Cedar Hills Community Church - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

June 27 - SONGS OF DELIVERANCE - Psalm 129 – Steve PooleTHEME: Sharing Stories of God’s DeliveranceOUTLINE1. God faithfully and repeatedly delivers His people (vs. 1-4) There is POWER in telling and retelling stories of God’s faithful and repeated deliverance throughout our lives and history. o Deuteronomy 4:9-14o Deuteronomy 6:7, 20-25o Deuteronomy 11:19, 2-5Yearly festivals to remember God’s faithful deliveranceo Exodus 12:24-27 2. God limits the success of the enemies of His people (vs. 5-8)Last year a Christian was killed for their faith every 110 secondsHebrews 11:32-38The ultimate end of the wicked is feeling empty--all their hard work comes to naught. Spurgeon puts it this way: “Thus do the wicked come to nothing. By God's just appointment they prove a disappointment. Their fire ends in smoke; their verdure turns to vanity; their flourishing is but a form of withering. No one profits by them, least of all are they profitable to themselves. Their aim is bad, their work is worse, their end is wo

SONGS OF BLESSING - Psalm 128 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME: God blesses his children.OUTLINE1. What blessings can we expect?-Genesis 1:28, 12:2-3-Deuteronomy 28-Ephsians 1:3-5-God blesses all of life.2. Why expect a blessing?-Deuteronomy 28:1-6-Exodus 34:5-7-Psalm 103-God's steadfast love drives God’s blessing.3. When will blessings come? -Psalm 128:1-3-Philippians 4:4-13-God chooses when to bless us.4. Who gets a blessing?-Psalm 128:4-6-Revelation 21-God blesses God’s children.NEXT STEPSRead Psalm 128 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.Count your blessings

SONGS OF SUCCESS - Psalm 127 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME: God is in control and we are blessed.OUTLINE1. Winning at Work.*Psalm 127:1-2*Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, 2:17-26*Anxious toil is meaningless. God’s work is vital. 2. Winning at Rest.*Psalm 127:2-5*Proverbs 6:6, 6:13, 19:14, 20:4, 21:25*Deuteronomy 5:12-15*Laziness is bad. Rest is good.3. Winning at Life. *Ecclesiastes 12:13-14*1 Kings 1:15-21, 3:1-3, 11:14-20*Fear God and keep God’s commandments.NEXT STEPS:Read Psalm 127 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.Evaluate how you measure success in work and life.Give thanks for God’s work in your life.

SONGS OF JOY - Psalm 126 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME: What makes Christians joyful?OUTLINE1. Look Back and Remember.• Egypt - Exodus 15• King David - 2 Samuel 22• Exile - Nehemiah 8 2. Look Forward and Anticipate.• Joy when it rains after a drought. Isaiah 55• Joy from the harvest at the end of the season. Matthew 13• Joy when the bridegroom comes for the bride. Revelation 19.3. Be glad. • We are Glad. Psalm 126:3• Why are you so joyful?NEXT STEPS• Read Psalm 126 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.• Rejoice.• Throw a party!

SONGS OF SECURITYPsalm 125Steve PooleTHEME What does our security in God in look like?OUTLINE1. The TRUTH is we ARE secure in God• Sometimes our feelings don’t match the truth of Scripture.• We must submit out feelings to the truth.• God’s Word is the ultimate authority, not our feelings.2. Emotional roller coaster does NOT invalidate our security in God• We are established ‘like Mount Zion’ (Psalm 125:1)• Scepter of Wickedness/Rod (Psalm 125:3)• Isaiah 10:24-253. Defeat does NOT invalidate our security in God• Defeats will come, but they are temporary.• His steadfast, covenantal love never waivers and never fails• It’s good to pray for justice.4. Injustice doesn’t invalidate our security in God• We live in a world corrupted by sin.• We fight injustice from the high ground of our identity in Christ.NEXT STEPS• Read Psalm 125 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.• Declare “Peace be upon Cedar Hills” – a promise for those secure in God.• Where you feel defeat, failure, or despair, pray “Shalom be upon_

SONGS OF RESCUE - Psalm 124 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Danger lurks all around us. Without God, we would be destroyed.OUTLINE1. God chooses us. * Deuteronomy 7:7-9 * Isaiah 8:9-10 * God promises to be faithful to us in every circumstance. 2. Danger stalks us. * Isaiah 43:1-3 * John 16:31-33 * Danger threatens to overwhelm us.3. God frees us. * Hebrews 11:32-40 * Galatians 2:20, 5:1 * We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken,and we have escaped.NEXT STEPS1. Read Psalm 124 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.2. Celebrate the freedom that comes from being rescued from the snare.3. After you fall into a snare, keep your eyes open to not go there again.

