God Was With Us | Darrell Hall | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

God Was With Us

Concord Church Dallas • Apr 26, 2026 • 34 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

Preaching from Psalm 124, Pastor Darrell Hall reminds believers that their present existence is living proof of God's faithful presence and rescuing power. Through personal testimony, biblical reflection, and vivid illustrations, the sermon shows how God protects us from unseen traps, carries us through escalating trials, and breaks the snares of the enemy. Believers are called to pre-treat their hearts for worship and lift up corporate praise for all that the Lord has brought them through.

Themes

God's PresenceDeliverance and RescuePraise and WorshipSpiritual WarfareGod's Preservation

Pastor's Points

1.

Reflect on the presence of God

2.

Rescued by the power of God

3.

Resound praise to God

Key Points

1.
We must reflect on the presence of God, recognizing that He was with us in past troubles and remains faithful today.
2.
God is not a silent spectator in our lives, but a divine force providentially moving behind the scenes to deliver us.
3.
The enemy uses two main tools to destroy believers: people and predicaments.
4.
God has proven His power to carry His people through overwhelming trials, just as He brought Israel through the Red Sea and the Jordan River.
5.
Life's environments can escalate from bad to worse to worser, but God's presence remains sufficient through every stage.
6.
We are rescued by the power of God, who acts as our protector, our savior, and our maker.
7.
The devil acts like a fowler, studying our weaknesses and setting traps around our natural appetites, but God steps in to break the snare.
8.
Corporate worship allows believers to gather under spiritual leadership and resound praise together based on shared testimonies of God's goodness.

Sermon Moments

“Pastor Darrell's story of falling asleep on Highway 166 and waking up after a car crash, praying, 'God, please don't let me die.'”

“The crooked nose illustration: though sustained in a car crash and healed crooked, it still healed and works by God's grace.”

“The barbecue analogy: pre-treating meat before smoking it as a model for pre-treating our souls with worship on the way to church.”

“The progressive water imagery in Psalm 124: moving from still waters (ponds) to streams (undercurrents) to swollen waters (neck-high and dangerous).”

“The Lion King illustration: Simba straying into the elephant graveyard, trying to roar, and discovering his father Mufasa was right there behind him to deliver him.”

“The fowler analogy: a bird-catcher studying a bird's appetites to set a trap near nectar, illustrating how the enemy uses our bloodline weaknesses.”

“Jesus breaking the snare: while the devil sets traps in secret, Jesus comes out from behind the tree and breaks the trap so we can escape.”

“The deacon lining the hymn: an old-school church tradition of lining out hymns as an example of leading the church in resounding praise.”

This Week

Look back at past dangerous moments in your life and give thanks to God for His preserving hand.

Recognize that broken places in your story can still heal by God's grace and serve a divine purpose.

Pre-treat your soul for worship before entering church by meditating on scripture and listening to songs of praise.

Identify whether current spiritual warfare in your life is coming through specific people or difficult situations.

Pinpoint your personal appetites and weaknesses so you can guard against the enemy's traps.

Trust God when a trial worsens, remembering that He can guide you through swollen waters.

Actively participate in congregational singing and praise, declaring God's faithful work in your life alongside other believers.

Remember This

If it had not been for the Lord on our side, we would not be here today, for God continuously preserves, rescues, and sets us free by His power.

A Challenge for You

Open your mouth, lift up holy hands, and give God praise for being with you through every wilderness, river, and trap He brought you through.

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.