Author: E. DeWayne Swann

CrossView Part 1 

 

I will glory in the Cross  By Dottie Rambo

I boast not of works or tell of good deeds
For naught have I done to merit his grace
All glory and praise shall rest upon him
So willing to die in my place

My trophies and crowns, my robe stained with sin
Twas all that I had to lay at his feet
Unworthy to eat from the table of life
Till love made provision for me

I will glory in the cross
In the cross
Lest his suffering all be in vain
I will weep no more for the cross that he bore
I will glory in the cross

 

CROSS

Death on a Cross. Those sentenced to death on a cross in the Roman period were usually beaten with leather lashes-a procedure which often resulted in severe loss of blood. Victims were then generally forced to carry the upper crossbeam to the execution site, where the central stake was already set up.

After being fastened to the crossbeam on the ground with ropes-or, in rare cases, nails through the wrist-the naked victim was then hoisted with the crossbeam against the standing vertical stake. A block or peg was sometimes fastened to the stake as a crude seat. The feet were then tied or nailed to the stake.

The recent discovery near Jerusalem of the bones of a crucifixion victim suggests that the knees were bent up side-by-side parallel to the crossbeam and the nail was then driven through the side of the ankles. Death by suffocation or exhaustion normally followed only after a long period of agonizing pain.

(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

View

view   [vyoo]

n (plural views) range of vision: the range or extent of somebody’s ability to see something

As we rounded the bend the mountains came into view.

 

2. scene: a scene or an area that can be seen, especially one that is pleasing or impressive

We have a wonderful view of the ocean from our porch.

3. opinion: somebody’s opinion or judgment on something or particular way of interpreting or thinking about something (often used in the plural)

His superiors took the view that he had made an error.

a person with strong political views

5. act of looking at something: an act of looking at or inspecting something
6. perspective: a particular position or angle from which something is seen

a bird’s eye view

7. pictorial representation: a painting, drawing, or photograph of a scene or building
8. survey: a general survey of a subject

v (past and past participle viewed, present participle view·ing, 3rd person present singular views)

Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Years ago at Calvary Baptist in Powder Springs, on the front of the Church, there was a huge Cross that stayed lit up at night. They say you could see it far miles from the air. A friend of mine was a pilot and said his instruments went out one night and he was trying to find his way back to McCollum airport in Kennesaw, his fuel was getting low and he was starting to panic when he saw the Cross. And then he knew where he was and he found his way back home.

 1 We need to get to the Cross in view.

How? Take a trip down the Romans’ road to salvation.

 

THE ROMAN ROAD

 Show that everyone is lost

Romans 3:10

10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Romans 3:23

23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 Why they are lost

Romans 5:12

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Adam sinned and caused all man to be sinners by nature.

The cost of sin

Romans 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Genesis 2:17

17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. NKJV

 

The price that was paid

Romans 5:8

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

How to respond

Romans 10:9-11

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

 

For ALL

Romans 10:13

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

then Pray!!!

 

1 We need to get to the Cross in view.

next week;

2 We need to have the Cross in view.

Facing “The mountains of life.”   

Elvis “This time you gave me a mountain” Born in the heat of the desert, My mother died giving me life Deprived of the love of a father, Blamed for the loss of his wife You know lord I’ve been in a prison, For something that I never done Its been one hill after another, I’ve climbed them all one by one  

But this time, lord you gave me a mountain, A mountain you know I may never climb It isn’t just a hill any longer, You gave me a mountain this time

 My woman got tired of heartaches, Tired of the grief and the strife So tired of working for nothing, Just tired of being my wife She took my one ray of sunshine, She took my pride and my joy She took my reason for living, She took my small baby boy 

But this time, lord you gave me a mountain, A mountain you know I may never climb It isn’t just a hill any longer,  You gave me a mountain this time.

Ever felt like God gave you a mountain? As we see about Job

Satan Attacks Job’s Character

Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”

So Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”

8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”

9 So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. NKJV

Ever felt like your name came up in that conversation ever felt like saying

” You gave me a mountain this time. “

Well, we need mountains in our life cause they build up your character, they make you what you are. God knew Job was good but did Job.

1. Intro.

Bible’s mountains

– Abraham offers Isaac upon Mount Moriah, afterward called Mount Zion, the site of the temple (later in the time of Solomon)

– Mount Horeb was appointed as a place for the Israelites to worship

– Jesus tempted upon

– Jesus preaches from

– Jesus goes up into, for prayer

– Is transfigured upon

– Removed by faith

– Mt. Calvary

 

1. What Mountains Are For
2. Mountains make you look up.
3. Mountains make you make decisions Around it, Over it, or Thru it.
4. Decisions build character (how you handle the mountain)
5. Mountains show how Small you are.
6. Mountains Get you ready for Bigger Mountains

 

The bear went up the mountain to see what he could see, he saw another mountain, what did he do then? The bear went up the mountain to see what he could see, he saw another mountain, what did he do then…

No matter the Mountains one has to face there is always another mountain to face.

III. Example

605 B.C. Daniel was taken captive

586 B.C. Judah falls; Jerusalem is destroyed and the temple

538 B.C. Cyrus’s decree allowed the exiles to return.

536 B.C. temple construction begins temple foundation was rebuilt after 2 years then the Samaritans’ delayed the building for 17 years then

 

Ezra 5:2 Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them. KJV

ZECHARIAH  [zack ah RIE a] (Jehovah remembers) –

A prophet in the days of Ezra (Ezra 5:1; 6:14; Zech 1:1,7; 7:1,8) and author of the Book of Zechariah. A leader in the restoration of the nation of Israel following the Captivity, Zechariah was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai, the governor Zerubbabel, and the high priest Joshua. Zechariah himself was an important person during the period of the restoration of the community of Israel in the land of Palestine after the Captivity.

The Book of Zechariah begins with a note concerning the prophet. He is returned with Zerubbabel from Babylon (Zech 1:1,7, also Ezra 5:1; 6:14). This means that Zechariah himself was probably a priest and that his prophetic activity was in close association with the religious center of the nation. His vision of Joshua the high priest (Zech 3:1-5) takes on added importance since he served as a priest in association with Joshua. Zechariah began his ministry while still a young man (Zech 2:4) in 520 BC, two months after Haggai completed the prophecies that are recorded in the Book of Haggai.

 

Zechariah is walking and talking to an Angel

Zechariah 4:1-10 (NKJV)
¹ Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. ² And he said to me, “What do you see?” So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps.
³ Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” ⁴ So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

⁵ Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.”
⁶ So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

Might = chayil (khah’-yil);probably a force, whether of men, means, or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength:

activity, (+)army, a band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, (+)valiant (-ly), valour, virtuous (-ly), war, worthy (-ily).

Power = koach (ko’-akh); or to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard: -ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power (-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

the LORD of hosts = Yehovah (yeh-ho-vaw’); from OT:1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: KJV – Jehovah, the Lord.

 

⁷ ‘Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ‘ ”
⁸ Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
¹⁰ For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

vs 10 ” small thing” Sometimes small things are our mountains (they look big to us.)

Dr. Charles Stanley wrote;

1.) When God calls you to a task, He assumes the responsibility of removing hindrances that would keep you from accomplishing that task.

A.) God is only committed to removing the obstacles and hindrances to those things which are the will of God for our lives

B.) Make sure you are not an obstacle or hindrance.

(God uses only clean pots) my dear friend Ben Bennett when he calls with a prayer request he always asks “Are you clean????”

Well, are you clean???

Hag 1:22 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD’s house should be built.

back to Zechariah;

⁹ “The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it…

Note:  Zerubbabel was building his own house at the time.

So do not let your plans get in the way of God’s plans.

2.) We are to face our task in the power of the holy spirit, not in our own energy and strength.

“God, in his love, always wills what is best for us.

In His wisdom, He always knows what is best,

And in His Sovereignty, He has the power to bring it about.”

Zechariah  ⁶ So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

1. How to face life mountains

Jesus just finished talking about John the Baptist then:

Matthew 17:14-21 (NKJV)
¹⁴ And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, ¹⁵ “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. ¹⁶ So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”
¹⁷ Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” ¹⁸ And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. ¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” ²⁰ So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Amplified vs:20 “He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith [ that is, your lack of firmly relying trust]. For truly I say to you, if you have faith [ that is living] like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to younder place, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. ”

Matthew 17:²¹ However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

You have to get involved in a relationship with God.

Talk to your mountain and tell it what to do. STOP telling God how big your mountain is and start telling your mountain how big your God is!!!

Is your God too small?

God has a way of getting your needs met.

Your problem is solved.

That way is rooted in your faith becoming a seed, seed faith.

When you plant a seed,

God changes the nature of that seed so that becomes a plant:

 

Mustard seed:     A. THE PLANT ITSELF…

1. The mustard plant is well known for its hot-flavored seeds

2. Among seeds sown in a garden, it was generally the smallest

3. As a plant, it reaches ten, sometimes fifteen feet in height

4. In the fall of the year, its branches have become rigid, and the plant often serves as a shelter for birds of many kinds.  (William Hendricksen, Commentary on Matthew)

And the power of life surges in that tender young plant to such a great extent that even a mountain of earth cannot stop it from pushing upward!

