WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN

Part II

Psalm 51:7-10

INTRODUCTION

We all probably know the story of the young lad who was shipwrecked and  found a bottle with a genie inside it. The genie promises to give him three wishes if the lad will release the genie from the bottle.

If we were the lad in the story, what three wishes would we ask for? How much time would we take to make our decision?

Suppose instead of a genie, God came to us as He did to Solomon. God says He has pardoned us from our sins. Now, what personal requests would we ask of Him?

Some would ask for personal wealth. Others would ask for personal health. The list could probably be long if we compiled such a list of requests from this audience.

In this passage David is in need for such an audience with God. He has been caught with another man’s wife and death has occurred in his family because of his sin. What does David say are the most important personal things to ask for from God?

What David asks for is what we must first ask for in our personal life. Things do not take the place of personal peace in the inner chambers of our heart.

THEME: WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN WE MUST CRY FOR:

I. PURITY     51:7

     A. Before Purity There Must Be Ownership Of Our Sins

NOTE: vs. 1    Have mercy upon me

My transgressions

vs. 2   Mine iniquity

My sin

vs. 3   My transgressions

My sin

vs. 4   I have sinned

I have done this evil

vs. 9 My sins

Mine iniquities

     B. Purge Me

          1. The root word means to bear the blame and then be cleansed

NOTE: de-sin (as in de-lice a person)

           2. A ceremonial word in the purification services of the temple

     C. Wash Me

          1. Sin dirties

          2. Forgiveness cleanses

     D. I Shall Be Clean

          1. Statement of faith

          2. Clean – to be pure innocent righteous

     E. Hyssop

          1. A common wall plant used in sprinkling blood for cleansing of a leper

          2. At the conclusion the priest says, “He is clean”

    F. Whiter Than Snow

NOTE: With God there are no halfway measures

T.S. WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN WE       MUST CRY FOR:

          I. PURITY       51:7

II. JOY AND GLADNESS            51:8

     A. Make Me To Hear Joy And Gladness

          1. Not, let me hear me say these things

          2. The congregation says these things

          3. We are outside the congregation as a leper in self imposed exile

               a. The outcasts return into the congregation with its sounds of festivity

               b. Joy and gladness in fellowship with others which we only have after forgiveness

NOTE: Sin keeps us away from God’s people; forgiveness brings us back to fellowship

     B. That The Bones Which Thou Hast Broken May Rejoice

          1. A wayward sheep will not follow the voice of the shepherd

          2. The shepherd takes his staff, wraps his cloak around the end and breaks the sheep’s front leg

          3. The shepherd had to carry and feed the sheep until the leg heals

          4. Then the sheep rejoices and follows the shepherd the closest of all the sheep

     C. Rejoice – Dance

T.S. WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN WE       MUST CRY FOR:

          I. PURITY

         II. JOY AND GLADNESS

III. FELLOWSHIP   51:9

     A. Hide Thy Face From My Sins

NOTE: vs. 3 – my sin is ever before me

          1. We can hold our sin in our eyes to pursue them

NOTE: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me      Psalm 66:18

          2. We can behold our sin and ask God to forgive and forget

     B. Hide Thy Face

          1. Face of wrath looking on sin

          2. He hides His face in displeasure

     C. Blot Out All Mine Iniquities

          1. Either God hides His face from our sins

          2. Or He hides us from His face (sent to hell)

T.S. WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN WE  MUST CRY FOR:

          I. PURITY

         II. JOY AND GLADNESS

        III. FELLOWSHIP

IV. A CLEAN HEART        51:10

     A. We Are Not To Pray For Forgiveness Of One Terrible Sin, But For Many, And For The Renewal Of Our Whole Nature

     B. Create In Me A Clean Heart

          1. He does not say, Clean up my old heart

          2. Create

               a. Hebrew – bara

               b. To bring into existence out of nothing

               c. Used of God in Creation in Genesis One

NOTE: This clean heart is necessary to stand before God in fellowship now and in judgment later

     C. Renew A Right Spirit In Me

          1. Firm in faith; steadfast in obedience

          2. Not easily swayed in temptation

          3. Fixed and resolute in its allegiance to God

          4. Unmoved by temptation; Therefore, fellowship with God

CONCLUSION

WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN WE MUST CRY FOR:

I. PURITY

II. JOY AND GLADNESS

III. FELLOWSHIP

IV. A CLEAN HEART

THE RIGHT WITNESS

Psalm 112

INTRODUCTION

Probably ever Christian here today is haunted with the feeling we just are not witnessing enough for God. Some people squelch that feeling; they become hard hearted and completely ignore their Christian responsibilities. Others have pity parties and feel sorry for themselves because they are not spiritual enough. Others try to compensate by doing busy work for God. Some become dogmatic. Some become bitter.

There is a good book written on the subject: TIRED OF TRYING TO MEASURE UP by Jeff Van Vonderen. Because we live in vessels of clay we are always haunted by the feeling we do not measure up to the expectations of God, others, ourselves.

The bulk of our Christian works are in relation to others and in most cases we are giving a witness for God. True, there are private works such as prayer, but how we behave toward our neighbor is the true litmus test of our relationship to God. John said, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also. (I John 4:20-21)

THEME: WHEN ARE WE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS?

I. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO GOD 1:1-4

     A. In Our Private Life       vs. 1

          1. The secret and source of all true happiness in life is the fear of Jehovah

NOTE: Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man Ecclesiastes 12:13

          a. God wants us to be men and women of character before He wants us to be men and women of property

          b. Our godliness is an enthusiasm rather than a burden

NOTE: When God makes a righteous person,

He makes that person like Himself; godly, God – like

          2. We are to delight in His commandments

               a. God’s Word is as fascinating to us as God’s Creation is to the naturalist

               b. To find pleasure in living the commands of God

     B. In Our Family   vs. 2

          1. The descendants of the godly have a head start in life

NOTE: Mighty upon the earth

Literally, valiant in war

               a. God is interested in the success of our families

               b. The best way for children to have righteous success on this earth is to have righteous parents

NOTE: To fear God and to walk uprightly is higher nobility than blood or birth or wealth can bestow

          2. They will learn how to be powerful God’s way

          3. The entire life cycle (generation) of the upright will be blessed

     C. In Our Wealth  vs. 3

          1. Wealth and riches in our homes, not in our jobs

NOTE: Often when gold comes in God goes out

               a. What wealth can equal that of the love of God?

               b. What wealth can equal a contented heart?

