The
Psalm 27
Pastor Craig Ledbetter
29 Nov, 2009
AM
I.
Introduction (Ephesians 3:12)
A.
This
month, we are learning about being Steadfast in our Confidence!
B.
Christians have access to a confidence that is not arrogant, or proud, but
always full of hope, and expectation
C.
Definition: The attitude of trusting, relying, or putting faith in something or
someone; It is a strong belief that gives assurance and hope
1.
It
comes NOT from self, or from our own strength, or else we would all just
naturally be able to handle all our stresses and problems
2.
It
comes ONLY from God – we will see this in a moment
3.
It
is not something that can be “worked-up” or “pumped up” like a drug, or an
alcoholic drink would do, or a Rock concert. The world LIVES on false hopes, and
feelings (just talk to a gambler – an eternal optimist!)
D.
For
our final study this
II.
Message
A.
Settle Your Confidence
(Psalm 27:1-3)
1.
You
need Confidence for times of fear and darkness
a.
We
need great confidence for when our heart collapses!
b.
For
when the enemy attacks!
c.
When
wars are waged against little old me!
2.
There is too much Self Confidence, and False Confidence in our culture today
(Philp 3:3-9)
a.
There is nothing in you to be proud of, to rest upon - nothing
b.
No
religious acts
c.
No
nationality
d.
No
personal righteousness
e.
No
great accomplishments
f.
Modern education, and TV programming is all about pumping up the works of the
flesh, and accomplishments, and performances- they
g.
So
people trust in their music, and their self-help books
h.
It
amazes me how few actually know that sports stars, and music and movie stars are
actually human failures!
3.
The
Lord, Jehovah God is our ONLY confidence – our only hope (Psalm 65:5; Prov 3:26)
a.
The
Lord Jehovah is the only hope of mankind (Isa 45:21,22)
b.
It
is so much better to trust in the Lord than anyone else (Psalm 118:8,9) –
because everyone else, and everything else will fail you!
c.
And
true Christian Confidence comes by fearing only God (Prov 14:26) – worrying only
about what He thinks and what He says
4.
Watch and take note how well He takes care of you (Psalm 27:2)!!!
5.
So,
MAKE your heart trust in God (Psalm 27:3; 42:5,11)
6.
Be
careful, because a Christian’s confidence is easily lost
a.
Through stubbornness (Isa 30:15)
b.
Through neglect (Heb 3:6,14)
c.
Through wrong decisions (Heb 10:35) – to trust in your own heart and feelings
(Jer 17:9)
d.
No
wonder most Christians have NO JOY or REST – can’t sleep, can’t step outside of
their comfort zone – NO confidence
B.
Constantly Renew Your Confidence
(27:4-10)
1.
When
you got saved, He gave you HIMSELF! He is your confidence (Psalm 18:1-3) and He
lives in your very heart of hearts!
2.
So
develop your confidence daily in the following things…
3.
In
Prayer and Fellowship with God
a.
Most
people have very little confidence in prayer – it is just an empty exercise that
has no effect on the world they live in
b.
But
David desired, sought to just live in the house of God
c.
He
loved going to his church, and hearing the preaching and teaching at church
d.
Why?
Because it was the highlight of his fellowship with God
e.
David confidently prayed to the God he loved, and he learned about it most at
church!
f.
Develop your prayer life – start praying about everything. Start praying like
Jesus is really listening, and wanting to answer your need.
g.
Start walking with God, sharing your heart and your struggles with Him – and you
MIGHT just find Him sharing the Lord with you!!!
4.
In
Security and Rest
(27:5)
a.
It
is a wonderful thing to have a hiding place – where no one can touch you or harm
you
b.
That
place for a Christian is not
c.
In
the middle of a fierce battle, there is a place of constant rest, near to the
heart of God. A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God. O
Jesus, blest Redeemer, Sent from the heart of God, Hold us who wait before Thee
Near to the heart of God.
d.
Have
you ever been in that place of rest? It’s there for you!
5.
In
Praise BEFORE the End of a
a.
Notice “shall mine head be lifted up” victory
b.
Therefore “will I offer…” “I will sing…”
c.
Be
confident that God really and truly is going to fight for you, and work
everything out, and get you through!
d.
Your
praise is an
1)
No
praise, no faith
2)
Little praise, weak praise, little, weak faith
3)
Great praise (even when everything is falling apart), means great faith and
confidence in the things you cannot see!
6.
