Remembering God's Faithfulness: Our Role in His Story

Psalm 78 calls us to remember and proclaim the mighty works of God to the next generation, so that they might set their hope in Him and not forget His deeds. This is not just a call to recall history, but to see ourselves as participants in God’s unfolding story—a story that began at creation, runs through the covenants with Abraham, Moses, and David, and finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. God’s purpose from the beginning has been to glorify Himself and, in so doing, to bless His creation. Humanity was created in God’s image to reflect His character, to rule as His representatives, and to fill the earth with His glory. This calling is not burdensome, but the very path to our deepest blessing and joy.

Yet, the fall shattered our ability and desire to fulfill this purpose. Sin is not just a list of wrongs, but a fundamental rebellion—a desire to be God rather than His steward. The result is alienation from God, from one another, and from creation itself. But even in judgment, God’s heart is to bless. After the flood, after Babel, after every act of rebellion, God renews His promise to bless the world, narrowing His focus to Abraham and his descendants, and then to Israel, and then to David’s line. Each covenant—Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic—builds on the last, revealing both God’s faithfulness and humanity’s persistent waywardness.

The law given at Sinai was conditional and temporary, designed to point Israel (and us) to our need for a new heart and a better covenant. The history of Israel—cycles of sin, judgment, exile, and restoration—serves as a mirror for our own hearts and as a stage for God’s redemptive plan. The prophets, especially the minor prophets, are not just voices of doom, but heralds of hope, calling God’s people back to covenant faithfulness, warning of judgment, and promising restoration and a coming Messiah.

All of this points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills every promise, bears every curse, and opens the way for all nations to be blessed in Him. Now, as we await His return, we are called to remember, repent, and faithfully steward the tasks He has given us, proclaiming His death and resurrection until He comes. The Lord’s Table is a participation in this story—a reminder of His sacrifice, a call to confession, and a foretaste of the kingdom to come.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Glory and Our Blessing Are Inseparable From creation, God’s design has been that His glory and our blessing go hand in hand. When we live according to His purpose—reflecting His image, obeying His commands, and filling the earth with His glory—we experience the deepest joy and satisfaction. Misery often signals that we are out of step with this design, seeking our own way rather than God’s. True fulfillment is found not in self-assertion, but in humble alignment with God’s will. [13:08]
• 2. The Root of Sin Is the Desire to Be God At the heart of every sin is the ancient temptation: “You can be like God.” Sin is not merely breaking rules, but a fundamental rejection of God’s authority and a grasping for autonomy. This leads to alienation, shame, and the loss of true enjoyment of God. Recognizing this root helps us see the seriousness of sin and our need for grace, not just better behavior. [19:13]
• 3. God’s Persistent Desire to Bless Despite Rebellion Throughout history, even after catastrophic judgment, God’s response is to renew His promise to bless. After the flood, after Babel, after Israel’s failures, God’s heart remains set on blessing His creation—now focused through Abraham, Israel, and ultimately Jesus. This persistent grace is the foundation of our hope, reminding us that God’s faithfulness is greater than our failures. [25:44]
• 4. The Covenants Reveal Both Human Inability and Divine Faithfulness The Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants each highlight a different aspect of God’s plan and our need. The law exposes our inability to obey; the promises to Abraham and David reveal God’s unbreakable commitment to bless and to provide a King. The prophets call us back to these covenants, urging repentance and pointing to the coming Messiah who fulfills them all. [31:00]
• 5. Our Place in God’s Story Calls for Faithful Stewardship and Hopeful Waiting We are not spectators, but participants in God’s unfolding story. Like Israel, we are called to remember God’s works, repent of our sins, and steward the responsibilities He has given us as we await Christ’s return. The Lord’s Table is both a remembrance and a proclamation—a call to confess, to trust, and to look forward to the day when Christ’s kingdom is fully revealed. [51:17]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:30] - The Call to Remember and Proclaim God’s Works
• [02:04] - Anticipating Christ’s Return and Living in the Meantime
• [03:20] - Why Study the Minor Prophets?
• [05:10] - The Beauty and Relevance of the Minor Prophets
• [07:14] - The Importance of Context in Understanding the Prophets
• [09:07] - God’s Purpose in Creation: Glory and Blessing
• [11:09] - Humanity’s Role: Image Bearers and Vice-Regents
• [13:08] - Blessing Through Obedience and the Creation Mandate
• [15:09] - Faith, Obedience, and Worship in the Garden
• [18:29] - The Fall: Loss of Purpose and Fellowship
• [21:48] - Sacrifice and the Need for Mediation
• [23:51] - God’s Persistent Desire to Bless After Judgment
• [26:28] - The Abrahamic Covenant: Land, Seed, and Blessing
• [29:36] - The Mosaic Covenant: Law, Blessings, and Curses
• [34:11] - Prophetic Framework: Rebellion, Exile, and Restoration
• [36:53] - The Judges: Cycles of Sin and Deliverance
• [39:37] - The Davidic Covenant and the Promise of a King
• [42:14] - The Divided Kingdom and the Role of the Prophets
• [44:48] - Exile, Return, and the Prophetic Timeline
• [48:01] - Preparing to Study the Minor Prophets
• [49:20] - Christ: Fulfillment of God’s Promises
• [51:17] - Faithful Stewardship and the Lord’s Table
• [52:36] - Invitation to Confession and Participation