SONGS OF MERCY - Psalm 123 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Contempt calls for Mercy.OUTLINE1. Look up, not down. * Nehemiah 4:1-4 * Hebrews 12:1-3 * When we face contempt, we keep our eyes on the prize.2. Seek mercy, not satisfaction. * Jeremiah 18:1-5 * 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 * When we face contempt, we ask for grace not to strike back. 3. Give compassion, not revenge. * Matthew 5:38-48 * John 13:12-17 * When we face contempt, we show mercy.NEXT STEPS1. Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.2. Read Psalm 123 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.3. Love someone who despises you.

SONGS OF REJOICING - Psalm 122 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Share the joy!OUTLINE1. Leap for Joy When You Arrive. * Psalm 63:1-5 * Psalm 105:1-6 * Share the joy of worship.2. Leap for Joy When We Arrive. * Psalm 149:1-5 * Zephaniah 3:14-17 * Share the joy of belonging. 3. Leap for Joy When Everyone Arrives. * Isaiah 2:1-5 * Jeremiah 29:4-9 * Share the joy of peace..NEXT STEPS1. Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.2. Read Psalm 122 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.3. Share joy with someone.

SONGS OF DEPENDENCE - Psalm 121 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Who will help us? Our help comes from the Lord.OUTLINE1. Can we depend on ourselves? * Luke 18:9-14 * All who are sick need a doctor.2. Can we depend on our idols? * Isaiah 44:9-20 * All who trust in idols will be disappointed. 3. Can we depend on our God?. * Job 28:24 * Psalm 18:1-3. * Isaiah 41:10 * All who depend on God will find help.NEXT STEPS1. Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.2. Read Psalm 121 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.3. Trust God to help you.

SONGS OF TRUTHPsalm 120Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEMEWe travel the pilgrim’s journey by placing one foot in front of the other until we discover truth.OUTLINE1. Life includes suffering• Psalm 120:1-2• Tough times are inevitable on the journey.• Psalm 102. We want more.• Psalm 120:3-5• The journey is both fleeing from distress and ascending toward goodness.• Psalm 863. God offers peace.• Psalm 120:6-7• God calls us to find total well-being (Shalom) on the journey.• Psalm 23NEXT STEPS• Commit to taking the “Songs of Ascent” journey.• Read Psalm 120 every day this week with some fellow pilgrims.• Name distress from which you want deliverance. • Name places you long for flourishing (Shalom).

THE BOOK OF LIFE, Revelation 3:1-6, Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Your name is precious to God.OUTLINE1. God writes our names in his book. • Psalm 139:16• Revelation 20:122. God calls us by name.• Luke 10:17-20• Revelation 2:17• Philippians 4:2-3• Isaiah 43:1-33. God watches over us now and forever. • Hebrews 9:27-28• Revelation 20:17NEXT STEPS• Celebrate your name in the book of life.• Celebrate your new name. • Celebrate eternity.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

HEAVEN IS A WONDERFUL PLACE1 Thessalonians 4:13-18Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME6 myths and 6 truths about heaven.OUTLINEMyth 1. We can be too fixated on heaven. Truth: Being heavenly-minded helps us do earthly good.1 Thessalonians 4:13Myth 2. Heaven is all about the future.Truth: Heaven collides with earth.Matthew 13:44-48Myth 3. We will spend eternity in the clouds.Truth: We will spend eternity on earth.Revelation 21:1-4Myth 4. We will live forever without a body.Truth: We have bodies in eternity.1 Corinthians 15:35-44Myth 5. We won’t be us anymore.Truth: You will be you in heaven.Luke 24:39Myth 6. Heaven will be boring.Truth: The best is yet to come.1 Thessalonians 4:17-18NEXT STEPS• Be more heavenly-minded.• Life is for living - forever.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

RESURRECTION AND LIFE 1 Corinthians 15 Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME The resurrection of Jesus gives victory over sin and death.OUTLINE1. In Adam, all Die (1 Corinthians 15:21-22, Romans 5:12)Without the resurrection... * Our faith is futile. * We are still in our sins. * Death is the final enemy. * Life is bleak and hopeless. 2. In Jesus, all will be made alive. (1 Corinthians 15:12-19, John 11:25-26)Jesus is risen! This means... * Our faith matters. * We are forgiven. * We live, even though we die. * We have hope.3. Thanks be to God, who gives us victory in Jesus. * 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 54-58; John 14:19; 1 Peter 1:3) * The Gospel (The Good News) depends on the resurrection of Jesus. NEXT STEPS * Trust Jesus as your Lord and Savior. * Live in victory. (2 Corinthians 5:17)SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

