Embracing God's Goodness and Mercy in Our Lives
Summary
In today's message, I explored the profound truths found in Psalm 23, emphasizing the certainty of God's goodness and mercy in our lives. I began by highlighting the personal nature of God's care for each of us, acknowledging that His Word can meet us at our point of need. I shared about the diversity of our congregation, Victory Gospel Church, and the dynamic of our services, which are marked by active participation and a sense of expectancy for God to move.
I delved into the significance of Palm Sunday, although I admitted to often straying from a set script, preferring to follow the Holy Spirit's leading. I encouraged everyone to turn to Psalm 23, focusing on the phrase "surely goodness and mercy." This word "surely" underscores the reliability and certainty of God's actions in our lives. I emphasized that God's goodness is not contingent on our behavior but is a testament to His faithfulness.
I shared personal testimonies of witnessing genuine miracles and growing up in a faith-filled environment. Despite a seemingly perfect upbringing and successful ministry, I faced a time of deep personal brokenness that led me to the brink of suicide. However, through the intercession of my praying mother and the timely intervention of God-sent individuals, I experienced the redemptive power of God's goodness and mercy firsthand.
I expounded on the transformative power of God's mercy, using the imagery of Isaiah 1:18, where sins as scarlet are made white as snow. This passage illustrates the complete forgiveness and cleansing available to us through Christ. I also addressed the victim mentality that can hinder our spiritual progress, urging everyone to see themselves as overcomers through Christ.
Throughout the message, I reiterated the theme of God's goodness and mercy, personified in Jesus Christ, who is always working behind the scenes on our behalf. I encouraged the congregation to reject the lies of the enemy that lead to a broken life and to embrace the truth of God's promises.
I concluded with a call to recognize the Lord as our Shepherd, to allow Him to restore our souls, and to lead us in paths of righteousness. I reminded everyone that with divine leadership comes divine peace, and I challenged them to walk through the valleys of life without making them their identity.
Key Takeaways:
- The certainty of "surely" in Psalm 23 is a powerful affirmation of God's unwavering commitment to our well-being. As we navigate life's complexities, we can trust that His goodness and mercy are actively at work, even when unseen. This assurance should embolden our faith and encourage us to live with expectation of His continual blessings. [41:24]
- Personal brokenness, no matter how deep, cannot outmatch the goodness of God. Our past failures and present struggles are enveloped by His grace. This truth should inspire us to seek healing and restoration, knowing that God's goodness is not just a concept but a tangible reality that can turn our lives around. [58:47]
- The mercy of God is not limited by our shortcomings. It reaches into the darkest moments of our lives, offering forgiveness and a fresh start. When we feel disqualified by our actions, mercy reminds us that God's love is not based on our performance but on His unchanging nature. [01:00:47]
- The role of the Shepherd is to care for the sheep. When we allow the Lord to truly lead us, we can rest in the knowledge that He takes responsibility for our well-being. This relationship requires us to surrender our own leadership and trust in His guidance, which leads to peace and provision. [36:17]
- The victory over a victim mentality is found in the restoration of the soul. By allowing God to renew our minds and heal our emotions, we can overcome the lies that have held us captive. This transformation empowers us to live as conquerors, fulfilling our God-given destiny without being defined by our past traumas. [39:28]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
2. Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."
3. Numbers 23:19: "God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the word "surely" in Psalm 23:6 emphasize about God's actions in our lives? ([41:24])
2. How does the imagery in Isaiah 1:18 illustrate the concept of God's mercy and forgiveness?
3. According to Numbers 23:19, what is the significance of God's unchanging nature in relation to His promises?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the certainty of "surely" in Psalm 23:6 impact our understanding of God's commitment to us? ([41:24])
2. In what ways does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of God's mercy using the imagery from Isaiah 1:18? ([01:06:57])
3. How does the pastor's personal testimony of brokenness and restoration highlight the themes of God's goodness and mercy? ([50:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's goodness and mercy in a difficult situation. How did it change your perspective? ([50:57])
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of rejecting a victim mentality. What steps can you take to see yourself as an overcomer through Christ? ([39:28])
3. How can you actively remind yourself of God's promises, especially during challenging times? Consider practical ways to keep these promises at the forefront of your mind. ([42:47])
4. The sermon emphasized the role of the Shepherd in caring for the sheep. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God's leadership to experience His peace and provision? ([36:17])
5. The pastor shared about the impact of his praying mother and timely interventions by God-sent individuals. How can you be a source of God's goodness and mercy to someone in need this week? ([52:55])
6. Reflect on the concept of God's mercy not being limited by our shortcomings. How can this truth help you move past feelings of disqualification and embrace God's love? ([01:00:47])
7. The sermon concluded with a call to recognize the Lord as our Shepherd. What practical steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him and allow Him to restore your soul? ([36:17])
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting in God's Unwavering Goodness
God's goodness is a constant in the unpredictable journey of life. It is not a fleeting or conditional attribute but a steadfast assurance that can be relied upon in every circumstance. This goodness is not earned by deeds or lost through failures; it is inherent to God's character and is extended to all without prejudice. The phrase "surely goodness" from Psalm 23 is a powerful declaration of this truth, offering believers a foundation of hope and confidence. It is a reminder that, regardless of life's ups and downs, God's goodness is a certainty that one can expect to experience.
