Make Your Way Pure
10/19/08 AM
Text: Psalm 119:9-16
INTRODUCTION:
In our lesson last Lord’s day we examined the idea that all have been called by God. We are all called to repentance and in answering the call we are sanctified by God; called out of the world and into the Kingdom, called from death into life, from darkness into the light. We are called out of the world and into Jesus, to follow His example in conduct, in obedience, and in service so that one day, on the day He comes again, we will be called home.
Until that day comes it remains for those who have answered the call of God to live faithful to that calling, as Paul implored the church in Ephesus:
Ephesians 4:1b (NASB) ”…to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,”
That is the challenge before all who would follow after Jesus in this world, how do we walk in a manner worthy of the calling of God? The text for our lesson today begins with that very question and provides us some key strategies for keeping our way pure.
I.Introducing Psalm 119
A.Title and Author of the Psalm.
1.In the ancient manuscripts this wisdom Psalm bears no title and no identification of the author.
a.Most bible translations will head the Psalm with a description of its subject: meditations and prayers relating to the law of God.
b.Some simply title the Psalm “the longest Psalm” a title easily claimed with 176 verses arranged in 22 acrostic stanzas.
1)Each stanza consists of eight verses each of which begin with succesive letters of the Hebrew alphabet: Aleph, Beth, Gimel, Daleth, and so on.
B.Subject of the Psalm.
1.The one theme is the word of the God.
a.The Psalmist sets his subject in many lights, and treats of it in different ways; only a few verses do not mention the word of God by one name or another.
1)Within the psalm, eight words for God’s Law occur again and again: law; testimonies; promise; precepts; statutes; commandments; judgments; word.
b.Even when not specifically named, the subject is still evident in every stanza.
c.It celebrates the Word of God in a way that is almost exhaustive. The psalm uses the full meaning of all these words as it elaborates on the application of the God’s word to both daily life and the destiny of those who follow the word of God.
d.The Psalm is an impressive celebration of the Word of God and throughout the psalmist cannot stop praising God for His mercy and goodness in providing His people with instructions for living.
2.Which brings us back to the text for our lesson today.
Read Psalm 119:9-16
II.Making Our Way Pure
A.How can a young man keep his way pure?
1.This is the question for all who would walk worthy of the calling from God.
a.The question asks how one may be saved from the corruptions of his own heart, escape the temptations of this world, and lead a pure life.
b.Way: Hebrew Debech; from the same root, to proceed, go on, walk, tread.
c.The way in which man must tread in order to be pure and holy, and happy.
d.1 John 1:7b (NASB) ”…and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Now how do we keep our way pure?
B.By keeping it according to Your word.
1.Titus 2:11 - 12 (NASB) 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,”
[The Psalmists provides us strategies to use God’s word to keep our way pure…]
III.Using The Word
A.Seek the Word v10
1.With all my heart I have sought You.
a.Jeremiah 29:13 (NASB) You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
b.James 4:8 (NASB) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
c.Proverbs 3:5 - 7 (NASB) Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
B.Treasure the Word v11
1.Psalms 37:31 (NASB) The law of his God is in his heart; His steps do not slip.
2.The meaning here is to see the word of God as the most valuable thing in our heart; it is “there,” though unseen; it is permanently deposited there, as the most valuable of our treasures
3.Luke 12:34 (NASB) “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
C.Learn and Teach the Word v12-13
1.Be open to instruction from the Lord in all ways.
a.By the experiences that God brings to our lives
Read Hebrews 12:7-11
b.By the witness of others (Hebrews 11)
Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
c.The history of the scriptures
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NASB) Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
d.The example of the brethren
Philippians 3:17 (NASB) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
e.Put learning to practice (as a Doctor practices medicine.)
Philippians 4:9 (NASB) “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
2.Expect to move from student to teacher
2 Timothy 2:2 (NASB) The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
D.Vitalize the Word v14
1.Psalm 119:14-16; note the words of the Psalmist: “rejoiced”, “regard”, “delight”
2.Come to celebrate the word in the same way we celebrate good fortune in this world.
E.Internalize the Word v15-16
1.Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”
a.In the Hebrew the meaning of the term is “to muse over.”
b.So God was commands Joshua and us to remember His Word by “muttering” it to ourselves, “pondering” it, or “musing over” it.
c.In the Christian context meditation differs from the approach of New Age and Eastern Philosophies which seek to empty the mind or focus on a single word or phrase to achieve a mystical experience.
d.The scripture makes it clear that we strive to fill our minds and our hearts with the Word of God so that we may better understand His will.
2.This requires we read and reread the text, take the time to contemplate its meaning.
3.We do not readily forget that which we treasure, that which we have spoken of and that on which we have meditated.
Conclusion:
The challenge before all who would follow after Jesus in this world, how do we walk in a manner worthy of the calling of God, is met when we seek the Word of God, treasure the word, through learning and teaching the Word, vitalizing, and internalizing the Word.
Invitation
1.If you are a Christian but have fallen away
a.God’s grace is still available.
b.To avoid destruction, one must be faithful and obedient.
2.If you are not a Christian this morning . . .
d.Heed the plan that it has for man’s salvation today!
e.Hear the word; Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing…”
f.Believe with all your heart; Hebrews 11:6 “For without faith it is impossible . . . .”
g.Repent of your sins (Acts 17:30).
h.Confess Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 16:16).
i.Be baptized for the remission of your sins (Mark 16:15,16).
