Sermon Summary
Main Point: Let us ascend to the house of the LORD for our help, refuge, and peace.
Summary: This past Sunday, we began our brief hiatus from our ongoing Acts sermon series to return to our four-year study of the book of Psalms, specifically focusing on the Psalms of Ascents. This marks the beginning of a five-sermon exploration of Psalms 120-134, a collection traditionally known as the "Psalms of Ascents" that pilgrims would sing while journeying to Jerusalem for festivals. In this message Pastor Matt guides us through the first three Psalms (120-122), illuminating how these ancient songs describe the believer's spiritual journey from distress to peace. The central message of this teaching was that we ought to ascend to the house of the LORD for our help, refuge, and peace. May this sermon remind you that our ultimate sanctuary and solace is found in God's presence.
Sermon Outline:
“I gotta get out of here” (Psalm 120)
“How do I get there?” (Psalm 121)
“I’m here. Now what?” (Psalm 122)
Sermon Text: Psalm 120-122
Psalm 120
A Song of Ascents. In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior’s sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar! Too long have I had my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war!
Psalm 121
A Song of Ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 122
A Song of Ascents. Of David. I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
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