In the sermon "A Believing Heart's Cry" by Gabe Stalnaker, the main theological topic is the heartfelt petitions of believers for divine intervention and revival, as expressed through their prayers in Psalm 85:4-7. Stalnaker outlines four essential requests made to God: to turn the hearts of His people, to revive them, to show them mercy, and to grant them salvation. He supports his points by referencing various Scriptures like Isaiah 55, Proverbs 14:12, and Psalm 80 to demonstrate the necessity of divine action for restoration and life, emphasizing the total depravity of humanity's ways apart from God. The practical significance of this sermon lies in the reminder of human dependence on God's grace, underscoring the Reformed doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone and the continual need for believers to seek God's transformative work in their lives.
Key Quotes
“Lord, you must do these things because if you don't do these things, they're not going to be done.”
“We need to be turned. We need to be saved from what we are. We need to be saved from where we're headed.”
“Revive us again. This means sustain our life, keep us quickened. We need Him so badly.”
“Freely, in my hand, no price I bring. Freely, graciously give to us thy salvation.”
The Bible calls believers to turn back to God, recognizing that our ways are wrong and seeking His mercy for revival.
The Bible emphasizes the necessity of turning back to God through repentance, as seen in Psalm 85 where the cry is made to 'turn us, O God of our salvation.' This highlights our inherent sinfulness and the need for divine intervention. Isaiah 55:7 instructs the wicked to forsake their ways to return to the Lord, assuring them of His mercy and abundant pardon. The believer's heart acknowledges that without God's act of turning, we remain lost. Psalm 80 reinforces this by repetitively asking the Lord to 'turn us again,' demonstrating an ongoing need for divine grace to stay on the right path.
Psalm 85:4, Isaiah 55:7, Psalm 80:3
The Bible emphasizes the need for revival, showing that true believers seek God's restoration and renewal in their lives.
Revival is fundamentally about God turning His people back to Himself, as seen in Psalm 85, where believers cry out, 'Turn us, O God of our salvation.' This cry for revival illustrates an acknowledgment that restoration can only come by God's grace. It is not merely a revitalization of spiritual practices but a deep, inner renewing by the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to rejoice in their salvation. In scriptures like Hosea 6:1-2, we see that revival involves returning to the Lord, recognizing our need for His healing, and relying on His power to restore us.
Psalm 85:4-7, Hosea 6:1-2
God promises revival to His people, as stated in Psalm 85, a revival that is initiated by His grace and mercy.
The assurance of revival is rooted in God's character as the 'God of our salvation.' In Psalm 85, the petitions reflect a deep desire among believers for spiritual renewal and life. The phrase 'revive us again' indicates that revival is not merely a one-time event, but a continual refreshment that believers seek from God. The Scripture reveals that true revival is sustained by the faithful hand of God, as seen in Psalm 138:7, where it states that the Lord will revive us in the midst of trouble. Therefore, believers can confidently approach God, knowing that He desires to sustain their spiritual life through His grace.
Psalm 85:6, Psalm 138:7
God's mercy is wonderfully displayed in Christ, who offers forgiveness and grace to all who believe in Him.
In Psalm 85, we witness the heartfelt plea of believers asking God to 'show us thy mercy.' This request indicates a profound understanding of God’s character as merciful. Throughout scripture, particularly in Exodus 33:19, God reveals that He will show mercy upon those He chooses. The clearest revelation of His mercy is found in Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross embodies the ultimate act of grace. Believers are assured that their pleas for mercy are met with God's abundant grace, emphasizing the unearned and free nature of His love towards His people.
Psalm 85:4, Exodus 33:19
God's mercy is crucial for Christians as it underscores our need for forgiveness and grace in Christ.
The concept of God's mercy is central to the Christian faith because it is through mercy that we receive forgiveness and salvation. In Psalm 85, the prayer 'show us thy mercy, O Lord' illustrates the believer's dependence on God for both grace and sustenance. God’s mercy is uniquely displayed in Jesus Christ, who embodies grace and truth, becoming the means by which we are saved (Exodus 33:19 reminds us that God shows mercy to whom He wills). Recognition of our need for mercy prompts humility and deepens our relationship with God, as we understand that everything we receive is unmerited.
Psalm 85:7, Exodus 33:19
Believers must continually seek God’s turning and revival as a recognition of their ongoing need for grace and guidance.
The need for believers to cry out for God to 'turn us' and 'revive us' stems from an understanding that human nature is prone to wander away from God. In Psalm 80:3 and Psalm 85:4, this plea emphasizes that spiritual renewal is not a one-time event but a daily necessity. Believers are reminded that they can easily fall back into sin and self-reliance, hence the need for constant revival. It is through God’s grace that they are enabled to return and find sustenance in Him, allowing them to live in harmony with His will. This understanding cultivates a reliance on God's sustaining power and the need for His presence in their lives.
Psalm 80:3, Psalm 85:4
We can ask for God's salvation by coming to Him in faith, understanding it is a gift given freely, not earned.
As seen in Psalm 85, the request for God to 'grant us thy salvation' acknowledges the truth that salvation is a divine gift. Isaiah 55 invites all who are thirsty to come without money, emphasizing that we cannot earn our salvation, but must rely on God's grace. Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God being able to do more than we ask or think, underlining His abundant grace and the richness of His mercy. This perspective encourages believers to approach God humbly, seeking salvation through faith in Christ alone, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of salvation.
Psalm 85:7, Isaiah 55:1, Ephesians 3:20
Declaring God's salvation involves recognizing and communicating the grace and forgiveness offered through Jesus Christ.
To declare God's salvation aptly means to acknowledge that salvation is a gift freely given by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. As the Psalmist requests, 'grant us thy salvation,' it emphasizes that humans cannot earn salvation but must receive it as a divine gift. The evangelical aspect of this declaration is crucial; it not only affirms the believer's acceptance of Christ but also encourages believers to share this good news with others. Scriptures like Isaiah 55:1 remind us that salvation is offered to all who are thirsty, presenting the invitation to come freely and partake of the living water that quenches spiritual thirst.
Psalm 85:7, Isaiah 55:1
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