The Work Of The Spirit, Part A Series

Series: Life, Everlasting, Part 3

Message: The Work of the Spirit? Part A

Our scripture focus today is Psalm 116:13, but I want to read the entire Psalm…

116:1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. 3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!" 5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. 7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. 10 I believed; therefore I said, "I am greatly afflicted." 11 And in my dismay I said, "All men are liars." 12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. 15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 16 O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant ; you have freed me from my chains. 17 I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. 18 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, 19 in the courts of the house of the LORD-- in your midst, O Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.

During this series so far, we’ve discussed…

Breath…when you put your faith in Christ and you received the breath of God the Spirit of God came upon you. You can feel that breath dwelling in you and working in you. You can feel the power of the Spirit in you, convincing and assuring you of life everlasting.

Next, we talked about: “Who is your Lord?” We talked about God’s expectations, accomplishments and blessings. We discussed the blessings of a surrendered and yielded life to Jesus, and we know exactly “Who our Lord is.”

Where to now? Well, first let me say that on any given Sunday you may or may not feel that you receive a message that talks to your heart. You may or may not feel some conviction… But on Monday, regardless of whatever you feel on Sunday, regardless of what you think you receive from the Spirit, either through me, through the scripture passage, or even through someone during fellowship time, you’re going to be right back out there in the world with its advertisements and its godless people. And, that world out there is gets you dirty. Sometimes it gets you so dirty, that rather than a washing in the gentle Words of Jesus, you need that cleansing sandblasting shout to the Lord to crack the crude that’s accumulated.

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

Psalm 116 falls into the six psalms, known as the Egyptian Hallel” (praise) Psalms, which are Psalms 113-118, and all were used at Passover. The theme of each Psalm fits the season during which Israel celebrated redemption from a condition of slavery, with Psalm 116 reflecting a personal thanksgiving from the individual for God’s work in bringing Israel out of Egypt.

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD.

Last Sunday night we were looking at Titus 1:8 and I said,

“Only by falling completely and totally in love with God will we be able to have a God-centered desire to be holy.”

When you love someone, you naturally want to do good things for them. That is what you see here in this particular passage in Psalm 116: 13. In verse 12, the Psalmist says, “How can I repay the LORD?” What is it that I can do, individually, as a child of God that could possibly be accepted by Him? Is there anything that I can do?

First, remember what we’ve said in previous messages, “Make sure your heart is right.” Meaning, make sure you understand what direction you’re aiming your service. We’ve said that we only serve for one reason, and that is to give glory and honor to God. And, that is what the Psalmist is indicating.