Psalm 122 | A Song of Peace

1 Corinthians 15:35-58 | Raised Like Christ

Guest preacher Dave Furman brings a powerful message centered on the hope believers have in Christ. As we look forward to the day when we will be raised like Him, this sermon encourages us to live in response to this truth - "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Sermon Notes: 1. Reality of Resurrection (vv. 35-49) 2. Result of Resurrection (vv. 50-57) 3. Response to Resurrection (v. 58)

Psalm 126 | A Song of Restoration

Our series through the Psalms of Ascent continues as Pastor Blaine gets to Psalm 126--a Psalm about Gospel joy that looks back in remembrance and looks forward in hope. Psalm 126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Sermon Notes: Main Idea: Sojourners Find Joy in Past Remembrance and Future Hope I. Persevering Gospel Joy Looks Back in Remembrance II. Persevering Gospel Joy Looks Forward in Hope Reflection: How is God's restorative grace giving you joy today?

Psalm 125 | A Song of Security

Pastor Blaine continues our series through the Psalms of Ascent as we come to Psalm 125, an encouraging song about finding our security in Christ. Psalm 125 Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land allotted to the righteous, lest the righteous stretch out their hands to do wrong. Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, and to those who are upright in their hearts! But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the Lord will lead away with evildoers! Peace be upon Israel! Sermon Notes: Main Idea: The Righteous Are Safe in Christ. I. A Promise: A Good God protects His people. II. A Warning: A bad king leads people astray. III. A Condition: Only good people get protection. Discussion Questions: 1. Where are you looking for your ultimate safety and security? 2. How does God use the church to protect you from the devil's schemes?

Psalm 124 | A Song of Help

Pastor Blaine continues our series through the Psalms of Ascent as we come to Psalm 124, a powerful Song of Help. In this message, the church is encouraged to worship God for His rescuing grace, recognizing that He has delivered us from an enemy we could never defeat on our own. Psalm 124 If it had not been the Lord who was on our side— let Israel now say— if it had not been the Lord who was on our side when people rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters. Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Sermon Notes: Main Idea: A Rescuing God Deserves the Rescued’s Worship I. The Foe We Face Is Unbeatable II. The God We Have Is Undefeatable III. The Worship We Give Is Unending

Psalm 123 | A Song of Relief

Pastor Blaine continues our series through the Psalms of Ascent as we come to Psalm 123—a song of relief that echoes a recurring truth throughout the Psalms: we are poor and needy. In this message, believers are encouraged to fix their eyes on God when the troubles of life arise, trusting that He is able because we are not. Psalm 123 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud. Sermon Notes: Main Idea: When the going gets tough, the wise look to God. I. We look to God because He is able. II. We look to God because we are not. III. We look to God because He is merciful. Discussion Questions: 1. What are some ways that I look toward my hands instead of God's hands when things get tough? 2. How would an understanding of my total dependence on God change the way I face the journey of this life?