          2. Righteousness, not wealth and riches, will endure for ever

NOTE: Distant generations will be blessed

     D. In Our Hard Times      vs. 4

NOTE: Song – He is the God of the good times and the bad times

         1. The light in our darkness is God

NOTE: The three darknesses

          a. The darkness of error

          b. The darkness of sorrow

          c. The darkness of death

NOTE: God’s three lights

            a. The light of truth

            b. The light of comfort

            c. The light of life

          2. To us in our hard times God is:

               a. Gracious

               b. Full of compassion

               c. Righteous

T.S. WHEN ARE WE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS?

          I. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

II. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE POOR            1:5-9

     A. We Are To Be A Just Witness To The Poor          vs. 5

          1. We are to show favor and lend to the poor

               a. A righteous person is a generous person

               b. Temptations that come with wealth

                    1) The abuse of its power

                    2) Advantage over others

NOTE: I Timothy 6:6-10

2. We are to remember we will be judged by God

     B. We Are To Be Consistent    vs. 6-8

          1. We are not to be moved from our ministry and testimony        vs. 6

          2. We are to be fixed (established) vs. 7

               a. Not be afraid of evil tidings (bad news)

NOTE: Afraid

Emotional anticipation of harm

Intellectual anticipation of harm

NOTE: Evil: bad, inferior quality of life

               b. We are to trust the Lord, not our wealth

NOTE: Trust; To get attached to

          3. How long we are to witness          vs. 8

               a. As long as we are not afraid

NOTE: When we are afraid we are not righteous, trusting in God

               b. Until our enemies are saved or destroyed

     C. We Are To Let God Honor Us        vs. 9

          1. As a result of our giving to the poor

NOTE: The greatest poor are those poor in soul

               a. Dispersed; open handed

               b. He freely scatters what he has

          2. As a result of our righteousness

          3. Until God exalts us

               a. Horn; The emblem of power

               b. An animal’s strength, offensive and defensive

               c. The horn of plenty will keep what is put in it

T.S. WHEN ARE WE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS?

          I. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

         II. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE POOR

III. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE WICKED            1:10

     A. We Are To Let Others See Our Good Works       vs. 10a

          1.  The wicked shall see it

NOTE: Wicked; morally wrong

          2. Our testimony is to the wicked

          3. The wicked is grieved at our testimony

NOTE: What he will not do himself he hates to see others do

               a. Annoyed, irritated

               b. Indignant, exasperation

               c. Discontent, restless, uneasiness

         4. The desire of the wicked shall perish

     B. We Are Not To Fear The Wicked    vs. 10b

          1. The desire of the wicked will perish; opposite of the righteous

          2. One life style

               a. Respected while living, remembered when dead

               b. The other; Disappointed, all plans come to nothing

          3. What he sees, he does not desire (righteous life); What he desires, he does not see (self centered, selfish life)

CONCLUSION

WHEN ARE WE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS 

I. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF CHRISTIAN LIFE WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

II. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE POOR

III. WE ARE BEING THE RIGHT KIND OF WITNESS WHEN WE HAVE THE RIGHT RELATIONSHIP TO THE WICKED

WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

Psalm 119:1-8

 

INTRODUCTION

Count your many blessings,

Name them one by one,

And it will surprise you

What God hath done.

We live in a culture where activity, busy work and success are the predominant traits. Rarely is there time for reflection, to look back at the blessings and victories God has given us. Instead we have been conditioned to look back at our failures, our shortcomings, our mistakes. In fact, original thinking is often in short supply in our culture. Conformity and momentum is the name of the game.

All we need to do is look around us to see the blessings of God upon us. To not see these blessings is to express the height of ingratitude to God and to others.

Psalm 119 was written to show us how we can receive the maximum blessings out of our lives.

These 176 verses of Psalm 119 are actually longer than a number of complete books of the Bible.

The Psalm is divided into 22 stanzas, corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza has eight verses. In the Hebrew, the first letter of each verse starts with its representative Hebrew letter.

Mention is made of God In each verse.

Psalm 119 could be called the gospel of the undivided heart for God’s way. The real blessings of life come from keeping the law of the Lord and loving the Lord of the law.

In every possible need we may have, God reveals His will to meet that need through His Word. Truly we are blessed.

THEME: WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

I. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD     vs. 1-3

     A. When We Are Undefiled      vs. 1

          1. Undefiled

               a. Pure, sincere, uncontaminated

               b. Entire, complete, especially before

          2. What we should want to become every day

          3. Sin leads to misery; holiness leads to bliss, which is far more than joy

NOTE: Progression:   happy, joy, bliss

     B. When We Walk In The Law Of The Lord     vs. 2

NOTE: Some people use grace vs. law as an excuse to live in their sin and avoid their responsibilities

          1. Walk

               a. Not run

               b. Deliberate movement

          2. The law of the Lord

               a. Who habitually obey His law

               b. The law of the Lord is the only just rule of human  conduct

NOTE: Christian etiquette

NOTE: The blessed person enjoys a circle of blessed things

          a. Blessed way

          b. Blessed purity

          3. Blessed law

          4. Blessed Lord

          5. Blessed way

     C. When we keep His testimonies       vs. 2

          1. Keep

               a. To guard, maintain, obey, preserve

               b. Blessed are those who treasure up the testimonies of the Lord

         2. Testimonies – witnesses

         3. Seek him

NOTE: God is not sought by the cold researchers of the brain

          4. Whole heart

               a. A person can  survive on half a lung, kidney, liver but not half a heart

               b. With a sincere desire to know His will and do it

               c. No selfish or sinister aims

               d. Undivided affections

     D. When We Keep His Testimonies

          1. They also do no iniquity

               a. We all fall occasionally into sin

               b. We do not habitually fall into sin

NOTE: A wicked person sins with deliberation and delight

          2. Iniquity

               a. Dishonesty; perverseness, injustice

               b. Sense of wronging someone, not general faults

          3. They walk in His ways

               a. Right with Him

               b. Right with others

T.S. WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

          I. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

II. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE KEEP HIS PRECEPTS vs. 4-6

     A. You Have Commanded Us vs. 4

          1. The foundation of all true virtue

          2. When we act from this motive, we are truly righteous and blessed

          3. To keep his precepts

               a. Precepts

                    1) Mandates

                    2) Injunctions

               b. Diligently

         4. Diligently

NOTE: People who have dedication and drive rise up early and stay up late, denying themselves much in order to reach their goal

