sermon notes
Overcoming Fear: The Lord is Faithful
Rev. Ho-Ming Tsui
Scripture: Psalm 125
I am absolutely convinced that meaninglessness does not come from being weary of pain; meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. And that is why we find ourselves emptied of meaning with our pantries still full.
—Ravi Zacharias
Safety comes in our nearness to God, not in our distance from our enemies.
—Dillon Burroughs
Relax! = “Confidence comes from Communion”
• Some people are like sand. Lack God’s presence (Matthew 7:26)
• Some people are like the sea. Fail to trust in God’s protection (James 1:6)
• Some people are like wind. Fail believe in God’s promises (Eph. 4:14)
1. Trust that God’s presence is with you (v. 1)
2. Trust that God’s protection with around you (v. 2)
3. Trust that God’s promises are true (v. 3)
Conclusion: Pray to Access Power (v.4-5)
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Small Group Discussion Questions:
1. Spend a few moments discuss the following reflection…
I thank the Lord that, even though things were so wrong in my life here, I finally was brought to the realization of what all those struggles were about. There are some wonderful things from your painful past, things with a beauty you may not have realized at the time.
—Ravi Zacharias
2. How are believers like Mount Zion?
3. What are some modern-day “scepters of the wicked” that rules over the land? Can you think of instances in which God protected His people from these scepters in recent times? Why is this important to recall this promise in our daily life?
4. What has God taught you about his protection in this Covid season?
5. Dr. Tim Keller once wrote: “Prayer is the way that all the things we believe in and that Christ has won for us actually become our strength. Prayer is the way that truth is worked into your heart to create new instincts, reflexes, and dispositions.” How can our prayers be prayed in this manner? For example, how do we truly make “God our refuge and our strength” (Psalm 46) as a result of our prayers?
6. Take a moment to pray in pairs — asking the Lord to make a promise true for the other person.