"Let those who fear the Lord say, 'His steadfast love endures forever.' Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:4-6 ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively look for and acknowledge God's goodness in your life today, even in the smallest of details? [41:24]
Day 2: Embracing God's Grace Amidst Brokenness
Personal brokenness can often feel like an insurmountable barrier to experiencing God's grace. Yet, the truth is that God's goodness envelops every aspect of our lives, including our deepest wounds and most profound failures. This goodness is a tangible reality that brings healing and restoration, turning lives around and offering a new beginning. It is not dependent on human perfection but is a testament to divine compassion and care. The assurance of God's grace in the midst of brokenness is a source of comfort and motivation to seek wholeness and peace.
"Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him." (Hosea 6:1-2 ESV)
Reflection: Can you identify an area of brokenness in your life where you need to experience God's healing grace? What steps can you take today to begin that journey of restoration? [58:47]
Day 3: The Limitless Reach of God's Mercy
God's mercy is an ever-present gift that extends far beyond our human limitations and failures. It reaches into the darkest corners of our existence, offering forgiveness, redemption, and a fresh start. This mercy is not a response to our actions but a reflection of God's unchanging love and compassion. It is a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of divine mercy, and that this gift is available to all, regardless of past mistakes or present struggles.
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10 ESV)
Reflection: How can you live today in the freedom that comes from knowing you are fully forgiven and loved by God, regardless of your past? [01:00:47]
Day 4: Surrendering to Divine Leadership
The role of the Shepherd is a profound metaphor for the relationship between God and His people. As the Shepherd, God assumes responsibility for the care, guidance, and protection of His flock. This divine leadership offers peace and provision, but it requires believers to surrender their own ways and trust in His direction. It is a call to let go of self-reliance and embrace the journey that God has laid out, knowing that He leads in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you." (Psalm 32:8-9 ESV)
Reflection: What is one aspect of your life where you need to relinquish control and allow God to lead? How can you take a step toward surrender today? [36:17]
Day 5: Overcoming Victimhood Through Soul Restoration
The transformation from a victim mentality to a victor's mindset is a significant spiritual journey. It involves allowing God to restore the soul, renew the mind, and heal emotional wounds. This process empowers individuals to overcome the lies that have held them captive and to step into their God-given destiny. It is a path of liberation from past traumas and a movement toward living as conquerors through the strength and love of Christ.
"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10 ESV)
Reflection: What lie about your identity have you believed, and how can you replace it with the truth of who you are in Christ today? [39:28]
Quotes
1) "I've been through some broken things... I've seen lots of genuine miracles in my life... I was never one of those rebellious kids... so on the surface everything looked great... then I became the senior pastor of this church... it was amazing... and then my life became broken... I faced this situation and I thought... everything is going to fall apart... I now know it was demonic forces speaking into my life... I knew I had to end my life... that was the only way forward." [50:14]
2) "I believe the lie... that the only way this situation was going to be resolved was if I died... I got in my car... sent a text to my mom saying I love you... my mom got this text... she instantly knew that something was wrong... she began to pray... the Lord miraculously showed her where I was... she found me... knocked on the door as I'm dying... the ambulance came... they drove me to the hospital... and then that night I lay in the hospital Ward and I think oh no this is worse." [52:18]
3) "God has people everywhere... it's important to be the person God has called you to be... it wasn't a pastor... that came and stood by my bed that night... it was a nurse... she said sir I don't know why you've done what you've done... but God told me to tell you this... he told me to tell you that he loved you... he told me to tell you you must never do this again and that I have a plan and a purpose for your life." [55:22]
4) "Goodness was following me... let me tell you who goodness is... Jesus is goodness... he's the goodness of God... goodness and mercy made its way into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday riding on a donkey." [56:43]
5) "The Lord is my shepherd... if we are following the right person... the Sheep are the shepherd's responsibility... if the Lord is my shepherd I am his and he is mine... it's his responsibility to look after me... something wonderful happens when we keep Jesus as our Shepherd... the Lord is my shepherd I shall not want... with Divine leadership comes Divine peace." [36:17]
6) "Though I walk through the valley... just walk through don't set up camp in the valley... don't make the valley your identity... one of the biggest things that wrecks people's lives is this victim mentality... he restores my soul and leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake... you are not a victim... you are anointed... you're a kingdom bringer... surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." [38:51]
7) "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life... God is a surely kind of God... when he decrees a thing it's done... we serve a God who was a surely God... when he says it, it will surely come to pass... God is not a man that he should lie... what has God said about you... God says you're the apple of my eye... God says you're my child... God says I've loved you with an Everlasting Love." [41:24]
8) "God is interested in every individual... miraculously he knows exactly what we need and he's able to meet us... our church is called Victory Gospel Church... we have 40 different Nations... I'm used to amens in my church... I'm also an audience participation preacher... I have to go with the flow... either I'm back on target or I'm way off... I pray that today the Lord will touch you and strengthen you in your being." [32:56]
9) "Surely God does things and he surely will do something today... he surely is going to do something in this church... He's Surely going to take you guys to another level... he's going to take me to another level... he's going to allow us to step into our destiny... the Lord is our shepherd... the important thing is." [34:58]
10) "And you're ready to forgive and abundant in Mercy... he's got a whole lot... he's got enough for everyone in this room... he's got enough to pick you up from where you are and say come on... these next 5 years are going to count in your life... no matter how old you are this next season of your life can be your greatest... my best days are still ahead of me... not because of what I've done but because I've just thrown myself on the mercy of God." [01:03:26]
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