Sermons on Psalm 91:1
The various sermons below interpret Psalm 91:1 by emphasizing the importance of dwelling in God's presence as a continuous and intentional act. They highlight the Hebrew word "yashav," which means to dwell or live for a prolonged period, underscoring that this dwelling is not a fleeting visit but a sustained presence with God. The sermons use analogies such as family visits and the relationship between a father and child to illustrate the intimacy and permanence of this dwelling. Additionally, they suggest that prayer should be transformed from a monologue into a dialogue, where believers listen for God's voice and allow Him to speak, akin to a father singing over his child. This interpretation encourages believers to expect God to have the last word in their prayers, fostering a deeper relational connection.
While the sermons share common themes of intimacy and intentionality in seeking God's presence, they also present distinct nuances. One sermon emphasizes the need for deliberate pursuit of God, comparing it to maintaining close relationships and prioritizing the desire for God's presence over worldly desires. Another sermon introduces the concept of the "secret place" as a metaphor for intimacy with God, drawing parallels to the Old Testament Tabernacle as a model for seeking divine presence. In contrast, a different sermon focuses on the relational aspect of prayer, suggesting that God desires a loving relationship rather than perfect prayers, shifting the emphasis from the mechanics of prayer to engaging with God as a loving Father.
Psalm 91:1 Interpretation:
Entering the Secret Place: Intimacy with God (Corinth Baptist Church) interprets Psalm 91:1 by emphasizing the Hebrew word "yashav," which means to dwell or live for a prolonged period. The sermon highlights that dwelling in the secret place is not a temporary visit but a continuous, intentional presence with God. The preacher uses the analogy of family visits to illustrate the difference between temporary and permanent dwelling, urging believers to live in God's presence continuously.
Seeking God's Presence: The Power of Prayer (Corinth Baptist Church) offers a unique interpretation by connecting the Hebrew word for "dwell" to the idea of living in God's presence for an extended period. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being in the "secret place" as a prolonged state of being, not just a momentary experience. The preacher uses the analogy of a father and child to illustrate the intimacy and continuous relationship God desires with His followers.
Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship (CrossPoint Community Church) interprets Psalm 91:1 as an invitation to transform prayer from a monologue into a dialogue with God. The sermon suggests that the Psalm encourages believers to expect God to have the last word in their prayers, emphasizing the importance of listening to God and allowing Him to speak. The analogy of a father singing over his child is used to illustrate how God desires to communicate with us, suggesting that prayer should be a time to hear God's voice and feel His presence.
Pressing Into the Spirit: Transformation Through Communion (calvaryokc) interprets Psalm 91:1 as an invitation to dwell in God's presence, emphasizing the transformative power of the "secret place" where believers can experience healing, revelation, and a deeper understanding of God's nature. The sermon uses the analogy of Moses ascending the mountain to meet God, highlighting the importance of separation and devotion to experience God's glory. The speaker emphasizes that dwelling in the secret place requires trust and surrender, allowing God to operate beyond human confines.
Understanding and Fulfilling Our Psychological Needs in God (Gregg Magee DMin) interprets Psalm 91:1 as a metaphor for finding psychological and emotional fulfillment in God's presence. The sermon suggests that the "shadow of the Almighty" represents a place of comfort and protection, akin to standing in the shadow of a giant. The speaker connects this to the idea that God's presence is the ultimate source of meeting human psychological needs, such as security, love, and growth.
Psalm 91:1 Theological Themes:
Entering the Secret Place: Intimacy with God (Corinth Baptist Church) presents the theme of intentionality in seeking God's presence. The sermon stresses that believers must be deliberate in their pursuit of God, likening it to the intentionality required in maintaining close relationships. The preacher also discusses the concept of desire, explaining that the desire for God's presence should outweigh other worldly desires.
Seeking God's Presence: The Power of Prayer (Corinth Baptist Church) introduces the theme of the secret place as a metaphor for intimacy with God. The sermon highlights that the secret place is where believers can experience God's presence and guidance, drawing a parallel to the Old Testament Tabernacle as a model for seeking God's presence.
Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship (CrossPoint Community Church) presents the theme that God desires a relationship with us that is based on love rather than duty. The sermon emphasizes that God is not looking for perfect prayers but for people who love Him. This perspective shifts the focus from the mechanics of prayer to the relational aspect, encouraging believers to engage with God as a loving Father who desires to communicate with His children.
