FALSE WITNESS

Exodus 20:16

INTRODUCTION

One of the most fun times we can have as a parent is when our children finally learn to talk. How we work with them on their first words: Dad-dad and Mommy. Then they begin to discover words on their own like: Mine! and No! Before we know it they are putting words together and making sentences. Then they won’t shut up.

As their vocabulary increases we began to become protective at to what words they should learn and not learn. Usually it is a losing battle. Instead we go for control of what words they are allowed to say and what words they are not allowed to say.

Then there is one final step that we deal with the rest of their lives. Now we are talking about ourselves as well as our children. When we speak we must tell the truth. The greatest battleground of our tongue is the battleground of being truthful.

It has been humorously said that politicians exaggerate; ministers speak ministerially, and others stretch the truth (or lie). But before God there is no exaggeration, no speaking ministerially or stretching the truth. Rather God wants us to speak about others and ourselves truthfully, exactly, without trying to verbally paint ourselves. or others. in a better or worse light.

The tongue which was made to be an organ of God’s praise and the proclaiming of truth can become an instrument of unrighteousness, deceit, manipulation, lying and sinning. Our speech can be used to gladden or sadden the heart of God. Ultimately the final judge of what we say, or don’t say, is God. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behavior … it is a fence set about it that it should not break forth into evil.

THEME: IN ORDER TO HONOR GOD WE MUST:

I. BE CAREFUL IN OUR DISCUSSING THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

     A. We Bear Responsibility For Our Words

          1. We must be careful of what we bear

               a. Answer

               b. Hear

               c. Testify

               d. Speak

               e. Witness

          2. Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.      Psalm 120:20

     B. We Must Be Careful Of What We Say About Others

          1. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.   Proverbs 17:28

          2. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.     James 1:26

     C. What Must Be Careful About What We Feel About Others

          1. He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.        Proverbs 14:21

NOTE: There are twelve passages in the New Testament regarding loving one another

          2. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.       John 15:12

          3. Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently I Peter 1:22

T.S. IN ORDER TO HONOR GOD WE MUST:

          I. BE CAREFUL IN OUR DISCUSSING THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

II. WE ARE DO NOT LIE ABOUT OTHERS

     A. Lying Is Not A Mark Of A Saved Person

          1. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds        Colossians 3:9

               a. Lie

                    1) Deception

                    2) Falsehood

                    3) Fraud

                    4) Respond as a witness

                    5) Injurious in testimony

               b. To

                   1) For

                   2) Against

          2. LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Psalm 15:1-3

     B. Lying Is Of The Devil   John 8:44; Acts 5:3

          1. Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.      Proverbs 12:22

          2. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.    Revelation 21:8

          3. For without are … whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.      Revelation 22:15

     C. The Slanderer Wounds Three At Once

NOTE: The wounds of the tongue no physician can heal

          1. He that is slandered

          2. He to whom the slander is reported

          3. His / her own soul

NOTE: “Slander” – to report things of others unjustly

NOTE: A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.    Proverbs 19:5

     D. The Godly Have Been, And Will Be Slandered

          1. John the Baptist was slandered         Matthew 11:18

          2. Christ was slandered

          3. Paul was slandered         Luke 7:34; Romans 3:8; Acts 24:5

NOTE: Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? Habakkuk 1:13

T.S. IN ORDER TO HONOR GOD WE MUST:

          I. BE CAREFUL IN OUR DISCUSSING THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

         II. WE ARE DO NOT LIE ABOUT OTHER

III. TREAT OUR NEIGHBOR RIGHT

     A. Who Our Neighbor Is

          1. Brother

          2. Fellow – Citizen

          3. Friend

          4. Intimate

          5. Others

     B. How We Feel About Others Comes Out In Our Conversations

          1. An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour …  Proverbs 11:9

          2. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.   Proverbs 17:4

          3. A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood   Proverbs 6:17

     C. How We Treat Our Neighbor Relates To Our Relationship With God

          1. For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD …  Isaiah 3:8

          2. The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.      Proverbs 10:20

          3. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.      Proverbs 21:23

          4. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile I Peter 3:10

     D. The Conflict Of The Ages Is The Conflict Between Satan And Christ

          1. Satan is the liar       John 8:44

          2. Christ is the Truth   John 14:6

NOTE: Lies and truth are revealed in one’s words

     a. Our words reveal our inward nature

     b. Our character is judged by our words

NOTE: If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well  James 2:8

CONCLUSION

IN ORDER TO HONOR GOD WE MUST: 

I. BE CAREFUL IN OUR DISCUSSING THE TESTIMONY OF OTHERS

II. WE ARE DO NOT LIE ABOUT OTHERS III. TREAT OUR NEIGHBOR RIGHT

III. TREAT OUR NEIGHBOR RIGHT

OUR CONFIDENCE

Psalm 7:10-17

INTRODUCTION

As we live our lives as Christians we will never please everyone. There will be family members who may not understand our Christian lifestyle and priorities. There will be people at work and in our neighborhoods who will not always react favorably to our decisions and our conversations. This is common to all of us. We learn to carefully chose what we say around these, love them anyway and go on about our lives.

Some will be puzzled as to our decisions. After all that probably are not Christians. They don’t understand Biblical values. Some will be irritated by our actions and values. They will get over it. But some will become our enemies. For some this may be too harsh a term, but it fits. They become a spiritual adversary, antagonist or competitor. And they bring grief to our life.

If not yet, such people will cross the path of every child of God someday.

In David’s life he did not ask of people to form a “I hate David” fan club. But many, in his life, became lifelong members. Among them were Saul, Absalom and Adonijah. And repeatedly, especially in the Psalms David declares not that he is Sinless, but that he is innocent of the charges brought against him. That can be one of the great hurts of life, when people slander us.

This Psalm expresses thought not much different from what David has said in preceding Psalms and will say many more times in those that follow.

THEME: WHEN WE FACE THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US:

I. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN GOD                     vs. 10

     A. Our Protection Or Defence Depends On Him Alone

          1. It rests upon God to defend us

NOTE: Truth, like oil, is ever above; no power of our enemies can drown it C. H. Spurgeon

          2. Defence

NOTE: Term used for ‘shield’

               a. After these things the word of the LOAD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.    Genesis 15:1

               b. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.         Ephesians 6:16

NOTE: The only place ‘shield’ is found in the New Testament

               c. For thou, LOAD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalm 5:12

     B. The Upright In Heart

          1. David does not try to prove that he is upright in heart

               a. He knows he cannot prove it

               b. He knows his own heart

               c. He knows God knows his heart

          2. Upright

               a. Used over one hundred times in the Old Testament

               b. Correct

               c. Pleasing

               d. Proper

               e. Right

               f. Righteous

              g. Straight and level

              h. Straight as opposed to crooked

          3. Heart

               a. Used over six hundred times in the Old Testament

               b. Conscience

               c. Emotions and passions

               d. Mind / thinking / understanding

               e. Moral character

               f. Will

     C. Why We Have The Ability To Suffer

          1. We know God is in charge

          2. We know God will take care of everything

T.S. WHEN WE FACE THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US:

          I. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN GOD

II. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HOW GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE UNGODLY   vs. 11-13

     A. God Judges The Righteous

          1. Can also mean God does the righteous

               a. We cry out for justice

               b. God gives the justice

               c. God vindicates our character

          2. Judgeth

               a. Avenge

               b. Defend

               c. Deliver

               d. Punish

               e. Vindicate

NOTE: God is never lukewarm when it comes to His children

     B. God Is Angry With The Wicked Every Day           vs. 11

NOTE: When He is silent He is still angry, and in His own time will stir up all His wrath, and rebuke in His hot displeasure

          1. Angry

               a. Not excitement

               b. Not temporary passion

               c. Not sudden emotion

               d. It is the steady and uniform characteristic of His unchanging nature to be always opposed to the wicked, to all forms of sin

               e. The wicked will find Him no more favorable to their character and course of life and style of life tomorrow than He is today

               f. Neither time nor eternity will make any change

              g. The same yesterday, today and forever

          2. Wicked – Not all that are thought to be righteous, or think themselves to be so, are such

          3. Every day

               a. When God seems to favour them

               b. When they are most secure and confident

NOTE: The best day that ever dawns on a sinner brings a curse with it          C. H. Spurgeon

