Category: Sermon Notes

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Life’s Not Fair!

Scripture: Psalm 73

I.   THE DOWNWARD SLOPE                                                  
 

What is Asaph’s problem? You can’t read this without seeing his depth of (disillusionment). The lens of his eye is clouded by personal (resentment) and (confusion).

Let’s dissect verses 1-14:

1)      Verse 1: (God is good)

2)      Verse 2: (But as for me)

3)      Verses 2-3: the prosperity of the (wicked)

4)      Verses 4-11: the wicked seem to get away with things

5)      Verse 12: Summary- “this is what the wicked are like.”

6)      Verses 13-14: Faulty conclusion- (What’s the use?)

II.  THE UPWARD ASCENT                       
 

“Life must be lived forward-unfortunately it can only be understood backward.”

His turning point is seen in verses 16-17: Asaph found himself in the (presence of God).

Three main areas where Asaph changes his thinking:

1.      A new awareness of the (destiny of the wicked). [18-20]

2.      A new awareness of (himself). [21-22]

3.      A new awareness of (God’s presence). [23-26]

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Stop Singing the Blues- Psalm 77

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: CQD

Scripture: Psalm 51: 10-19

I.   TRANSFORMATION             

David doesn’t come to God on basis of God’s (justice), but on the basis of His (mercy).

Forgiveness is not all David needs. He is aware of his sin and confesses it. What David does need is an (inward renewal).

Reformation and Transformation are two different things:

1.      (Reformation) is taking what is there and upgrading it.

2.      (Transformation) is totally redoing and remaking what is there.

Four things David asks for:

1)      (Create) in me a clean heart. [v.10]

2)      (Cast me not away) from your presence. [v.11]

3)      (Restore to me) the joy of my salvation. [v.12a]

4)      (Refocus) on the future. [v.12b]   Please turn to Psalm 32:1-2

II.  TESTIMONY                      

David says he will teach two things:

1.      He will teach (transgressors your way). [v.13]

2.      His tongue would sing aloud of his (righteousness). [v.14b]

He also says he will (praise God rightly).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Life’s Not Fair!- Psalm 73

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: SOS

Scripture: Psalm 51: 1-9

“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.”  “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” I Cor.10:6, 11-12

I.    HIS CRY FOR HELP (HIS SOS)                                                
 

We don’t live in a series of (big, dramatic) moments. We don’t go from (one big) decision to another. We all live in a series of (little moments).  The character of a life is set in ten thousand little moments of everyday life.

Two things are evident in Psalm 51 right off the bat:

1.      The first is a fierce, almost desperate clinging to (God’s mercy).

“I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will gracious and will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.” Ex.33:19

2.      David’s profound awareness of (his sin).

II.   HIS CONFESSION AND CLEANSING                     

In verses 1-2 he uses three words to describe his sin:

1)      (Transgressions) which refers to crossing a line of a forbidden boundary.

2)      (Iniquity) which means “perversions.”

3)      (Sin) which means missing the mark.

So it is like this:

1.      I am aware of my sin [v.3]

2.      I know that it is sin. [v.4]

3.      I confess my sin.

“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Is.1:18

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: CQD- Psalm 51: 10-19

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Choose Your Path

Scripture: Psalm 1

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost

“Midway this way of life we’re bound upon, I woke to find myself in a dark wood, Where the right road was wholly lost and gone.” Dante

I.    LIFE ON THE RIGHT PATH                                               
 

“…the text upon which the whole rest of the book make up a divine sermon.” Spurgeon

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Jesus

What causes this abundant happiness the psalmist writes about?

1)      (Walk)

2)      (Stand)

3)      (Sit)

II.   LIFE IN THE FAST LANE           

When the Bible uses the word “wicked” it’s not just referring to serial killers or rapists. It’s talking about those who walk away from the (will of God) and the (Word of God).

The Bible defines wickedness as a (condition of the heart).

The godly runs (towards) God’s plan; the wicked runs (away).

Proverbs 14:12- “There is a way which seems right to man, but the end is death.”

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: SOS- Psalm 51: 1-9

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Don’t Drown!

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11,23

I.    WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH WORRY?        

What does Jesus say about worry? (Matthew 6:25-32)

1.      Worry is (inconsistent). [Verse 25]

2.      Worry is (irrational). [Verse 26]

3.      Worry is (ineffective). [Verse 27]

4.      Worry is (illogical). [Verses 28-30]

5.      Worry is (irreligious). [Verses 31-32]

II.   WHAT’S THE ANTIDOTE TO WORRY?          

Some key words to see:

1)      (Trust) in the Lord. [v.3]

2)      (Delight) yourself in the Lord. [v.4]  “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and everything else will be added to you.”

3)      (Commit) your way to the Lord. [v.5]

4)      (Be still) before the Lord. [v.7]  “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to sit in a quiet room alone.” Pascal

5)      (Refrain) from anger. [v.8]

Two thoughts to think about when we read verse 23:

1.      Don’t dwell on yesterday’s messes.

2.      Don’t anticipate tomorrow’s stresses.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Choose Your Path- Psalm 1

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Faith or Feelings?