Bible Reading

Psalm 78:1-8 (ESV) — > Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!
> I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,
> things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.
> We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation
> the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.
> He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel,
> which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,
> that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn,
> and arise and tell them to their children,
> so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God,
> but keep his commandments;
> and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,
> a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 78:1-8, what is the main responsibility given to God’s people regarding the next generation?
2. What are the specific things that God’s people are supposed to remember and pass on, according to these verses?
3. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the connection between God’s glory and our blessing? [[13:08]]
4. How does the sermon describe the root of sin, especially in relation to the story of Adam and Eve? [[19:13]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does the psalmist emphasize telling the next generation about God’s works? What might happen if this is neglected?
2. The sermon says, “God’s design has been that His glory and our blessing go hand in hand.” What does it mean for our lives if we separate God’s glory from our own happiness? [[13:08]]
3. The pastor describes sin as “the desire to be God instead of His steward.” How does this understanding of sin change the way we view our own struggles and failures? [[19:13]]
4. The sermon highlights God’s persistent desire to bless, even after judgment and rebellion. What does this reveal about God’s character, and how should it affect our hope? [[25:44]]

Application Questions

1. Psalm 78 calls us to remember and proclaim God’s mighty works. What is one specific story of God’s faithfulness in your life that you could share with someone younger this week? Who will you share it with? [[00:30]]
2. The sermon says that “misery often signals that we are out of step with God’s design.” Is there an area in your life where you feel out of step with God’s purpose? What might it look like to realign with His will? [[13:08]]
3. The root of sin is described as wanting to be in control, to “be like God.” Can you think of a recent situation where you tried to take control instead of trusting God? What would it look like to surrender that area? [[19:13]]
4. God’s response to rebellion is to renew His promise to bless. When you fail or fall into sin, do you tend to run from God or toward Him? What would it look like to run toward His grace this week? [[25:44]]
5. The sermon says we are “participants in God’s unfolding story.” What is one responsibility or task God has given you right now that you want to steward more faithfully? [[51:17]]
6. The Lord’s Table is described as both a remembrance and a proclamation. How does participating in communion help you remember and proclaim Christ’s work? Is there a new way you could approach the Lord’s Table next time? [[52:36]]
7. The pastor encourages us to “remember, repent, and faithfully steward the tasks He has given us.” Which of these three (remember, repent, steward) do you most need to focus on this week, and what is one step you can take? [[51:17]]