FOCUS: Psalm 144 - God our Refuge

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the sermon from St Bart’s Toowoomba on the FOCUS weekend. This sermon is ‘God our Refuge’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Psalm 144DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 144 Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me. LORD, what are human beings that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them? They are like a breath; their days are like a fleeting shadow. Part your heavens, LORD, and come down; touch the mountains, so that they smoke. Send forth lightning and scatter the enemy; shoot your arrows and rout them. Reach down your hand from on high; deliver me and rescue me from the mighty waters, from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, to the One who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David. From the deadly sword deliver me; rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. Blessed is the people of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the LORD. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you show humility and demonstrate grace on your Frontline this week?WARM-UP When people of the world face troubles or hardships, where or what do they turn to?Read Psalm 144:1-4In hard times or struggles, what can be our first impulse? Where does David begin in this Psalm?How does David describe the Lord in these verses? How does this give you comfort in times of trouble?How are human beings described in these verses? In what ways can you see this in the world? What are God’s actions towards human beings?Read Psalm 144:5-11Is there any place or area in creation that God’s authority doesn’t reach? How is God’s authority described in these verses?Why is God the most qualified person to save? Is there anything that we can do to save ourselves? How then can we receive God’s salvation?How is God’s plan for salvation for us ultimately revealed? Who and what are the ultimate enemies? How are we saved from them?What is the response to receiving God’s rescue?Read Psalm 144:12-15What are the covenant promises that God made to Abraham? Where can we see these in this Psalm?Why don’t we experience these blessings in all their fullness right now? When will we?How can the future hope of these things give us contentment in this life now? How can these promises help us when we face life’s uncertainties?On your frontlines, where could you demonstrate this joy and contentment that comes from being in relationship with a faithful God?APPLY:  How are you enjoying being in relationship with our sovereign and faithful God? PRAYER Gracious God, thank you that you care for us, that we find take refuge in you, and have hope in you forevermore. Help us in times of trouble and times of peace to rest in your unchanging and sure character and promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who do you see quietly following Jesus on their frontline? It might be a great opportunity to encourage them.Listen, Watch, and Read: Psalm 144 by Peter OrrGod’s Sovereignty Brings Hope In Despair by Andrea ThemAre you ‘Practising the Presence of God?’ by Peter AdamPsalm 107:1-150:6 by James Hely-HutchinsonUse to be Made of the Doctrine of Providence (Institutes of Christian Religion I.XVII) by John Calvin WITH CHILDREN Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School: CHARGE Discussion QuestionsKids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ TalkeBook: Watch the eBook