     B. The Options Of The Wicked vs. 12

          1. He, the wicked, will not turn

               a. Repentance – change direction

               b. Turn back from sinful, harmful acts

               c. Turn back from rebelling

               d. Turn back from evil

NOTE: God cannot be indifferent to the course we pursue

     C. He Will ‘Whet’ His Sword

          1. God will sharpen his sword

          2. The word “sword” is found over four hundred times in the Bible

          3. The sword is often mentioned as an instrument of vengeance

          4. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.     Romans 12:19

          5. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations …      Revelation 19: 15

     D. He Hath Bent His Bow, And Made It Ready

          1. Literally, He has stepped on His bow

          2. The ancient method of bending the large and heavy bow and stringing it

     E. He Hath Also Prepared For Him The Instruments Of Death

          1. God has aimed at the ungodly

               a. Hebrew – ‘That man’

               b. This is another step in advance of judgment

          2. Not God will someday make arrangements

               a. All the arrangements are already made

               b. The sinner cannot escape

NOTE: We would say, God has the enemy in the cross hairs of His scope

          3. Instruments of death

               a. The unpleasantness of judgment

               b. The extent of judgment

               c. The fact of life vs. death

     F. Ordained

          1. He has made his arrows to be against

          2. He has committed his arrows to be against

          3. Ordain signifies the arrows are burning in anger

          4. Burning arrows are more destructive than non – burning arrows

T.S. WHEN WE FACE THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US:

          I. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN GOD

         II. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HOW GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE UNGODLY

III. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE UNGODLY vs. 14-16

     A. The Punishment Of The Wicked From Another Angle       vs. 14

          1. The natural result of the actions of the wicked

          2. The wicked falls into the trap laid for others

          3. Travail with iniquity

               a. Toward others

               b. The accompanying pains and throes of child birth

               c. The wicked person labors or struggles, even with great pain, to accomplish his purposes of iniquity

          4. Travail

               a. Bind

               b. Corrupt

               c. Destroy

               d. Ruin

          5. Iniquity

               a. To exert oneself, usually in vain

               b. Sorrow

               c. Trouble

               d. Vanity

               e. Wickedness

          6. Conceived

               a. Found forty three times in the Old Testament

               b. Every time it is found it refers to only two kinds of events

                    1) A woman conceiving a child; being pregnant

                    2) A wicked person conceiving sin

NOTE: Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.   James 1:15

          7. Mischief

               a. Misery

               b. Pain

               c. Sorrow

               d. Toil

          8. Brought forth falsehood

               a. The birth is falsehood

               b. Self deception

               c. After all his efforts and pains, after having formed his scheme, and labored hard (as if in the pangs of child birth) all his efforts ends in abortion

               d. All his plans are still born

               e. While the sinner is bringing forth his bitter and malicious schemes to maturity, he will conceive and bring forth ruin to himself

     B. The Fruit Of The Wicked vs. 15

          1. Pit

               a. An ancient method of trapping

               b. Drive the prey toward the pit covered with brush and grass

               c. They fall in

          2. The law of reaping and sowing

CONCLUSION

WHEN WE FACE THOSE WHO WOULD HARM US:

I. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN GOD

II. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN HOW GOD WILL DEAL WITH THE UNGODLY

III. OUR CONFIDENCE IS IN THE LIMITATIONS OF THE UNGODLY

THE PRAYER OF JABEZ

I Chronicles 4:1-10

INTRODUCTION

We have two choices in life regarding our testimony. Either we blend in with the crowd or we stand out. The same applies to our families.

Some of us are just like the rest of the family. Others of us stand out uniquely for God. Some blend with the wrong crowd and sin. Some stand out for God and shout a testimony.

The selection of our text appears to be a “bad beginning” for a sermon!! Here seems to be a list of dry, uninteresting names. Might as well put several pages of the telephone book in the Bible!! What is the point? We have a God who likes to write names in a book. A God who knows us by name.

We know that we are in a bad way when God forgets our name. This was the difference between “Lazarus” and “the rich man.” Even God forgot his name. In this life, either our sin is blotted out or our name is blotted out. This is a most horrible fact for human beings.

We see in this text God give honorable mention to a man’s name and history. There is something special about his story that God wanted written down for our learning and encouragement.

This man’s name was associated with a bad beginning. It was filled with sorrow and potential pain. But Jabez overcame what might have become his ruin. And God sets him forth as an example of a man who overcame a bad beginning.

THEME: HOW CAN WE OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE?

I. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST FACE THE FACTS AND DEAL WITH THEM

     A. Nothing Can Be Gained By Denying A Bad Beginning

NOTE: People have a tendency to deny failure, or a bad beginning (sin)

          1. What caused the “sorrow”?

               a. Unwanted pregnancy?

               b. Abandoned family?

               c. Hard economic times?

          2. What were the effects of this “life script” for Jabez?

               a. Feelings of rejection?

               b. Potential pain and personal sorrow

               c. Chip on his shoulder

               d. Determination to see a change in his life!

NOTE: The aggravation of a bad “life script” drives us to find a way out

NOTE: A grain of sand in an oyster shell creates a costly pearl after years of grinding aggravation

     B. God Is A God Of New Beginnings

NOTE: Jabez was a descendant of Caleb, which gave him a great heritage and the potential for greatness. His home was somewhere near Bethlehem where spiritual giants like Boaz and Ruth lived.

          1. Jabez can mean “sorrow”

               a. There is no question that we live in a vale of tears

               b. But do we have to wallow in them?

NOTE:… forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before … Philippians 3:13

          2. Jabez can also mean “height”

               a. How we look at our life can be a matter of perspective

               b. In Christ we can gain new heights in living

NOTE: In sorrow we are down; in Christ we are in the heavenlies

T.S. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE?

          I. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST FACE THE FACTS AND DEAL WITH THEM 

II. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST LOOK IN THE BIBLE FOR DIRECTION Psalm 119:105

NOTE: The Bible is a book about people, about problems, about solutions to those problems

     A. The Scriptures Are Like A Mirror James 1:22-25

NOTE: Jabez decided to take his problem to his God in prayer

     B. Other Examples Of Bad Beginnings

1. Benjamin Genesis 35:16-18

NOTE: His mother called his name, “Ben-oni”, “son of my sorrow,” his father called him “Benjamin,” “son of my right hand”

          2. Jacob Genesis 25:24-32:32

                a. Born a “supplanter” Genesis 25:26

NOTE: Jacob had suffered all his life because of his name, “cheat, double-crosser.” “One who takes you by the heel.” “One who twists your arm!”

               b. Took advantage of his brother’s weakness Genesis 25:30-34

               c. Deceived his father to gain more than his share of the inheritance Genesis 27:35,36

               d. Driven from homeland and family Genesis 27:41-45

               e. Became a fugitive (outlaw, runaway, escapee) Genesis 28:10-11

NOTE: Jacob had tried all the clever ways known to man to get ahead. But now he is broken, alone and at the end of himself.

NOTE: God had to break him, in order that he might bless him

NOTE: Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy James 5:11

T.S. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE?

          I. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST FACE THE FACTS AND DEAL WITH THEM

         II. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST LOOK IN THE BIBLE FOR DIRECTION

III. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST ASK GOD TO GIVE US A NEW BEGINNING vs. 10

NOTE: The God of the Bible is the God of new beginnings and eternal blessings

NOTE: Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed …

          a. Abraham

          b. Jacob

     A. We Learn From Jabez To Ask For Specific Blessings

          1. “Enlarge my coast”

               a. This was not asking for a material blessing alone

               b. “Make me a victorious man, to take something away from the enemy”

NOTE: Make me a bigger man!

