In these Psalms there are three main points to remember:

First, these are simply songs, not theses, not research papers and not legal arguments.

Second, they have a common theme, that is, Ascent ... to GO UP to Meet with God.

Finally, they share the attachment of the title "Song of Ascent", which emphasizes OUR NEED TO GO UP AND MEET WITH GOD!

ACTION ITEM: 1. As you listen to this teaching, you may want to follow along with the outline notes provided.

2. Read through each of these psalms on your own this week, putting them to music in your head as you do, and be ready to meet God in person!

Video unavailable due to technical problems.

Jesus teaches His disciples how the Word is to be spread in this parable. He also notes how some of it will not received. In doing so, He is preparing them that they should be reckless in spreading the Word to the ends of the earth. It is our responsibility as Christians to continue spreading the Seed of the Gospel throughout the world.

ACTION ITEMS:

1) Take time this week to spread the Seed of the Good News of the Gospel to at least TWO other people you know.

2) Pray for those people that their soil may be fertile for the seed to grow in them.

3) Pray for the rest of the church that others may also find fertile soil for more seeds to grow.

SUPPORTING VERSES:

Mark 4:13-14

Hebrews 4:12-13

Jeremiah 23:29b

James 1:25

Psalms 119:105

1 Peter 2:2

Jeremiah 23:29a

Mark 4:14

Guest speaker Sandy Adams of Stone Mountain Calvary Chapel gives us hope that the fear of the world should not affect us. When we have troubles we have the Lord. God is our refuge IN the storm, not FROM the storm. God is a river of refreshment. Take note of verses 10 and 11.

God is Our Refuge, The River, Our Ruler!

Jesus sends out His disciples with a command to go into the world, but not be of the world. He sent the Holy Spirit to help to prepare for His coming at the end of the age.

ACTION ITEMS:

Are there any areas where you have let the world influence the way you are thinking or living?

How can you make a connection in order to invite someone to Christ?

What about heaven are you most looking forward to?

SUPPORTING VERSES:

Hebrews 7:25

1 Timothy 2:3-4

Titus 2:11

2 Peter 3:9

John 3:16-18

John 1:12

Mark 16:15-16

Matthew 28:19-20

Romans 12:2

ACTION ITEMS:

Have you trusted Christ for salvation?

If not, today is the day of salvation. Ask Jesus to be your Savior and Lord.

Take some time to pray for boldness to live for Christ and share Him with others.

If the current world climate has overwhelmed you, take some time to share with a Christian friend and begin to pray and fast together. (Perhaps fasting from news coverage or social media might prove helpful. Be sure to use the time to seek the Lord.)

SUPPORTING VERSES:

Mark 12:12,

2 Timothy 3:1-4,

1 John 2:18,

Psalm 115:3,

Acts 2:23-24, Acts 4:27-28,

Revelation 10:11-16, Revelation 19:19-21

Mark 1:17 - Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

SUMMARY POINTS:

Point 1 - The believer is Called Out (of the world)

Point 2 - The believer is Sent Back (into the world)

-Jesus was sent into the world with purpose!

-Jesus came with authority!

-Jesus came in power!

Point 3 - The believer needs to be on guard

ACTION ITEMS:

1) This week invite at least one person who might not be a believer to come to Christ or to come with you to church (or watch online)

2) In what ways have you allowed worldly thinking to affect how you view:

-Relationships

-Family

-Politics

-Lifestyle

-Finances

What changes can you make?

SUPPORTING VERSES:

John 17:16

John 17:14

Luke 4:33-34

John 17:6

John 17:18

John 17:11

John 17:15

King David penned this Psalm during a time of division as he was fleeing from Absalom, who threatened the throne. Chaos seemed to rule David’s life, but he stopped, laid down and slept, and God sustained him! He found a place to rest that was Neutral, Level, and Accessible.

ACTION ITEMS

What does it look like in your life to remove your burdens and exchange them for Jesus' burdens?

How can we daily put on the burden of rest?

Maybe it isn’t peace or rest that we especially need right now.

What are things that you desperately need God to supply you with right now?

SUPPORTING TEXTS:

Matthew 11:28-30

Ephesians 3:14-20

The Subject of His Prayer

1. Jesus sought God

2. Jesus sought to glorify God

3. Jesus sought to bring others to God

4. Jesus sought a future reward

ACTION ITEMS:

Are you seeking God? Are you seeking to glorify God? Are you seeking to bring others to God? Are you seeking a future (spiritual) reward?

"An encounter with the Lord should impact our outlook, our perspective, our attitude even before circumstances change!"

ACTION ITEMS:

1. Pray God will invade our reality as we read through these Psalms

2. Follow the example of David in Psalm 40 and wait upon the Lord

3. Commit to reading a psalm a day as we work through this series together

(in addition to your regular daily bible reading plan)

SUMMARY POINTS:

Point 1: Promise of Truth

Point 2: Promise of Joy

Point 3: promise of peace

ACTION ITEMS:

1. Is there sorrow in your life that could actually be a source of Joy?

2. Pray that God would give you Peace in the midst of Tribulation. We can't neglect the power of Prayer!

3. Join our daily Bible Reading Plan.