SERMON OUTLINE:
(A). The Question Asked (vs 1)
• Who may dwell in your sanctuary? (1a)
• Who may live on your holy hill? (1b)
(B). The Question Answered (vs 2-5)
• Right Conduct (vs 2a)
• Right speaking (vs 2b-3)
• Right relationships with others (vs 4)
• Right use of wealth (vs 5)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• Life is full of unanswered questions:
• i.e. Do one legged ducks swim in circles?
• i.e. If the cops arrest a mime artist:
• Do they have to tell him he has the right to remain silent?
• i.e. How come Superman could stop bullets with his chest,
• But always ducked when someone threw a gun at him?
• i.e. Why do pubs and clubs advertise ‘live’ bands?
• i.e. Why is there only ONE Monopolies Commission?
• i.e. Why is ‘Abbreviated’ such a long word?
• i.e. If toast always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet,
• What happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?
• i.e. Why is it that when a person tells you there's over a million stars in the universe;
• You believe them, but if someone tells you there's wet paint somewhere,
• You have to touch it to make sure?
• i.e. Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because they taste funny?
• i.e. If a man speaks and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?
• TRANSITION: Some questions are humorous;
• Some questions are insightful and more demanding.
Ill:
• A friend once asked Isidor I. Rabi,
• A Nobel prize winner in science, how he became a scientist.
• The Rabi replied that every day after school;
• His mother would talk to him about his school day.
• She wasn’t so much interested in what he had learned that day,
• But she always inquired, “Did you ask a good question today?”
• Isidor I. Rabi said:
• “Asking good questions made me become a scientist.”
This Psalm starts off by asking an insightful challenging question:
(A). The Question Asked (vs 1)
“LORD , who may dwell in your sanctuary?
Who may live on your holy hill?”
• Many commentators believe:
• This Psalm was written when David had been meditating on the events;
• Depicted in 2 Samuel chapter 6 verses 12-19 and 1 Chronicles chapter 13 verses 1-13.
Ill:
• That was the occasion when David brought the Ark of the Covenant:
• From the house of Obed-Edom to the 'City of David';
• The Ark of the Covenant was a rectangle box.
• Made out of a special type of wood and overlaid with gold and carried on two poles.
• It contained the two stone tablets (10 Commandments);
• And Aarons rod which had budded.
• It was kept in the most holy place in the tabernacle or temple.
• Symbolically – it represented the presence of God.
• Unfortunately during the journey from the house of Obed-Edom to the 'City of David';
• It was placed on a cart and the oxen which were pulling the cart stumbled;
• This caused the Ark to topple.
• And to save it from falling to the ground,
• A man called Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark;
• And he was immediately struck down dead!
• I guess our natural reaction is to say;
• “Poor old Uzzah – tried to do something helpful and was rewarded with death”
Yet, the writer of 2 Samuel explains why this took place:
• It was 'because of his irreverent act' (2 Samuel 6:7).
• God had given very clear and specific guidelines regarding the moving of the ark.
• David knew that the Ark was to be carried by priests and Levites;
• And only priests and Levites – not any Tom, Dick or Uzzah!
• And it should not have been transported on the back of a cart;
• Our good intentions do not over ride God‘s clear instructions!
• To some extent David’s own negligence had brought about this tragedy;
• It was a lesson he would not quickly forget (e.g. 1 Chronicles 15 verse 2).
• And from that moment on only the Levites carried the Ark.
• As you might imagine this incident made a lasting impression on David.
• It was something that he would never forget!
This experience may well be the background to the writing of both Psalm 15 and 24.
• In the light of the awesome holiness of God;
• “Who can approach him, let alone live close to him?”
Ill:
• A leading newspaper that carries a daily column designed to answer readers’ queries,
• Listed the top ten unanswerable questions. Here’s one:
“I am nine years of age and have a cat that eats regularly and needs to go on a diet.
He also eats mice when he is out. How many calories in a mouse?”
• TRANSITION:
• Unlike that 9 year olds question the question found in verse one is not unanswerable:
• In fact throughout the rest of this Psalm;
• David goes on to give us an answer!
(B). The Question Answered (vs 2-5)
• Quote: John J. Plomp
• “You know that children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers”.
