For the summer of 2019, our sermon series will be Psalms [Vol. 1].
Here are some of the reasons we are doing a series on the psalms during the summer:
- The psalms teach us how to speak to God.
- The psalms cover every range of human emotions.
- This huge section of Scripture is often overlooked in preaching and teaching.
- Since each psalm is essentially independent of the others, it is a great summer series since people will be traveling more and the content doesn’t build on each other week to week.
- From the time school lets out to when it gets back in, we can cover 10 psalms.
- While I am not planning on doing it this way, you could get through the entire Book of Psalms by preaching 10 psalms every summer over 15 years.
How Did I Pick These Psalms?
Since these psalms are not chronological or dependent upon structural context, I had 3 options:
- Pick my favorite 10 psalms. If I did that, I was worried I would never come back and preach from the book.
- Attempt the first 10 psalms. If I did that, the initial selections do not cover all the differing types of psalms out there.
- Use a prayer calendar to select the 10 psalms. Using the calendar day of the month, I daily chose that number to coincide with the psalm I pray as a spiritual discipline. I either pray that day’s psalm number or an increment of 30. For example, on June 9th, I would either pray Psalm 9, 39, 69, 99, or 129.
I decided to explore that route. I looked at every date and studied through the 5 options as they also related to the other dates for this summer. What I found was it forced me to pick psalms in different types of categories.
If I would have selected my favorite psalms to preach, I may have included 1 that is in this plan, but I have grown to see the need for these often overlooked psalms. For example, I never would have gone to Psalm 14, 28, 81, or 101 unless I went down this route, but I am looking forward to those sermons more than I can possibly express. The process just showed me yet again the power of committing to the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:28). None of his words are weak!
The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.
Psalm 110:57
Sermons Overview
Here is the overview for Psalms [Vol. 1]:
- June 9, 2019 – The Proper Perspective for the Troubled Life [Psalm 39] – When David was overwhelmed with God’s discipline in his life, he maintained a proper perspective and took it to God through prayer. Don’t talk to everyone else about your troubles while neglecting the one who can fix them.
- June 16, 2019 – Rediscovering Joy [Psalm 16] – As David encountered testing trials, he confessed that his sure hope in this life and the next was in none other than the LORD. If we desire to rediscover joy, we must reorient our focus upon the only one who can provide it.
- June 23, 2019 – The Greatest Is the Closest [Psalm 113] – While God’s transcendence is amazing, His immanence is astonishing. The most surprising thing about our exalted God is how close He comes to ones like us.
- June 30, 2019 – Restored to Life [Psalm 30] – When David experienced the discipline of God due to his sin, God graciously restored his life. Even through these times, God showed that his justified discipline in our lives is always good and gracious.
- July 7, 2019 – No Shortcuts for the Righteous [Psalm 37] – David warned worshipers not to envy evildoers when their lives seemed prosperous. We must learn to trust God for His provision and forsake any unrighteous shortcuts during challenging times.
- July 14, 2019 – Denying God Leads to Redefining Good [Psalm 14] – David dismayed the effects that atheism has on a person and on
a society . People often deny the reality of God so that they can redefine the commandments of God. - July 21, 2019 – If We Would Just Listen to God [Psalm 81] – As we rejoice in who God is and remember what He has done, it should often call us to repent of the sins we have committed. Many of our personal struggles could be avoided if we would just listen to God.
- July 28, 2019 – God Never Drops a Call [Psalm 28] – When David was surrounded by opposition, he maintained his trust in God. No matter what seeks to interfere with our connection to God, He never drops the call when we pray to Him.
- August 4, 2019 – Worship Is a Lifestyle [Psalm 34] – David had experienced God’s deliverance repeatedly during his life, and so have we. Such a constant help deserves more than an occasional offering.
- August 11, 2019 – Pursuing Personal Integrity [Psalm 101] – David desired to see holiness restored among God’s people, and so he decided to start it by focusing on himself. If we long to see revival, we must pursue our own personal integrity first.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.