PRAISE AND WORSHIP SERVICE

PSALM 103:1-22

Intro: Prior to starting our series on Advent next week, I am asking the church to embrace something new (to us) this morning—something that on occassion I’d like us to incorporate

In being created in the image of God, we were made to be in relationship with Him, to be in fellowship with him and others, and that we might live our lives in worship of and to Him.

To that end, today’s service will look a little different.

Today’s service is a special time dedicated for worship. A set aside time of both individual and corporate praise and prayer.

Today we will spend time

Reading God’s Word

Praying (individually and corporately), and

Praising God in song

(READ Psalm 103:1-22) RANDY

As of late, as we’ve been learing about the events leading up to the birth of Christ, a lot of our focus has been on God’s mercy.

Amid all the “needs” we have a people (whether lost or saved) God’s mercy is what is needed the most

Mercy, plainly and profoundly, is God withholding what we do deserve, so that He can usher in what we do not deserve—grace.

Mercy is that divine attribute of God the removes the misery our sin has brought upon us, so we might experience the guiltlessness afforded by His grace.

Mercy is the theme of today’s Scripture and the backdrop for David as he wrote it: Why?

David is expressing his deep awareness of God’s great mercy in his life—despite his adultery and murder and the consequences his actions brought,, God forgave and restored him

David spoke of his inescapable guilt in previous psalms, which had gripped his soul b/c of his despicable sin(s), but no where in this Psalm does he mention that guilt

David had come to realize God’s boundless and everlasting mercy and goodness; that not only had God forgiven him (sins remitted) but God had also healed him of the self-inflicted wounds on his own spirit (v.12)

Mercy is realized when the reality of our sin is realized and come to understand how God see it.

1 Timothy 1:15–17 “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Mercy—the greatness and extent of it, becomes all to clear to us, when we come to grips with our sinfulness and how in God’s mercy we have been given grace—and that grace is a gift—a gift in God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ

Mercy—when realized, ought to stir in us a heart that seeks nothing more that to praise and offer prayers of thankfulness

Maybe that’s something you need today or you need reminding of today. So, to that end, during our time this morning, as we praise and pray, I encourage all of us to come to terms with our deep need of God’s mercy

I. Praising the Lord with our Whole Being

Psalm 103:1 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

David is praising the holy name of the Lord (Yahweh and Jehovah)

David is exalting God’s name (Yahweh and Jehovah); His name is sacred, hallowed, and consecrated

Prayer-(Individually and Corporately)

Praise for His name—that His name means Deliverer, Redeemer, Savior

Exaltation for His name—His name should be the name above all names in our life

(SONG 1) “I SAW THE LIGHT”

II. (v.2-5) The Benefits of God’s mercy

Psalm 103:2–5“Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” “Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:”

Seven benefits of God’s mercy which David praises God for that we should exemplify:

Forgiveness of sin (v.3)

Healing of diseases (v.3)

Redemption of our lives from destruction (v.4)

Lovingkindness (chesed)—God’s steadfast, unfailing love (v.4)

Compassion/tender mercies—God’s excessive acts of love which He crowns us with b/c we are His son and daughters (v.4)

Satisfaction of our desires—our spiritual longings have been met by His grace (v.5)

Physical and spiritual renewal (v.5)

Prayer (Individually and Corporately)

Individually for these benefits of God’s mercy in our lives

Corporately for these benefits of God’s mercy on our church family

(SONG 2) Because He Lives and Redeemed (maybe)

III. (v.6-10) The Actions of God’s mercy

Psalm 103:6–10“The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.”

David is reflecting here on the great things God has accomplished for Him and for His people and acknowledging the Lord’s wonderful works, praising Him for His righteousness, mercy, and love

David here is reflecting on how God, seen as God

Provides justice for the oppressed (for himself and every other child of God)

Forgives much

Loving and merciful ways

Is compassionate, slow to anger, and overflowing with mercy

Does not constantly accuse nor He harbor anger when we do wrong

Does not punish or repay us as much as our sin deserves (v.10) ***HIGHLIGHT***

Remittance reminder: God, in His everlasting and abundant mercy—surrenders His right to condemn us for our sins (the wages of sin is death..Romans 6:23)

Prayer (Individually and Corporately)

Pray and give thankfulness to God for these very same things in our lives

Pray and give thankfulness to God for these very things in the life of our church body

SONG 3 (THE LORD’S PRAYER)

IV. (v.11-18) The Permanence of His mercy

Psalm 103:11–18 “For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them.”

David’s praise here is centered on

God’s love towards those who truly fear Him—who reverence, submit, and obey Him-how it soars abouve the highest heavens (the immensity of God’s love)

God’s removing of sin as far as the East is from the West—not North from the South

North and South meet ends

East and West go on infinitely

God as our compassionate Father:

He knows His children and understands their weaknesses

He is tender/loving/caring to those who fear and revere Him

He knows our nature, understanding our finite nature (dust)

God’s everlasting mercy, that as He is (1) infinite, (2) unlimited, and (2) eternal, so to is His

Grace/mercy/compassion towards us

Righteousness towards us

Prayer (Individual and Corporate)

SONG SET (Good Good Father)

V. (v.19-22) The Sovereign Nature of God

Psalm 103:19–22 “The Lord has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

David ends his psalm with a call of universal praise for the mercy and goodness of God, blessing and praising His name for

Establishing His throne throughout the heavens and He rules over all (Our praise has one direction)

He is worthy of all worship

Prayer

Individually

Corporately

Song

God of Wonders

Let Everything that Has Breath (with offering/invitation/closing

X. Prayer