Introduction Video Illustration: Skit Guys Christian and Un-Christian
Series: Find Joy in the Journey
Thesis: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility. We need to go after and find joy in our journey of life. What are you doing to cultivate joy? Remember joy is a choice found in what we believe, do and live for!
Scriptures:
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Sermon 11: Find Joy in The Journey Through the Word pt. 3 – The Bible!
Thesis: God’s written Word (The Bible) when followed and obeyed gives joy to our hearts and revives our souls from the ravages of sin.
Scripture:
Psalm 119:18:
NIV “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.”
CEV “Open my mind and let me discover the wonders of your Law.”
NLT “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.”
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Psalm 119:27:
NIV “Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.”
CEV “Help me to understand your teachings, and I will think about your marvelous deeds.”
NLT “Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.”
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Psalm 19:7–9: (NIV) “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.”
Introduction on amazing facts of the Bible!
The Bible is a book like no other. The sacred text can arguably be considered the most influential book ever published.
“The influence of the Bible is worldwide,” wrote Arthur Pink, the Christian evangelist. “Its mighty power has affected every department of human activity. The contents of the Scriptures have supplied themes for the greatest poets, artists and musicians which the world has yet produced, and have been the mightiest factor of all in shaping the moral progress of the race.”
The Bible – a worldwide bestseller
The Bible is influential because it is the world’s bestselling book, breaking all records known to man. According to The Guinness Book of World Records, since 1815 the Bible has sold approximately 2.5 billion copies and has been translated into more than 2,200 languages or dialects.
The Bible’s influence is not limited to Christians; Jews and Muslims also consider the Bible to be a sacred text.
The Bible’s influence is not limited to Christians; Jews and Muslims also consider the Bible to be a sacred text. If you think of how there are 2 billion Christians, 14 million Jews and 1.3 billion Muslims, that means that more than half of the world’s population consider the Bible to be a major influence on their faith.
Bible widely used in American society
To teach the alphabet in the USA for 100’s of years -”The Primer” David Barton
• The New England Primer was the first textbook ever printed in America and was used to teach reading and Bible lessons in our schools until the twentieth century. In fact, many of the Founders and their children learned to read from the Primer.
The establishment of USA as nation and Bible see David Barton:
• Congress printed a Bible for America and said: “The United States in Congress assembled … recommend this edition of the Bible to the inhabitants of the United States … a neat edition of the Holy Scriptures for the use of schools.”– United States Congress 1782
• Congress passed this resolution:“The Congress of the United States recommends and approves the Holy Bible for use in all schools.”– United States Congress 1782
Structure of our US Government Isaiah see David Barton:
• The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity. John Adams
The Bible is especially influential in American society. In the 2012 State of the Bible report released by the American Bible Society, commissioned by the American Bible Society and conducted by Barna Research, it was found that in America, 85% of households own a Bible. Most families own more than one Bible, with a household average of 4.3 Bibles. The survey found that the majority of Americans (69%) believe the Bible provides answers on how to live a meaningful life.
In a poll conducted by Comres, the survey asked people how important knowledge of the Bible is for appreciating culture, history and politics. On the whole, people think it is significant, with nearly half of people believing it is important for the visual arts, literature and history.
The influence of the Bible on society has been important throughout history. As the 18th century philosopher Immanuel Kant wrote,
“The existence of the Bible, as a book for the people, is the greatest benefit which the human race has ever experienced. Every attempt to belittle it is a crime against humanity.”
Subjects in the Bible are highlighted including politics, government, leadership, sociology, psychology, archaeology, economics, abortion, LGBT issues, math, philosophy, astrology, science, geology, war, military, map-ology, family, marriage, history, theology, end times, after life, alcoholism, idol worship, materialism, riches, work, relationships, genealogies, reading, language, religion, angelology and a host of other topics!