Jesus says our faith is like a seed. When we put our faith into action, that is, when we release it to God. It takes on a totally new nature. It takes on the nature of a miracle in the making.

But I do not have faith, God says you do;

1. God says you must have a measure of faith.

Romans 12:3 (NKJV)
³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

It is resident within you.  So how do you get more?

2. God says that this faith comes alive by hearing.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

3. God says that you can apply your faith to see your daily needs met. How? You do something as an act of your faith. You sew the mustard seed smallness of your faith into an action of love. Then, when our faith has been planted and it growing, speak to your mountain and watch God set about its removal.

Watch it work in John with Jesus

John 6:3-14 (NKJV)
3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
⁴ Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. ⁵ Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” ⁶ But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” ¹⁰ Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. ¹² So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” ¹³ Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.¹⁴ Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

It is not the amount of faith but what you put your faith in.

Thin Ice vs Thick Ice; I can walk out on thick ice on a lake in the wintertime and have very little faith in the ice but it still holds me, or I can have an abundance of faith in thin ice and walk out on it and end up getting wet and cold. It’s what I put my faith in that matters.

 

Faith that appears small or weak to us still can accomplish the humanly impossible. This mountain was a figure for an obstacle, a hindrance, for a humanly insurmountable problem none of which is impossible for God to deal with through committed people who accurately understand their authority, and know his power, will, purpose, and provision.

Jeremiah 32:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Jeremiah 32:26-27 (NKJV)
²⁶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, ²⁷ “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

Is there anything too hard for God.????

Faith is not a dark room we walk in hoping to be ok. But a well-lit room with God’s hand leading all the way.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 

I have seen God answer prayers years after someone died that prayed them.      By Faith…. 

 

14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:

19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:

36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;

38(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Why am I still facing this mountain?

because you are letting Satin get the victory,

 

2 powers here working all the time and these mountains make you ineffective for Christ.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Matthew 21:18-22 (NKJV)
¹⁸ Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry.
¹⁹ And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.
²⁰ And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”
²¹ So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
²² And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

 

 

1. you say: to the mountain
2. you ask: In Prayer
3. you believe: God to handle the problem
4. you receive. Which builds more faith;

 

1. Identify you Mountain and deal with It.

What is the mountain of your life? Loneliness, Trouble on the job, Disease, A wounded relationship, Rejection, Trouble in your home? Money or the lack of. something else? Be Encouraged! Jesus shows a way to see that mountain Removed!

 

1. Tired of facing the same mountain??

 

Deuteronomy 1:6 (NKJV)
⁶  “The LORD our God spoke to us in Horeb, saying: ‘You have dwelt long enough at this mountain.

MOUNT HOREB,  [HOHR eb] (waste) – the “mountain of God” (Ex 18:5) in the Sinai Peninsula where Moses heard God speaking through the burning bush (Ex 3:1) and where the law was given to Israel (see Map 2, B-2).

(from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright (c)1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

 

Deuteronomy 2:2-3 (NKJV)
²  And the LORD spoke to me, saying:
³  ‘You have skirted this mountain long enough; turn northward.

or

You Have dealt with this enough!!! It is time to move on.

 

VII. Close Trust God.

He will not leave you alone.

Heb 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”   NKJV

 

Deut 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”   NKJV

 

Josh 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. NKJV

 

1 Sam 12:22 For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. NKJV

 

1 Chron 28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God — my God — will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.  NKJV

 

Isa 41:10  Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’    NKJV

Know this YOU are not ALONE!!!!

Not my Battle but God’s.

⁶ So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts.

Leave it there and move on.

1. Mountains make you look up.
2. Mountains make you make decisions
3. Decisions build character (how you handle the mountain)
4. Mountains show how Small you are.
5. Mountains Get you ready for Bigger Mountains

(The bear went up the mountain)

Are You Really Living? Part 3 of 3

III. ARE YOU LIVING WITH A DESIRE TO GLORIFY GOD

 

John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

 

As he faced the cross Jesus prayed, “glorify Your Son that Your Son also may glorify You.” Jesus’ overarching desire in life and in death was to glorify the Father.

 

The word glory has two primary meanings that are interrelated.

 

First, it refers to a manifestation of God’s presence.

 

Second, it means to give praise or honor.

 

Jesus experienced both. In his life, he revealed the presence of God.

He was the image of the unseen God.

When people saw him they saw the Father.

But his desire was that through the glory the Father gave to Him,

He might use it to bring praise and honor to the Father. Even in death, he sought the glory of the Father, or shall I say especially through death.

Look at what is going on around the world…  The clerk in jail… people killing Christians more now than at any time in history according to the “Voices of the Martyrs” website.

The desire to glorify God can be costly but it is very liberating. The opposite of the desire to glorify God is selfishness.

A selfish life is a miserable life.

Things won’t always go our way, circumstances of life will assuredly change, and people do not always treat us as we think we should be treated and this makes us miserable if we are primarily living for ourselves.

But when we can honestly say, “Lord no matter what happens to me, whether I live or die, whether I am treated fairly or unfairly, whether I endure affliction or comfort, Lord you be glorified in it” when this is our desire we are free of the misery of selfishness.

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

16 He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.   KJV

This is what Jesus means when he says, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Conclusion.

Are you living or existing?

Are you living with a dependence on the Father?

Are you Living with a Sense of destiny?

Are you living with a desire to glorify the Lord?

 

and Remember;

John 17:1-26 (NKJV)
¹ Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

 He prayed for Himself:

² as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. ³ And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ⁴ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

⁶ “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

He prayed for His disciples:

 ⁹ I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. ¹⁰ And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. ¹¹ Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. ¹² While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
¹³ But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

Then He prayed for Us.

 ²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. ²⁴ Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. ²⁶ And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

Are You Really Living? Part 2 of 3

 

The second question we might ask to ascertain whether or not we are Living is:

II. DO YOU LIVE WITH A SENSE OF DIVINE DESTINY

 

John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,
 

Jesus said, “the hour is come”.

 

This is an interesting phrase that Jesus uses in this gospel. At the beginning of his ministry at a wedding feast, his mother wanted him to show himself as the Messiah and he said, “My hour has not yet come”.

On another occasion, his brothers urged him to go to the feast of Tabernacles if he was really who he thought he was and show himself as messiah.

He said then, “my time is not yet come.”

What was Jesus’ time, his hour?

It was his hour to be glorified and to glorify God.

What Mary and Jesus’ brothers did not know was that Jesus would be glorified and would glorify God through a bloody cross and the resurrection.

But Jesus knew.

He knew that he had come for the purpose of dying for the sins of the world. He had a sense of purpose of destiny, and everything that he did and said led to that moment, that hour.

And now the hour had come. Jesus’ life was one of direction, and purpose, and divine destiny.

One of the most miserable ways to live is to live aimlessly without a real ultimate purpose, not really knowing ultimately why we are here.

 

God wants all of us to live with a sense of divine destiny.

Why are you here?

Why are you a member of this Church?

 

Because your family belongs here, great.

But God has a greater purpose for you in the body of Christ.

He wants to use you.

He has a nitch for you in His body. He has given you a gift, a divine ability to carry out the purpose that He has for your life.

I’ve talked to many who don’t believe they have a spiritual gift, but that’s not what the bible says. “Each one has been given a manifestation of the Spirit”.

 

Romans 12:1-21 (NKJV)
¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

 Hypocrisy or KJV dissimulation = hide something by pretense: to disguise or hide true feelings, thoughts, or intentions

¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

²⁰ Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 I believe that if a person will honestly ask God to show him or her what His purpose is for him or her in the body of Christ, and how He’s gifted them,

He will be faithful to reveal that to them. It may require you to step out in faith and try something you have never done before. It may stretch you; it may cause you to risk failure. But God will be faithful. He will show you. The truth is, He is more interested in revealing your purpose in His body than you and I are in knowing it.

I will never forget my first preaching experience I had a friend to call and say “Do you have butterflies?  Well, they will turn to crocodiles before it’s over.

I dreaded it for weeks.

It was terrifying.

When I got up and began to preach, I knew. I felt I was born for it.

I wanted to stay there, to live in that experience.

God confirmed to me what his plan was for my life and he will for you as well if you do not already know.

Jesus lived with a sense of divine destiny. Do you?

 

The third and final question next week is we might ask to determine whether or not we are really living is:

III. ARE YOU LIVING WITH A DESIRE TO GLORIFY GOD

Are You Really Living?

Jesus is an example of how to live an abundant Christian life.

Scripture: John 17

INTRODUCTION: I would like to begin today by asking you a question. Are you living or existing?

You see there is a difference.

The vast majority of people on earth today are existing.

They are waking up in the morning, going to work or school, keeping house, whatever the case may be.