          2. …. that Thine hand might be with me …

NOTE: Make me a bolder man!

               a. He wanted to hold hands with God!

NOTE: “Thine hand with me,”

               b. He didn’t want anyone in between him and God

               c. He didn’t want anything in between him and God

               d. With our hand in God’s, we can walk about anywhere we need to

          3. …. keep me from evil …

NOTE: Make me a better man!

NOTE: Keep me from harm

NOTE: The enterprise was in all probability the expulsion of the Canaanites from the territory he occupied; and as this was a war which God himself had commanded, His blessing could be the more reasonably asked and expected in preserving them from all the evils to which the undertaking might expose him.

NOTE: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

I John 5:14,15

a. We live in a terrible, decaying world

b. Evil men and women and seducers are waxing worse and worse II Timothy 3:13

c. Its a dirty world and so hard to keep clean

     B. We Learn From Jabez That God Will Answer Our Requests

          1. God granted Jabez his request

               a. A town was named after him I Chronicles 2:55

NOTE: Jewish writers affirm that he was an eminent doctor in the law, whose reputation drew so many scribes around him that a town was called by his name

               b. …. and God granted him that which he requested

CONCLUSION

HOW CAN WE OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE?

 I. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST FACE THE FACTS AND DEAL WITH THEM

II. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST LOOK IN THE BIBLE FOR DIRECTION

III. TO OVERCOME A BAD BEGINNING IN LIFE WE MUST ASK GOD TO GIVE US A NEW BEGINNING

THE STEPS OF AN ORDERED LIFE

Psalm 32

INTRODUCTION

We can put up with a lot that goes on out in the world. But the area where we want the peace, order and contentment is within ourselves. There are many things in life that we would do but it would not give us peace within. So we do not do these things. And every person here is aware of those areas of their life that would not give peace within.

There is a painting called “Peace.” At first glance it is anything but peace. In the picture waves are crashing into jagged rocks. All around is the violence of a crushing storm. But down in a small corner of the painting, tucked away in the rocks, is a little bid sitting on her nest totally oblivious to the raging storm all about. That is peace.

The world does have much peace. But as a child of God we can have peace in any storm. It is said that when the mightest hurricane is out in the Atlantic, where the water is deep, fish are calmly swimming beneath the hurricane at a depth of just a few hundred feet, oblivious of the fierceness above.

The same can be with us people of God. This does not mean we will never have pain. But it does mean we can gave peace even when we have loss and loss of control of our life.

THEME: WE HAVE PEACE BECAUSE:

I. WE ARE BLESSED        vs. 1-2

NOTE: Augustine said this was his favorite Psalm. He had it inscribed on the wall next to his bed before he died in order to meditate on it better. As a result of this Psalm Augustine said, “Intelligentia prima est ut te noris peccatorem” (the beginning of knowledge is to know oneself to be a sinner).

     A. Because Our Transgression (Rebellion) Is Forgiven

NOTE: Three Old Testament words for sin are used here

          a. Transgression – Rebellion, defiance

          b. Sin – Failure, defect

          c. Iniquity – Perversion, distortion

NOTE: Sin is so radical an offense against God that the Holy Spirit uses fifteen different Hebrew words to describe it in the Old Testament

          1. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin …  Exodus 34:7

          2. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. Joshua 24:19

          3. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.         Psalm 19:13

     B. Because Our Sin (Failure) Is Covered

          1. Meaning

               a. The coming short of a mark

               b. The falling short of a mark

NOTE: The moralist criticizes other people’s sins; a saint criticizes his her own

          2. Used in archery when the arrow falls short

          3. The target is God’s law, and the sin described by this word is a failure to measure up to it

NOTE: It is what a child manifest when he says “No!” to a parental command

It is what makes a child test every regulation, rule and restriction

     C. Because Our Iniquity Is Removed

          1. Meaning

               a. Corrupt

               b. Twisted

               c. Crooked

NOTE: Human nature is warped, bent and twisted instead of being straight, perfect and true

NOTE: The chief obstacle to the progress of the human race is the human race        Don Marquis

          2. We are not on the straight and narrow

     D. Because Of Our Guile vs. 2

          1. Insincerity

          2. Cunning

          3. Deception; two faced; double dealing

T. S. WE HAVE PEACE BECAUSE:

          I. WE ARE BLESSED

II. OUR SIN HAS BEEN REMOVED     vs. 3-4

NOTE: The three terms for sin are now matched by a second set of three terms describing what God does with the sin of those who confess to Him

          a. Our sin is forgiven

          b. Our sin is covered

          c. Our sin no longer counted against us

       A. Our Sin Wears Us Down     vs. 3

            1. The experience of unconfessed sin

            2. His very bones seemed to be wasting or melting away

            3. God brings pressure on us

                 a. Until we acknowledge the sin

                 b. Until we confess the sin

                 c. Until we return to Him

     B. We Are Worn Out By Our Resistance        vs. 4

          1. Like the drought of summer

          2. No place to get refreshing

          3. Not even good water

          4. Nothing satisfies

T.S. WE HAVE PEACE BECAUSE

          I. WE ARE BLESSED

         II. OUR SIN HAS BEEN REMOVED

III. WE HAVE CONFESSED EVERYTHING TO GOD         vs. 5-6

     A. All Three Words For Sin Are In Verse 5

          1. I acknowledge my sin unto Thee

          2. My iniquity have I not hid

          3. I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord

     B. The Effect Of Confession      vs. 5

          1. This is the longest verse in this Psalm

               a. No accident

               b. This is the most important verse in this Psalm

               c. The very heart of this Psalm

          2. Once David confessed this

               a. God forgave him

               b. It is never to be brought up again

               c. The slate was wiped clean

NOTE: Richard Nixon received a pardon from Gerald Ford. But Nixon never acknowledged guilt for his crimes. A legal technicality: Nixon was never pardoned.

     C. The Path We Follow When Sin Is Forgiven           vs. 6

          1. It is one thing to get out of the condemned cell; it is something else to then live a godly life

          2. The choice of how to use a pardon

               a. As a license to go on sinning

               b. As an opportunity to conquer a sin

          3. God is our hiding place when the waters of adversity overwhelm us after sin is forgiven

T. S. WE HAVE PEACE BECAUSE:

          I. WE ARE BLESSED

         II. OUR SIN HAS BEEN REMOVED

        III. WE HAVE CONFESSED EVERYTHING TO GOD

IV. WE HAVE COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD  vs. 7-11

     A. It Is Great To Live In A Day When God Answers Us       vs. 7

          1. That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us Acts 17:27

          2. Today is a day of spiritual opportunity, when God may be found

          3. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7

          4. The sobering thought: God’s grace will not last forever

     B. God Gives Spiritual And Moral Guidance To The One Who Repents   vs. 8-9

NOTE: We need to be:

          a. Guided         vs. 8

          b. Governed    vs. 9

          c. Guarded       vs. 10

         d. Gladden        vs. 11

John Phillips

          1. God gives instruction to the restored individual

          2. What God does for us after forgiveness

               a. He instructs us

               b. He teaches us

               c. He guides us with His eye

NOTE: This means we have to keep our eye on God

          a. We must stay close to God

          b. We must be within sight of God

          c. We look to God through His Word

          3. To God, guidance is the guidance of our character

NOTE: Definition of character – What we would do if we know we could get away with it and no one would ever know

          4. God governs us     vs. 9

               a. The horse has a nature that makes it want to run away

               b. The mule has a nature to refuse to move

               c. God wants us to have more sense than a beast of burden

     C. We Need His Protection       vs. 10

          1. Graham Scroggie suggest that the wicked person is surrounded by a swarm of bees

               a. They sting him

               b. They drive him before them

          2. Sorrows

               a. Calamities

               b. Hardships

               c. Tragedies

               d. Distress

               e. Desolation

     D. We Rejoice Because Of His Work  vs. 11

          1. No religion has the music that Christianity has

NOTE: Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life Berthold Auerbach

               a. They do not have such a glad message

               b. They do not have such a happy condition to cause them to sing

NOTE: Look at all the Christian music stations on the air

          2. We are forgiven, upright in heart

               a. We sing

NOTE: All music is folk music. I ain’t never heard no horse sing a song         Louis Armstrong

               b. We shout for joy!

