Sermons / Talks
Ben Connelly - Sunday, 12 September 2021
What is man?
Scripture References: Psalms 8:1-9, Matthew 21:7-16, Philippians 2:1-11
Gathering Growing Going
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ClosePsalm 8 is a great hymn of praise to God. In this psalm we see the great majesty of God and ask the question—why would a great God be interested in us? In Jesus we see humanity as God intended, living a life of perfect praise to God, and then ruling the earth at His right hand. In His death and resurrection, Jesus invites us to join Him in a life of praise to God. In this, it is reassuring to see that God delights even in the praise of little children. So, even when it feels like our praise is inadequate for such a great God, He still delights in what we bring Him.
Scripture References: Psalms 8:1-9, Matthew 21:7-16, Philippians 2:1-11
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Psalm | More Messages from Ben Connelly | Download Audio
| What is man? | Ben Connelly | Sunday, 12 September 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| God alone saves | Phil Firth | Sunday, 5 September 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| Where to find rest! | Ben Connelly | Sunday, 29 August 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| Praise the Lord all nations! | Ben Connelly | Sunday, 25 July 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| Praise the Lord! Remember the Benefits! | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 18 July 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| How can I have the Good Life? | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 11 July 2021 | Watch | Listen | |
| What are you afraid of? | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 4 July 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| The Good Life | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 27 June 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
| Where does my help come from? | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 29 December 2019 | Watch | Listen | |
| Foolishness or Godliness | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 25 January 2009 | Listen |
Psalm 8 is a great hymn of praise to God. In this psalm we see the great majesty of God and ask the question—why would a great God be interested in us? In Jesus we see humanity as God intended, living a life of perfect praise to God, and then ruling the earth at His right hand. In His death and resurrection, Jesus invites us to join Him in a life of praise to God. In this, it is reassuring to see that God delights even in the praise of little children. So, even when it feels like our praise is inadequate for such a great God, He still delights in what we bring Him.
Why do we give our trust to someone? Is it that they have repeatedly shown that they care about us? Like family? Is it that they are very good at what they do? Like your doctor? Is it that over a long period of time they have not let us down? Like a best friend? Is it that they have the power to give us the outcome that we desire? Like putting your trust in your local member when you go to them to try and get something done? We trust for all of these reasons. But what happens when someone tells us repeatedly that someone is untrustworthy? Do we still trust? Today we are in a psalm where David is hearing heaps of people saying “There is no salvation for him in God!” How does David react?
Life these days is busy—there is lots to stress about and even more to get done. It often feels like we are always trying to get ahead of the pack. Here in Psalm 131 David warns his people against pride and arrogance, and the solution he offers is—REST. Not just any rest, but resting in the God who has promised to provide everything we need. God has shown His commitment to this promise when he sent Jesus to die for us. Now we no longer need to earn our way to God or try and one-up the people around us, because we can trust that God will continue to provide for us no matter what.
Heroes are everywhere but what makes someone a hero? In today’s passage, we get to see that God doesn’t use heroes. The person God uses in Isaiah 53 is disregarded and despised. Not the sort of person we would choose to save the world. But God has always been in the habit of working through weak and unremarkable people. He does this to show that it is His power that makes us great, not our own efforts. We do not have to be good enough for God - He can use us no matter who we are, where we come from, or what abilities we have.
We see that sin has affected every part of our lives and the world. But in his judgement God still shows mercy and gives a glimpse of how the problem of Sin will be dealt with through the death and resurrection of the Son. Sin means that there is no possible way for us to earn our way to God. But Jesus makes sure that everything that is needed to be done to bring us to God, has been done for us. Now when He returns, the curse will be done away with and sin will be no more.