They are going about their business but they have no real sense of purpose in their lives.

Their happiness and fulfillment in life depend largely on their circumstances or their achievements.

If they were completely honest with themselves, they would have to admit that inside they are empty.

That is existing.

Christ came however that we might have life and have it more abundant. If we are going to experience this kind of real life, we must look to Jesus as the source of life.

 

In John 17 Jesus is at the end of his life. He is facing the cross. He uttered these words on his way to Gethsemane. This chapter is known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. In this first verse, Jesus begins to look to God as he faces his hour of darkness. In this text, we see how Jesus lived.

READ v1

John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

 I asked the question, “Are you living or just existing?”

The answer to that question can be determined by three questions based on our text.

1. ARE YOU LIVING WITH A DEPENDENCE ON THE FATHER

As Jesus entered his hour of trial the bible says, “He lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said, “Father”. Jesus did not look at his outward circumstances and try to figure a way out. He did not even look inward for answers, even though he was the Son of God.

He looked upward to Heaven, to the one He knew as His Father.

Jesus lived with complete dependence, not on his own person, or his own humanity, but complete trust and dependence on the Father.

One of the most eye-opening verses I have ever read is John 5:30

 John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.   KJV

There Jesus says, “I can of myself do nothing”.

Every person Jesus ever healed when he was on Earth, every sermon he ever preached, every temptation he ever overcame, he did it not by trusting in who he was as the Son of God, but by depending on the Father’s strength and guidance.

If Jesus who is God’s Son could “Of himself do nothing” how much more can we of ourselves do nothing”.

The problem with many Christians today and churches is that we are depending primarily on our own natural abilities, our reasoning abilities, our talents, our education, and our financial resources to accomplish God’s work.

And we of ourselves are doing nothing.

We are existing by and large completely in the natural. But when we live with this dependence upon God that Jesus lived with, the natural begins to give way to the supernatural and God begins to work.

John 17:1 (NKJV) Jesus spoke these words,  lifted up his eyes to heaven and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

 I read all the texts where the bible says Jesus “lifted up his eyes”.

One time he lifted up his eyes to God and he stuck his fingers in a deaf man’s ears and the man received his hearing.

On another occasion, he lifted up his eyes in dependence upon God and thanked God, and called Lazarus forth from the grave.

On another occasion, he lifted up his eyes to God and took two small fishes and five loaves and fed thousands of people.

The life that is lived in dependence upon God experiences the supernatural power of God.

Can you say this about your life?

I am not asking if you have healed anyone lately or turned water into wine.

I am asking if you can look at your life and say God gave me victory over this temptation,

Only God could have done it,

God had his hand upon me and touched the lives of others and I know it was God that did it.

Can we say this about our Church?

We forfeit God’s power when we substitute dependence upon Him with dependence upon ourselves, other people, or other resources.

One of the Popes invited a theologian to the Vatican. Sitting amongst all the treasures of the church the Pope said, “The Church can no longer say silver and gold have I none”.

To that the theologian replied sadly, “Yes but neither can she say in the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise and walk.”

We must take our eyes off the natural, off of that which can be seen, and lift our eyes in faith to Heaven.

Jesus lived with a dependence upon the Father.

The second question we might ask to ascertain whether or not we are Living is: what we will look at next week;

II. DO YOU LIVE WITH A SENSE OF DIVINE DESTINY

“Beware of the Dogs” Part 2

II. David’s Deliverance v.10-17

Back to 1 Sam 19:12-17

Suddenly after prayer, he knows what to do. Put the pillow in the bed. Take the rope Michael (me-kawl’) and let me down the wall.

1 Sam 19:12-1712 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster.17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? Now David will be able to express his zeal for righteousness.

A. David’s Protection v.10-15 Note: God never fails

1). His confidence was God going before him v.10 Psalm 59:10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

 

[The God of my mercy shall prevent me] Or rather, “My God-his mercy shall prevent me.” This is in accordance with the present reading of the Hebrew text, and is probably correct. The psalmist looks to God as his God, and then the feeling at once springs up that his mercy-favor-his loving-kindness – “would” “prevent” him. On the word “prevent”

The meaning here is, that God would “go before him,” or would “anticipate” his necessities.

 

[God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies] That is, He will let me see them discomfited, and disappointed in their plans. This is equivalent to saying that God would give him the victory, or would not suffer them to triumph over him.

 

2). His conviction was he wanted his people to be able to recognize God’s judgment v.11-12 Psalm 59:11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

 

[Slay them not, lest my people forget] The meaning of this seems to be, Do not destroy them at once, lest, being removed out of the way, the people should forget what was done, or should lose the impression which it is desirable should be produced by their punishment. Let them live, and let them wander about, as exiles under the divine displeasure, that they may be permanent and enduring proofs of the justice of God; of the evil of sin; of the danger of violating the divine law.

 

So, Cain wandered on the earth (Gen 4:12-14), a living proof of that justice which avenges murder; and so, the Jews still wander, a lasting illustration of the justice which followed their rejection of the Messiah. The prayer of the psalmist, therefore, is that the fullest expression might be given to the divine sense of the wrong which his enemies had done, that the salutary lesson might not be soon forgotten, but might be permanent and enduring.

 

[Scatter them by thy, power] Break up their combinations, and let them go abroad as separate wanderers, proclaiming everywhere, by being thus vagabonds on the earth, the justice of God.

 

[And bring them down] Humble them. Show them their weakness. Show them that they have no power to contend against God.

 

[O Lord our shield] The words “our” here, and “my” in the former part of the verse, are designed to show that the author of the psalm regarded God as “his” God, and the people of the land as “his,” in the sense that he was identified with them, and felt that his cause was really that of the people.

 Psalm 59:12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

 

[For the sin of their mouth …] That is, in belching out words of reproach and malice, Ps 59:7.

 

[Let them even be taken in their pride] In the very midst of their schemes, or while confidently relying on the success of their plans. Even while their hearts are elated, and they are sure of success, let them be arrested, and let their plans be foiled.

 

[And for cursing and lying which, they speak] That is, on account of the false charges which they have brought against me, and of their bitter imprecations on me. The allusion is to the accusations brought against David, which were believed by Saul, and which were the foundation of the efforts made by Saul to take his life.

3). He wanted the persecutors (the dogs) to be able to recognize God’s justice v. 13-15 Psalm 59:13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

 

[Consume them in wrath] Or, in thy justice. The idea in the word “consume” here is to finish; to complete; to bring to an end. It does not mean to “burn” them as our word might seem to imply, nor is there any reference to the “mode” or “manner” in which their power was to be brought to an end. It is merely a prayer that all their plans might be frustrated; that there might be an entire completion of their attempts; or that they might be in no sense successful.

 

[Consume them] The expression is repeated for the sake of emphasis, implying a desire that the work might be “complete.”

 

[That they may not be] That things might be as if they were not in the land of the living.

 

[And let them know] Those who are now plotting my death.

 

[That God rules in Jacob] That God rules among his people, protecting them and guarding them against the attacks of their enemies; that he is their friend, and that he is the enemy of all those who seek to injure and destroy them.

 

[Unto the ends of the earth] Everywhere. All over the world. Let it be shown that the same principles of government prevail wherever man abides or wanders-that God manifests himself everywhere as the friend of right and the enemy of wrong. The phrase “the ends of the earth,” is in accordance with the prevailing conception that the earth was an extended plane and that it had limits or boundaries.

 Psalm 59:14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

 

[And at evening let them return] The original here is the same as in Ps 59:6, with the exception of the word “and” at the beginning. This qualifies the sentence and makes the construction in our version proper. The language is that of confident triumph.

 

They came around the city to take David; they shouted and shrieked as dogs bark and howl when they come upon their prey. David asked God to interpose and save him; and then, says he, let them come if they will and howl around the city; they will find no prey; they will be like hungry dogs from whom their anticipated victim has escaped. Let them come, and howl and rage. They can do no harm. They will meet with disappointment; and such disappointment will be a proper punishment for their sins.

 Psalm 59:15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

 

[Let them wander up and down for meat] Let them be like dogs that wander about for food, and find none. The idea is, that they would not find him, and would be then as dogs that had sought in vain for food.

 

[And grudge if they be not satisfied] Margin, if they be not satisfied, then they will stay all night. The marginal reading is most in accordance with the Hebrew. The sentence is obscure, but the idea seems to be that they would not be satisfied-that is, they would not obtain that which they had sought; and, like hungry and disappointed dogs, they would be compelled to pass the night in this miserable and wretched condition.

 

The word which our translators have rendered “grudge” – from luwn (OT:3885) – means properly to pass the night; then, to abide, to remain, to dwell; and then, in Hiphil, to show oneself obstinate and stubborn-from the idea of remaining or persisting in a bad cause; and hence, the word sometimes means to complain: Num 14:29; Ex 17:3.

