In this powerful and insightful message, Pastor Luke explores the crucial theme of passing the baton of faith to the next generation, drawing profound lessons from Psalm 78. Using the analogy of a relay race, where the exchange between runners is the most critical aspect, Luke emphasizes the vital role that fathers and the entire church community play in ensuring a successful spiritual handoff.

Luke begins by acknowledging the complexities of Father's Day, recognizing that for some, it is a day of celebration, while for others, it may be marked by pain or absence. He encourages listeners to remember the good things their fathers taught them, to honor father figures who have positively impacted their lives, and most importantly, to look to God as the perfect Heavenly Father.

Diving into Psalm 78, Luke highlights the God-given role and responsibility of fathers to make known God's ways to their children. He emphasizes that this is not a task limited to classroom settings, but rather a way of life that should be modeled and taught in the everyday moments—when sitting at home, walking along the way, lying down, and rising up (Deuteronomy 6:4-7).

Luke then explores the God-given goals that fathers should have for their children: to set their hope in God, to remember His works, and to keep His commandments (Psalm 78:7). He warns of the consequences of missing these targets, including a generation that is oblivious to God and a breakdown in the spiritual legacy.

However, Luke also offers hope for imperfect fathers, reminding them that with Jesus Christ, they don't have to stay the way they are. He encourages fathers to clear up their past mistakes, confess their sins, and move forward in God's grace, emphasizing that the greatest legacy they can leave is one of character and faith.

Luke then provides practical resources and strategies for telling the next generation about God's faithfulness. He stresses the importance of knowing God's Word, spending intentional time with the next generation, setting a godly example, and sharing both personal stories and God's grand narrative of redemption.

While emphasizing the unique role of fathers, Luke makes it clear that the responsibility of passing on faith belongs to the entire church community. He challenges adults to invest in the lives of the next generation, encourages students to share their faith with their peers, and calls on parents to take advantage of the 3,000 hours they have each year to influence their children spiritually.

As the episode concludes, Luke leaves listeners with a thought-provoking question: "Who am I passing my faith to?" He invites them to prayerfully consider how they can participate in the sacred task of telling the next generation about the Lord's praiseworthy deeds, ensuring that the baton of faith is successfully passed on.

Whether you are a father, a mother, a grandparent, a student, or a member of the church community, this episode will inspire and equip you to play your part in raising up a generation that sets their hope in God and walks in His ways.

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, Pastor Jeremy takes us on a fascinating journey through Psalm 23, exploring how we can bridge the gap between the ancient wisdom of the Bible and our modern lives. With humor and relatable examples, Jeremy begins by reminiscing about his childhood in the 1980s, highlighting the stark differences between the culture he grew up in and the world we live in today.

As he delves into the heart of his message, Jeremy introduces us to the concept of the interpretive journey, a five-step process that helps us understand and apply the timeless truths of Scripture to our daily lives. He walks us through each step, using Psalm 23 as a powerful example of how we can grasp the original context and meaning of the text, measure the cultural and historical distance between the biblical audience and ourselves, identify the critical theological principles, and ultimately apply those principles to our situations and challenges.

Through his engaging teaching style, Jeremy brings the ancient words of Psalm 23 to life, showing us how David's experience of being pursued by Saul's army and finding comfort in God's protection and guidance is still relevant to us today. He explores the significance of the shepherd's rod and staff, explaining how they represent God's power to fight for us and His wisdom to lead us on the right paths.

As Jeremy shares his insights and experiences, he invites us to consider how we can trust God in life's trials and uncertainties. Whether facing relationship struggles, parenting challenges, financial difficulties, or any other obstacle, we can find hope and strength in knowing that God is our perfect coach, calling the plays and directing our steps.

Throughout the episode, Jeremy emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible with a curious and open heart, encouraging us to dig deeper into the original context and meaning of the text. He reminds us that while we may not always understand why God allows certain hardships in our lives, we can trust that He is always working for our good and His glory.

Whether you're a long-time believer or new to the faith, this podcast episode offers valuable insights and practical tools for growing your understanding and application of God's Word. So grab your Bible, open your heart, and join Pastor Jeremy on this enriching journey through Psalm 23. You'll come away with a renewed sense of God's love and protection and a deeper appreciation for the timeless wisdom of Scripture.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring content to help you navigate life's challenges with faith and courage. If this episode has touched your heart or sparked your curiosity, please share it with a friend or family member who might also benefit from its message. Together, let's continue to explore the riches of God's Word and learn to live out our faith in a way that brings hope and healing to a broken world.

In this message, Pastor Matt kicks off a new summer sermon series on the Book of Psalms. He shares how the Psalms came alive for him during the difficulties of 2020 and have become a regular part of his devotional life. The Book of Psalms is a unique collection of 150 ancient Hebrew poems, songs, and prayers that span 1000 years of Israel's history. The Psalms express the full range of human emotion and experience, capturing life's highs and lows.

Pastor Matt introduces the literary structure and devices used in the Book of Psalms:

• The Hebrew word for Psalms means "instrumental music" and "poem set to notes." The Psalms were used in worship by the choirs in Israel's temple.
• The Book of Psalms is deliberately structured into 5 "books," which parallel the 5 books of Moses. It serves as a "Torah" or instruction for God's people on prayer.
• Psalms 1 and 2 form an introduction, highlighting the themes of trusting in God's word and hoping in his Messianic king.
• The two major types of Psalms are lament and praise, with lament predominating in the first half and praise in the book's second half. This mirrors the movement from sorrow to joy.
• Ancient Hebrew poetry uses literary devices such as terseness (being concise), parallelism (rhyming ideas, not sounds), and figurative imagery (painting pictures with words).

Understanding these literary features helps uncover the deeper meaning the authors intended to convey. The Psalms are "literarily literally true" - they accurately use poetic devices to communicate God's timeless truth.

Pastor Matt does a deep dive into Psalm 1, which contrasts two ways to live - the way of the righteous who delight in God's word and the way of the wicked who ultimately perishes. The Psalm paints a picture of the progressive steps of sin - walking, standing, and finally sitting with scoffers and mockers of God. In contrast, the righteous person meditates on God's word day and night, like a cow chewing its cud. This enables them to be stable, fruitful, and prosperous like a well-watered tree.

The Psalms have much to teach us today about cultivating a deep relationship with God through prayerful meditation on his word. They give us a vocabulary for expressing our emotions to God and provide guidance for navigating life's challenges. The Psalms point us to Jesus, the Messianic King, and lead us to find our ultimate joy and satisfaction in him.

Join us on a journey through the Book of Psalms this summer! The Psalms Scripture Journal and reading plan, available in the description, are recommended resources.

Bible Project Psalms Summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9phNEaPrv8 ESV Psalms Illuminated Scripture Journal: https://amzn.to/4aNiXgS