INTRODUCTION
I would like to preach by the help of the Holy Spirit from the subject, “Seven Things God Requires of Us”. If I could reword this text it would be, “Seven Things God EXPECTS of us”.
David, the Psalmist points out to all of us that there are seven things God requires of us. It doesn’t matter who you are or it doesn’t matter where you come from, God does require some things from us.
In just a nutshell, these are things God looks at in order to be that Man or Woman of God but first there was----
I.THE QUESTION IN QUESTION
Now, David writes asking the question he presents to God. I believe that the question in question was a poignant one because he asked, “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?”
David was asking about the Sanctuary or Holy Hill but note that Sanctuary and Holy Hill are interchangeable words to describe the local point of Israelite worship-that dwelling place of God in Hebrew poetry with its repeating pattern that is found more in through than in the sound or rhythm.
Where is YOUR Sanctuary or your Holy Hill? Where that is place you go to hide to talk to God? If you don’t have one then you need to FIND one and STAY there; return there to that place to talk to God. That very place you can pray and worship is that Sanctuary, your Holy Hill where as the old folks use to sing,
“Steal away, steal away to Jesus,
Steal away, steal away home,
I ain’t got long to stay here….” Yes, that Holy Hill where you can meet God at the point of your need.
The first requirement that we ought to----
II.WALK BLAMELESS AND DO THE RIGHT THING.
God want us to walk blameless doing the right thing before Him. The word blameless is the same as innocent, clean, inculpable, above reproach, virtuous, unimpeachable, faultless, and spotless.
Who will dwell in your Sanctuary Lord? The answer is right there—the one who walks blameless and doing the right thing. In doing the right thing is doing the thing that pleases the Lord.
When you step out of the will of God Ezekiel puts it best, “when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity (sin) which he has done that he dies….” Ezekiel 18:26.
Psalms 1:1 tells us that, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, not stands in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.”
The second requirement is that we----
III. SPEAK TRUTH NOT SLANDER
Christians ought to watch what comes out of their mouth and from their heart. We also need to watch the usage of words.
Words are very powerful and depending on how you use them do reflect on you and your relationship with God. Perhaps there is nothing so identifies Christians is the ability to control their speech—speaking the truth, refusing to slander and keeping oaths or promises. One more thing, WATCH WHAT YOU SAY!
According to James 3:1-2, this Gospel writer talks to us and he WARNS us about on how on how we should control our tongues.
The tongue is a dangerous little thing that either speaks life or speaks death. Yes, that little thing in your mouth called the tongue can be quiet or it can cuss somebody out, can I get a witness?
James tells us in verse 2 of the 3rd chapter that, “we all make mistakes but those who control themselves in every way….” In other words, we gonna make mistakes but we ought to control our tongues and control ourselves.
The tongue as James reminds us that the tongue is dangerous in its way and cause “enormous damage…” (verse 5).
The tongue as James continues to tell us that “and a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants to go, even through the winds are strong.” (verse 4); Loose lips sink ships!
And so, God wants us to watch what we say to one another. The very words you say could bring life or could cause death to another person or another soul.
The third requirement that we have from God is that we ---
IV.NOT TO DO OUR NEIGHBOR NO WRONG
Instead of calling this, “Not Do Our Neighbor No Wrong” it should be called, “Doing the Right Thing Towards Our Neighbor.”
Throughout the Bible, it tells us how we should treat our neighbors so we won’t do wrong to them.
Lev. 19:18 tells us that, “you shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matt. 5:43-44 from the words of Jesus, “you heard that it was said, ‘you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
We should do no wrong toward our neighbors but showing kindness towards them even in a small way.
There’s a neighbor in our building who is in a wheelchair. One afternoon I was sitting in the living room and Mr. Herny, our neighbor, needed it help finishing putting on his shirt and jacket. I adjusted his shirt down then helping him with his jacket. Afterwards, he was grateful for the help and I was obliged to be assistance to him.
You see, God want us to treat our neighbors kindly; this is what He requires of us as a Christian. And if we are to do the things God requires of us, then we have to stop mistreating that neighbor wrongly which comes to the fourth requirement-----
V. CAST NO SLUR ON HIS FELLOWMAN WHO DESPISES A VILE MAN
In other words, we shouldn’t backbite with our fellowman who hates a foul man.
Let me breakdown to you in layman’s terms or as the “home boys” would say in my old neighborhood on E. 39th between Atlantic and Reynolds Streets: “Don’t hate on a playa hater!”
God don’t want us to be a “player hater” on these folks who are vile. God don’t want us to be a “player hater” on those who tear down one another. God don’t want us to be “haters” tour fellowman.
Instead of being a “hater”, we should be lovers of our fellowman. Instead of be “haters” and hating one another, we should love each other for God is love. Believe it or not love is more powerful than hate and haters alike.
The next requirement God has for us-----
VI. HONOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
Honor or to be honorable means that we ought to treat someone with respect or reverence; having a good reputation; characterized by interiority.
When you walk into a courtroom and you’re before the judge, you address them as “Your Honor”. You are being honorable towards that man or woman who is before you dressed in the black robe therefore, you give them honor, you give them respect.
We must remember from the Word of God, “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before HONOR is humility.” Proverbs 18:12.
“A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain HONOR.” Proverbs 29:23.
Let us look at the word “fear”. Fear can be used in two ways bad and good. We see the word fear as frightening, terrifying, and fearful; that fear is the bad fear the fear we see as pretty much.
Then there’s the other type of “fear” has nothing to do with being afraid or frightful or something that will freak you out but of one word that comes to mind---- R-E-S-P-E-C-T; RESPECT!
Let’s take a look at Luke 1:50 which tells us, “And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who fear Him.”
Now, just remember, this word “fear” means “reverential fear” which means that one should be and must be serious about their relationship (not your religion) with God. People who “fear” the Lord are not anxious about their relationship to Him or afraid of Him but take very seriously their responsibility to Him.
Again, “fear” means respect. We fear God because we RESPECT Him or reverence Him.
Finally, the last requirement listed in this Psalms 15 is----
VII. LENDING HIS MONEY WITHOUT USURY
The word usury has several meanings. One meaning says the practice of lending money and charging the borrower in interest, especially at an exorbitant or illegally high rate. Another definition is an excessive or illegally high rate of interest charged or paid loan. It just simply means we shouldn’t charge high amounts of interest on borrowed money.
In the Old Testament, this was a forbidden practice according to Deuteronomy 23:19, “You shall not charge interest on money or food or anything out at interest.”
We are not to accept a bribe against the innocent. We shouldn’t cheat an innocent person or beat an honest man out of their money. This is required of us as Children of God. Much is required, much is giving.
VIII.THE ANSWER
In the beginning of our Scripture, David posed the question; a very poignant question that requires an answer. A question that needs an answer but it must come from God Himself.
David’s question in verse 1 of our Scripture is this, “Lord, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? The answer is in the last part of verse 5; “He who does these things will never be shaken.”
The person who does these things, the things God requires or expects of us, will never be moved.
And so the question is who will be in that Holy Place with God and serve Him. The answer is that person who does the things God requires of us will be the one and that person won’t be moved from what Satan offers and schemes but stay the course, stay in their place and that’s with God in those Holy Places that’s what requires of us and that’s what expects out of us.
CONCLUSION
Let me ask you questions as I move towards the conclusion of this message, are you ready to be in that Holy Place with God according to Psalms 15? Let me say this as I go to my seat, Don’t be shaken to be stirred up by Satan’s tricks and schemes but stay anchored in Christ our Savior and our Lord, Amen.
