REACH

I. Success and security belong to the LORD, therefore live by faith.

II. Blessings belong to the LORD, therefore live by faith.

The life of a Christian is not easy. We sometimes go through long seasons of deep suffering. So how do we deal with that and endure the suffering? Thankfully, in Psalms like these we are given a language we can use to express our pain and we are also given guidance on how we can pursue God in the midst of suffering.

To kick of the summer series "A Summer in the Psalms" we are beginning with Psalm 1 which teaches us the widsom of the good path, or the blessed and "happy" life. We let the Word of God define happiness and give us the wisdom of how to achieve that happiness, which is by holiness and a delight in God's Word.

The ministry of Jesus was not defined by unity, but by division and controversy over who people believed He was. In this passage, Jesus offers living water to all who would believe, but some let misunderstanding, ignorance, and arrogance keep them from believing. Therefore, only those who are willing to trust in what Jesus teaches will come to Him and believe and find life.

The focal point for the division between true followers and everyone else the identity of Jesus Christ. In this sermon we are faced with whether we believe Jesus is a liar, a lawbreaker, or if He truly is the Messiah.

After some hard teachings, many disciples stop following Jesus because it was too hard. So Jesus turns to the 12 and asks them "Do you also want to go away?" In this passage we see the truth that following Jesus is hard, and many will turn away. But if we truly follow Him we have life in Him.