When God Doesn't Hear You (Psalm 22)

Theme: Suffering, Abandonment, Praise.

1. The power of darkness (Ps 22:1-21).
• Perplexity in suffering (Ps 22:1-10).
• Prayer for divine nearness (Ps 22:11-21).
2. The spread of joy (Ps 22:22-31).
• Festival time for Israel (Ps 22:22-26).
• Festival time for the world (Ps 22:27-31).

"From Despair to Victory: A Journey through Psalm 22" (ChatGPT)

1. Understanding the Despair (Ps 22:1-2)
• A. The opening cry of abandonment
• B. Personal experience of the sense of forsakenness
• C. The reality of suffering in life
2. The Struggle of Faith (Ps 22:3-5, 6-8)
   
• A. The tension between God's holiness and the cries of His people
• B. The challenge of maintaining faith in the midst of adversity
• C. Encouraging authenticity in expressing doubts and struggles
3. Remembering of God's Faithfulness (Ps 22:9-10, 11-13)
• A. Reflecting on past experiences of God's provision
• B. Drawing strength from the knowledge of God's character
• C. Emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's faithfulness
4. The Suffering Servant (Ps 22:14-18)
• A. Examining the prophetic nature of Psalm 22 in relation to Jesus
• B. Connecting the psalmist's suffering to the crucifixion of Christ
• C. Highlighting the redemptive aspect of Christ's sacrifice
5. The Turning Point: From Despair to Praise (Ps 22:19-21)
• A. The shift in tone from lament to petition
• B. Recognizing the importance of surrendering to God's will
• C. Expressing hope in God's deliverance
6. Assurance of God's Presence (Ps 22:22-24)
• A. Rejoicing in the assurance of God's presence in times of trouble
• B. Encouraging the congregation to seek God in their distress
• C. Offering a message of hope and restoration
7. Application to Our Lives (Ps 22:25-31)
• A. Personal reflection on times of despair and faith struggles
• B. Encouraging a deeper trust in God's faithfulness
• C. Practical steps to turn despair into praise in our own lives

I. Introduction: A. Brief overview. B. Exploring the depths of human experience. C. Hope in challenging times.
IX. Conclusion: A. Summarize key points. B. The transformative power of faith in challenging times. C. Pray for strength, hope, and trust in God's faithfulness.

Titles: When God Feels Distant in my Pain. The Psalm of the Cross. When We Feel Forsaken. When God Seems Far. The Silence and Salvation of God. Why have you forsaken me? Suffering well. Praying through your pain. The psalm of crucifixion. The Suffering Savior. The hope of a God-forsaken worm. I am poured out like water. Crucifixion of the King. From the Cross to the Crown to the City. The servant of God forsaken, rescued and triumphant. Keeping God between us and trouble. The descent and triumph of the Messiah. The suffering and the glory. From suffering to victory. From Pain to Praise. Through suffering into promise. The Easter Psalm. Jesus' Bible Footprints. The Suffering Servant Wins the Deliverance of the Nations. A prophecy of the crucifixion and the victory. The Messiah's Suffering and Reign prophesied by David (Psalm 22). Dr. Seth Postell.

Sermon Outline for Psalm 22

I. Introduction

• Introduce the significance of Psalm 22 as a prophetic psalm that delineates Christ in His sufferings as the propitiating sacrifice and the resulting praise to God from all mankind
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II. Part 1: The Agonized Prayer

• Discuss the anguished cry of the psalmist, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" and its relation to Christ's suffering on the cross
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• Explore the intense suffering expressed by the psalmist, feeling abandoned by God, surrounded by enemies, and in physical pain
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• Emphasize the importance of pouring the situation before God and coming to the realization that God is with us as a response to suffering
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III. Part 2: Ardent Praise

• Highlight the dramatic change in mood and tone as the psalmist transitions from agonized prayer to ardent praise
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• Discuss the psalmist's call for praise in the midst of the congregation and among those who fear the Lord
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IV. Application and Reflection

• Reflect on the relevance of Psalm 22 to the suffering and glory of Christ, as well as its significance for the history of the church and individual Christians
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• Emphasize the pattern of piety for the church and individual Christians, moving from suffering to glory
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• Discuss the persistent and necessary practice of faith in the journey with God through lament, as emphasized by Psalm 22
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V. Conclusion

• Summarize the key points of the sermon outline and encourage the congregation to find hope and strength in the example of Christ's suffering and ultimate praise.

This outline provides a structured approach to delivering a sermon on Psalm 22, incorporating the themes of suffering, abandonment, and praise found in the psalm, as well as its relevance to the suffering and glory of Christ.