Sunday, May 25, 2025

“Healing for hurting hearts” Psalm 73

Associate Pastor Aaron Cavanaugh

Does it ever seem to you that evil people seem to prosper? The Psalmist Asaph looked at similar scenarios in his day. It seemed that so many good people died young and suffered hardship in this life, whereas many evil people are comparatively rich and seem to live in relative ease. All of this left Asaph wondering: if God is truly good and just, then why do evil men seem to prosper? Is this fair?

 

But then God lets Asaph see God’s eternal perspective. While God is exceedingly gracious with the wicked, they will, in fact, get the punishment they deserve. Though we are tempted to doubt God’s goodness and sovereign control, though we are tempted to envy the prosperity of the wicked, we must remember that the wicked will have their day of judgment before a holy God, whether in life or death. God will have his day in heaven’s eternal courtroom.

 

Asaph’s eyes are also opened to see that earthly prosperity and physical blessings are not the truest and most enduring riches. God is the greatest and most enduring treasure our hearts could ever know, and his guiding, comforting presence is better than vast wealth. Though our earthly possessions dwindle and these frail bodies fail, to have God is to have all that you need.

 

Application

Are you tempted to envy the prosperity of others (house, car, health, spouse, kids, job)? Have you been tempted to grow bitter and angry at God for someone who suffered or died at a relatively young age? Consider God into your equations about ultimate justice. Don’t doubt the goodness or the power of God: He is worthy of your trust. Do you treasure God? Do you see Him as the greatest inheritance for your soul? Is church just a religious hobby for you on Sundays, or is God the refuge for your soul? Treasure Him in your heart, then go and tell others of His mighty works.

 

  • “IF GOD IS FOR US”

    Romans 8:31-39

    Introduction

    Paul concludes this glorious chapter on a crescendo. Having told us last time, that God works in all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Today, he says that when you have God on your side, it doesn’t matter who is against you. No one

    1.  WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU? NO ONE (v. 31)

    2. WHO CAN DENY THAT GOD LOVES YOU? NO ONE (v. 32)

    3. WHO CAN BRING ANY CHARGE AGAINST YOU? NO ONE (v. 33)

    4.  WHO CAN CONDEMN YOU? NO ONE (v. 34)

    5. WHO CAN SEPARATE YOU FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? NO ONE (vv. 35-39) 

    Application

    • Death cannot, will not, separate you from the love of God. 

    • Trust God and resist the devil who seeks to rob you of your joy, peace and security.

    CONCLUSION 

    Beloved, be encouraged and be comforted in the fact that as a Christian there is no one and nothing in the whole universe who can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The missionary, Jim Elliot wrote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose.” Out of love, God gave his own Son up for your salvation. How are you loving God?  

  • “GOD WORKS IN ALL THINGS FOR GOOD”

    Romans 8:28-30

     Introduction

    Last week we saw that the Holy Spirit comes to help us, work in us, through us, and even beyond us by interceding for us in our prayers. Today we see that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

    CERTAINTIES REGARDING GOD’S SOVEREIGN PROVIDENCE TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE (v. 28)

    • God works

    • All things

    • Together for good

    • To those who love God, and are called according to His purpose

    CONFIRMATIONS REGARDING GOD’S SOVEREIGN PLAN OF SALVATION (vv. 29-30)

    • Foreknew

    • Predestined

    • Called

    • Justified

    • Glorified

    Application

    • God loves you because He has chosen to love you.

    • God is using all things to make you more like Jesus.

    CONCLUSION 

    Beloved, rest assured that your salvation is secure because God originated it, He effected it, and He will complete it. He is working to conform you to the image of His Son. It is all designed for His glory.

  • “THE HOLY SPIRIT’S HELP” Romans 8:26-27

    Introduction

    Last Sunday, Paul mentioned that the creation is groaning under bondage, and that we ourselves groan inwardly waiting for the redemption of our bodies. Today, he adds that the Holy Spirit also groans as He intercedes on our behalf.    

    THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS YOU IN YOUR WEAKNESS (v. 26) 

    THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS YOU PRAY  (v. 27)

    Application

    • Be encouraged that in your weakness the Spirit of God is praying for you.