• The question asked in verse 1 has a clear and defined answer:
• And David describes for us in verses 2-5;
• Qualities required of people wishing to live close to God.
Note:
• These qualities do not make a person a Christian!
• Remember this is an Old Testament (before Jesus came) Psalm.
• I would suggest the purpose of the Psalm is NOT how to get right with God;
• But RATHER principles on how to stay close to God once you are right.
Ill:
• In marriage a husband might:
• Pay his wife compliments.
• He might spoil her with gifts and presents.
• He might tell her to put her feet up, while his does some of her many tasks;
• Now; here is the point I an trying to make:
• Those things will not make you married, but they will strengthen your relationship.
• Likewise these principles contained in the Psalm;
• They will not make you right with God (for the Christian that happened at the cross!)
• But they will help deepen our relationship with God!
Ill:
• Carolus Linnaeus was born in Sweden in the eighteenth century;
• He is regarded as the ‘father of systematic botany.
• And many have termed him the greatest botanist that ever lived.
• People came from all over the world to hear him lecture;
• And as you entered his lecture hall, you passed under a Latin inscription;
• Latin because all botanical terms were recorded in Latin.
• In English the inscription read; ‘Live with purity; God is here!’
• I believe that is the advice the Psalmist is telling each one of us;
• ‘Live with purity; God is here!’
Ill:
• John Brown, nineteenth-century Scottish theologian,
• (Quoted in J. Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness):
"Holiness does not consist in mystic speculations, enthusiastic fervours, or un-commanded austerities; it consists in thinking as God thinks, and willing as God wills."
• David the Psalmist in these verses asks each one of us to:
• “Think as God thinks, and willing as God wills."
(1). Right Conduct (vs 2a).
“He whose walk is blameless
and who does what is righteous”.
Ill:
• The evangelist Dr Billy Graham was on one occasion flying on a plane,
• Sitting a few seats ahead of him was a drunken passenger,
• He was swearing and being rude to both the staff and the other passengers.
• He was causing quite a big disturbance.
• Hoping to calm the man down, the stewardess said,
• “Sir, please be quiet, we have Dr Billy Graham sitting just a few rows behind you”.
• When he heard this, the drunk said;
• “Billy Graham, let me speak to him, I wanna tell him something”.
• So the drunk got up and pushed and staggered his way down the aisle,
• He looked at Billy Graham in the face and said;
• “Shake my hand, your ministry has had such an effect upon my life!”
• TRANSITION:
• David the Psalmist is telling these Christians not to be like that!
• He is instructing them to ‘walk the talk’, to live out what they claim to believe.
• Right Conduct is described here as a ‘blameless’ life:
• Now a 'blameless' life here does not mean an absolutely perfect life.
• Only the Lord Jesus Christ is the only human ever to achieve that;
• He alone walked through the pages of human history without ever sinning;
• (i.e. Hebrews chapter 4 verse 15).
Question: What it does seem to mean is this:
Answer:
• That these people it means to have a desire and a determination to please God.
• They not only to KNOW what is right but also to TRY do what is right.
Ill:
A man in the Army of Alexander the Great;
• Who was also named Alexander, was accused of cowardly actions.
• He was brought before Alexander, who asked what his name was.
• He replied softly, “Alexander.”
• “I can’t hear you,” the ruler stated.
• The man again said, a little louder, “Alexander.”
• The process was repeated one more time,
• After which Alexander the Great commented,
• “Either change your name or change your conduct.”
As Christian’s we are called to be ‘righteous’:
• In other words to practice what we preach.
• To ‘walk the talk’, to put our theology into shoe-leather.
ill:
• C.T. Studd the 19th Centaury England cricket captain;
• Who gave up wealth, comfort & cricket to serve God in Inland China once said:
"If Jesus Christ be God and he died for me, nothing is to hard for me to do for him".
• When F.B. Meyer was a student he looked out early one morning;
• And noticed the light on in another students room. The student was C.T. Studd:
• Later that day Meyer spoke to C.T. Studd and said:
• "You were up early this morning, what were you doing?"
C.T. Studd replied:
"Last night I read the words of Jesus, 'if you love me, keep my commandments!