Influence of the Bible on language and culture
The Bible has influenced our society through its impact on our language, on the words we use. Over 22,000 English words have their root in Hebrew. That’s more than the roots of Greek, Latin, and French.
Language
The Bible is quoted more often than any other piece of literature in history and has had more influence on our language, culture, and laws than any other book or idea ever published. A recent book by the linguist David Crystal, appropriately called Begat: The King James Bible and the English language, counts 257 phrases from the King James Bible in contemporary English idiom.
Some of the phrases from the Bible that has become part of our everyday language include:
• Gave up the ghost ~ Genesis 35:29
• Out of the mouth of babes ~ Psalms 8:2
• Put words in thy mouth ~ Jeremiah 1:9
• Feet of clay ~ Daniel 2:33
• Salt of the earth ~ Matthew 5:13
• Fought the good fight ~ 2 Timothy 4:7
• Turned the world upside down ~ Acts 17:6
• God forbid ~ Romans 3:4
• Take root ~ 2 Kings 19:30
• The powers that be ~ Romans 13:1
• Filthy lucre ~ 1 Timothy 3:3
• No peace for the wicked ~ Isaiah 57: 21
• A fly in the ointment ~ Ecclesiastes 10:1
• Wheels within wheels ~ Ezekiel 10:10
• The blind leading the blind ~ Matthew 15:13
• Feet of clay ~ Daniel 2:33
Famous men have praised the Bible’s influence on society. Tennyson considered Bible reading “an education in itself”, while Dickens called the New Testament “the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.”
The US statesman Daniel Webster said:
“If there is anything in my thoughts or style to commend, the credit is due to my parents for instilling in me an early love of the Scriptures.”
Equally celebrated as a British orator, TB Macaulay said that the Bible demonstrated “the whole extent of the beauty and power” of the English language.
The Bible and American literature
The novels that have had the most impact on American literature have strong biblical influences. These classics include: The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison, Moby Dick by Herman Melville and The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne. In the much-read Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, the book contains almost 100 quotations or direct references from the Bible.
The Bible and film
Film is a highly popular medium in society all over the world and the Bible has influenced society through films that have biblical references. Some of the great films with biblical themes include: The Ten Commandments, The Passion of the Christ, Bruce Almighty, Pulp Fiction, Armageddon, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, The Prince of Egypt, The Matrix, Chariots of Fire and The Exorcist.
The Bible and art
The Bible has also influenced society by its presence in the great art throughout history.
If you visit the great museums in Europe and America, like the Louvre or the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, you’ll find many paintings whose subjects are inspired by the Bible.
Famous biblical art include Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper and his statue of David. The Sistine Chapel in Italy is famous for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo which is bursting with beauty from biblical scenes. In the Tate Museum in London, you’ll find engravings by William Blake on the Book of Job. Botticelli delights with his painting on the Adoration of the Magi at the Galleria degli Uffizi in Florence. The painting of David with the Head of Goliath by Caravaggio is also well known.
The Bible: laws and morality
In societies like America where the Bible is widely read, this sacred book is highly influential, becoming the foundation of morality in society. For example, in America, the Constitution and the rules and laws that govern society have their roots in the Bible, through moral codes like the Ten Commandments.
The USA is a covenant Christain nation. We are one nation under God. The Christian majority is the largest group in America (~75%, 2012 polling). Christians uniting in Christ is our nation’s source of unity. Below are some of the thousands of quotes endorsing God in government by our Founding Fathers and others in American history. American children have prayed and read the Holy Bible in schools for 355 years (1607 – 1962), Congress recommended Bibles for America and funded Christian missionaries, the third verse of our national anthem says, “And this be our motto, ‘In God is our trust”.
Great American leaders have also spoken about the importance of the Bible in establishing morality in society.