CONCLUSION

WE HAVE PEACE BECAUSE:

I. WE ARE BLESSED

II. OUR SIN HAS BEEN REMOVED

III. WE HAVE CONFESSED EVERYTHING TO GOD

IV. WE HAVE COMPLETE TRUST IN GOD

LlFE’S LIMITS

Psalm 16:1-7

INTRODUCTION

What humans we are. We can be content with so little and we can be discontent with so much. We are in many ways a living contradiction. We love God, we love things. We love being spiritual, we love being in sin (for a while). We seek the approval of God, we seek the approval of sinners. We seek the eternal, we seek, with equal zeal, the temporary.

And when we face our mortality, the end of our life, we face death, we suddenly realize we must have the right priorities in our life. We suddenly realize that we want a strong confidence in God. We no longer have a strong confidence in what we did yesterday. Things just do not allure us sometimes in the dark seasons of our lives.

Almost every verse in 1-7 speaks of some aspect of single mindedness. We are to settle in our mind to side with God in all categories of our life: Our security (vs. 1), our welfare (vs. 2), our friends (vs. 3), our worship (vs. 4) and our ambitions (vs. 5-7).

THEME: WHEN WE REALIZE THE LIMITS OF OUR LIFE:

I. WE DISCOVER GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR FULFILLMENT        vs. 1-2

     A. We Are To Discover The Secret Of The Successful Life

          1. Michtam of David

               a. To hide

               b. A mystery

               c. A secret

          2. Someone has suggested that this Hebrew word comes for another word for gold

               a. Here is the gold of life

               b. This is called the Golden Psalm

     B. This Psalm Begins With David’s Statement Of His Relationship To God

          1. His relationship is found in the names for God he uses

          2. God             vs. 1

               a. Hebrew – EI

               b. God of power

               c. The Strong and Mighty One

               d. The most common name for God

     C. David’s Key Words

          1. Preserve

               a. Keep

               b. Save

               c. Implies actual suffering or imminent danger

          2. Trust

               a. Flee for protection

               b. Seek refuge

               c. Trust

               d. He has not only trusted God at the present but also in the past

               e. An on – going action

     D. The LORD      vs. 2

          1. Hebrew – Yahweh

          2. English – Jehovah

          3. The great, personal name of God

          4. God in His relationship to His people

     E. The Lord

          1. Hebrew – Adonay

          2. My Lord

          3. God is my Master

          4. In Him we take refuge

          5. He also has the power to direct what we are to do in life

NOTE: The New Testament equivalent

               a. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

               b. Lord is the equivalent of Adonia

               c. Savior corresponds with to Jehovah, Who saves us

               d. Therefore,

                    1) He has the power to save us

                    2) He has the power to direct us

     F. My Goodness Extends Not To Thee

          1. You don’t need my goodness (LXX)

NOTE: A poor widow had a very sick child. She needed fruit for the child, but it was winter and fruit was costly, she was poor. One day she noticed fruit in the royal greenhouse. The princess saw her staring at the greenhouse. After a few brief questions she knew the whole story. The princess cut a large bunch of grapes and gave them to the widow who offered a few pennies in payment. “I cannot take your money. My father, the king, does not need your coins. You can have these grapes freely or not at all.”

          2. God does not need

               a. Our wealth

               b. Our talent

               c. God gives out of His grace

          3. My happiness is not above Thee

               a. I have no higher happiness than Thee

               b. My happiness is not separate from Thee

               c. You, God, are my happiness

               d. Apart from You I can do nothing

T. S. WHEN WE REALIZE THE LIMITS OF OUR LIFE:

          I. WE DISCOVER GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR FULFILLMENT

II. WE DELIGHT IN GOD’S SAINTS     vs. 3

     A. The Immediate Result Of Our Relationship With God

          1. God is the One by Whom we measure all else

          2. Our relationship to God effects our relationship to others

               a. To the righteous saints

               b. To those who are not righteous

          3. David’s recognition of God

               a. God is the only source of happiness

               b. This is not peculiar to himself

               c. This is the common belief of all the saints in the land

     B. Saints

          1. Holy ones

          2. Loyal ones

          3. This is their character because of their relationship with the Lord

          4. To the excellent

               a. The noble ones

               b. Their character

     C. The Practical Application Of The Christian Life

          1. The positive application

               a. Do we love other Christians?

               b. Do we find it good and rewarding to be with them?

               c. Do we seek the company of the godly?

          2. The negative application

               a. Do we find it uncomfortable to be with those who sin openly?

NOTE: We have to be uncomfortable with their sin and yet be with them so we can win them to Jesus

               b. Are we troubled by their values?

               c. Are we shocked by their desires?

               d. Are we repulsed by their blasphemies?

     D. How Do We Know We Are Far Away From God?

          1. We are like backslidden Peter

          2. We warm our hands in the dark at the fire of those who are hostile to our Master

          3. We end up denying Jesus so to be accepted by them

T. S. WHEN WE REALIZE THE LIMITS OF OUR LIFE:

          I. WE DISCOVER GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR FULFILLMENT

         II. WE DELIGHT IN GOD’S GIANTS 

III. WE REJECT THE GODS OF THIS WORLD                     vs.4

     A. The Great Contrast

          1. With the happiness of those who like himself trust the Lord, he contrasts the wretchedness of those who have chosen any other object of supreme affection

          2. Their sorrows shall be multiplied

NOTE: Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow …   Genesis 3:16

     B. The Truth Of False Gods

          1. Mere troubles

          2. Vexations

          3. Sorrows

               a. Hurt

               b. Injury

               c. Pain

               d. Wound

     C. Another God

          1. In opposition to the true God

          2. The contrast between God and gods

          3. These gods can be any created object of our affection

     D. Hasten After

          1. Purchasing

          2. By self-denial

          3. By costly sacrifice

NOTE: Some have said that discontentment is the first sin. It poisoned the garden of Eden. It will poison every garden of our life.

     E. Names Of Their Gods

          1. In that day

          2. To say the name of another god

          3. To stain or pollute one’s lips

NOTE: And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.  Exodus 23:13

T.S. WHEN WE REALIZE THE LIMITS OF OUR LIFE:

          I. WE DISCOVER GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR FULFILLMENT

         II. WE DELIGHT IN GOD’S GIANTS

        III. WE REJECT THE GODS OF THIS WORLD

IV. WE RECEIVE THE RIGHT COUNSEL      vs.5-6

     A. The LORD Is … My Inheritance                    vs. 5

          1. One of the most eloquent statements found in the life of David

          2. The goal of every Christian

NOTE: A wealthy Roman had a faithful and capable slave named Marcellus and also a son who was a disappointment to him. The Roman died and when his will was opened, it was found he had left all his estate to Marcellus, the slave. His will decreed that his son could choose one item and only one from the estate before the will was settled. ”I’ll take Marcellus!” he said. By taking him he took all.

NOTE: King George Vl was a born again Christian. While on an official visit to Canada he was introduced to a native – born Indian chief, Chief Whitefeather. The chief was instructed by a Canadian official to sing for the King. It was expected that he would sing a native war song. To everyone’s surprise Chief Whitefeather began to sing:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold,

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land,

I’d rather be led by His nail – pierced hand

Than to the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords to day.

The stunned official watched as King George Vl walked over to Chief Whitefeather, took his hand and said, ”I’d rather have Jesus, too.”

