Lakeview Christian Center

Praying with the Hymns

“God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform
He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the storm
Deep in His dark and hidden mines with never failing skill
He fashions all His bright designs and works His sovereign Will

-A people who characteristically trust God during trials
-Faith in God to accomplish His purpose in His way & timing
-Comfort & joy for those who are currently suffering
“The bud may have a bitter taste, but sweet will be the flower”
-God to interrupt seasons of mourning with merciful intrusions of His presence

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God”

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us
We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure
One little word shall fell him

-Display of God’s triumph in overcoming Satan’s tactics
-Committed to the battle of God & guarding ourselves against the Enemy
-Biblically informed about the realm of the demonic and postured accordingly
-Built up in truth & submitted to God in order to resist the Devil (James 4:7)

Fighting the Flesh

The Enemy Within

“…your desires are at war within you…” (James 4:1)

-People who know ourselves rightly & guard ourselves accordingly
-Humility to pursue correction & accountability when we sin
-A Holy Church that hates sin biblically, battles the flesh faithfully, and loves Christ richly

Mortification by Vivification

“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:13)

-Killing sin by bringing to life….
…Purity of mind instead of lust, pornography, and sexual immorality
…Genuine love for others instead of selfishness, jealousy, and fear of man
…Self-control instead of over-indulgence, greed, and carelessness
…Patience instead of anxiety, idolatry, and unbelief
…Gratitude instead of complaining, strife, and anger

-Quenching the passions of the flesh by the greater delight in God

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:1-2)

The Explicit Spirit

The Spirit’s work this morning

“And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31)

-Illumination of the preached Word
“…no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God” (1 Cor. 2:11)
-Conviction of sin (John 16:8) and assurance of the Gospel (Rom. 8:16)
-Manifest presence in our gathered worship (1 Cor. 14:25)
-Awakening sinners with the miracle of regeneration (John 3:8)
-Distributing gifts throughout the body (1 Cor. 12)
-Freeing prisoners in bondage to sin (2 Cor. 3:17)
-Glorifying Christ as Lord of all
“No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:3)

The Spirit’s ministry every day

“…[We] walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. …For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God ” (Romans 8:4, 14)

-Dependency on the Spirit for every moment
-Spirit-filled lifestyle of obedience, wisdom, and self-sacrifice (Eph. 5:18)
-Boldness in personal witness and every-day evangelism
-Continually renewed by the Spirit and washed by the Word (Titus 3:5)
-Lives characterized by love and joy (Gal. 5:22)

Praying with the Psalmist

Psalm 13 – How Long, O Lord?

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long…must I have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13:1-2)

-Comfort for those who are suffering or are in a dark season (v. 2)
-Afflicted to experience a renewed sense of God’s nearness (v. 1)
-Those experiencing depression to be assured by God’s promises
-Those who suffer to be given a heart that trusts in the steadfast love of God, rejoices in His salvation, and sings in His sanctuary (v. 5-6)

Psalm 20 – Petitions for Grace

“May the Lord fulfill all of your petitions!” (Psalm 20:5)

-Protection in all of its forms (v. 1-2)
…From the seductive world and the lure of sin
…From doctrinal errors and ideas that shipwreck faith
…From functional unbelief and resistance to God
-God to sustain faith and empower ministry
-God to honor our worship and sacrifice (v. 3)
-Fresh joy and gratefulness for our salvation (v. 5)
-Removal of confidence in man— looking to God for victory (v. 7-9)

Psalm 145 – Passing the Baton of Faith

“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts” (Psalm 145:5)

-We would be a church that speaks unashamedly about the glory of God and the salvation He has wrought (v. 1-3)
-Constant streams of downward flow—fathers to sons, mothers to daughters, older to younger, singles to families—of celebrating the works of God (v. 4-5)