Summary of my sermon, based on Psalm 34:8. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on December 17, 2023.
In reflecting on the essence of the sermon series, “O Come: All You Unfaithful,” each installment draws from a poignant song by Sovereign Grace Music. The initial sermons are rooted in pivotal lines from this song, each revealing profound truths about God’s nature and our relationship with Him.
The first sermon delved into the profound need that God fulfilled by sending Jesus—addressing the sinful nature inherent in humanity. The subsequent sermon, “His Promise is Peace,” unpacked the anticipation of the Messiah as detailed in Isaiah, notably emphasizing Isaiah 9.
However, a notable issue emerged in the interpretation of these verses about Jesus. Many misunderstood them, anticipating a militaristic conqueror as the Messiah. This misconception stemmed from a limited reading of Isaiah 7-12, with verses like Isaiah 7:14 (the famous Immanuel verse) and Isaiah 9:6-7 (“For to us a child is born”) seemingly aligning with the restoration of Israel as a nation.
Consequently, the prevailing expectation was for the Jewish Messiah to be a political or military leader. Even the disciples initially harbored such notions, hinted at in their actions and inquiries, like James and John’s request in Mark 10 and their disbelief regarding Jesus’ resurrection despite His teachings.
However, these anticipations were shattered by later revelations in Isaiah, particularly in chapter 53—the “Suffering Servant” prophecies. Isaiah 53:5 foretold Jesus’ sacrificial act for humanity’s redemption, disrupting the prevailing understanding of the Messiah’s purpose.
Jesus didn’t come to rescue Israel from earthly oppressors; He aimed for a far grander victory. This sets the stage for the theme “Taste of His Perfect Love” from the song—a natural extension of God’s promise of peace and a concept echoed in 1 John 4:18.
The invitation is extended to both the ancient Israelites and us today—to experience God’s goodness and perfect love. The invitation to “Taste” the Lord’s goodness may seem peculiar; however, it’s a metaphor for experiencing and embracing His love and salvation.
This tasting of God’s goodness parallels the assurance that His perfect love removes the fear of punishment, illustrated in Hebrews 2:9. Jesus tasted death, enabling us to savor His perfect love and escape the death penalty our sins incurred.
This tasting isn’t limited to Psalm 34:8 alone but intertwines with the broader concept of salvation, seen in Titus 3:4–6. The goodness of God leads to salvation—an experience that fills us with joy and a deep sense of God’s pursuit, as echoed in Psalm 23:6.
The goodness of God, though profoundly comforting, finds its application in taking refuge in Him, a concept reiterated in Nahum 1:7 and Psalm 36:7–8. Practically, this refuge is found in immersing ourselves in the Word of God, as evidenced in 2 Samuel 22:31 and Colossians 3:16.
The call to immerse in scripture isn’t just an individual pursuit but a communal one. The encouragement to engage in reading the Bible together, as a church, becomes a spiritual goal for the year—a simple act of seeking refuge in God collectively.
So, in the pursuit of God’s goodness and love, let’s engage deeply with His Word, for it holds the pathway to understanding, joy, and the fullness of His promises.