Good morning! 2 weeks in a row. Remember, progress in small steps is still progress.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Well, I took a break. Various things happened, I was still preaching, but my cardiac health decided to go nuts this spring. That after our son's lung decided to go flat and require surgery this winter. Seems fair to say that a long-neglected blog was...allowed to continue its neglected status. However, as long as the bits will travel through the tubes, I will occasionally try again with the blog. This is what you get when the same guy that does the sermons also has to do the social media.
Keep in mind that this audio player will let you subscribe to the audio through a classic podcast feed or you can search "Doug Hibbard: Sermons and Thoughts" on Audible, Apple, and Amazon Music to subscribe. You can also just click back through here. Which is handy, if you want the whole sermon series.
Meanwhile, there's always YouTube. If you want to see me flub the word "Commendation" and sub in "Condemnation," an oops that totally changes the sentence, that's here:
That will also take you to the channel that has the video backlist.
Thanks for reading! My goal is to be back before 6 months next time.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
I'm still trying to think through a way to video Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, but sometimes those are just discussions and answering questions, and putting a video camera in the room can be a damper on the situation. So, for now, we're still just doing Sunday morning sermons.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
And with this sermon, Psalm Pseptember 2025 comes to a close. I enjoy having this as kind of a "reset" point on the preaching calendar. It keeps me from getting too lost and buried into a longer series and it stops me from skipping the Old Testament. There's just no good way to preach on a "Psalm of David" without making sure folks are at least slightly aware of who this David fellow was.
Now, this last one was Psalm 70. That means next year we'll probably cross the halfway-point, because I'm not doing every Psalm. I also do not plan that far out, so I have not thought beyond "Yes, Psalm Pseptember 2026 will be a thing."
Just like Monday rolled around again today, Sunday rolled through yesterday like the University of South Florida moving through Gainesville. Here in Crossett, it was time for another sermon. We'll leave the Gators to weep softly on their own...
Stranded!
Doug Hibbard
Psalm 61
The Setting
Psalm 61 NET 2nd ed.
For the music director, to be played on a stringed instrument; written by David.
O God, hear my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer.
From the remotest place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to a rocky summit where I can be safe.
Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.
I will be a permanent guest in your home; I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. (Selah)
For you, O God, hear my vows; you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.
Give the king long life. Make his lifetime span several generations.
May he reign forever before God. Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him.
Then I will sing praises to your name continually, as I fulfill my vows day after day.
The Psalmist
David. And even if it’s not, it’s someone in trouble. Someone who feels distant. Who feels that God has left them alone. They feel lost at the ends of the earth. In fact, this Psalm is where the phrase “The Ends of the Earth” entered English usage—starting with Wycliffe in the Middle Ages. Envision someone feeling that they are so far that they’ll never be found, never even be blundered across.
The Struggle
Psalm 61:1–2 CSB
God, hear my cry; pay attention to my prayer.
I call to you from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
Ever been where you think your prayers aren’t being heard or listened to? Where you are in despair? Be honest, because lying to God doesn’t work and lying to yourself...well, it just makes it worse. No one is strong all the time. If you knew someone that never struggled, then they hid it from you.
Realize, too, that the solution is to follow the Lord upward, to the rock that He provides. Which is still going to require you climb, but you do not have to find your own way.
The Point
Psalm 61:3–4 CSB
for you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
I will dwell in your tent forever and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
In all those issues, the strong refuge is the Lord. The presence of the Lord. Note the Tabernacle
The Praise
Psalm 61:5–7 CSB
God, you have heard my vows; you have given a heritage to those who fear your name.
Add days to the king’s life; may his years span many generations.
May he sit enthroned before God forever. Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
The Practice
Psalm 61:8 CSB
Then I will continually sing of your name, fulfilling my vows day by day.
Fulfill
Your
Vow.
What was your vow?
Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9–13 “because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” )
Exported from Logos Bible Study, 3:27 PM September 8, 2025.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
The video is linked on my personal YouTube Page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dheagle93
Sermons are stockpiled here: http://www.doughibbard.com/search/label/Sermons
August saw the wrap-up of the first half of Ephesians. We will detour to the Psalms for Psalm Pseptember (yes that's silly spelling) and look at Psalm 61 and a few others in the 60s. Then, October and November will see the wrap-up of Ephesians just in time for the Advent Season.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
The video is linked on my personal YouTube Page here: https://www.youtube.com/user/dheagle93
Sermons are stockpiled here: http://www.doughibbard.com/search/label/Sermons
Oh, Sweet Mystery!
Doug Hibbard / General Adult
Ephesians 1:3–14
Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?
Ephesus: religions; cultures
Mystery religions; oppositions to the Gospel
There’s a mess.
Paul does not write a letter addressing those problems. He doesn’t talk about the religious chaos. The sexual chaos. The corruptible government.
He leads with Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.”
Overview: What's going on here?
Ephesians 1:3–14 NET 2nd ed.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.
For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love.
He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—
to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace
that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight.
He did this when he revealed to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,
toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth.
In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will
so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory.
And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
Overview: What's going on here?
Now, let’s shake that fear of the word “Predestining” you saw in verse 5. It’s a Bible word, shows up in Acts and 3 of Paul’s letters, always in reference to God’s power and grace together at work in the world. You don’t have to be afraid of predestination if you’re not afraid of God’s grace.
now....that does not mean people don’t misunderstand God’s work and word and explain ‘predestining’ wrongly.
Let’s not get distracted: the real emphasis here: the grandeur and majesty of God.
Note the opening in worship: “BLESSED IS THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!” this is the opening phrase of what is one really long sentence. There are three major parts of this sentence.
The blessing in worship of God the Father is the first part. Look at these verses again:
Ephesians 1:3–6 NET 2nd ed.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.
For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love.
He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will—
to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.
The Father has always intended to redeem us. Focus on that truth: He has done this, not because He had an obligation but He finds pleasure in it. God has feelings about you and they are good feelings. And His desire predates His creation of the world; before Genesis 1:1, The Father took pleasure in bringing salvation to you.
What the Son has done is the second part.
Ephesians 1:7–12 NET 2nd ed.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace
that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight.
He did this when he revealed to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,
toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ—the things in heaven and the things on earth.
In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will
so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory.
For many of the Ephesians, the Cross, Resurrection, and Ascension had taken place in their own lifetimes; at least in their parent’s lifetimes. Either way, Jesus, God the Son, bought the salvation that we needed. He made the Father’s plan actionable and completed.
The present presences of the Holy Spirit is the third part of the sentence.
Ephesians 1:13–14 NET 2nd ed.
And when you heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation)—when you believed in Christ—you were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit,
who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.
Our present reality is that we are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit. We have the grace of God in our life and guarantee going into eternity.
Reflection: Why does this matter?
The “mystery” of life is fully revealed: you were created to be God’s own possession.
Expectations: What do we do about it?
Salvation: come to faith
Believers: stop rejecting the grace of God
Church: Do what is involved in praising God; help people set their hope on Christ.
Exported from Logos Bible Study, 4:29 PM July 21, 2025.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Here are links to the sermon pages, with videos for the past 3 Sundays first, then the audio player!
On this Sunday, April 27, we spent some time getting congregational responses to the question, "What are some ways you have seen God be faithful?" Those are not on the video, but they were good answers. I did have to repeat most of them because it's a big room and hard to hear folks without microphones...
So, it's been a while, because I was on vacation one week, off at the oral defense of my dissertation another week. If you are curious, yes, I did pass that. I have one more presentation to make before I can claim to be absolutely "done" with that process, so officially, I have not finished earning those letters. Soon, though, very soon.
Yesterday was Easter, the day we set aside to especially celebrate the Resurrection. And yes, Grammarly, that Resurrection deserves to be capitalized because it's the one that truly counts, when Jesus rose from the dead. Here's the audio and video of sermons since the last blog post, except for April 13. I'll post that one if I get CJ's permission. He preached it, he decides...
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
Here is what you’ll find: there is an audio player with the sermon audios built-in to it, just click to find the one you want. You’ll also find the embedded YouTube videos of each sermon.
