Pastoral Counseling from the Pulpit

Every true pastor longs to engage in personal counseling. Except in method and in terminology, counseling is far from new. Parts of the Bible report many cases. In midsummer, if only to prevent a slump in attendance, have a brief course of counseling sermons. Why not base them on favorite psalms? As the hymnal of the Hebrew Church this book has about 50 Psalms of Praise—65 of Prayer—five of Teaching—and 30 of Testimony. Some of these from a single person; others, from a throng.

Leading up to a brief series, a sermon, “The Way to Enjoy a Psalm” (1:1). See it as a gift of God to the imagination. Since popular exposition calls for willingness to omit, deal only with the tree and the chaff. First the positive, and then the negative, by contrast. Put in the forefront what the hearer should remember; then, to heighten the effect, the opposite. I. The Tree: The beauty of being right with God—with others—with self. Here stress the singular. Then by contrast, the plural. II. The Chaff: Men with no roots—no fruits—no beauty. During such a sermon a girl nine years young drew a picture of a tree. Some day she will show it to her grandchildren and tell them about God. What if she had not come to church that day, and there learned to enjoy a psalm?

The bulletin should list a number of Testimony Psalms for home reading next week, with the topic (not the text) of the coming sermon. Subject of the brief series: “God’s Remedy for a Broken Heart.” First Sunday in July: “The Bible Remedy for Fear” (27:1). Amid occasions for fear, faith brings Guidance—Deliverance—Victory. Energy once wasted in friction now starts an automobile, keeps it running, lights it after dark, heats it in winter, and may cool it in summer. The God who gives a man such wisdom enables his servant by faith to conquer every fear.

“The Bible Prescription for Anxiety” (37:5–7). Occasions abound; so does God’s grace. By Faith Rely on the Lord—Help the Other Fellow—Enjoy Your Religion—Leave Results with God. That sounds simple! Yes, and it works, if a man trusts God. “The Bible Cure for Despondency” (42:5). For a Case turn to Elijah (1 Kings 19): A man of middle age—Strong—Useful—After a time of strain—So blue that life seems not worth living. The Cause: Trying to get along without God—Thinking about a worn-out body—Nerves all on edge—Apparent failure—Loneliness—Fear. God’s Cure: Rest for the body—Change of scene—Vision of God—Call back to work—Message of hope. Commit to memory this text. Use it when you begin to feel blue. See God!

“The Bible Deliverance from Guilt” (51:1). After this series, people will ask for another. Thank them, and take eleven months to prepare. Subject, much the same, with stress next time on soul security, through trust in God. “The Bible Secret of National Security” (46:1). The psalm seems to have come from 701 B.C., when the siege by Sennacherib was lifted with no loss of life. So trust God to keep our land today.

“The Bible Secret of Personal Security” (91:1). From the two main parts single out a few facts to stress: I. The Meaning (1–8): II. The Secret (9–16). Present only as much as the hearer can take home and remember for life. “The Bible Antidote for Loneliness” (122:1). Here deal with the home church as God’s way of diverting undue attention away from oneself. I. Show Loyalty to the Home Church by Your Presence: Desire—Delight—Devotion. II. Praises: Its Welcome—Worship—Work. III. Prayers: For its Peace—Prosperity—Pastor. By faith live this way; you will find friends both divine and human.

“The Bible Song for Vacation Time” (121:1). “The Traveler’s Psalm,” dear to the heart of David Livingstone. Also, “The Railroader’s Psalm” (v. 8). It all sings about God’s Providence in the life of a believer. Key word: “keep,” or “preserve.” In each main part keep God first: The God of the Waiting Hills—The Sleepless Watch—The Friendly Shade—The Winding Road. It guides at last to the unseen City of God. Thank Him for a faith that leads you to look up and sing about God’s Providence.

Next year the July series may deal with a few other Testimony Psalms, or with ones about Prayer, or else Praise. In a later year, chosen Parables from St. Matthew or St. Luke. No sermons will bring more delight to both pastor and people. They will give thanks for a minister with a heart as well as a head, and with a God-given love of beauty.