• George Washington:
o ”It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”
o ”True religion affords to government its surest support.”
o ”It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible”
• Abraham Lincoln:
o In regards to this great Book [the Bible], I have but to say it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Savior gave to the world was communicated through this Book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man’s welfare, here and hereafter, are found portrayed in it. – Abraham Lincoln
o I am busily engaged in study of the Bible.
o This nation under God – Abraham Lincoln, Gettysberg Address and inscribed on Lincoln Memorial
• Ben Franklin: ”From his first writings as “Silence Dogood”—the pseudonym he adopted when writing essays for his brother’s newspaper, the New- England Courant—to his speeches at the Constitutional Convention, Franklin was constantly referencing the Bible. He knew it backward and forward, recalling even the most obscure sections of it from memory.”
• “I have always said, I always will say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands.” – Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), 3rd President of the United States.
• “So great is my veneration for the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hopes that they will prove useful citizens to their country and respectable members of society.” – John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th President of the United States.
• Without God there could be no American form of government, nor an American way of life. Recognition of the Supreme Being is the first, the most basic, expression of Americanism. Thus, the founding fathers of America saw it, and thus with God’s help, it will continue to be.”– Dwight D. Eisenhower
Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/how-does-the-bible-influence-society/#ixzz65CGjWL2X
The Protection of the Bible:
Martin Luther made this statement: “Mighty potentates have raged against this book, and sought to destroy and uproot it – Alexander the Great and princes of Egypt and Babylon, the monarchs of Persia, of Greece and of Rome, the Emperors Julius and Augustus – But have prevailed nothing. They are gone while the book remains, and it will remain forever and ever, perfect and entire as it was declared at first. Who has thus helped it – who has protected it against such mighty forces? No one, surely, but God Himself, who is master of all things.”
Jerome:
Jerome was a Church Father who translated the Greek manuscripts into Latin and put the Bible in the language of the people. He purposefully lived in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. One night while living in Bethlehem, Jerome had a dream that Jesus visited him. The dream was so real to him that he collected all his money and offered it to Jesus as a gift. The Lord said, "I don’t want your money." So Jerome rounded up all of his possessions and tried to give them to Jesus. Again the Lord said, "I don’t want your possessions. Jerome then recalled the moment in his dream when he turned to Christ and asked, "What can I give you? What do you want?" Jesus simply replied, "Give Me your sin, that’s what I came for, I came to take away your sin. Give Me your sin."
The Divisions of the Bible:
While the Bible is 1 book, it contain 66 smaller books. The books of the Old Testament were written before the birth of Jesus Christ and the New Testament covers the life of Christ and beyond.
Chapters and Verses
Each of the books, except 5, are divided into chapters and verses. The 5 which aren’t divided by chapters are Obadiah, Philemon, 2 John, 3 John, and Jude. These are short books which only have verse divisions.
The longest book of the Bible is Psalms with 150 chapters, or psalms. It contains 43,743 words. The shortest book is 3 John with only 1 chapter and 299 words.
The longest verse in the Bible is Esther 8:9 with 90 words. The shortest verse is John 11:35 with only 2 words, “Jesus wept.”
The Bible is God’s Word:
There are many books written about and by various religions. But the Bible is the only one which includes the actual words of God. Those who believe the Bible also believe that God inspired various people through the years to write down His actual words for mankind. The Bible says more than 3,000 times “thus saith the Lord.” And the words which follow are quotes from God.
The Bible is Historically Accurate:
There were several secular historians who wrote about the events of the New Testament at the same time the Bible was being written. Josephus is the most well-known of them. He was a Jewish historian. Tacitus was a Roman historian who would have no benefit from not telling the truth. Both these men, as well as others, can be used to back up the historical accuracy of the Bible.
There are historical discoveries regularly coming to light that continue to support the accuracy of the Bible. Merrill Unger, who compiled a Bible dictionary wrote, “Old Testament archeology has rediscovered whole nations, resurrected important peoples, and in a most astonishing manner filled in historical gaps, adding immeasurably to the knowledge of Biblical backgrounds.”
