Drawing Near with Confidence Pastor Jon Fulton August 5, 2018 Series: Drawing Near to God

--Psalm 121 (NIV) 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. --Psalm 121 (NIV)

--Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV) 1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. --Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

1. We can draw near with confidence to God because he helps us (v 1-2)

--Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV) 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. --Psalm 121:3-4 (NIV)

2. We can draw near with confidence to God because he watches over us (v 3-4)

Philippians 2:12: God wants you to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. The verb “work-out” is in the present tense. We are presently working out our salvation as God watches over us. Fear and trembling actually come from the Greek words φόβος (phobos) and τρόμος (tromos) respectively. The biblical sense for both words stems from profound respect and deep reverence for God.

Literally, work out your salvation daily with respect and reverence for God

--Psalm 121:5-6 (NIV) 5 The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. --Psalm 121:5-6 (NIV)

3. We can draw near with confidence to God because he protects us (v 5-6)

“One of the most striking scientific discoveries about religion in recent years is that going to church weekly is good for you. Religious attendance — at least, religiosity — boosts the immune system and decreases blood pressure. It may add as much as two to three years to your life. The reason for this is not entirely clear.” --New York Times--

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; 8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. --Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

4. We can draw near with confidence to God because he holds our future (v 7-8)

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. --Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

5. We can draw near with confidence to God because he drew near to us in the person of Jesus Christ

Drawing Near with Confidence Pastor Jon Fulton August 5, 2018 Series: Drawing Near to God