Sermon Title: ASCRIBE TO THE LORD

Scripture Text: PSALM 29:1-2

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALMS 29:1-11 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox.7 The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.8 The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

PSALMS 103:15-16 NIV

15 As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

“Worship matters. It matters to God because he is the one ultimately worthy of worship. It matters to us because worshiping God is the reason for which we were created.” — Worship Matters (Bob Kauflin)

PSALMS 29:9 NIV

9 The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

I. THE PLACE OF WORSHIP

HEBREWS 10:25 NIV

25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

PSALMS 29:1-2 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

PSALMS 29:1 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.Praise Him all creatures here below.Praise Him above you heavenly hosts.Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

PSALMS 29:2 NIV

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

“The place of worship is not about where we are but where God is.”

II. THE PURPOSE OF WORSHIP

PSALMS 29:1-2 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

“The purpose of worship is not to get something out of it. The purpose of worship is to ascribe something to God.”

PSALMS 29:1 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

PSALMS 29:1-2 NIV

1 A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

PSALMS 29:11 NIV

11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

1 CORINTHIANS 16:2 NIV

2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

“If we haven’t learned to be worshipers, it doesn’t really matter how well we do anything else.” -Erwin Lutzer

Sermon Title: SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:6

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALMS 23:1-6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

“Life is a journey that is simply preparing us for our final destination.”

I. WE LIVE IN GOD’S HANDS NOW

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

goodness | Hebrew: towb “happiness, prosperity, goodness, good things”

JOHN 10:11 ESV

11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

ACTS 10:38 ESV

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

PSALMS 145:9 ESV

9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

MATTHEW 5:45 ESV

45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

mercy | Hebrew: chesed from the Heb. root “to bend down, to bow down”

“We need God’s goodness for our steps, we need God’s mercy for our stumbles.”

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

follow | Hebrew: radaph “to pursue after, to chase after, to run after”

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23 ESV

22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

“The goodness and mercy of God for his sheep is an irrevocable promise that is firmly established in God’s own faithfulness.”

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

II. WE LIVE IN GOD’S HOUSE FOR ETERNITY

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

dwell | Hebrew: yashab “to sit down and stay”

PSALMS 23:6 ESV

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

JOHN 3:36 ESV

36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

“The tragedy is not to feel far from home when you are, but to feel right at home when you are not.”

“It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation.” — (Fanny Crosby)

Someday the silver cord will break, And I no more as now shall sing; But oh, the joy when I shall wake Within the palace of the King! And I shall see Him face to face, And tell the story—saved by grace!

Sermon Title: MY CUP OVERFLOWS

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:5

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALM 23:5 ESV

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I. THE BLESSING OF HIS PEACE

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Ps 23:5 ESV)

"Peace is not the absence of problems. Peace is the presence of Jesus."

II. THE BLESSING OF HIS AFFECTION

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Ps 23:5 ESV)

“What an incredible transformation this would make among the sheep. Once the oil had been applied to the sheep’s head, there was an immediate change in behavior. Gone was the aggravation, gone the frenzy, gone the irritability and the restlessness. Instead, the sheep would start to feed quietly again, then soon lie down in peaceful contentment.” — W. Philip Keller

“Though the shepherd loves all of his flock, he loves them one by one.”

God has given man more sky than he can see,More seas than he can sail,More sun that he can bear to watch,More stars than he can scale,More breath than he can breathe,More yield than he can sow,More grace than he can comprehend,More love than he can know.

“Blessed are they who see the beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.”

2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 ESV

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

III. THE BLESSING OF SATISFACTION

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (Ps 23:5 ESV)

THE BLESSING OF HIS PEACEYou prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;…THE BLESSING OF HIS AFFECTION…you anoint my head with oil;…THE BLESSING OF SATISFACTION…my cup overflows.

