2. The Way of God's Word (Psalm 119:9-16)
March 30, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:9–16
We have been looking at Abram’s faith and his travels in Genesis 12, and this coming Sunday we’re taking a one week pause in Genesis to return to Psalm http://119.as Abraham traveled and looked forward to the city of God (Hebrews 11:10), so also the Christian life is a pilgrim journey to Mount Zion. As we return to Psalm 119, the second stanza (vv. 9-16) proclaims the goodness of God’s Word to guard and guide our path. I encourage you to read these verses in preparation for Sunday, and consider what it looks like to make use of God’s Word to guard your steps from straying as you follow Jesus. Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:9-16 1. What does this stanza emphasize? What repeated theme(s) do you see? 2. How would you counsel one who feels hopeless when it comes to keeping his way pure? 3. Consider the language of guarding one’s way. Why is this necessary? 4. What threats or distractions tempt you to wander and loose your focus from God’s commandments and ways? 5. What does it look like to guard one’s way according to God’s Word? What does this look like practically? What examples do you see in Scripture? What do you find helpful in guarding your way? 6. What are the means God uses to teach his statutes to us? Why must we be ever learning? 7. What motivates the psalmist to learn and to proclaim God’s Word? 8. Why should one delight in and treasure God’s Word? How would you counsel someone who appears indifferent to the Scriptures? 9. Consider Jesus. How does looking to Jesus help us as we look to follow Him and avoid straying? http://10.how ought we to respond to this text?
1. The Blessedness of God's Word (Psalm 119:1-8)
March 2, 2025 • Ben Purves • Psalm 119:1–8
Psalm 119 reveals the blessedness of God's Word, and this is the theme of the introductory stanza (vv. 1-8). I encourage you to read and mediate on these verses. Does your heart resonate with the psalmist’s prayer, or is there dissonance? Prayerfully consider the posture of your heart toward the Lord and His Word as you prepare for worship this Lord’s http://day.may we rejoice in God’s Word this week, and I look forward to worshipping the Lord with you this Sunday! Blessings in Christ, Pastor Ben Discussion & Response Questions for Psalm 119:1–8 1. Consider the words used for the Word of God. What do these words about the Word of God teach us? 2. What repeated words do you notice in these verses? What is being emphasized? 3. To what end is God’s Word to be kept? 4. What blessings are recounted in this stanza for those who walk according to God’s Word? 5. By way of contrast, what is true for those who do not walk according to God’s Word? 6. Is it possible for one to keep God’s Word? Why is “that’s impossible” the wrong response to this text? 7. When you read this psalm, do you feel discouraged by your own sinfulness? What gives sinners (and the psalmist) hope for apprehending these blessings? 8. How do these verses speak about the human heart? What might we learn from this? 9. Consider our Triune God. What truths of Father, Son, and Spirit should we keep in mind as we read and meditate on these verses? http://10.how ought we to respond to this text?
Where Will You Hide? (Psalm 46)
August 11, 2024 • Jeff Dionise • Psalm 46
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 46 Consider 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?
Clap, Shout, and Sing! (Psalm 47)
August 4, 2024 • Rod Fillinger • Psalm 47
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 47 Read 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?
Faithfulness, Suffering, and Redemption (Psalm 44)
July 28, 2024 • Ben Purves • Psalm 44
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 44 What 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?
Hope in God (Psalm 42-43)
July 21, 2024 • Ben Purves • Psalms 42—43
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? http://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? http://12.how ought we to respond to this text?
God & Government - Capitol Commission
April 21, 2024 • Brad Harbaugh • Psalm 2
In Acts 13:1–3, the church in Antioch gathered to worship the Lord. And as they worshiped, the Holy Spirit identified Barnabas and Saul for missionary service. In response, the church continued to fast and pray, and then they laid hands on the newfound missionaries and sent them out. Ever since, faithful churches have followed a similar pattern. They have recognized men called by God preach the Word (see 1 Tim. 4:14), and they have commissioned them to serve as elders locally or missionaries globally. On Sunday, we have the chance to participate in this missionary drama too. For the last 13 years the Comoglio family have been faithful members of our church. During that time, Ron has served as an elder for nearly a decade. However, in the last year, the Lord has made it clear that he is calling Ron to a ministry of evangelism and encouragement to the public servants in Alabama. After much prayer and counsel, Ron received a call to go with a ministry called Capitol Commission, and next month he is moving to Alabama to begin that work. As he goes, our church will be one of many that support him. In this way, we participate in the great work of recognizing ministers of the gospel and sending them out into the highways and hedges to share the message of Christ with those who need to hear the gospel. In celebration and commemoration of this commissioning (which will officially take place in May), Brad Harbaugh, president of Capitol Commission, is coming to bring the Word. He will preach from Psalm 2 and its message that Christ rules over all the governors who rage against God. In our day, this is a needed message. And one that fits with the ministry that Ron is being sent to fulfill, and one that we need to support as well. So as we prepare for Sunday, let us pray for our gathering and for God to raise up laborers in our church and from our nation to go and speak truth to those in power. On Sunday, that is the message we will hear, and as the Lord allows, I look forward to joining you to worship our risen and reigning Lord. We are also starting a new Sunday School series this week and invite you to https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3a%2f%2fobc.us14.list-manage.com%2ftrack%2fclick%3fu%3ddd23918991ea6f542a8065bed%26id%3ddf983448dd%26e%3df5b57025e0&data=05%7c02%7c%7c1e095339e83a40ab1f4508dc60af685f%7c84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7c1%7c0%7c638491553705302667%7cunknown%7ctwfpbgzsb3d8eyjwijoimc4wljawmdailcjqijoiv2lumziilcjbtii6ik1hawwilcjxvci6mn0%3d%7c0%7c%7c%7c&sdata=xhjyxkz2scci6db0s3f6j5sv7o3zuug278lhgflf2my%3d&reserved=0on Simeon Trust's First Principles for Bible Reading. For His Glory and your joy in Christ, Pastor David ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Discussion & Response Questions (Psalm 2) 1. What do we know about Psalm 2—in its relationship to the Psalter? And the rest of the Bible? 2. Acts 4:25 tells us that David is the author. How does that truth inform our reading of Psalm 2? 3. What is the condition of the nations (Psalm 2:1–3)? How did they get that way? 4. What is God’s response to the rage of the nations (Psalm 2:4–6)? What is his planned response? 5. What is the promise of sonship? And when is this fulfilled? See Acts 13:33; Matthew 28:18. 6. What confidence does the Lordship of Christ give to us today? How does that impact our relation to the nations? 7. How does the authority of Christ impact the Great Commission? Do we need earthly authorization to preach Christ? 8. What is our response to the risen Christ? 9. In light of Christ’s Lordship, what is our calling? 10. Take time to pray for our nation, the nations, and the gathering of God’s holy nation (the elect from every nation).