The Business of the Bible:
There are more than 168,000 Bibles either sold or given away per day in the United States according to the Gideons, Wycliffe International and the International Bible Societies.
Historically it has been said that the Bible is the most sold book of all time. It is regularly on various best seller lists.
The Bible has been translated into more than 1,200 languages.
The Bible Never Contradicts Itself:
There are no contradictions in the Bible. Various people claim to find contradictions but they have to take verses out of context to do so. When looking at the Bible as a whole and understanding its teachings there are no contradictions. This is amazing when one considers that the Bible was written over such a long period of time.
The Prophecies of the Bible
There are more than 3,200 verses with fulfilled prophecy either within the Bible itself or since the Bible was written. But there are still more than 3,100 verses with unfulfilled prophecies.
The Writers of the Bible
While there were at least 40 different people who wrote parts of the Bible, some were more prolific than others. The Apostle Paul wrote at least 13 books of the Bible. He may have also been the author of the book of Hebrews. Moses wrote the first 5 books.
The Bible attributes more than 3,000 proverbs to King Solomon. These are not all written in the book of Proverbs. However, most of that book is said to be the proverbs of Solomon.
The word “Trinity” is never mentioned in the Bible.
Most Christians believe that God eternally exists in three persons: The Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. And all three are referred to as divine in Scripture—in fact, I’ve found 20 times when the three of them are mentioned in the same verse.
There are 21 dreams recorded in the Bible
There are at least 185 songs in the Bible
About 150 of these are in the book of Psalms. (I say “about” because there’s some debate as to whether a few of the separate Psalms were originally meant to be sung as one.) But throughout both the Old and New Testaments, people will sing songs about God or the events around them.
The Bible prophesied about people turning from God’s Word in the end times.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 The time will come when people will not listen to the truth. They will look for teachers who will tell them only what they want to hear. They will not listen to the truth. Instead, they will listen to stories made up by men.
Did you know that there is a do not fear verse for everyday of the year? That’s right there are 365 fear not verses. Coincidence or not?
Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 54:4 Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
The Bible indicates that the Earth is round.
Isaiah 40:21-22 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded? He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in.
Proverbs 8:27 I was there when he set the heavens in place, when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep.
Job 26:10 He has inscribed a circle on the surface of the waters At the boundary of light and darkness.
The Bible says that the Earth is suspended in space.
Job 26:7 God stretches the northern sky over empty space and hangs the earth on nothing.
God’s Word says that the Earth would wear out.
Psalm 102:25-26 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.
Did you know that about 50 Bibles are sold every minute?
Did you know that the Book of Esther is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God’s name?
There is a Bible in the University of Gottingen that is written on 2,470 palm leaves.
Facts about Jesus.
Jesus claims to be God – John 10:30-33 “I and the Father are one.” Again his Jewish opponents picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” “We are not stoning you for any good work,” they replied, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
He is the creator of all – John 1:1-5 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Jesus preached on Hell more than anyone in the Bible – Matthew 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
He is the only way to Heaven. Repent and believe – John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Jesus had four brothers and several unnamed sisters (mentioned in the gospels and other sources) and the Church has attempted to discredit this theory ever since the Bible existed – Source
There is no physical description of Jesus in The Bible. – Source
There are 66 books in the Bible.
The Old Testament has 39 books.
The New Testament has 27 books.
In the Old Testament there are 17 prophetic books: Lamentations, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Zephaniah, Haggai, Amos, Zechariah, Micah, Obadiah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Jonah, and Malachi, Joel.
Predictions
There are over 2000 prophecies that have already been fulfilled.
There are approximately 2500 prophecies in the Bible.
Genesis 1:21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that scurries and swarms in the water, and every sort of bird—each producing offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.
Do you know the very last word in the Bible?
