BURUBUR COMMUNITY CENTRE CHURCH OF GOD NAIROBI
THEME OF THE YEAR: THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S GOODNESS AND ABUNDANCE
TOPIC: OUT OF DEEP DISTRESS (PART 2)
TEXT: PSALM 22:16-30; MATTHEW 27:46-50
Sermon Preached by Rev. Bonface Nyangolo on 18th September 2022.
I. Introduction
This Psalm is written out of an experience of great suffering and deep distress. The opening words of this Psalm (“My God my God, why have you forsaken me”) were on the lips of Jesus (Matthew 27:46-50) on the cross. In this Psalm we can also see what Jesus suffered from and how he suffered in the hands of wicked men. This Psalm is a prophesy of the suffering Christ.
Just as the Psalmist suffered, he portrays the suffering image of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II. What Jesus suffered from
In verses 16 ff, of Psalm 22 we see quite a number of troubles that the Son of God went through. He suffered from the following:
1. He was mocked by his enemies, saying „He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to‟ (22:8; Matthew 27:39-44).
2. The soldiers divided his clothes among themselves, and cast lots for his tunic (22:18; John 19:23-24).
3. His hands and feet were pierced (22:16; John 20:27). This can be applied to so many of us today who feel crucified in one way or the other.
4. Jesus prayed from the cross, „my God, my God, why have you forsaken me‟? (22:1, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34). Jesus lost his sense of the Father‟s presence as he bore the guilt and filth of the sin of the world.
III. Beyond suffering
When the Psalmist prayed, his prayer was answered. God rescued him. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our
God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him”. (Psalm40:1-3)
As for Jesus‟ suffering and death, resurrection followed. The grave could nolonger hold him (Acts 2:24). When you suffer because you are a child of God, know for sure that you are blessed and that the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you (1 Peter 4:14).
When God delivers you, when God glorifies you, the following people will rejoice with you and say, „this is the doing of the LORD‟
1. Your enemies (those who mocked and laughed at you).
2. People all over the world-they will call you the blessed of the LORD.
These will join you in singing: „I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies‟ (Psalm 57:9-10)
IV. Practical steps to apply in life whenever you are in distress
1. Continue calling upon God for deliverance
2. Continue trusting God (22:1-5)
3. Endure and know that He is still God and He loves you with a great love (22:6-11)
V. CONCLUSION
Dear beloved, Jesus had to suffer shame, rejection and a cruel death on a treecross so that we may be free. He is calling you today; he is ready to deliver
you from any bondage if only you believe. Would you come to Jesus today?
Would you trust him with your life? Would you allow him to be master over
your life? Come all to Jesus. Amen
Pray Pray Pray Pray Pray Pray
Bonface Nyangolo