Psalm 122 | A Song of Peace

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?

Psalm 122 | A Song of Peace

Pastor Blaine continues our series through the Psalms of Ascent as we come to Psalm 122—a song of peace that invites us to examine our hearts and consider how we view the House of the Lord. Psalm 122 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good. Sermon Notes: Main Idea: There’s No Place Like Church I. A “House of the Lord” Definition: The Place of God’s Presence II. A “House of the Lord” Delight: The Gathering of God’s People III. A “House of the Lord” Desire: The Blessing of God’s Peace Discussion Questions: 1. Read Psalm 122. What is in the text that signals to us that Psalm 122 is not primarily about our delight in and desire for modern day Jerusalem? 2. In what ways do we neglect the church gathering? In what ways can we diminish the delight of the gathering for us and others? 3. What is something you need to do to cultivate a delight in the gathered people of God? 4. Our prayers reveal our desires. What does the prayer of the psalmist reveal? What do your prayers reveal?

Psalm 121 | A Song of Protection

Pastor Tyler Miller preaches through Psalm 121, encouraging the church to look to Christ as her Keeper rather than turning to refuges of worldly rubbish. Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Sermon Notes: Main Idea: Christian sojourners have an all-powerful and ever-present Keeper. I. God will keep you. II. God will keep you. III. God will keep you. Discussion Questions: 1. Six times in this Psalm we are told God will keep us. How hard is it for you to deeply believe that God cares for and watches over you? Why? 2. The Psalmist preaches to himself that God is his helper. What kind of self talk do you regularly engage in? How can you improve in the practice of preaching the gospel to yourself? 3. What are some of the hills in your life that represent the presence of trouble? The things that test your faith, tempt you to fear and doubt? Is God able to keep you? 4. What are some ways you tend to be tempted to take refuge in the hills, rather than in the God who created them? Where are you tempted to look for help other than God? 5. What is the gospel? How does it relate to God’s helping and keeping care for you?

Psalm 120 | A Song of Deliverance

We've got a new sermon series kicking off through the Psalms of Ascent! Pastor Blaine set the stage in Psalm 120 as we see how to sojourn in a world that is not our home. Psalm 120 In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war! Sermon Notes: Main Idea: Christ Delivers His Sojourners Home I. Sojourners Long for a Peaceful Home II. Sojourners Trust in a Delivering God III. Sojourners Wait for a Final Victory Discussion Questions: 1. Should Christians expect conflict with this world? What are some Bible verses that inform your answer? 2. In what ways do we make this world our home? 3. How should Christian sojourners relate to a hostile world? 4. What promises of Christ help you sojourn in this world?