Experiencing God 05 - God is at work around you

Reading: Psalm 125
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore. Psalm 125:2 (NIV)

I.   God Surrounds His people

     A.  As the mountains surround Alger

           1.  Ok I know it says Jerusalem, but there are mountains here too!

                 a.  Imagine God surrounding us like these mountains surround us right now.

                 b.  I lift my eyes to the hills. . .(Ps. 121)

           2.  Mountains are big.

                 a.  Next to them we feel small.

                 b.  God is bigger than the mountains.

           3.  Mountains are permanent (sort of).

                 a.  They were hear before we got here and will be here long after we’re gone.

                 b.  God is even more permanent than the mountains!

     B.  God always Protects His people

           1.  The mountains around Jerusalem are like a wall protecting the city.

                 a.  Mountains are a natural defense slowing down the enemy.

                 b.  The natural defense makes it a good place to thrive in peace

           2.  God is a wall around his people.

                 a.  God defends us by preventing the Enemy from doing any real damage.

                 b.  Within the walls of God’s protection we are free to flourish.

     C.  God is Building up His people

           1.  He does good to those who are good — who follow His leadership
They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:38-41

           2.  God is the one doing the building

                 a.  Ps 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

                 b.  Is 14:32 What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? “The LORD has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge.”

II.  God’s people cannot be Shaken

     A.  Those who Trust in the Lord

           1.  Not simply those who have the right name.

                 a.  Not: those who are part of the Church in name only.

                 b.  Those who trust in the Lord: The real Church.

           2.  If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (Is.7:9)

                 a.  Trust=faith=reliance.

                 b.  If we rely on anything but God we’ll be shaken — we’ll fall

                 c.  If/when we rely on God completely we can’t be shaken because he can’t be.

     B.  God’s Church cannot be Destroyed

           1.  It’s not about “faithing” our way through

                 a.  Our faith doesn’t save us—God does.

                 b.  Our faith is what makes us depend on God rather than ourselves.

           2.  It’s about God’s commitment to protect and build his Church

                 a.  We can rely on God to do that.

                 b.  It’s His job to do that — we don’t have to do it for Him but with Him..

     C.  The Church’s task can’t be Stopped

           1.  Since the task of the Church is God’s task

                 a.  The task is first to be God’s people

                 b.  As His people we join His task of extending His Kingdom.

           2.  There is no stopping God’s people

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Mat.16:15-18

III. God’s purposes will Prevail

     A.  Evil can’t Overcome the Church (v.3)

           1.  This is a promise and a fact

                 a.  God’s gives protection from the wicked

                 b.  God’s gives protection from the temptations of evil

           2.  God won’t allow it the wicked to dominate

                 a.  It just won’t happen (not for long anyway).

                 b.  So don’t worry about it.

     B.  Whatever God intends, Will happen

           1.  Good people and bad people can plan what they want but God’s way prevails

                 a.  There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. Prov. 21:30

           2.  God can’t be stopped.

                 a.  Whatever it is that God is doing around you, you can’t stop it.

                 b.  So look for it and join it!

           3.  Whatever God is doing will succeed.

                 a.  If you want a guarantee, here’s one.

     C.  Let’s join God in His work!

           1.  Where is God present, at work in your life?

                 a.  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 (NIV)

                 b.  So what’s He doing?

                 c.  Find out and join Him in it.

           2.  Where is God present and at work in our church?

                 a.  Phil. 1:6 was spoken about the Church

                 b.  What’s God doing among us?

                 c.  Let’s find out and join Him!

           3.  Where is God present and at work in our community.

                 a.  No one can come to Jesus unless God brings them (John 6:44)

                 b.  Find where people are asking questions—that’s where God is working.

                 c.  Come along side of what God is doing because we know God will fulfill his plan

The Bottom Line:

Hymn: Praise to the Lord R#337 vv. 3,4