Scripture: Psalm 13

Five kind of people who “dwell in the dust.”  F.B.Meyer

1)      Those who feel forsaken by God

2)      Those who feel their prayers are going nowhere

3)      Those who are discouraged with life’s possibilities

4)      Those who are going through difficult financial or physical stress

5)      Those who are stuck in a job or family situation they can’t get out of.

I.    OUR SUBJECT                                              
 

Author is David. He calls the people he is surrounded by as (people of the lie).

·         Physically

·         Materially

·         Politically

·         Socially

·         Talent-wise

II.    HIS STRUGGLE (AND OURS)                   
 

How to see this chapter:

1.      Verse 1a-> Verse 5a

2.      Verse 1b-> Verse 6b

3.      Verse 2a-> Verse 6a

4.      Verse 2b-> Verse 5b

With things going so bad, why did David not shake his fist at God? Because his beliefs, based on the certainty of (God’s character), and based on the certainty of (God’s promises), kept him anchored even while his (feelings) were all over the map.

To be unsinkable we need the anchor of (God’s Word) not the anchor of our (feelings).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Don’t Drown! Psalm 37:1-11, 23

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Grounded

Scripture: Psalm 19:7-11

“If our Rock were not our Redeemer, we would be without hope. If our Redeemer were not our Rock, we might be afraid. Let us never forget that our redemption has in it the strength of the Mighty One.”

G. Campbell Morgan

I.    A LOOK AT MYTHS    

5 Myths about the Bible- Chris Bruno

Myth #1: The text and translation of the Bible is (completely unreliable).

Myth #2: The books of the Bible were (arbitrarily chosen).

Myth #3: The Bible is scientifically (ignorant and unreliable).

Myth #4: The Bible is (misogynistic).

Myth #5: The Bible is a random collection of (disconnected stories) and (inconsistent ideas).

II.   THE SOLID FOUNDATION                  

1.  Scripture is (perfect), reviving the soul.

2. Scripture is (trustworthy), imparting wisdom.

3. Scripture is (right), causing joy.

4. Scripture is (pure), enlightening the eyes.

5. Scripture is (clean), enduring forever.

6. Scripture is (true), altogether righteous.

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Faith or Feelings? Psalm 13

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: Tandem

Scripture: Psalm 27:8-14

I.    THE DELUSION OF DEPENDENCE                                             
 

One of the sad results of sin is that it causes all of us at one time and in some way to buy into the (delusion of independence).

The Bible makes it clear that the quest for independence never leads to independence but to (bondage and slavery).

The key: Running away from (independence) and acknowledging our need for (dependence).

II.   THE PURSUIT OF DEPENDENCE                 
 

People are beings of (purpose). We are moved by (passions and desires).

“There is a way which seems right to man.” Pr.14:12; 16:25)

Waiting on God is not about God (forgetting, forsaking, or being unfaithful) to you and me. Waiting on God is a time for me to (grow stronger).

What are some bad habits we can adopt while waiting?

1.      We give way to (doubt).

2.      We give way to (anger).

3.      We give way to (discouragement).

4.      We give way to (envy).

5.      We give way to (inactivity).

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Grounded- Psalm 19:7-11

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: My One Thing

Scripture: Psalm 27:4-8

I.    ESTABLISHING THE FOUNDATION                                            
 

We all look for it. What is “it?”  A (solid rock) on which to stand.

None of us wants to live a life of (constant upheaval).  David’s life was one of constant upheaval.  What was his secret? He had a (foundation). His greatest desire was to be in (presence of God).

·         Psalm 42 longing was like a (physical thirst).

·         Psalm 50 his presence flashes out in (perfect beauty).

·         Psalm 63 says their souls (were parched) like a waterless countryside.

II.   SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE                
 

A partial list of “things I can’t live without”:

1)      (Power)

2)      (Approval)

3)      (Image)

4)      (Control)

5)      (Achievement)

6)      (Prosperity)

7)      (Work)

8)      (Children)

9)      (Religion)

10)  (Person)

11)  (Sports)

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: Tandem- Psalm 27: 8-14

THEME: Unsinkable

SERIES: An Anchor

TITLE: No Fear

Scripture: Psalm 27:1-3

I.    THE RELEVANCY OF PSALM 27   

This is a psalm of:

1.      (Fear)

2.      (Danger)

3.      (Rejection)

4.      (Action)

There are four things which draw us to this psalm:

1)      Its (shock value).

2)      Its (regularity)

3)      Its (focus on Christ)

4)      Its call to (patient hope).

II.   THE REALITY OF PSALM 27       

Verse 1 describes God in three ways:

1.      The Lord is my (light).  See John 1:5

2.      The Lord is my (salvation). See Psalm 28:8

3.      The Lord is the (stronghold of my life).  See Pr.18:10

“It does not matter how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies-whether it comes between you and God, or whether it presses you nearer His heart.” Hudson Taylor

NEXT WEEK:   Theme: Unsinkable/ Series: An Anchor

Title: My One Thing- Psalm 27:4-8