     B. We Do Not Want To Be Ashamed          vs. 5-6

         1. O that my ways       vs. 5

               a. The desire of a proper heart

               b. A constant uniform desire to keep His law

          2. Statutes

               a. To cut into stone

               b. What can not be erased

         3. Then I shall not be ashamed          vs. 6

               a. My hope being frustrated

               b. Disappointed; to keep waiting

         4. When I have respect unto all Thy commandments         vs. 6

               a. Not a smorgasbord religion

NOTE: No child has respect for a parent when he chooses when he will and will not obey, suiting his own whim or conscience

              b. No real disgrace or disappointment can befall a person whose single aim is the observance of God’s law in all its parts

T.S. WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

          I. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

         II. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE KEEP HIS PRECEPTS

III. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE PRAISE HIM      vs. 7-8

     A. When We Praise Him From A Right Heart

          1. Praise

               a. To give thanks

               b. To have satisfaction in an object

               c. Our praise is elevated through our Christian experiences

          2. When we have learned His righteous judgments

               a. Learned

 

NOTE:  We only learn the Christian life when we experience it, not when we hear or read about it

               b. Righteousness; the right thing

               c. Judgments

                    1) Verdict

                    2) Judge’s sentence

     B. When We Keep His Statutes

          1. I will keep … forsake me … not …

               a. We want to keep it

              b. We pledge to keep it

              c. We are utterly overwhelmed with the utter impossibility of such a claim

              d. We have to throw ourselves totally upon God’s mercy

         2. Forsake me not

              a. Release

              b. To set free

              c. To leave behind

              d. To expose to Satan and sin

              e. To neglect

              f. Do not leave me to myself

NOTE: Our confidence that we can keep the Word of God is because God will not forsake us but enable us to keep it

CONCLUSION

WHEN ARE WE BLESSED?

I. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE WALK IN THE LAW OF THE LORD

II. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE KEEP HIS PRECEPTS

III. WE ARE BLESSED WHEN WE PRAISE HIM

WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SIN

Part III

Psalm 51:11-19

INTRODUCTION

What’s next? Most of us, no matter what we are doing, have at least part of our mind on the future.

When a wife prepares a large meal, she is also thinking about the dishes to be done afterward. The husband is thanking about the game on TV that is coming on after the meal.

Young people think about “what’s next?” quite a bit. When they have their ninth birthday they can’t wait until they are ten (double figures). Then they can’t wait until they are teenagers. Then they can’t wait until they can drive. Then, graduating from high school, college. Then, marriage, children, etc. Some say young people waste their lives away worrying about the next “what’s next” instead of living for the present.

While that may be true to a certain extent, it is also healthy to wonder “what’s next” sometimes. For example, what’s next after death and after judgment?

David was concerned about “what’s next” after God revealed his sin. In our text in verses 1-10 David confesses his sin. He pulls no punches. But after we repent of our sins properly, What’s next?

Satan tries to get us to believe because we have sinned, our future is hopeless. “Why look at all those terrible sins you have committed!” he says, “Okay, maybe God has forgiven you. Do you really think you can be used of God even then?”

Others look at us and think, though they may not say it out loud to us, “And they want to serve God after that?”

And we look at ourselves and think, “Well, maybe they are right. Maybe there is something to what they say.”

And besides, it is a good excuse to not have to do anything for God.

But David knew better. Sin hurts us; sin binds us; sin enslaves us. We cannot serve God and sin. Yet when we come to Him and receive forgiveness for our sins we are freed by the power of the Holy Spirit to be a servant again.

When God forgives us of our sins, service is not an option among many. Service is the life blood of the Christian.

THEME: WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SINS WE MUST SERVE:

I. BY HIS SPIRIT   vs. 11

     A. Cast Me Not Away From Thy Presence     vs. 11a

          1. A term used by a leper

          2. Do not abandon me

NOTE: And Samson knew not that the Lord was departed from him   Judges 16:20

     B. Take Not Thy Holy Spirit From Me  vs. 11b

          1. Not referring to his salvation

          2. Referring to his power to function as he rules by the Holy Spirit

NOTE: David saw the miserable life of King Saul as he tried to function without the leadership of the Holy Spirit      I Samuel 16:14

T.S. WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SINS  WE MUST SERVE:

          I. BY HIS SPIRIT

II. BY THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION            vs. 12-13

     A. Restore To Me The Joy Of My Salvation

          1. Sin takes any joy we have away from our Christian life

          2. Forgiveness returns the joy

NOTE: Restore to me the joy, not restore to me my salvation

     B. Uphold Me With Thy Free Spirit

          1. Only God has the strength to keep us going in life

          2. Thy free spirit – we don’t have to work for attitude, power; it is already there with forgiveness

     C. The Results When We Are Forgiven          vs. 13

          1. I will teach transgressors Thy ways

NOTE: The most sympathetic and helpful people are those who have been that way before

          2. Sinners shall be converted unto Thee

NOTE: The proof that we have power in our life is that people get saved cf. Acts 1:8

              a. The Holy Spirit comes upon us (salvation)

              b. We receive power

              c. We are His witnesses

T.S. WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SINS WE MUST SERVE:

          I. BY HIS SPIRIT

         II. BY THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION

III. BY THE PROPER SACRIFICES    vs. 15-19

     A. With Forgiveness God Opens Our Mouth vs. 15

NOTE: Who made thy mouth?         Exodus 4:1-12

     B. God’s Priorities In Sacrifice     vs. 16-17

          1. What does not work with God – religious works for our sin        vs. 16

          2. What is acceptable to God

               a. A broken spirit

               b. A broken and contrite heart

NOTE: Contrite – Collapsed or crushed

NOTE: Thou wilt not despise but the world does

     C. Our Sin Affects God’s Work; Our Forgiveness Aids The Work   vs. 18-19

          1. Build the walls         vs. 18

               a. Our sin affects God’s work

               b. Our sin affects our church

               c. Our sin affects our family’s spiritual advance

               d. Our sin affects us

          2. Our forgiveness allows proper sacrifice

               a. Only when our individual sins are removed can we collectively serve

NOTE: Achan  Joshua 7

               b. Pray regarding personal sin (vs. 1); Lets get back to work  (vs. 19)

CONCLUSION

WHEN GOD REVEALS OUR SINS WE MUST SERVE:

I. BY HIS SPIRIT

II. BY THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION

III. BY THE PROPER SACRIFICES

WHAT GOD SEES

Psalm 116:15

INTRODUCTION

Today we are experiencing something that is rare in the life of churches our size. Probably this has never happened before in the life of Noble Hill Baptist Church. Probably none of us have experienced this in our life time, nor will we again under normal circumstances. On the last two Saturdays in a row we have experienced the home going of two of our members, Loy Lawson and, now, Lloyd Lathrop. Another one of ours has joined the Noble Hill Baptist Church triumphant in heaven. Another saint has come home. Another race has been completed. And life goes on on earth and in heaven.

