Psalm 34

1. Tasting the LORD's Favor – Experience (vs 1-10)
   A. Result of God's favor (vs 1-3)
   B. Recollection of God's favor (vs 4-7)
   1. Operational Experience (vs 4, 6)
   2. Observational Experience (vs 5, 7)
   C. Recommendation of God's favor (vs 8-10)
   1. Find your own experience with God (vs 8)
   2. Fear the Lord and experience his favor (vs 9)
   3. Final analysis on experiencing God (vs 10)
   
   
2. Teaching the LORD's Fear – Exhortation (vs 11-22)
   A. Desire (11-12) – Things that indicate a teachable spirit.
   1. Come (vs 11) – (Separation) – (James 4:8)
   2. Children (vs 11) – (Son) (James 3:1)
   3. Hearken (vs 11) – (Silence) - (Pro 18:13)
   4. Teach (vs 11) – (Significance) – (Dut 4)
   5. Fear of the LORD – (Seriousness) (Pro 1:7, 29)
   B. Departure (vs 13-14) - (Mt 12:34-37)
   1. Keep thy tongue from evil
   2. Depart from evil – turn aside, avoid Ex 3:3 -
   C. Diligence (vs 14)
   1. Do good – Work, make that which is right and proper and that makes for peace.
   2. Seek Peace – shalom (completeness, soundness, welfare, health, safety, prosperity)
   3. Pursue it – Word of hot pursuit (Ex 14:4-9)
   (Hos 2:9, 6:3)
   D. Deliverance (vs 15, 17-20, 22)
   1. The Lord's perception (vs 15)
   2. The Lord's power (vs 17-19)
   3. The Lord's promise (vs 18)
   4. The Lord's preservation (vs 21)
   F. Desolation (vs 16, 21) cf (Hos 13:16)(Joel 1:18)

(Luke 13:34-35) (Acts 1:20)

Mark 10

A Biblical View of Divorce and Remarriage

 

 

Between Mark 9 and Mark 10 is an event that is recorded in Luke 9:51-62 that we should read that will help set the tone for the sermon this morning.

1. Jesus did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. (vs 51-56)
2. Jesus' life and ministry required a crucified life. (vs 57-62) cf Mark 10

I. The Teaching of Jesus (vs 1)

Jesus by teaching and preaching was setting forth a Gospel witness of the Kingdom of God.

Mt 7:24-29 / Lk 4:17-22, 32, 36,

 

II. The Tempting of the Pharisees (vs 2)
 

     A. Their pride - Love to be seen of men

     B. Their pursuit of lust

           2 sects were within the Pharisees,

                1) Shammai, followed the strict law of Moses

                2) Hillel, following the traditions as with law

Hillel would go from town to town teaching and promoting themselves and would get a "new wife" each time they went to a new place.

Ever wondered why the Pharisees did not question Jesus about Malachi 3:11-16?

Jesus asks what sayeth Moses? - Why?
 

III. The Testimony of Moses (vs 3-4)
 

       A. Ex 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

       B. De 5:18 Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

       C. Le 20:10 ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

       D. Dut 24:1-4 – Read verses carefully - uncleaness = nakedness

 

IV. The Thoughts of God (vs 5-12)

      A. The Attitude of the heart (vs 5) cf (Luke 16:1-18)

 

      B. The Authority of the Creator (vs 6) cf Rom 1

      C. The Announcement of the Savior (vs 7-9) Moses not God gave the precept.

      D. The Asking of the Disciples (vs 10-11) cf Mt 19:10-12

The Exception Clause
 

Mt 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

It is safe to assume that any person committing adultery was to be put to death, so Jesus was not speaking of that when he spoke of putting away.

What is Fornication? Acts 15:15-31 – cf Lev 17-18

This is a biblical definition that fits within the rest of scripture.

Here are some Bible reasons to accept the no divorce position.

1. It supports the commands and wisdom concerning vows
   De 23:21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
   Ec 5:4 ¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
   
   
2. It supports the Biblical picture of Christ and the Church
   Ephesians 5 –
   Is the church always faithful? No
   Was Israel always faithful? No! Jer 3 / Hosea
   
   
3. It supports the Biblical position of restoration
   1Cor 7:10-11 / Gal 6:1
   
   
4. It supports the Biblical teaching of the immanence of Christ's return
   1Cor 7:29-35
   
   
5. It supports the Biblical nature of interpretation
   1Peter 1:19-21 / Following Scripture rather than the social criteria of the day

6. It supports the biblical teaching of priority
   Heb 3:1-13 God is greater than Moses
   Moses the Servant  but  Christ the Son

Three Christian concepts that must be considered
 

Grace
 

Here is a question that every person needs to ask themselves. Is God and his grace sufficient to meet the needs of an individual?

