The Greatest Avenger

What should your New Years resolution be as a Christian? Where should we place our efforts and energy? These can be a direct reflection of your worldview and understanding of God’s World. So, we should use caution. So, what will yours be?

Intro

Illus: Why do you read a book or see a movie? Escape? Documentary - “We provide Hope.”

Many Christians have fallen into step with the world. Many Christians have lost hope.

Today in the Word, August 30, 1993.

We have become hopeless Christians.

Many would refute this - let me show you.

Illus: Chic-fil-a

The world can be a hopeless place to live. And, we yearn for hope of a better future. Yet, we have no idea what that means.

Yet, we as a people of God are working hard to change the world. It may be through social programs, a loud voice, Scripture, etc . . .

Posting Memes on facebook of God’s truths probably won’t change the world. Yet we place a tremendous amount of value on these things. In a sense we give the perception that it is the program that is our Hope.

Rather, our Hope should be in Jesus Christ and his second coming. In the finalization of His glorious work.

Pluralistic society - it means something different for each of us. Even in the church we have differences of opinion on this. And if we are not careful the means itself becomes the hope.

Illus: Church attendance - If church attendance (number of people) becomes such a desire for us, then that becomes our focus. When that is our focus then we have gone from looking at the means to and end, to looking at the means as the end itself. And, when this happens we become discouraged. We could be seen as a people without Hope.

Scripture shows us however, that for the Christian there is hope. Rather, our Hope should be in Jesus Christ and his second coming. In the finalization of His glorious work.

Where do you place your hope? In whom? In what?

We may tend to place too much faith and hope in our own abilities. People see in us hard work, or dedication.

Context: 1) Look at this from the viewpoint of Jesus praying it 2) and that his indwelling Spirit can give you the strength to pray this prayer.

We try to avenge things ourselves. We work, under the auspice of service to Jesus, with our hope in man’s praises. We try and fix things ourselves.

In an attempt to be relevant in the world, I believe we have become irrelevant. We spend our time and energy fighting battles that are not our to fight. We attempt to Avenge God, rather than resting in God’s Sovereignty in His World.

Avenge: To take vengeance on behalf of something or someone.

Illus: Boycotts and facebook posts aren’t going to change the world. Getting back at people for what they have done to us. Chic- fil-a

Imagine the persecuted Christians rising up against the Roman emperor.

The Church has fallen into the trap of trying to fix the world by force. We are a people of action, but that action is faith and trust in our Lord Jesus who reigns forever and ever. Our action is first private and then public. It is focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is an action of faith.

Principles of Faith

The Psalmist gives us a model of a hopeful Christian.

If all Scripture points to Christ, how do the Psalms do that?

In some we see direct references to Christ Jesus. Others however should be viewed through Christocentric glasses.

Read this Psalm as if Jesus himself in his earthly ministry is praying this.

So, what can we learn from the model of the Psalmist, ultimately the model of Jesus Christ?

We should give thanks for God’s work in this world (1-8)

Shema - - “Hear, O Israel”

English Standard Version Chapter 6

4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might

Love God with our whole heart

This is the ultimate goal of the Christian

We do this by recounting his works (3)

We do this by recognizing He judges rightly (4)

We do this by knowing that he defeats the wicked (5)

We do this by seeing how he has done this in redemptive history (6)

We do this by recognizing that he is enthroned forever (7)

We do this by knowing that he judges rightly (8)

We should Trust in God’s work in this world (9-16)

When we recount the works of God we are reminded to place our trust in Him (9)

God does and will not forsake his people (10)

God uses his trustworthy people as a witness to the world (11)

God will hold everyone accountable (12)

blood avenger ()

We can trust Him and do not need to seek revenge ourselves

God is a merciful God (13)

knowing who God is causes us to seek His mercy

Saves his people

We see the errors of the wicked world who trust in other things (15)

themselves

their own knowledge

Their work is evidence against them and their lack of trust in God (16)

We should Hope in God’s work in this world (17-20)

God does not protect the wicked (17)

many who forget God are doomed

God will raise up the needy and poor (18)

how can one trust unless he is helpless himself?

God is the hope of the poor

We pray for God to act

result of hope is a praying Christian

in his world redeeming people (19)

Conclusion

As we go into a new year I would encourage you to strive to:

Be a Thankful Christian

This begins with reflecting on God’s wonderful deeds - this is found in His word

read it, study it, hear it preached, etc. . . .

This also happens when we are resolved to the fact that God is the King and we are not

He has all things in His hands

He has freed us from having to defeat our enemies

The end result is a thankful heart

Be a Trusting Christian

Trust in a God who does not forsake his people, but saves them in mercy and grace

The end result of this knowledge is a worshipful heart

Be a Hopeful Christian

Hope in the gospel

poor and needy need a savior

Jesus is that savior and He is rescuing people from the gates of death all of the time

He rescued us, he will rescue others

During the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century, German pastor Paul Gerhardt and his family were forced to flee from their home. One night as they stayed in a small village inn, homeless and afraid, his wife broke down and cried openly in despair. To comfort her, Gerhardt reminded her of Scripture promises about God's provision and keeping. Then, going out to the garden to be alone, he too broke down and wept. He felt he had come to his darkest hour.

Soon afterward, Gerhardt felt the burden lifted and sensed anew the Lord's presence. Taking his pen, he wrote a hymn that has brought comfort to many. "Give to the winds thy fears; hope, and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves and clouds and storms He gently clears the way. Wait thou His time, so shall the night soon end in joyous day."

A prayerful people: praying to be thankful, trusting and hopeful people.

This is what the world should see in us this year. This is what I pray the people of Thomson see in us as a church: Thankful, Trusting and Hopeful Christians.