Sermon Central
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God In His Proper Place Series
Contributed by Nathan Johnson on May 30, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Sometimes, we do not have a right perspective of the Christian life because we do not have God where He belongs in our lives. He is not in His proper place.
God in His Proper Place
Griffith Baptist Church – 6/15/08
P.M. Service
Text: Psalm 33
Main Verse: Psalms 33:13 - The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
The Introduction
A man was driving in the country one day and he saw an old man sitting on a fence rail watching the cars go by. Stopping to pass the time of day, the traveler said, “I never could stand living out here. You don’t see anything, and I’m sure you don’t travel like I do. I’m on the go all the time.”
The old man on the fence looked down at the stranger and drawled, “I can’t see much difference in what I’m doing and what you’re doing. I sit on the fence and watch the autos go by and you sit in your auto and watch the fences go by. It’s just the way you look at things.”
Sometimes, we do not have a right perspective of the Christian life because we do not have God where He belongs in our lives. He is not in His proper place.
We know He should be number One, but is He really?
We know He is Sovereign God, but do we reduce Him to something more comfortable for us to deal with?
Transition Statement: First, in order to have God in the place He should be in our lives, He needs to be our song.
Body
1. God Must Be Our Song (1-5)
A. If you can’t sing about God, as a Christian you have no business singing about anyone or anything else.
B. No other tune ought to grace your lips than what is sung to your God
C. Look at what we have to sing with (1-3)
i. Joy (1, 3)
a. Never ceasing - Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
b. It is a delight to God’s ears - Psalms 147:1 - Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (it is a delight to God).
ii. Thanksgiving (2a)
iii. Instruments – all kinds (2)
a. Turn to Psalm 150
b. Praise Him no matter where you are (1)
c. Praise Him because of who He is (2)
d. Praise Him on instruments dedicated to His praise (3-6)
iv. New songs – His love never gets old (3a)
a. There is nothing wrong with new songs
b. A testimony of God working in our lives - Psalms 40:3 - And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
D. Look at what we have to sing about:
i. Redemption (righteous ones) (1)
ii. The faithfulness of the Word of God (4a)
a. Sweetness to the soul - Psalms 19:8 – 7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
b. The give the believer blessing in obedience - Micah 2:7c - . . . do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
iii. The faithfulness of God Himself (4b)
a. Faithful in all things
b. Never lets us down
c. Always with us and caring for us
d. Always ready to forgive and restore
iv. His love of righteousness and justice (5a)
v. His lovingkindness shown to all (5b)
Transition Statement: Not only does He need to be our song, He also needs to be our sovereign.
2. God Must Be Our Sovereign (6-12)
A. Because He is Creator (6-9)
i. God spoke and it happened (6a)
ii. Created out of nothing - Hebrews 11:3 – 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.
iii. Genesis 1
iv. God breathed and it came to life (6b)
a. Elsewhere it is translated “Spirit”
b. It is used of creating life here in this verse and Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
c. It was used in the giving of God-given Scripture – inspiration mean “the breath of God” – the Holy Spirit – 2 Timothy 3:16 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
