Sound Doctrine and Secure Fellowship
Part 10
Sermon Series: A Word about the Word
Date: May 18, 2003 PM Service
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Psalm 119: 73-80
Introduction
It seems as if I have been repeating myself over and over again in one particular aspect of this study, but I believe I cannot overemphasize this important fact; God’s Word is totally true, accurate and reliable.
While many denominations today, and even within our own Southern Baptist Convention, there is a debate to whether God’s Word is all inspired, infallible and immutable. I for one am not ashamed to say I also believe it is inerrant.
I have lately been accused of criticizing other denomination and being too hard in my preaching especially when it comes to this topic of the Word of God. I don’t mind calling names… The problems churches have gotten themselves into today is one particular item in my opinion; they have remove themselves from the authority of God’s Word and God’s truth.
Use any method to bring folks to a personal relationship with Jesus; Sunday school, small groups, different music, meet in a school, or strip center… but preach God’s Word… and by the way it can’t mean what we want it to mean… we can’t twist it and take it out of context to fit our need. Preach the full counsel of God’s Word… call sin what it is… disobedience to a holy God.
Over and over again the psalmist has reminded us of his own personal commitment to the Word of God. In this section we focus in on two truths; 1. the commitment to sound doctrine and 2. the importance of secure fellowship. We need to believe the right things and we need each other.
I. Creative Activity verses 73-75
A. Fashion verse 73
· This means that the hands of God has been involved in the birth process of each and every one of us.
· If no one has told you lately, you are beautifully and wonderfully made and loved by a living and loving God. You are precious and special in His sight.
· Turn to someone and tell them you are unique and God loves you and I am trying…
· Not only has God made you He has a special purpose for your life.
· If you study of different societies and cultures, all throughout the ages to the present, you will not find one group of people tribe or culture, regardless of how primitive it might be, that did not have some form of worship, trying to enlighten themselves about the person and nature of God.
· My dear friend, we have a message to tell a lost world; “God made you; He loves you; He sent His Son to save you of your sins; and you can know God for yourself.”
· That’s the Gospel… and what a beautiful message…
B. Fellowship verse 74
· Not many of the commentators touch much on this verse of the psalm and as like other times, I must rely on God’s leading through the Holy Spirit to impart His truth.
· This word fear is not the same word we see as trembling or afraid of someone or something, but a respect or reverence for.
· The psalmist is referring to others that fear, respect and reverence the Lord.
· Remember, he has been chastised and mistreated by his enemies. They are waiting for his dimise, his down fall.
· But other believers will rejoice in the fact that God does not forsake His own.
C. Faithfulness verse 75
· There is a teaching today that is very popular and has been for years that says if we live right and think positively we will have no problems.
· Folks that is not Scriptural.
· I don’t understand it, wish I didn’t have to experience it, but there will be affliction in my life.
· God, like a loving parent, knows we need affliction in our lives. And let me say this; God makes no mistakes.
· What does Romans 8:28 tell us? “All things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”
No matter how many times we mess up, no matter the mistakes we have made or how many times we run opposite of God’s will, if we turn our hearts toward God, He is able to bring good out of our lives.
Next we see…
II. Compassionate Attitude verses 76-77
verse 76 speaks of the psalmist’s…
A. Desire
· Again we need to be reminded the psalmist is going through a very difficult time in his life; there is affliction and his desire is that God will comfort him with tender mercies.
· God by His very nature is merciful. If it were not for His mercy we would all die in our sin.
· The psalmist finds sweet comfort just to be reminded that in his own affliction, God’s steadfast love is present and ready to protect us and see us through to the end.
B. Delight verse 77
· In the last verse he spoke of not just of kindness but merciful kindness. Here he speaks of God’s tender mercies.
· As I look at this the psalmist is trying to describe for us what God is like.
· Many, even Christian, have a wrong idea of God.
· I have heard people say, they think God is trying to continuously find ways to make their lives miserable.
· That is a lie out of the pit of hell.
· God loves us and wants to help us not harm us. He desires to lift our hearts and forgive us our sins. He desires to put purpose and meaning into our lives. That is who God is…
· We will never find hurt and harm in being obedient to God.
· Our testimony will be as the old hymn; “Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every day with Jesus, I love Him more and more.”
Next we see
III. Confirmed Avowal verses 78-80
Verse 78 we see the psalmist describing a life that is…
A. Consistent verse 78
· There are 2 types of people the psalmist speaks of; one who is ruled by pride the other ruled by God’s precepts.
· One has an inflated idea of his own importance; that is the proud man.
· The other has an informed idea of God’s importance.
· This man has things in perspective and knows the truth of God and lives consistently.
Verse 79 speaks of…
B. Companionship
· This verse ties in with verse 74; “Let those that fear thee turn unto me.”
· Do you get the feeling that the psalmist felt God’s people are avoiding him? He may seem to fell like an outcast within the body of believers.
· Here is where I must stop preaching and meddle just a little. How many times has the church turned its back on those that were afflicted? I say too many times.
· I don’t care who you are each and every one of us that are a part of the church have come with some hurt and or need. We must always be mindful of this truth and never turn our backs or turn away from anyone that comes to us and desires fellowship and a relationship with God.
Enough said…
Next we see a…
C. Commitment verse 80
· Really what we are reading in this psalm is a prayer. And what a fitting close to a prayer
· The psalmist has been through a difficult time but he also realizes he is not right with God either. There are problems in his life but also within himself.
· He is anxious to get right with God.
· Each of us desire to do better in our relationship with God. It is not know the right things to do, it is doing the right things. It is not knowing what God wants us to do, it is doing what God wants us to do.
My dear friend, we can be correct in our doctrine and dead wrong in our actions…
Invitation
