Walking in Faith: Embracing God's Unwavering Promises

 

Summary

Summary:

Today, we explored the profound nature of God's promises and how they differ from human promises. While we often hesitate to make promises due to unforeseen circumstances, God's promises are unwavering and certain. We delved into the biblical narrative of God's promise of a Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and the role of John the Baptist as the way preparer. Through the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we saw how God's promises, though sometimes hard to believe, are fulfilled in His perfect timing. Zechariah's prophecy highlights the roles of God as the way maker, Jesus as the way, and John as the way preparer. We, as believers, are called to be the way walkers, living in the light of Christ and following His guidance.

We also discussed the four cadences of way walkers: blessing the Lord, declaring salvation, practicing mercy, and serving without fear. These steps help us grow in our relationship with God and align our lives with His will. Blessing the Lord involves recognizing His presence and redemption in our lives. Declaring salvation is about acknowledging Jesus as our Savior and sharing that truth with others. Practicing mercy reflects God's compassion and patience, urging us to seek redemption and restoration over condemnation. Finally, serving without fear emphasizes the privilege of serving God, trusting in His protection and guidance.

As we walk the way of peace with Jesus, we are called to integrate these cadences into our daily lives, allowing them to shape our thoughts, words, and actions. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's promises and experience the transformative power of His love and grace.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Promises Are Unwavering: Unlike human promises, which can be hindered by unforeseen circumstances, God's promises are certain and fulfilled in His perfect timing. This assurance invites us to trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty, knowing that His plans are for our ultimate good. [05:26]

2. The Role of John the Baptist: John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus, highlighting the importance of recognizing and responding to God's promises. His life reminds us that God often uses unexpected means to fulfill His purposes, challenging us to remain open and attentive to His work in our lives. [09:12]

3. The Four Cadences of Way Walkers: Blessing the Lord, declaring salvation, practicing mercy, and serving without fear are essential rhythms for believers. These practices help us grow in our relationship with God and align our lives with His will, enabling us to walk the way of peace with Jesus. [21:27]

4. Practicing Mercy Reflects God's Heart: God's patience and compassion are evident in His desire for redemption and restoration. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same mercy, seeking to restore and redeem rather than condemn, reflecting God's love to the world. [27:34]

5. Serving God Is a Privilege: Serving God is not a burden but a privilege, as He rescues us from sin and empowers us to live in holiness and righteousness. This service is an expression of our gratitude and love for God, demonstrating His worthiness to those around us. [29:54]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:44] - Glitter and Gratitude
- [01:19] - Opening Prayer
- [02:12] - Parenting Quirks
- [03:02] - The Nature of Promises
- [05:26] - God's Faithful Promises
- [07:52] - Prophetic Promises of the Messiah
- [09:12] - John the Baptist: The Way Preparer
- [11:18] - The Role of Signs and Announcements
- [12:56] - Zechariah's Encounter with Gabriel
- [13:43] - Promises to Zechariah
- [15:37] - Zechariah's Doubt and Silence
- [16:51] - Zechariah's Prophetic Praise
- [19:16] - The Way of Peace
- [21:27] - The Four Cadences of Way Walkers
- [22:34] - Bless the Lord
- [24:18] - Declare Salvation
- [25:13] - Practice Mercy
- [28:35] - Serve Without Fear
- [31:00] - Head, Heart, and Hands
- [32:11] - The Way of Jesus Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 1:68-79
2. Isaiah 9:2
3. Jeremiah 23:5-6

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the key elements of Zechariah's prophecy in Luke 1:68-79, and how do they relate to the roles of God, Jesus, and John the Baptist? [16:51]

2. How does the sermon describe the certainty of God's promises compared to human promises? [05:26]

3. What role did John the Baptist play in preparing the way for Jesus, according to the sermon? [09:12]

4. What are the four cadences of way walkers mentioned in the sermon, and how do they help believers grow in their relationship with God? [21:27]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Zechariah's prophecy in Luke 1:68-79 illustrate the fulfillment of God's promises, and what does this reveal about God's character? [16:51]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that believers can miss God's promises due to impatience or false expectations? [05:26]

