Sermon Theme
They come round yearly for each of us.. the older we get we tend not to want to remember some of them
Some have to do with graduations; weddings, Linkedin focuses on those those pertaining to work
ANNIVERSARIES are indeed something we all experience
This month in 2014 the world remembered two BIG anniversaries
- Cyclone Tracy (Christmas morning) – 10 years ago Darwin was levelled and some 63 people killed
- Tsunami (Boxing Day) – 10 years ago in which about 250,000 people dies in 11 nations
This month for Australians and also for the world will also be remembered for more recent tragedies
- Lindt Café siege and murder of 2 innocent people
- Some 130 children murdered at school in Pakistan by the Taliban
- 8 children murdered in Cairns, 7 by their own mother
How do we confidently cope in such a world of uncertainty?
What is it that alone brings any person the assurance of stability as to the future, even when the raging storms of life threaten to destroy our very existence?
We face a fresh year which could well bring us personal tragedy and trauma How do we face what comes our way in a world still under God’s curse on account of human rebellion?
Sermon outline
- WITH THE LORD CONFIDENT OF OUR FUTURE
- GOD’S COVENANT LOVE THE FOUNDATION OF THAT CONFIDENCE
- THE PRAYER OF GOD’S CHILDREN
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Sermon Outline
Readings
Romans 8:18–39 (NIV84)
18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope
21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?
25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Text
Psalm 138 (NIV84)
Of David.
1I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
2I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.
3When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.
4May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord, when they hear the words of your mouth.
5May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great.
6Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar.
7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
8The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.
