A Prayer of Rest
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 23
January 31, 2021
I. Resting in a Competent Shepherd (verses 1-3)
II. Resting with a Comforting Companion (verse 4)
III. Resting in His Complete Provision (verses 5-6)
"It is interesting that the psalm begins at this point ("I shall not want"). We might expect it to begin with motion, with some kind of activity either by the shepherd or the sheep. But strikingly, it begins with rest. It is a reminder that the Christian life also begins with resting in God revealed in Christ. Along the way there will in time be many things for us to do. But we begin by resting in Him who has done everything for us. Are you resting in Christ? Have you found Jesus to be the perfect provider of all your many needs?" ~ James M. Boice
Prayer on the Run
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 17
January 24, 2021
I. Prayer on the Run Requires Integrity (verses 1-5)
II. Prayer on the Run Rests in the LORD’s Love (verses 6-12)
III. Prayer on the Run Remains Expectant of Rescue (verses 13-15)
“Let a man who is thirsty be brought to an ocean of pure water, and he has enough. If there be enough in God to satisfy the angels, then sure there is enough to satisfy us. The soul is but finite, but God is infinite. Though God be a God that satisfies, yet he does not over indulge us. Fresh joys spring continually from his face; and he is as much to be desired after millions of years by glorified souls as at the first moment. There is a fulness in God that satisfies, and yet so much sweetness that the soul still desires.” Thomas Watson.
Strong Faith When the Foundations Shake
“Strong Faith When the Foundations Shake”
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 11
January 17, 2021
I. The Question that Faith Receives (verses 1-3)
II. The Answer that Faith Gives (verses 4-7)
III. The Hope that Faith Holds (verse 7)
“Set against the necessary hatred of God towards the violent wicked is the love of God for justice. God is determined that his world shall be a place of moral order, justice, goodness and fairness. And he will ensure that happens. To join with the church of Christ in speaking verses 4-7 ought to deepen our confidence that, against all appearances, the church of Christ and the law of God are not doomed to failure, but rather they are bound to triumph in the end, as we know with even greater assurance since the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus and his ascension to the place of cosmic authority at the right hand of the Father.” Christopher Ash
God Centered Prayer
Rev. Bruce Brown
II Samuel 7:18-29
January 3, 2021
I. Who Am I, LORD? (verses 18-22)
II. Who is Like Your People? (verses 23-24)
III. How Then Shall We Pray? (verses 25-29)
“God has promised believers in Jesus Christ not merely a Messiah-King to come but our personal admission into the glories and riches of his reign. Paul writes that believers are “heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Rom. 8:17). Jesus, moreover, promises that those who conquer through the faith that he gives will “sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Rev. 3:21; see also Matt. 19:28). If we learn from God’s Word how great are the promises made to us in David’s greater son, Jesus Christ, then we may be moved to sit before the Lord and pray with a humility, wonder, thanks, and praise rivaling that of King David.” ~ Richard D. Phillips
Taste and See the Lord's Goodness
Psalm 34
Rev. Bruce Brown
I. Testimony to the Lord’s Goodness (verses 1-7)
II. Living Out the Lord’s Goodness (verses 8-14)
III. Assurance of the Lord’s Goodness (verses 15-22)
"Note well: they look to "him," not just ideas or speculative theories about what he's like. They settle for nothing less than the intimacy of spiritual eye contact. The result is that they are never ashamed (vs. 5b). When we seek God this way he promises never to shame us or humiliate us or mock our feeble efforts. God will never belittle or demean you for coming to him. Just think of it: no shame for those who seek God!" ~ Sam Storms
The Grace of Confession
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 51
January 19, 2020
I. Confession Relies on God’s Mercy (verse 1)
II. Confession Seeks Christ’s Cleansing (verses 2-7)
III. Confession Brings Spiritual Renewal (verses 8-12ff)
“Mercy is the sole basis of any approach to God by sinners. We cannot come to God on the basis of his justice; justice strikes us with fear and causes us to hide from him. We are not drawn to God by his wisdom; wisdom does not embolden us, though we stand in awe of it. No more does omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. The only reason we dare come to God and dare hope for a solution to our sin problem is his mercy.” ~ James Montgomery Boice
Praying Our Sorrow
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 13
January 12, 2020
I. The Problem: Sorrow and Delay (verses 1-2)
II. The Plea: Strong Arguments (verses 3-4)
III. The Praise: Steadfast Hope (verses 5-6)
“God’s love for you always shines bright. But if clouds of pain and rejection and sorrow have for the moment blackened the sky, rest assured that gracious winds will again blow strong, and the warmth of his passionate love will renew you… in anticipation, go ahead and sing like David did. Who knows, you just might hear God join you with a song of his own (see Zeph. 3:17).” ~ Sam Storms
In the Morning I know His Heart
January 14, 2018
Rev. Bruce Brown
Psalm 5
I. God is Responsive (verses 1-3)
II. God is Merciful (verses 4-7)
III. God is Just (verses 8-10)
IV. God is Protective (verses 11-12
"We must know what God is like before (or as) we pray. The character of God is the basis and springboard of our prayers." ~ Dale Ralph Davis
"Thou art coming to a King, Large petitions with thee bring; for His grace and pow'r are such none can ever ask too much." ~ John Newton's hymn, Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare
Prosperity Presbyterian Church - 5533 PPC Drive, Charlotte, NC 704-875-1182
Worship Service is at 10:00 AM - Please come and worship with us.