Who Can Live On God's Holy Hill?

Sermon for 7/17/2005

Psalm 15

Who can live on God’s Holy Hill?

Introduction:

A little girl sat with her parents during a baptismal service one Sunday night, which was a new experience for her. She exclaimed in surprise, ‘Why did he push that guy in the water? Why, Dad, why?’ Her mom tried to explain briefly and quietly, but she just wouldn’t be satisfied. Later that night the parents tried to provide an answer that a child’s mind could comprehend. They talked about sin and told the little one that when people decide to live for Jesus and ‘do good’ they want everyone to know. They then explained that water symbolizes Jesus’ washing people from sin; when they come out ‘clean,’ they are going to try to be ‘good.’ The little girl immediately responded, ‘So then why didn’t the Preacher just spank the man?’”

WBTU:

A. Who may abide in your tabernacle? Who may dwell in your sanctuary?

1. Who is counted worthy by God of being a worshipper forever and ever?

2. Who is allowed access into the Holy of Holies?

3. In the Old Testament, only the high priest once a year for a small amount of time was allowed into the Holy of Holies.

4. Today’s English Version says, “Lord, who may enter your Temple?” The only ones allowed into the Temple were the ones born of the line of Israel. The Gentiles had to worship in an outer courtyard. They were not allowed in the Temple itself.

5. Who has the privilege of enjoying communion, intimacy with the God of the universe?

B. Who may live or dwell on your holy hill?

1. The holy hill is a reference to the hill where the Temple was, Mount Zion. Today’s English Version says, “Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill?”

2. The Temple, Mount Zion, was to be the dwelling place of God. The very presence of God was between the cherubim on the ark.

3. Who can live or dwell with God?

4. The book of Revelation mentions that one day there will be a new heaven and a new earth. It mentions that one day there will be a New Jerusalem where God will dwell. Who can live with God forever and ever?

5. I like what the Amplified version says here, LORD, WHO shall dwell [temporarily] in your tabernacle? Who shall dwell [permanently] on your holy hill?

C. Now this question is asked of the Lord, not of us. We can. Oh, really?

D. Vs. 1 is the question and vs. 2 to 5 the Lord answers that question.

Thesis: Who can live on God’s Holy Hill?

For instances:

1. No one can

A. The Lord makes it plain that no person in this room can.

B. (Heb 12:14 NIV) Make every effort … to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

C. (Rom 3:10 NIV) As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;(Rom 3:11 NIV) there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.(Rom 3:12 NIV) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one."

D. No one is holy, no one is righteous, and no one is good. No one will see the Lord.

E. Well, let’s look at the Lord’s answer.

1. Whose walk is upright or blameless?

a. This means to be without blemish, guiltless, without reproach.

b. If we were to interview your parents, your friends, your co-workers, your spouse, and your teachers and if we tried to find something on you, would we?

c. A person who obeys God in everything- Today’s English Version.

2. Who does what is righteous, or works righteousness.

a. To be just without partiality or prejudice.

b. Have you ever been easy on some people and hard on others?

3. Speaks the truth from his heart

a. (Eph 4:15 NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.(Eph 4:25 NIV) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

b. When he speaks, he speaks not lightly, but with truth and love sincere.

b. How many of us have avoided the truth because it might hurt or it might cost us something?

4. Vs. 3- No slander, no backbiting, cast no slur on his fellowman

a. No gossip, no rumors

b. No name calling

c. No flattery to the face and then behind the back stab them.

5. Who does his neighbor (friend) no wrong?

6. Vs. 4- Who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord. Not that we hate sinners but that our close friends are those who fear the Lord. To live above with saints we love, oh, that will be glory. To live below with saints we know, well, that’s a different story. Idolize those who hate the Lord and trivialize those who love the Lord.