1) Can a person who is circumstantially led to live a single life enjoy God and be content in that place?

2) Can the person who is wasted physically in a horrible accident and finds them selves disfigured and hindered from a normal life able to live within the grace of God?

3) Can a person who finds themselves wronged in life through a departing spouse and tragic circumstances trust the living God to be the source of satisfaction of all of their needs?

It is amazing what things we allow God's grace to be sufficient for certain aspects of life but not for others!
 

Love

Rom 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
 

Account
 

Heb 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.  What would the ramifications be on the day of Judgment, if a pastor married a bunch of his members into adultry?



Psalm 33

National Confidence in the Lord

 

 

1Peter 2:9 – A holy nation can have confidence in it's holy God.

1. The Call to praise God (vs 1-11)
   A. How the righteous are to praise (vs 1-3)
   1. With singing (vs 2)
   2. With significance (vs 3) – new song (fresh)
   3. With skilled playing (vs 3) (Psalm 34:18) pleased
   B. Why the righteous are to praise (vs 4-11)
   1. The LORD is righteous (vs 4-5)
   a. His word is right (vs 4) same as upright (vs 1)
   b. His works done in truth (vs 4-5) cf (Ps 89:49)
   Ex 17:12 – hands were steady
   cf (Is 33:6) stability
   1Sam 26:23 – faithfulness – many times in Ps
   Ps 37:3 – verily
   Lam 3:23 – great is thy faithfulness
   Hab 2:4 – faith    

2. The LORD is the Creator (vs 6-9)
3. The LORD is the Counselor (vs 10-11)
 
a. The counsel of the heathen (vs 10)
i. counsel = advice
ii. devices = inventions, plans

                              b. The counsel of the lord (vs 11)

                                        Thoughts = same as devices above

2. The Conditions for praise to God (vs 12-22)
   A. The LORD's Deity (vs 12)
   B. The LORD's Discernment (vs 13-15)
   (vs 15) fashion same as Gen 2:7 formed
   (vs 15) considereth = discern, understand, know
   C. The LORD's Deliverance (vs 16-22)

Psalm 32

Maschil of David


Maschil = song or poem of contemplation or meditation

 

I. The Blessedness of forgiveness (vs 1-2) = Happiness / internal peace

     A. Transgression = Ex 34:7 / Lev 16:16 / 1Kngs 12:19 – rebelled  / 2Kings 8:20 – revolted /

                                     Pro 19:10 – sin /Pr 18:19 - offended

     B. Forgiven = lifted, carried/swept away cf Nu 14:18 = clearing

     C. Sin = cf Ex 32:31 idea of great sin – see Gen 20:9

     D. Covered = conceal / hide / Gen 18:17 – hide / Josh 24:7

     E. Iniquity = perversity / depravity cf Gen 19:15 / 1Sam 3:13

     F. Not imputed = Gen 15:6 counted it / Gen 50:20 – thought it


This portion makes the point that God can make the vilest sinner clean. - God forgives wicked, vile, depraved, rebellious, transgressors!

II. The Burden of sin (vs 2-4)
     A. The spirit of a man (vs 2) - God breathed life into man!

          1. Spirit = wind / spirit man

          2. Guile = deceitful / false

     B. The silence of man (vs 3-4)

          1. silence of confession = roaring of the bones (Job 3:24) (Ps 22) (Ps 51)

          2. chastening likened to:

               a. heavy hand = vs (Ps 139:10)

               b. drought of summer. Cf (Ps 1)

III. The Beauty of relationship (vs 5-11)
      A. Confession and cleansing (vs 5-6)  confess – agreement with God 1Jn 1:9

      B. Compassing of the righteous (vs 7-11)

           a. Songs of deliverance (vs 7)

           b. mercy (vs 10)

Psalm 31

                                                             "I said in my haste" (vs 22)

 I. Observations

     A. Christ our example. (Messianic Psalm)
          (vs 5)          – Christ's statement (Luke 23:46) cf (Acts 7:59)
          (vs 13 -14)  – Christ's statement  (vs 13) - cf (Mt 27:1) (vs 14) - cf (Mt 27:46) (Ps 22:1)

