Hill Country Bible Church Dripping Springs Sermons

David had a remarkable calling to succeed Saul as king from a very humble beginning. (1 Samuel 16). Even early in life, through no consequence of sin, David was placed in situations that brought on extreme personal duress. Like him, we go to God asking for deliverance, depending, most of all, on His protection.

Impartiality under the law is a hallmark of the U.S. system. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Under God's law, however, we are already presumed guilty (Romans 3:23). Yet, God can mete out perfect justice while granting mercy. He does this without compromising His character.

We turn to God even when our challenge are the self-inflicted consequences of our sinfulness. His desire is to forgive us.

Everyone experiences anxiety, an ominous view of the future or FEAR (seeing Future Events As Real). We try to avoid it by minimizing it for substituting something to dull it. Neither works. David shows us that we should seek refuge in God.

One response to life challenges is to listen to the counsel of fear, leading to emotional and/or physical withdrawal. However, David shows us that we should listen to the counsel of faith, seeking refuge in God by actively trusting Him.

Blessing the Lord starts with eye-opening awareness that moves our souls into gratitude, thankfulness and worship, not just in words, but in the very obedience of our lives. We bless the Lord most significantly, as we walk in obedience driven by reverential awe, allowing Him to make us new...transforming us into His image.

Waiting on the Lord is an active process. We can have confidence in His leading by recalling His past deliverances and mediating on His character.

God is with us, even during difficult times. That is when He gives us opportunities for growth, to His glory.

The psalmist, Asaph, proclaims that God, in His might, is working against Israel (v4-6). When we are unfaithful, there comes a time when He will work against us. However, we remain His people and He will save when we repent and abide in Christ.

When we pray, we view needs from our perspective. We have two types of needs; those we believe we're able to handle on our own and those that are beyond the resources within our control. David shows us the right way to pray about our neediness.

When God demonstrates His power, He shows His dominion over creation and faithfulness to His covenant people. Praising Him is all creation's response.

Often called the "grand doxology for the book of Psalms", these verses show us the outcome of life lived in obedience to God's word.

God offers rest and peace in the face of life’s difficulties. There are five things we do to experience this.

God allows us to participate in suffering to refine us. God uses it to show us what may be occupying a place in our lives that rightfully belongs to Jesus.

Jesus died and rose again so that everyone who repents and turns to Him can have new life. That is the Gospel. We must be willing to let it turn us away from our previous lifestyle of satisfying sinful desires.

At the time Peter wrote this letter, the recipients were experiencing subtle persecution for the Gospel. In time that persecution became dramatically more overt. We are told that suffering for our faith is to be expected.

Living as Jesus’ disciples enables the church to demonstrate authentic community. In doing so, we demonstrate the virtues of Christian culture to those outside the church.

Peter continues on the theme of submission to human institutions by moving to marriage. Wives are to follow the example of Christ is joyful submission to their husband and husbands are to follow the example of Christ by using their strength and authority to serve their wives.

No one likes suffering. We do everything possible to avoid it. However, it is something we are told will happen if we are living distinctively for Jesus.

Human nature is to rebel against authority. However, as Jesus’ disciples, we are called to live distinctively. We must joyfully submit to human authority because it is God’s authority made visible.

We are called to be a counter-cultural community that is based on service. Peter describes this as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and a a people for God's own possession.

Through all circumstances we are called to love.

We are called to be holy because God is holy. We have been exiled from unholiness to holiness.

Peter lived during an extraordinarily time. He saw the prophetic Old Testament promises of Messiah fulfilled. Firsthand, person to person, he experienced Jesus’ grace. His teaching on dependence on grace in suffering shapes our outlook on life’s struggles.

These verses, in the original Greek, comprise one long sentence with Peter giving praise for our salvation. In them Peter teaches salvation as a living hope of comfort providing perspective on life struggles in the here and now.