Revelation 22:18-21 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
The phrase ‘God never gives you more than you can handle’ never appears in the Bible and actually the opposite is said multiple times – Source
In 1631, two London Bible printers accidentally left the word “not” out of the seventh commandment, which then read, “Thou shalt commit adultery.” You can buy a copy for $90k – Source
In 2011, British calligrapher Donald Jackson and a team of calligraphers completed what is believed to the first handwritten Bible with illustrations since the invention of the printing press. It took 12 years to complete and cost $8 million. – Source
There is a 9th century Germanic ‘Bible’ which presents Jesus as a warrior-king. – Source
Swearing on the Bible, is against the Bible – Source
In the Bible, Adam is not banished from Eden for eating the fruit of knowledge. Instead, he is banished in case he eats the fruit of another forbidden tree, which will make him immortal.
Hell in modern Bible translations refers to “Gehenna”, an actual place outside Jerusalem where it is thought they used to burn garbage and thus there was always a fire burning there. Also, bodies of those deemed to have died in sin without hope of salvation (such as people who committed suicide) were thrown there to be destroyed
There is an organization that illegally parachutes copies of The Bible into North Korea.
Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/10-amazing-bible-facts/#ixzz65CCcPc2d
Read more from http://biblereasons.com/bible-facts/
Read more © 2018. Kicka..Facts - Fact Encyclopedia.
I. Psalm 119 refers to the Word – The Bible by using the following words:
a. The following from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Psa/Psa-119.cfm
i. Since this is a Psalm glorifying God and His Word, it refers to Scripture over and over again. The psalm is remarkable for how often it refers to God's written revelation, His word. It is referred to in almost every verse. The Masorites said that the Word of God is mentioned in every verse except Psalm 119:122. Other people reckon differently (with disagreement about verses 84, 90, 121, and 132). But Scripture is mentioned in at least 171 of 176 verses.
ii. In this Psalm there are 8 basic words used to describe the Scriptures, God's written revelation to us:
1. Law (torah, used 25 times in Psalm 119): "Its parent verb means ‘teach' or ‘direct'; therefore coming from God it means both ‘law' and ‘revelation.' It can be used of a single command or of a whole body of law." (Kidner)
2. Word (dabar, used 24 times): The idea is of the spoken word, God's revealed word to man. "Proceeding from his mouth and revealed by him to us." (Poole)
3. Judgments (mispatim, used 23 times): "From shaphat, to judge, determine, regulate, order, and discern, because they judge concerning our words and works; show the rules by which they should be regulated; and cause us to discern what is right and wrong, and decide accordingly." (Clarke)
4. Testimonies (edut/edot, used 23 times): This word is related to the word for witness. To obey His testimonies "signifies loyalty to the terms of the covenant made between the Lord and Israel." (VanGemeren)
5. Commandments (miswah/miswot, used 22 times): "This word emphasizes the straight authority of what is said … the right to give orders." (Kidner)
6. Statutes (huqqim, used 21 times): The noun is derived from the root verb "engrave" or "inscribe"; the idea is of the written word of God and the authority of His written word. "Declaring his authority and power of giving us laws." (Poole)
7. Precepts (piqqudim, used 21 times): "This is a word drawn from the sphere of an officer or overseer, and man who is responsible to look closely into a situation and take action. . .So the word points to the particular instructions of the Lord, as of one who cares about detail." (Kidner)
8. Word (imrah, used 19 times): Similar in meaning to dabar, yet a different term. "The ‘word' may denote anything God has spoken, commanded, or promised." (VanGemeren)
b. The theme of the glory – the relevance – the power of Scripture is diligently explored in this Psalm, but always in connection with God Himself.
i. To have the Bible come alive requires a connection with God the Father – with Jesus the Son and with the Holy Spirit.
1. If you don’t have the Spirit with you the Bible does not come alive – we connect to the Scriptures by The Holy Spirit!
a. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
b. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV): “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
c. This Psalm helps you to see the uniqueness and how applicable the Bible is in dealing with all dimensions of life and having a Biblical Worldview.
i. The Epoch News – a good conservative News Paper to read – which we need to balance out the liberal, secular socialistic media (voice) of today found in most major News Papers, TV shows, Movies, Hollywood and TV News of today.