NOTE: And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.    Numbers 18:28

     B. Portion

          1. A term common for:

               a. Land

NOTE: With the Lord defending us, we will not be uprooted or cast out

          a. When Israel was right with God they were secure

          b. When Israel rejected the Lord they were cast out

               1) The Babylonian Captivity

               2) The Fall of Jerusalem (70 A.D.)

               b. Daily food and drink

NOTE: Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.         John 4:34

          2. While others covet the gods of this world:

               a. God is our inheritance

               b. God is all we can wish or hope for

          3. You maintain my lot

               a. My honor

               b. My abundance

     C. Lines Fallen     vs. 6

          1. Distribution

          2. As Israel cast lots for their place in the Promised Land

          3. God sets the boundaries

               a. Of our life

               b. Of our abundance

               c. Of our territory

     D. The Enjoyment Of The Godly Life – Pleasant Places

          1. Agreeable

          2. Beautiful (Physical)

          3. Delightful

          4. Lovely

          5. Musical

          6. Pleasures

          7. Sweet

     E. The Goodly Heritage Of The Godly

          1. An amazing thought

               a. So many are so discontent

               b. Discontentment is one of the most striking characteristics of our time

          2. The contrast for the child of God

               a. The contented Christian

               b. Contented with what God has given us

          3. The only “great gain” in the Bible

NOTE: But godliness with contentment is great gain.      I Timothy 6:6

     F. We Will Bless The LORD     vs. 7

          1. For giving us instructions to choose this goodly heritage

          2. For the opportunity to not choose the other portions of this world

     G. The Control Of Our Reins

           1. Seat of emotion and affection

               a. The heart

               b. The will

NOTE: It is said that great generals fight their battles in their own mind long before the battle starts.

Jesus fought his battle in the Garden of Gethsemane before He fought it on the cross. We must fight our battles in our hearts before we fight them publicly.

The sinner chooses his sin in the night; the godly chose God in the night.

We hear the soft still voice of heaven. We hear the heavenly life within us.

          2. Our heart

               a. Teaches us

               b. Warns us

               c. Counsels us

NOTE: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

NOTE: O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!       Deuteronomy 5:29

NOTE: Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.  I Kings 8:61

NOTE: Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.   Psalm 119:2

NOTE: But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.         Luke 8:15

     H. Night Seasons

          1. When life is dark

          2. When we cannot see

               a. Where to go

               b. What to do

          3. Night is the time for reflection

          4. The same thoughts should occupy our mind day and night

CONCLUSION

WHEN WE REALIZE THE LIMITS OF OUR LIFE:

I. WE DISCOVER GOD IS THE SOURCE OF OUR FULFILLMENT

II. WE DELIGHT IN GOD’S GIANTS

III. WE REJECT THE GODS OF THIS  WORLD 

IV. WE RECEIVE THE RIGHT COUNSEL

HOW TO HANDLE OPPRESSION

Psalm 57

INTRODUCTION

911 introduced to America a magnitude of suffering this country has rarely experienced in its history. Some remember the shock of Pearl Harbor. Some remember the shock of the Kennedy assassination. But this is more vivid. In the former two there was not actual scenes transmitted live to the American public. Here everyone saw the events as they happened.

All of the spectrum of emotions have passed before us: shock, horror, pain, fear, anger, frustration, etc. History will probably say that this event will define us as a people in many respects for this century.

Neither the scenes nor the actions of terrible people are new to the earth. Every twenty minutes someone somewhere on this earth dies for their Christian belief. Most of them die at the hands of Muslims. And the news media does not really care. But God cares. And now the news media cares because it has now come home to America and to America’s pocket book.

How do we as Christians deal with the likes of this kind suffering in our own lives? It is no longer an academic question. The World Trade Building attack was more than an attack on materialistic America, it was an attack in the name of, and for the glory of, Allah. It is time that we as American Christians are prepared to pay the price for our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our government may try to ignore the ramifications but we do not have war declared on us; we have had a religious holy war declared on us.

This Psalm parallels our trials before us. David killed Goliath in the name of God. It was a battle of David and his God versus Goliath and his god. When the women gave more credit to David than to Saul, the king began nursing a grudge and jealously and eventually tried to kill David.

What was David’s sin? David was living for God.

David was not on an ego trip. He was not trying to make a name for himself. He was doing things in his fellowship with God for God’s glory. And because of this Saul tried to kill him. What happened to David is what is beginning to happen to us.

From Psalm 52 through Psalm 57 David is fleeing from King Saul. In Psalm 52 through Psalm 56 David is fleeing from his enemies. In Psalm 57 David is hiding in God. In this Psalm God is referred to twenty-one times either by name or pronoun There are also other words or phrases life “refuge” and “shadow of thy wings” that refer to God

THEME: WHEN WE PAY THE PRICE FOR LIVING FOR GOD:

I. THERE IS ONLY ONE REFUGE FOR US vs. 1-3

     A. When Troubles Come We Can Only Go To God            vs. 1

NOTE: Be merciful … be merciful. Shows the intensity of his desire.

          1. God

               a. Elohim

               b. God’s power

NOTE: God, I need your power

          2. My soul

               a. Not, my body

               b. Not my wealth

               c. Not my possessions

               d. The most personal part of us

               e. Ultimately the battle is for our soul

          3. Trust

               a. To seek refuge

               b. Flee for protection

               c. To confide in

          4. In the shadow of Thy wings will I make my refuge

               a. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.  Ruth 2:12

               b. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!         Matthew 23:37

               c. He does not call the cave his refuge

                    1) Solid rock by itself can become a trap

                    2) So can anything but God

                    3) God is his refuge

          5. Calamities

               a. Engulfing ruin

               b. Destruction

               c. Wickedness

               d. Occasioned by the crimes of others

          6. Until these calamities be over past

               a. This too shall be past

               b. But it hurts until it pasts

               c. In the meantime we must not let this deter our stand for God

     B. Cry Unto God vs. 2

          1. Invite God

          2. Two reasons for crying unto God

               a. Because of Who He is

               b. Because of what He has done in the past

          3. God is exalted above all

               a. All events are under Him

               b. He controls all events

          4. He performs all things for us

               a. Completes

               b. Perfecting what He has begun

               c. To bring to an end

               d. Completing what He starts

NOTE: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ         Philippians 1:6

     C. He Shall Send Help From Heaven vs. 3

          1. From Himself – the only help David wanted was from God

          2. Save from the reproach of others

               a. Preserve

                    1) Defend

                    2) Deliver unto the victory

               b. Reproach

                    1) Taunt

                    2) Defy

          3. Swallow me up

               a. To thirst for one’s blood (from actions of animals)

               b. To crush

               c. To trample upon

NOTE: We face spiritual and ethical and moral cannibals who devour our names, our reputations, our testimonies. And as they devour us they salt us with the salt of lies and blasphemies. And they rejoice in their feast.

          4. God will send forth mercy and truth

               a. Mercy to ease the pain

               b. Truth to set us free

T. S. WHEN WE PAY THE PRICE FOR LIVING FOR GOD:

          I. THERE IS ONLY ONE REFUGE FOR US

II. THERE WILL BE A RING OF ENEMIES     vs.4-6

     A. We Are Among Lions vs.4

          1. Represent ferocious enemies

               a. Fierce

               b. Savage

               c. Ferocious

          2. I lie even among them

               a. Though surrounded by lions I will fearlessly lie down

               b. Among them

               c. Or, on them

          3. They are set on fire

               a. Raging

               b. Inflamed with passion

               c. Infuriated

               d. Enraged

               e. Burning with rage or wrath

NOTE: We are not consumed by their burning

          a. Like the bush on Mt. Sinai before Moses

          b. Like the three Hebrews young men in the fiery furnace

          c. Because, like in the above cases, God is there with us

          4. Sons of men

               a. Shows who the lions are

               b. As opposed to the sons of God

               c. Men who have the ferocious nature of wild beasts

          5. Teeth

               a. Like spears and arrows

               b. A double image of a wild beast and a warrior

          6. Their tongue

               a. Singular – one tongue

               b. The slander and abuse they pour on us

               c. Their blasphemy against God hurts more than their slander against us

     B. Be Thou Exalted, O God      vs. 5

          1. Not exalt us

               a. All that is important is God

               b. Through this may God be exalted no matter what may become of us

          2. David’s prime wish

               a. Not for himself

               b. Not for his own safety

               c. Not for his own deliverance from danger

               d. It is that God be honored

               e. That the name of God may be glorified

               f. That God may be regarded as supreme over all things

               g. That God may be exalted in the highest possible degree through these circumstances

