Are You Secure?
Psalm 125:1-2
Pastor Terry Wilcox
In ancient days Jerusalem’s security was enhanced by the hills surrounding the city.
In the same way, God surrounds those who trust him “both and .”
Psalm 125:2
Psalm 139:5
Threats to our security:
- Feelings of depression and .
My feelings are important for many things. They are essential and valuable. They keep me aware of much that is true and real. But they tell me next to nothing about God or my relation to God. My security comes from who God is, not from how I feel.
-Eugene Peterson
- Pain and .
People of faith suffer the ills of this world like these ancient pilgrims did.
Psalms 125:3
Evil is always .
We must view the wickedness of this world in the light of .
II Corinthians 4:17-18
- The threat of desertion, those who would .
Psalm 125:5
Although the Holy Spirit convicts or us of our need, he does not us to faith.
If God does not us to faith, logic would dictate that he does not force us to in faith.
I Timothy 1:19-20
We need not be in doubt about salvation, God gives us .
I John 5:11-13
Threefold confirmation of salvation:
- Word of God
I John 5:9-13
- Internal witness of Holy Spirit
I Thessalonians 1:4-5a
- Our lives.
I John 2:3-6
…when the baptism of the Holy Spirit (for cleansing and empowering for service) is left out of our teaching and preaching, we will produce converted people who are born again but have no power.
…people want the power without the surrender of their wills. The historic problem of communicating the gospel is that people have a capacity to let down the moat bridge to their carefully castled minds and hearts and want to take Christ into their lives as one more trophy, but not as Lord of their castle. He is given a side room as a honored guest, but they are still running the castle!
-Dr. Lloyd Ogilve, Presbyterian Pastor/Scholar and Chaplin of the U.S. Senate
Personal Notes