My Experience in Psalms 23

Yesterday we concluded our study of Psalms 23 with verse 6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house the Lord forever”. Here’s the sermon skeleton:

Topic: I’m Living This Life To Live Again
Text: Psalms 23:6

Thesis Statement: I’m living this life just to live again!

Let’s look at the three (3) key components of living now just to live again:

I. The Certainty in this Life to Live Again – “Surely…”

A. The Certainty in this life is that God Is God
B. The Certainty in this life is that things will change – Psalms 30:1-11
C. The Certainty in this life is a reason to celebrate – Psalms 30:12

II. The Qualities of this Life to Live Again – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my Life”

A. The Power of Goodness and Mercy – Goodness provides our daily needs and mercy pardons our sins
B. The Person of Goodness and Mercy – God looks out for our best interest
C. The People of Goodness and Mercy – What kind of legacy will you live behind?

III. The Perspective in this Life to Live Again – “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”.

A. The Commitment to Live Again - Remember, this is not God speaking has a promise but David speaking with a perspective that this world is not his home.

B. The Security of Living Again - We will never want for anything throughout eternity.


Preaching through this Psalms was enriching, challenging. Inspiring, wonderful, and a great study for me personally.

Throughout my study of this Psalms, I tried my best to look at the scripture with fresh eyes by ignoring all sermons, illustrations, Sunday school lessons, and some advice of others to really discover what this Psalms means to me. For the most part I think did a decent job. And I have grown as personally in my relationship with God and as a preacher in hanging in there when my study got tough.

There is one thing I have learned from this Psalms is that it’s more than a funeral Psalms. Often times, this Psalms is used to comfort a bereaving family during a funeral service. Even when researching for additional material most of the material found focused much of it’s attention on verse 4: Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil. For You are with me. You rod and staff they comfort me. Many of my commentaries explain in detail verse 4 but verse 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 are explained in brief. This made it a little difficult to validate my interpretation of the text was accurate. Thank God for studying grace…

This Psalms does not just speak to us in dying times but it speaks to all of life’s realities with the ultimate purpose of leading the reader into a deeper and intimate relationship with God. Here’s what I mean, this Psalms to speaks to the reality of life that says:

- Life gets hard sometimes: While this Psalms is filled confident assurance that God will take care of us. It does not promise that us that we will not experience hard times. The opening verses says: “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” What’s on the other side of satisfaction – discontentment, frustration, unhappiness, and disappointment.

What’s on the other side of peaceful rest – chaos, pandemonium, confusion, and

David speaks in confident assurance that God is provider and protector. However, life has a way putting us on our backs when we are lacking the basic necessities to survive in daily living. When we don’t have any peace at night from the nightmares of a hard day of trying to make it from day to day. When we experience poverty, bad health, placed in dangerous situations, and loose our joy. The reality of life is that life is hard. People are dying due to senseless violence because of the color of their skin or where they live or the color of their clothes. Life is hard. When health care cost is rising, job loss increasing, unemployment benefits are no longer beneficial, suicide statistics plummeting in percentages unknown in our life time. Our savings account is no longer a savings but needed funds to survive from day to day. Life is hard sometimes when you don’t know how bills are going to get paid and where your next meal is coming from.

But in the midst of the harsh reality of life, this Psalms comforts us. It does not say we won’t experience the hardship but reading this Psalms does help us to make it during life’s harsh realities.

- Life is fill with dangers, seen and unseen: Verse 4 says; “Yea, tho I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and staff they comfort me”. May I suggest that living life seems to become more and more dangerous every day? I was watching a video post the other day of man posing as a robber with a stocking over his face. He would walk into a store or restaurant to get the reactions of customers and workers in the facility. Each place he went people ran for cover, others fell to the ground and rolled under desk, counters, or whatever they could find for safety. Others started pleading their case to live longer and to not be hurt. Ask I watch this video clipping, of course, my first reaction was to laugh because it was funny seeing people’s reaction. But, then I began to think that while I’m laughing at what is to be a practical joke the reality is that people are scared to death now of what potential danger is out there that could harm them, their children, and family. Some dangers we see coming like a bad doctor’s report and then there are others we don’t see coming like a drive by shooting or a drunk driver.

