Living On The Hill With God

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Due to the large amount of sermons and topics that appear on this site I feel it is necessary to post this disclaimer on all sermons posted. These sermons are original to the author and the leading of the Holy Spirit. While ideas and illustrations are often gleaned from many sources including those at Sermoncentral.com, any similarities and wording including sermon title, that may appear to be the same as any other sermon are purely coincidental. In instances where other minister’s wording is used, due recognition will be given. These sermons are not copyrighted and may be used or preached freely. May God richly bless you as you read these words. It is my sincere desire that all who read them may be enriched. All scriptures quoted in these sermons are copies and quoted from the Authorized King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Pastor James May

LIVING ON THE HILL WITH GOD

Psalms 15:1-5, "LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved."

Isn’t it good to dwell in the House of the Lord? David wrote in Psalms 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Wouldn’t it be wonderful thing if we could dwell in the peace and tranquility in our everyday life that we feel while we are in the Lord’s House as we come together to praise, worship and serve Jesus. The atmosphere of God’s House should always be an atmosphere of peace, love, joy and unity. I thank God that we feel these wonderful things every time we come together as the Body of Christ.

Yet it is not always so once we walk out the door. How many times have I seen and experienced this for myself! My lovely wife and I have been married for 35 years, come April 6th, and our love is greater today than it has ever been. Certainly life has had it’s up’s and down’s for us. Which of us has not had both good and not-so-good times?

We rarely argue much anymore but it took a lot of growing and changing for both of us to get to the place we are now in our marriage. It was not an easy road, nor was it always fun, but I am so very glad that we chose to travel it together and that God gave us the grace and determination to stick to our commitment to one another and to God. I can only say that the Lord is what has helped us to make it thus far and it is the Lord who will continue to lead us on, as long as we live for Him.

Unity is a wonderful thing in a home, a family and in a church. It is something we must guard as you would guard a precious diamond. When we walk together toward the same goals, with the same vision, nothing is impossible. That’s the kind of church, the kind of people, that God can use to build his kingdom in the hearts of men.

But unity is a fragile thing. It only takes one small, almost insignificant problem like a harsh word spoken at the wrong time; one instance of ignoring another person who needs to be noticed; one time of looking wrong with your eyes; or one time of bringing a word of criticism when we should have kept our mouth shut. All of us have a tendency to let our tongue speak while our brain is still in neutral. I love that old saying that says, “Caution – Be Sure Brain is in Gear Before Putting Mouth Into Motion.”

But this isn’t a message on unity. It’s a message on what it takes to live in the same kind of atmosphere that we feel in God’s House and around God’s people when we are in unity. What does it take for mere man to dwell with God all the days of his life? What does it take to get to the top of the hill in your relationship with Jesus?

I believe that we are all alike in that we would desire to “tabernacle with God” or to dwell in His presence all the time. Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to know that Jesus lives within you; that the Great, Creator, Almighty God of Heaven lives in your heart; and that his Spirit leads you and guides you through life each and every day?