This sermon explores the struggle against sin, the power of God's love, and finding refuge in Him, as depicted in Psalms 36.
Good morning. It's a wonderful day to gather together in the house of the Lord, isn't it? I'm so glad to see each and every one of you here today. I can't help but feel the palpable energy of the Holy Spirit among us, ready to guide us through another sermon, another opportunity to grow closer to our Heavenly Father.
We're here to seek God's wisdom and guidance from the book of Psalms, specifically Psalms 36. This Psalm, penned by David, the shepherd boy turned king, is a powerful testament to the struggles we face in our daily lives, the battles we wage against iniquity, and our unwavering belief in God's power. It's a testament to our journey towards becoming victorious over sin.
I'm reminded of the words of the great Christian author, Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "As far as God is concerned your sin has ceased to be." Isn't that a comforting thought? No matter how far we may feel we've fallen, Christ's atonement is still beneath us, ready to catch us and lift us back up.
Let's take a moment to read Psalms 36 together:
"An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect or hate his sin. The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. Even on his bed he plots evil; he commits himself to a sinful course and does not reject what is wrong. Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!"
Aren't those words just as relevant today as they were when they were first penned by David? They echo the timeless truth of God's unfailing love and the refuge we find in Him.
Let's bow our heads in prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for this day, for the opportunity to gather together in your name. We thank you for your Word, which guides us and gives us hope. As we delve into Psalms 36, we ask for your wisdom and understanding. Open our hearts to your message, Lord, and help us to apply it to our daily lives. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Now, let's turn our attention to our first main point: Battles Against Iniquity...
In the heart of every man and woman, there lies a battlefield. A place where good and evil, righteousness and sin, wage a relentless war. This battlefield is not of this world, but of the spirit. It is within us, a part of our very being. It is here, in this spiritual battlefield, that we find ourselves in a constant struggle against iniquity.
Iniquity, as we know, is a deviation from the path of righteousness. It is a transgression against the divine law, a violation of God's holy commandments. It is the seed of evil that, when allowed to take root, can grow into a tree of sin and despair. But we are not helpless in this battle. We are not alone.
God, in His infinite wisdom and love, has given us the tools to combat iniquity. He has provided us with His Word, a guide to righteousness, a beacon of light in the darkness of sin. He has given us His Spirit, a source of strength and courage, a shield against the arrows of temptation. And most importantly, He has given us His Son, Jesus Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, the embodiment of God's love and mercy, the conqueror of sin and death.
When we look at the wicked, as described in Psalms 36, we see a picture of a life consumed by iniquity. A life devoid of the fear of God, filled with deceit and evil, committed to a sinful course. But this is not the life that God wants for us. He wants us to live a life of righteousness, a life of love and faithfulness, a life that reflects His glory.
In the face of iniquity, we must remember God's unfailing love. His love that reaches to the heavens, His faithfulness that extends to the skies. His love is not a fleeting emotion, but a steadfast commitment. It is a love that is willing to forgive, to heal, to restore. It is a love that is willing to sacrifice, to suffer, to die, so that we might live.
God's love is our refuge in the battle against iniquity. It is our shelter in the storm, our fortress in the fight. It is the place where we can find rest and renewal, strength and courage, hope and peace. It is the place where we can find victory.
Victory over iniquity is not achieved through our own strength or wisdom. It is not a product of our own efforts or abilities. It is a gift from God, a result of His grace and mercy. It is a victory that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, through surrender to His will, through obedience to His Word.
In the battle against iniquity, we must also remember God's righteousness. His righteousness that is like the mighty mountains, His justice that is like the great deep. His righteousness is not a set of rules or regulations, but a reflection of His character. It is a standard of moral perfection, a benchmark of ethical purity. It is the measure against which all actions are judged, the scale against which all deeds are weighed.
God's righteousness is our guide in the battle against iniquity. It is our compass in the chaos, our map in the maze. It is the path that leads us to holiness, the road that takes us to heaven. It is the way that leads us to victory.
Victory over iniquity is not a destination, but a journey. It is not a moment, but a process. It is a journey that requires perseverance and patience, faith and fortitude. It is a process that involves struggle and sacrifice, trial and tribulation. But it is a journey that leads to joy and jubilation, peace and prosperity.
In the battle against iniquity, we must also remember God's faithfulness. His faithfulness is as vast as the sky, as deep as the ocean. His faithfulness is a commitment that is unchanging, a covenant that is unbreakable.
God's faithfulness is our assurance in the battle against iniquity. It is our confidence in the conflict, our certainty in the crisis. It is the guarantee of God's presence, the proof of His power. It is the evidence of His love, the testimony of His truth. It is the assurance of victory.
Victory over iniquity is not a dream, but a reality. It is a reality that is realized through faith, a certainty that is secured through surrender. It is a victory that is won through worship, a triumph that is achieved through trust. It is a victory that is ours in Christ Jesus.
In the battle against iniquity, we must also remember God's preservation. His preservation extends to both man and beast. His preservation is not a preservation of the body, but of the soul. It is not a preservation of the physical, but of the spiritual. It is a preservation that ensures eternal life, a preservation that guarantees heavenly home.
God's preservation is our hope in the battle against iniquity. It is our anchor in the storm, our rock in the raging sea. It is the promise of eternal life, the guarantee of heavenly home. It is the hope of resurrection, the assurance of redemption. It is the hope of victory.
In the face of iniquity, let us remember God's unfailing love, His righteousness, His faithfulness, and His preservation. Let us remember that we are not alone in this battle, that we have a God who is for us, a God who is with us, a God who is in us. Let us remember that victory over iniquity is not a dream, but a reality, not a hope, but a certainty, not a possibility, but a promise. Let us remember that this victory is ours in Christ Jesus.
As we continue to immerse ourselves in the wisdom of Psalms 36, we are drawn to the undeniable belief in God's power ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
Sermon Central