But in the midst of dangers (seen and unseen), we have this assurance, God is with us!

- I have on more reality of life that this Psalms seeks to provide comfort for us, here it is, I’m still here! You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of me life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I will experience hard times (no, I have experienced hard times, life is filled with dangers (seen and unseen) but the final analysis is I’M STILL HERE! I’m still standing, I’m still breathing, I’m still walking and talking, I’m still living!

Balance of 2009 Preaching Schedule

God willing below is my Sunday morning preaching schedule for the balance of the year and leading into Jan 2010. Preaching schedule is subject to change as the Holy Spirit desires.

05/31/09
Pentecost Sunday
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah- YaHew - I Am That I Am
Exodus 3:14-15

06/07/09
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Rapha: Lord Our Healer - Trusting the God Who Can Heal You
Exodus 15:22-27

06/14/09
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Mekeddeshem: Lord Who Sanctifies
Exodus 31:13

06/21/09
Father's Day
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Is Peace
Judges 6:24

06/28/09
Evangelism Sunday
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Sabaoth: Lord God of Hosts
1 Samuel 1:3-11

07/05/09
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Roi: Lord My Shepherd
Psalms 23

07/12/09
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Ezer: Lord our Help
Psalms 33

07/19/09
Stewardship Sunday
The God of Our Trust
Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord Is There
Ezekiel 48:35

07/26/09
Evangelism Sunday
How To Pray With Power
Pray Confidently
Psalms 86

08/02/09
How To Pray With Power
Pray Persistently
Matthew 15:21-28; Luke 18:1-8

08/09/09
How To Pray With Power
Pray In Jesus' Name
John 14:12-14;15:14-16; 16:23-26

08/16/09
Stewardship Sunday
How To Pray With Power
Pray for Others
John 17:9-19

08/23/09
Evangelism Sunday
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Source of Stability - Declaring The Lord's Grace
1 Sam 1

08/30/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Source of Stability - Serving The Lord Faithfully
1 Sam 3

09/06/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Source of Stability - Trusting in the Lord Alone
1 Sam 7

09/13/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Building Blocks of Stability - Seek God's Guidance
1 Sam 8:4-6; 10:20-24; 12:13-23

09/20/09
Stewardship Sunday
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Building Blocks of Stability - Carry Out God-Given Instructions
1 Sam 13

09/27/09
Evangelism Sunday
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Building Blocks of Stability - Embrace God's Perspective
1 Sam 16

10/04/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Building Blocks of Stability - Cultivate Godly Friendships
1 Sam 18:1-4; 19:4-7; 20:8-13; 23:16-18

10/11/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Building Blocks of Stability - Conform to God's Agenda
1 Sam 24

10/18/09
Stewardship Sunday
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Demonstrations of Stability - When Responding to Loss
2 Sam 1-2:1-7

10/25/09
Evangelism Sunday
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Demonstrations of Stability - When Assessing One's Lifework
2 Sam 5:9-12; 7:1-21

11/01/09
Finding Stability In A Turbulent World
Demonstrations of Stability - When Tangled in Sin
2 Sam 12

11/15/09
Stewardship Sunday
God Is In Charge
You Can Feel Safe
2 Thess 1:1-12

11/22/09
Evangelism Sunday
God Is In Charge
You Can Stay Calm
2 Thess 2:1-17

11/26/09
Thanksgiving Sermon
God Is In Charge
You Can Keep At It
2 Thess 3:1-18

11/29/09
A Path for Your Life
Rebellion: A Path to Ruin
Micah 1:1-2:13

12/06/09
A Path for Your Life
Corruption: A Path to Nowhere
Micah 3

12/13/09
A Path for Your Life
Hope: A Path to Fulfillment
Micah 4-6

12/20/09
Christmas Sermon
A Path for Your Life
Commitment: A Path to Excellence
Micah 7

