FOUNDATIONS and FATHERS
Psalms 11:1-7
(1) In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain;
{2} For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, To
shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
{3} If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? "
{4} The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His
eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
{5} The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence His soul
hates.
{6} Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning
wind will be the portion of their cup.
{7} For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.
INTRODUCTION:
FATHERS I WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. ARE THE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL
FOUNDATIONS OF OUR NATION BEING DESTROYED? I SAY YES AND IT HAS BEEN
HAPPENING FOR THE PAST 34 YEARS. IN MY OPINION THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF OUR FOUNDATION BEING DESTROYED IS A CHURCH AND PULPIT THAT HAS BEEN TOO SILENT.
WE CAN NOT LAY THE BLAME AT THE FEET OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. WE
ELECTED THEM. THE WORD OF GOD CHALLENGES GOD’S PEOPLE TO SHORE UP THE FOUNDATIONS.
I. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PRINCIPALS OF GOD.
II FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED:
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
II FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PURITY OF GOD.
I. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PRINCIPALS OF GOD. v 1-2
A. REFUGE IN THE CONSPICUOUS PRINCIPALS GOD. v 1
v 1 In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to your mountain;
1. DAVID’S REFUGE WAS NOT IN KING SAUL OR THEM MOUNTAINS
B. REFUGE IN THE COMPARATIVE PRINCIPALS OF GOD. v 2
v 2 For, behold, the wicked bend the bow, They make ready their arrow upon
the string, To shoot in darkness at the upright in heart.
1. DAVID KNEW HIS HEART WAS RIGHT.
1 Samuel 19:1-2 (1) Now Saul told Jonathan his son and all his servants to put David to
death. But Jonathan, Saul’s son, greatly delighted in David.
{2} So Jonathan told David saying, "Saul my father is seeking to put you to death. Now
therefore, please be on guard in the morning, and stay in a secret place and hide yourself.
1 Samuel 19:10 (10) And Saul tried to pin David to the wall with the spear, but he slipped
away out of Saul’s presence, so that he stuck the spear into the wall. And David fled and
escaped that night.
Psalms 119:148-152 (NASB) My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Thy word. {149} Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness; Revive me, O LORD, according to Thine ordinances. {150} Those who follow after wickedness draw near; They are far from Thy law. {151} Thou art near, O LORD, And all Thy commandments are truth. {152} Of old I have known from Thy testimonies, That Thou hast founded them forever.
ILLUSTRATION:
In 1874 the Scriptures were under severe attack by critics, and John W. Haley published a defense entitled Alleged Discrepancies of the Bible. In the preface he wrote, "Finally, let it be remembered
that the Bible is neither dependent upon nor affected by the success or failure of my book.
Whatever may become of the latter, whatever may be the verdict passed upon it by an intelligent public, the Bible will stand. In the ages yet to be, when its present assailants and defenders are moldering in the dust, and when our very names are forgotten, (God’s Word) will be, as it has been during the centuries past, the guide and solace of millions." How true!
APPLICATION:
News Articles TOMMY BARNETT DECLARES WAR ON PORNOGRAPHY.
News Paper said: HALLELUJAH
MIAMI HERALD Reported about TRUE LOVE WAITS and said:
-- ITS ABOUT TIME
THE PRINCIPALS STILL STAND.
II FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED:
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD. v 3-5
{3} If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do? "
{4} The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD’S throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His
eyelids test the sons of men.
{5} The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence
His soul hates.
A. IN THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. v 4 a
". . . The LORD is in His holy temple; . . . "
B. IN THE THRONE OF THE LORD. v 4 b
". . . the LORD’S throne is in heaven;. . ."
C. IN THE TESTING OF THE LORD. v 5 a
". . . The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, . . . "
FOUNDATION Foundations (translated purposes in Isaiah 19:10
Strong’s # 8356 shathah (shaw-thaw’); from 7896; a basis, i.e. (figuratively) political or moral support:
KJV-- foundation, purpose.
Strong’s # 7896 shiyth (sheeth); a primitive root; to place (in a very wide application): KJV-- apply,
appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, look, make, mark, put(on),+ regard, set, shew, be
stayed, take.
high places
2 King 14:4 Howbeit the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice and burnt
incense on the high places. (KJV)
2 King 15:35 Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still
in the high places. He built the higher gate of the house of the LORD. (KJV)
2 King 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake
in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn
incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. (KJV)
ILLUSTRATION:
Robert Ingersoll the Famed Atheist. Washington Oregon Churches Are Dying. They Are Closing Them Every Day. Leader in the Singing Methodist Church Starting One New Church Every Day. Sent Telegram "All Hail the Power of Jesus Name We Are Starting One a Day"
Several Years Latter That Methodist Preacher’s Grandson Led to Faith in The Lord Jesus and Baptized the Grandson of Robert Ingersoll. Latter the Grandson Called and Said Would You Come and Talk to My Son. Great Grandson Was Saved and Baptized.
The North American Mission Board of the SBC says:
We Are Starting Three a Day We Are Starting Three a Day All Hail the Power of Jesus Name We Are Starting Three a Day. We NOW HAVE over 46,000 Congregations
APPLICATION:
FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED:
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
III. FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED
SEEK THE PURITY OF GOD. v 5-7
{5} The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked, And the one who loves violence
His soul hates.
{6} Upon the wicked He will rain snares; Fire and brimstone and burning wind will
be the portion of their cup.
{7} For the LORD is righteous; He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.
A. BECAUSE THE LORD JUDGES THE RIGHTEOUS. v 5
B. BECAUSE THE LORD JUDGES THE WICKED. v 5 b - 6
C. BECAUSE THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS. v 7
ILLUSTRATION:
CONTRAST O. J. SIMPSON and MAGIC JOHNSON;
WITH A. C. GREEN Formerly of THE LAKERS BASKETBALL TEAM.
ILLUSTRATION:
There was an interesting development in Hungary a few years ago. Government radio produced a six-part series of the first five books of the Old Testament. Each broadcast was 60 to 70 minutes in length with the best actors in Hungary participating in the dramatization. The series was repeated again several months later under the title, "The Book That Karl Marx Read." Also, a dramatized adaptation of the four Gospels was broadcast in the fall on the same station. The Government hopes that these broadcasts may contribute to the solution of the drug and alcohol problems among its youth. -- The Trans-World Radio Report
APPLICATION: FATHERS IF FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED:
SEEK THE PRINCIPALS OF GOD.
SEEK THE PRESENCE OF GOD.
SEEK THE PURITY OF GOD.
For more sermons by James McCullen go to preachhim.org
