团契与门徒训练

Give Thanks (Psalm 107)

2015.11.15Stephen Cha

Give thanks to the Lord, for his steadfast love endures forever. Because God is faithful to his covenant and has redeemed us, we should give thanks not only for his blessings but for his unfailing love, and respond with faithfulness and service.

God's loving commitment never ends (vv. 1)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, and his steadfast love endures forever. God is good, and he makes even broken things good. Jesus said that if we, though evil, know how to give good gifts, how much more will the heavenly Father give good things. James 1 tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father. The phrase 'steadfast love' goes further: it is an undying, unending love. The Hebrew word hesed describes the faithful, loyal love of a covenant God who has bound himself to you as Father, so his love does not depend on what you do.

God redeems us from every kind of trouble (vv. 2-32)

The redeemed of the Lord are those whom God has rescued from trouble, and none of us could make it on our own. Verses 4 to 32 give four pictures of such people. Some wandered lost in the desert, hungry and thirsty, until they cried out and God led them to a city to dwell in. Some sat in prison, bound by sin and addiction, and God broke their chains. Some were sick to the point of death, and God sent his word and healed them. Some were tossed in a storm at sea, and God stilled the waves and led them home. In each picture, God answers a cry for help, and the redeemed are called to say so and tell others.

God turns barren lives into abundant fruit (vv. 33-39)

Verses 33 to 39 show that God has the power to reverse situations. He can turn a river into a desert when people sin, and he can turn desert into pools of water when they return to him. Jesus shows this same power. He comes as the shepherd who satisfies our hearts, the bread who gives us truth and strength, and the one who sets prisoners free. He spoke to the official's son, and the boy lived; he stilled the storm with a word. Where we are barren, he blesses us with abundant life, and when we walk in obedience and righteousness, he causes what we sow to grow and multiply.

Thanks, faithfulness, and service in response to his love

God's steadfast love calls for a response, and it begins with thanks offered for small things, one by one, such as friendship, the church, and a small group. We should also thank others, buy them a meal, and tell them how God has blessed us. His faithfulness toward us also reminds us to be faithful to him, learning to love him with all our hearts and to obey and serve him. We are called to invest in his kingdom by teaching, volunteering, and sharing his grace, trusting that he will make it grow and bear fruit.

Apply to Life

  • Let us learn to thank God for small things, one by one.
  • Let us thank others and tell them how God has blessed us.
  • Let us grow in faithfulness to God, loving him with all our hearts.
  • Let us say yes to serving in God's kingdom, such as teaching Sunday school or volunteering.
  • Let us tell others about the redeeming grace of God.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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