 

It has not, however, the signification of grudging, though it might mean here to murmur or complain because they were disappointed. But the most natural meaning is that which the word properly bears-that of passing the night, as referring to their wandering about, disappointed in their object, and yet still hoping that they might possibly obtain it. The anticipated feeling in the mind of the psalmist is that which he would have in the consciousness of his own safety, and in the pleasure of knowing that they must sooner or later find out that their victim had escaped.

a. When God judges he wants repentance and if repentance does not come then judgment is carried to a further degree. They howled like dogs when they smelled blood, now they whine like the dog that they are!

B. David’s Praise v.16-17 1). Night is over and the day is at hand. I will praise the Lord. v.16 Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble

 

[But I will sing of thy power] That is, I will praise thee for the manifestation of thy power in rescuing me from danger.

 

[Yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning] When the light dawns; when these troubles are over; when the night of calamity shall have passed by. There is an allusion here, probably, to the fact that they encompassed the place of his abode at night (Ps 59:6,14); but there is also the implied idea that that night was emblematic of sorrow and distress. The morning would come; morning after such a night of sorrow and trouble; a morning of joy and gladness, when he would feel that he had complete deliverance. Then would he praise God aloud.

 

[For thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble] That is, he looked to the time when he would feel this; when looking back he could say this; when in view of it he would praise God.

 

2). The dogs go back to their king to whine about David’s escape. 3). Even though David is probably in a cave somewhere He could say verse 17. Psalm 59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

 

[Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing] The source of strength to me; the real strength by which I have obtained deliverance is in thee. See the notes at Ps 18:1.

 

[For God is my defense] Margin, “My high place.” That is, God was to him “as” a high place, or a place of refuge; a place where he would be safe.

 

[And the God of my mercy] The God who has showed mercy to me; he from whom all these favors have sprung. Whatever means might be used to secure his own safety still he felt that his deliverance was to be traced wholly to God. He had interposed and had saved him; and it was proper, therefore, that praise should be ascribed to him.

 

The experience of David in the case referred to in this psalm should be an inducement to all who are in danger to put their trust in God; his anticipated feelings of gratitude, and his purpose to praise God when he should be delivered, should awaken in us the resolution to ascribe to God all the praise when we are delivered from impending troubles, and when our lives are lengthened out where we have been in imminent danger. Whatever may have been the means of our rescue, it is to be traced to the interposition of God.

(from Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

Conclusion: David was in Great Danger. His plea, his panic, and his peril were a hard position to be in. But David (just as we do) had a great deliverer. God was his protection and therefore we are able as David to Praise the Lord even in our darkest of trials.

“Beware of the Dogs” Part 1

Text: Psalm 59

To the chief Musician, Al-tas’-chith, Mich’-tam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.  MICHTAM [MICK tam] (meaning unknown) – Its meaning is uncertain.

The word may be a musical term indicating how the psalm should be sung.

Written by David at the time King Saul set guards at his home to capture and kill him. TLB

Introduction: The background for this Psalm is I Samuel 19:8-11. 8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter, and they fled from him.9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.11 Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.

OT:4324 Miykal (me-kawl’); apparently the same as OT:4323; revulet; Mikal, Saul’s daughter: KJV – Michal. 

PRAY as we continue make sure to ask God to speak to you!!! 

Psalm 59 vs. 6, 11, and 14 are key verses.

6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog and go round about the city.

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

14 And at evening let them return, and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

As a Delivery person in the past the sign “Beware of the Dogs” was always taken quite literally as on many occasions I ended up facing a dog bite situation.

In this Psalm, David finds himself in a dilemma. Saul had turned loose the dogs on David. The idea of wild dogs has meaning of wild and savage. Ready to eat the blood of God’s anointed David.

In Acts 20:28-31 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Paul warns the church here to beware of wolves who come in and spare not the flock. Remember Jesus had Judas. Today we face these savages, wild dogs, and wolves. May we learn from David’s experience how to handle these situations when they come?

Notice:

I. David’s Danger v. 1-9 He wrote this Psalm during a difficult situation. The old king had turned on the new king. David had faced lions, bears, and even a giant but it was the dirty dogs that caused him to cry out to God.

A. His Plea v. 1-2 “deliver me”Psalm 59:1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

Verse 1. [Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God] This prayer was offered when the spies sent by Saul surrounded the house of David. They had come to apprehend him, and it is to be presumed that they had come in sufficient numbers, and with sufficient power, to effect their object.

Their purpose was not to break in upon him in the night, but to watch their opportunity, when he went forth in the morning, to slay him (1 Sam 19:11), and there seemed no way for him to escape. Of their coming, and of their design, Michal, the daughter of Saul, and the wife of David seems to have been apprised-perhaps by someone in her father’s family. She informed David of the arrangement and assured him that unless he should escape in the night, he would be put to death in the morning.

She, therefore, let him down through a window, and he escaped 1 Sam 19:12. It was in this way that he was in fact delivered; in this way that his prayer was answered. A faithful wife saved him.

[Defend me from them that rise up against me] Margin, as in Hebrew, “Set me on high.” The idea is that of placing him, as it were, on a tower, or on an eminence which would be inaccessible. These were common places of refuge or defense.

 Psalm 59:2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity and save me from bloody men.

[Deliver me from the workers of iniquity] The workers of iniquity here referred to were Saul and those whom he employed to carry out his murderous purpose-the people that had been sent to slay him.

[And save me from bloody men] Hebrew, “Men of blood;” that is, men whose trade is blood; who seek to shed my blood, or who seek my life.

1. Saul was the master behind the dogs.2. David reminded Saul of God’s rejection of him.3. The instructions were simple “Kill David” God is a very present help in David’s time of trouble.

B. His Panic v.3-5 “They lie wait for my soul” Psalm 59:3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.

[For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul] They lie in wait as wild beasts do for their prey, ready to spring upon it. The word used here is often employed to denote the act of lying in ambush; of watching in secret places to spring upon a victim: Judges 9:32; 21:20; Ps 10:9. The word “soul” here means “life.” They lie in an ambush that they may kill me.

[The mighty are gathered against me] Strong men; hostile men; cruel men. Saul would employ on this occasion not the weak, the cowardly, the faint-hearted, but men of courage and strength; men who were unprincipled in their character; men who would not be likely to be moved by request or turned from their purpose by compassion.

It is not mere “strength” that is here referred to, but that kind of strength or courage that can be employed in a desperate enterprise, and which is suited to accomplish any scheme of wickedness, however daring or difficult.

[Not for my transgression, nor for my sin] This is done not on account of my violating the laws of the land, nor because it is alleged that I am a sinner against God. David was conscious that he did not deserve this treatment from the hand of man.

He had been guilty of no wrong against Saul that exposed him to just punishment.

He carried with him the consciousness of innocence as to any crime that could have made this treatment proper, and he felt that it was all the result of unjust suspicions.

It was not improper for him to refer to this in his prayer; for, however, he might feel that he was a sinner in the sight of God, yet he felt that a great and grievous wrong was done him by man; and he prayed, therefore, that a righteous God would interpose.

 Psalm 59:4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

[They run and prepare themselves] That is, they “hasten” to accomplish this; they are quick to obey the command of Saul requiring them to slay me.

The word “prepare” refers to whatever was deemed necessary to enable them to accomplish what they had been commanded to do-arming themselves, making provision for their journey, etc.

[Without my fault] That is, without anything on my part to deserve this, or to justify Saul and those employed by him in what they attempt to do.

David, in all this, was conscious of innocence. In his own feelings toward Saul, and in all his public acts, he knew that he had sought only the king’s welfare and that he had been obedient to the laws.

[Awake to help me] That is, “arouse,” as one does from sleep.  The word rendered “to help me,” is rendered in the margin, “to meet me.” This is the meaning of the Hebrew. It is a prayer that God would meet him, or come to him, and aid him.

 Psalm 59:5 Thou, therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

[Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts] God of armies: commanding all the armies of heaven-the angels, and the stars and constellations drawn out in the form of armies; thou, thus endowed with all power, and able to subdue all people though arrayed and combined for purposes of evil-awake to my help. On the meaning of the phrase “God of hosts,”

[The God of Israel] The God of the Hebrew people-the descendants of Jacob or Israel-the Protector of thy people-awake to help me, one of those who, being of that covenant people, come under the promise of protection.

[Awake to visit all the heathen] On the word here rendered “heathen” – gowyim (OT:1471). It is from the use of this word in this verse and in Ps 59:8, as remarked in the Introduction to the Psalm,

In this sense, the word might be employed with reference to those who were engaged in seeking the life of David. David, using the common word “heathen” or “nations,” as denoting those who are wicked, cruel, and harsh, prays that God would awake to visit them; that is, to visit them for purposes of punishment, or so to visit them as to prevent their carrying out their designs.