     B. The ultimate measure of a man's patience is seen in how he controls his tongue in the time of    pressure.

• Psalm 116 see vs 11 – I said in my haste all men are liars. 
• Beware the Elijah syndrome! – (1Kings 19:18) 
• Christ – (Is 53:7)

     C. Christian trials are the context of Jas 1:19 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

II. Outline 

      A. Terror described of the past (vs 22a, & vs 11)

Here in our text, David admits to making an hasty statement concerning his state before the Lord. "I am cut off from before thine eyes." Here was a misguided determination by David that God did not and was not going to answer his prayer

cut off = destroyed root of this word is found in Gen 1:7 where God divided the waters from the waters

     B. Trusting God in the present (vs 1-21) 

• Evidenced in prayer (vs 1-5)(9-17)
• Evidenced in hate (vs 6)(17-18)
• Evidenced in gladness (vs 7-8)(19-21)

     C. Teaching saints for the future (vs 23-24)

          1. Love the Lord

               a. God preserves the faithful 

               b. God plentifully rewards the proud doer

         2. Be of good courage

              a. The promise of strength

              b. The prerequisite of hope

Psalm 30

Two Types of Prosperity

Ps 119:17; 175

This psalm of dedication is the result of God's chastening in the life of his servant. (Heb 12)

I. A Statement of Purpose (vs 1-3)

               I will exalt you because:

     A. You have lifted me up (vs 1) draw up (cf Pro 20:5)

     B. You have preserved me (vs 1) enemies do not rejoice

     C. You have healed me (vs 2) ap'r' rapha' (Ex 15:26)

     D. You have kept me alive (vs 3)

II. A Song of Praise (vs 4) cf (Psalm 97:12)

     A. Where? – To the Lord

     B. Who? - Ye saints of His

     C. Why? - Thanks at the remembrance of His holiness

         (His person and works separate him from all others)

III. A Seduction of Prosperity (vs 5-7a) cf (Ps 73:3)

     A. The cycle of chastening (vs 5)

• Anger
• Recognition
• Duration
• Reconciliation

     B. The confession of sin (vs 6)

     C. The commitment of trust (vs 7a)

IV. A Savior to Pursue (vs 6-12)

     A. The LORD withdrawn (vs 7b) (Ps 104:19-30)

          1. The face of the Lord speaks of close relationship. (Ps 27:8)(Ps 41:12)

          2. The trouble if the psalmist shows desire. (Ps 13:1)(Ps 27:9)

     B.The LORD petitioned (vs 8-10) cf (Is 38:9-19)

     C.The LORD returned (vs 11)

     D.The LORD extolled (vs 12)

Psalm 29

I. The Vision of the LORD (vs 1-2)

     A. The Act of Giving

     B. The Attributes of Giving

           Glory
  
           Strength

           Worship

II. The Voice of the LORD (vs 3-9)

A list of events to show the power of God in the likeness of a great storm.

     A. Is upon the waters (vs 3)– The thunder is the most loud when man experiences it upon the sea.
 
     B. Breaks the cedars of Lebanon (vs 5) These trees were the strongest and greatest trees known.

     C. Causes the mountains to skip! (vs 6)

     D. Divides the flames (vs 7) – lightening? - Acts 2 ?

     E. Shakes the wilderness (vs 8) shake = twist, whirl, writhe, tremble

     F. Causes the hinds to calve (vs 9) deer give birth

     G. Discovers the forests (vs 9) – discover= strip bare

III. The Victory of the LORD (vs 10-11)

     A. God sitteth upon the flood (vs 10)
     B. God secures his People with strength and peace! (vs 12)

Psalm 28

A Psalm of David

I. His Place of Refuge (vs 1-5)

     A. The Lord is our Rock. (vs 1)  (Ex 33:21-22)(Dut 32:4,15,18,30)

     Notice two rocks of Dut 32:31, 37) cf vs 1!
     The pit awaits those who trust in something other than God,

     B. The Lord is our Reward. (vs 1-5)

      Here we find the ends of two ways.

           1) The way of the righteous who trust in the Lord –
                His expectation is wholly in the Lord! (vs 1-2)

            2) The way of the wicked who trust in their own devices.

