Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves: Remembering God's Goodness
Summary
Psalm 103 is a profound reminder of the importance of preaching the gospel to ourselves. This psalm, penned by David, is a jubilant celebration of God's goodness, mercy, and steadfast love. Unlike many other psalms where David cries out for help, this one is purely a song of praise. David is not addressing God directly but is speaking to his own soul, urging himself to remember and bless the Lord for all His benefits. This act of self-encouragement is what we call preaching the gospel to ourselves. It is a practice of reminding ourselves of the good news of Jesus Christ, His life, death, and resurrection, and how these truths impact our daily lives.
The essence of preaching the gospel to ourselves is captured in the word "remember." David is remembering God's benefits, which include forgiveness, healing, redemption, and satisfaction. He is reminding himself of God's forgiveness, which is the heartbeat of the gospel. Without forgiveness, we cannot fully enjoy the other blessings God offers. This forgiveness is not something we earn; it is a gift of grace, continuously available to us because of our faith in Jesus.
David also speaks of purification, the cleansing from the effects of sin. This is not just about physical healing but more importantly, spiritual healing. Sin is a spiritual disease, and only God can cure it through the gospel. The psalmist reminds us that God heals us by His word and through the work of Jesus Christ.
Lastly, David highlights God's pity, His compassion and mercy towards us despite our fallenness. God is not a harsh judge but a tender-hearted Father who understands our frailty. He knows our days are like grass, fleeting and fragile, and He deals with us compassionately. This understanding of God's nature should lead us to preach the gospel to ourselves, to remember His benefits, and to worship Him with gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
1. Preaching the Gospel to Yourself: David models the practice of preaching the gospel to oneself by remembering God's benefits. This involves reminding ourselves of the good news of Jesus Christ and how it transforms our lives. It is a call to anchor our hope and trust in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. [53:28]
2. The Heartbeat of Forgiveness: Forgiveness is central to the gospel and is the first benefit David lists. It is a continuous, present-tense action, a gift of grace that we cannot earn. This forgiveness is essential for enjoying the fullness of God's blessings. [59:16]
3. Purification and Spiritual Healing: Beyond physical healing, David emphasizes the importance of spiritual healing. Sin is a spiritual disease, and God offers purification through the gospel. This cleansing is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. [01:07:51]
4. God's Compassionate Pity: God's pity is not a condescending feeling but a compassionate understanding of our frailty. He knows our lives are temporary and fragile, and He deals with us with tender mercy. This should encourage us to trust in His love and kindness. [01:17:14]
5. Remembering God's Benefits: The act of remembering God's benefits is crucial for our spiritual well-being. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's goodness, stirring us to worship and gratitude. This practice helps us embrace God's promises and live in His love. [01:20:56]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Opening Prayer
- [01:15] - Introduction to Psalm 103
- [02:45] - The Joyful Nature of Psalm 103
- [04:00] - Preaching the Gospel to Yourself
- [05:30] - The Essence of Remembering
- [07:00] - The Benefit of Forgiveness
- [08:45] - Continuous Forgiveness
- [10:15] - Purification and Spiritual Healing
- [12:00] - God's Compassionate Pity
- [13:30] - The Tender Heart of God
- [15:00] - The Importance of Remembering
- [16:30] - Personal Reflection and Testimony
- [18:00] - Encouragement to Worship
- [19:30] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Psalm 103
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 103
Observation Questions:
1. What are the specific benefits of God that David lists in Psalm 103? How does he describe God's forgiveness? [59:16]
2. How does David describe God's compassion and mercy in Psalm 103? What imagery does he use to convey this? [01:17:14]
3. In what way does David encourage himself to remember God's benefits, and how does this relate to the concept of preaching the gospel to oneself? [53:28]
4. How does David's approach in Psalm 103 differ from other psalms where he cries out for help? What is the focus of this psalm? [51:17]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is forgiveness considered the "heartbeat of the gospel" according to the sermon? How does this understanding impact a believer's relationship with God? [59:16]
2. How does the concept of spiritual healing in Psalm 103 extend beyond physical healing? What does this imply about the nature of sin and redemption? [01:07:51]
3. What does David's emphasis on remembering God's benefits suggest about the human tendency to forget God's goodness? How can this practice transform a believer's daily life? [57:56]
4. How does the sermon describe God's pity and compassion? In what ways does this understanding of God's nature challenge common perceptions of God? [01:17:14]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you needed to remind yourself of God's forgiveness. How did this practice affect your perspective and actions? [56:10]
2. Identify an area in your life where you need spiritual healing. What steps can you take to seek God's purification and healing in this area? [01:07:51]
3. How can you incorporate the practice of preaching the gospel to yourself in your daily routine? What specific truths about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection do you need to remember regularly? [53:28]
4. Consider a situation where you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How can remembering God's benefits help you shift your focus from your problems to God's goodness? [01:20:56]
5. In what ways can you demonstrate God's compassion and mercy to others, reflecting the tender-hearted nature of God described in the sermon? [01:17:14]
6. Think of a recent moment when you forgot God's goodness in your life. How can you create reminders or habits to help you remember and celebrate His benefits more consistently? [57:56]
7. How does understanding God's infinite forgiveness, as described in Psalm 103, change the way you view your own mistakes and the mistakes of others? [01:04:26]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: Anchoring Hope in Christ's Work
David models the practice of preaching the gospel to oneself by remembering God's benefits. This involves reminding ourselves of the good news of Jesus Christ and how it transforms our lives. It is a call to anchor our hope and trust in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. By speaking to his own soul, David demonstrates the importance of self-encouragement and spiritual reflection. This practice helps believers to internalize the truths of the gospel, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with a firm foundation in Christ. [53:28]
Psalm 62:5-6 (ESV): "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken."