Sermon Title: OUR SHEPHERD IN THE VALLEY

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:4

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALM 23:4 ESV

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

“shadow of death” Hebrew: sal-ma-wet, | “darkness” or “dark shadows”.

Actually, some translations simply use “darkest valley” Like the NIV and NLT, which both say:

Even though I walk through the darkest valley...

“Dark times are part of life’s journey, just as dark valleys are part of the sheep’s journey.”

I. OUR SHEPHERD HAS MADE US SAFE AND SECURE

“Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite. The shadow of a sword cannot kill. The shadow of death cannot destroy us.” — Charles Spurgeon

“Jesus’ death and resurrection has secured our souls for eternity!”

MATTHEW 10:28 ESV

8 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

“God is our Shepherd! Not our destroyer. He is for us, & not against us!”

ROMANS 14:8 ESV

8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

“Our Good Shepherd has made our darkest valley a safe place for us to pass through.”

II. OUR SHEPHERD COMFORTS US

PSALM 23:4b ESV

4b ...for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Three ways the Shepherd comforts us in the valley:

1. HIS PRESENCE

The picture that David paints of our Good Shepherd here, is Not as the know-it-all (although He IS), but as the presence-in-it-all.

MATTHEW 28:20

20 And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age

“In the dark valley, remember, God is closest! God is most present! God is most available!”

Our Shepherd comforts us in the valley with His presence.

2. HIS ROD

For us Christians, the thing that we can count on again and againto counter the attacks of enemies and correct us like the Shepherd’s rod is the Word of God.

2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Our Good Shepherd also uses the rod of God’s Word to correct and rebuke us when we stray away from the right path.

3. HIS STAFF

Before He left this world, Jesus explicitly told us that He would send us a guide who will lead us into all truth.  He is the Holy Spirit and He is our Shepherd’s staff.

JOHN 16:13

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth,for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

ROMANS 8:16

6 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

“Our Good Shepherd comes and tenderly delivers us out of our dilemma, by His Spirit.”

JOHN 14:26

26 But the Comforter, even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:16

16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?

2 Applications:

1. Walk through the valley

The sheep only walks through the valley.They do not “stay in” the valley because it is not their home.They do not even linger there because it is not their destination also.

For us, to “walk through” means that, when we come upon a problem, a trial, a time of darkness, we are to persevere through it.

“Our perseverance should be seen in our drawing near and staying close to our Shepherd

Sermon Title: PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:3

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALM 23:1-6 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

“Run with speed. Run with power. But ultimately, all that matters is the right direction.” — Dr. Bruce Wilkinson

PSALM 23:1-3 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

I. OUR SHEPHERD LIFTS US FROM THE WRONG PATH

PSALM 23:3 ESV

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

restore | Hebrew: shub to turn back, to return

PSALM 51:12 ESV

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

1 JOHN 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9 ESV

9 …“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” …

MATTHEW 18:12 ESV

12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

“There’s something intensely personal, intensely tender, intensely endearing, yet intensely fraught with danger in the picture. On the one hand there is the sheep so helpless, so utterly immobilized … while on the other hand, there is the attentive owner quick and ready to come to its rescue – ever patient and tender and helpful.”

II. OUR SHEPHERD LEADS US TO THE RIGHT PATH

PSALM 23:3 ESV

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

PSALM 23:3 HCSB

3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake.

ISAIAH 53:6 ESV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

“When the sheep is following the shepherd, they’ll always stay on the right path.”

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” — Corrie Ten Boom

“I said to the man at the gate of the year, ‘Give me a light that I might walk safely into the unknown.’And he said to me, ‘Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. It shall be to you safer than the light and better than the known.’”

1 SAMUEL 24:6 ESV

6 He said to his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”

path | Hebrew: ma’gal a long, roundabout route

PSALM 23:3 ESV

3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

1 my … I shall not be in want.2 me … me3 my soul … me4 I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear … me … me.5 me in the presence of my enemies … my head … my cup6 me all the days of my life … I will dwell

“We all travel different paths; but we all have the same destination – God’s glory.”