3. How does the role of John the Baptist as the way preparer challenge believers to recognize and respond to God's work in their lives? [09:12]

4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of practicing mercy as a reflection of God's heart, and how can this be applied in daily life? [27:34]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you struggled to trust in God's promises. How can the assurance of His unwavering promises encourage you in your current circumstances? [05:26]

2. John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. How can you be a "way preparer" in your community, helping others recognize and respond to God's work? [09:12]

3. The sermon mentions blessing the Lord as a daily cadence. What are some practical ways you can incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [22:34]

4. Declaring salvation is one of the cadences of way walkers. How can you share the message of Jesus as Savior with someone in your life this week? [24:18]

5. Practicing mercy reflects God's heart. Identify a situation where you can choose mercy over condemnation. How will you approach it differently this time? [27:34]

6. Serving without fear is emphasized in the sermon. What fears might be holding you back from serving God fully, and how can you overcome them? [29:54]

7. As a way walker, how can you ensure that your actions align with the transformative power of God's love and grace in your life? [21:27]

Devotional

Day 1: Trust in God's Unwavering Promises
God's promises stand firm, unaffected by human limitations or unforeseen circumstances. Unlike human promises, which can falter due to unexpected events, God's promises are steadfast and fulfilled in His perfect timing. This assurance invites believers to trust in His faithfulness and sovereignty, knowing that His plans are for their ultimate good. The biblical narrative of God's promise of a Messiah, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, exemplifies this unwavering nature. Through the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth, we see how God's promises, though sometimes hard to believe, are fulfilled in His perfect timing. This understanding encourages believers to place their trust in God's promises, confident that He will fulfill them according to His divine plan. [05:26]

"For the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." (Habakkuk 2:3, ESV)

Reflection: What is one promise from God that you find difficult to trust in fully? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness today?


Day 2: Embrace the Unexpected in God's Plan
John the Baptist's role as the way preparer for Jesus highlights the importance of recognizing and responding to God's promises. His life serves as a reminder that God often uses unexpected means to fulfill His purposes, challenging believers to remain open and attentive to His work in their lives. The story of John the Baptist encourages believers to embrace the unexpected and trust that God is at work, even when His methods are not immediately clear. By remaining open to God's leading, believers can better align themselves with His purposes and participate in His redemptive work in the world. [09:12]

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:19, ESV)

Reflection: Can you think of a time when God used an unexpected situation to fulfill His purpose in your life? How can you remain open to His leading today?


Day 3: Walk the Cadences of Faith
The four cadences of way walkers—blessing the Lord, declaring salvation, practicing mercy, and serving without fear—are essential rhythms for believers. These practices help believers grow in their relationship with God and align their lives with His will, enabling them to walk the way of peace with Jesus. Blessing the Lord involves recognizing His presence and redemption in their lives. Declaring salvation is about acknowledging Jesus as their Savior and sharing that truth with others. Practicing mercy reflects God's compassion and patience, urging believers to seek redemption and restoration over condemnation. Finally, serving without fear emphasizes the privilege of serving God, trusting in His protection and guidance. By integrating these cadences into their daily lives, believers can experience the transformative power of God's love and grace. [21:27]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." (Hebrews 10:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Which of the four cadences do you find most challenging to practice consistently? What steps can you take to incorporate it more fully into your daily life?


Day 4: Reflect God's Heart Through Mercy
Practicing mercy reflects God's heart, as His patience and compassion are evident in His desire for redemption and restoration. As followers of Christ, believers are called to embody this same mercy, seeking to restore and redeem rather than condemn, reflecting God's love to the world. This practice of mercy challenges believers to look beyond their own desires and extend grace to others, even when it is difficult. By doing so, they become conduits of God's love and grace, demonstrating His heart to those around them. [27:34]

"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6:36-37, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's mercy through you today? How can you extend grace and compassion to them in a tangible way?


