Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Move Toward Christ

Micah Ramsey · August 17, 2024

Psalm 28:1-2

sharonrpc.org/sermons/move-toward-christ

Summary

Amid differing needs and temptations, the church's common direction is not merely left or right but toward Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd whom every faithful leader follows.
The Psalms express the heart and footsteps of Christ under sorrow, rejection, conflict, and affliction, helping believers bring their own grief into fellowship with him.
Calling upon the Lord names and trusts him as the everlasting Rock whose character joins perfect mercy and justice, supremely displayed at the cross.
Prayer rests on God's truthful Word and asks according to his will, confident that all his promises are yes in Christ rather than treating prayer as a demand for whatever one desires.
Jesus entered judgment and death for his people, rose, ascended, blesses them with nail-scarred hands, and continually intercedes so that they will not be abandoned to the pit.
Lifting holy hands signifies cleansing, surrender, and participation in Christ's death; believers therefore deny themselves, take up the cross, and move nearer to him in life and worship.

In my present sorrow or conflict, am I mainly trying to shift position, or am I actually drawing nearer to Christ?
How does Psalm 28 help me recognize both my own cry and the heart of Jesus in suffering?
Do my prayers begin with confidence in who God has revealed himself to be?
Am I asking according to God's promises and will, or treating prayer as a means of securing any desire I choose?
How does Christ's descent into judgment and his continuing intercession strengthen me when God seems silent?
What do the risen Christ's nail-scarred hands teach me about sacrifice, cleansing, blessing, and surrender?
What concrete step of repentance, faith, worship, or self-denial would move me toward Christ today?

Calling on the Lord: Prayerful confession of who God is, joined to trust in his revealed character and promises.
Rock: A biblical image for God's enduring stability, protection, faithfulness, and unchanging reality.
Supplication: Earnest prayer for help offered to God according to his Word and will.
Intercession: Christ's continuing priestly work at the Father's right hand on behalf of those he redeemed.
Lifting holy hands: A posture of prayer and blessing that points to surrender, cleansing, and the sacrifice accomplished by Christ.
Move toward Christ: The common pastoral direction of drawing nearer to Jesus in trust, repentance, worship, and imitation regardless of one's particular imbalance.