The shepherd has one job – to lead the sheep.The sheep has one job – to follow the shepherd.

Sermon Title: GREEN PASTURES & QUIET WATERS

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:2

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALM 23:1-6 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

The clock is my dictator; I shall not rest.It makes me lie down only when exhausted;It leads me to deep depression,It hounds my soul;

It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity sake;Even though I run frantically from task to task, I will never get it all done,For my “ideal” is with me;Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.

They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule;They anoint my head with migraines;My messenger and email inbox overflows;

Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life;And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.(Author Unknown)

PSALM 23:1 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

“All promises of rest apart from Christ are ultimately empty.”

I. THE SHEPHERD

PSALM 23:2 ESV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

JOHN 10:3 ESV

3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

PSALM 8:3-4 ESV

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?

“God’s call to rest is neither duty nor discipline but a response.”

MATTHEW 11:28-30 ESV

28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

II. GREEN PASTURES

PSALM 23:2 ESV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13 NIV

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13 NIV

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13 NIV

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

PSALM 23:2 ESV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

Birds Sing On A Bare Bough; O, Believer, Canst Not Thou? — Charles Haddon Spurgeon

III. QUIET WATERS

PSALM 23:2 ESV

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.

PSALM 4:8 ESV

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

“An uncertain future leaves us stranded in an unhappy present with nothing to do but wait.” — Daniel Gilbert

DEUTERONOMY 31:8 ESV

8 It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

“Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life,’ can

Sermon Title: THE LORD, MY SHEPHERD

Scripture Text: PSALM 23:1

Sermon Series: SUMMER IN THE PSALMS

Sermon Notes:

PSALM 23:1-6 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I. OUR SHEPHERD LEADS US

PSALM 23:1 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

MATTHEW 9:36 ESV

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

“The moment you have decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, he becomes your shepherd.”

II. OUR SHEPHERD TAKES CARE OF US

PSALM 23:1 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

DEUTERONOMY 2:7 ESV

7 For the LORD your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He knows your going through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you. You have lacked nothing.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 ESV

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

“I also asked of the consuls, agents, merchants and citizens of any nation, to furnish you with those supplies which your necessities may call for. And to give more entire satisfaction and confidence to those who may be disposed to aid you. I, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, have written this letter of general credit for you with my own hand and signed it with my own name.”

“If God didn’t meet it, then it wasn’t really a need.”

III. OUR SHEPHERD KNOWS US

PSALM 23:1 ESV

1 A Psalm of David.The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

“There’s only one way to know that the Lord is your shepherd; and that is to make the shepherd your Lord.”

JOHN 10:27 ESV

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

“When the Lord is our shepherd, we lack nothing of what we truly need in life.”

When God says “let go”, it’s always because He promised He will provide.

Sermon Title: JEHOVAH JIREH: THE LORD WILL PROVIDE

Scripture Text: GENESIS 22

Sermon Series: Abraham: Journey of Faith 

Sermon Notes:

GENESIS 22:1-14 NIV

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”6 Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together,7 Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”8 Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.9 When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.10 Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.11 But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”13 Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.14 So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Clutching and clinging are two bad habits. Unfortunately, we all have them. We love to possess; we love to control. We love to keep our treasures close. And the more valuable the treasure, the tighter our grip, and the more difficult it is to release it. You see, it’s not our nature to let go. Our nature is to possess, to clutch, to cling.” — Charles Swindoll

GENESIS 22:1 NIV

1 Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

“Satan tempts us to sin, God tests us to show us who we are.”

JAMES 1:13 NIV

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

1 PETER 1:6-7 NIV

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.7 These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

GENESIS 22:2 NIV

2 Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.”

GENESIS 22:3 NIV

3 Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about.

