Psalms 119 "The walk Finale pt 1"

Psalms 119:1-88

Intro:

I hope everyone had an amazing spring break, that you feel rested...

Reminders:

Next week we will not be having youth due to easter.

Please reach out to me if you are wanting to get baptized

If you are interested in going to our serve the city day please find me.

The last several weeks we have been in a series about biblical disciplines. Looking at Jesus’ teachings but also at the ways he lived.

Last week we had an amazing message from my good friend Ty talking about the word of God.

What it is

Why we need it

How can we benefit from it.

The next two sermons we have I want to take this topic and go a little deeper, press in a little further.

let me tell you a story:

Growing up I knew that it was good practice to read my bible, I knew it was good practice to memorize scripture, I knew it was a good practice to carry my bible with me.

What does practice lead up to?

the performance

Only this performance was life, it wasn’t a one time occurrence, it wasn’t even as important as a state championship game.

Knowing that doing all of those things was good. But just like knowing the basics of how to build a house, doesn’t mean that you can actually build it.

When I got on my first job site:

I thought I knew how to swing a hammer, until i hit my thumb.

I thought i knew how to cut straight until my line was crazy

I thought I knew how to use a measuring tape until i got the measurement wrong

The head knowledge of how to use a hammer, cut straight, and measure correctly. Didn’t help me in the end.

I had to take the head knowledge, and actually put it to work, I had to be willing to fail, I had to be willing to learn. I had to be willing to take correction.

Regardless of who you are, I think all of us have a desire to read truth, to hear from the word of God.

We have to be willing to take that desire, and put it on paper.

I promise, that the word of God, will transform your life, you just have to be willing.

Meat:

The next couple of weeks we are going to be looking at one specific chapter in the bible.

Psalms 119

Context

The author is unknown: So he will be referred to as the psalmist

This psalm is actually a poem: if you look in your bible you will see that there are 22 different sections. Each one with a word above it. This poem is an acrostic.

In the Hebrew version of this text each line: starts with the same letter.

During this time period there were 22 different Hebrew letters. This Psalms is the Hebrew alphabet.

This Psalm was written during a time period while most of Israel was forcibly transplanted into a different culture.

When we know this fact, we understand that what the Psalmist is writing is 100% in the face of culture.

The basis of his belief system is “the truth” the word of God, the Law. Which will always be counter cultural.

Since the beginning of time: the absolute truth that we have “The word of God” has always been hated on because we as humans don’t like a truth that is established for us.

I can only marry one person?: I’m good

I can’t get drunk?: I’m good

I can’t have sex before I’m married?: I’m good

My purpose for my life has already been established?: I’m good

I can’t make my own decisions? or I have to listen to what somebody says?: I’m good

I think the basis of this cultural movement that we are seeing is: I don’t want to be told what to do; I don’t want to be “controlled;” I know what is best for me.

In my bible it says”

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

There is true freedom found in Jesus, there is true freedom found in the word of God.

John 1:1–3 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

A freedom that isn’t for this place, but is only found for those who believe that Jesus is a savior, but also that he is Lord.

And where there is a Lord there’s a law, and where there’s a law there is truth.

In Psalm 119 Each section has a different message, each section has a different purpose.

Tonight we are going to look at the first 11 sections.

PRAY

Blessings of Obedience

Psalm 119:1–3 NIV

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart— they do no wrong but follow his ways.

blessing comes after obedience:

Who here has missed out on something because you got in trouble?

What caused you to miss out?

You!

You and I both know that the only thing that can come from disobedience is separation.

Separation from your family, separation from your friends, separation from God.

However, Obedience isn’t always the easiest decision.

This takes integrity, grit, perseverance.

Tim Ross says this: “who you are when nobody is looking is who you are”

Matthew 5:3–12 NIV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I think this generation is marked by a fear of standing out by a fear of standing out.

The promise found in Matthew 5 is that when we are persecuted, when we stand out, when

Our treasures are in heaven, not on this earth.

Cleansing by God’s word

Psalm 119:9–16 (NIV)

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?

By living according to your word.

I seek you with all my heart;

do not let me stray from your commands.

I have hidden your word in my heart

that I might not sin against you.

Praise be to you, Lord;

teach me your decrees.

With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.

I rejoice in following your statutes

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts

and consider your ways.

I delight in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

How can a young person live a path of purity?

What is the biblical definition of Purity:

In the church when you hear the word purity, you tend to think of sexual purity: Waiting for marriage to have sex, free from pornography, not lusting, etc.

While this is true, AND something we need to spend time on, and develop a healthy relationship with.

The theme of purity that we see in the teachings of Jesus: is wholeness.

Matthew 5:8 ““Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

What is wholeness?

Wholeness is the state of being whole?

What happens when you’re whole?

You are solely one thing, one identity, one person.

Meaning you cant be one thing or the other.

When the Psalmist is speaking of being pure. He’s speaking being whole.

Which is so profound to me becasue our culture is asking us to be indecisive about who we are. Asking us to be a different person in every room we walk into.

Incomplete.

how do we remain whole?

The psalmist answers:

By living our lives according to “This word” “this bible” “this truth”

We will remain pure. We will remain whole.

Appreciation of God’s word

Psalm 119:17–24 NIV

Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me. My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands. Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes. Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.

We are created for this truth.

Genesis 1:27 NIV

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

We were created to be in relationship with God. As his children. Which equals that we were created to know truth.

“my soul is consumed with Longing”

Our souls were created to know the truth.

Closing

1 Peter 1:10–12 ESV

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

All Scripture points to Jesus

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