Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title (Right Click to Download)	Audio   Video  Text    Ipod MS Word	Category
Bobby Stafford	Psalm 22		Psalms

Psalm 22

Introduction:

This is considered a psalm of David.  He knew suffering and pain; he experienced loneliness and how it felt to be forsaken.  This psalm is ultimately fulfilled in the Messiah.

Body:

I. His Rejection  (Verses 1-10)

Verses 1-2   David feels God has abandoned him in his time of suffering.  He feels He is far away.  He is hopeless and continually crying out.  (Psalm 6:6) 

Jesus cries out on the cross.  (Matthew 27:46)  The Father had to temporarily turn His back on the Son.  It was demanded by the Father’s holiness.  (II Corinthians 5:21)  But Jesus knew the Father would not permanently forsake Him.  (John 16:32)

Verses 3-5   David reminds himself of God’s goodness in the past in delivering His people who He provided and sustained.  We must continually remind ourselves of God’s help for us in past circumstances.

Verses 6-8  “Worm” denotes the feeling of not having worth, being lowly.  Then note ideas of reproach, being despised, ridiculed.  This was how Christ was treated.  (Matthew 27:39-44)

Verses 9-10   David knows his existence comes from God.  Christians need to remember, especially in difficult times, that they are new creatures in Christ with great worth in God’s sight.  They are special prized possessions. 

II. His Suffering   (Verses 11-18)

Verses 11-12  Bashan had rich pastures with strong bulls.  Often we can feel surrounded by brutish animals [enemies].  Our Lord was at His crucifixion.  They were angry and ready to kill Him.

Verse 13   They were ready to devour as vicious lions roaring at the sight of their prey.

Verses 14-15  It is a sad picture of Jesus on the cross.  His life is ebbing away; His heart is melting and His bones are out of joint.  With a parched mouth He cries, “I thirst.”

Verse 16  Enemies are seen as a pack of wild dogs.  His hands and feet were pierced.

Verses 17-18  Jesus is described as getting weaker and weaker.  You can see His bones because He’s so thin.  They cast lots for His clothes.

III.         His Plea   (Verses 19-21)   

The writer, David, pleads for help from God.  He feels beaten and broken.  Christ knew the Father could deliver Him but He also knew He had to die so we could live. 

IV.         His Praise   (Verses 22-26)   

“declare Your name” – While David declared God’s character and nature, no one did it to the degree that Jesus did.  He said that He came to reveal the Father.  Christ is telling us to glorify and praise Jehovah in order to tell the world about Him.  Also God has always been concerned with the afflicted, the poor, and the needy.  We must be concerned as well.  In addition, those in “the assembly” [the kingdom] feast upon all spiritual blessings. 

V.           His Prophecy   (Verses 27-31) 

·         The Lord’s Kingdom is the greatest of all kingdoms.  (Revelation 11:15) 

·         All kinds of men, rich and poor, will worship the Lord.  They will praise Him for all their blessings.

·         Generation after generation will hear the gospel’s message and be blessed.  God’s righteousness will be declared by one generation to another generation. 

Invitation:

All people will be blessed in this life and the next if they will come to Him in obedience, regardless of how difficult their life may be.    

Bobby Stafford 

February 1, 2015