12/27/09
State of the Church Address
Various Scriptures

01/03/10
A Heart For Missions
God's Missionary Heart
Isaiah 49:1-6;56:3-8; 66:18-23

01/10/10
A Heart For Missions
Your Missions Involvement
Romans 15:23-28

01/17/10
A Heart For Missions
The Message of Missions
Luke 2:8-32

01/24/10
A Heart For Missions
Wanted: Missionaries
Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27; 26:15-19; Gal 2:6-10

Sunday Thoughts - 4/12/09

Sermon Topic: “The Wonder of Salvation”
Sermon Text: Ephesians 2:1-7

In 1982, ABC Evening News” reported on an unusual work of modern art, a chair attached to a shotgun. It was to be viewed by sitting in the chair in the chair and looking directly into the gun barrel. The gun was loaded and set on a timer to fire at an undetermined moment within the next hundred years.

The amazing thing was that people waited in lines to sit and stare into the shell’s path! They all knew that the gun could go off at point blank range at any moment, but they were gambling that the fatal blast wouldn’t happen during their minute in the chair.

Yes, it was reckless, yet many people who wouldn’t dream of sitting in that chair live a lifetime gambling that they can get away with sin. Foolishly they ignore the risk until the inevitable self-destruction.

How many of us today live our lives looking down the barrel of a gun, not literally but figuratively. Many lives are lived suicidal in a since that our concern is not in developing a meaningful relationship with God and God’s people. Instead, they would rather live life playing the field, looking over the fence, and playing the lottery with their lives not realizing that at the end of the day we all have to stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give account for every deed done in this body.

But lest I be too long let’s make something very clear upfront before I loose you and we all can be honest in church today:

- SIN IS FUN (at least until you get caught)
- It’s hard to let go of certain sin
- Everyone makes mistakes
- Sin can lead to your destruction

But the good news of the day is there is a cure for sin, the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Paul writes this letter to encourage the church then and church now that we are blessed people who serve the Risen Savior. And in chapter 1 verse 3 we are told:

Blessed be the God and Father or our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

People of God let me declare before God and all these witness that we are blessed in Jesus Christ. If you have Jesus then you are blessed, today.

Chapter 1 calls us into worship. We can worship because:

- God planned our salvation – 1:4-6
- Jesus provided our salvation – 1:7-12
- The Holy Spirit protects our salvation – 1:13-14

In chapter 2 the celebration continues and in verses 1-7 we can celebrate not for who we were but for we are in Christ. In other words, life without Christ is like a body without air, you can’t make it without Him.

Let’s look at the principles of this text so we can celebrate our before and after salvation experience:

I. Humanities Condition Before Salvation – v. 1-3

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

In order to appreciate where you are sometimes you need to know where you’ve come from. This text can be viewed in what I want to call the good, bad, and ugly of our human condition before salvation.

The Good – “And you He made alive”

Many translations omit “And you He made alive” and go straight into “you were once dead in trespasses and sins. However, I think its important to not look past the opening statements in this text because it’s the beginning of the end resolve, “Only Christ can bring life to a dead man. (Illustration: Raising of Lazarus – John 11).


The Bad – “who were dead in trespasses and sins”

We were dead in trespasses and sins. Trespasses meaning to fall of course and sins meaning to missing the mark. The text says apart from Christ we are dead in our failures and horrible mistakes.


The Ugly - in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others

If sin brings death, why do we sin? Verses 2-3 explains:

- The World – The world does not refer to the physical earth. It refers to the system of values that governs this world

- The Devil – “the prince of the power of the air” and “the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”

- The Flesh – refers to our sinful nature..


