Occoquan Bible Church | Sermon Podcast

Dear OBC Family,The troubles and worries of the world can sometimes feel overwhelming, even for Christians. What is your refuge? Are you tempted to distraction, or do you refresh your soul by drinking from the river of life? This Sunday we turn again to the Psalms of the Sons of Korah for a reminder of just how present the Lord is in whatever we are walking through.I invite you to read Psalm 46 in preparation for worship. As you read, pay attention to the reasons why Jesus Christ is the only refuge that can be trusted. I pray the Lord will open the eyes of hearts Sunday to receive what he has prepared for us. I look forward to worshiping our Lord with you this Sunday.In Christ,Pastor Jeff-------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 46Consider Psalm 46. How would you summarize the main idea or theme?What is the context of verse 10? Note: It's often used in “Christian” art with serene backdrops. Is this appropriate?What organization do you notice to the psalm? (Look for repetition of words, phrases, or similar ideas)Who are the characters in the psalm, and what are their actions?The circumstances in the psalm appear fearful (vv. 2-3, v. 6a). Why is there an absence of fear?Consider the river of v.4. What is the psalmist describing? Where else do you see this imagery in Scripture?What are the imperatives of the psalm? What does God command?To what end does God bring an end to wars and destroy weapons?Consider v. 8, and v. 10a, and compare with Exodus 14:13. Considering where we are in redemptive history, what does it look like for us to apply this text?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,A President that may or may not have an adequate degree of cognitive ability to lead the country. An opposing candidate who is almost assassinated. A Vice-President who has been rewriting the summary of her official duties for the past almost four years. An Olympics opening ceremony that openly mocks Christians and flaunts sexual depravity. It reminds me of the lyrics to a popular early 1980s song, Mad World. But God! For us as Christians, there is no occasion for despair or anxiety. Why? Aren't we supposed to be sober-minded? Doesn't that mean, as Christians, that we assess the situation realistically and gird ourselves for action? Yes. A thousand times, yes. But what does it mean to view the current state of our country and world with a sober-minded realism? As we continue our summer study of the Psalms of the Sons of Korah, we find our answer in Psalm 47. Psalm 47 is a jubilant hymn celebrating God's kingship. It is one of the "enthronement psalms" in the Book of Psalms. This psalm of the sons of Korah exuberantly proclaims God's sovereignty over all nations and peoples. The psalm's structure revolves around repeated calls for praise and joyful worship, emphasizing God's role as the supreme ruler of the earth. God has reigned. He presently reigns. And he will reign forever. This psalm also has a broader prophetic significance, pointing to the future reign of the Messiah over all creation. The fact that God has “gone up” points to Christ's ascension and his ultimate dominion over the world. The psalm's vivid imagery of God "ascending" with shouts of joy and the sound of trumpets is linked to Jesus' ascension into heaven. The central message of Psalm 47 is one of universal worship and recognition of God's kingship. It calls for everyone, regardless of national or ethnic background, to acknowledge and celebrate God's rule with unrestrained joy and praise. In preparation for our time of worship of this Savior God who reigns, read Psalm 47 and its companion Psalm 46, which Pastor Jeff will preach next week. As you do, reflect on God's rule over all the earth and Christ's rule in your life. Also, prepare to clap and shout. I know we are reformed in our theology, but come on—we are celebrating the King who is over all the earth! For God's glory and our rejoicing,Pastor Rod--------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 47Read and consider Psalm 47. What is the main theme?How is Psalm 47 arranged? What is the progression from section to section?How does the psalmist speak about the rule and reign of God as King?What is a right response to God's kingship? What responses do you see in this psalm?Does the Kingship of God stir your emotions? Why or why not?What is the work of God as King? What is the King's relationship to his people? What does He do for His people?How do God's people relate to Him as their King?Consider Christ's resurrection, ascension, and enthronement. How do we experience the reign of Christ today?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,Does sorrow provoke you to draw near to the Lord, or does suffering tempt your heart to forsake Him? This Sunday we turn again to a lament in the Psalms of the Sons of Korah as the people of God are experiencing great suffering at the hands of their enemies. I invite you to read Psalm 44 in preparation for worship. As you read, pay attention to the faith of the psalmist and his urgent cry for help and redemption. May God's Word instruct our hearts and direct our eyes to Christ!I look forward to worshiping our Lord with you this Sunday.Blessings in Christ,Pastor Ben-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 44What is the lament of the Psalmist?How does the Psalmist describe God's character and work?Consider the example of the fathers (vv. 1-3) and the faith of their sons (vv. 4-8). What does it look like to imitate this faithfulness?Look for voice changes in the psalm. Where do you see singular or plural personal pronouns, and how might this psalm have been performed?How does the Psalmist understand the suffering that Israel is experiencing?When you experience suffering, how does Scripture guide you to interpret the cause or purpose of your suffering? What presumptuous conclusions must we guard against? Consider how Psalm 44:22 is used by the apostle Paul in Romans 8. How does Paul use Psalm 44 as he speaks about the sufferings of the church?How does Christ ultimately answer the prayer of the psalmist?How should we respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family, This Sunday we will begin a new summer sermon series in Psalms, and we will be preaching through the first collection of the Psalms of the Sons of Korah in Psalm 42-49.  