Reflection: What specific truth about Jesus' life, death, or resurrection do you need to remind yourself of today to anchor your hope in Him?
Day 2: Embracing Continuous Forgiveness
Forgiveness is central to the gospel and is the first benefit David lists. It is a continuous, present-tense action, a gift of grace that we cannot earn. This forgiveness is essential for enjoying the fullness of God's blessings. By acknowledging the ongoing nature of God's forgiveness, believers are invited to live in the freedom and joy that comes from being forgiven. This understanding encourages a life of gratitude and humility, recognizing that forgiveness is a divine gift that transforms relationships and personal growth. [59:16]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you struggle to accept God's forgiveness? How can you embrace His grace more fully today?
Day 3: Pursuing Spiritual Healing
Beyond physical healing, David emphasizes the importance of spiritual healing. Sin is a spiritual disease, and God offers purification through the gospel. This cleansing is a vital aspect of our relationship with God. Spiritual healing involves a deep transformation that aligns our hearts with God's will, allowing us to experience His peace and joy. By seeking God's purification, believers can overcome the spiritual ailments that hinder their relationship with Him and others. [01:07:51]
James 5:15-16 (ESV): "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed."
Reflection: What spiritual "disease" do you need to bring before God for healing today? How can you invite Him into this process?
Day 4: Trusting in God's Compassion
God's pity is not a condescending feeling but a compassionate understanding of our frailty. He knows our lives are temporary and fragile, and He deals with us with tender mercy. This should encourage us to trust in His love and kindness. Understanding God's compassionate nature helps believers to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is a loving Father who desires their well-being. This trust fosters a deeper relationship with God, characterized by reliance on His grace and mercy. [01:17:14]
Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV): "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."
Reflection: In what ways can you trust more in God's compassion and mercy today? How does this change your perspective on your current struggles?
Day 5: Cultivating a Heart of Gratitude
The act of remembering God's benefits is crucial for our spiritual well-being. It shifts our focus from our problems to God's goodness, stirring us to worship and gratitude. This practice helps us embrace God's promises and live in His love. By intentionally recalling God's blessings, believers can cultivate a heart of gratitude that transforms their outlook on life. This gratitude leads to a more joyful and fulfilling relationship with God and others. [01:20:56]
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV): "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
Reflection: What are three specific benefits from God that you can remember and thank Him for today? How can this practice of gratitude impact your daily life?
Quotes
"As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass. He flourishes like a flower of the field." [00:50:32] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"And in this particular psalm, we don't know his circumstance or what he was actually doing that may be the background of it. But what we can discern is that he's preaching the gospel to himself." [00:52:47] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"David is doing exactly the thing that all of us should do when the life is happening all around you. It's pressing you in on all sides. You're trying to figure out how to make your faith work in the midst of the life that you're living." [00:55:24] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Without the forgiveness of sin, it's impossible to enjoy all the other blessings that God gives us in their fullness. And so this is important. We don't earn forgiveness by making ourselves fit for heaven." [00:59:40] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God forgives all your iniquities. Present tense connotes continuous action. It's happening right now, and it's going to continue to happen. Why do we need that? I don't know about you, but because we continue to sin." [01:00:43] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Forgiveness is our present possession. I want you to notice, not just the rest of the Bible, I want you to notice how many verses in this psalm speak of forgiveness." [01:02:49] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"God has removed your sin, people, as far as the east is from the west. He has an infinite amount of forgiveness and love for you, despite what you do think or act, you know, in all those ways." [01:05:33] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Purification is the fruit and the fruit of Christ's atoning work for us. Here's the last thing I want you to see in this text. It's the third redemptive benefit that David highlights here, and it's pity." [01:13:42] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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