Sermon Outline:
1. Your idols are burdens which cannot save
2. The Lord is the burden-bearing Savior
3. An idol which you control and provide for cannot answer prayers
4. Look at history to see the Lord is alone God
5. God’s plans are sovereign, His people’s are not
6. Christ’s people are His glory because He is their righteousness
Family Discussion Questions:
1. Who were Bel and Nebo, and what do the first two verses tell us will happen to them?
2. What does this tell us about all false religions?
3. What difference does the Lord draw attention to between Him and idols?
4. How is the Gospel opposite to human religion and hopes?
5. How can the imagery of being carried as an unborn baby and also a tired grey-haired old man help to see our need for God to carry us?
6. How do verses 5-7 correct our desire to wish we could control God?
7. How does looking at God’s faithfulness in history to His Biblical promises cure weak faith?
8. How does it make faith in idols look foolish?
9. Why would Israel not have wanted their rescue to look the way it did?
10. How does verse 9-11 correct the teaching that God only knows but does not control the future?
11. How does God’s use of the phrase, “my righteousness” make room only for the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to save?
12. Why is it said that God’s people are His glory, and how can that correct and comfort you?
13. These sweet words of invitation and correction are given to people described as sinners and hard-hearted. What does that teach us?