                 Down to the pit (vs 1)

                 Drawn away – dragged (vs 2)

                 Destroyed – (vs 5)

II. His Praise in deliverance (vs 6-8)

     A. Blessed be the LORD – Kneel before in adoration (vs 6)

     B. Testimonies of the LORD – I am helped (vs 7)

     C. Praise to the LORD – Declaration of his worth (vs 7-8)

III. His Prayer for Others (vs 9)

     A. Save thy people – liberate, deliver, give victory

          1) Ex 14:30

          2) 2Chor 32:22

          3) Neh 9:27 – x2

          4) Micah 7:7

     B. Bless thine inheritance -

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

Psalm 68:9 Thou, O God, didst send a plentiful rain, whereby thou didst confirm thine inheritance, when it was weary.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

2Ch 15:4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the LORD God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.

2Ch 15:15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the LORD gave them rest round about.

     C. Feed them – Same word in Psalm 23:1 - shepherd

     D. Lift them up forever – to carry and support

De 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Psalm 27

A Warrior's Thoughts Between Battles

Other outlines:
I. A soldier (1-3)
II. A seeker (4-8)
III. A servant (9-10)
IV. A student (11-14)

I. Confidence in God's person (1-3)
II. Confidence in God's protection (1-7)
III. Confidence in God's promise (8)

IV. Confidence in God's presence (8-10)

I.  The Desire of David (vs 1-6)

     A. The Lord's person (vs 1)

1. shining = enlightenment
2. salvation – deliverance
3. strength= place of safety (seen as rock, fortress, hold) 

     B. The Lord's protection (vs 2-5)

          1. Enemies exist but they do not overpower (vs 2-3)

          2. Security is having the right foundation (vs 3-4)

• To desire and seek to dwell in God's house forever. 
• To behold his beauty = God's pleasantness, delightfulness (see 2Sam 1:26)
• To enquire in his temple.

           3. Trust and faith has it's reward. (vs 5)

      C. The Lord's praise (vs 6)

          1. Expectation for deliverance (now)

          2. Purpose in deliverance (I will worship)

II. The Determination of David (vs 7-14)

      A . Seen through prayer (vs 7-12)

          1. Request to be heard (vs 7)
          2. Request to be helped (vs 9-10)  - vs 9 forsake in the covenental sense!(Dut 31:1-23)

     

              a. By God's presence (vs 10)  He will take (gather) (Ruth 2:7) (Ps 26:9) 

              b. By God's path (11) He will teach (cast/shoot before) (1Sam 20:20) (2Chor 6:27) taught

          3. Request not to be handed over (vs 12)

              a. He was not presumptuous

              b. He was not prideful

     B. Seen through pursuit (vs 8)

           1. Sensitive to God's command (vs 8) - (When thou saidst)

           2. Sincere in obedience (vs 8) (my heart said)

III. The Discovery of David (vs 13-14)

     A. Sustained through faith (vs 13)

     B. Strengthened through focus (vs 14) wait =look for

Psalm 26

David's Confident Plea to God for Deliverance.

I. David's request for Examination (vs 1-8)

     A. Four words expressing examination – complete examination

1. Judge me (vs 1) - (Ex 2:14)(Lev 19:15)(Dut 1:16)
   Use your judicial discernment in my life.
   David requested this in (Ps 7:8 ; 35:24 ; 43:1)
2. Examine me (vs 2) scrutinize, (Zech 13:9 – try )
3. Prove me (vs 2) test (Judg 2:22)(1Kings 10:1)(Dan 1:12)
4. Try me (vs 2) refine through the fire (Jer 9:7 - melt)

     B. Eleven statements of confidence.

1. I have walked in mine integrity (vs 1) (completeness)
2. I have trusted in the LORD (vs 1) confident in Him
3. Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes (vs 3) how he dealt with others and saw God in his life
4. I have walked in thy truth (vs 3) (stability, firmness)
5. I have not sat with vain persons (vs 4) (empty, worthless)
6. I will not go with dissemblers (vs 4) (those who are secretive, hiding)
7. I have hated the congregation of evil doers (vs 5)
   (Dut 4:42)
8. I will not sit with the wicked (vs 5) dwell (Gen 4:16)( Mal 3:3- Lord will sit.) (Lot sat at the gate of Sodom(Gen 19:1)
9. I will wash my hands in innocency (vs 6) observance of one who brought sacrifice to God.
10. I will compass thine altar (vs 6-7) The one who brought the sacrifice was actively engaged in the sacrifice, they were with the priest while he performed his duties.
11. I have loved thy house (vs 8) as opposed to sitting with the wicked. - Speaks of regular attendance to worship  

2. David's request for Redemption (vs 9-12)
   A. Gather not my soul (vs 9) Do not put me in the same category
   B. Redeem me (vs 11) deliverance Ex 14:30, Isa 59:15, 20
   C. Be merciful (vs 11) pity me and show favor

Psalm 25

I. Focus on God (1-6)

     A. Lift up your soul to Him (1) soul = very being

     B. Trust in Him (vs 2) ashamed = disappointed

     C. Wait on Him(vs 3) wait = to look for with eagerness

     D. Learn from Him (vs 4-5) do we want to know the ways and paths of the Lord?

II. Forgiveness (6-14)

     A. Requests from God (vs 6-7)

     1. Request for remembrance of his mercies and long suffering. (vs 6)
     2. Request for the forgetting of our sins. (vs 7,11)
     3. Request for the remembrance of his sheep (vs 7)

     B. Recognition of God's person and character (vs 8-10)

1. He is good and upright (vs 8)
• good = pleasant and agreeable
• upright = straight and correct
2. He is a help to the meek (vs 9) meek = humble
3. He is a protection to the obedient (vs 10) keep = guard

      C. Reward for the believer (vs 11-14)

1. Forgiveness of sin (vs 11)
2. Instructed in God's way (vs 12)
3. Ease in God's inheritance (vs 13)
4. Counsel from the Lord (vs 14)
5. Realization of the covenant (vs 14)

III. Faithfulness (14-22) 

1. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord (vs 15)
2. I wait on thee (vs 21)

Psalm 24

 A Messianic Psalm looking to the Millennium  

 # 3 in the trilogy  (Ps 22 – Good Shepherd / Ps 23 – Great Shepherd / Ps 24 Glorious Shepherd)

Setting – David entering Jerusalem upon conquering it (2Sam 5) ?

I. Jehovah is the Rightful Owner of the earth (vs 1-2)

     A. He owns the whole earth! (vs 1) (Ex 9:29)1Cor 10:23-26)

          1)Satan is the prince and power of the air (Eph 2:2)

          2) Satan is the god of this world (age) (2Cor 4:4)

age = period of time marked by it's spiritual and moral characteristics (1Jn 2:17)

1. It's cares (Mt 13:22)
2. It's sons (Luke 16:8)(20:34)
3. It's fashion (Rom 12:2)
4. It's rulers (1Cor 2:6-8)
5. It's wisdom (1Cor 1:20)(2:6)(3:18)
6. It's character (Gal 1:4)
7. It's god (2Cor 4:4)

          3) Satan is not the owner of the earth! (Rev 20:1-3, 10)

Why is Jesus the rightful owner? (Rev. 5:5) He has prevailed! (5:11-12)

     B. He owns the people of the earth! (vs 1) (Is 45:12)

          1) God has the right to interfere in the affairs of men!

          2) God has the right to inspect the hearts of men!

          3) God has the right to inflict judgment on men!(Is 54:15-17)

     C. He owns because he founded and established it all! (vs 2)

          1) By His spoken Word!

          2) By His sovereign power! (Heb 1:3)

II. Jehovah is the Righteous Sovereign of the earth (vs 3-6)

     A. The required righteousness (vs 4)

     B. The received blessing (vs 5)

     C. The recognized generation (vs 6)

          1) The Righteous

          2) Jacob!

Here we see the impeccability of Christ.(Heb 9:14)(1Pet 2:21-25)

III. Jehovah is the Royal King of the earth. (vs 7-10)

     A. He is the King of Glory

     B. He is the King of Victory (Dan 7:9-14)(Zech. 14:9, 16-21) 

Psalm 23

David who was a shepherd, understood the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. Here he places himself into a favored position by humbly admitting who he was -  A sheep.

I. A Personal Shepherd (vs 1) "My shepherd"

    cf Heb 2:9-18

II. A Providing Shepherd (vs 1-3) "I shall not want"

     cf Is 40:28-31

III. A Protecting Shepherd (vs 4) "I will fear no evil"

      cf 1Cor 15:52-58

IV. A Present Shepherd (vs 4) "thou art with me"

     cf Heb 13:5

V. A Preparing Shepherd (vs 5) "thou preparest a table before me"

     cf Ps. 78:19 / 

VI. A Permanent Shepherd (vs 6) "I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever"

     cf Heb 13:20-21