Songs of Truth

Cedar Hills Community Church

Songs of Truth

April 25, 2021 • Pastor Kent Landhuis

SONGS OF TRUTH
Psalm 120
Pastor Kent Landhuis

THEME
We travel the pilgrim’s journey by placing one foot in front of the other until we discover truth.

OUTLINE
1. Life includes suffering
• Psalm 120:1-2
• Tough times are inevitable on the journey.
• Psalm 10

2. We want more.
• Psalm 120:3-5
• The journey is both fleeing from distress and ascending toward goodness.
• Psalm 86

3. God offers peace.
• Psalm 120:6-7
• God calls us to find total well-being (Shalom) on the journey.
• Psalm 23

NEXT STEPS
• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.
• Read Psalm 120 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.
• Name distress from which you want deliverance.
• Name places you long for flourishing (Shalom).

Songs of Praise

August 1, 2021 • Pastor Kent Landhuis • Psalm 134

SONGS OF PRAISE - Psalm 134 – Pastor Kent Landhuis; THEME - Pilgrims overcome roadblocks to worship. OUTLINE We face three roadblocks to worship: 1. I am not good enough. * Trouble and restlessness send us out to find peace. (Shalom) * Everyone needs a blessing. * God blesses us! * Psalm 120. 2. I still have too far to go. * The journey is long. * Everyone is on the road. * God blesses us on the road! * Psalm 122-133. 3. I don’t feel it. * Feelings don’t run the show. * Everyone has mixed feelings. * God blesses us even when we don’t feel it. * Psalm 134 and 150. NEXT STEPS 1. Read Psalm 134 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims. 2. Lift your hands in worship! SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLS http://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

Songs of Unity

July 25, 2021 • Gary Sager

SONGS OF COMMUNITY - Psalm 133 – Gary Sager THEME - Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing. OUTLINE 1. Life Together (vs. 1) * Togetherness is where God will pour out blessing. * When families are left to their own devices, we fight. * We cannot achieve unity; we must receive it. * The book of Acts describes the early church and its remarkable unity. (Acts 2:42-47) 2. Blessing Running down (vs. 2) * Life together is a gift based on the mercy of God. * The oil running down on Aaron’s head, running down on his beard, and running down on his collar, is a picture of the blessing of God descending upon his people. * The atoning sacrifices made by priests were a reminder of our sins and the need for God’s mercy. (Exodus 19:6, 1 Peter 2:9) * The followers of Christ are holy and set apart for priestly service to the King of kings and Lord of Lords. * By seeing each other as God's anointed one, our relationships are profoundly affected! 3. Life-Giving Water (vs. 3a) * Think of the new life that would burst forth, the fresh growth that would flourish, the potential that could be fulfilled if the dew of Mt Hermon fell on Mt Zion. * We are irrigators for one another. * A community of faith flourishes when we view each other with expectancy. * We need each other for the journey. 4. A Foretaste of Heaven (vs. 3b) * God gives his blessing where believers live together in unity. * Living together in unity is a foretaste of heaven. * Following Jesus is a communal endeavor. * Christian unity is a gift from God (Ephesians 4:3) * The Christian fellowship we experience on earth is a foretaste of the perfect fellowship we will share with each other in heaven. (2 Cor. 1:21-22) * For us, Jesus is that life giving water that enables eternal life. 5. Under One Head (John 17:23) * Unity is central to God’s plan. (Ephesians 1:10) * Community brings God’s blessing. * Faith in Jesus saves us, but community is a crucial part of God’s saving plan. NEXT STEPS 1. Read Psalm 133 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims. 2. Ponder how can we walk in God’s gift of community?

Songs of Trust

July 18, 2021 • Pastor Kent Landhuis

SONGS OF TRUST - Psalm 132 – Pastor Kent Landhuis; THEME - Love grows strength and trust. OUTLINE 1. Love grows the strength to stand. * David swore an oath to the Lord. (vs. 2). * Strength to commit. (Psalm 132:1-5) * Strength to dance. (2 Samuel 6:13-15) * Strength to stand in faith. 2. Love grows the courage to leap. * The Lord swore an oath to David. (vs. 11) * Courage to trust. (Psalm 132:11-16) * Courage to follow Jesus. (Luke 1:32, 2:11) * Courage to take a leap of faith. (Romans 5:8) NEXT STEPS 1. Read Psalm 132 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims. 2. What love inspires you? 3. Follow Jesus.