God Reigns

Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Sermon text: Psalm 97

God’s reign is comprehensive

"There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is Sovereign over all, does not cry, Mine!”  —Abraham Kuyper

—so we rejoice in him

God’s reign is eternal

—so we trust in him

“God’s people are to live righteously, rejoicing in what he’s done in the past, in how he’s ruling and blessing his people even in the present darkness, and in the blissful hope of his reign in Christ that’s still to come.”  —VanGemeren, Longman, and Garland Psalms

God’s reign is ultimate

—so we worship him alone

"If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead.”—C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce

God’s reign is global

—so we walk in the light and stand against evil

—so we rejoice in the Lord and invite others to join us

Isaiah 49:6
He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

Discipleship Questions:

1. In what ways does the truth that God reigns over everything lead us to rejoice?
2. What are some things God has done for you in the past and how does that help you with the future?
3. How does the promise of God’s eternal reign help us to trust him and hope in him now
4. What are the idols you are most tempted to worship and how has that “put you to shame
5. What are some ways we can guard against the temptation to worship idols?
6. How can we as Christians stand against evil while still showing God’s love and compassion?
7. How can we as a church (or even as a CG) be a blessing to our community and join God’s mission?