[Be not merciful to any tricked transgressors] That is, Arrest and punish them “as” transgressors, or “being” transgressors. This prayer is not inconsistent with a desire that such people might be converted, and “thus” obtain mercy; but it is a prayer that God would not suffer them, being wicked people, to go at large and accomplish the work of wickedness which they designed.

[Selah] A musical pause.

1). David is on his knees in prayer. It does not look good.

2). He found himself in a situation that seemed hopeless. God puts us in those situations so we will turn to Him and realize He is our only source of help.

3). David had done no wrong. “not for my transgression” like Job. Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil. ASV

At other times David had cried out because of his transgressions. Psalm 51: Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou might be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

But this time he had done nothing wrong,

4). David says “Wake up God and help me” verse 4. How human! awake to help me, and behold.

5). God is waiting for us to be on our knees as the dogs surround us.

6). We are human, we have faults, but let us not forget God is awake and is not surprised by that which is going on in our life.

7). He remembers his knowledge of God:  He cries out to Jehovah Sabaoth (Lord of Hosts)-

This title of God indicates that the Lord hears the cries of His people when they are afflicted and He spares them from destruction NT:4519 sabaoth (sab-ah-owth’); of Hebrew origin [OT:6635 in feminine plural]; armies; sabaoth (i.e. tsebaoth), a military epithet of God: KJV – Sabaoth.

James 5:44 Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Rom 9:29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodom, and been made like unto Gomorrah.

Lord of Hosts- God is The Commander in Chief-He has all power. God of Israel- A covenant relationship. Through David, the Messiah will come! 8. In the deepest of panic we need to read and study and be reminded of who God is and of His great promises.

C. His Peril v.6-9 “they return…make a noise like a dog” Psalm 59:6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

[They return at evening] Many have rendered this in the imperative, as in Ps 59:14, “Let them return at evening,” etc.

But the more natural and obvious interpretation is to render it in the indicative, as describing the manner in which his enemies came upon him-like dogs seeking their prey; fierce mastiffs, Pitbull, Dobermans, Rottweilers, howling and ready to spring upon him. From the phrase “they return at evening,” thus explained, it would seem probable that they watched their opportunity, or lay in wait, to secure their object; that having failed at first, they drew off again until evening, perhaps continuing thus for several days unable to accomplish their object.

[They make a noise like a dog] So savages, after lurking stealthily all day, raise the war-whoop at night and come upon their victims. It is possible that an assault of this kind “had” been attempted; or, more probably, it is a description of the manner in which they “would” make their assault, and of the spirit with which it would be done.

[And go round about the city] The word “city” is used in a large sense in the Scriptures, and is often applied to places that we should now describe as “villages.” Any town within the limits of which David was lodged, would answer to this term.

Psalm 59:7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

1. They seem to say, “Who is going to hear?” “Who is going to stop us” v.7

[Behold, they belch out with their mouth] The word rendered “belch out” means properly to boil forth; to gush out, to flow; and then, to pour forth copiously, or in a running stream, as a fountain does. Hence, the word means also to pour out “words” – words that flow freely-words of folly, abuse, or reproach.

Prov 15:2, “The mouth of fools poured out (Margin, belched or babbled) foolishness.”

Prov 15:28, “The mouth of the wicked poured out evil things;” that is, “gushes over” with wicked things as a fountain overflows. In this place, the word means that the enemies of David who were in pursuit of his life, poured out reproaches and threatening’s like a gushing fountain.

[Swords are on their lips] Their words are as sharp swords.

[For who, say they, doth hear?] That is, no one hears who will be able to punish us. They dread no man, and they have no fear of God. The words “say they” are, however, supplied here by the translators, and are not in the original; and the language “may” be understood as that of David himself, “as if” no one heard; that is, It is no wonder that they thus pour out words of reproach, for who “is” there to hear and to punish them? The former interpretation, however, is to be preferred.

The language expresses the feelings of the enemies of David, who indulged freely in the language of abuse and reproach “as if” there were none to hear.

2. May I say God hears! When the dogs come, God Hears!

3. God will judge, God will right all wrong.

4. In fact God is recording: Matthew 12:36-37

Matt 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words, thou shalt be condemned.

5. God hears in our peril. 6. God will take care of it, not me. v.8 

Psalm 59:8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

OT:3932 la` ag (law-ag’); a primitive root; to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly: KJV – have in derision, laugh (to scorn), mock (on), stammering.

[But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them] That is, God will hear them and will have all their efforts in derision, or will treat them with contempt.

[Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision] All those referred to in this psalm-the enemies of David-who have the character, and who manifest the spirit of the pagan; that is, of those who are not actuated by true religion.

This verse expresses the strong conviction of David, that all the efforts of his enemies would be vain; that God “would be” his Protector; and that he would save him from their evil designs.

 Psalm 59:9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.

[Because of his strength will I wait upon thee] literally, “His strength-I will wait upon thee.”

The reference here is not to the strength or power of God, as if the fact that “He” was powerful was a reason why the psalmist should look to him but it is to the strength or power of the enemy-of Saul and his followers.

There is much abruptness in the expression. The psalmist looks at the power of his enemy. “‘His strength,’ he cries. It is great. It is beyond my power to resist it. It is so great that I have no other refuge but God; and because it is so great, I will fix my eyes on him alone.” The word rendered “wait upon” means rather to look to; to observe; to fix the eyes upon.

[For God is my defense] Margin, “My high place.” That is, God was to him “as” a high place, or a place of refuge; a place where he would be safe.

7. David’s danger was real but looked upon through the eyes of God it was ridiculous.

(from Barnes’ Notes, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1997 by Biblesoft)

THE CHAMP

by Charles (Chuck) Busby

How do you define greatness? What are the qualities of the men and women that do extraordinary things and achieve greatness? I can’t tell you! I have none of the qualities needed. However, by the grace of God, I have had the privilege to know very few people that I consider great. One of them is Lex Luger!

During the 1980s and 1990s professional wrestling was a craze. Its popularity was with a very large and diverse number of people. Many of the wrestling stars became celebrities that were famous worldwide. The most famous of those wrestlers was known as Lex Luger. I sincerely believe that Lex Luger was perhaps the most famous man in the whole world during his glory years.

Lex played collegiate football at The University of Miami and then professionally for the Green Bay Packers.  The Green Bay Packers were so proud of Lex’s great success and fame via the professional wrestling rink that they enshrined him in their Hall of Fame.  Lex’s physical frame and physique was extraordinary.  Lex had an internal drive to excel and compete that propelled Lex into professional wrestling and demanded that he was great! Lex became a wrestling mega superstar. For years, he would dominate the sport and become a world champion on three different occasions. He competed against only the greatest of the other professional wrestlers.  Lex Luger’s appeal was so broad and expanse that Mattel made action figure toys of him for children. Millions of people cheered for him each and every time he stepped into the wrestling rink.

Lex would go on to chronicle his life and the battles he fought along with the storms he endured during his life in his book “Wrestling with the Devil”. Lex goes into great detail while describing the actions, deeds, and events which turned him from being the greatest physique and best body in the world into a C5-C6 quadriplegic hospitalized at The Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, Georgia in 2007.

In October 2007 Lex flew into San Francisco for a conference. While there he had a type of seizure or stroke that would paralyze him. After several weeks in a Bay Area hospital in the Bay Lex was transported to The Shepherd Center in Atlanta for treatment.  This was the best option and venue for Lex to find any type of recovery.  The Shepherd Center was also in Atlanta where Lex made his home. This was an act of God providing help and grace to Lex.

My pastor (Steve Baskin) was the person most instrumental in the conversion of Lex into becoming a believer in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Steve had kept the church body appraised of Lex’s condition throughout his time in the Bay Area and continually sought the prayers of the members of the church on behalf of Lex.

The Sunday before Thanksgiving I asked Pastor Baskin if my wife and I could visit with Lex. I had no thought of being able to provide Lex with any great, profound, or inspiring words. I simply felt like I needed to go see him and do what I could to encourage a man very young in The Lord. I have some very good memories of Lex and his early days as a Christian. I remember him once coming into church a little late and the sermon had already started. Lex had walked down to the pew I was sitting on. I was sitting on the end of the pew and was resting my arm on the end of the pew.  I felt a presence near the right side of my face and turned toward it. Frankly, I was shocked to look 12 inches away into the face of a giant man staring at me. All he said was “Move over!” At that moment I had instantly already made peace with God and made sure that all my sins had been forgiven! There was no need to finish the sermon or to give an invitation on my behalf. I was right with God at that moment for sure. Later I had the privilege of seeing Lex be baptized. I can also recall watching Lex in a televised wrestling match along with my sons and praying that Lex would someday become a believer and then a witness for Jesus Christ.

Those memories and thoughts were crowding my mind as I walked down the hall of the Shepherd Center toward Lex’s hospital room while holding my wife’s hand. As we walked, I prayed for help and direction on what to say to Lex. I was humbled just to be able to visit with this man that was in many ways so much bigger than life. I was stricken with the realization that I knew that there were absolutely no words available to me that would make his life better. I began to question the sanity of me saying anything at all to a man in the nightmarish situation that Lex was living in.

