He Is Good
Notes
Transcript
Good God Almighty
Good God Almighty
Good God Almighty! That phrase has been around for awhile, but it often has been used in a way that was derogatory or almost as an expletive. Clearly that isn’t where we’re going with this phrase. Over the next several weeks, we are going to unpack this phrase. Crowder recaptured the phrase with his popular song that was released earlier this year. Let’s watch his video:
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
8 Come and see the works of the Lord, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields 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 Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
What do you think of when you think of somebody or something being good? It’s not that easy to define is it?
We think of it sometimes as a measure of quality is something good as opposed to something else being not as good or high quality. In this regard, we think in terms of something being good in comparison to something else. I am not good at all at basketball - not just because I am getting older - I have never been very good at basketball! In comparison to basketball, I was always pretty good at baseball. But in comparison to me, the Major League Baseball players are great! We will use good to define somebody that is not bad, but a good player is not as good as a great player. Sometimes people get confused when we say that God is good and think that we are talking in terms of his quality - I have even had people tell me they are offended that we only think God is good when in reality God is GREAT! When we talk of God being Good - we are NOT talking in terms of his quality
Instead, when we speak of God being good, we are talking in the contrast between good and evil - He is Good - All the time, and All the time, He is good! In other words, He always does what is right - He defines what is righteous - He is Good!
In Mark 10:17-18, there was conversation with Jesus that talked about this concept of “goodness.”
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
Is He good? HE IS GOOD!
When is God good? We say it sometimes God is good…all the time & all the time, God is good.
But then we turn on the news and we see the persistence of wars and shootings galore. Innocent people die at the hands of criminals, drunk drivers continue to kill. The dr. gives a diagnosis nobody wants to hear. Covid 19 affects all of our lives in ways we never could have imagined. Let me ask you again, Is God good? Yes, He is good! all the time.
How is that possible? Does it even make sense in light of all of the things I mentioned? There are plenty more things that could be listed as well.
Back after the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, this passage was one that everybody was drawn to. The Psalmist tells us right off that God is our refuge & strength an ever-present help in trouble.”
This Psalm is written during a time of chaos - probably a time of war in the lives of God’s people. It would seem like the writer is telling us that God will change our situations so that there are no problems. It would seem that if we take refuge in the fortress that nothing bad could happen to us.
We would prefer it if He would keep us from trouble, but He is not a refuge from the world and its troubles - He is a refuge IN the midst of trouble.
God is our refuge and strength in times of natural disasters.
Even in times when everything is falling apart - the Psalmist says, “though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” It doesn’t get any worse than that! He describes things that we cannot control and that happen to us. In the midst of things that can and do happen, He is our refuge and strength - He is Good!
God is our strength and protection in the midst of political chaos.
We have been fortunate in our country when it comes to political chaos. I know that last year it seemed rather chaotic, but in comparison to the wars that raged around Israel - and even still rage around Israel it was mild.
In the midst of the raging wars and chaos that surrounded the people of God, there is a refuge - there is a fortress.
We tend to read this Psalm in times of pain, disaster and chaos. It was the inspiration for Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” and “Be Still and Know.” It is one of the most beloved of the Psalms largely because we do live in an often chaotic world. We easily get overwhelmed with our to do lists and the things we just don’t seem to be able to get to. Sometimes I see the political chaos that surrounds us, the racial inequities that constantly are in the news, the divisiveness that fills our world, and I get overwhelmed by the things that would destroy us. And yet, our problems seem so small in comparison with some others.
One of the hardest things to do in the midst of chaos and trouble is to be confident and still. When so much is happening that life is on edge, it is hard, but the Psalmist tells us some of the most beautiful words in all of scripture.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
No matter what you are going through - no matter what you have experienced, are experiencing, or will experience - we can know that He is Good & He is God! He is with us - He is our fortress in the times of trouble!
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!
The Communion Supper, instituted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is a sacrament, which proclaims His life, His sufferings, His sacrificial death, and resurrection, and the hope of His coming again. It shows forth the Lord’s death until His return.
The Supper is a means of grace in which Christ is present by the Spirit. It is to be received in reverent appreciation and gratefulness for the work of Christ.
All those who are truly repentant, forsaking their sins, and believing in Christ for salvation are invited to participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. We come to the table that we may be renewed in life and salvation and be made one by the Spirit.
In unity with the Church, we confess our faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. And so we pray:
The minister may offer a prayer of confession and supplication, concluding with the following prayer of consecration:
Holy God,
We gather at this, your table, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who by your Spirit was anointed to preach good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, set at liberty those who are oppressed. Christ healed the sick, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and established the new covenant for forgiveness of sins. We live in the hope of His coming again.
On the night in which He was betrayed, He took bread, gave thanks, broke the bread, gave it to His disciples, and said: “This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise, when the supper was over, He took the cup, gave thanks, gave it to His disciples, and said: “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.” Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Matthew 26:27–29, Luke 22:19)
And so, we gather as the Body of Christ to offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these your gifts. Make them by the power of your Spirit to be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the Body of Christ, redeemed by His blood.
By your Spirit make us one in Christ, one with each other, and one in the ministry of Christ to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, let us pray:
(Here the congregation may pray the Lord’s Prayer)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Before the partaking of the bread, let the minister say:
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, broken for you, preserve you blameless, unto everlasting life. Eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.
Before the partaking of the cup, let the minister say:
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed for you, preserve you blameless unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and be thankful.