When we get to heaven we will be greeted by our loved ones. And we will eagerly await for all the members of our physical and spiritual family to join us. As the old song asks, Will the circle be unbroken? Again, this week, our minds have dwelt upon the absolute joy and peace we will experience when it is our turn to enter heaven. Maybe some of us are a little wistful, a little envious, a little homesick for our arrival home.

And, of course there is the other side of the coin. We have a view of the death of a loved one. We are faced with the sorrow of separation of us who must still travel this veil of tears. The ache of the empty place because of the separation made by death. The loneliness because, for a while, fellowship has been severed.

As children of God, our feelings are bittersweet. We rejoice that a loved one does not have to suffer the agonies and sorrows of this life any more. We rejoice that they are now experiencing ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory.’

In our text today we realize there is another Participant in this drama of death. That Participant is God Himself. How does He view the journey of each one of His children as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death? This is not a simple question. As He views our death, so should we view our death.

THEME: WHEN WE EXPERIENCE DEATH:

I. GOD CALLS THE EVENT ‘PRECIOUS’

     A. God Is Particularly Close To Us When We Stand At Death’s Door

          1. God watches over us when we are sick

          2. God makes His presence known so we can have comfort in death

          3. He intervenes so we do not perish

     B. God Does Not Take Our Death Lightly

          1. Our death is of value to Him

          2. There are great purposes to be accomplished by it

NOTE: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God … Romans 8:28

     C. God Would Not Decide On This Hastily

          1. God would not decide on this without the best reasons

          2. When the most good could be effected

          3. The act of removing a good person from the world is an act of deep deliberation on the part of God

     D. The Event Of Our Death Is ‘Precious’

          1. Seventy nine times something precious is mentioned in the Bible

               a. Costly

               b. Dear

               e. Excellent

               f. Glorious

               g. Highly valued

               h. Honourable

               i. Prized

               j. Splendid

               k. Valuable

               l. Requiring very great outlay

          2. Its most common use is to describe precious stones or jewels

     E. If It Be So Great A Happiness To Be Acceptable In His Sight, How Great A Happiness Must It Be To Be Precious In His Sight

          1. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31

          2. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.        Psalm 36:7

          3. For the redemption of their soul is precious …      Psalm 49:8

          4. How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!           Psalm 139:17

          5. I will make a man more precious than fine gold …  Isaiah 13:12

          6. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot      I Peter 1:19

          7. That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ           I Peter 1:7

          8. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.     II Peter 1:4

NOTE: We are precious in his sight even before death

T.S. WHEN WE EXPERIENCE DEATH:

          I. GOD CALLS THE EVENT ‘PRECIOUS’

II. GOD SEES WHAT WE GO THROUGH

     A. Many People In The Bible Are Without Sight

          1. Some are born blind

          2. Some become blind

          3. God is never blind

     B. ‘Sight Of The Lord’ – Found Seventy Nine Times In The Bible

NOTE: God did not wind the universe up and walk off and leave us to our own devises

          1. Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.         II Corinthians 8:21

          2. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.        James 4:10

     C. ‘Eyes Of The Lord’ – Twenty Three Times

          1. The very first time: But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.            Genesis 6:8

          2. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.     II Corinthians 16:9

          3. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.         Psalm 34:15

          4. The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.  Proverbs 15:3

     D. God Sees Us Go Through Death

          1. The human race is no stranger to death

          2. Every one of us will die because of sin

          3. Death is mentioned about 1,000 times in the Bible

NOTE: Possibly the greatest fear of death is we only do it once. There are no trial runs. There are no choices we have in the matter as we die.

     E. We Face Death By Trusting In Jesus

          1. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?   John 11:26

          2. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

         3. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.          Philippians 1:21

         4. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead …   Revelation 1:5

NOTE: What death did to Jesus is nothing compared to what Jesus did to death

 

5. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. I Corinthians 15:22

6. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.   Revelation 21:4

     F. When We Die We Say Good-Bye To A Number Of Things

          1. Sin

          2. Suffering

          3. Sorrow

          4. Satan

          5. No more:

               a. Disappointment

               b. Frustration

               c. Heartbreak

               d. Regret

               e. Tears

               f. Unsatisfied longings

               g. Weariness

T.S. WHEN WE EXPERIENCE DEATH:

          I. GOD CALLS THE EVENT ‘PRECIOUS’

         II. GOD SEES WHAT WE GO THROUGH

III. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE HIS OPINION OF US

     A. We Are Always Saints

          1. Not one singular one

          2. All His saints

     B. God Does Not Call Us:

          1. Duds

          2. Failures

          3. Hard workers

          4. Sinners

     C. Definition Of ‘Saint’

          1. Dedicated one

          2. Faithful one

          3. Godly one

          4. Good one

          5. Holy one

          6. Pious one

          7. Sacred one

          8. Separated one

     D. ‘Saints’ Are Mentioned About One Hundred Times In The Bible

          1. For the LORD l… forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever …            Psalm 37:28

          2. Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.          Psalm 97:10

          3. He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces …           Isaiah 25:8

NOTE: In ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ there is a character whose name is Hopeful. He enters the river of death before Pilgrim does. As he nears the other side he cries out, “Be of good cheer, my brother, for I feel the bottom and it is sound.”

NOTE: If we have walked before Him in the land of the living, we need not fear to die before Him when the time of our departure is at hand           C. H. Spurgeon

CONCLUSION

WHEN WE EXPERIENCE DEATH:

I. GOD CALLS THE EVENT ‘PRECIOUS’

II. GOD SEES WHAT WE GO THROUGH

III. GOD DOES NOT CHANGE HIS OPINION OF US

THE PSALM IN PRAISE OF PRAISE

Psalm 147

INTRODUCTION

There is no question but that the Bible teaches us that we are to praise our God. The last five Psalms are dedicated to praising Him. But what is praise? There are many words in the Bible that relate to praise. One has the idea of: to shine, to flash forth light.