NOTE: A wish that God will be exalted both in heaven and earth. The battle is between their god and our God

NOTE: The statement of Mike Tyson (Muslim) to Evander Holyfield (Christian) before their championship fight: “We will now see whose god is God”

          3. The only true source of consolation

               a. That God should reign

               b. That His laws should be obeyed

               c. That His plans should be accomplished

               d. More important that anything that merely pertains to us

                    1) Our health

                    2) Our plans

                    3) Our prosperity

                    4) Our life

     C. Our Soul Is Bowed Down vs. 6

          1. They pressed down my soul

          2. The image of a beast that is held down by a trap

T.S. WHEN WE PAY THE PRICE FOR LIVING FOR GOD:

          I. THERE IS ONLY ONE REFUGE FOR US

         II. THERE WILL BE A RING OF ENEMIES

III. THERE WILL BE OUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD   vs. 7-11

     A. Our Heart Is To Be Fixed      vs. 7

          1. Heart

               a. Mind

               b. Memory

               c. Conscience

               d. Heart of moral character

               e. Seat of emotions and passions

               f. Seat of courage

          2. Our heart is to be fixed

               a. Firmly resolved against all fear

               b. Standing erect

NOTE: cf. vs. 6 – My soul is pressed down

          c. David was not swayed or moved by events that occurred

          d. His heart was firm and decided

NOTE: For a fixed heart I must have a fixed determination and not a mere fluctuating and soon broken intention. I must have a steadfast affection, and not merely a fluttering love that, like some butterfly, lights now on this, now on that sweet flower, but which has a flight straight as a carrier pigeon … which shall bear me direct to God. And I must have a continuous realization of my dependence upon God and of God’s sweet sufficiency going with me all through the dusty day … Alexander Maclaren

          3. He did not waver in the slightest degree

               a. In his purpose of life

               b. In his confidence of God

          4. I will sing and give praise

               a. The language of praise

               b. In all troubles God is our refuge

               c. In all troubles there is occasion of praise

     B. We Are To Awaken Spiritually         vs.8

          1. My glory

               a. Honour

               b. Riches

               c. Splendor

               d. Honour

               e. Dignity

               f. Reputation

          2. My glory

               a. May refer to the soul which is the glory of the whole person

               b. May refer to the tongue which is the glory of the body

               c. Our glory must be used to show God’s glory

          3. I myself will awake early

               a. I will awaken the dawn

               b. Not, the dawn will wake us

               c. Not fearful of the new day

               d. Not hiding under the covers

               e. Rested and ready for the new day

               f. When the sun arises it finds us singing praises to God

NOTE: How long does it take from the time we awake until we think of God?

     C. We Must Magnify Our Testimony   vs. 9

          1. People

               a. Nation of God’s people

               b. Our kindred, family

          2. The people – the people of God

          3. The nations – those outside of God

     D. We Must Remember God’s Mercy And Truth       vs. 10

          1. There is no end to the supply of God’s mercy

          2. God’s truth is just as endless

               a. Firmness

               b. Faithfulness

               c. Reliability

               d. Stability

     E. We Must Exalt God’s Glory

          1. God’s riches

          2. God’s splendor

          3. God’s honour

          4. God’s dignity

          5. God’s reputation     vs. 11

NOTE: The goal of history is that God might be known as God and be honored for it

NOTE: A prayer that God might be exalted

          a. How so?

          b. In what manner?

          c. By whom?

          d. The answer is that David wants God to be exalted in his own personal circumstances and by the way he trust and praises Him even in difficulties

NOTE: The world thrills when human beings are exalted

          a. The world fawns on kings, rulers, the rich and the famous

          b. We who know God rejoice when God is exalted, especially in circumstances that are disappointing or difficult

          c. The mature Christian’s mind must be fixed on God

               1) That which we most earnestly desire

               2) The crowning aim and desire of our life

CONCLUSION

WHEN WE PAY THE PRICE FOR LIVING FOR GOD:

I. THERE IS ONLY ONE REFUGE FOR US

II. THERE WILL BE A RING OF ENEMIES

III. THERE WILL BE OUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD

VICTORIOUS

Psalm 42:1-5

INTRODUCTION

Depression is one of the most common maladies we face. There is emotional depression, economical depression and spiritual depression.

We get down in the dumps. We sing the blues. We feel that God has forgotten us and that we will never be able to get on track with God again. Many are trapped in the “dark night of the soul.”

What causes depression in Christians?

     1. Absence from the place where God is worshiped 42:1-2

     2. The taunts of unbelievers       42:3,10

     3. The overwhelming trials of life            42:7

     4. Failure of God to act quickly on our behalf    42:9

     5. Attacks from ungodly, deceitful and wicked persons           43:1

The Psalms are divided into three sections with the second section beginning with Psalm 42. Both Psalm 42 and 43 deal with depression. These Psalms are called the most sadly beautiful of Psalms. We find these Psalms as an expression of our own feelings.

How do we win out over depression?

     1. We take control of our life

          a. We do not give in to depression or self – pity

          b. We fight ourselves, not others

          c. We overcome

          d. We remind ourselves continually that there is no eternal reason for being depressed

     2. We challenge ourselves to do what should be done

          a. We challenge ourselves to do what the spiritual self knows should be done

          b. “Put your hope in God!”

     3. We remind ourselves of a great truth

          a. The great character of our God

          b. The trust we place in God

          c. “I will yet praise Him”

          d. Because, God has not changed

          e. His purposes for us have not changed

THEME: WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE TO BE VICTORIOUS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?

I. WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S PRESENCE MORE THAN ANYTHING    vs. 1-2

     A. The Introduction

          1. Maschil

               a. Found thirteen times in the Psalms

               b. Song or poem of contemplation

          2. The sons of Korah

               a. Korah led a rebellion of 250 leaders against Moses and perished in the desert

               b. But the sons of Korah were spared

               c. These future generations dedicated themselves to producing and performing the music used to praise God in the Tabernacle and the Temple

               d. These devout children of reprobate parents

               e. No person needs to be kept from serving God because of the sins of the parents

     B. How We Are To Behave: Like A Deer

          1. We are to pant for the water of life

               a. Hebrew word found three times in the Old Testament, two of the times here

               b. Cry

               c. Long for

          2. The essential idea is that of:

               a. Intense desire

               b. Overwhelming sense of want

NOTE: Things David did not want

          a. Ease he did not seek

          b. Honor he did not covet

          3. The two possible conditions

                a. Exhaustion caused by flight

                b. The natural effects of drought

NOTE: The slower agony of drought

          4. Brooks

               a. Streams that run full when rain falls

               b. They dry up when there is no rain

NOTE: My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away        Job 6:15

     C. From Our Soul We Must Seek God

          1. Soul

               a. Hebrew – nephesh

               b. Activity of mind

               c. Activity of the character

               d. Activity of the will

               e. Desire f. Heart

               g. Life

               h. Mind

               i. Seat of emotions and passions

               j. Seat of the appetites

          2. After thee, O God

               a. The goal in our life

                    1) Not things

                    2) Not power

                    3) Not success

                    4) Not prestige

                    5) Not control

                    6) Not church

                    7) Not programs

               b. God

                    1) You personally

                    2) You alone

     D. The Thirst Of Our Soul Is God          vs.2

          1. Thirsteth

               a. Past tense

               b. This is not a new experience for the first time

               c. This is a familiar experience of the spiritual life

          2. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is         Psalm 63:1

          3. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.       Matthew 5:6

          4. How little of real soul thirst there is in these days of materialism and luring pleasures

          5. No thought is more hideous than that of an eternity without God

     E. Our Goal Is To See God

          1. When shall I come?

               a. A bodily approach

               b. Physical presence

          2. Appear

               a. Behold

               b. Look at

               c. Present one self

               d. Be seen

               e. Be visible

               f. Look at each other

          3. Before

               a. Before the face of

               b. In front of

               c. Presence

NOTE: A phrase commonly used of going to the tabernacle or temple. Also as Moses speaking face to face with God.

