[K] [PREACHING LESSON 16:] IN TIME OF CRISIS, GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO COME TO HIM AND GLORIFY HIM

IN TIME OF CRISIS, GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO COME TO HIM AND GLORIFY HIM

INTRODUCTION:

Many times, Christians focus on facing a crisis in their own strength instead of coming to God to ask for help and continuing to glorify Him in their lives.

I. GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO PRAISE HIM EVEN WHEN FACING A CRISIS.

(Psalms 81:1–7) 1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

a. Because God remains God even in times of crisis. His holiness never changes, regardless of our circumstances.

b. Because God is not affected by crisis; He is sovereign and in control of all things.

II. GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO BE LOYAL TO HIM IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

(Psalms 81:8–9) 8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

1.  God wants His people to remain loyal to Him through worship.

2. God reminds His people not to worship strange gods (v. 9).

3. God wants His people to always listen to Him.

III. GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO ALWAYS COME TO HIM IN PRAYER BECAUSE HE PROMISES TO ANSWER THEM.

(Psalms 81:10) 10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

a. God promises to answer His people when they pray.

(Jeremiah 33:3) — "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

b. God commands His people to open their mouths wide so He can fill them.

(Psalms 81:10) — "I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it."

c. Nothing is too hard for God.

(Jeremiah 32:17–18) — "17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee: 18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,"

IV. GOD WANTS CHRISTIANS TO OBEY HIM SO HE CAN PROTECT THEM AND SUPPLY THEIR NEEDS.

(Psalms 81:11–16) 11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

a. God is grieved when His people disobey Him.

(Psalms 81:11–13) — "11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!"

b. If God's people obey Him, He will defeat and subdue their enemies.

 

(Psalms 81:14–15) — "14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever."

c. If God's people obey Him, His provision will be bountifully supplied.

(Psalms 81:16) — "He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee."

(Philippians 4:19) — "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

* God bless you all always *