I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.         II Samuel 22:4

Several other words relate to singing unto the Lord. Another means to commend the Lord.

At this Christmas season, what better thing should we do than to praise Him Who came for us?

In Psalm 147 we have three stanzas. Each begins with a call to praise followed by the causes for praise.

THEME: WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD BECAUSE OF:

I. HIS GRACE TO JERUSALEM           147:1-7

     A. Praise Ye The Lord    vs. 1

          1. Hallelujah (Hebrew)

          2. Theme of last five Psalms

               a. 146:1, 10

               b. 147:1, 20

               c. 148:1, 14

               d. 149:1, 9

               e. 150: 1, 6

          3. This praise is pleasant and comely

               a. Pleasant – pleasing

               b. Comely

                    1) To be at home

                    2) By implication, lonely

     B. The Work Of The Lord           vs. 2, 3

          1. He builds up Jerusalem

          2. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel

NOTE: Babylonian Captivity and Return

          3. He healeth the broken in heart      Psalm 51:8

          4. He bindeth up their wounds

NOTE: Broken heart by sin; wounded by sinners

          5. His concern over stars magnifies His concern over His people

               a. He tells the number

                    1) What is minute to us (individual stars), God is particular about

                    2) Astronomers have calculated the number of the stars in the universe at 10 to the 25th power

NOTE: About the same as the number of grains of sand

               b. He calleth them all by their names

                    1) If we could name three per second, it would take ten billion years to call them all by their names

                    2) God’s knowledge and control of nature is presented as a source of consolation to His people

          6. He is great   vs. 5

               a. Of great power

               b. Infinite understanding

          7. God reverses the evil order of things      vs. 6

NOTE: From stars (vs. 4) to sighs (vs. 6)

              a. He lifts up the meek

              b. He casts down the wicked

     C. The Response To God’s Work       vs. 7

          1. Sing with thanksgiving

          2. Sing with coordination (harp)

T.S. WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD BECAUSE OF:

          I. HIS GRACE TO JERUSALEM

II. HIS GREATNESS IN CREATION    147:8-11

     A. He Controls The Weather     vs. 8

          1. The clouds

          2. The rain

          3. The grass

     B. He Feeds The Wild Animals vs. 9

          1. The beast

          2. The raven

               a. Ravens are noted as being disagreeable creatures

               b. A bird in a cage under human care is of more danger of lacking food and water than the birds of heaven

     C. He Rejects Strength Of Armies       vs. 10

          1. Horse – cavalry

          2. Legs – infantry

     D. The Pleasures Of The Lord   vs. 11

NOTE: We and God are known by what pleases us

          1. In them that fear Him

          2. In them that hope in His mercy

NOTE: The marks of the New Birth are fear and hope

          1. We fear for we are sinners

          2. We hope for He is good

          3. We fear Him for He is great

          4. We hope in Him for He is good

T.S. WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD BECAUSE OF:

          I. HIS GRACE TO JERUSALEM

         II. HIS GREATNESS IN CREATION

III. HIS GREAT PRESERVATION        147:12-20

     A. In Strength Outward – Bars Of Gates

     B. In Strength Inward – Thy Children

     C. In Peace

          1. In borders

NOTE: When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7

          2. In food (finest of wheat)

     D. In Weather       16-18

          1. Snow

          2. Frost

          3. Hail

          4. Spring wind

          5. Brooks and streams

     E. In Spiritual Life

          1. His will works spiritual changes corresponding to natural phenomena

          2. All for the benefit of His people

NOTE: From cold sin to warm life

We should praise God because He has power to fulfill His promises to His people

CONCLUSION

WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD BECAUSE OF:

I. HIS GRACE TO JERUSALEM

II. HIS GREATNESS IN CREATION

III. HIS GREAT PRESERVATION

THE PASSING ON OF THE HERITAGE

Psalm 119:111; II Timothy 1:1-7

INTRODUCTION

Psalm 119:111

A. The Scriptures Are Called The “Testimonies” In Respect To God Himself

     1. In Genesis we have testimony of:

          a. His power in making a world

          b. His justice in destroying a world

          c. His goodness in saving Noah

     2. In the Gospels we have the testimony of God in Christ

          a. His humility in taking our nature

          b. His power in working miracles

          c. His wisdom in the lessons He taught

          d. His patience and love in the torments He suffered for us

B. By Testimonies Is Meant The Covenant Between God And His People

NOTE: Old Covenant (Testament) and New Covenant (Testament)

     1. He is bound to us

     2. We are bound to Him

NOTE: In hope of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began            Titus 1:2

C. For An Heritage

     1. Alludes to taking a possession

     2. Refers to those places in the Pentateuch where it applies to taking the Promised Land            Exodus 23:30

     3. All the title we have to the inheritance is in the deeds and evidences. They are precious things.

D. For They Are The Rejoicing Of My Heart

     1. He did not say God’s testimonies bring joy, but that they are joy

     2. There is no other joy but the delight in the law of the Lord

     3. This true joy is the treasure of the soul

NOTE: But wait. Our ministry is not one where we sit around praising God and counting our treasure. Our ministry is to pass on this heritage to the next generation. This is why we are teachers, principals, administrators and pastors. Church – one generation from extinction.

