Under the Noble Cedar

In listening over this message for post it brought dear memories of God’s faithfulness to me, reminded me of his love, and encouraged my own soul. It is not often that pastors go back and listen to a message and feel thankful for them; often they are kept to keep us humble. As Lloyd-Jones famously taught on preaching that we enter the pulpit hoping we might do that thing, namely preach. But to say that we have ever preached is often an overstatement.

I include in the introduction a time in our lives when we received diagnosis of my third daughter’s disability. It’s easy for our feet to slip and forget God’s love in this world where things are not as we may estimate they should be. Nevertheless, I was encouraged by the stealth-hearted reminder of Scripture, of God and his love.

My words cannot express how thankful I am to have been entrusted of God to preach this series. It is to his glory alone, and continues to bring me joy, in that glory. He is altogether lovely.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. --Psalm 42:11

Upon the review of this sermon, I would only note that the brief quote or allusion to Douglas Wilson in this sermon is not endorsement of his ministry then, now or future; it just means that I found something he said or referenced helpful to illustrated the text. Some state this in terms references ≠ endorsement.

On another (unrelated) note, I reference a denomination which we were part of at one time, but are no longer. Thus, neither I nor the church I pastor are associated with any denomination. Borrowing from a statement I read from Sproul’s original intent for St. Andrews Church:

This is not to say, however, that we are non-denominational or inter-denominational. On the contrary, we are an independent congregation on account of our desire to remain steadfast in the Reformation tradition without the influence of denominational governance.

With that statement I concur.

This sermon was delivered on May 22, 2022 at Catherine Lake Baptist Church.