II. Humanities Change In Salvation – v. 4-5

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, [5] even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),


- The Source for Change – “But God” –

- The Sufficiency of Change – “Who is rich in mercy” -

- The Supremacy in Change – “because of His great love with which He loved us” -

- The Strength of Change – “even when we were dead in trespasses and sins made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

We are saved by the act of God and God alone.


III. Humanities Purpose After Salvation – v. 6-7

and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, [7] that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.


Through the richness of God’s grace and kindness:

- He can save anybody – “And raised up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus

- He’s still changing lives today – “that in the ages to come…”

- He never runs short of grace – “He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”

It Is Finished!

The 7th saying of Jesus Christ from the cross was "It is finished". I can imagine the relief He felt after ending a week long of terrible treatment. Yesterday, after service, I declared my sermon series on the 5 Functions of the church (worship, ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship) has "It is finished". I started this sermon series in Jan. 2008. It should have been a 5 week sermon series that turned out be a 9 month sermon series but I was determined to complete it no matter how long it took.

I believe adopting these essential functions of the church developes a balanced ministry. This sermon series will a part of our new members orientation class that I'm formulating now to start in 2009 and my prayer is to take these sermons and publish as a book (longshot).

I formulated "Our Ministry Practice" in the acronym of F-I-R-S-T Essentials

F= Forget about ourselves and lend a helping hand
Text: Philippians 2:3-4
Our Commitment to Ministry
Thesis: Ministry is a shared life for benefit of someone else.

I. The Motive of Ministry - v. 3a
Point: A shared life is an unselfish life

II. The Manner of Ministry - v. 3b
Point: A shared life is a humble life

III. The Mission of Ministry - v. 4
Point: A shared life is a self-sacrificing life.


I = Involve Ourselves in the Lives of Others
Hebrews 10:19-25
Our Commitment to Fellowship
Thesis: Genuine fellowship draws us closer to God and to one another

I. The Motivation of Our Fellowship - v. 19-21
Point: In fellowship we can approach God together.

II. The Ministry of Our Fellowship - v. 22-24
Point: In fellowship we help each other draw closer to God

III. The Meeting of Fellowship - v. 25
Point: In fellowship we worship together

R=Rejoice in the Lord always and in all things
Psalms 34
Our Commitment to Worship
Thesis: Worship is more than an act to be performed its a daily commitment.

I. Committed Worship is PERSONAL Worship - v. 1-3
Point: Your worship means nothing to God it does not mean everything to you.

II. Committed Worship is Pursued Worship - v. 4-14
Point: Pursue worship as a way of life not just act in church

III. Committed Worship is Presentable Worship - v. 15-18
Point: God is watching your worship life.

IV. Committed Worship is Persevering Worship - v. 19-22
Point: Don't stop worshipping because times are hard.

S=Share the good news with others
1 Peter 3:15
Our Commitment to Evangelism
Thesis: No matter the trial or tribulation, we must stand up for Christ and be a witness.

I. The Measure of our witness - v. 15a
Point: The effectiveness of our witness will be based on the life we live. In witnessing, your life matters. Exhortation, protect you witness

II. The Message of our witness - v. 15b
Point: The effectiveness of our witness will be based on the message that share. Exhortation, get the message right!

III. The Manner of our witness - v. 15c
Point: The effectiveness of our witness is on the attitude we display in evangelism

T = Teach others to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ
Philippians 3:12-16
Our Commitment to Discipleship
Thesis: Discipleship will mean nothing to others if it does not mean everything to you. Discipleship starts with you!

I. Discipleship is Personal - v. 12
Point: Discipleship doesn't just happen its an intentional personal pursuit.

II. Discipleship is a Process - v. 13a
Point: Spiritual maturity starts with knowledge that leads to change. Take one step at a time.

