Sermon by Bruce McCallum 11 December 2016

2. Psalms 131:1-3 (MSG)
A pilgrim song
God, I'm not trying to rule the roost, I don't want to be
king of the mountain. I haven't meddled where I have
no business or fantasized grandiose plans. 2 I've kept my
feet on the ground, I've cultivated a quiet heart. Like a
baby content in its mother's arms, my soul is a baby
content. 3 Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope
now; hope always!

3. 1. Sing a song of ascent
Song of ascending
Song of stepping up
Song of upward movement
A pilgrim song

4. Deuteronomy 16:16 (NIV)
Three times a year all your men must appear before
the LORD your God at the place He will choose: at the
Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and
the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear
before the LORD empty-handed

5. 2. Resign as Managing Director of the universe
Psalm 131 v1 (MSG)
“God, I'm not trying to
rule the roost, I don't
want to be king of the
mountain. I haven't
meddled where I have no
business or fantasized
grandiose plans.”

7. 3. Cultivate a quiet heart.
Psalm 131:2a (MSG)
“I've kept my feet on the ground, I've cultivated a
quiet heart…”

8. Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, …
Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God.

9. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty
hand, that He may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all
your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

10. 4. Choose to be contented
Psalm 131: 2b
“Like a baby content in its
mother's arms, my soul is
a baby content.”

11. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 (NIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For
we brought nothing into the world, and we can take
nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with that.

12. 5. Be a prisoner of hope
Psalm 131:3 (MSG)
“Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!”
Zechariah 9:12 (NIV)
Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope; even
now I announce that I will restore twice as much to
you.

13. Hope is an expectancy, an
anticipation, a trust, something to
look forward to, an optimism

14. I am part of a lost generation
And I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within”
is a lie and
“Money will make me happy”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
They are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that

15. I have my priorities straight because
Work
Is more important than
Family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
But this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me

16. 30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th
anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope

17. How to end 2016 spiritually well & healthy
1. Sing a song of ascent
2. Resign as MD of the universe
3. Cultivate a quiet heart
4. Choose to be contented
5. Be a prisoner of hope