Nothing New Can Compare
Psa 77:5-11
We are about to bid goodbye to 2003, and welcome the beginning of a new year.
New Year’s is a time of rejoicing........and is a time for resolution.
One magazine article listed the five most popular resolutions made most every year. The 5th was to take up a new hobby, the 4th was to make more money, the 3rd most popular resolution was to improve relationships, the 2nd was to stop smoking, and the most popular New Years resolution, you guessed it, losing weight.
A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, sucking in his stomach. The woman thought to herself, "He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach." So, the woman rather sarcastically said to her husband, "That’s not going to help." Her husband said, "Sure it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers."
This morning I don’t want to focus so much on resolutions as so many new years sermons do....but I want to focus on remembering some old things. There are many good new things that have come about over the years, but there are some old things that cannot be replaced ! That’s the focus of my message this morning "Nothing New Can Compare"
Psalms 77: 5. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6. I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. 7. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? 8. Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? 9. Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. 10. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. 11. I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. 12. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 13. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
I. Nothing New Can Compare With The Prophecies Of Old.
Check out the psychics....and you’ll find all kinds of predictions for the new year ! Check out at the end of the year, and you’ll find them to be liars !
2 Pet 1: 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Tim. 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
a. It’s Incomparable.
Luke 4: 36. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
Heb 4: 12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
We’ve made great advancement in society. We have learned newer, and better ways to do things. There are some new ways of doing things that are better than the old ways.....but there has never been nor will there ever be an improvement upon the word of God.
b. It’s Incorruptible.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.
Psa 119: 144. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
c. It’s Incredible.
66 books written by over 40 different authors over a period of approx. 1500 years, and yet it is unified. It is the most incredible writing of all time because it is the inspired word of God
d. It’s Incontrollable.
Mark 13:31. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Thousands have sought to control the spread of the word of God. It’s been burned, banned, and buried......but it survives and will abide forever ! The gospel is spreading like wildfire in Communist China. It is said that 1000’s are being saved daily !
In this year in which we have seen the 10 Commandments removed from a Montgomery Ala courthouse, and relegated to a closet, we need the word of God more than ever !
II. Nothing New Can Compare To The Purchase Of Old.
Psa 74: 2. Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.
Asaph speaks of the days of old when God purchased the congregation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. A much greater purchase had been made.
a. Purchase indicates price.
1 Pet 1:19-20 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20. Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
God delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage through the blood of lambs. Jesus The Lamb of God made the supreme price in his own blood on the cross that you and I might be freed from sins bondage, and sins blemish. The price he paid is the greatest ransom ever paid. It demonstrates just how much he loves us, and desires to save us !
b. Purchase indicates possession.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
If we have believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, we have been bought with a price, and we belong to the Lord.
c. Purchase indicates prerogative.
What gives God the right ? He purchased us with his own blood !
III. Nothing New Can Compare To The Paths Of Old. Jer 6:16
Jer 6: 16 Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
The image portrayed here is of a traveler on a journey. He comes to a place where there are crossroads. He inquires as to which is the right way. There are many different roads, and so many of them lead to destruction, and damnation. There is only one right road. In times past, Israel has walked in the right way, but they have gone astray along the journey.
a. A Road That Is Right.
Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.
Eph 2: 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
John 8: 12. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Gal 5:16. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
The right way is not always the easiest way. It is not always the most popular way.....but it is the right way.
b. A Road That Is Requested.
Jer. 42:2 And said unto Jeremiah the prophet, Let, we beseech thee, our supplication be accepted before thee, and pray for us unto the Lord thy God, even for all this remnant; (for we are left but a few of many, as thine eyes do behold us:) 3. That the Lord thy God may shew us the way wherein we may walk, and the thing that we may do.
Deut32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
We need to look back at how our forefathers lived, and walked in the old paths. We need to inquire from those which are Godly and have trodden where we are going. We must seek Godly advice, and counsel....and we must request of God to lead us in the road that is right !
c. A Road That Is Restful.
Matt 11: 28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
The road that is right leads to a place of rest !
d. A Road That Is Refused.
The Lord speaks to those standing at the crossroads, and says "See and ask for the old paths where is the good way, and walk therein...." Sadly they answered....."we will not walk therein." Oh what a pitiful condition ! To know the right path, and to answer " we will not walk therein" Isn’t that where our society is today. We have been blessed of God more than any other people upon the face of this earth outside of Israel. We have experienced great religious freedom. Our forefathers walked in the old paths ! We’ve heard the word of God over and over.......and now we have come to the point to where we are saying......"we will not walk therein !" There is nothing worse than blatant refusal. There is no excuse offered........’we will not walk therein’
IV. Nothing New Can Compare To The Power Of Old. Psa 44, Isa 46:9, Isa 63, Jer 2:20
Psa 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
a. There is no imitation.
Psa 62:11. God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.
Matt.28:18 All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Zech. 4:16 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.
Isa 46:9-10 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10. Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Matt. 8:27 What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!
There is no imitation for the power of God. No substitute. The church needs the power of God today as in days of old ! As believers in Christ Jesus, we need the old fashion power of the Holy Spirit to fill us, and to enpower us to live the Christian life, and to be faithful witnesses ! Programs, and plans.......seminars, and conferences cannot take the place of the power of God !
b. There is no limitation.
Gen 8:14 Is any thing too hard for the Lord?
Jer 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Jer. 32: 27 Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Matt 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
c. There is no discrimination.
Acts 10: 34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35. But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
Rom 2: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Remember "It Is No Secret" what he’s done for others, he’ll do for you !
d. There is no elimination.
Exo 15:18 The Lord shall reign for ever and ever.
Psa 146:10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.
Psa 9:7 But the Lord shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.
V. Nothing New Can Compare To The Place Of Old.
The house of God is unlike any other place in the world. It is a place where God has commanded his people to come worship, and fellowship !
a. It Is A Place To Return.
Gen 28:19-22. And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
20. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21. So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
22. And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Do you remember that place where you met the Lord ? It’s such a sacred place in your heart ! Jacob called the place.....the House of God. No place you can ever go to will ever compare to the House of God. It is a place to return to !
Psalms 42:1. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
b. It’s A Place To Respect.
Gen 28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
2 Chron 5:14. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
The church is not a movie theatre......it’s not a dance hall.....it’s not the dating game show ! The church is the house of God, and should be treated as such ! As bad as things are at the school house these days, some of you kids show more respect there than you do in the house of God !
c. It’s A Place To Request.
Judg 20: 18. And the children of Israel arose, and went up to the house of God, and asked counsel of God.
Matt 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Ecclesiastes 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. 2. Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
d. its A Place To Repent.
Judg.20: 26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.
Judges 21: 1 Now the men of Israel had sworn in Mizpeh, saying, There shall not any of us give his daughter unto Benjamin to wife. 2. And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;
e. It’s A Place To Render.
Psa 116:12 What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? 13. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. 14. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
Psa. 56:12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
Matt 22:21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.
1. Render Our Prayers.
2. Render Our Pay.
3. Render Our Praises.
The house of God is the place where we render to the Lord.
It is a place to pray, a place to pay our tithes, a place to give our praise !
f. It’s A Place To Respond.
2 Chron. 30: 20-21 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. 21. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
The house of God is a place to respond....to react to his call.
It is a place for us to respond by serving ! We should respond to the needs at the house of God.
Nehemiah asked "Why is the house of God forsaken ?"
Haggai 1:2-4 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
As we enter a new year, I’m sure that many new and wonderful things await us, but let us not forget the old things for which nothing can compare !!!!
