Good Gifts From A Good God Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

• (1). The worship goes up (vs 1-4);

• (2). The witness reaches out (vs 5-8);

• (3). The wealth comes down (vs 9-13).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Lewis Carl Davidson Hamilton, MBE (born 7th January 1985);

• I am sure you are aware that he is a British Formula One racing driver,

• And is currently racing for the Mercedes AMG team.

• He is the 2008 and 2014 Formula One World Champion.

• Lewis Hamilton has been getting some flack this week;

• After he took part in a radio interview;

• You may or may not know that he is in an 'off & on' relationship with his girlfriend;

• She is Nicole Scherzinger and she is part of the pop group Pussycat Dolls.

• Question: Why is Lewis Hamilton getting criticised?

• Answer: Nicole Scherzinger had written and recorded a love song for Lewis,

• And during a radio interview with the newly crowned world champion;

• The DJ played the song and asked Lewis if he recognised it.

• And being a typical bloke he failed to identify it.

• The media have of course jumped on to this untimely gaffe.

• And made a big story out of it.

• The point his critics have been making is simple;

• When somebody does something for you:

• In this case pen the words and tune to a love song, record it and release it.

• You expect the subject of the song to be aware of it,

• And to be thankful and appreciative of it!

• TRANSITION:

• The theme of this psalm is take note people of what God has done for you;

• God has done far more than just penning a love poem;

• He is a God has demonstrated his love by meeting our physical & deepest spiritual needs.

• So in response to God’s love;

• This psalm says be thankful and appreciative of it!

This Psalm divides into three sections:

(1). The Worship Goes Up! (vs 1-4)

1 Praise awaits you, O God, in Zion;

to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2 O you who hear prayer,

to you all men will come.

3 When we were overwhelmed by sins,

you forgave our transgressions.

4 Blessed are those you choose

and bring near to live in your courts!

We are filled with the good things of your house,

of your holy temple.

Notice:

• The expression: “Praise awaits you”.

• Bible scholars say it is a difficult phrase to translate from Hebrew into English.

(1).

• It literally means “To you, silence [is] praise”;

• It may imply “silence is praise” - and it may mean to fall silent before God.

Ill:

• Meet your hero or someone very, very famous like meeting the Queen;

• You might find that your mind goes blank and that you are speechless.

• You just can’t think of any think to say.

• TRANSITION: So this phrase can mean to fall silent before God.

• As you reflect on the wonder & majesty of his presence.

• You are left in silent appreciation!

(2).

• The C.E.V. translates the phrase with a different slant

• “Our God, you deserve praise in Zion”

• ‘Zion’ is a term that most often refers to Jerusalem,

• It can also refer by extension, to the Biblical land of Israel.

• So the emphasis in the C.E.V. translation is;

• This Psalm is the reminder that God deserves our praise:

Ill:

• David, in this psalm, talks about how God blesses us and why God is worthy of praise,

• Scan the Psalm and see the many reasons given.

• Verse 2: Praise him because He hears prayers.

• “You who answer prayer”

• Verse 3: Praise him because He forgives sins.

• “You forgave our transgressions.”

• Verse 4: Praise him because He chooses people to dwell in His presence.

• “You choose and bring near to live in your courts!”

• Verse 5: Praise him because He answers our prayers in a remarkable way.

• “You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds”

• Verse 5: Praise him because He gives optimism and courage to all peoples.

• “The hope of all the ends of the earth”

• Verse 5: Praise him because He saves.

• “God our Saviour”,

• Verse 6: Praise him because He creates the mountains.

• “Who formed the mountains by your power”

• Verse 6: Praise him because He demonstrates strength.

• “Having armed yourself with strength”

• Verse 7: Praise him because He calms the seas.

• “Who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves,”

• Verse 7: Praise him because He calms the nations.

• “And the turmoil of the nations.”