Sunday June 8, 2025

Sermon Title: The Faithful and Approachable God

Series Big Idea: Focusing on the human quest for power, versus God’s sovereign reign 

Sermon Big Idea: God always keeps His promises and welcomes us near

Introduction:

Every human heart longs for something permanent and something trustworthy and near, especially when life feels uncertain. Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8 reveals a God who is both unwavering in His promises and graciously present with His people.

(1 Kings 8:22-30)

22 Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. 23 He said: Lord God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below, who keeps the gracious covenant with your servants who walk before you with all their heart. 24 You have kept what you promised to your servant, my father David. You spoke directly to him and you fulfilled your promise by your power as it is today. 25 Therefore, Lord God of Israel, keep what you promised to your servant, my father David: You will never fail to have a man to sit before me on the throne of Israel, if only your sons take care to walk before me as you have walked before me. 26 Now LordA God of Israel, please confirm what you promised to your servant, my father David. 27 But will God indeed live on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built. 28 Listen to your servant’s prayer and his petition, Lord my God, so that you may hear the cry and the prayer that your servant prays before you today, 29 so that your eyes may watch over this temple night and day, toward the place where you said, “My name will be there,” and so that you may hear the prayer that your servant prays toward this place. 30 Hear the petition of your servant and your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven.

God’s Unwavering Faithfulness:

Solomon begins by praising God for keeping His covenant promises, especially those made to David. From Abraham to Jesus, God has never failed to fulfill His Word, proving His perfect reliability across generations.

God’s Approachable Presence:

Though the heavens cannot contain Him, God chooses to dwell with His people and hear their prayers. Through Jesus, the true and greater temple, God invites sinners of every background into His presence for mercy and grace.

Conclusion:

When life is heavy with suffering or doubt, we can still cling to the promises of a God who never fails. In Jesus, we find a faithful refuge and open access to the God who hears, welcomes, and saves.

1 Kings 8:22-30 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Victor Books, 1985.

Rydelnik, Michael A., and Michael Vanlaningham, editors. The Moody Bible Commentary. Moody Publishers, 2014.

Carson, D. A., et al., editors. New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition. 4th ed., Inter-Varsity Press, 1994.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

Cabal, Ted, et al. The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight Answers, Stronger Faith. Holman Bible Publishers, 2007.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, editors. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Barry, John D., et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Spurgeon. The Spurgeon Study Bible: Notes. Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Brown, Francis, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs. The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon. Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.

Waltke, Bruce K. An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic Approach. Zondervan, 2007.

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