PEOPLE IN DAILY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
February 10, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
Ps 61:1-8
INTRO: Last Lords day morning we considered this question from Ex 17:7. Is the Lord among us, or not? We noted some of the things which can be going on in a persons life which might bring him to ask such a question. But we also found that the Lord is among His people; that His eyes and ears are ever open in behalf of those who trust in Him. What is needed, it seems to me, is a daily relationship with God. Such questions as the one from Ex 17:7 would rarely occur to, or bother, a person in daily relationship with God.
I. THEY:
A. Are accustomed to praying
1. prayer is not an after thought, an emergency devise
2. there are praying people - prayerful people
3. Lk 18:1 praying as a life practice does keep Christians from the despair so characteristic of others
4. 1 Thes 5:17 - Col 4:2 such praying may be lacking
5. there is a vigilance in praying which prepares us for unexpected
B. Are confident that God does hear and answer prayer
1. prayer without confidence is an empty exercise
2. so, Mt 21,22 note the word believing
3. 1 Jno 5:14,15 do we have this confidence?
4. Jas 5:16b here is the confidence I want
5. Jas 5:15 refers to the prayer of faith
C. Are moving forward without stagnating in anxiety
1. daily living with confidence, peace continues
2. they absorb, process disquieting things and move ahead either in confidence that God is still on His throne or to seek solutions ... or both
3. not insensitive, shallow, etc. - just confident and content
4. Neh 4:4-6 he prayed ... and built!
5. indeed, Nehemiah is my personal example of confident praying which keeps moving forward
D. Are receiving the sustenance of Gods word
1. doubts, fears, anxieties are in direct relationship to inadequate sustenance from Gods word!
2.Ps 119:50 quickened is revived - revival in affliction attributed to the word
3. the word brings our minds back to God, His counsel
4. the word tends to give everything sharper focus
5. Rom 15:4 patience and comfort of the scriptures
E. Are not attached to this world
1. it is connection with trust in the world that brings people to question gods presence!
2. I recognize that this is a balance situation
3. certainly, we need the essentials of life - and need a means of providing for our families
4. its the trust factor that gets us into trouble (1 Tim 6:17)
5. 2 Cor 4:18 here is what one in personal relationship with God sees and that upon which he acts
F. Are aware that life has its problems, trials, difficulties
1. its the approach to these things which sets the righteous apart from the doubters, skeptics
2. note Rom 8:28 and 37-39 here is the approach!
3. its a matter of how we see things - righteous, praying, word oriented, trusting people see God beyond the trial!
4. Heb 11:27 ... he endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible
5. but its also so important to learn to confront our trials one by one not to permit them to gang up on us; solve when possible; commit to God when necessary; looking always for the rays of sunshine
G. Are touching others with example, message of hope
1. I know this sets the righteous apart
2. Ps 71:5 thou art my hope - and it shows
3. quiet confidence and peace are manifested in the lives of people in daily relationship with God
CLOSE: Is the Lord among us, or not? Absolutely, yes.
Cecil A. Hutson
10 February 2002