Day 5: Serve God with Joyful Gratitude
Serving God is not a burden but a privilege, as He rescues believers from sin and empowers them to live in holiness and righteousness. This service is an expression of their gratitude and love for God, demonstrating His worthiness to those around them. By serving God with joyful gratitude, believers can experience the fullness of life that He offers and become a testament to His goodness and grace. This perspective on service encourages believers to view their acts of service as opportunities to glorify God and share His love with others. [29:54]

"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture." (Psalm 100:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you serve God with a heart of gratitude today? How can your service reflect His love and grace to those around you?

Quotes

Good morning. Thank you, worship team. Thank you, Jeremy, for leading us in communion. Mark, thank you for handing the announcements today. I got to say this before I set my stuff down. Don't the decorations look nice in here? Now, I'm not going to call her out by name, but Penny loves me so much that she intentionally just covered the table with Christmas. It's full of glitter. You can't see all the little sparkles. And I love glitter so much, Penny. So much. I know when I set my stuff down, I'm going to be covered in glitter for the next two or three months. So I'm just going to start it off right. I'm just going to kind of put it in here. Okay. Because you're not going to get the better of me, my friend. I hate glitter. The ashes in hell are made of glitter. Yeah, it's the worst. Just goes everywhere. It's pretty, though. It's pretty. What did I do? What did I do? All right. I need to say a prayer and get spiritually right. God, help me forgive Penny. God. God. thank you so much for your love. God, we come before you today to worship you, to honor you, and I pray that our worship this morning, both through song and through sharing from your word, your messages, that this is a blessing to you. God, we rejoice in you and know that you rejoice over us. Thank you, God, for your love. In the name of Jesus. Amen. I'm going to tattle on myself a little bit. I want to tell you one of my parenting quirks. I am not one to make a lot of promises. Am I the only one in here that's like that with your kids? I might be. I see no other hands going up. I am not one to make a lot of promises. When my kids ask me if I'll buy them something or if I'll take them somewhere or, well, really just about anything, at all, my answer is universally, maybe. And sometimes I'll splurge and I'll offer the more positive probably, but it's almost never absolutely. It's not that I'm incapable of keeping my promises. It's not that at all. It's just that often there are too many possible situations entirely outside of my control that can keep the promise from being fulfilled. And I want my children to trust me. That when I say yes, I mean yes. When I say no, I mean no. and I'm pretty certain that even though I didn't see any hands going up I'm pretty certain that every parent in here knows exactly what I'm talking about and how many of you have ever avoided telling your kids about a special family trip or a special family visit until you're just about to get into the car to leave too many things could just simply go wrong plans change we can't control everything in life hard as some of us might try now I know that some of you have got to relate to that so I get it it's like they say in life there are only two certain things death and taxes well whoever said that clearly didn't know God we might struggle to keep promises not knowing what the future holds but not God when he makes a promise it's a guarantee a more trustworthy warranty does not exist over the faithful word of God among all of us you among humanity broken promises lead to broken trust see promises carry expectations so much so that even when a promise might be fulfilled if it doesn't quite meet our expectations, we cry wolf. In light of that, here are some truths about God's promises and our expectations. And I'm going to go through these very, I'll take my time just a moment so you can write them down in the back of the bulletin if you're following along there. First is that God will always fulfill his promises. Whether it leads to hope or justice or mercy, God will always fulfill his promises. Second, God's fulfillment is within his timeline. He doesn't see time quite the same way as God does. He doesn't see time quite the same way as God does. He doesn't see as we see time. Third, we often miss his promises. Whether that's from impatience or false expectations, whatever the reason might be, we often miss his promises. We fail to perceive the fulfillment. One of God's promises was for a savior, a messiah, who would forgive Israel's sins, unite them with God. God in peace and rule with all authority on heaven and earth. Now, we have the luxury of 2020 vision. We can read, I don't mean the year, I mean clear vision. We can read the Old Testament and all the prophetic promises for the messiah. We can read about the light in the darkness prophetic promises like isaiah chapter 9 verse 2 where isaiah writes the people walking in darkness have seen a great light a light has dawned on those living in the land of promise of