A sermon idea based on Psalm 103:1-8.
Psalm 103:1-8 NRSV
[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. [2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits— [3] who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, [4] who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, [5] who satisfies you with good as long as you live so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
[6] The LORD works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. [7] He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. [8] The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Angle
The relevant topic I would be addressing, based on this text…
We bless (praise, worship, give honor to) God because of the multitude of ways he has shown us his goodness in our lives and in our world.
Anchor
Information about the text that matters to the message…
I would pay close attention to the verbs in these verses. How has God shown, in action, his goodness in our lives and around us in our world?
- He forgives
- He heals
- He redeems
- He crowns
- He satisfies
- He works for vindication and justice for all who are oppressed
- He is merciful
- He is gracious
- He is slow to anger
- He is abounding in love.
A moment of reflection with the congregation might be held to just count and consider all the ways each person has personally experienced God’s goodness and blessing.
Application
The big call-to-action in the message…
Being thankful to God is life-changing. It corrects our attitudes and brightens our hearts. The application is simple – commit to vocalizing thanks to God for his goodness.
About the Cover Art: Uhde, Fritz von, 1848-1911. Christ with the Peasants, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.
My Other Favorite Source of Sermon Ideas
MinistryPass offers excellent sermon series ideas, graphics, and resources for pastors and teachers, including expository, topical, textual, and lectionary-based ideas, plus calendars for organizing it all. MinistryPass is, in my opinion, the best all-around, complete sermon series planning resource on the web.