THEME: HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?   II Timothy 2:1-7

I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR OWN SPIRITUAL NATURE         vs. 1

     A. My Son

          1. Denotes a relationship of nature

          2. The child possesses the nature of his parents

NOTE: Paul – spiritual father of Timothy

Like begets like

     B. Be Strong (Present Imperative)

          1. Not accomplished all at once

          2. Emphasis on the process in strengthening cf. Exodus 23:30; No pain – no gain

     C. In The Grace That Is In Christ Jesus

          1. Physically children grow by making use of every aid in the realm of food, rest, exercise, and hygiene

          2. Spiritually we grow in the realm of God’s grace (whole counsel of God)

          3. The grace of God is an inexhaustible supply

T.S. HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR OWN SPIRITUAL NATURE

II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING       2:2

     A. One Of The Greatest Necessities Of Childhood Is Parental Guidance

     B. Deposit as a sacred trust those Gospel truths which you have learned (whole counsel of God) into the care of trustworthy individuals

          1. The Biblical apostolic succession: The faithful proclamation of the apostles’ doctrine, found in the Word

NOTE: Defining the goals of teaching

          a. Not memorizing

          b. Preparing the next generation to pass on the heritage, not just hold the heritage

NOTE: Not just holding together until we are gone

Mark of successful church – How many gone into the ministry

T.S. HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

         II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS            2:3

NOTE: Song, No, No, It’s not an easy road

     A. Hardness

          1. Hardness of a soldier

          2. Rigid life style

NOTE: Also endure the hardness of other’s heart

     B. Of A Good Soldier Of Jesus Christ

T.S. HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

         II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

        III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS

IV. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY PLEASING JESUS          2:4

     A. No Man That Warreth Entangleth Himself In The Affairs Of This Life

          1. Man – war – individual battle

          2. Affairs

               a. Pragmatos

               b. End justifies the means

NOTE: The key is not success but faithfulness

     B. That He May Please Him Who Hath Chosen Him To Be A Soldier

          1. Please

               a. Not others

               b. Only Jesus. Who else has the words of life?

NOTE:  But this does not mean we are to be obnoxious for the glory of God

          2. Chosen

               a. God calling

               b. Not talent oriented

NOTE: Holy Spirit gift of teaching

T.S. HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

         II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

        III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS

       IV. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY PLEASING JESUS

V. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FOLLOWING THE BOOK            2:5

     A. Strive – Greek – Agonize

     B. Masteries – 1st Place

NOTE: John 17:17 – Thy word is truth

     C. Not Crowned Except Strive Lawfully

          1. Mere effort is not sufficient

          2. There must be:

               a. Discipline

               b. Sacrifice

               c. Adherence

T.S. HOW CAN WE PASS ON THE       HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

         II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

        III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS

       IV. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY PLEASING JESUS

        V. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FOLLOWING THE BOOK

VI. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FEEDING ON WHAT WE SAY IS TRUE         2:6

     A. The Payment Of The Worker

          1. Not muzzle the oxen that treadeth out the corn

          2. The labour worthy of his hire

          3. Double honor to those who minister in the Word

     B. Also, Feed On What We Tell Others To Feed

T.S. HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

          I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

         II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

        III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS

       IV. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BYPLEASING JESUS

        V. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FOLLOWING THE BOOK

       VI. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FEEDING ON WHAT WE SAY IS TRUE

VII. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY SEEKING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD           2:7

     A. The Lord Gives You Understanding

          1. Not our wisdom

          2. Not the world’s wisdom

NOTE: They that wait upon the Lord …

     B. In All Things

          1. The Spirit shall guide us into all truth

          2. Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus

CONCLUSION

HOW DO WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE?

I. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY BEING STRONG IN OUR SPIRITUAL NATURE

II. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMITTING

III. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY ENDURING HARDNESS

IV. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY PLEASING JESUS

V. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FOLLOWING THE BOOK

VI. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY FEEDING ON WHAT WE SAY IS TRUE

VII. WE PASS ON THE HERITAGE BY SEEKING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE LORD

THE TESTIMONY OF EACH CHILD OF GOD

Psalm 122

INTRODUCTION

It is a clear fact of the Word of God that our heavenly home is the New Jerusalem. To the people of God in the Old Testament, Jerusalem and the Temple was a foreshadow of heaven. To the people of God today the church is that foreshadow.

In this Psalm David’s attitude toward Jerusalem and the Temple is likewise our attitude toward heaven. Our reward is the Lord of heaven. Our hope is in heaven. Our desire is heaven. Our goal is heaven.

THEME: BECAUSE OF HEAVEN:

I. THERE IS REJOICING            122:1

     A. There Is Rejoicing Because Others Care – “They said to me”

     B. There Is Rejoicing Because Of Our Destiny – “Let us go into the house of the Lord.”

T.S. BECAUSE OF HEAVEN:

          I. THERE IS A REJOICING

II. THERE IS A REUNION           122:2-5

     A. Our Feet Will Stand Within The Gates Of Heaven            vs. 2

     B. We Will Be Together – “compacted together”        vs. 3

NOTE: Denotes no separation from one another

     C. We Will Be Giving Thanks Together           vs. 4

     D. We Will Have Authority – “Throne”   vs. 5

T.S. BECAUSE OF HEAVEN:

          I. THERE IS A REJOICING

         II. THERE IS A REUNION

III. THERE IS A REQUEST         122:6-8

     A. To Pray That The Peace Of Jerusalem Will Be Upon Us vs. 6

NOTE: “They shall prosper (great wealth) that love thee”

     B. For Peace And Prosperity     vs. 7

          1. Peace because the walls keep out all unclean cf. Revelation 21:27

          2. Prosperity in palaces

NOTE: In my Father’s house are many mansions … I go to prepare a place for you …

     C. For Peace        vs. 8

          1. For brethren (relatives)

          2. For companions (friends)

T.S. BECAUSE OF HEAVEN:

          I. THERE IS REJOICING

         II. THERE IS A REUNION

        III. THERE IS A REQUEST

IV. THERE IS A RESULT            122:9

     A. We Do Everything Because Of Our Heavenly Home: The House Of The Lord Our God

     B. We Should See Good Because Of Our Heavenly Home

          1. The good for God – doing His work

          2. The good of one another

CONCLUSION

BECAUSE OF HEAVEN:

I. THERE IS REJOICING

II. THERE IS A REUNION

III. THERE IS A REQUEST

IV. THERE IS A RESULT

NISI DOMINUS FRUSTRA

Psalm 127

INTRODUCTION

In the days when the sun never set on the British Empire, it was fashionable for Christians in England to put these words over the entrance of their homes: Nisi Dominus Frustra. This is Latin, from Psalm 127:1; Without God, it is vain. Though we may not have these words over our doors, this truth abides still.

Possibly the greatest lie to face us today is: we can find meaning in life on our own. Psalm 127 shows the vanity of life in  three areas: Civic Life (vs. 1), Business Life (vs. 2) and Family Life (vs. 3-5).

The underlying truth of this Psalm is the uselessness of all our human effort which does not rely upon the will, the power and the goodness of God.

Some is bound to say something like this, “Maybe life is pointless, but it sure is fun!” God’s response is simple: What is life when the fun runs out? And run out it will. In spite of all our New Year’s resolutions it is all vain without God at the center.