VICTORY IN DEATH - Isaiah 53 - Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEMEWhere do we find comfort in life and in death?OUTLINE1. The glory story promises victory.* John 12:12-15* Isaiah 40:1-11* The glory story says that God works primarily in strength.2. The cross story promises suffering.* Isaiah 53* John 1:29, John 10:11* Mark 10:45* 1 Peter 1:18* Leviticus 17:11* The cross story affirms God’s work in the middle of suffering.3. The strange good news promises victory in death.* John 3:14-17* Hebrews 9:11-28* This good news brings comfort in life and in death!NEXT STEPS1. Do I look for the silver lining in every sad story of pain and suffering?2. Do I give thanks in the middle of pain and suffering?SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

THE FEAR OF DEATH - Psalm 90:1-6, Pastor Kent LandhuisTHEME - Fear of death has real consequences. What should we do it?OUTLINE - Four reality checks about death:1. Most people fear death.• Job 3:24-26• I Corinthians 15:572. Everyone has an appointment with death. (And sooner than we think.)• Psalm 90• Isaiah 40:6-7• John 14:53. Death brings sorrow and joy.• 2 Corinthians 5:1-5• Philippians 1:21-24• Psalm 39:44. Death is not the end of the story. (This world is not my home.)• John 14:1-6• Matthew 10:28• Philippians 3:20• Isaiah 25:8NEXT STEPS1. Do not fear the shadow of death. (Psalm 23:42. Number our days wisely. (Psalm 90:12)SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

“The Curse of Sin and Death”Pastor Kent LandhuisRomans 5:6-12KEY THEME: SIN BRINGS DEATH, JESUS BRINGS LIFEOUTLINE1. Sin brings death.• Isaiah 6:1-5• Romans 3:10-18; 3:23• Romans 6:232. Jesus defeats sin with death.• Romans 5:5-8• Romans 3:25-263. Jesus defeats death with death.• Romans 5:9-12• 2 Timothy 1:9-10• Hebrews 2:14-15NEXT STEPS1. Trust Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.2. Trust Jesus in life and in death.3. Live in freedom from the curse of sin and death.SUPPORT THE MINISTRY OF CEDAR HILLShttp://www.cedarhillscr.org/give

SERMON GUIDE “Life is a Gift” Steve Poole Psalm 139:13-16 OUTLINE1. Life is a gift beyond comprehension • Psalm 139:14 – We are “remarkably and wondrously made...” • Genesis 1:26-27 – God created humans in His own image. • Theological term=Imago Dei (Latin “Image of God”) 2. Life is a gift when we know our identity3. Life is a gift - don’t waste it • Psalms 139:16 - “All my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.” • Matthew 6:27 - “Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?” • Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.”4. Life is a gift when we live-out our purpose • God reiterates our identity. • God created each of us with good works to accomplish for His glory. o Westminster Shorter Catechism Q1. o Heidelberg Catechism Q&A1.5. Life is a gift from God for God’s glory • God’s glory is the goal of all this, not m

LIFE AND DEATHPastor Kent LandhuisGenesis 3:1-7KEY QUESTION: Does death overshadow life?OUTLINE1. The shadow of fear.• Psalm 23:4• Genesis 2:16-17• Genesis 3:4-52. The shadow of grief.• Psalm 90:10• James 4:14• Isaiah 40:73. The shadow of despair.• Genesis 3:20-24• 2 Corinthians 5:1• Ecclesiastes 3:2

THE GOOD LIFEPastor Kent LandhuisGenesis 2:7-8Key question: What is the good life and how do we get it?OUTLINE1. The God-formed life.• Genesis 2:7 “The LORD God formed the man.”• Psalm 139:13-16• Jeremiah 1:52. The God-inspired life.• Genesis 2:7b “He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.”• Psalm 104:28-29• Psalm 146:2-43. The God-placed life.• Genesis 2:8 - “There God placed the man he formed”• Genesis 1• Jeremiah 29:4-7

RESTORE OBEDIENCERestored memory yields restored obedience.Nehemiah 8:1-3Pastor Kent LandhuisOUTLINE1. All-in attention to the Word resurrects memory. (8:1-3,8)• Understanding the Word.• Affirming the Word.2. Full-bodied wonder of the Word enlivens worship. (8:6, 9:5-38)• Remembering the Word.• Engaging the Word.3. Whole-hearted response to the Word animates obedience. (8:9-10)• Tears and laughter.• Fasting and feasting. ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE• Deuteronomy 6:1-9• Ezekiel 37:1-14• Psalm 119• 2 Timothy 3:14-17