Since do I love Jesus, I got up to go through the gospels to make sure I was keeping them".
• Some of us might think C.T. Studd was a bit extreme;
• But the principle he was following is worth applying.
(2). Right speaking (verse 2b-3).
“Who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbour no wrong
and casts no slur on his fellowman,
Quote: St. Augustine had this quote over his table:
“If you love to gnaw on men in their absence, this table does not like your presence”.
Quote:
“The tongue, that muscle in our bodies that receives more exercise and less control
than any other”.
• Medically they say it's only:
• A two-ounce slab of muscle,
• Mucous membrane, and nerves that enables us to;
• Chew, taste, swallow food and articulate words.
• Redefined it is a beast, a mighty midget:
Quote: The Bible says it:
• Psalm 50 verse 59 tells us it ‘frames deceit’.
• Psalm 52 verse 2 tells us it ‘devises destruction’.
• Psalm 52 verse 4 informs us it ‘devours’.
• Psalm 57 verse 4: Is ‘a sharp sword’.
• Proverbs chapter 25 verse 15: ‘Breaks bones.’
• Proverbs chapter 25 verse 23: ‘Backbites’.
• Proverbs chapter 28 verse 23: ‘Flatters’.
• Romans chapter 3 verse 13: ‘Poisons’
Question: Don’t you think that is pretty destructive for a piece of protein!
Notice:
• That verse 2b reminds us that the tongue is not the real problem?
• The real culprit that controls the tongue is the heart
• The tongue is neither friend nor foe:
• It is merely a messenger that delivers the dictates of a desperately sick heart.
This psalm is reminding us:
• That one of the big differences that non-Christians should see in God’s people;
• Is in this area of the tongue.
Ill:
• The classic movie, A Christmas Story,
• Is a nostalgic look at growing up in the town of ‘Gary’ in Indiana,
• The film is viewed through the eyes of a boy named Ralphy.
• One classic scene takes place during school playtime in the middle of winter.
• Two boys surrounded by their classmates;
• Argue whether a person’s tongue will stick to a metal pole in below-freezing weather.
• Eventually one of the boys succumbs to the infamous “triple-dog dare.”
• Hesitantly he sticks his tongue out and touches it to the school flagpole.
• Sure enough, it gets stuck.
• Then the bell rings for the end of break.
• Everyone runs into the school building, everyone except the hapless victim.
• When the teacher finally looks out the window,
• She sees the boy writhing in pain, his tongue frozen to the flagpole.
• TRANSITION:
• While few of us have been in that predicament:
• I guess we all know what it’s like to have our tongues get us in trouble.
• When we suffer the consequences of an uncontrolled tongue!
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GOD’S PEOPLE:
• Get a grip on their tongues;
• Something constantly repeated throughout the New Testament letters.
• It should be one of the big differences that non-Christians see;
• Or rather hear in God’s people;
Note: Three ways to control that tongue and be different to those around you:
(a). Be wholesome.
• Be self-controlled in their use of language;
• Therefore Christians should avoid swearing and cursing & dirty jokes.
• ill: I am amazed and saddened at what people say or place on Facebook;
• I expect it from unbelievers but surely Christians should be different!
(b). Be constructive:
• God’s people should be those who avoid gossiping and malicious talk & spreading rumours etc;
• They are only negative and destructive traits that cause harm not healing.
• Next time you hear someone moaning and grumbling about someone;
• Say something positive about them – balance the scales!
• Remind them and emphasise their good traits and points!
(c). Be honest:
• It is important that God’s people can be trusted to say what they mean;
• And mean what they say!
Ill:
• I remember one of my mentors and colleague Ivor Cooper;
• Telling the story of when he left working in a factory to go to Bible college.
• Ivor had been shop steward in his factory.
• One of his work mates:
• A man who was tough & kept his distance from Ivor during his working time at the factory.
• Just said: “We will miss you... you were straight!”
• TRANSITION:
• David is simply saying; “Be straight!”
• Speak the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth!
• (ill: Matthew chapter 5 verses 33-37).
(3). Right relationships with others (vs 4):
4 “Who despises a vile man
but honours those who fear the LORD ,
who keeps his oath
even when it hurts”.
