God Was With Us | Bryan L. Carter | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

God Was With Us

Bryan L. Carter

Concord Church • Apr 26, 2026 • 83 min

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

Summary

Drawing from Psalm 124, this sermon reminds believers that God has faithfully been by their side through every dangerous situation and treacherous season. Even when life's challenges rapidly escalate or the enemy sets traps aimed at human weaknesses, God steps in providentially to shatter the trap and deliver His people. As believers reflect on past deliverances and gather in corporate worship, they resound praise together for the God who keeps them from going under.

Themes

God's PresenceProvidential DeliveranceSpiritual WarfareCorporate WorshipSalvation and Grace

Pastor's Points

1.

1. Reflect on the presence of God

2.

2. Rescued by the power of God

3.

3. Resound praise to God

Key Points

1.
Singing Psalm 124 helps believers reflect on the presence of God, especially during dark seasons when current circumstances make His presence hard to perceive.
2.
God works providentially behind the scenes as a divine force, often revealing His hand only after we look back upon a trial.
3.
The enemy engages in spiritual warfare by using both hostile people and treacherous predicaments to try to bring about a believer's downfall.
4.
The progression of waters in Psalm 124—from standing water to moving streams to neck-high torrents—illustrates how life's difficulties can rapidly escalate from bad to worse, yet God ensures His people do not go under.
5.
Satan operates like a fowler who studies human appetites and places traps near familiar weaknesses, but God steps in to break the snare completely and set the believer free.
6.
Corporate worship functions as a collective lining of the hymn, where leaders set the theme and the congregation joins together to echo declarations of God's past rescue.

Sermon Moments

“God is not a silent contributor to your story; He is a divine force providentially moving behind the scenes even when you cannot see Him.”

“Worship on your way to church pre-treats the soul for everything you anticipate the Spirit of the Lord to do when you gather with His people.”

“The enemy sets traps near the exact nectars and appetites we struggle with, but Jesus steps out from the shadows to break the snare completely.”

“Even if life leaves you with scars that healed a little crooked, you can praise God because by His grace, you healed nevertheless.”

“Corporate worship is like lining a hymn—a worship leader declares God's truth, and the whole church joins in because it matches their testimony.”

This Week

Reflect on a past moment of divine rescue whenever present circumstances make God's presence feel distant.

Identify personal weaknesses or appetites ("nectars") that the enemy frequently uses to set traps in your life, and bring them before God.

Pre-treat your heart for worship throughout the week by singing scripture and listening to worship before arriving at church.

Engage actively in corporate worship, adding your voice to the shared declaration of God's goodness.

Reframe past trials and scars as living proof of God's healing grace rather than as marks of defeat.

Choose authentic relationship with Christ over rigid rules or fear-based religion.

Connect deeply with a local church community to walk through life's wildernesses alongside fellow believers.

Remember This

Even when life's trials rapidly escalate and the enemy sets traps near our appetites, God's providential presence breaks every snare and ensures His people are delivered.

A Challenge for You

Step into an authentic relationship with Jesus Christ today—not defined by rigid rules or fear, but by receiving the God who has been in the shadows protecting you, breaking every snare, and inviting you into His loving church community.

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