MAKING SENSE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD – TASTE
Psalm 34:8
INTRODUCTION:
A. So far in this series on “Making Sense of Our Relationship to God” we have looked at two of the five sense: Hearing and Seeing
1. This morning we are going to be looking at our sense of taste
2. Our tongue is a very intricate piece of our body
3. As I studied it, I was amazed at how much there really is to it, but I just want give you a couple of interesting facts.
a. The average person has 10,000 taste buds that are replaced every two weeks – a marvel in itself.
b. You have four types of taste buds, scattered about your tongue but they have areas of major concentration
1) Sweet – mostly in the tip, or front of your tongue
2) Sour – mostly on the middle side of your tongue
3) Salty – mostly on the front side and back side of your tongue
4) Bitter – mostly on the back of your tongue
c. It is the sense of taste that allows us to really enjoy our food – it sort of gives us a personal attachment to it.
4. We are weary to try new foods sometimes because we don’t know what it tastes like – its very personal.
5. It is this attachment that probably brought about the statement, “What is your personal taste in_____ (cars).
6. It is this idea of taking something and making it personal that the message on the sense of taste is based on
B. Psalm 34:8 states O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
1. You see that which we hear, see, and touch is always external
2. But that which we taste is internal – it must always be brought within the mouth and eaten for us to taste.
3. It must become a part of us!
C. You need to stay with me this morning for the whole message is strictly good news
1. When it comes to taste no one likes something that tastes bad
2. I like chocolate: chocolate covered raisins, cashews, marshmallows and a lot more.
3. Not long ago I went into Chris’ office and he had a bowl of chocolate covered’s on his desk so I reached in and got the biggest one I could find
a. I popped that big old thing in my mouth and figured I’d savor it for awhile.
b. But I got impatient and chomped down, and about got sick – a chocolate covered coffee bean – yuck!
4. So I promise you there is nothing to say yuck about in this message, O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. Psa 34:8
D. This morning let us see how we can taste and see that the Lord is good in 1. Salvation
2. Life, and
3. Eternity
E. This morning may you truly taste the things of the Lord and find Him to be satisfying! As the psalmist proclaimed O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
PRAY
I want to begin this morning by challenging you to
I. TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD IN SALVATION: BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM
A. He is Good in What He Removes
1. God removes our sin & condemnation – Praise God!
a. In 2 Cor. 5:21 Paul writes, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
b. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Rom 8:1
- Praise God – (gospel)
2. God removes our penalty for sin - death
a. Rom 6:23 states For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. So we can rejoice in the saying, O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?...thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 15:55 & 57
3. God removes our destination of Hell
a. It was John who proclaimed Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power,… Rev. 20:6
b. And it was the psalmist who sang: The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. [4] Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul. [5] Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful. [6] The Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me. Psa 116:3-6
4. Praise God for what He removes – indeed He is Good, but better yet
B. He is good in what He gives
1. He gives us a personal relationship with himself – we are in the family of God!
a. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26
b. Because, we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; Rom 8:15-17
2. He gives us spiritual gifts
a. …unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. [8] Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Eph 4:7-8
b. Therefore, Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; [7] Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; [8] Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Rom 12:6-8
3. He gives eternal life & security
a. Jesus said, I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28
b. And it is firm because this is life eternal, that (we) might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom (God) hast sent. John 17:3
C. Praise the Lord! Can You Taste Him? Can you get excited about that! Indeed the Lord is Good and it only gets better!
O’ Taste and see that the Lord is good in Salvation and
II. TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD IN LIFE: BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM
A. God Provides for all our needs
1. Needs of life - Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?...But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:25 & 33
2. Needs in the midst of temptation - for There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Cor. 10:13
3. Do you mercy and grace – then Let us (go) boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
4. Have you got a taste of His goodness yet? Well there is more.
B. He provides protection and strength in the face of our enemies
1. We are to put on the armor of God that we might stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6) and We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John 5:18
2. He strengthens us against the world, for it was Jesus Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: Galatians 1:4
C. He makes all things to work for our good
1. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
2. What a blessing to know that is always working on our behalf to turn the bad things of the world to our good!
D. Praise the Lord! Can You Taste Him? Getting There?
O’ Taste and see that the Lord is good in Salvation, in Life and
III. TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD IN ETERNITY: BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN HIM
A. We will have a new body – praise the Lord!
1. Presently this outward man is perishing
2. But there is coming a day where In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Cor. 15:52-53
3. And with this new body will come a whole new set of circumstances wherein there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more sorrow, no more death, no more separation - AMEN! Can you taste it?
B. We will have a new home
1. John wrote, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. [2] In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
a. There will be no more high energy bills because of the heat
b. No more freezing conditions because the power goes out
c. No more up keep problems such as new roofs, new water heaters
d. Just perfect accommodations!
2. And beyond that a new city, The new Jerusalem
a. Foundations of all manner of precious stones
b. Streets of gold
c. Gates of pearl
d. Walls of jasper
e. The river of the water of life
f. And the glory of our God will be the Light! Hallelujah!
C. And praise God, our dwelling place will be in new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness & Jesus is the Sovereign, omnipotent, omniscient and ever present King of King and Lord of Lords!
- Glory! Can you taste it? O’ Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who trust in Him!
CONCLUSION: As we close,
A. If you are here this morning and do not know the Lord I’m speaking of I challenge you, O taste and see that the Lord is good:
B. Christian, if you are living in the mud of this world, I’m begging you, O taste and see that the Lord is good:
C. If you are worried about death, about future things, or about eternity, let me exhort you O taste and see that the Lord is good:
D. The apostle John wrote the most applicable invitation there is, And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev. 22:17
O taste and see that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
