Our Refuge
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· 4 viewsIn the middle of unfolding global events, it is important to remember that we are not of this world. Our God's Kingdom is not confined to this world. He is greater. He is in control.
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Transcript
Children’s Church
Children’s Church
What do you think is the earliest game ever played?
It would almost always have to be tag…
In tag, everyone’s favorite rule is “Base”.
When you’re at base, you’re safe…even it’s crazy around you.
Did you know that in life you can have a base?
It’s different than in the game of tag, because base isn’t a place, it’s a person: God.
This morning I’m going to be talking to the adults about God as our Refuge. I want you to know before you head off to children’s church that you can trust God to be your base too.
INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION
There are seasons in our lives that are just heavy…
I don’t know about you, but these last couple of weeks has felt like one of those seasons…
An innocent woman senselessly murdered on a bus in North Carolina.
A school shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado
The bus accident involving the Minco Softball team where six people were critically injured
The assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah. (Images that I will never get out of my head.)
The exposure of senseless hatred and vitriol wildly spread throughout our culture.
In the middle of unfolding events, it is important to remember that we are not of this world.
Our God's Kingdom is not confined to this world. He is greater. He is in control.
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
1) GOD IS STILL GOD IN THE CHAOS
1) GOD IS STILL GOD IN THE CHAOS
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah
Chaos is the result of sin in our world
Sin does not thwart God, therefore chaos does not thwart God.
All of the reality of life is that we are either moving towards God or away from God.
As chaos unfolds because others are moving away from God, the Spirit is drawing others to God through the chaos
Testimonies
Do not loose heart or faith in God. His kingdom influence and reign is not determined by war and peace like man’s influence. He is still God in the chaos…
“Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way...”
2) GOD IS STILL GOD OVER HIS PEOPLE
2) GOD IS STILL GOD OVER HIS PEOPLE
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
“River whose streams...” - contrast between raging sea of vs. 2-3 to plentiful river that facilitates life.
“City of God” is God’s presence…His Kingdom among His people
“Shall not be moved”
“The nations rage, the kingdoms totter” God speaks and the earth melts.
He can cease the affairs of men with a word if He so chooses, much like He spoke and everything came into being.
He is the “Lord of Hosts” and the “God of Jacob”
Uncountable armies of Heaven…God of Grace
3) GOD IS STILL GOD OVER HIS CREATION
3) GOD IS STILL GOD OVER HIS CREATION
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
“Behold the works of the LORD...”
He brings desolation to the earth (thwarting the affairs of men)
Makes wars cease
There will be the war to end all wars…it will be short and decisive with no casualties to the Lord’s Kingdom and complete destruction of those who oppose Him.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
We should not be anxious or fearful...
When our thoughts and anxieties are swelling and our imaginations are running wild…shhhhhhhhh.
The Lord of Hosts is with us...
The God of Jacob is our fortress...
Though man may destroy the body…it cannot kill the Kingdom.
“I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
As we turn to God as our Refuge, we declare His glory to those around us.
As we turn to Him and trust Him to see us through, we shout to the world around us “Our God is able!”
CLOSING
CLOSING
WHEN YOU SEE THE EVENTS OF THE WORLD UNFOLDING…DO NOT FEAR. TURN TO GOD AS OUR REFUGE!
When we begin to live and make decisions recognizing that God is still God in the chaos…He is still God over His People… He is still God over His creation…we will live and communicate a hope to those around us that is beyond this world…a hope for all eternity.
What’s stopping you from following without hesitation God who is OUR REFUGE?
