The Webster Bible Church Podcast

Speaker: Matthew Fletcher, Senior Pastor

Scripture: Psalm 122

Transformative Truth:
It is a great privilege to praise God with his people.

You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, 
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels 
in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God's 
firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. 
You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. 
You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven 
who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, 
the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, 
and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead 
of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24

Yet she on earth hath union with God the Three in One, and mystic 
sweet communion with those whose rest is won: O happy ones and holy! 
Lord, give us grace that we, like them, the meek and lowly, on high 
may dwell with thee.

Their Delight in Jerusalem Psalm 122:1-2

Their Description of Jerusalem Psalm 122:3-5

Jerusalem, built as a city should be, solidly united, where the tribes, 
the LORD's tribes, go up to give thanks to the name of the LORD. 
Psalm 122:3-4 Christian Standard Bible

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy 
temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become 
a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 
Ephesians 2:21-22 NIV

Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 
1 Corinthians 3:16

Their Dedication to Jerusalem Psalm 122:6-9

"How lovely is the sanctuary in the eyes of those who are truly sanctified!"

Speaker: Rod Whitney, Guest Speaker

Scripture: Exodus 3, 4, 33

Transformative Truth:
As individuals, drawing close to God has everything to do with the attitude of our “undivided” heart.

Consider His Call (Exodus 3)

Consider His Conversation with God (Exodus 3, 4)

Consider His Choice (Hebrews 11:24-28)

Consider His Courage (Numbers 14:22-23)

Consider His Question and His Request (Exodus 33)

Transformative Truth:
Children of light live with care to make Christ shine.

1. Buy up the time. Ephesians 5:15-17

2. Be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18-21

Transformative Truth:
God’s children are to radiate the light that they are.

The Change Described (v. 8)

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts... - 2 Corinthians 4:6

Four Encouragements from Ephesians 5:8 1. Permanent Re-creation 2. Present 3. Personal Relationship 4. Practical Reordering 

The Challenge Delivered (vv. 9-14)

God's children are to radiate the light that they are.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:14

Rule #1: Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.

Rule #2: Expose them.

Transformative Truth:
God transforms people by His Word
 

"By its very nature the Word does its work" - Alistair Begg

To be transformed, you must Trust the Goal of God's word in your life

1. Wisdom for Salvation

2. Maintenance of Your Faith

3. Preparation for Good Works

To be transformed, you must Trust the Power of God's word in your life

Trust the Power of God's Word for Teaching

Trust the Power of God's Word for Reproof

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

Trust the Power of God's Word for Correction

Trust the Power of God's Word for Training

"The Word of God is able to do that which nothing else can do in the hearts and lives of men.  It is able to accomplish certain results which nothing else can accomplish.  It has a power which no other message has.  And the need for that power of the Word of God is imperative."

Transformative Truth:
God’s People are Confident in God’s Word
 

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

The first reason for Supreme Confidence in Scripture is that it is **God-Breathed**

KJV:  All scripture is given by inspiration of God NASB: All Scripture is inspired by God NIV: All Scripture is God-breathed ESV: All Scripture is breathed out by God

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

The second reason for Supreme Confidence in Scripture is that it is **Written**

Canon / Rule
1. Evidence of divine authority
2. Prophetic or apostolic authorship
3. Orthodox doctrine
4. Widespread acceptance

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

“What plant can be unwatered, and not wither” - Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Suggestions for Reading
1. Read Frequently
2. Read Actively

“No book in existence contains such important matters as the Bible” - JC Ryle

Through Scripture You Can Have Confidence
1. Knowing God
2. Knowing the Mission of God’s People
3. Knowing Truth
4. Knowing & Recognizing Lies
5. Knowing You
6. Knowing Christ

Transformative Truth:
God’s glory is to be cherished by His people and declared among the nations.

I. Praise the glorious works of God among the nations. (v.1-5)

II. Praise the glorious name of God among the nations. (v.2, 8, 6-10)

III. Proclaim the glory of the cross among the nations. (v.10, 13)

Transformative Truth:

God's holy people are to give thanks, not gratify self.

 

1.  Get rid of sexual sin (vv.3-4a)

2.  Give thanks instead (v. 4b)

3.  Grasp the reason why (vv. 5-7)

Transformative Truth:
God Communicates for His Glory and for Our Benefit
 

I. God Speaks in Many Ways
 
II. God Speaks by Jesus His Son

Transformative Truth:
Be gracious like God in how you talk and treat others.

 

Talk Constructively

Be gracious like God in how you talk and treat others.

Treat Others Kindly

The kindness we express to others is an extension of the kindness that God has lavished on us, in Christ.