(N.L.T.):
“Those who despise persistent sinners,
and honour the faithful followers of the LORD
and keep their promises even when it hurts.”
• Those whom God rejects the psalmist rejects;
• And those whom God loves the psalmist loves.
• David knew that we cannot love good unless we also oppose evil.
• As it says in Psalm 97 verse 10: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil”.
• Yet this righteous man also honours those who fear the Lord;
• He makes his judgments about men on a godly basis,
• Not a from favouritism, flattery, or corruption.
Ill:
• A party of school children were being showed around a hospital;
• The nurse who was guiding them round asked if anyone had any questions;
• One child put their hand up and asked,
• "How come the people who work here are always washing their hands?"
• The nurse gave the answer; "They are 'always washing their hands' for two reasons.
• First they love health; and second, they hate germs".
The Bible warns us about the germs of “evil” which we are to hate:
• Every day you and I have to make choices;
• Do we take the good or the bad courses of action,
• The believer will cultivate a deep hatred for evil and a firm attachment to the good.
Quote: Bible commentator James Montgomery Boice:
"If we love as God loves-and we must if we are Christians-then there will be things for us to hate, just as there will also be things we must love.
We will hate the violence done to people by whatever name- nationalism, ethnic cleansing, racial or religious pride, war, keeping the peace, even "necessity."
But we will love the humble and those who work for peace, yes, and even those who are guilty of the violence, because we will want to turn them from their ways.
We will hate lying, especially by those who are in important positions - CE0s and other heads of corporations, political figures, presidents, and even ministers.
We will hate what their lies do to others.
Yet we will love the truth and will at the same time also love those who are lying, for we will see them as people who need the Saviour.
That is what love does. Love hates evil - an intentionally strong word.
But love also clings to what is good.
The Greek word rendered cling in some of its forms means to glue. So the idea is that true love will bond us to the good. We will stick to it like epoxy".
Notice: because we are called to live godly lives not gullible lives:
• Therefore we have the opportunity to speak out against sin & wrong doing;
• We should do it!
• ill: Salt & Light;
• We are to slow down corruption and darkness in our world.
This verse also encourages us to ‘Honour God’s people’:
• And if we make promises to people;
• Then we should keep them!
• These are simple principles that will lead to happy and healthy relationships;
• Which is what this verse is teaching.
(4). Right use of wealth (vs 5).
“Who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things
will never be shaken”.
Ill:
• Remember after asking my father-in-law if I could marry his daughter;
• He replied: “Can you support her, how much money do you have in the bank?”
• I replied;
• “I don’t know. I haven’t shaken it lately!”
ill:
• John D. Rockefeller’s three simple rules for anyone who wants to become rich:
• 1. Go to work early.
• 2. Stay at work late.
• 3. Find oil.
God’s people are to use their money wisely:
Ill:
Baptism & wallet story.
• The Old Testament had a number of important rules regarding money:
• i.e. It was forbidden for an Israelite to lend with interest to a fellow Israelite
• (Lev. 25:36-37; Deut. 23: 19).
• i.e. It was, however,
• Permissible to lend with interest to a foreigner (Deut. 23:20).
• i.e. Also, no bribe could be taken to ensure the conviction of the innocent
• (Exodus. 23: 8; Deut. 16: 19).
Notice:
• That there is a promise (verse 5b);
• To the person who fulfils these conditions,
• “They will not be moved”,
• i.e. be removed from the house of the Lord and from the Lord’s presence.
• The answer to the opening question in effect is:
• 'Whoever does these things shall dwell in his sanctuary for ever. '
Conclusion:
• What we believe must make an impact on how we behave.
• This Psalm reminds us God wants genuine, authentic people who live lives of integrity.
• This Psalm brings together belief and be behaviour in an unbreakable partnership.
• Quote: Clark Whitten:
• "Integrity means you have more in the warehouse than is in the showroom."
Ill:
• A shop owner interviewed a Christian for a job.
• He asked, "If I hire you to work in my store, will you be honest and truthful?"
• The Christian answered,
• "I will be honest and truthful whether you hire me or not."
• This Psalm brings together belief and be behaviour in an unbreakable partnership.
• It reminds us it really does matter what we are like when no-one is looking!