    • Be encouraged that God the Father hears and answers the prayers of God the Spirit. 

    CONCLUSION 

    Beloved, remember that you have two intercessors. One in heaven – Jesus, and one in your heart – the Holy Spirit. You may not know what to pray for, but you have a Holy Prayer Partner who does. That should encourage you to keep on praying, no matter how weak and helpless you feel. 

  • “THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED” (Romans 8:17-25)

    Introduction

    Two Sundays ago, we were told that all who are led by the Spirit are adopted into the family of God, and are children of God and fellow heirs with Christ. We were also reminded that as Christ suffered, we who are united to him should also expect to suffer. Today, Paul says that there is a great future glory yet to be revealed to us who with patiently wait for it.         

    THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CHRIST (vv. 17-18)

    THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CREATION (vv. 19-22)

    THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CHRISTIANS (vv. 23-25)

    Application

    • Consider that all your suffering is in union with Christ and never apart from him.   

    • Consider that all your suffering and hardship has an end. 

    • Consider that all this fallen creation (ourselves included!), will be made new by God.

    CONCLUSION 

    Beloved, suffering and trials are an inescapable part of this life. But God’s Word assures us that they will turn to joy in the morning of His heavenly presence. Facing tough times? Lean on God, and be encouraged by the joy, newness, freedom, and fulfillment that will someday replace those trials.

  • “Sons of god and Heirs with christ” Romans 8:12-17

    Introduction

    The whole Christian faith rests on the fact that after the death and burial of Jesus, the tomb was found empty. When the women arrived at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning and did not find his body, the angel told them, “He has risen; he is not here…” (Mark 16:6).  Today we will look at what the empty tomb of Jesus means and what its implications are for us. 

    AN EMPTY TOMB (vv. 1-5)

    A RISEN JESUS (v. 6)

    A MESSAGE TO TELL (vv. 7-8)

    CONCLUSION 

    Beloved, Easter is about an empty tomb, a risen Jesus, and a message to tell. What would your response be to this momentous event? Are you going to walk out astonished and keep silent? Or are you going to praise God and proclaim with joy that “Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!”?

  • “Sons of god and Heirs with Christ” Romans 8:12-17

    Introduction

    Last Sunday, Paul contrasted life in the Spirit with life in the flesh. He described two mindsets and two modes of life. Today he continues his teaching and adds that all who are led by the Spirit are adopted into the family of God, and are children of God.    

     

    YOU ARE A DEBTOR (vv.12-13)

    • Not to the flesh

    • But to the Spirit

    YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD (v. 14)

    YOU HAVE PRIVILEGES AS A CHILD OF GOD (vv. 15-17)

    • Security

    • Status

    • Intimacy

    • Assurance

    • Inheritance

    APPLICATION

    • Remember who you are, and remember who your Father in heaven is!

     

    CONCLUSION

    Beloved, to be adopted through Christ into the family of God is a glorious biblical teaching. To be called a son or a daughter of God is a great privilege and honor. Live worthy of your new status.  

  • “Spiritually Minded” Romans 8:5-11

    Introduction

    Last Sunday, Paul declared that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Today, he contrasts life in the Spirit with life in the flesh. He describes two mindsets and two modes of life. 

    TWO MINDSETS (vv. 5-8)

    • Flesh – Spirit

    • Death – life

    • War with God – peace with God

    • Pleasing self – pleasing God

    TWO MODES (vv. 9-11)

    • God the Holy Spirit dwells in you

    • God the Son dwells in you

    • God the Father dwells in you

    APPLICATION

    • Live a holy life glorifying God who dwells in you.

    • Live a holy life that shows that the Spirit dwells in you.

    • Live a holy life that pleases and honors Christ who dwells in you.

    CONCLUSION

    Beloved, you were made to glorify God, not to live to gratify the desires of the body and the carnal mind. In Jesus there is joy, peace, fullness, complete satisfaction, fulfillment, abundant and eternal life. Are you living with your mind set on the things of the Spirit?

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