When Val and I knocked on the door we were acknowledged with a “come in”.  Lex was in a hospital bed on the far side of the room. Several people were there from a Christian magazine talking with Lex. They very graciously stepped aside and allowed Val and I to come to Lex’s bedside. Lex looked up and smiled. I was amazed at that smile. Here was a man that only had slight movement from the neck up, but he produced a smile. I noticed that the little finger on his left hand was twitching slightly. His left foot was sticking out of the covers and you could see the toes also twitching. Lex was already working on his rehab diligently even though it was one twitch at a time. Every journey begins with the first step regardless of how far the trip will take you. These were very slight movements but very difficult for anyone in the condition that Lex was in.

Lex was literally rehabbing himself one toe, one finger, one anything, at a time. He was not giving up and was already working with everything that he had within himself to regain any strength that he once had. I was in awe!

Lex was physically paralyzed. He had already gone through many great storms and dealt with numerous disasters in his life.  He had been wealthy but was now financially dependent on others. He had probably been the most physically admired man in the world for nearly a decade and had been known worldwide as “The Total Package”. But at that moment Lex was a very frail man physically. He now required another person’s help in order to dress, feed and clean himself. His fame was now a memory and his future held no promise of a better tomorrow.

I struggled for the words that I had prayed so hard to know and find before getting to Lex’s hospital room.  I probably then asked the most stupid question anyone has ever asked someone in that condition. I said, “Champ, how are you doing?” … Immediately I wanted to take all the air out of the room so that I could catch my ridiculous words before anyone heard them. How can anyone ask a paralyzed man lying prostrate in a hospital bed that question?  It was obvious to anyone that could see that Lex was not doing well physically. Everyone in that condition is being challenged mentally and spiritually to the absolute limits of endurance. Lex’s condition was far more serious than I can adequately describe.

Then the Lord took over. Lex looked up at me and gave an incredible smile and said, “Chuck, I am doing great!”. I was taken aback. I thought for a moment. I deserved a rebuttal answer for my stupid, stupid question. But to my amazement, Lex was being sincere. I clumsily apologized for my question. But Lex looked directly into my eyes and said, “Chuck, God put me here for a reason. This is a good thing that I am here and God is good. This is a blessing!”. I braced myself and tried to gain some sibilance of poise. I then responded with, “Champ, I need for you to please explain that to me. How is it a blessing for you to be paralyzed and in this hospital bed?”

Lex looked up and explained that the events and mistakes in his life had left him estranged from his children and ex-wife. He was divorced and his children had decided that they did not want him in their lives. Lex had been praying for a way to reconnect and possibly reconcile with his children. He then told me that because of his past the director of the Shepherd Center had initially resisted letting him come there for treatments. However, she relented and allowed Lex to come to the Shepherd Center. When Lex arrived, he was able to demonstrate to everyone that the person he had been, was no longer the man that he now was. Lex had become a new creation in Christ and was now a different man.  Lex then said something that rang all the chimes.  He told me that after he had been admitted into the hospital the director’s husband had been talking with him about various things. That man just happened to also be a coach on one of the teams that Lex’s son played on. That gentleman had expressed a desire to assist in some way to help Lex reconnect with his son. Lex then said this, “God is so good. God put me here to help me get back with my son! Isn’t that great?!?”

Lex had been humbled in every way that I think a man can be.  Yet he was still persevering through his enormous anguish with a competitive drive that cannot and will not quit, surrender or retreat.

I don’t know if Lex and his son ever reconciled. However, what I do know for a fact is that only a great, great champion can experience such pain, heartache, and disappointment and then still realize and profess the mercy and love of God! That type of courage and resolve requires qualities far beyond what it took for Lex to become one of the most famous and admired celebrities in the world.

For most of his adult life, Lex has been surrounded by groupies and other people that just hung on. They were people that would cling to him because of his success, fame, and money. They never achieved much for themselves, but they would mooch off of Lex and his celebrity. Please understand that I do not claim to be a close friend of Lex. However, he taught me so much that evening. Lex Luger gave me a completely new perspective on what it takes to be special for God. So many wants to do great things but only a few are willing to pay the price and endure the pain to achieve greatness. Everyone wants acclaim. Only a very few are willing to produce the sweat, shed the tears, or exert the effort required to earn all the things necessary to attain it.

 

Lex taught me that victory is not always won with a clenched fist raised over and above an opponent. Sometimes a great victory is won in a hospital bed. I learned that a strong belief and dependence on God is far superior to any championship belt or ring. Faith in God is eternal and all material things are temporary. A man or woman with an indomitable spirit such as the one that Lex has cannot be conquered.

Before Christ came into Lex’s life, he was a world-champion wrestler. Now Lex has a greater title — A Man of God! He now lives his life fervently serving his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus has never lost a battle. The Lord Jesus will remain undefeated all through eternity. Lex will forever be a member of the family of God which is comprised by the believers in Jesus Christ.  Lex now is winning souls for Christ. Those victories make an eternal difference with the souls of men and women. Those victories are not temporary. They will last forever!  The glory of any conquests Lex had on a football field or in a wrestling rink lasted only until the next game or next match. The victories that Lex has, are now for Christ, and they are going to last for all eternity. Lex competes now for the souls of men on behalf of Jesus Christ. Those wins will yield eternal consequences and blessings for each soul of those men and women.  Any soul won for Christ is trillions of times more valuable than any title, trophy, belt, or money Lex has ever won playing football or competing in the rink!

Lex Luger is and will forever be a member of the only undefeated team in the universe. He is a first-teamer on God’s team. Lex Luger is and will always be a Champion for The Lord Jesus Christ!

Selah

Charles J. (Chuck) Busby

Making the Most of Your Walk With God

 

Our Daily Bread, June 12, 1994;

Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.

 

We spoke about Making the Most of the Time We Have and the Benefits of being a Christian.

Time is precious. We really are not here on this earth for very long. We are like when you go to turn the light switch on, and the bulb is shot. One day it will eventually happen. So, how can we make the most of the time we have?

We can make the most of the time we have left on earth by making the most of our walk with God. Many people live carelessly not giving much thought about their relationship with God. One day we will all have to stand before the Creator of this universe.

The question that demands an answer is this: Will this God be your Heavenly Father who will receive you as a forgiven child? Or will this God be your Judge who will expel you to eternal punishment?

To make the most of your walk with God, it is essential that you know Christ as your Lord and Savior. Apart from Christ, there is no walk with God. Apart from Christ, there is no saving relationship with God. To the person who is outside of God’s saving grace, I urge you to go to Jesus. He is ready to receive you. I pray you will find Jesus to be your Savior this very day.

To the child of God, I urge you to make the most of your walk with the Lord! Do not be a careless Christian who lives day by day with no thought of a deeper walk with Christ. Do not settle for a “I know-nothing; I feel-nothing; I want-nothing; I desire-nothing.”

I would seriously question whether I was a believer if I did not want to know more about Christ. I would seriously question my salvation if I did not feel and sense God’s presence from time to time. It is not that our faith is based on feelings, but I should have some sense of God at work in my life. I would seriously question my salvation if I did not want anything at all from the Lord. I would seriously question where I stand with God if I did not desire anything of the Lord.

Psalm 1:1-6 (NKJV)
¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

In Psalm 1 we have a plea for a deeper, more solid, more productive walk with God.

The person who has a close walk with God is called Blessed!

So, how can we make the most of our walk with God? How can it become a blessed Walk?

To make the most of our walk with God, we will need to look carefully in three directions and answer three important questions.

 

1. LOOK AROUND. How are you being influenced? (vv.1,2)

There are only two possible ways we can be influenced. Either we are influenced by godly influence, or with ungodly influence. We need to look around and ask ourselves the question: How are we being influenced? We are surrounded by all kinds of influence. What are we allowing to influence us? To shape us? To mold us?

¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

(a) The Ungodly Influence v.1 You don’t have to teach kids to be bad. They learn that quite well. We were by nature the children of wrath. We must be delivered from wrath. Thank God, in Christ, He has rescued us and made us a child of God. Yet, we must beware of ungodly influences. It gets worse and worse. Note the stages of ungodliness:

(1) Walking in the counsel of the ungodly. Walk speaks of the direction we are going. Turn from ungodly counsel. Don’t go in that direction. Some folks start each day by reading their horoscope. That’s the counsel they get each day. It’s ungodly counsel. Some people will consult some psychic they heard on TV. Some folks will listen to a “talk show” and get counsel on how to deal with everyday life. Some folks will buy a magazine just to read some ungodly counsel that’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.

When we go in the direction of worldly wisdom, and forsaking godly wisdom, we are under ungodly influences. The next step is…

(2) Standing in the way of sinners. After we go in the direction of seeking advice from the ungodly, we move from consulting the ungodly to identifying with the ungodly. Standing speaks of how we are now identifying with the way of sinners.

