Sermon Notes
Follow along with the latest sermon with engaging
discussion questions and challenging truths.
discussion questions and challenging truths.
The Love of God
Sunday, January 18th
Summary
This sermon explores God's character through Psalm 89, focusing on two foundational attributes: His love (hesed) and faithfulness. The Hebrew word "hesed" encompasses steadfast love, loyal covenant love, mercy, and compassion—a love so complete that nothing we do can increase or diminish it. God's attributes exist in perfect harmony without tension or contradiction; He is consistently who He is without variation or "bad days." The sermon challenges the cultural tendency to look inward or to worldly measures for identity and worth, arguing instead that we find our true selves by looking up to God. Because God loves us with faithful hesed love, we have nothing to fear and can trust completely in His promises. The cross demonstrates how God's attributes work in perfect unison—His justice and mercy both fully expressed through Christ's sacrifice.
Discussion Questions
1. How does understanding God's attributes as existing "in perfect unison" rather than in competition change your view of difficult concepts like God's justice and mercy?
2. The sermon states "the best way to grow in your knowledge of yourself is to grow in the knowledge of God." How does this contrast with cultural messages about self-discovery? What has your own experience been?
3. Where do you tend to look for your security and significance besides God? What draws you to look there instead of "up"?
4. How does the concept of hesed—God's unchanging, covenant love—differ from how we typically experience love in human relationships?
5. The sermon concludes that because of God's faithful love, we can trust His promises completely. Which of God's promises do you find hardest to trust, and why?
This sermon explores God's character through Psalm 89, focusing on two foundational attributes: His love (hesed) and faithfulness. The Hebrew word "hesed" encompasses steadfast love, loyal covenant love, mercy, and compassion—a love so complete that nothing we do can increase or diminish it. God's attributes exist in perfect harmony without tension or contradiction; He is consistently who He is without variation or "bad days." The sermon challenges the cultural tendency to look inward or to worldly measures for identity and worth, arguing instead that we find our true selves by looking up to God. Because God loves us with faithful hesed love, we have nothing to fear and can trust completely in His promises. The cross demonstrates how God's attributes work in perfect unison—His justice and mercy both fully expressed through Christ's sacrifice.
Discussion Questions
1. How does understanding God's attributes as existing "in perfect unison" rather than in competition change your view of difficult concepts like God's justice and mercy?
2. The sermon states "the best way to grow in your knowledge of yourself is to grow in the knowledge of God." How does this contrast with cultural messages about self-discovery? What has your own experience been?
3. Where do you tend to look for your security and significance besides God? What draws you to look there instead of "up"?
4. How does the concept of hesed—God's unchanging, covenant love—differ from how we typically experience love in human relationships?
5. The sermon concludes that because of God's faithful love, we can trust His promises completely. Which of God's promises do you find hardest to trust, and why?