Better still, sinners will be saved, one by one, and learn to rejoice in the Gospel that sings. The saints will find more of heaven while still here on earth. When the people of God learn to love the best of the Psalms, they learn to love the God who used the Psalms in preparing for the Advent of Christ.—In the author’s book, Expository Preaching for Today (Abingdon Press, 1953), see in the Index, “Psalms.”

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Ps. 46:1; read vv. 1–11).

Who has not been moved by the “battle song of the Reformation”? In “Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott” Luther caught up the meaning and message of this psalm. The three parts all sing about our God.

I. Confidence in God (1–3). Why fear anyone or anything if we have God? The Refuge in whom we hide from the storm; the Strength to guarantee stability; the Help present every moment to lift, hearten, and save. Everything else man has claimed as a foundation is on the point of trembling.

Who but God can ward out fear? The believer is not dismayed by things that pursue, for God is his refuge; by things that weaken, for God is his strength; by things that frighten, for God casts out fear. Today Christ affords the basis for a personal trust that gives victory.

II. Relief During a Siege (4–7). A new picture with startling suddenness. Instead of dread and disaster, a dynamic vision of quiet and security. God not only is a source of safety; he supplies refreshing streams that bring new life and hope. God himself is the river of gladness. Quietly and gently streams of his grace flow into needy hearts and bring new life. We can come to this unfailing stream confidently, and find richer blessings than the Psalmist was able to picture, all made possible, by the death of our Saviour.

III. Deliverance Before Dawn (8–11). When day breaks the enemy has gone. Charred chariots, broken spears, ruined arrows! Few of us have looked on such unbelievable destruction. How senseless to struggle against God! He alone has the right to be exalted on earth. Today it is God’s desire that rebellious rulers turn to him and save their people from the horrors that await his foes. God’s ideal is a world peopled with men and women submissive to Christ as King.

The psalm is strangely applicable to our day. The night darkens. Fear grips our hearts. Who will save us? The answer comes that God is here. He knows. He cares. He is waiting to work out his plan in our lives. What a difference his presence ought to make! Through his life-giving river God sustains us, and through us waits to bless others. “The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!”—From Preaching from the Psalms, Harper Brothers, 1948.

SERMONS ABRIDGED BY DR. ANDREW W. BLACKWOOD

KYLE M. YATES: God Our Mighty Fortress and

The Gospel from the Psalms

FRANK B. STANGER: The Golden Text of the Deeper Life

COSTEN J. HARRELL: God’s Hand Upon the Helm

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Rom. 12:1; read vv. 1–13).

“Boys and girls, if you remember nothing else, remember the Gold Text.” This you often heard in Bible school. Our Golden Text (vv. 1, 2) has to do with the deeper life, the Spirit-filled life. In their setting these verses tell three facts about the deeper life. It has—

I. An Exclusive Relevance to Christians, to “brethren,” who have been born again. They have experienced the mercy of God in forgiveness of sins. Now they also have the mercies of God through intelligent ministering to God. How many sinners are intelligently ministering to God?

II. A Demanding Relationship to your total being. “I beseech you”—here Paul appeals to the will. “By the mercies of God”—here to the emotions. “That ye present your bodies”—put them at the disposal of God, to be used according to his discretion. Here Paul refers to every part of the human person. In response to such total dedication of the self the Holy Spirit enters and becomes our Christian possession.

III. A Personal Rendition in Daily Living. In the Greek “a living sacrifice” is that which gives continuing evidence of being alive. Being filled with the Spirit is an inner experience; it is also a growing, developing life, with evidences of the Spirit’s continuing presence: 1. A dedication that is continuing. It is not enough to make it here and now; dedication has to be made again and again.

2. A transformation that is inward (v. 2). “Be not conformed”—not fashioning one’s self by another’s pattern. That would be worldliness: outward change with no corresponding inward transformation, a metamorphosis. 3. A revelation that is practical. To find the will of God for your life, and to do it. That is “good”—it pleases God; “acceptable”—pleasing to other believers; and “perfect”—achieving one’s appointed destiny. What an eternal significance! 4. An evaluation that is realistic. “Not to exceed the bounds of Scripture” in what we think about ourselves. Apart from the grace of God you and I cannot evaluate ourselves aright. 5. A cooperation that is binding. Clergy and laity alike are members one of another. When we realize that we belong to the body of Christ we cooperate at the deepest spiritual level.

