A Fresh Perspective (4)
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Psalms 19
Trip on the Peleliu
Abraham Lincoln once said: “I can understand how a man could look at earth and be an atheist, but I cannot understand how a man could look at the heavens and say, ‘I don’t believe in God.’ ”
This is what Paul talks about in Romans 1:19-20
For what may be known about God is clear to them since God has shown it to them. The invisible things about Him—His eternal power and deity—have been clearly seen since the creation of the world and are understood by the things that are made, so that they are without excuse.
The Shema – Det 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is one! And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Mark 12:30
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
4 Types of Revelation
Heart – SPECIFIC - Torah
Mind – GENERAL - Creation
Soul - PERSONAL – Jesus as Prophet & Priest
Strength – PROPHETIC – Jesus as King of Kings and Lord of Lords
One of the many differences between humans and the animal world.
Animals have the tendency to look down for their guidance, food, shelter and their very existence. We look forward, around, back, and look up!
The Psalmist tells us to look up into the heavens and see God’s mighty hand and majesty so we can see The Revelation Of Creation. – GENERAL REVELATION
Let us remember that all of creation was made for one thing
To praise and to glorify God
The OT constantly call for all to praise God, so much so that a Praise Hymnal was included, Psalms
Psalm 148 commands everything to praise him
Psalm 145:10
All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your godly ones shall bless You.
God will be praised even if we don’t
Luke 19:40
He answered them, “I tell you, if these should be silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
As David looked into the skies his heart turned to praising and worshiping God
VS 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork.
The Heavens DECLARE – a continuous affirming action - The Glory of God
Tuck that phrase away for we will come back to that –
it is something that creation hasn’t lost or stopped doing
Vs 19:2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night declares knowledge.
day after day – in the good times we can see the “Son” light
night after night – when life seems its darkest, look up! And see His might!
Just seeing the creation made him want to worship the Creator. By its very essence
“declare” and “proclaim” express a continuous revelation
Nature reflects the majesty of God by being silent 19:3
There is no speech and there are no words; their voice is not heard.
When we become Christians, Paul tells us that we become a new creation, old things are become new II Cor 5:17
Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.
If we as Christians are “silent” as God’s non-verbal creation is silent, would an unbeliever want to worship the God you serve because of the life-style you lead?
Does your life portray and display God’s power and majesty?
If in vs 3 their voice is silent, is not heard, how can it go to the ends of the world in vs 4?
Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In Romans 10:14
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Paul uses this passage to show that there is no excuse not to worship God. If one wants to truly worship God, and his heart is inclined to listen, and his soul is ready to accept, God’s message can be heard in nature itself. The “voice”- preachers of the gospel - the excuse of “I did not hear” cannot be used. It describes the widespread preaching of the gospel
New Guinea example of the “Thumb” God
Through this GENERAL REVELATION, David makes a point that this is God’s creation, and that we are to worship the God of creation and not the creation of God as some are inclined to do. We only need to
David then moves into verse 7
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
- SPECIFIC REVELATION
Look To The Scriptures for His Revelation – He tells of the fullness and preciousness of God’s Word
Vs 7a It Converts or revives the soul because of its perfection
We need to be revived and only the perfect Word of God can do that
In James 1:18 the writer tells us of the power of the “word of truth”
Vs 7b It makes Wise the Simple because of its Trustworthinessthrough the inspiration of God
II Tim 3:15
and that since childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise unto salvation through the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
if we are simple enough to believe it, it will make us wise unto salvation
The foolishness of God is much wiser than the deepest truth that any man can conceive.
1 Cor 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
The simplicity of the Gospel has been & always will be a great stumbling block for many.
Vs 8a
the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
It rejoices or gives joy to the heart because of its righteousness
Vs 8b It enlightens the eyes because of its radiance. If we truly seek its truths our eyes will be opened so we can see
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.because it is right. It is what the heart needs to find the happiness and peace it craves. Until we rest in the love of God we will never truly be at rest
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me. For I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
and until we apply the Word of God to our lives we will not have joy
Jeremiah 15:16
Your words were found and I ate them. And Your word became to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of Hosts.
Vs 9a
the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
It endures forever because it is pure! It offers everlasting life because it is everlasting. John tells us that in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Jesus is the Word. Jesus said that I am the way the truth and the life. No man comes unto the Father except by me. It is because of His purity that we too can have life eternal.
Vs 9b It is righteous because it is truth. It is right in every warning, demand, counsel, and promise. It is not only true or sure, it is Absolute Truth and without error.
Vs 10
More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
It is most desirable because it is better than the sweetest honey or the purest gold.
Vs 11
Moreover by them is Your servant warned, and by keeping them comes great reward.
it is needed for warning and for great reward. It warns of the results of disobedience and the rewards of obedience.
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may act carefully according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way successful, and you will be wise.
This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book – John Phillips
Psalm 19:12-14
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be upright and innocent from great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
There are two kinds of cleansing.
There is a radical cleansing from sin that depends on the blood of Christ.
There is also a recurrent cleansing from sin that depends on the Word of God.