THEME: GOD MUST BE WITH US:

I. IN OUR WORK OF BUILDING            127:1

     A. We Must Not Forget The Obvious  vs. 1a

          1. All success is from God

          2. God is the source of all blessings and happiness

          3. “Except the Lord build…”

     B. We Must Not Have Wasted Effort i.e., Labor In Vain       vs. 1b

          1. Vain

NOTE: Latin – Frustra

English – Frustration

               a. Found three times in this Psalm

               b. Hebrew- from same word as guilt, calamity, falsehood

               c. Something that produces no results

NOTE: Husband spends the afternoon piddling in the garage but there is no evidence of any results

          2. Life without God ends up being:

               a. Unproductive

               b. Unsatisfying

               c. Empty in God’s estimation

     C. We Must Not Preserve Our Efforts vs. 1c

NOTE: House building and city guarding are examples of ordinary human undertakings

          1. The builders put up the houses, the watchmen protect them

NOTE: Essentially every function of a city is either to build or to protect

          2. The trust of the builders and watchmen must not be in the work but God

NOTE: “Trust in God and keep your powder dry”  Oliver Cromwell

T.S. GOD MUST BE WITH US:

          I. IN OUR WORK OF BUILDING

II. IN OUR WORK OF HONEST LABOUR      127:2

     A. The Vanity Of Rising Up Early          2a

          1. The early rising worker

          2. The Bible does not say that it is improper to rise early, nor is there no advantage in rising early

          3. Mere early rising without His blessing is vain (frustration)

NOTE: The great gains of life are not secured by unremitting toil but by honest labour within appointed limits, in dependence upon God

     B. The Vanity Of Sitting Up Late           vs. 2b

          1. An artificial lengthening of the day God gives

          2. This in itself will not accomplish the goals in life

NOTE: The sin of the workaholic (also worryaholic)

               a. Work is a compulsive obsession

               b. Such work does not add security and honor; only pain and worry

               c. Our daily work is pointless if God is not the center of it

     C. The Bread Of Sorrows          2c

          1. Sorrows

               a. Toil

               b. Wearisome efforts

               c. Care, anxiety, trouble

NOTE: Matthew 6:25-34

         2. Physical and mental discomfort

         3. Hebrew- The kind of pain which women experience when they are about to give birth

NOTE: To go through birth pains, but no life

     D. He Giveth His Beloved Sleep         2d

          1. Hebrew – He giveth to His beloved in sleep

NOTE: God can do more for us while we sleep than we can do awake and working

NOTE: Solomon was given his wisdom while asleep       I Kings 3:5, 13

          2. Contrast the person who labors without relying on God

          3. In the Old Testament sleep conveys not only physical rest but also tranquility and satisfaction

         4. The sin of undue anxiety, feverish straining, as if work itself would bring success

NOTE: Jesus slept in a boat; the waves that rocked Him to sleep scared the disciples

         5. Sleep

             a. Sleep is a God-given necessity

             b. Sleep is used for complete freedom from care because of trusting God

NOTE: God’s people are not exempted from the great law of labour, but the sting is removed when they leave the results to God

T.S. GOD WANTS TO BE WITH US:

          I. IN OUR WORK OF BUILDING

         II. IN OUR WORK OF HONEST LABOUR

III. IN OUR WORK OF REARING OUR CHILDREN 127:3-5

     A. The Purpose Of Our Work    vs. 3

          1. Our work is from the Lord

          2. Our children are from the Lord

NOTE: Two types of children in the Bible:

                a. Physical children

                b. Spiritual children

NOTE: Both apply here

NOTE: A hard statement must be made:

          1. There are those who love labour but don’t have time for its fruit

          2. There are those who love sex but don’t want its fruit, therefore birth control and abortion

          3. There are those who love church work but have no interest in its fruit: souls

NOTE: There is also spiritual birth control, spiritual abortion

          3. Children – (Hebrew)

               a. Son:        ben

               b. Daughter:            bath

               c. House:    beth

               d. All come from the same root word, banah, to build

               e. As stones and wood build up a house, children build up a home, and spiritual children build up a church and ministry

          4. Children are a heritage of the Lord

               a. Possession

               b. Heirloom

               c. Life that lasts when our life is gone

                    1) Children carry on the family and name

                    2) Spiritual children carry on the spiritual family and name

NOTE: Napoleon could conquer the world but could not have a child

          5. The fruit of the womb is His reward

NOTE: For our labors

               a. Children are not an encumbrance, they are God’s inheritance

               b. They are God’s blessing on us

     B. The Product of Our Work:      Children          vs. 4

NOTE: Physical and spiritual children

          1. Children are as arrows are in the hand of a mighty soldier

NOTE: We are soldiers in a warfare

               a. Arrows are useless in the hand

               b. Arrows are valuable only when they are released

               c. Once released, the soldier has no more control over them

               d. Arrows go where the soldier cannot go; they do work the soldier cannot do

               e. If children are reared properly they shoot at their parents’ enemies; if they are not reared properly they are captured by the enemy and shot at their parents

          2. Children of the youth

               a. The value of early fruit

               b. The sooner children are given, the sooner they can be in the battle

     C. The Power Of Our Work       vs. 5

          1. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them

               a. A soldier is effective only as he has arrows to fight the battle

               b. A full quiver means a long time in the battle

NOTE: There are excuses for not having physical children, but there are no excuses for not having spiritual children

               c. They shall not be ashamed

          2. They – the arrows – the children

          3. Ashamed – Hebrew- humiliated, disappointed

          4. They will speak with the enemies in the gate

               a. They shall so honor the family

               b. They shall distinguish themselves

               c. The gate is the place of judgment

                    1) They know their enemy

                    2) They will bring judgment upon their enemies

CONCLUSION

GOD WANTS TO BE WITH US:

I. IN OUR WORK OF BUILDING

II. IN OUR WORK OF HONEST LABOUR

III. IN OUR WORK OF REARING OUR CHILDREN

EXCEPT THE LORD

Psalm 127:1-2

INTRODUCTION

We have just received our paycheck. Maybe we have some overtime. Maybe our commissions have picked up. Maybe our boss had given us a bonus. We made more this week than we normally make. It feels so good to have a little extra this week. We go home. Naturally we have to check the mail box. There we find a bill we did not expect. By-by to the extra money.

