love, and mercy to someone in your life this week. ([35:19])
6. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude and celebration in your family or community? What practical steps can you take to make this a regular practice? ([53:17])
7. Consider the biblical command "Do not be afraid" and God's promise to be with us. How can you apply this assurance in a current fear or anxiety you are facing? ([41:07])

Devotional

Day 1: Reflecting Divine Goodness
God's goodness is intrinsic to His nature, and as His creation, we are called to reflect this divine attribute in our daily interactions. When we show kindness, grace, love, and mercy, we are not just acting morally; we are displaying the very character of God. This reflection of divine goodness is not about achieving perfection but about striving to embody the essence of God's nature in a tangible way. It is a daily commitment to live out the values that are at the core of our faith, recognizing that each act of goodness is a testament to the God we serve.

"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." (Proverbs 21:21 ESV)

Reflection: How can you demonstrate God's inherent goodness in your interactions today? [35:19]

Day 2: Unconditional Love's Embrace
The love of God is a boundless, unfailing force that does not waver based on our actions or circumstances. It is a love that surpasses all human understanding and sets a standard for how we are to love one another. This divine love is not earned by deeds nor diminished by failures; it is a constant, unwavering presence that offers redemption and reconciliation. As recipients of such love, individuals are empowered to face their shortcomings with courage, knowing that they are always within reach of God's grace.

"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." (Psalm 86:15 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you lean into the truth of God's unconditional love when you feel unworthy? [39:42]

Day 3: God's Presence, Our Peace
The assurance of God's presence is a powerful antidote to fear. The command to "Do not be afraid" is not a mere suggestion but a declaration of the steadfast companionship that God offers. In moments of uncertainty and anxiety, the knowledge that one is never alone provides a profound sense of peace. This divine presence is not just a comforting thought; it is an active, living reality that sustains and strengthens believers through every challenge.

"The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalm 145:18 ESV)

Reflection: What fears can you surrender today, knowing that God's presence is with you? [41:07]

Day 4: Our Divine Ally in Struggle
God is described as a helper, refuge, strength, and defense, roles that underscore His active participation in the lives of believers. In times of trouble, God is not a distant observer but a present help, offering sanctuary and fortitude that surpass human capabilities. This relationship with the divine enables individuals to face life's adversities with a resilience that is rooted in faith, not in personal strength.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 ESV)

Reflection: How can recognizing God as your helper change the way you approach challenges today? [43:14]

Day 5: Cultivating a Spirit of Celebration
Celebrating each day as a gift from God is a transformative practice that fosters gratitude and contentment. It is an intentional act of recognizing and rejoicing in the blessings that are often overlooked. This habit of celebration is not reserved for moments of triumph but is equally important in everyday life. By acknowledging God's goodness and presence, even in the midst of trials, believers can maintain a spirit of joy and thankfulness.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24 ESV)

Reflection: What specific blessings can you celebrate today, regardless of your current circumstances? [53:17]

Quotes

"God is good what does it mean that God is good well when we act in goodness we talked about uh the fruit of the spirit last year and goodness is one of the fruits of the spirit when we show goodness when we show Grace love and mercy that's us reflecting God because God doesn't just act good God is good and the goodness that we show other people the grace the love the mercy that we show other people that's our reflection of God meaning that thing that someone did for you that you still remember that good thing not that bad thing that good thing someone did for you that you still remember that's only a bit a little hint of God's goodness God is good everything good that people do for one another is only a taste of the goodness that God is." [35:19]( | | )

"God loves us as his children now the the parent relationship that we see with God through scripture that's tough for some people I've heard over and over and over people that have a hard time with God as father or God as parent because their parents weren't great neglectful at best abusive at worst but God is a good god and the parent relationship that we see in here is the best possible relationship God is a good god who loves his kids no matter what kind of trouble they get into." [36:48]( | | )

"God's love endures that kind of love doesn't go away no matter how badly we've screwed up no matter our sins no matter our failures no matter how bad we feel about ourselves God's love endures and that's hard for us to imagine right because eventually anyone we know could go too far for us we we sometimes can't imagine that but eventually if someone Burns enough Bridges we we have to stop being close to them right anyone can go too far but God's love endures no matter how badly we screw up." [39:42]( | | )

"God is with us so we don't need to be afraid I love my favorite memes online are the ones with the biblically accurate Angels coming to the people if you've seen those if you read through the Old Testament anytime an angel shows up and in Revelation as well it talks about them having like rings around them and a thousand eyes and multiple uh arms and legs like this is how they're described and they come to the people and they say don't be afraid and you're like well yeah they need to say that because if a monster came to you they'd have to say don't be afraid because all you could do is Scream but why does why does God say don't be afraid because God's with his people we don't need to fear." [41:50]( | | )

"God is our helper getting through life is hard but God helps us through it we don't need to fear because God is our helper let's keep going verse eight it is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man God is our refuge he's like our house or our apartment he's like a bomb shelter God gives us Refuge God God is a place of safety in God we don't have to fear because God is with us God is our safety God is our refuge." [43:14]( | | )

"God is our strength when we're feeling the world closing in on all sides God is our strength God is our defense and then also in verse eight God Saves us God is our Salvation next week it's Easter when we celebrate that God Saves us from our sins God Saves us from death because of God's presence with us we experience life and joy now and we look forward to when we'll be with him in the future God is our Salvation here now and in the future." [45:29]( | | )

"God gave us this day and when we celebrate those things and when we constantly remember those things over and over and over day after day after day after day it becomes easier on the days that we aren't feeling like today is a gift when we don't want to rejoice in the Lord the practice is to remember every day how God has been good the practice is to remember that God has given us this day and this day is a gift." [53:17]( | | )

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Transcript
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