Winter Warmers: The Lord is My Light

Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our mini series in ‘Winter Warmers’. This sermon is ‘The Lord is My Light’. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Reading: Psalm 27DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Psalm 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?When the wicked advance against me to devour me,it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.Though an army besiege me,my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.One thing I ask from the LORD,this only do I seek:that I may dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life,to gaze on the beauty of the LORDand to seek him in his temple.For in the day of troublehe will keep me safe in his dwelling;he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.Then my head will be exaltedabove the enemies who surround me;at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;I will sing and make music to the LORD.Hear my voice when I call, LORD;be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”Your face, LORD, I will seek.Do not hide your face from me,do not turn your servant away in anger;you have been my helper.Do not reject me or forsake me,God my Savior.Though my father and mother forsake me,the LORD will receive me.Teach me your way, LORD;lead me in a straight pathbecause of my oppressors.Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,for false witnesses rise up against me,spouting malicious accusations.I remain confident of this:I will see the goodness of the LORDin the land of the living.Wait for the LORD;be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format.CONNECT: What prompts you to look to the shepherd? What troubles/concerns this week could you bring to him?WARM-UP Have there been any times in your life in which there has been physically a complete (or almost complete) absence of light? How did this make you feel?Did David have significant cause to be fearful? What causes you to be afraid?Read Psalm 27:1-6Who does David describe the LORD as in verse 1? What do each of these names mean?How is it clear that this knowledge about the LORD is not just objective truth, but also a personal reality to David? Do you know this to be true as well?How does David have confidence even in the presence of trouble? Do you ever struggle with this in your own life? How so?When you face trouble or stress, what is your natural instinct? What helps you be redirected to God?How does David’s example steer us away from both complacency and self-reliance? Do you think that this is particularly counter-cultural in Australia?What knowledge helps you to trust in God even in the face of trouble? What practices help you to trust in God even in the face of uncertainty?How is knowing God a great gift even when we experience uncertainty, stress, or danger?What did David long for more than anything? What does this mean?How do you seek God? How can we be sure of knowing him?What are the practical ways in which we can seek the goodness of the LORD?Read Psalm 27:7-13How does David reflect his desire to be known by God in these verses?What does David mean in verse 11? How is obedience an expression of our trust?How does Jesus make it possible for us to have a clear and certain confidence of the future?APPLY:  What is one fear in your life that could be dispelled by taking confidence in the LORD? PRAYER Gracious Father, we thank you so much that we can have every confidence that you will keep us ultimately safe through the Lord Jesus. Please help us to trust in you regardless of the circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: People are much more likely to trust what their friends endorse. Which friend or colleague could you invite to Alpha? stbarts.com.au/alpha Listen, Watch, and Read: AUDIO: “One thing I have asked” by Aneirin GlynAUDIO: “I will see the goodness of the Lord” by Richard BewesAUDIO: “Walking with Our God” by James FauxINTERVIEW with Maryam and Marziyeh at HTB Church, London:Series Resources:Some helpful resources for our Series:Series Outline by St Bart’s Toowoomba: https://stbarts.com.au/blog/2021/6/20/winter-warmers-miniseries-outlineWebsite: “Psalms” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/learn/psalms/Book: “The Case for the Psalms” by Tom WrightDevotional: “My Rock and My Refuge” by Tim KellerCourse: “Introduction to Psalms” by the Gospel Coalition https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/course/psalms/Course: “The Psalms” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course). 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: