You're Invited To A Hanging

PSALM 69:1-5 "YOU’RE INVITED TO A HANGING"

* We’ve received all sorts of invitations. * Invitations to weddings, receptions, and showers.

* We have been invited to parties, banquets, picnics and barbecues.

* Jesus frequently issued invitations! * Matt.11:28 "Come unto me all ye that labor ....... "

* In Mt.14:28-29 when Jesus walked on the water, Peter said, "If it be thou, bid me come ..."

* And Jesus said, "Come." * In Mk.6:31 Jesus said to His weary disciples;

* "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while."

* In Jn.21:12 after the resurrection, Jesus prepared fish for the disciples and said, "Come and

dine." * Rev.22:17 "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth ......."

* But perhaps the greatest invitation of all will be when we hear the King say to those on His

right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared ......." Mt.25:34

* Today, I want to tell you, "You’re invited to a hanging!"

(1) COME, HANG YOUR BURDENS ON THE CROSS - V.1-4

* David has expressed the cry of a burdened heart! * Consider his burden:

A) He feels that he is about to be overwhelmed; * He is depressed and weary from his weeping,

* He faces injustice and enemies, who are too many and too powerful for him.

B) Have you ever felt like that? * Have you ever felt like the weight of the whole world rested

on your shoulders? * That the burdens of life would grind you into the dust, mercilessly?

* You might be interested in knowing that this is a Psalm that looked ahead prophetically to the

sufferings, injustices, and sorrows Jesus would experience 1,000 years later!

* Jesus Himself would endure such burdens! * Maybe you labor under the heaviness of:

C) Fear and Anxiety! * The violence of our society, the corruption in our systems,

* failing health, the hype about computer crashes in the year 2000 have you confused.

D) Doubt and Uncertainty! * Does God really love you? * Can He really make a difference

in your life? * Can He accept you as you are and transform you?

E) Pain and Anguish! * It hurts just to roll out of bed! * Each step you take is a marathon,

* Climbing a porch is like climbing Mount Everest!

F) Burdened heart, there is help! * Matt.6: 31-33 "Therefore take no thought, saying ......."

* Matt.11:28 "Come unto me all ye ......." * Jn.14:1 "Let not your heart be ......."

* 1 Pt.5:6-7 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may ......."

* Isaac Watts penned these words; let’s sing them together: "At the cross, at the cross,

* Where I first saw the light, And the burden of my heart rolled away. It was there ......."

G) You’re invited to a hanging! * COME! * Hang your burdens on the cross!

* But there may be something else that needs crucifying in your life:

(2) COME, HANG YOUR SHAME ON THE CROSS - V.5

* David knew of his own folly and knew that God was also aware of it!

* He could recall many foolish things he had done of which he was ashamed!

* And he had much of which to be ashamed:

A) As a father, David was no model and turned his own sons away from him through neglect!

* It is possible this Psalm comes from the time of Absalom’s rebellion.

B) As a king he had abused his power and authority for sexual pleasure & to cover up his sin!

* Not only was David burdened with the liability of his sin, but he was ashamed of his senseless

stupidity! * How could he have been such a moron, such an idiot?

C) And, we may well ask, how could we? * HOW COULD WE:

* Have said such harsh and cutting things to and about others?

* Have neglected expressing our love to others while the chance existed, instead of weeping

that it is now too late?

D) Have ruined our reputation and forfeited our integrity for a moment’s pleasure?

* How could we have violated our honor and for years have lived a lie?

E) We may have much of which to be ashamed, but there is hope!

* God will answer the prayer of one who says with David in Psalm 25:20 "O keep my soul,

and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee."

* You’re invited to a hanging! COME! hang your burdens and your shame on the cross!

* But there may be something else that needs to be hung there:

(3) COME, HANG YOUR SIN ON THE CROSS - V.5