Genesis Church - Sermons Genesis Church

Fear is an emotion that is often instinctual. A snake goes between your feet, a truck swerves into your lane, a text from your boss asking you to come to the office ... they all can initiate fearful responses.

What do you fear? As we search the Scriptures, it is interesting that we find we are commanded not to fear and also to fear. On one hand, the most repeated command in the Scriptures is, "Do not be afraid." In fact, Paul writes that God has not given us a spirit of fear, and that we are to cast our anxieties on the Lord. On the other hand, over and over again, we are commanded to fear the Lord.

Our Psalm today clearly states that those who properly fear Yahweh will be blessed. Our traveling song this morning is a wonderful reminder that the proper fear of God actually displaces our other fears, and leads to a path that is filled with God's presence and kindness.

What our culture and country need now more than anything are a people who fear the Lord, and who pass the fear of God on to future generations.

Bobby McFerrin, in his 1988 hit "Don't Worry, Be Happy" tells us to just stop worrying. It is a very catchy tune with a great "hook" that will stay in your mind for days. But he doesn't tell us HOW to stop worrying. For that answer we turn to King Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live.

In one of only two Psalms attributed to him, Solomon teaches us that self-reliance and the unavoidable worrying that comes with it leads to vanity. But reliance on God's provision and protection, acknowledging that HE is in control of everything, is the only way to build anything of lasting value and the only way to achieve true rest and security.

Come along with us as we learn the only way to "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

God has done great things for us. The Hebrew people said that, we say that, but what did God do for them, and what has He done for us?

Our study of Psalm 126 today will show us what He has done and help us have joy as we remember the salvation of the LORD!

Today is such an exciting day, as we get to commission and send our team of missionaries headed to Chicago. We have over 50 people spending the week there to work with Renewal Church. Please pray for our team this week.

Our Psalm this morning begins with the phrase, "Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion." To understand this melodic poem, we need to figure out what it means to trust in the LORD. This is vital since we believe that we are saved by grace through faith alone. The song tells us that those who trust in the LORD will not be moved, but we had better make sure we have the right kind of faith in the right object.

In the 2013 movie Man of Steel, the villain General Zod arrives on Earth and seeks to wipe out the human race in order to make a new home world like his destroyed home world of Krypton. Superman must step up and stop Zod or the world he's come to know and love will be utterly wiped out.

In Psalm 124, King David remembers such a time where the nation of Israel was in danger of being wiped out but the LORD stepped in and rescued His people. This same LORD has purchased and delivered for Himself a people for His own possession.

Are you His?

The situation for the community of faith in Psalm 123 is difficult and bleak. They are a people scorned and oppressed. They would like their God to show up with fire from heaven and devour their enemies, but so far His vengeance hasn't happened. They need a song reminding them of God's sovereign rule from the heavens when it seems as if He is absent and uninvolved. Psalm 123 is a community lament seeking relief from the Lord. It is a cry for mercy from the God who can act and change their situation.

Yet, it is also a call to faith, to lift their eyes together and see again the God who is enthroned in the heavens. He is the master, they are the servants. When they cannot see His hand at work, they know they can trust His purpose and character. The call is to keep trusting and walking in obedience, even if it doesn't make sense to those around us. Because God is faithful.