Message Notes

(I) THINGS THAT WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE FORGOTTEN

“Remember these, O Jacob, And Israel, for you are My servant…” Isaiah 44:21

1. Negative Past

a) The idolatrous practices of Israel ( Isaiah 44:9-20 )

“Those who make an image, all of them are useless,
And their precious things shall not profit;
They are their own witnesses;
They neither see nor know, that they may be ashamed.” Isaiah 44:9

b) The deception that took place

“A deceived heart…” Isaiah 44:20b

c) No deliverance

“…And he cannot deliver his soul…” Isaiah 44:20c

2. The Positive Present where God deals with our past effectively

“Remember these, O Jacob; And Israel, for you are My servant…” Isaiah 44:21

a) Sins completely forgiven

“I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions,
And like a cloud, your sins…” Isaiah 44:22

b) Redemption

“…the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel…” Isaiah 44:23e

c) Plea to return to God

“…Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22b

3. The Positive Future

a) He will confirm the word given to His servants

“Who confirms the word of His servant,
And performs the counsel of His messengers…” Isaiah 44:26

b) He will raise up special servants who will do God’s bidding

“Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is My shepherd,
And he shall perform all My pleasure,
Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be built,
And to the temple. ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’ ” Isaiah 44:28

(II) PREVENTING LAPSES OF MEMORY (IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM)

1. Practise remembering

“Remember these, O Jacob,
And Israel…My servant…” Isaiah 44:21

2. Battle fear with great vigilance

“Fear not, O Jacob, My servant…” Isaiah 44:2c

3. Seek to quench spiritual thirst

“But I will pour water on him who is thirsty,
And floods on the dry ground…” Isaiah 44:3

4. Tracking with great joy God’s redemptive work

“Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!
Shout, you lower parts of the earth;
Break forth into singing, you mountains,
O forest and every tree in it!
For the LORD has redeemed Jacob,
And glorified Himself in Israel.” Isaiah 44:23

BILINGUAL WORSHIP 11 November 2007

Text: Psalm 102:23-28

Title: “You are the same”

COMMON HUMAN PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED

1. Enemies Psalm 102:8

2. Health problems Psalm 102:5

3. Emotional turmoil Psalm 102:4

4. Sleepless nights Psalm 102:7

5. God’s wrath Psalm 102:10

DRAWING STRENGTH AMIDST LIFE’S MANY PROBLEMS

1. Prayer

“He shall regard the prayer of the destitute,
and shall not despise their prayers” Psalm 102:17

2. Knowledge of God

a) That He takes a genuine and deep interest in mankind

“He looked down from the height of His sanctuary,
from heaven the LORD viewed the earth,
To hear the groaning of the prisoner,
To release those appointed to death” Psalm 102:19-20

b) That He remains the same

“But You, LORD, shall endure forever,
and the remembrance of Your name to all generations” Psalm 102:12
“But You remain the same, and Your years will have no end” Psalm 102:27

c) That He remains ever merciful

“You will arise have mercy on Zion” Psalm 102:13

d) That God would rebuild that which is torn down (Zion)

“For the LORD shall build up Zion” Psalm 102:16

e) That the descendants of God’s servants will be established

“The children of Your servants will continue,
and their descendants will be established before You” Psalm 102:28

BILINGUAL WORSHIP 25 November 2007

Text: Psalm 103:6-14

Title: “Merciful and gracious”

APPRECIATING AFRESH THE MANY BLESSINGS OF GOD

1. Iniquities forgiven Psalm 103:3a

2. Diseases healed Psalm 103:3b

3. Redeemed from destruction Psalm 103:4a

4. Crowned with lovingkindness and tender mercies Psalm 103:4b

5. Satisfied with good things Psalm 103:5a

6. Renewal of life Psalm 103:5b

APPRECIATING IN GREATER DEPTH WHY GOD BLESSES AS HE DOES

1. God’s revelation of Himself

a) His ways made known to Moses Psalm 103:7a

b) His acts to the children of Israel Psalm 103:7b

i) Executes righteousness Psalm 103:6a

ii) Justice for all oppressed Psalm 103:6b

2. God’s Character revealed gloriously

a) Merciful and gracious Psalm 103:8a

b) Slow to anger Psalm 103:8b

c) Abounding in mercy Psalm 103:8c

3. Ramifications

a) He has not dealt with us according to our sins Psalm 103:10
b) He has removed our sins far from us Psalm 103:12
c) As a Father He has pity on His children Psalm 103:13
d) He knows our sinful, weak human frame Psalm 103:114