darkness isaiah 58 8 then your light will appear like the dawn and your recovery will come quickly isaiah 62 for look darkness will cover the earth and total darkness the peoples but the lord will shine over you and his glory will appear over you in jeremiah 23 5 through 6 look the days are coming this is the lord's declaration when i will raise up a righteous branch for david he will reign wisely as king and a decision maker and a king of the world and a king of the world and a king of the administer justice and righteousness in the land. In his days, Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell securely. This is the name he will be called. The Lord is our righteousness. And Micah 5 .2, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah. Judah, one will come from you to be ruler over Israel from me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times. We can read that, then we can read the New Testament and how Jesus fulfilled all of those same prophetic promises. The light of the world, the branch of David, one born in the little town of Bethlehem who exists long before Israel was a people or Bethlehem a place. But in Jesus's day, many misjudged him, accusing him of blasphemy and of being a false prophet. Their expectations of God's promise didn't look like a carpenter's son or a child born in a manger, but of an earthly king. It's easy, honestly, to see how they might miss the Lord if you put yourself in their sandals. God knew that many would struggle to believe his promise fulfilled. He knew that their expectations were false, which is one of the fruits of remaining in darkness and being in need. Of a great light in his great mercy and compassion. He knew that all the world would need not just the Messiah, but for the way to be prepared in recognition of the Messiah. God's promises are so certain, so certain that he can boldly, boldly, announce their arrival, whether through prophets or a trumpet call. It's quite unlike myself, who's unwilling to even hint at something exciting for my kids, just in case it doesn't happen. God's promises are so certain, so certain that he can boldly, sent John the Baptist to announce Jesus' coming, to declare, as it says in John chapter 1, 26 through 27, someone stands among you, but you don't know him. He is the one coming after me whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to untie. God is the way maker who sent the signs and the sign callers of promise until the proper time to open the way of peace for humanity to reunite with God. See, if God the Father is the way, maker, and Jesus Christ is the way, then John the Baptist is the way preparer. It's like, I'm going to use him as an example. I think he's back there. He might be downstairs. If God, where am I? There I am. I'm going to use him as an example. It's like our good friend and elder extraordinaire, Jason Smith. Is he back there right now? He's downstairs. Come on, Jason. Now's not the time to serving kids. Jason, whom you can blame for all of the highway construction, the road openings, and the road closings. As the leading civil engineer, Jason and his team planned this. schedule. They plan the process. They plan the job. They know what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, how it should be done, where to start and where to finish. Although many travelers might doubt that. Along the way, they set out signs. They caution detours. They announce closures and openings. But at the right time, when the work is finished, the promised way is open for all who will take it. The signs and announcements prepare us for the day the way is open. That's John the Baptist. The final announcement. The way of peace is opened, and his name is Jesus Christ. John's parents, the priest Zechariah and his bride Elizabeth, were well along in age. While Zechariah lit the incense inside the temple sanctuary, the angel Gabriel appeared before him. Zechariah, understandably so, was terrified. Luke chapter 1, beginning in verse 13. But the angel said to him, do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. There's a promise. I'm going to say that again. There are a lot of promises in this. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. and you will name him John. There will be joy, promise, and delight, promise, for you, and many will rejoice at his birth, another promise, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord, yet another promise, and will never drink wine or bear beer, not just a promise, but a declaration and a comparison to Israel's Nazarite judge, Samson. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, an awesome promise, while still in his mother's womb, promise with prophetic overtones related to Jeremiah. