11 April 2018

A Lasting Love




Theme: A Song of Enduring Love

Scriptures: Psalm 89

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)
Know: We serve a loving God who is always faithful to His promises.
Think: Rest in the assurance that God loves me and will keep all of His promises.
Do: Trust and Praise God, even during times of discipline or hardship.

B1 Promise
C1 What is a promise?
C2 What is different about a promise made by God?
C3 Are all promises unconditional?
D1 What about this one? John 3:16 NKJV - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
D2 This one? Jeremiah 31:37 CSB - This is what the LORD says: Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below explored, will I reject all of Israel's descendants because of all they have done -- this is the LORD's declaration.
D3 This? Genesis 12:1-2 CSB - The LORD said to Abram: Go out from your land, your relatives, and your father's house to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, I will bless you, I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
D4 Finally: Romans 4:13-16 CSB - For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would inherit the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made empty and the promise nullified, because the law produces wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants; not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham's faith. He is the father of us all.
B2 This is a Psalm: When you realize the great power and reign of God
C1 Praise for all His awesome strength and power Psalm 89:1-18
C2 God’s promise to King David Psalm 89:19-37
C3 God’s anger towards the king Psalm 89:38-45
C4 Prayer to God for deliverance Psalm 89:46-52
C5 Concerning the writer, Ethan: 1 Kings 4:31 NKJV - For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.
B3 Praise for all His awesome strength and power Psalm 89:1-18,
C1 What is steadfast love?
D1 חֶסֶד cheçed, kheh'-sed
D2 Translated variously as mercy, unfailing love, great love, steadfast love, faithful love, lovingkindness, even beauty. In the bad sense it is translated reproof, envy, etc.
D3 It has the idea of kindness towards others motivated by love.
D4 The Psalmist (Ethan) declares that God is this way.
D5 Why do many people think God is mean, nasty, and carries a big stick to hit people?
C2 Is this a promise? Psalm 89:3-4 CSB - The LORD said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant: "'I will establish your offspring forever and build up your throne for all generations.' "Selah
C3 In Psalm 89:7 it is said that God is feared. What is the fear of God? And, do you fear Him?
C4 According to Psalm 89:11, do we own anything? Explain.
C5 Psalm 89:14, righteousness and justice are stated to be the foundation of His throne. Why would these two things be so important? Compare:
D1 Psalm 97:2 CSB - Clouds and total darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
D2 Proverbs 16:12 CSB - Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.
C6 Who is the Holy One of Israel mentioned in Psalm 89:18?
D1 Isaiah 10:20 CSB - On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no longer depend on the one who struck them, but they will faithfully depend on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel.
D2 Isaiah 41:14 CSB - Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel. I will help you' -- this is the LORD's declaration. Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
D3 Isaiah 43:15 CSB - I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
D4 Luke 4:34 CSB - Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are —the Holy One of God!
D5 Acts 13:35 MEV So He says in another Psalm: ‘You will not let Your Holy One see decay.
D6 1 John 2:20 MEV But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
D7 Revelation 3:7 MEV To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says these things.
B4 God’s promise to King David Psalm 89:19-37,
C1 Why did King David receive such high and lofty promises?
D1 1 Samuel 13:14 NKJV - But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him [to be] commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.
D2 Acts 13:22 NKJV - And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the [son] of Jesse, a man after My [own] heart, who will do all My will.
C2 Even if King David’s descendants sin and rebel, God will not completely forsake His promise. Most of David’s descendants did rebel. Who is the one who was perfect and sinless?
D1 Matthew 1:1 KJV - The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
D2 Matthew 22:42-44 (MEV) “What do you think of the Christ? Whose Son is He?” They said to Him, “The Son of David.” He said to them, “How then does David in the Spirit call Him ‘Lord,’ saying: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool” ’?
B5 God’s anger towards the king Psalm 89:38-45,
C1 In this portion, the Psalmist speaks strongly against God, protesting against His treatment. He uses phrases as You have cast off, You have been furious, You have renounced, You have profaned, You have broken down, You have exalted the enemies. Do you think God is angry that a mere mortal is talking disrespectfully like this?
D1 This is how the Psalmist perceives it.
D2 God is a counselor. He can take it.
D3 The Psalmist is venting.
E1 There are at least 2 types of venting. The first is emotionally healthy, while the second is not.
E2 Unhealthy venting
F1 leads to further problems and emotions worsening.
F2 is usually too long to solve any problems.
F3 can destroy a relationship.
E3 Healthy venting
F1 waits a little while before talking.
F2 expresses feelings over a few minutes, say 5 minutes, then quits. Going too long brings up more anger instead of resolving it. The other person might become angry, too. Short term venting, catharsis, relieves stress, but if it goes too long, increases stress.
F3 Seeks to resolve a problem, not create one.
E4 Some tips (You might find more info here, not necessarily Christian viewpoint).
F1 Wait a little before venting.
F2 Take some deep breaths.
F3 Think of things to be thankful for.
F4 Be considerate of the listener.
F5 Don’t vent to the person you are angry with.
F6 Go to the creek or someplace and yell at some trees.
F7 Know that God is a good listener.
F8 What are the steps the Psalmist uses?
E5 It might be helpful to discuss some verses
F1 Romans 15:1-3 MEV We who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak and not please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself. But as it is written, “The insults of those who insulted You fell on Me.
F2 Galatians 5:13-14 (MEV) You, brothers, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
B6 Prayer to God for deliverance Psalm 89:46-52,
C1 Psalm 89:46 NKJV - How long, LORD? Will You hide Yourself forever? Will Your wrath burn like fire? Compare: Psalm 13:1-2 NKJV - To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, [Having] sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
C2 Hasn’t there been a time in your life that you felt this way?
C3 How would you answer the question in Psalm 89:46?
C4 How could Psalm 89:46 be helpful and comforting to someone?
C5 How would you answer this question: Psalm 89:47 CSB - Remember how short my life is. Have you created everyone for nothing?
C6 How would you answer these: Psalm 89:48 CSB - What courageous person can live and never see death? Who can save himself from the power of Sheol?Selah
C7 Why would the Psalmist ask this question: Psalm 89:49 CSB - Lord, where are the former acts of your faithful love that you swore to David in your faithfulness?
C8 I thought we had to forgive everyone. Why would the Psalmist ask God: Psalm 89:50-51 CSB - Remember, Lord, the ridicule against your servants -- in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples -- how your enemies have ridiculed, LORD, how they have ridiculed every step of your anointed. It appears he wants God to remember their evil.
C9 After all the complaints prayed to God, Ethan prays: Psalm 89:52 CSB - Blessed be the LORD forever. Amen and amen. How is this a good attitude to have in difficulties and pleasures?
B7 Questions
C1 Name some ways how love is enduring.
C2 What is the difference between God’s love and human love, or can they be the same?
B8 Next week:
C1 Bless the Lord
C2 Theme: A Song of Praise
C3 Scripture: Psalm 103


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