A Fountain of Life
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Psalm 36
Psalm 36 (ESV)
1 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God
before his eyes.
2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
4 He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.
5 Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O Lord.
7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God!
The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
8 They feast on the abundance of your house,
and you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9 For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light do we see light.
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Sermon Outline
Contact with evil will pull you down, but with God’s steadfast love you can rise.
1. Pulled Downward
v1 “Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart”
v2 “He flatters himself… that his iniquity cannot be found out…”
v3 “the words of his mouth are trouble and deceit”
v4 “he plots trouble while on his bed”
v4 “he does not reject evil”
2. Lifted Up
v12 “the wicked are unable to rise”
v6 “man and beast you save”
vv8-9 “… the abundance of your house… drink from the river of your delights… fountain of life”
v5, 7, 10 “your steadfast love”
Prayer of Confession
Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Yet we are brought low by sin. We have not held your steadfast love as precious. We have instead taken hold of what our corrupt hearts thought would satisfy us. We have done what we know we should not. We have excused it and tried to justify it. We have not rejected evil. But you, O Lord, have not rejected us. We pray for forgiveness, as we trust in Jesus who came giving living water. Revive our thirsty souls. Continue your steadfast love to us. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Where do you see “negativity” in your life? How often are your thoughts critical, hopeless, self entitled, etc.? Are you able to contain your negative thoughts or do they come out through your words (with complaints, criticism, sharp tone, etc.)?
How do you hide or avoid your problems? What are some reasons you don’t deal directly with your problems?
What helps you connect with God’s greatness? What practices or experiences help stir your soul in ways that are good?
What are implications of God’s love being “steadfast”? How can this be a help to you?
How does Jesus provide living water? How do we receive or participate in the life-giving work of Jesus?
What can you do, when your soul feels thirsty, to make sure you pursue what satisfies and avoid what harms?