NOTE: Where our fathers saw the world as a battleground we see it as a playground. Where they went out to engage the world as a foe, we go out to embrace the world as a friend. We have its pleasures piped into to us and we become so seduced by the world that we excuse ourselves from the gathering together of the people of God. John Phillips

NOTE: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  Hebrews 10:25

               a. The last days will come equipped with special spiritual perils for the saint of God

               b. Not the least the absence from the gatherings of God’s people

T.S. WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE TO BE VICTORIOUS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?

          I. WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S PRESENCE MORE THAN ANYTHING

II. WE MUST FACE THE TAUNTS OF OUR ENEMIES      vs. 3

     A. Different Kinds Of Tears

          1. Tears of longing for God

          2. Tears of joy

          3. Tears of longing

          4. Tears of pain

          5. Tears of sorrow

NOTE: He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOO will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.  Isaiah 25:8

     B. Instead Of Eating I Have Wept

          1. Meat

               a. Bread

               b. Feast

               c. Food

               d. Provision

          2. Day and night

               a. Common phrase for:

                    1) Continually

                    2) Constantly

               b. Night

                    1) As opposed to day

                    2) Gloom

                    3) Protective shadow

     C. They – The Enemies Of God

          1. They continually say

               a. The enemies of David

               b. The enemies of God

          2. We are exposed:

               a. To ridicule

               b. To temptation

               c. To a great need for God

          3. They say

               a. Act proudly

               b. Boast

               c. Command

               d. Say in one’s heart

               e. Speak

NOTE: The wicked know that our worst misfortune would be to lose God’s favor

     D. Who Our God Is

          1. In these five verses the Hebrew word for God is ‘Elohim’

          2. The God of power

          3. Their boast:

               a. Where is this God that you say gives you power?

               b. Where is your power?

          4. The question is an indirect assertion that God has forsaken us

NOTE: He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.    Matthew 27:43

     E. The Unsympathetic World

          1. Taunts

          2. Misunderstands

T.S. WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE TO BE VICTORIOUS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?

          I. WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S PRESENCE MORE THAN ANYTHING

         II. WE MUST FACE THE TAUNTS OF OUR ENEMIES

III. WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD            vs.4-5

     A. There Are Things We Must Remember

          1. Be brought to mind

          2. Bring to remembrance

          3. Call to mind

          4. Recall

          5. These things

               a. Not the former enjoyments with God

               b. The taunts of the enemies of the cross

     B. We Pour Out Our Soul In U

          1. Not necessarily grief

          2. Mingled joy and sadness in the recollection of past sufferings and deliverances

          3. We might talk about a Christian’s heart, hardened by sin, and softened, or melted, by sorrow or gratitude, or both

          C. We Appear Before God In The House of God

               1. Tabernacle in David’s day

               2. Fellowship with God’s people revives us

               3. Fellowship with God’s people causes us to fellowship more with God

               4. The ultimate House of God – heaven

               5. Went

                    a. Go softly

                    b. Moved slowly

                    c. Walked deliberately

     D. The Spirit Of Entering The House Of God

          1. Joy

               a. Gladness

               b. Rejoicing

               c. Singing

               d. Supplication

               e. Triumph

          2. Praise

               a. Confession

               b. Hymns of praise

               c. Sacrifice of thanksgiving

               d. Songs of worship

     E. They Kept Holy Day

          1. Holy day – when God is the center of attention

          2. Holiday – when people and things are the center of attention

NOTE: The contrast between the two

          a. ‘Holy day’ – Yahweh

          b. ‘Holiday’ – I

     F. The Need To Talk To Ourselves       vs.5

          1. We are creatures of conviction

          2. We are creatures of change

          3. We are creatures of God

          4. To search out the cause of our sorrow is often the best surgery for grief

               a. Self ignorance is not bliss

               b. In this case it is misery

NOTE: How David criticized

          a. David did not criticize Saul

          b. David did not criticize Absalom

          c. David criticized his own heart

          5. How David comforted himself

               a. He corrected himself for his anxiety

               b. He reminded himself of his faith and hope

               c. He strengthened himself in God’s promises

               d. He reminded himself – God will help in His time

     G. O My Soul

          1. David addresses his own soul as if it is another person

          2. David addresses unbelieving fear

          3. David refuses to allow unbelief to be a part of himself

     H. The Why’s Of Our Depression

          1. Why are we cast down?

               a. Bowed down

               b. Brought low

               c. Humbled

               d. In despair

          2. Why are we disquieted

               a. Be in a stir

               b. Be in an uproar

               c. Raging

               d. Troubled

               e. Not mere uneasiness

                    1) Violent agitation

                    2) Like the sea in a storm

NOTE: There are hours when:

          a. Depression darkens the windows of the soul

          b. Depression shatters nerves

     I. Faith Is Replaced With Hope

          1. Hope in God

               a. Expect

               b. Tarry

               c. Trust

               d. Wait

NOTE: The two greatest gifts we have from God is faith and hope

          a. Faith tells the soul what Christ has done for it

          b. Hope revives the soul with the news of what Christ will do

William Gurnall

          2. The mistake we make is to look for a source of comfort in ourselves

          3. Self contemplation vs. our eyes on God

     J. I Will Yet Praise Him

          1. Praise

               a. Give thanks

               b. Make confession

          2. Our present downcast mood is not the final act of our life’s drama

          3. The best is yet to come

     K. The Help Of His Countenance

          1. The Hebrew word is in the plural

               a. Deliverances

               b. Prosperity

               c. Salvations

               d. Victories

          2. Countenance

               a. Face

               b. Presence

NOTE: Who would think when Jonah was in the sea that he would preach at Nineveh?

Who would think when Nebuchadnezzar acted like an animal that he would rule Babylon again?

Who would think when Joseph was sold by his brothers into slavery that they would be his servants?

Who would think when Job scraped his sores upon the dunghill that he would richer than he ever was?

These are the acts of mercy of our God

Henry Smith

CONCLUSION

WHAT STEPS DO WE TAKE TO BE VICTORIOUS IN OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE?

I. WE MUST DESIRE GOD’S PRESENCE MORE THAN ANYTHING

II. WE MUST FACE THE TAUNTS OF OUR ENEMIES

III. WE MUST HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD

WHEN PERSECUTION COMES

Psalm 56

INTRODUCTION

There will always be people who do not like us. That is a common mark of the world. Racism exists because people do not like people who are different. Some do not like us because we do a better job at work than them and they do not want anyone getting more recognition than them. Sometimes people persecute us because of conflicts in personalities.

For the child of God there is another dimension in persecution: because we are children of God. As Christians we are to light our light shine. When a light shines it does not make noise, but its presence can not be denied.

The presence of God in David was evident in the cultural differences between David and the Philistines. In the Bible “Philistines” has become synonymous with worldly or without Christ.

Jo-nath-e-Iem-recho-kim literally means “the dove of silence in far off places.” The people of God are on the outside of society and the trouble is not yet over. They are seen as wanderers and waiting in hope of the deliverance from God.