In
the Will of God
(27:7,8) Do you believe God’s will is the best?
a.
If
you are just following along with what everybody else is doing, you will be
b.
But,
if you seek God’s will, the direction of His face, you will find that He always
leads the right way
1)
In
dating and marriage
2)
In
career
3)
In
finances
4)
In
friends
5)
In
everything
6)
Seek
God’s will for your life, and then do it!
7.
In
the Mercy and Grace of God
(27:9) – His faithfulness (Philp 1:6)
a.
David knows that he should have no help
b.
He
knows he is dust, and a great sinner
c.
Yet
he trusts in the great grace and mercy of God, trusting that God will take
better care of him than he deserves!
d.
Have
confidence in God’s mercy – it is why you are alive today, and given another
chance to get right, and live right! Because His mercies are new every morning!
8.
In
the Supply of God
(27:10)
a.
Hey!
God provided your parents
b.
He
provides your
c.
He
provides whatever you and I need
d.
AND,
when any of those people fail me, HE Himself will always take me up under His
care (Philp 4:19)
e.
You
can be confident in His constant care!
C.
Feed
Your Confidence
(27:11)
1.
By
studying and obeying the Scriptures
(27:11)
a.
Let
God teach you how to trust Him by showing you how he got others to trust Him
(like in Hebrews 11) – it feeds not wimpy defeated faith, but confident faith in
God (Rom 10:17)
b.
Study Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Joseph, Rahab the harlot, David
c.
Every time you read your Bible, ask God to TEACH you!
2.
By
Fearing God
(Prov 14:26)
3.
By
Just Believing God
– taking the risk for experience sake (Rom 5:1-5). This is not a head belief,
but a choice to obey God rather than your heart, and rather than the culture
4.
If
you do these things, your confidence will only grow – no matter how many bruises
you take, and how many battles you go through. Because it is only in those times
that GOD will give you confidence
D.
Use
Your Confidence
(27:12-14)
1.
What
good is it if you are not using it!
2.
By
Fighting!
I love a good fight, a wrestle! But only the right kind
a.
Get
into some real fights worth fighting
1)
For
souls
2)
For
sanity and rest and victory over any sin in your life
3)
For
your family – the devil is in our homes – fight HIM
b.
Expect your real enemy to fight you
c.
Expect him to NOT fight fair – false witnesses – lies
d.
Expect to faint – get worn out
3.
By
Trusting.
Just believe God for all things to work together for good – not just in heaven,
but in the land of the living – in this life!
4.
By
Waiting.
The greatest way to use your confidence (it actually proves that you have ANY
faith and confidence in God), is to WAIT upon the Lord (27:14)
III.
Conclusion
A.
This
month, we have learned about being Steadfast in our Confidence!
B.
Christians have access to a confidence that is not arrogant, or proud, but
always full of hope, and expectation
1.
It
comes NOT from self, or from our own strength
2.
It
comes ONLY from God
C.
Settle Your Confidence
1.
Not
in self, or anything or any one else than Jehovah God Almighty
2.
The
Lord, Jehovah God is our ONLY confidence – our only hope
3.
So,
MAKE your heart trust in God (Psalm 27:3; 42:5,11)
4.
Keep
it settled! Because a Christian’s confidence is easily lost
D.
Constantly Renew Your Confidence.
Develop your confidence daily in the following things…
1.
In
Prayer and Fellowship with God
2.
In
Security and Rest
3.
In
Praise BEFORE the End of a
4.
In
the Will of God. Do you believe that God’s will is the best?
5.
In
the Mercy and Grace of God– His faithfulness
6.
In
the Supply of God
E.
Feed
Your Confidence
1.
By
studying and obeying the Scriptures
2.
By
Fearing God
3.
By
Just Believing God – taking the risk for experience sake
F.
Use
Your Confidence
1.
What
good is it if you are not using it!
2.
By
Fighting! I love a good fight, a wrestle! But only the right kind! Get into some
real fights worth fighting! For souls, For sanity and rest and victory over any
sin in your life, For your family
3.
By
Trusting
4.
By
Waiting
G.
Confidently Know…
1.
Jesus as your Saviour
2.
Where you will live eternally… heaven, or hell
3.
That
Jesus is working all things out for GOOD
4.
That
He will finish what He stated in you when you got saved
5.
That
this Bible is true from cover to cover
6.
That
all of life’s struggles are worth it, when you are a Christian!
Craig Ledbetter | Pastor |