Character Matters!
Psalms • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 5 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
As we begin this morning, I want to ask you a question.
QUESTION 1: How do you define Character?”
The great evangelist D.L. Moody said,
Character is what you are in the dark.
Dwight Lyman Moody (Evangelist)
Writer Edward McKendree Bounds wrote,
Conduct is what we do; character is what we are. Conduct is the outward life. Character is the life unseen, hidden within, yet evidenced by that which is seen. Conduct is external, seen from without; character is internal—operating within. In the economy of grace, conduct is the offspring of character. Character is the state of the heart, conduct its outward expression. Character is the root of the tree, conduct, the fruit it bears.
Edward McKendree Bounds (American Methodist Episcopal Minister)
Writer and theologian Warren Wiersbe put it ever more simply.
Character is built on decisions, and bad decisions will create bad character.
Warren W. Wiersbe
This morning, we are continuing our study in the book of Psalms. If you were with us last week, you may remember we looked at Psalm 14. In that Psalm, David talks about the evildoers in the world, or what he calls the “fool!”
Then David says that the Lord looked over the world, and found that there is NO ONE who does good. He concludes that all of humanity are fools!
David concludes Psalm 14 with a deep desire for God to bring His salvation from Mount Zion!
This morning we come to Psalm 15. In this psalm David is going to contrast the righteous person with the “fool” presented in Psalm 14.
If you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn with me to Psalm 15.
Who Can Dwell with God
Who Can Dwell with God
Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?
David’s Question
David’s Question
David ask Yahweh who may dwell in His tabernacle (v. 1a).
Likewise, who can live on Yahweh’s holy mountain (Mt. Zion, or Jerusalem) (v. 1b).
You may remember, that in chapter 14, David points out that there is no one who seeks God. He discovers that from God’s perspective there is no one who does good (14:2-3).
Now in chapter 15, David is going to seek to discover what characteristics someone needs in order to come before Yahweh.
And we are going to be given eleven characteristics of the person who comes before God. Look at verse 2.
David’s Answer
David’s Answer
Eleven Characteristics of Godliness
Eleven Characteristics of Godliness
The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart;
Those whose walk is blameless (perfect, sound, unscathed, without defect, with integrity, true) (v. 2a).
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Those who do what is righteous (right by God’s standard) (v. 2b).
Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
Those whose hearts are filled with truth (v. 2c).
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Let’s continue with verse 3 of Psalm 15
whose tongue utters no slander, who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;
Those who do not slander others (gossip, spy out, tale-bearer, backbiter) (v. 3a).
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
Those who refuse to harm their neighbors (v. 3b).
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.
Those who do not speak evil of friends (v. 3c).
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
Let’s continue with verse 4.
who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;
Those who despises those who pursue sin (v. 4a). 1 Thessalonians 5:22
reject every kind of evil.
Those who honor the loyal followers of Yahweh (v. 4b).
Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.
Those who keep their promises (oaths) even when it hurts--they refuse to change their minds no matter what (v. 4c).
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
Psalm 15:5 (NIV)
who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Those who help the poor by lending them money without interest (v. 5a).
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
And those who will not accept a bribe to testify against the innocent (v. 5b).
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Through these eleven character qualities David shows us that character always matter.
When we take Psalm 15 in light of its contrast of Psalm 14, we realize exactly how important character is to God.
Here’s the key:
KEY: If a person’s character is important to God, their character ought to be important to us!
AND if your character is important to God, it should be important to us!
In the second part of verse 5, David tells us the benefit of character.
Psalm 15:5 (NIV)
Whoever does these things will never be shaken.
What a promise! Living by these characteristics means nothing that the devil throws at us will shake us. (Shaken: waver, totter, flinch, slip, sway, or fall)
So What?
So What?
There are two basic questions that each one of us must answer.
Question 1: How do you define character?
Remember the quotes when we began this morning.
The great evangelist D.L. Moody said,
Character is what you are in the dark.
Writer and theologian Warren Wiersbe put it ever more simply.
Character is built on decisions, and bad decisions will create bad character.
In our passage this morning, David gave us 11 characteristics that each follower of Jesus should possess.
Walk blameless
Righteous (by God’s standard)
Hearts filled with Truth
Not a Gossip or free from Slander
One who refuses to harm their neighbors
Those who refuse to speak evil of friends
Those who despise people who pursue sin
People who honor loyal followers of the Lord
People who keep their promises
Those who help the poor without taking advantage of them
Finally, people who don’t take dishonest gain—bribes!
Eleven characteristics that should mark every follower of Jesus!
Which brings us to the second question:
Question 2: How many of these eleven character traits do you exhibit in your life?
It is our character that will carry us when we can’t see what God is doing.
It is our character that will carry us when our lives become filled with hurts and heartaches.
It is our character that some in this world will scoff at and ridicule.
But it is our character that glorifies God!
And it is our character that points the world to Jesus.
So, what is your character like?