Church 4/10/2021
Offertory scripture:
"Even when I don't see it, You're working. Even when I don't feel it, You're working."
Don't blame God when things are going wrong; He's still working. Be able to believe and claim that God is still working. That's faith.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%2011:6&version=NIV
Sometimes, work for God, when you don't want to work for "the boss."
"When you work this (situation) unto Me, I'm obligated to it."
God is obligated to His Word.
Sermon message:
God is good.
We went through Palm Sunday and saw good God is.
We then went through resurrection Sunday, and saw how good God is.
Psalm 23 tells us this truth too.
God is good and always will be good, because He's God.
Do good to your servant according to your word, Lord.
Psalm 119:65 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%20119:65&version=NIV
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=James%201:17&version=NIV
God wants us to have His best.
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John%2010:10&version=NIV
God cares for you.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
3 John 1:2 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=3%20John%201:2&version=NIV
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Peter%205:7&version=NIV
He knows us. Like a shepherd knows His sheep, God knows us. He knows the plan He has for us.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Philippians%201:6&version=NIV
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
1 Corinthians 3:16 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%203:16&version=NIV
God puts things in their proper order. There are times God will touch you on the inside to get your life in order. God will never say you're not the temple of God, a child of God.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:30 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Ephesians%204:30&version=NIV
God wants to bless you for now and for the future. Sometimes He needs to change you to allow for those blessings to come to pass.
Don't ignore what you feel when you feel a change is needed.
God who began a good work in you will see it through to completion until Jesus returns.
Psalm 23 a few weeks ago:
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:1-4 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:1-4&version=NIV
Today's focus:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:5-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:5-6&version=NIV
#1: God is good in the middle of terribly challenging times.
He prepares a table (or a banquet) for me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:5.
God is there with us when we are in the middle of our enemies. God does care.
One illustration of how God prepares a table or banquet for us in the midst of our enemies:
The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.” “Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Genesis 18:1-8 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Genesis%2018:1-8&version=NIV
The second half of psalm 23:5:
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Psalm 23:5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:5&version=NIV
God will hydrate you, cleanse you, refresh you, anoint you.
#2. God is good when we are dealing with our failures.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Psalm%2023:6&version=NIV
When we give in to negative self talk and self beat up, God's mercy and goodness will follow us. God is a God of mercy.
#3. God is good all the time.
"I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." Psalm 23:6B.
Dwell = making a decision to dwell with God. To trust God with my today; with my tomorrow; and with my eternity.