Theme: “Worship without Worrying; 27 Dr. Sam Maxwell, Teaching March 24, 2020

The Psalms teach us to have faith in God in our afflictions and to receive comfort from him. They express every human emotion and address every human need.

Psalm 121:1, I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2, My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.

The Psalms teach us to be much pre-occupied with God. They magnify and exalt him as the Sovereign Creator and Ruler of the universe.

Psalm 24:1, The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 2, For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

The Psalms teach us to praise God and show us how to praise him.

Psalm 150:1, Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2, Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3, Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4, Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

The Psalms teach us to have zeal for God’s cause from hearts flooded with love for God…

Psalm 119:26, I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. 27, Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Topic One: “Cultivates Intimacy and Faith through Worship” Psalm 27:1 – 6; March 24, 2020 Dr. Sam Maxwell, Sr. Teaching

It’s believed that wrote this psalm when he was exiled from home and being hunted by King and his men.

I. Faith in God’s Faithfulness will help see through the lens of heaven.

Psalm 27:1, The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

A Firm Faith in God will trust Him for present help in turbulent times.

II. A Fearless Faith glorifies God with Glorious Testimonies.

Psalm 27:2, When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

As _I_ cultivate intimacy with God I know that my enemies are His enemies.

Psalm 27:3, Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

The testimony of God’s faithfulness in the past, encourages me against future fears.

III. A Fervent faith is in passionate Pursuit of God’s Presence.

Psalm 27:4, One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Make your ultimate priority to live each day longing for the Presence of God. (Martha) One thing is needful; (Paul) This one thing I do

IV. Another Function of Faith is to insulate “_in_” the time of trouble.

Psalm 27:5, For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

This level of faith is content in God’s presence despite the storms of life.

V. Faith will refocus and God will over rule the enemies.

Psalm 27:6, And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

This experience of God’s faithfulness calls for service in His house and celebration of His Goodness.