Let the Redeemed Tell their Story

Scared to death in a lightening storm, or comfortably on the living room sofa

As a young mother, just trying to make it, or as a successful business-man who realizes that business isn’t everything

With friends who pile in a car to go see a famous preacher, or in a dark room alone with a bible and nobody else.

In a sunday school class where his family had gone to church for a hundred years, or in a jungle village hut where this was all brand new.

While fishing, or while going to kill christians.

These are all real examples of people and the situations they were in when they came to faith.

Wandering, foolish, blind, and astray; God’s redeemed children come from any and every background - His steadfast love is the unifying factor.

The Stories Vary - vs. 4-32

Psalm 107:4–6 ESV

Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:10–13 ESV

Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in affliction and in irons, for they had rebelled against the words of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:17–19 ESV

Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; they loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 107:23–25 ESV

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea.

The Solution is the Same - vs. 34-43

What is the one solution we read again and again? From the human perspective

Cried out to the Lord

What does it mean to cry out to the Lord?

Admit weakness

Admit failure

Admit need

Admit fault

Turn to the one who can help

To those who were wandering..

Psalm 107:7 ESV

He led them by a straight way till they reached a city to dwell in.

To those who were blind...

Psalm 107:14 ESV

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

To those who were foolish...

Psalm 107:20 ESV

He sent out his word and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction.

To those who were astray/adrift...

Psalm 107:29 ESV

He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.

Before they cried out?

Psalm 107:12 ESV

So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor; they fell down, with none to help.

Psalm 107:17 ESV

Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;

Psalm 107:25–26 ESV

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;

JONAH

Sent the Storm

Prepared the Fish

Commanded the Fish

Commanded Jonah

The Story is to be Told - vs. 1-3

Back to the Lord, in thanksgiving

2. As a testimony to each other, in encouragement

3. As a Witness to the world, in example

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

4. As a reminder to yourself and a weapon against the enemy

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”