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, another prophetic promise fulfilling Malachi in reference to Elijah. It's speaking. Elijah, in case that first part wasn't clear enough to Zechariah, Gabriel says, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people, a clear promise to be fulfilled that comes from Isaiah. I can imagine the thoughts that must have been running through Zechariah's mind, a man who was a priest who would have known all of these intimately. You mean my son? A son my wife and I are too old to bear will be the man the great prophet Isaiah spoke about? My son will be a wild man of God like Samson who never drank alcohol. My son will be the man who comes in the spirit of Elijah to turn hearts back to the father. You mean to tell me that my son will be the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, prepare the way for the Lord, make his paths straight. Great. Those prophecies and prophets were hundreds of years old by the time Zechariah heard God's promises through the angel Gabriel. There were words on a scroll, history and stories, and then suddenly they weren't. They were very, very real. Promises fulfilled about the one whose voice would prepare the way. For children's hearts to turn to the father through Jesus, who is the way. Is it so hard to believe that Zechariah scoffed and doubted? How can I know this? Zechariah asked the angel. For I'm an old man and my wife is well along in years. His doubt brought him at least nine months of silence, unable to speak due to his unbelief. Until the promised birth was fulfilled. Zechariah's tongue was loosed on the eighth day after John's birth when they returned to the temple to circumcise their son and dedicate him to the Lord. When his mouth opened, Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied first about God and his promise, and then about his infant son. And finally, about the promised Messiah. Hear his declaration. Luke 1, 68 -79. Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times. Salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore to our father Abraham. He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies, to serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, in his presence all our days. And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give his people knowledge and salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. Because of our God's merciful compassion, the dawn from on high will visit us to shine on those who live in darkness, and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Zechariah's prophetic praise points first to the waymaker, God the Father, and his fulfillment of promise. Second, he declares John's purpose to prepare the way, that doing so will increase knowledge of God as he provides salvation through forgiveness. And third, Zechariah honors the dawn from on high, who is Jesus. While John may prepare the path to the way, the dawn from on high ultimately guides our feet into the way of peace. God makes the way through promises, both made and fulfilled, unchanging and consistent in his love, patience, and mercy. Jesus is the way, offering salvation through the forgiveness of sins. John prepared the way for Israel to know and recognize Jesus, the Messiah, our Savior. We, however, we don't get to just read that and compartmentalize it as knowledge of history. We have to apply it. Because the way has been prepared for knowledge of salvation so that we can walk the way of peace. See, knowledge without application is meaningless. Knowledge of how we come to salvation, which is through the forgiveness of sins, is not the same as the relational life -changing knowledge of who saves us through the forgiveness of sins. After all, as verse 78 and 79 say, the dawn from on high visits us. The way is personal. The dawn from on high shines on us. The way is not afraid of our darkness, sin, or death. The dawn from on high guides our steps along the way to peace. He is present with us. He counsels us and guides us. God is the way maker. Jesus is the way. John the Baptist is the way preparer. Then what does that make us? We are the way walkers. Our role is to be present with Jesus, to remain in the light, and to listen. As he guides us. Using Zechariah's prophecy, I want to offer four regular daily cadences that help us grow in knowledge of salvation, relationship with our Savior, and that lead us to peaceful unity with God. We're going to have them up there. These will be up there the whole time. If you want to open your Bibles to Luke chapter 1, the scriptures will not be on screen. We'll start with verse 68 in just a little bit. I call these the four cadences of way walkers. See, cadences are rhythms meant to keep us focused as we stay in step together with a leader. Now, many of you have been in the armed forces, different forces. and if I'm not mistaken, the military uses cadences all the time, do they not? The first one is to bless the Lord. The first step. Luke 1 68, Zechariah said, blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited and provided redemption for his people. The first step is to bless the Lord. Bless the Lord with your words, with your mind, your heart, relationships, life, the way you move and breathe, work and rest in everything that you do. Bless the Lord, just bless the Lord. That has to be step one always. Peace with God isn't like peace between two combative nations. See, on an international scale, when we have peace, it's because two or more powers are keeping themselves in check. They compromise in order to accept what terms they will accept and set aside what terms they won't. Peace with God is different because God does not, should not compromise. He makes the way for peace, unity with him through redemption of sinful people who, act and believe in opposition to him as enemies. Blessing the Lord isn't because God's ego needs to be puffed up. It's because we need ours to deflate, to remember