GENESIS 22:4 NIV

4 On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

GENESIS 22:5 NIV

5 He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship an

“What God does in us as we wait is just as important as what we’re waiting for.”

Sermon Title: RESTING ON GOD’S TIMING

Scripture Text: GENESIS 16 & 18

Sermon Series: Abraham: Journey of Faith 

Sermon Notes:

GENESIS 18:9-15 NIV

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.” But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

GENESIS 11:29-30 NIV

29 Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram's wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor's wife was Milcah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milcah and Iscah.30 Now Sarai was barren; she had no children.

GENESIS 12:1-3 NIV

1 The LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.2 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

Waiting is our destiny. As creatures who cannot by themselves bring about what they hope for, we wait in the darkness for a flame we cannot light. We wait in fear for a happy ending that we cannot write. We wait for a ‘not yet’ that feels like a ‘not ever.’ — Lewis B. Smedes

“What God does in us as we wait is just as important as what we’re waiting for.”

I. WHEN SARAH WENT AHEAD OF GOD– GENESIS 16

GENESIS 16:1-2 NIV

1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar;2 so she said to Abram, “The LORD has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family through her.” Abram agreed to what Sarai said.

“Waiting reminds us that we are not in charge.”

“God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.” — J. Hudson Taylor

PHILIPPIANS 4:6 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

II. WHEN SARAH LAUGHED– GENESIS 18

GENESIS 18:9-15 NIV

9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him. “There, in the tent,” he said.10 Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him.11 Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing.12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?”13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”

HEBREWS 11:11 ESV

11 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

“When it comes to our journey of faith, we are participants, not spectators.”

“Walking with God is taking one step in front of the other in the same direction over time.”

GENESIS 21:1-3,6 NIV

1 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had sa

Sermon Title: STANDING IN GOD’S PROMISES

Scripture Text: GENESIS 15

Sermon Series: Abraham: Journey of Faith 

Sermon Notes:

GENESIS 15:1-6 NIV

1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”2 But Abram said, “O Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?”3 And Abram said, “You have given me no children; so a servant in my household will be my heir.”4 Then the word of the LORD came to him: “This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir.”5 He took him outside and said, “Look up at the heavens and count the stars--if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”6 Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

“It’s not the doubts and fears that matter, it’s what we do with them.”

“Our vulnerabilities are never as great as God’s ability.”

I. GOD’S WORD IS OUR FOUNDATION

GENESIS 15:1-6 NIV

1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

The “Word of the Lord” is:“[the] means by which God makes Himself known, declares His will, and brings about His purposes. The phrases such as word of God, and word of the Lord are applied to the commanding word of God that brought creation into existence (Gen 1; 2 Peter 3:5)……and also destroyed that same world through the waters of the Flood (2 Peter 3:6); to God’s announcement of an impending or future act of judgment (Ex 9:20-21; 1 Kings 2:27); to the word that declares God’s commitment and promises His blessing (Gen 15:1,4); and to a particular instruction from God (Josh 8:27).” — Nelson’s Illustration (Bible Dictionary)

JOHN 5:39 NLT

39 You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!

“When God reveals truth through His Word, that doesn’t lead me to an encounter with God, that is the encounter with God.” — Henry Blackaby

“God is far more interested in you having an encounter with him than he is interested in getting a job done.”

II. GOD IS OUR SHIELD IN TIMES OF FEAR

GENESIS 15:1 NIV

1 After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

GENESIS 14:8-9 NIV

8 Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim9 against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar--four kings against five.11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

GENESIS 14:11-12 NIV

11 The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12 They also carried off Abram's nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

GENESIS 14:14-16 NIV

14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

“God’s method of supplying our need is to give us fresh knowledge of Himself, for every need can be met by seeing Him.” — Donald Barnhouse

“A Christian is immortal until his work on earth is done.”

III. GOD’S PROMISES IN OUR FUTURE

GENESIS 15:2-3 NIV

2 But Abra