Pressing Into the Spirit: Transformation Through Communion (calvaryokc) presents the theme of spiritual transformation through dwelling in God's presence. The sermon emphasizes that the secret place is where believers can experience a change in identity and purpose, aligning themselves with God's will and becoming conduits for His work on earth.
Understanding and Fulfilling Our Psychological Needs in God (Gregg Magee DMin) introduces the theme of God as the ultimate source of psychological fulfillment. The sermon highlights that while human relationships and achievements can temporarily meet psychological needs, only God's presence can fully satisfy them, providing a sense of peace, joy, and security.
Psalm 91:1 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Entering the Secret Place: Intimacy with God (Corinth Baptist Church) provides historical context by explaining the Old Testament Tabernacle's structure, including the holy place and the most holy place. The sermon describes how the Tabernacle served as a model for God's presence and how the veil's tearing at Jesus' crucifixion symbolized access to God's presence for all believers.
Psalm 91:1 Cross-References in the Bible:
Seeking God's Presence: The Power of Prayer (Corinth Baptist Church) references Matthew 6:6, where Jesus instructs believers to pray in the secret place. The sermon connects this to Psalm 91:1, emphasizing the importance of dwelling in God's presence. The preacher also references Romans 8, discussing the spirit of adoption and the intimate relationship believers have with God as their Father.
Entering the Secret Place: Intimacy with God (Corinth Baptist Church) references Hebrews 10, explaining that through Jesus' sacrifice, believers have access to the holy of holies, the secret place of God's presence. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 3:16 and 6:19, highlighting that believers are the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells.
Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship (CrossPoint Community Church) references Zephaniah 3:17 to support the idea that God rejoices over us with singing, illustrating the intimate and loving nature of God's relationship with His people. This cross-reference is used to reinforce the interpretation of Psalm 91:1 as an invitation to experience God's love and protection through a personal relationship.
Pressing Into the Spirit: Transformation Through Communion (calvaryokc) references the story of Moses on Mount Sinai, where God reveals His nature and glory. This is used to illustrate the idea that dwelling in the secret place leads to a deeper revelation of God's character. The sermon also mentions Job's trials, suggesting that suffering can lead to a closer relationship with God and greater revelation.
Understanding and Fulfilling Our Psychological Needs in God (Gregg Magee DMin) references several Bible passages, including Psalm 16:11, which speaks of joy and pleasures in God's presence, and Exodus 34:29, where Moses' face shines after being with God. These references support the idea that God's presence brings transformation and fulfillment. The sermon also cites Luke 5:4-8, where Peter experiences a miraculous catch of fish, illustrating the conviction and change that occur in God's presence.
Psalm 91:1 Christian References outside the Bible:
Seeking God's Presence: The Power of Prayer (Corinth Baptist Church) references a pastor's conference on Kingdom advancing prayer, which influenced the preacher's understanding of creating a culture of prayer within the church. The sermon also mentions the influence of a pastor named David, who emphasized the importance of early morning prayer and seeking God's presence.
Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship (CrossPoint Community Church) references Richard Foster's book "Prayer" to illustrate the idea that prayer should be a relational experience rather than a duty. Foster's analogy of a father singing over his child is used to convey the concept of God desiring to communicate with us in a loving and personal way.
Psalm 91:1 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Entering the Secret Place: Intimacy with God (Corinth Baptist Church) uses the analogy of a couple at a restaurant distracted by their phones to illustrate how distractions can hinder intimacy with God. The sermon emphasizes the need to shut out distractions to fully engage in God's presence.
Seeking God's Presence: The Power of Prayer (Corinth Baptist Church) uses the illustration of a father reading a newspaper in a recliner, with children climbing onto his lap, to depict the intimate relationship God desires with His followers. The sermon also uses the analogy of rearranging furniture in the dark to illustrate how believers can stumble through life without God's guidance.
Listening to God: Transforming Prayer into Relationship (CrossPoint Community Church) uses the illustration of a father calming his child in a grocery store by singing a personalized song. This story is used to depict how God desires to calm and communicate with us through prayer, emphasizing the relational and comforting aspect of God's presence.
Understanding and Fulfilling Our Psychological Needs in God (Gregg Magee DMin) uses the example of a young man attracted to a woman who fills a psychological need for excitement, despite other more conventionally attractive options. This analogy illustrates how people are drawn to those who meet their psychological needs, paralleling the idea that God's presence fulfills deeper needs. The sermon also humorously references skydiving as an example of seeking excitement outside of God's presence.