Sermon 23rd Jan 2011

Remembrance

RemembranceRestoratio

nRestoratio

nRejoicing

Rejoicing

Psalm 126Psalm 126

• Remembrance (vs 1-3)

• Petition for Restoration (v4)

• Promise of Rejoicing (vs 5-6)

• Remembrance (vs 1-3)

• Petition for Restoration (v4)

• Promise of Rejoicing (vs 5-6)

Remembrance (v 1-3)Remembrance (v 1-3)

• Important Principle – live a life of gratitude to God

• Important Principle – live a life of gratitude to God

• The Exodus was greatest act of deliverance in Old Testament (Exod 15, Deut 32, Ps 81, Jer 31, Acts 17, Heb 8)

• Return from Babylon was another mighty act of deliverance

• The Exodus was greatest act of deliverance in Old Testament (Exod 15, Deut 32, Ps 81, Jer 31, Acts 17, Heb 8)

• Return from Babylon was another mighty act of deliverance

Remembrance (v 1-3)Remembrance (v 1-3)

• Firstly, it encourages a right attitude and perspective

• Firstly, it encourages a right attitude and perspective

• God’s actions bring glory to His Name

• Israel’s return resulted in pagan nations acknowledging the Lord God Almighty

• God can use our testimonies to bring glory to His Name

• God’s actions bring glory to His Name

• Israel’s return resulted in pagan nations acknowledging the Lord God Almighty

• God can use our testimonies to bring glory to His Name

Restoration (v 4)Restoration (v 4)

• Secondly, it encourages us and gives us faith to ask God to help us again

• Secondly, it encourages us and gives us faith to ask God to help us again

• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

• God helped us in the past and He can do so again today

• Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8)

• God helped us in the past and He can do so again today


Date God’s Miraculous Intervention1500-1400 BC Israel’s Exodus from Egypt (Exod 3…)

538 BC Return from Babylonian Exile.(Jer 25:11, 29:10-11)

Soon to be fulfilled

Israel’s salvation & destiny as a light to the nations (Isa 49:6, Rom 11:25)

14 May 1948 Israel’s re-establishment in ONE day, after 2,000 years of dispersion and the Nazi Holocaust (Isa 66:8)


• If God could miraculously act and deliver us in the past, He can do so again today

• If God could miraculously act and deliver us in the past, He can do so again today

• The psalmist could petition God to restore Israel’s fortunes

• The psalmist could petition God to restore Israel’s fortunes

The NegevThe Negev

• A desert region in Southern Israel• A desert region in Southern Israel

The NegevThe Negev

• In rainy season, flash floods can suddenly occur

• Desert wasteland is transformed into land of rivers, streams and waterfalls



The NegevThe Negev





Rejoicing (v 5-6)Rejoicing (v 5-6)

• Agricultural metaphor reminds us life may be hard BUT rejoicing will come

• Agricultural metaphor reminds us life may be hard BUT rejoicing will come

• Sowing is laborious and backbreaking

• Sowing is laborious and backbreaking


• Harvest is a time of joy and celebration• Harvest is a time of joy and celebration


• In difficult times, keep trusting in God and keep on sowing

• In difficult times, keep trusting in God and keep on sowing

• God will answer and we will rejoice• God will answer and we will rejoice

Psalm 126Psalm 126

Remembrance

Petition for Restoration

Promise of Rejoicing

Total

Focus

1

2

6

3

No of Verses50%

%

17%

33%

100%

Psalm 126Psalm 126

1) Remember God’s goodness and thank Him

1) Remember God’s goodness and thank Him

2) Ask God to use you and your testimony to bring Him great glory

3) Petition God for help

4) Wait patiently for God’s answer, keep serving and don’t give up

2) Ask God to use you and your testimony to bring Him great glory

3) Petition God for help

4) Wait patiently for God’s answer, keep serving and don’t give up

Remembrance

RemembranceRestoratio

nRestoratio

nRejoicing

Rejoicing

Spiritual

Sermon 23rd Jan 2011