Stability
Pastor Dave Moore
Old Testament reading: Psalm 89:1-15
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make our faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.
You said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David my servant, ‘I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations.’”
The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings?
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround Him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.
You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies. The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at your name. Your arm is endowed with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
Today’s theme: Stability, we want it and need it, but it seems like it is in short supply. In Philipians 4, Paul shares a principle of stability and the application of “The Big Truth”:
God exists
He loves us
He has prepared a place with Him in in eternity
There is Grace
New Testament reading: Philippians 4:1-9
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
A rock is stable no matter what is going on around it. Paul is like a rock (stable).
Paul’s “Big Truth” is a principle for stability, to use the Big Truth in little places in our life.
Philippians 3: 20-21: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
“Behold, I make all things new.” In the presence of God things do not get older, they get fresher. Things don’t get weaker, they get stronger. Things, instead of fading, get brighter. Paul lays it out; that our world is decaying, but there is a better place that is close to God. ~ D. Moore
Christians who were fed to the lions didn’t need conflict resolution, they needed to be reminded of the good plan God is doing to bring Creation to Himself. ~ D. Moore
The argument of two women in the passage today, Paul doesn’t tell them to agree. In the “Big Truth” is the big picture. He says: Do you see what you have in common, can you see the big picture? Lift your thoughts, Paul is always seeing the big picture. ~ D. Moore
I Corinthians 1:10: I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Every moment is about eternity, every incident is about God’s light, darkness, grace, truth, heaven, hell, eternity. ~ D. Moore
That is intense, yup, but it works. If there are people here today wondering about Christianity, wondering if this will be helpful. Thinking I need stability, could Christianity help me? You are heading in the right direction, but the wrong way. You’re thinking about process. You need to start with: Christianity is true. ~ D. Moore
If Christianity is true, then there is a personal God, infinite in love, He comes through Jesus Christ and if these things are true, then there is the possibility of stability. ~ D. Moore
Paul shows us how to apply the principle (BIg Truth) in three ways:
Prayer
Moderation of our emotions
The presence of God
Prayer allows us to see circumstances through the lens of the wisdom of God. ~ D. Moore
Moderation means radical evenness of temper. I am going to realize that there is more going on in this world and in my life than I understand. ~ D. Moore
Newton paraphrased this “If you understand grace, it makes the worst times bearable and the best times liveable.
Luke 10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
If you see your circumstances through prayer and moderate your excitement, eventually we learn to seek God. We then are in the presence of God because we feel His presence.
God’s overwhelming power will overcome our fear and instability, into a place of peace, no matter what. ~ D. Moore
“Thank God ahead of time. Give thanks for blessings received, and give thanks for those yet to be received.” ~ Ven. Solanus Casey
Psalm 27:13: I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
This week: Read and think about the Big Truth, trusting God. He will bring stability into your life.
God bless. Hoping the presence of God is in your life this week.