Pie and Praise

The Effective Word

Text:  Psalm 149:6-9

Intro:  We have been given the reason for the “New Song”.  The first two reasons were:

Relationship

Favor

But tonight we consider the First.

God’s Word

In this particular passage, this second half of the psalm we find a rather gruesome call to vengeance and destruction on the part of the Jews.

The complete application has to do with obedience with such a call to fight.  This writing was not likely the actual call to war.  But this had been heard in the ranks of the Israelites.

You can almost close your eyes and hear the nervous chatter of your fellow soldiers.  The feeling of a leather wrapped metal shaft in your perspiring palms.

When you open your eyes the sun blasts in your eyes exposing to your pupil the scene of an enemy so vast it seems to span the horizon.

Your heart begins to race under the realization that in moments you will race to face the enemy of God.  And with the power of your two edged sword execute the judgment of God.

The Israelites had heard this call under

Moses

Joshua

Barak

Gideon

Jepthah

Saul

David

There was a matter of obedience.  Devotion so great that no request would be denied - all out obedience.

We say in the comfort of our padded pews, “Then this is not in the least applicable to me.”

No, friend you may not be sent to a literal field to inflict the judgment of God, but the heathen still must be subdued and the king brought in chains.

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Doctrine – “instruction; teaching”

Reproof – “proof; conviction”

Correction – “straightening”

Instruction of Righteousness – “teaching rightness”

In our passage today:

Execute Vengeance – Do Vengeance (heathen)

Bind – to yoke hitch: reprove

Punishments – Correction

Execute Judgment – Making right

Trans:  We can now correlate these two chapters and show us how to turn the word of God into a new Testament tool in our lives and discerner in our word.

I.  The Soldier of the Word Executes Vengeance - Doctrine

Though the focal point of heathen is outward.  My New Testament call for war is somewhat more personal.

I am the heathen that I am concerned with.

Heathen defined -  irreligious, unenlightened

Illustration:

Argument:  In my standing before God I am sanctified. In my practical life, I must continually enlighten the heathenish or irreligious un-enlighten heathen.

Psalm 119:9 KJV 1900

BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Hold yourself to the task of Learning – taking on the Mind.

II. Punishments - Correction

Punishment is not hard for us to envision.  We know the law of Sowing and reaping.

Illustration: We know that if I choose to 65 mph down 29th st. I will have to pay the consequence I will eventually be brought before the judge and be held responsible.

Argument:   The heathen in my life the wayward must be brought under correction to show myself the fault, rub my nose in it and hold myself accountable to His Word.

App: Hold yourself to the task of Scolding – taking on your Daily Walk.

III. Bind - Reprove

Exp: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing – “Prone to Wonder Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love.  Here’s my heart Lord take and seal it.  Seal it for thy courts above.”

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

speaks of the Heart.

Argument:   We must realize that the only cure for a hear that is wild and unruly is the reproof of Scripture.

I must have my heart continually brought back into line.

Illustration:   A planes radar and auto pilot system continually corrects during a flight

App: Only a continual dose of Scripture will bring me in continual line.

Hold yourself to the task of Correction – taking on your Heart.

IV. Execute Judgment - teaching righteousness

Exp: Judgment means to Make right.

How will I ever be.  When will and how will my actions take on the characteristics of Rightness.

Argument:      The Word of God.  The bible tells us we will bear fruit of the Spirit, and teaches that the Spirit will guide in all truth.  And goes on to describe this Word as Truth.

Friend your actions will take on the attributes of rightness because that is how the Holy Spirit designed it to work.

Illustration: With the design of a clock.  I don’t see all the intricacies, but I see the result it was designed for.

App:    Submit to the complete change by the destruction of the old man, and take on the New Man.

Conclusion:   This honor have all the saints.  This great battle is the token, ornatment that shows his great work completed.  The honor glory will be your destruction and His word lived out.