Let’s look at a short Psalm about the care and resurrection of God’s people by our loving Saviour!
Psalms 16: You Will Not Abandon My Soul A Miktam of David.
1 Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from you."
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips.
5 The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.
6 The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.
8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Things to think about…
1. How much do you have in this life. I think we can all say especially in the west that we are materially very well off compared to most earthly indicators. Psalm 16:1, 2 says that our refuge, our protection and substance comes from the Lord. He is our strength. That for the believer, there is no good apart from Him, vs 2.
2. Lord loves you but does He like you? The answer is found in Ps 16:3. God is speaking and it says as His people (the saints), we are above all others “the excellent ones” and the Lord says we have all His delight. This means He wants to be with us, to delight in us. He enjoys our presence. To say He ‘likes’ us is a very poor understatement.
3. The world run after things ‘gods’ that will multiply their sorrows. Many cannot be told of course. Their sacrifices, their commitments to these distractions, sport, work, holidays, gaming, etc the Lord has no delight in. In fact, the ungodly do not pass the Lord’s lips, vs 4.
4. But what of the saints – our inheritance is secure, Psalm 16:5 – the boundary lines of blessing are not only pleasant but beautiful to look at, vs 6. Years back, my wife got a beautiful pic while we were in Milford Sound in New Zealand. A mountain and landscape were perfectly reflected on a still lake. It was a case of being at the right place at the right time. With respect to our Lord and our inheritance, every time is the right time in a place that is provided by Him.
5. His counsel to us is perfect, even when we doubt, vs 7, especially as we meditate on His goodness and grace. As such we will always be secure in Him, vs 8. The obvious response to this is praise – a glad heart rejoicing in our God – our flesh dwells secure, vs 9. Noting here that flesh is mentioned is important because this Psalm refers to the fact we, like Jesus at His resurrection will not see corruption, vs 10. He is holy and lives eternally in glorified flesh, Lk 24:39, we are also holy and be given a similar body. The Apostle Peter quotes Ps 16:8-11 in Acts 2:25-28 referring to Jesus and the recent witness of his hearers of Christ’s resurrection. The resurrection is essential in any witnessing of Jesus to the unbeliever. It completes the story that death is not the end, but a glorious beginning for those in Christ. “To die is gain”, Phil 1:21.
6. If there was any doubt as to whether to Psalm is referring to the temporal or the eternal, it is answered in vs 11, “in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore”. What more needs to be said. Full joy for eternity. As I say many times, is there any better news than this? Not a chance. Rejoice in Jesus, our risen Saviour.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer points
1. Pray God’s word on Sunday bears fruit of obedience and blessing.
2. Pray for our Mother’s Day event
3. Pray for Iran and the overthrow of a wicked regime.
May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
4. Pray for the Sacred Minds podcast.
5. Pray for One for Israel and their witness in this time of challenge and conflict.
6. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
7. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
8. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
9. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
10. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
11. Finances to cover our needs
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for the encouragement the Word of God brought people over the weekend.
2. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
3. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy and those who supply it every week Eg Ros - Milk.
4. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Peter, Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
5. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
6. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Mother’s Day tea – 10am this Saturday at Church.
2. Ministries back - Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church. Life group begins at 6:30pm. Going through the book of Romans.
3. Members meeting 31st May
4. All Life Groups - Wednesdays.
5. Kids@Church starts up this week.
6. Mother’s Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for May...
Q 1. Who made you? A. God made me.
Bible references – Gen 1:26, Ps 139:13, 14.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