There are laws of money. We will spend everything we make. We will not be able to save. It always seems that we always need just a little more. We never arrive in life or in money.

There are laws of life. We will spend every minute we live. We are not able to save some minutes out of each day. We are not able to save some time to spend later on a “rainy day” or busy day.

We are now entering the fourth of July season. There will be many speeches by politicians who will publicly congratulate themselves because of how they are building this country. Or, how they could if only a few more of their party are elected to office. Or how they could if they were elected to a higher office.

This Psalm is an eye-opener for us. While most of us are busy trying to keep control of everything around us, we learn that no work in life is successful except the Lord does that work in, and through, us.

THEME: HOW MUST WE SPEND OUR LIFE?

I. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVE VALUES OF “THINGS” vs. 1a

     A. The “Harmony” Of Our Life Depends Upon The Music Of Our Life

          1. A song with lyrics

          2. A religious song

          3. A musical

     B. Do We Sing Unto The Lord?

          1. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.       Psalm 13:6

          2. O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.           Psalm 95:1

          3. Sing unto the LORD, praise ye the LORD: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers.  Jeremiah 20:13

          4. I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.   Psalm 104:33

NOTE: The Bible does not record any command of singing praise to the world as we are sinning in the world

     C. The Degrees When The Songs Of Our Life Are Heard And Seen

NOTE: From Psalm 138 to Psalm 134 we find the degrees or steps of the godly life

          1. When there is distress in our life

NOTE: In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me.         Psalm 120:1

           2. When we need help

NOTE I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.           Psalm 121:1

          3. When we need to worship God

               a. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.          Psalm 122:1

               b. Behold, bless ye the LORD, all ye servants of the LORD, which by night stand in the house of the LORD.        Psalm 134:1

          4. When we dwell together in unity

NOTE: “Dwell,” not occasionally gather together

NOTE: Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!     Psalm 133:1

T.S. HOW MUST WE SPEND OUR LIFE?

          I. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVE VALUES OF “THINGS”

II. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THAT THE LORD MUST DO THE BUILDING   vs. 1b

     A. “Except” Is The Most Important Word In This Verse (Used Twice)

          1. Everything is useless without God

NOTE: R. C. Sproul preached a sermon once in which he said that of all the words in the English language “useless” was the one he hated the most. He said he was willing to work hard, to start early and labor late. He was willing to forego present pleasures or benefits. But not if it was useless. “If you say that what I do is useless, you are saying that I am useless. And what that means is that somehow I don’t count.”

          2. The object of “except” both times is “the Lord”

NOTE: A Federal court has forbidden all classrooms in six western states from allowing students to give the pledge of allegiance to the flag because of the phrase “Under God”

NOTE: CNN opinion poll

When I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I:

Feel patriotic………………………….. 76%

Remember September 11………. 6%

Resent saying under God………. 13%

Can’t remember the words…… 5%

     B. When God Is “Excepted” We Live In Vain

NOTE: NBC’s last news item: men are marrying later now than ever before; average age 27. Why? Because they can get sex anytime they want it.

Next: KY3 local news. Aids has doubled in the last 12 months in Springfield and Greene County. (Well, dud!)

          1. When we leave God out of the picture:

             a. Vain

             b. Useless

             c. Meaningless

         2. People understand the futility of life

             a. Despair is the result

             b. Suicide is a common ‘solution’

NOTE: Benjamin Franklin in his “Speech to the Convention for Forming a Constitution for the United States” in 1787 said the following: “In the beginning of the contest with Britain when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for the Divine protection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a superintending Providence. To that kind Providence we owe this opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity. And have we now forgotten this powerful Friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived a long time (81 years), and the longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it possible that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writing, that “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this, and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel.”

     C. How Are We To Spend Our Lives?

          1. We are not to waste our lives

               a. We can never recall a minute to live over

               b. We can never go back

               c. We are helpless as to the passing of time

          2. We are not to just “live our life”

               a. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.            Isaiah 60:12

               b. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it   Galatians 1:13

               c. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.            Luke 15:13

NOTE: Meaning of “wasted”

          a. The idea of useless straw scattered out in the field

          b. Scatter abroad

          c. Disperse

               d. But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?       Job 14:10

NOTE: Meaning of “wasted”

           a. Destroyed

          b. Go to ruin

          c. Decay

         d. Marred

               e. … all our pleasant things are laid waste.            Isaiah 64:11

          3. We are to let God build our lives

               a. He will rebuild, through salvation our lives

               b. He will establish us

NOTE: He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.         Psalm 40:2

T.S. HOW MUST WE SPEND OUR LIFE?

          I. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVE VALUES OF “THINGS”

         II. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THAT THE LORD MUST DO THE BUILDING

III. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THAT THE LORD WILL REWARD OUR WORK FOR HIM    vs. 2

     A. The Success Of Our Work Is Not In Long Hours

          1. The sin in rising up early

NOTE: The is no sin just because we rise early.

The question: Is rising early in the place of God or because we can’t wait to do God’s work in our life?

               a. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.            Proverbs 31:15

               b. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.   Proverbs 18:9

          2. The sin in sitting up late

               a. … her candle goeth not out by night.       Proverbs 31:18

               b. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!   Isaiah 5:11

NOTE: The is no sin just because we stay up late.

The question: Is staying up late in the place of God or because we love to do God’s work in our life?

     B. Sin Of Long Hours

NOTE: The great issue of life for the Christian

          a. Do we trust ourselves?

          b. Do we trust others?

          c. Do we trust our jobs?

         d. Do we trust someone or something else?

         e. Do we trust God?

          1. As if only we can do it

NOTE: Song – The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own …

          2. As if God is not enough

               a. Vanity – Let not him that is deceived trust in vanity: for vanity shall be his recompence.      Job 15:31

               b. Wealth – Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy        I Timothy 6:17

              c. Rulers – It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Psalm 118:8-9

          3. As if we cannot trust God

               a. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.     Psalm 9:10

               b. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.  Psalm 37:3

              c. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. Matthew 12:21

CONCLUSION

HOW MUST WE SPEND OUR LIFE?

I. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THE RELATIVE VALUES OF “THINGS”

II. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE  RECOGNIZING THAT THE LORD MUST DO THE BUILDING

III. WE MUST SPEND OUR LIFE RECOGNIZING THAT THE LORD WILL REWARD OUR WORK FOR HIM