We are not opposing their viewpoint; we are embracing what they say. At first, we walk to the ungodly to listen to what they say, now we don’t walk back to where we should be, we stand where they stand. We identify with their position. There’s only one position that’s worth having—-that’s God’s position. There’s only one viewpoint that’s worth having—that’s God’s viewpoint. Everything else must go to the TRASH CAN!!!

(3) Sitting in the seat of the scornful. Sitting speaks of a resting place. We have landed on a position that we feel very comfortable with. We first just walked around some ungodly counsel, then we began to stand around in ungodly counsel, and finally, we adopt it for our very own. We now sit down and take our seats.

We sit in the seat of the scornful. SCOFFERS! MOCKERS! We now embrace ungodliness and scoff and mock everything that is holy and godly.

We need to look around us and ask this question, how are we being influenced? Television has helped to make a nation of scoffers! Oh, but preacher, TV doesn’t influence me. Maybe it does, or maybe it doesn’t…. I do know this…. there are millions and millions of dollars spent on advertisements. Why? Advertising has an influence on what kind of cereal you eat, what kind of toothpaste you buy, and what kind of truck you will drive. We are influenced by what we see on television.

Look around…How are you being influenced?

 ² But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.

(b) Godly Influence v.2

The Blessed Man…the Person who makes much of His Walk with God will surround himself with godly influence. He does that by…

1- Delighting in the Word of God. How do you come to delight in God’s Word? It is because there was a time when you found delight in Jesus. See 1 Peter 2:2,3 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” Your appetite for the Lord and His Word will become dull when you have tasted too much of this world. Get back in God’s Word and keep on allowing the Word of God to speak to you. Pray and ask the Lord to give you a hunger for His Word.

If we are to be exposed to godly influence, it will be found in the Bible.

2- Meditating on God’s Word.

It’s not enough to just read words from the Bible, there must be some passages that we allow to get into our thinking and shape our thoughts into the mind of Christ. I think of a verse in Romans…. Romans 12:2 “Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect, will of God.” This is more than just reading casually through the Bible.

There are truths that must be internalized. There are some verses that must be memorized, or at least become so familiar that we know where they are in the Bible and we can say the verse almost word by word.

How can we stay clean while in a world that influences us in the wrong way? Meditate on this verse…. Psalm 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Meditate on this verse John 15:3 “Now are you clean through the word which I have spoken unto you”

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth”

 

WE CAN MAKE THE MOST OF OUR WALK WITH GOD BY MAKING MUCH OF HIS WORD!

 

2. LOOK INSIDE. What are you becoming? Vv.3,4

³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

How we are influenced will reflect in what we become in character.

Look Inside your heart. Look inside where you really live. Ask yourself, “What kind of person am I becoming?”

The person who delights in God’s Word, and He, or She meditates on God’s Word will become like a tree planted by the rivers of water. You have found the source of true happiness. You are refreshed and nourished. It shows. It shows in three ways:

 

1- Fruitful. Bringeth forth his fruit in his season. You will be a fruitful person. What is a fruitful person? John Piper describes them this way, “They are refreshing and nourishing to be around. You go away from them fed. You go away strengthened. You go away with your taste for spiritual things awakened. Their words are healing and convicting and encouraging and deepening and enlightening. Being around them is like a meal.”

2- Durable. His leaf also shall not wither. The hot winds may blow, and the rain does not fall, this person is planted by the rivers of water. He is planted in God’s Word and while other people are withering away, he remains nourished, strong, and vibrant in faith. Regardless of which way the winds blow, he is planted in the Word. He delights and meditates in the Word day and night. He is durable.

3—Prosperous. Whatsoever he does shall prosper.

Does that mean if you delight in God’s Word and meditate in God’s Word you will be like a tree….and you will prosper? Yes.

What about Psalm 34:19 many are the afflictions of the righteous…

You’ve got to see this one…Psalm 73:3 “for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked”

Psalm 73:12 “Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.”

It looks like the wicked are the ones who are filthy rich. A good person is the one suffering.

But don’t forget Psalm 73:17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

God gave the writer some insight. You haven’t seen their end.

Psalm 1:4 the ungodly are not so…the wind drives them away…. last 4 words of Psalm say the ungodly shall perish

In this world…. For the Believer…this is the only Hell you will see and experience. For the unbeliever. This is the only Heaven they will ever know…

⁴ The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

v.4 The ungodly are not so….

LOOK INSIDE…. WHAT ARE YOU BECOMING? Are you like a tree planted? Are you like the chaff that the wind blows away? You might fool people, but what’s inside will be revealed in a given time.

 

3. LOOK AHEAD. How will you be judged? Vv. 5,6

There is a destiny we will all be a part of. Up ahead…. judgment day is coming!

⁵ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

(a) Will you be judged among the ungodly? The ungodly will not be able to stand on judgment day. V.5 The ungodly shall not stand They will not have a leg to stand on. They will not have an excuse to stand on. They have made all kinds of excuses why they can’t come to church; why they can’t be saved today; Excuses…Excuses…but on that day they will not be able to stand on any excuse. They won’t be able to stand on their own self-righteousness. They won’t be able to stand and look God in the eye.

In Heaven, there will only be one congregation. V.5 “The congregation of the righteous” There will be no sinners in that congregation. Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats. There will be one pure, holy, godly congregation. The congregation of the redeemed; the congregation of those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb! A Holy Congregation! If I wasn’t in that congregation…I would do business today with the Lord!

Look Ahead——-How will you be judged?

⁶ For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

 

Jesus knows the way of the righteous. He knows His own. He knows their ways. It is the way of the cross. It is the way of repentance and faith in Christ. It is the ONLY way!

The ungodly have their own way. The way of their own. The way of doing as you please. The way of the world. The way of self-righteousness. The way of works. The way of man-made religion.

Look ahead…. how will you be judged?

Making the most of your walk with God….it begins with godly influences. Godly influence will result in what you become on the inside…godly character. Godly character is what God is looking for…He’s looking for His own. Ungodly ways will not stand on judgment day.

 

A certain courthouse in Ohio stands in a unique location. Raindrops that fall on the north side of the building go into Lake Ontario and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, while those falling on the south side go into the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. At precisely the point of the peak of the roof, just a gentle puff of wind can determine the destiny of many raindrops. It will make a difference of more than 2,000 miles to their final destination. The spiritual application is clear. By the smallest deed or choice of words, we might set in motion influences that could change the course of others’ lives here and now and could also affect their eternal destiny.

 

– Charles Reade

In a British cemetery:

Pause my friend, as you walk by

As you are now, so once was I

As I am now so you will be

Prepare my friend, to follow me.

A visitor added,

To follow you is not my intent

Until I know which way you went!

Destiny is determined not by chances but by choices.

Making the Most of Your Benefits

Psalm 103

How can you make the most of the benefits God has given you?
1. Bless the Lord because of His benefits. (vv. 1-2a)
2. Remember and recount all His benefits. (vv.2b-5)
3. Meet the qualifications for God’s benefits (vv. 6-18)

How can you make the most of the benefits God has given you?

Psalm 103:1-22 (NKJV)
¹ Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

1. Bless the Lord. (v.1) We can receive more of God’s blessings if we would learn to “Bless the Lord.”

Blessing the Lord means we bow the knee and give Him respect, the deepest of reverence, and utmost worship. We “bless the Lord.” Often, we read bumper stickers, “God Bless America”. God has certainly blessed America and continues day by day. We pray as we sing that patriotic song, “God Bless America.” The emphasis should be “America Bless God.”

The Psalm writer does not say, “Bless the nation, Oh my Lord.” But rather, “Bless the Lord, O my soul;” We can make the most of the benefits from the Lord when we make much of blessing the Lord.

1. Blessing the Lord begins with you personally. O, my soul. (v.1) If you are going to wait on the crowd to get all excited about blessing the Lord, you will be waiting a long time. We give God praise because of what He has done for us personally. Of course, we should be thankful for all the benefits God bestows upon others. It has greater meaning when we are personal recipients of God’s benefits.
2. Blessing the Lord demands whole-heart participation. (v.1) All that is within me. The Lord has provided us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. We are not short one blessing. We are not short one benefit. In Jesus God did not hold back His blessings. God gave us His All. Jesus suffered the full extent for the penalty of our sins. Jesus cried on the cross, It is finished! A full salvation, a full pardon was granted, a full atonement for sin. God did not hold back. This demands that we hold not back in giving praise to Christ. All that is within me, bless his holy name.
3. Blessing the Lord is done on holy ground. Bless his holy name. (v.1) There is no other One like our God. No one can equal His character, His person, and His ways. The angels mentioned in v.20 are the same holy beings who cry daily, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” from Isaiah 6:3

 

The angels in Revelation 15:4 “Who shall not fear you, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy.

