Bernard Gabbott - Sunday, 11 July 2021
How can I have the Good Life?
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
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CloseWe have the word of God here with a very clear historical backdrop: the events of 2 Samuel 11-12. And, as we read that account of avoidance of responsibility, of adultery and corruption and murder, we cannot help asking ourselves, ‘How can a man like that have the good life?’ And then we consider ourselves—either with a ‘big’ sin that dominates our lives, or besetting sin that runs our lives, or even just the realization that we are ‘normal sinners’. And we ask the same question: ‘How can a sinner like me have the good life?’ It was a question God’s people asked as they returned from Exile. It is a question we ask continually. Psalm 51 answers it: the sinner can have the good life by throwing themselves upon the character of God with a contrite and broken heart. The Bible calls such an action ‘repentance’: to return to God with the appropriate brokenness.
Scripture References: Psalms 51:1-19, 2 Samuel 11:1-13, 2 Samuel 12:1-15
From Series: Service - Sunday Morning, Psalm | More Messages from Bernard Gabbott | Download Audio
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 |
Waiting or Wilting? | Bernard Gabbott | Sunday, 25 April 2021 | Kids Talk | Watch | Listen |
Risky Behaviour | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 27 May 2018 | Listen | ||
Living as God's Covenant People | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 20 May 2018 | Listen | ||
Are we Seeking Shelter under the Lords Wings? | Brent Weightman | Sunday, 13 May 2018 | Listen | ||
Why leave town? | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 6 May 2018 | Listen | ||
Are you happy? | Andrew McClenaghan | Sunday, 15 April 2018 | Listen | ||
Trusting God in dry times | Tim Baxter | Sunday, 2 October 2011 | Listen |
The book of Esther recounts a period where God's people are in exile, aliens in a foreign land. Sounds like our time doesn't it? Even when God seems absent, He is at work. The great reversal of power at the heart of the universe has already taken place. Jesus won victory over death on the cross and in His resurrection. Satan the great enemy of God and His people, has been defeated. We wait in the now but not yet. Waiting for the Lord Jesus to return and give His people relief and rest. But as we wait, we share the good news of the gospel, call people to faith in Jesus, faithfully endure persecution, knowing that our deliverance is assured.
We love a turning point. Whether it is a story or a football game. Hope dawning at the darkest time. Where is the great turning point in Esther? It could be our memory verse, when Esther is persuaded by Mordecai to act to save her people. It could be when the king looks with favour upon Esther and holds out the golden scepter to her. It could be when Haman is forced to lead Mordecai through the city mounted on the king’s horse and proclaims that he is the man the king delights to honour. They are major events in the story of Esther. They are turning points of a sort. But the writer of Esther points us to another event. That looks so trivial.
Esther is such an exciting story! There are evil plots. There are interesting yet flawed characters. There is risk and sacrifice. There is heroism and villainy. Today, we are introduced to the villain of the plot, and what an evil scheming villain he is! He spins lies and concocts murderous plans to do away with the Jews, God’s covenant people. How will the people respond? Will he get away with his evil plan? Will God, who is not mentioned at all, intervene to protect His people, to live up to the promises He made to Abraham, the people at Mt Sinai, and to David?
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