THEME: OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES ARE AFFECTED BY:

I. THOSE WHO WANT TO HURT US   vs. 1-6

     A. Men Who Want To Consume Us    vs. 1

NOTE: Hebrew word denotes man in his weakness and frailty as contrasted with God in His power and majesty

          1. We fight daily with men

          2. They daily trouble him

NOTE: The open mouths of sinners when they rage against us should open our mouths in prayer         Spurgeon

     B. Our Enemies Want To Consume Us           vs. 2

NOTE: They are not content until we are consumed

          1. He fights with his enemies daily

          2. They are many

          3. He is not afraid because of his trust in God         vs. 3-4

               a. He praises His word

               b. He puts his trust in God

NOTE: David never claims not to be afraid; This is the only recorded time that says David was afraid of man

               c. Fear and faith can be in the same heart and mind

                    1) Unsaved fear drives one away from God

                    2) Saved fear drives us to trust

     C. They take his word the wrong way   vs. 5

          1. The common mode of warfare of the ungodly

          2. They pick at what we say to find fault

               a. They give then a wrong meaning

               b. They purposely misrepresent us

               c. They twist and pervert our words

          3. All their thoughts are against me for evil

               a. No amount of good will tone down their malice

               b. Never benefit of the doubt to us

     D. They Sneak Around Looking For A Chance To Get Him  vs. 6

          1. They gather themselves together

NOTE: They are many

               a. Persecutors hunt in packs

               b. They seldom come down upon us singly

               c. They love and seek company

          2. They hide themselves

               a. Looking to ambush the godly

               b. Like hunters after the prey

NOTE: People of malice or ill will are cowards

          3. They mark my steps

               a. Literally heels

               b. The most undefended part

               c. Like a snake in the grass

          4. I will not fear what flesh can do unto me

T.S. OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES ARE AFFECTED BY:

          I. THOSE WHO WANT TO HURT US

II. GOD’S INFLUENCE     vs.7-9

     A. None Can Escape Him         vs.7

          1. They will not escape punishment from their sin

          2. In His anger He cast down those who are against us

     B. He Knows Where We Are   vs. 8

          1. He knows our wanderings

          2. He keeps track of our tears

NOTE: The Romans had little lachrimatories that held tears in remembrance of a sorrow cf. God kept David’s tears in skin bottles

NOTE: God treasures our tears as precious wine

          3. He has them written in a book

     C. He Is There When We Call On Him            vs. 9

          1. He can turn our enemies back

NOTE: The cry of faith and prayer to God is more dreadful to our spiritual foes than the war whoop of the Indian     Adam Clark

          2. So we can know God is for us

T.S. OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES ARE AFFECTED BY:

          I. THOSE WHO WANT TO HURT US

         II. GOD’S INFLUENCE

III. PRAISING GOD          vs. 10-13

     A. We Should Put Our Trust In Him

          1. When we trust Him we will not fear what man can do to us

          2. He will keep His promises toward us

     B. He Has Given Us Our Salvation      vs.13

          1. He will also protect us

          2. He will also watch over us in our daily lives

               a. Not simply live in His Presence

               b. Not simply live under His Protection

               c. But serve Him acceptably

NOTE: It is great to trust God when fear comes; it is greater to trust God so completely as to have no fear

CONCLUSION

OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES ARE AFFECTED BY:

I. THOSE WHO WANT TO HURT US

II. GOD’S INFLUENCE

III. PRAISING GOD

LOSING OUR WAY

Psalm 53

INTRODUCTION

How many of us have ever gotten lost? Maybe it was on a trip or maybe even in the mall. Now for us guys, we have never gotten lost. Maybe we have taken rather long shortcuts but never lost.

Lost can be defined as losing sight of a goal, turning away from our real destination. “Lost’ is a good Bible term. A synonym is gone astray. To recover from ‘lostness’ or going astray in the spiritual sense covers more than just getting smart enough or enough information to get back on track. Instead we have the word, salvation. In regards to the Christian life there are two important facts about being lost: we must accept His way out of our spiritual wanderings, and we must continually follow Christ in order to have a successful, never – lost life. Jesus summarized it this way, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26.

There is a need we have, whether we are Christians or not, concerning our lives. We need to follow Christ. When sin begins to be magnified in our life Christ gets pushed out of the picture. In order to never be lost again and receive God’s blessings, we must acknowledge the corruption in the way we are going in our lives and then receive God’s eternal road map, the Bible, which leads us to the Lord Jesus Christ.

THEME: WHEN DO WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY?

I. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE DESPISE GOD    vs. 1-3

     A. We Can Say, “No God”       vs. 1

NOTE: Two ways this phrase can be translated

          a. The fool has said in his heart, “No God”

          b. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no need of God in my decisions on where I go or what I do”

          1. The meaning of “fool”

               a. A person with moral deficiencies

NOTE: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.         Psalm 14:1

          b. A person with intellectual deficiencies

NOTE: In whose eyes a vile person is contemned (despised); but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.       Psalm 15:4

NOTE: The number one characteristic of the fool in the Bible is that he / she is lost, without God

          2. The behavior of a fool

               a. There is no fear of being out of God’s way

NOTE: The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.      Psalm 36:1

               b. There is no respect for God’s road map – the law

NOTE: Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.      Psalm 1:1

          3. The contents of a fool’s mind         vs. 2

               a. A reprobate mind

NOTE: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience  Ephesians 2:2

               b. A rebellious mind – No God

     B. When We Were Lost We Did Iniquity        Psalm 53:1

          1. The meaning of iniquity

NOTE: Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools Romans 1:22

          2. The results of iniquity

NOTE: For the wages of sin is death …        Romans 6:23

     C. When We Were Lost We Did Not Have An Understanding Of God    Psalm 53:3

          1. Because we did not seek God’s path

               a. And he (Rehoboam) did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.    II Chronicles 12:14

               b. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:4

               c. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.        Psalm 119:155

          2. We did not do good

NOTE: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way …         Isaiah 53:6

     D. We Became Filthy     Psalm 53:3

          1. We were morally filthy sinners      Romans 3:23

          2. When we get comfortable on the wrong road we have no desire to do or be good

               a. …. to do good they have no knowledge.        Jeremiah 4:22

               b. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.       James 4:17

T.S. WHEN DO WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY?

I. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE DESPISE GOD

II. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE HAVE NO MORAL KNOWLEDGE     Psalm 53:4-5

     A. We Irritate Those Who Are On The Right Track     Psalm 53:4

          1. They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.    Hosea 4:8

          2. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.   Proverbs 4:17

     B. We Did Not Call Upon God Psalm 53:4

          1. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.     Psalm 116:13

          2. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.     Psalm 86:5

          3. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.    Psalm 91:15

          4. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.   Psalm 18:3

     C. The Time Will Come When We Will Live In Fear Psalm 53:5

NOTE: “Fear” is found over 500 times in the Bible

NOTE: A very wealthy man was determined to take his wealth with him when he died. He lived in fear that someone would steal it from him. The only person he could trust was his wife. He instructed her to get all his money together, put it in a sack and hang it in the rafters in the attic. He said, “When my spirit is caught up to heaven, I’ll grab the sack on my way up.” Finally, he died. The woman raced to the attic only to find the money was still there. She remarked, “I knew I should’ve put the sack in the basement.”

          1. God gives the opposite command to the righteous who are on the right road of life

               a. ‘” fear not, neither be discouraged.      Deuteronomy 1:21

               b. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:6

               c. Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.         I Samuel 12:24

               d. The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?        Psalm 27:1

          2. Those who chose the wrong road will live in fear

               a. And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life        Deuteronomy 28:66

               b. I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh   Proverbs 1:26

               c. The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.     Proverbs 10:24

     D. The Ultimate Fear – We Will Be Despised By God Psalm 53:5

          1. Be not deceived; God is not mocked …   Galatians 6:7

          2. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.       Revelation 21:8

T.S. WHEN DO WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY?

          I. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE DESPISE GOD

        II. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE HAVE NO MORAL KNOWLEDGE

III. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN GOD HAS TO PROVIDE OUR SALVATION I DELIVERANCE      Psalm 53:6

     A. In Spite Of Our Sin, He Still Loves Us        Psalm 53:6

          1. For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way

I Samuel 12:22-23

          2. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.   I John 4:10

          3. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.      John 5:42

          4. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me …       John 8:42

     B. We Will Experience Everlasting Joy           Psalm 51:6

          1. But godliness with contentment is great gain.      I Timothy 6:6

          2. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.        Psalm 31:24

          3. And now, lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7

          4. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.        I John 3:3

CONCLUSION

WHEN DO WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY?

I. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE DESPISE GOD

II. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN WE HAVE NO MORAL KNOWLEDGE

III. WE SHOW WE HAVE LOST OUR WAY WHEN GOD HAS TO PROVIDE OUR SALVATION I DELIVERANCE