that our sin sets us apart from him. him, but because of his great mercy and compassion, he forgives our sins and calls us home. Without God, peace with him is completely beyond us. So, bless the Lord. Remember who he is and what he's done for you, always. He is present and provides redemption. Bless the Lord, O my soul. Step two is declare salvation. Luke chapter 1, verse 69 through 71, Zechariah prophesied, he has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, just as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets in ancient times, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of those who hate us. Horns are symbols of power, authority, strength, and pronouncement. They were used to announce the coming and goings of kings, to anoint kings, prophets, and priests, to announce strength in battle, the conquering hero. Jesus is the horn of salvation in the house of David. He has all power and authority on heaven and earth. King of kings, prince of peace, our great high priest. He is the conqueror of sin and death, our redeemer and savior. Just as God spoke through the mouths of prophets declaring salvation, he speaks through us when we declare Jesus as our Lord and savior. Now, remember, this is a cadence along the way of peace, and cadences are, again, meant to be repeated to keep us in step and focus. us. So let's try it. Repeat after me. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. I'm saved by Jesus, don't you know? It's a cadence, a rhythm that reminds us of who he is and what he's done. Without that cadence, it's so easy to fall out of step. He guides us and he gives us the cadence. Bless the Lord, declare his salvation. And step three, practice mercy. Luke 1, 72 through the first half of 73. He has dealt mercifully with our ancestors and remembered his holy covenant, the oath that he swore. He swore to our father, Abraham. Israel throughout the Old Testament rejected God's love and spurned him. He knew that they would. He knew they would when he made his promises to save, to restore, and to redeem Israel. In fact, the simple fact his promise was to restore and redeem implies that he knew that there was something that needed to be redeemed. Rather than wiping out the nations, which was always in God's righteous power, his patience and compassion made a way through sin and rebellion to see justice met by Jesus, the forgiveness of our sins. So should we not, should we not practice the same? Should we not desire redemption and restoration over condemnation? Practice mercy. Justice belongs to the Lord and he will see that those who walk the way of peace with Jesus are saved by Jesus. This means those who not will not. Justice belongs to the Lord. We practice mercy. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. I'm saved by Jesus, don't you know? He has great compassion on me. Do more than just talk about the love of God. Show his compassionate love to others. Step four, serve without fear. Luke 1, 73 through 75. He has given us the privilege since we have been rescued from the hand of our enemies to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness in his presence all of our days. It is a privilege to serve God and honor to walk the way of peace with Jesus. Yes. He takes us from our low place, steeped in sin, walking in darkness and lifts us up, clothes us with his righteousness and sets us on the way of peace. Serving God is not a burden. It's a privilege and it's one that we can't attain to on our own. He rescues us. Those who remain enemies toward God will be saved. We'll not approve of our service to God. But so what? We show them that God is worthy. God's enemy...can't rescue us from God's just wrath, but God can deliver us from our rebellion. He rescues us from both the consequences of our sin and from the hand of those who would do us lasting spiritual harm. Like David said in Psalm 23 verse 5, he prepares a place before us in the presence of our enemies. He anoints our head with oil. So serve God without fear of what will be or of what others will say. Serve him in holiness and righteousness in his presence all your days. Bless the Lord, O my soul. I'm saved by Jesus, don't you know? He has great compassion on me, so now I serve. On bended knee. The cadence, the cadence starts here in your head as you consciously and intentionally bless the Lord. It moves to here through your mouth as you declare salvation through the forgiveness of sin. And from there, it journeys here to your heart. As you practice and desire mercy, compassion, redemption, and restoration with God. And finally, it moves to your hands and to your feet in service to Jesus Christ. Head, heart, and hands. Words and deeds, faith and works. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and might, and love your neighbor as yourself. Walk the way of peace with Jesus Christ as your Savior and guide. The way has been made. The way has been prepared. The way is Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah. Will you let him guide? Will you let him guide you step by step toward unified peace with God? The question is offered. The next step is yours, but the first step is bless the Lord. Let's bless him together. [00:00:00] ( | | )

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Transcript
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