July 19, 2026
Bless the Lord
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Preach Gospel truth to your soul until your soul remembers the Lord.

I. Bless the Lord by Remembering His Benefits

Psalm 103:1-5
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is

II. Trust the Lord by Resting in His Character

Psalm 103:6-14
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.

Interpret your shame through the lens of God’s revealed character.

III. Praise the Lord by Living Under His Eternal Mercy

Psalm 103:15-22
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments. The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Let your worship be bigger than Sunday morning.

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
• I commit to pray God’s character each day to grow in confidence of who He is.
• I choose to bless the Lord in my schedule, spending, serving, and relationships.

Deep Dive

1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. How does the cross explain how God can remove our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west”?
2. Psalm 103:13-14. How does this truth bring comfort without excusing sin?
3. What would it look like this week for your worship to move beyond words and become obedience, gratitude, and witness?

Springboards

1. Read Psalm 110:1. What does it mean that David calls the Messiah “my Lord,” and how does this deepen our understanding of who Jesus is?
2. Read Matthew 22:41-46. Why did Jesus use Psalm 110:1 when speaking to the Pharisees, and what does His question reveal about the identity of the Christ?
3. Read Acts 2:32-36. How does Peter use Psalm 110:1 to explain the resurrection, ascension, and lordship of Jesus?