II. Discipleship is Purposeful - v. 13b-14
Point: Finish what you started!

III. Discipleship is about People - v. 15
Point: Effective discipleship is relationship building

IV. Discipleship is Possible - v. 16
Point: Christian discipleship is possible to achieve but stay the course.

I pray God will have us to be a healthy well-balanced ministry that meets needs of the total person through "Our Pratice".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today, contractors are starting to demolish our sanctuary. Yesterday felt so weird because everything had been moved (except for the pews) and it looked like an empty building. The word must getting out about our renovation because in the past two weeks some of the older members have come by to visit our church and have been able to hear what we're doing. One of members was a musician who came back when first started pastoring FGMBC but left to travel with his group. Others in attendance don't go anywhere. So, strategically, I make mention of our renovation plans as a sign of progress and change.

After service, we selected paint colors to coordinate with our chair fabric. I handed out assignments to some of the members and we still had a few things to move out of the building to make ready for contractors. I didn't get home until almost 3 pm. Long day.

What was a dream has now turned into reality.

This coming Sunday, we're worshipping with my home church Mt Sinai as they celebrated their church anniversary and this will be the last Sunday for Pastor Charles and family at the church. So, we're going to stay the whole day. I don't want to do anything just worship with them.

Until we post again, may God bless you and keep you is our prayer.

New Sermon Series

We're just about ready to close our loan and start construction as scheduled for the 1st week of Sept. This is a huge step of faith for our church that I'm believing God to provide all we need, financially, to continue ministry operations. I'm getting so excited because this will be a turning point in our ministry in that once construction is completed we will have much more flexibility to minister to all ages in a comfortable environment. So, I've been praying about what to preach to prepare us for the adventure.

I will complete our sermon series this Sunday on "Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials" discussion closing with Our Commitment to Discipleship - 2 Timothy 2:2. I had been praying as to what direction I should go in the next sermon series. I would rather preach in series formats because my time is so limited it makes it easier for me to stay focused. My mental capacity has been consumed with one thought for our church; "The Importance of Supporting Your Church".

• With Your Love - 1 John 4:7-11
• With Your Prayers - Colossians 4:2
• With Your Gifts/Talents - Romans 12:3-8
• With Your Stewardship - Genesis 2:15
• With Your Worship - Nehemiah 9:8
• With Your Service - 1 Peter 4:10-11
• With Your Hospitality - 1 Peter 4:9

I believe this sermon series will help us to create team ministry and unity in our church. In addition, I've started gathering information and writing curriculum for our new members class of which Our F-I-R-S-T Essentials sermon outline and this new sermon series will incorporated.

I can't take full credit of the above outline other than I've been reading a number of books on the church lately and that has inspired this sermon series structure. Please keep us in your prayers.

Be blessed!

The Prayer of Jabez

Yesterday we acknowledged all of the graduates in our church for 2008. I was preparing to continue our series on the 5 functions of the church; ministry, fellowship, worship, evangelism, and discipleship. The sermon yesterday was going to be on worship. However, morning when I got up "The Prayer of Jabez" was on my heart and mind to preach to encourage our young people as they enter into a new phase of life. I never study this text before just read the book and heard my pastor HB preach the text last year during my pastoral anniversary (That's another reason why I never wanted to preach it). I gave it my best and the people were blessed.

Topic: The Prayer of Jabez
Text: 1 Chronicles 4:9:10

Sermon Thesis: God is in control of your destiny.


I. The Prayer was from an honorable life

Point: Jabez lived and honorable life even though his name meant pain.

Application: As a child of God, you don't have live up to the name people give you. You make a difference and you can make difference regardless of your background.


II. The Prayer was for blessings

Point: Jabez prayed that God would push out the borders.

Application: God knows your potential.


III. The Prayer was for protection

Point: Jabez prayed that God would protect him from evil.

Application: When God blesses us, we need to be protected from ourselves and from others.


VI. The Prayer was answered

Point: Jabez's prayer was answered because of a pure heart.

Application: Answered prayer is a guarantee when we pray with the right motives.

May God be honored and glorified as we apply the Word of God to our lives.