Sermons from Good News: Understanding God

Church 10/28/2023

Offertory scripture:

Last week recap: offertory scripture was walking in love. Then the sermon message was that also.

Galatians 5:6 for if we are in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

Another way of putting it: when you are joined to the Anointed one — the only thing that matters is faith that works and expresses itself through love.

Sermon message:

God is good.

Thesis: Understanding God.

Isaiah 55:8-9 God speaking directly: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways not My ways. My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

The Bible tells us what He things is important.

Point #1: Your heart is important to God.

Your core is important to Him. He loves you and wants your heart to be right with Him.

We will talk about God, about our hearts, and about David.

God wanted to anoint a new king to succeed Saul. So Samuel visited David’s father Jesse to see which son God has highlighted to be Israel’s next king.

1 Samuel 16:7-11

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.”

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”

God reveals which son. David was the last-born of all the sons. Even Jesse didn’t mention David by name.

1 Samuel 16:12-13

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

Others didn’t see what God saw in David. Samuel therefore anointed him.

Point #2: Faith in your heart is more powerful than any of your problems or even your biggest problem.

Faith that is in your heart, that faith in God.

David faced Goliath (9’4” tall). Goliath was a problem but David had faith in his God.

It’s important to put the word of God in your heart. Because out of the abundance in your heart, your mouth speaks.

Mark 9:23

Mark 11:23 if you believe in your heart, you will have whatsoever you say/speak. If you faith you will be rewarded.

Watch what David did.

1 Samuel 17:45-46

Because of his faith in God, David told Goliath he will kill him and then get the rest of the Philistine army.

If the mountain is speaking to you, speak to it with faith in your heart.

If the giant is speaking to you, speak to it with faith in your heart.

2 Corinthians 4:13 we having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken, we also believe, and therefore speak.

Point #3: A contrite heart is more powerful than your biggest mistake.

Psalm 51:17 the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You will not despise.

Psalm 32:1-5 [FOCUS PASSAGE]

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent, my bones grew old

Through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;

My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah

I acknowledged my sin to You,

And my iniquity I have not hidden.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

1 John 1:9

Re-examining Isaiah 55:8-9

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Back up to Isaiah 55:6-7

Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.

Let the wicked forsake his way,

And the unrighteous man his thoughts;

Let him return to the Lord,

And He will have mercy on him;

And to our God,

For He will abundantly pardon.

Point #4: A heart set on God touches God’s heart.

You can touch His heart by loving Him.

1 Samuel 13:14 David: a man after God’s own heart.

Acts 13:22 recapping how God replaced Saul with David because he was a man after God’s own heart.

Psalm 51:10 create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 63:1-4

O God, You are my God;

Early will I seek You;

My soul thirsts for You;

My flesh longs for You

In a dry and thirsty land

Where there is no water.

So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,

To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,

My lips shall praise You.

Thus I will bless You while I live;

I will lift up my hands in Your name.