Regardless of what season you're in, it is good for us to consider how God is our exceeding joy. This is especially true in seasons of difficulty or grief. Let us read along with the psalmist, and may we learn to pour out our souls to God and reorient ourselves to set our hope in Him. This Sunday we will kick off the series with the opening lament of Psalms 42-43. I invite you to read this in advance in preparation for worship, and I look forward to worshiping our great God with you this Sunday. Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discussion and Response Questions for Psalms 42-43 1. What is the organization of Psalms 42-43?2. What information can you glean about the psalmist's background and circumstances?3. What does it mean to be thirsty for God? 4. What requests is the psalmist making of God?5. Consider the psalmist's relationship to God. What does the psalmist affirm about God?6. What does the psalmist question about God? Though his questions are honest, what wrong thoughts is the psalmist having about God, and how does he counter these thoughts?7. What should we do when circumstances provoke wrong thoughts about God?8. Consider the chorus in which the psalmist counsels himself. What does it look like to counsel and preach to yourself?9. What does it look like for God to be one's exceeding joy?10. What does Psalms 42-43 reveal about who God is?11. Reconsider the questions of the psalmist in light of where we are in redemptive history. We are in the New Covenant, Christ has died, risen, and ascended, and the Spirit has been given to the church. How should these questions be answered?12. How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,Looking back to the first century, there were many threats for the early church. False doctrine was being promoted, some had swerved from the truth, and others had shipwrecked their faith.In 1 Timothy 1, Paul charged Timothy with specific actions he must take in order to care for and protect the Ephesian church.This Sunday we're going to take a detour from the book of Genesis and we will consider what 1 Timothy 1 teaches us about doctrinal fidelity. How should we think about faithfulness to the gospel in an age of compromise? I encourage you to read 1 Timothy 1 in preparation for worship, and I look forward to seeing you this Sunday! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (1 Timothy 1)What challenges is the Ephesian church facing, and what is the charge Paul gave to Timothy to care for the church?What cautions and encouragements do you observe in this chapter?What is the aim and end result that Paul is seeking for the Ephesian church through Timothy's ministry?How might the law be misused, and what is the right use of the law? What is the law's function toward the lawless? How should God's law be applied? Consider how Paul moves from law to gospel. Why do we need both? What happens if you only have one?How does Paul respond to the mercy of God in the gospel?Consider how Paul shares his testimony (vv. 12-17). How does he understand his sin in relationship to God's mercy?What does it look like to “wage the good warfare” vs making shipwreck of one's faith?What should faithful stewardship of the gospel look like?How ought we to respond to this text?

Dear OBC Family,When was the last time you saw a rainbow? And what did you think when you saw it? What did you remember?On Sunday, we will see what God has to say about rainbows and what the meaning of the rainbow is. Indeed, the rainbow is a sign of God's grace and we should remember the covenant with Noah that is still in effect today.To prepare for Sunday, read Genesis 9, as well as Isaiah 54. We will be reminded of God's promise of grace this Sunday and how that promise encourages us to continue to walk confidently with God.As the Lord allows, I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we worship God together.For His Glory and your joy,Pastor David--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Discussion & Response Questions (Genesis 9:8 – 17)Consider the text for this week. What stands out to you?How do you think about the flood? The world that came after it? Is Genesis 1–11 more like a galaxy far, far away? Or does it influence how you think about the world?How does the rest of the Bible pick up and apply this new beginning?What are the parts of the world that Genesis 8:20–9:7 describe?What is the pattern of “world building” that is found here? How does that support your views of the world? How does that invite change?How is this new beginning after the Flood distinct from the first beginning in Genesis 1-2?What change did the exaltation of Christ bring to the world? And does that mean for us?How ought we to respond to this text?