1. Listen to a few of their quotes from Epoch news:
a. Bible central to Political Beliefs:
i. “More than any other group of Americans, evangelicals define good and evil, morality and immorality, based on the Bible and their faith…”
ii. “The centrality of the Bible in evangelical political thinking is reflected in a recent Lifeway survey that found 80% of evangelicals ‘say the Bible informs their political views,” while 81 percent “say they look for biblical principles to apply in evaluating political issues”
iii. “Evangelicals are the most generous group of Americans…”
b. Defending Religious Freedom
i. Trump has made the defense of religious freedom a key focus of his administration. In an executive order signed May 3, 2018, trump ordered the executive branch to ‘vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom.”…Our country was founded on prayer, “ Trump said. “Our communities are sustained by prayer. And our nation will be renewed by hard work, a lot of intelligence and prayer.” …In July 2018, the State Department hosted the first U.S. Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom. “Religious freedom is a God given right to which all people are entitled,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said at the event.
2. We need to read material that supports the truth of the Bible instead of ones which always undermine the truths of the Bible. We need to look at life through the biblical lens – have a biblical worldview rather than a secular worldview -postmodern view -socialistic view or even materialism/Scientific Naturalism worldview.
a. See notes to define these other views again!
II. Psalm 119:1-16 a closer look (The following from sermon writer Richard Donovan - see reference above)
a. Psalm 119:1-8: Aleph
• 1Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
• 2Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.
• 3They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways.
• 4You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
• 5Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
• 6Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
• 7I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
• 8I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
1. In verse 1 - The word ‘eser (blessed) is the equivalent of the New Testament Greek word makarios (blessed), which is found repeatedly in Jesus’ Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11).
a. Some would translate both ‘eser and makarios as happy, and both words imply happiness. However, we use happy more broadly, often in ways that contradict the Biblical meaning of the word blessed.
b. Being blessed, as that word is used in this verse, suggests two things:
i. The first is the joy of a life that is on track––a life moving in a soul-satisfying direction––a life that has not been derailed by bad choices.
ii. The second is a joy that goes beyond the cause and effect relationship of good choices and good outcomes (although good outcomes are part of that joy). Being blessed is a gift from God––a gift that confers centeredness and self-assurance.
2. Verse 1 - The word derek (ways) is used metaphorically to mean the pathway a person is following––the direction of his or her life. The pathway might be good or evil. The person might choose to walk in the light or in the dark. The pathway might lead to life or death. But the psalmist says that the outcomes are far from random.
3. Verse 1 - God will insure the blessedness of the person who walk (halak) according to God’s law.
a. The word halak can be used for the movement of water or wind, but when applied to human movement is usually translated walk. That walk can be physical, such as a walk along a dusty road, but often, as here, it is metaphorical, meaning a person’s life-journey…
i. …God’s laws are a channel of blessing to those who seek God with their whole hearts. As they become more and more aware of those laws and try to keep them faithfully, they come to treasure their relationship with God even more––and are thus blessed…
b. “Blessed (Hebrew: barak) are you, Yahweh.
i. The word barak (bless) is usually used for: For a person to bless God, i.e., to kneel before God––to show reverence. Or for God to confer a blessing upon a person or people.
ii. As the psalmist uses barak in this verse, I believe that he is expressing a sentiment similar to that expressed in the hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” He is acknowledging that Yahweh is the source of every blessing.
iii. Do you believe that?
iv. Having stated that Yahweh is the blesser, the psalmist reminds us that he had asked Yahweh for a particular blessing––but it was in tune with Yahweh’s statures or commandments (The Bible) of asking for a blessing – which is following the teaching of Scripture and living by it – when you do this this gives you the ability – the right to ask for a blessing from God…”
1. The above is quoted and taken directly from Richard Niell Donovan sermon writer.
b. Psalm 119:9-18: Beth
• 9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
• 10I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
• 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
• 12Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees.