Now I feel led to ask you a question. We have been thinking together about our needs today. Can it be that you personally need what we have called the deeper life? If so, here and now present your members a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your intelligent service.—President of Asbury Theological Seminary, Methodist, Wilmore, Kentucky.

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so (Ps. 107:1, 2a; read vv. 1–32).

Redemption is the theme. God’s main business has always been redemption. To redeem us men cost him more than anyone can ever know. He did so because he was good, and for this reason we should praise him now. The four pictures that pass before us in the psalm show some of the distresses from which God sets us free.

I. The Lost (4–9). In their distress these lost ones become desperate enough to pray. They need a guide. Unless someone leads them to God, they will never taste the joys of salvation. At once God answers. The very second the SOS sounds from the desert the great arm of the Good Shepherd reaches out to save. With him to lead, their fear fades, hope springs up, the way appears, the city soon is reached. Today the Psalmist whispers that the Father is waiting to hear and to save.

II. The Bound (10–16). Behold a group of persons languishing in prison, with daily suffering and distress. They represent a vast multitude who have fallen into the snares of Satan, and must suffer until rescued by the Redeemer. Some are in bondage because of rebellion against God. That was true of Israel as a nation, and godless living still brings bondage far worse than Babylon could devise. In response to prayer God sets men free from bondage to sin. So we should turn to him now with thanksgiving for salvation.

III. The Afflicted (17–22). Here see persons who by sinful deeds have brought on themselves terrible sickness. They represent an untold host who suffer from sin as earth’s direst disease. Before they die, some use their little remaining strength in crying out to the only Physician who can succor sinsick souls. The Lord heals them. Today Jesus heals all manner of soul-sickness. Our gratitude impels us to thank him, and offer him sacrifices of praise.

IV. The Storm-Tossed (23–32). Behold a group of sailors caught in a storm at sea. They know that they stand face to face with death. Hence they pray to God. Above the shriek of the storm God hears them, and sets them free from their distress. Thus the poet says that God is good to anyone who in distress looks to the Lord for deliverance from peril and death. Thank God for this Gospel from the Psalms!—From Preaching from the Psalms, Harper Brothers, 1948.

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice (Ps. 97:1a; read vv. 1–12).

The anchor of the soul is a good man’s faith in God, in His unfailing love and righteousness. In a New England church hard by the sea, the fishermen who worship there look up to an anchor. Thus they turn their hearts to God with hope, as “an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”

I. God Is in Control. The doctrine of divine sovereignty is of immediate and practical concern to every man. One God over all is the ground of the Christian’s hope. His hand is upon the helm. To speak of him as the One who “holds the whole world in his hands” is to acknowledge his magnificence, majesty, and wisdom. The God of discernment and decision, the “living God,” ever present and active in his world. Therefore we ask: What kind of God is he on whom the faithful depend?

II. God Is a Person. So he revealed himself in the long history of his chosen people. In the fullness of time he sent his Son. The central theme of Jesus’ teaching was God. Apart from the fact of a personal God, revelation would be a fairy tale. The Christian faith will admit of nothing less than this: God is a Person, the Everlasting Thou!

III. God Has a Plan. Where there is control, there must be a plan. His plan is no less evident in the world of men than in the wonders of nature. His plan is as extensive as his love. “Through the ages one increasing purpose runs.” At long last through his Son God has made known his purpose. Through the labyrinth of the centuries he purposes to “bring together in one all things in Christ.” In Christ the magnificence of God’s design is made known to us, and in this light we find direction for the decisions of every hour.

IV. God Will Not Be Defeated. We put our confidence in God the Father Almighty. The Christian faith affirms that the universe operates under a “unified command.” We rest in the assurance that things never get beyond the divine control. A sinful race rebels against the Lord, but cannot defeat him. Amid all the ills that sin has wrought, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

“The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice.” Because with mind and heart and intuition a Christian believes that God cannot be defeated, the child of God is an incurable optimist. The times are out of joint, but the man of faith does not lose heart. “Alleluia: the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.”—From Christian Affirmations, Abingdon Press, 1962.

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