Psalm 46
September 12, 2021
preached by Pastor Doug Cooper
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Time of Reflection Quotations

“How desperately sad is the fact that the church is known by schism, not unity; ignorance, not knowledge; and indecisiveness rather than maturity. How it must break God’s heart to see us continue in such a poverty stricken condition in light of what He has done, stands ready to do, has the resources to accomplish, and has defined as our calling in Christ.”

~ R.C. Sproul (1939-2017), American theologian, pastor and author

“Will not the very moment of great disillusionment with my brother or sister be incomparably wholesome for me because it so thoroughly teaches me that both of us can never live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word and deed that really binds us together, the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ? The bright day of Christian community dawns wherever the early morning mists of dreamy visions are lifting.”

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), an excerpt from Life Together

“Tolerance is a cheap, low-grade parody of love. Tolerance is not a great virtue to aspire to. Love is much tougher and harder.”

~ N. T. Wright (1948-present), English minister and Bible scholar

“Let us note that our Lord does not name gifts or miracles or intellectual attainments as the evidence of discipleship, but love, the simple grace of love, a grace within reach of the poorest, lowliest believer, as the evidence of discipleship. If we have no love, we have no grace, no regeneration, no true Christianity!”

~ J.C. Ryle (1816-1900), English minister and author

“Hospitality is not first a duty and responsibility; it is first a response of love and gratitude of God’s love and welcome to us.”

~ Christine D. Pohl (1950-present), Author and professor emerita of church in society at Asbury Theological Seminary

“I do verily believe that when God shall accomplish unity, it will be the effect of love, and not the cause of love. It will proceed from love, before it brings forth love.”

~ John Owen (1616-1683), English church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford

Sermon Passage

Psalm 46 (NIV)

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
⁹  He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.