• 13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
• 14I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
• 15I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
• 16I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
1. Verse 16
a. How do people neglect the Word of God?
i. People do not know their Bibles today – we live in a biblically illiterate society.
b. What keeps people from reading the Bible or listening to the Bible?
i. Petty things choke out your time in the Bible!
ii. Recreation - Sports (how long is a football game?)– reading Newspapers – books with no eternal value - watching tv programs – watching the news for hours - playing video games – surfing the web – hours on social media – hours on their phones – what else could we insert to fill in the blank?
c. Being too busy!
i. Business kills spiritual growth – it wears out the soul!
1. Many are too tired to get into the Bible – for some even to come to church.
ii. Some Christians are too tired to sit down and read or listen to the Bible – if they do they fall asleep.
1. Others work so much – they never rest – they never get in the Word or even plug into Bible studies or church services to grow spiritually because work is all they know!
2. Story of Teen from prayer tent at Trunk or Treat!
iii. As a result people do not know the stories of Bible characters which teach us life lessons.
2. People do not believe in God’s power today because they do not tap into it or have been exposed to it – mostly because some churches do everything in a service that is within their own talents, skills, gifts and ability and as a result they never tap the Holy Spirit for help!
a. So, people do church – or church services without the presence of the Holy Spirit!
i. They neglect the Word of God by not connecting with God through – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
c. Psalm 119:17-24: Gimel
• 17 Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.
• 18 Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
• 19 I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!
• 20 I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.
• 21 You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.
• 22 Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.
• 23 Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.
• 24 Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.
1. Verse 18
a. Our Psalmist prays “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths of your Word”
b. Have you ever prayed that pray?
i. Since we are helpless within ourselves to see spiritual beauty or wonder in the teachings and events of the Bible – we should ask God to illuminate our eyes – we should seek to see God in everything we do and also recognize when he is showing us a spiritual truth.
1. We should ask him to. “Open our eyes.”
2. Do this before you read the Bible – before you listen to Scripture or watch Scripture or even before you come to church or a Bible study!
d. Psalm 119: 25-32: Daleth
• 25 I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.
• 26 I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees.
• 27 Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
• 28 I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.
• 29 Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
• 30 I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
• 31 I cling to your laws. LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!
• 32 I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.
1. Verse 26
a. The Bible should give us our plans not we give God our plans.
2. Verse 29
a. Did you know the Bible will keep you from lying to yourself.
e. Psalm 119:33-40: He
• 33 Teach me your decrees, O LORD; I will keep them to the end.
• 34 Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
• 35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
• 36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
• 37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
• 38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
• 39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
• 40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.
1. Verse 35
a. Happiness – joy is found walking in alignment with Gods Commands.
2. Verse 37
a. To find joy in life and to be blessed in life requires us to turn our eyes away from worthless things and pursuits – one of them highlighted in this psalm is money and riches.
b. Do you want life – a joy filled life – follow the Word of God.
b. Let me challenge you again to get into the Bible – read Psalm 119 this week – seriously let His word speak life to you!
Conclusion:
• Question: What do we need to know from this message?
o Answer: If you want to find joy in the journey of life – you will discover it in the truths of the Bible!
• Question: Why do we need to know this?
o Answer: We want joy – most everyone would agree – but joy is not found in rich’s it’s found in following the teachings of the Bible. To find joy means we need to know what the Bible teaches.
• Question: What do we need to do?
o Answer: We need to read the Bible, watch the Bible, listen to messages on the Bible, listen to the Bible, study the Bible and place it in our hearts. The Bible should be a focal point for us in life if we want joy in the journey.
• Question: Why do we need to do this?
o Answer: If we do we will find joy in the journey of life – The Bible is the ticket to joy – go re-discover the Bible!.
Action point: Who is willing to commit to getting to know their Bible?