This recurrent cleansing was centered in Old Testament times in the laver, first in the Tabernacle and then in the Temple. The laver was made of bronze and the mirrors of the women and filled with water - judgement
Thus it both revealed defilement and it removed defilement. It symbolized the cleansing function of the Word of God. We need to spend time daily reading God’s Word so that its convicting and cleansing action might act upon our souls
Because we can see His Majesty in Creation in GENERAL REVELATION
and Hope and Truth in His Word by SPECIFIC REVELATION
we can relate to God on a personal basis through confession and prayer through the
PERSONAL REVELATION of Jesus Christ becoming Emmanuel – God With Us
Just like nothing is hidden from the sun’s heat vs 6, and the voice of nature goes to the ends of the earth vs 4, God’s word with all its perfection penetrates and examines the heart and soul of every individual.
We have many hidden faults and errors in judgments and David asks for forgiveness because he wants nothing to stand between him and God. His desire is to be pure and blameless, truly a man after God’s own heart.
To get a clean fresh start spiritually we must be willing to express a sincere desire for forgiveness and long for a renewed relationship with Him. God revealed himself to the Hebrews who called Him “El”. God promised them that a Messiah would come and He did in the form of a baby in a manger who died on a cross and rose on the third day to give all the blessed hope of life eternal. However, the Jews missed Him and denied His deity and power. Before Jesus ascended to the Father, he told us that a Comforter would come and enable us, give us the power that we need to live life more abundant and free.
We often wonder how the Jews could have consistently denied the power, the grace, the love, the righteousness, the guiding hand of God as He provided for them over and over in their storied history. And then to deny God’s only Son and the freedom and salvation He offers.
But have we not done something similar by denying the power promised just as they have denied the Messiah promised? Jesus died on the cross and rose again for whosoever will believe in Him and grant them life eternal. He tells us to seek out and to look for the promised Enabler, the Holy Spirit. His power and His filling will give us the boldness, the courage, the Fresh Beginning and continuous ability to remain in Him.
It is as if we say “Jesus, I believe in you and your saving grace. I praise you for cleansing me from all unrighteousness. And I worship you for your love and the blessed hope of life everlasting. But I am weak and I need strength to rise above all of my problems.”
And He says, “I have given you my Holy Spirit to abide with you. He helps you to remember things you have been taught when you need them for encouragement in your day-by-day walk, He even intercedes for you to My Father with groanings when you do not know what to ask for. But you need to be like the disciples and wait for Him, to pray to Him for His filling and be receptive to His leading. He wants to give you the power and the boldness you need but will not force Himself upon you. You must ask for His filling, just as you have asked Me for the forgiveness I have offered you.”
Then and only then will we have the Fresh Perspective to make a difference in our lives, our church, our community, and our world in 2025!
But perhaps you are here today and have not come to know Jesus as your Savior.
Be like Nicodemus – John 3 He came seeking
The new Birth is not optional - You MUST be born again. No gray area.
Born once, die twice. Born twice, die once!
In order to do so, Jesus’ mission was 2 Parts - to “be lifted up” and to “draw all men” to himself John 12:32
And if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to Myself
The results were 2 Parts – to Pay the penalty of Sin, and to and to give us life, because he lives, we to shall live!
The judgement of man’s sin cold only be quenched by a sinless man
The he became sin for us, he was sinless – he was in the likeness of sin without its poison
Problem of Sin Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God
2 PARTs - Transgression - For all have sinned
Consequences – come short of the glory of God
What we have earned because of Sin – death - Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Solution to Sin Romans 5:8&9
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. How much more then, being now justified by His blood, shall we be saved from wrath through Him.
2 Parts – Redemption – we are justified by His blood
& Restoration – we are saved from wrath through Him
Response to Sin Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved, for with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
2 Parts – Confession - confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord!
Belief – believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead
This belief that God Raised him from the dead is essential and paramount and ties in carefully with John 3:16 – WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN! And our new birth isn’t found within the Atonement, the sacrifice of Jesus. The Atonement is necessary and vital for without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness, Hebrews 9:22
And according to the law almost everything must be cleansed with blood; without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
but it is not what save! It is His Resurrection!
Paul clearly states in Romans 5:10 that we are saved by His Life!
For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, how much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.
2 Parts!
His Death and Blood Justifies us – it deals with the for all have sinned part
His Resurrection and Life saves us – it deals with the short of God’s Glory
In order to have life, we must be BORN AGAIN – it is not an option. It is through this “new birth” that we regain God’s Glory!
Many believe that Jesus was a great teacher, philosopher, example, prophet and agree we should follow his teachings. They even believe that he lived and died.
But unless we believe in the Resurrected Jesus Christ which gives us life, the new birth, we remain dead in our trespasses and sins
Assurance Promise Romans 10:13
For, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved
2 Parts – Our Call - EVERYONE - call on His Name
His Response – SHALL be saved
Romans 10:9 “if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved”
Once we have accepted this we are Sealed
2 Cor 1:20-22
For all the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen,” to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and established the guarantee with the Spirit in our hearts.
And he will perfect us
Phil 1:6
I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ.
And you can rest in his promise
Jude 24-25
Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with rejoicing, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.