Back To Basics
Scripture Reading: Psalm 11:1-7
Living Bible Version:
Psalm 11:1-7 How dare you tell me, "Flee to the mountains for safety," when I am trusting in the Lord? [2] For the wicked have strung their bows, drawn their arrows tight against the bowstrings, and aimed from ambush at the people of God. [3] "Law and order have collapsed," we are told. "What can the righteous do but flee?" [4] But the Lord is still in his holy temple; he still rules from heaven. He closely watches everything that happens here on earth. [5] He puts the righteous and the wicked to the test; he hates those loving violence. [6] He will rain down fire and brimstone on the wicked and scorch them with his burning wind. 7] For God is good, and he loves goodness; the godly shall see his face.
Scripture Text: Psalm 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Introduction:
I believe it was Vince Lombardi, one of the winningest coaches in professional football, who, after losing a game, met with his team in the locker room. As he faced these season hardened men who knew football in and out, he held up a football and said, “Men this is a football!” He then began to remind them of some of the basics of the game and said, “Men, we must get back to the basics!”
Lombardi knew the importance of never forgetting the basics of the game. The strength of their game lay in the foundations of football; the very basics. So it is in the Christians life today. We must never forget the basics; the foundation; of our life in Christ. Let’s take a look at them now.
I. The Foundation Of Confidence.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
A. By “confidence” I mean that simple, childlike faith and trust we had in Christ when we first accepted Him as Savior.
Matthew Henry: “We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, believing he is able and wise to do what is best. Those who know themselves, find their own understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will fail. Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to direct thee in every case, though it may seem quite plain.”
B. We must have this because....
1. It is indispensable in our walk with Christ.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. It is essential in prayer.
James 1:5-6 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind
and tossed.
3. It is our weapon of defense.
Ephes. 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
4. It assures our success as Christians.
Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
II. The Foundation Of Commitment.
Psalm 37:3-5 Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. [4] Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. [5] Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.
A. Commitment also means “consecration”.
Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Exodus 32:29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the Lord....that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
2 Tim. 2:19-21 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of
gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
III. The Foundation Of Communion.
A. In prayer.
1 Chron. 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
B. In the Word of God.
2 Tim. 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
Psalm 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
C. In listening to the Holy Spirit.
Rev. 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Deut. 6:3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
Eccles. 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
Conclusion:
May the Lord help each of us to “GET BACK TO THE BASICS!!”