The cherubim in Revelation 4:8 They do not rest day or night saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God, Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

His name speaks of His character. It speaks of all that He is. He alone is Omnipotent, which means all-powerful. He alone is Omniscient, which means, all-knowing. He alone is Omnipresent, which means all present. There is no one like the LORD JESUS CHRIST! HE ALONE IS HOLY.

We appropriately bless His holy name when we recognize His holiness. We are on holy ground. God told Moses at the fiery bush…the bush on fire, but it did not burn us. God spoke in an audible voice to Moses.

God said, “Moses, take off your shoes, the ground you walk is holy ground.” To make the most of our spiritual benefits, we are to Bless the Lord. A second way to make the most of God’s benefits is to remember what those benefits are.

² Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

2. Remember All His Benefits. (v.2) We can make the most of God’s benefits when we recount what they are.

Jesus passed by a blind man and gave him sight. Jesus passed by a lame man and gave him feet to walk again. Jesus passed by the sick and gave them healing. Jesus passed by the hungry and gave them food. Jesus passes our way each day.

Do we take knowledge of the many benefits He provides?

We are guilty of forgetting the benefits as well as forgetting the One who sent them our way. The prophet Isaiah speaks of God’s people forgetting Who it was that has blessed them.

Isaiah 1:2-3 (NKJV) Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: ” I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.”

Hear, O heavens, and give ear O earth! For the Lord has spoken: I have nourished and brought up children, And they have rebelled against Me; The ox knows its owner and the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider.” We are guilty of forgetting the wonderful ways God has blessed us. God help us to not forget. What are some of His benefits?

³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,

a. Forgiveness (v.3) He forgives all your iniquities. Not just some of them, or many of them, but ALL of THEM!

This is at the top of the list. You can’t enjoy other benefits until you have known Christ. Who has forgiven you? In Jesus according to His Grace.

Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

 

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace….

Who heals all your diseases,

b. Healing (v.3) With sin comes disease. There are many kinds of sicknesses. There is a sickness of the soul. When God forgives you, and saves you. He grants healing of the soul. God takes the sin-sick sinner and forgives, cleans, and heals his inner being.

What about the body? Jesus did not save our present body. He saved the person who lives in that body. The body we now have will be changed. Permanent Healing for the body will come when Jesus comes.

However, we can pray and ask for temporary healing in this life. In God’s wisdom and sovereignty, He will grant healing according to His purpose.

Some folks have tried to take this verse to force God to heal our bodies in every situation. If God did that, we would never die. There is healing for the body. In this life, its only temporary, but eternal healing of the body comes when we get our new, glorified body. When we leave this sin-sick world with all its corruption and all its diseases, you can say in that way, the Lord heals all your diseases.

⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

1. Redemption. (V.4) redeems your life from destruction (pit)

Redeems us. This speaks of a slave market. To set a slave free, you had to go to the slave market, and on the auction, block stood the slave. You pay the price. You redeem. You buy back his freedom. You redeem them and set them free.

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1Peter 1:18-19

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,

d. we are crowned. (v.4) With lovingkindness and tender mercies. Jesus did not just set us free and leave us. He did not forgive us, and forget us. He favored us. He adorned us with His love and with His tender mercies. After the cross, Jesus was buried and then exalted and He has crowns to pass out. The crown of lovingkindness.

⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

e. He feeds us. (v.5) Satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

When Jesus suffered on the cross and gave all His blood and died such a cruel death, that was not the end. He came back. On that third day—Easter,

He came back to fellowship with His disciples.

After Easter, it was later that we read of Peter going fishing along with the other disciples and they spent the whole night casting their nets.

They caught nothing. The next day Jesus was on the shore, “Children, have you any food?” They answered him, “NO.” Jesus said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat.” They caught fish after fish…Peter counted 153 fish. Not small ones. They were large ones. Jesus had a fire on the shore. He said to bring the fish and then He said, “Come and Dine” NKJV “Come and eat breakfast. The most important meal of the day. They were about the miss the most important meal of the day, breakfast.

Early in the morning…Jesus FEEDS them. He fed them. He satisfies our mouths with good things. One of the great benefits is to get the DAILY BREAD of God’s Word and allow Jesus to feed us. That food is fuel for the soul. We are ready to fly like an eagle. We are ready to soar.

Let us review. Jesus died on the cross to provide us with forgiveness. In Christ we are forgiven, we experience healing because of Calvary.

Sin did its damage, but Jesus, the Great Physician, is our Healer. He redeems us. He does not forgive us and just leaves us in the pit. He picks us up. He redeems us. He buys us back to Himself. After Jesus paid all of this on the cross and after He was buried…God raised Him up and exalted Him back to the right hand of the Heavenly Father. Jesus is now Exalted. On His throne, He has many crowns. He now crowns us with the crown of lovingkindness and the crown of tender mercies. Because Jesus is on the throne, He sends back the Comforter the Holy Spirit. We are not left empty-handed. He feeds us with His Spirit. He feeds us with His Word. What Jesus feeds…is good things. So good, it gives us the energy to fly like an eagle. These are not all the benefits, but it sure is a good start.

What are the qualifications?

⁷ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.

A. You need to learn about God and His ways. You do that by reading scriptures. Hearing the truth of God’s Word. (v. 7) he made known His ways to Moses, and His acts to the children of Israel…) God responds to faith, but faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The Bible says, “How shall they believe in Whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” We need to know something about this God who made planet Earth and all the universe.

⁶ The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.

We need to know according to v.6 God will execute righteousness…. One day He will make all things right. He will not forget those who are oppressed. God will not forget. The millions and millions of babies slaughter for convenience—God will not forget.

⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.

We need to know according to v.8 God is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger, and when you are His forgiven child, He will not deal with you according to your sins.

⁹ He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever.
¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

¹² As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Your sins were nailed to the Cross of Jesus. He took the punishment for your sins. (as far as the east is from the west)

You can go east forever, and you can go west forever, so that is how far He has removed our sins!!!

¹³ As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.

1. You need to come to personally trust Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Look at v.11 his mercy is for those who fear him. Look at v.13 His pity is for those who fear him.

 Your sins are gone, if you have trusted Jesus Christ. He deals with us as children.

¹⁴ For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more.

He knows our weaknesses and our short time here on earth. (vv. 14-16)

¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,

Look at v.17 Mercy is for those who fear him. It is everlasting mercy.

When you come to Christ, you forsake all…and you submit to the Lord. You give Him your life. He is the One you serve.

You reverence Him. You fear him. Not the kind of fear where you are afraid to talk to God, …but it is a holy reverence. This comes into the heart of the child of God by the working of the Holy Spirit. It is the bowing of the knee.

Many people will not bow their heads and bow their knees to Christ, but one day the Bible says, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord… The evidence that a person is trusting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is obedience.

¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children,
¹⁸ To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.

They will want to do what the Lord says to do. See v.17-18 and His righteousness to children’s children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

We will never be perfect in our obedience until Jesus comes and takes us to glory. But there will be a pattern of obedience that will be obvious. We stumble and sin, but we get on our faces because we fear him, we claim His forgiveness, and we get up and walk in obedience.

We keep his commandments. Jesus said, If you love me, keep my commandments. We are not saved by keeping commandments. We are saved by His mercy. The evidence that we are saved will be a life of obedience. The people of God receive God’s benefits.

How can you make the most of the benefits God has given you?

Once we have been saved, and we have met the qualifications for God’s benefits in our lives, we are not satisfied until all of God’s creation is under the umbrella of God’s blessings.

4. Spread the News of God’s benefits. (vv.19-22)

¹⁹ The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all.
²⁰ Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word.

The Lord is on His throne. His kingdom rules over all. All His angels are under His rule. They do His Word. They Heed the voice of His Word. His angelic host are ministering servants.

²¹ Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

They are called in v.21 “ministers of His.” They do His pleasure.

²² Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!

In v.22 Bless the Lord, all His works. (All His creation) All God’s angels, All of the heavenly host day and night bless the Lord. They cry holy, holy, holy.

All of creation gives praise and say “Bless the Lord.”

Jesus was riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and the people were saying, “Hosanna” hallelujah to Jesus. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

The religious leaders told Jesus that he should command his followers to be quiet. Jesus said, “If they don’t give praise, the rocks will cry out and give praise.” The mountains move at God’s presence.

To make the most of God’s benefits, we desire to see God’s dominion recognized all over the world.

We are happy to say “Bless the Lord.” We are happier when we see other folks say, “Bless the Lord.” When you see an entire family come to know God’s benefit of salvation, you will begin to hear “Bless the Lord.” The Lord is Great! The Lord is Good! Blessed be the name of the Lord.

I love to hear the name of the Lord blessed, don’t you? I am tired of hearing His name cursed! One day we will see as we pray the Lord’s prayer, “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come,” We pray for the coming of His kingdom.

What about you? Are you in His kingdom? Are you ready for His coming?

Why not give your life to Christ? Turn from your sins, and find forgiveness and then you will know all the wonderful benefits of the Lord.