When Wronged, Go to God!
Notes
Transcript
Week 11 (3rd Sunday)
This Week’s Theme: God is Just
Word for the Week is Vindication-to be cleared of blame, proven right, or publicly justified — especially after accusation or misunderstanding.
Memory verse: Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold[a] your peace.”
Sermon Focus: Because God is righteous, He alone establishes justice.
Sermon Passage: Psalm 7:1-13
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,
2 Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands,
4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!
7 So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; For their sakes, therefore, return on high.
8 The Lord shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
10 My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready.
13 He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts.
INTRODUCTION:
I. GO TO THE RATIONAL ONE
I. GO TO THE RATIONAL ONE
DAVID HAD BEEN WRONGED
THEREFORE HE GOES TO
THE UNBIASED ONE
THE ONE WHO CALLS SIN SIN
DAVID ADMITS THAT THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM ARE WICKED
LOOK AT WHAT HE SAYS IN VERSES 3 AND 4
3 O Lord my God, if I have done this: If there is iniquity in my hands,
4 If I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, Or have plundered my enemy without cause,
DAVID KNEW TO TAKE THIS SITUATION TO
THE RATIONAL ONE
HE TOOK IT TO GOD
LOOK AT WHAT DAVID
SAID IN Psalm 139:1-4
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
HE KNEW THAT Proverbs 15:3
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
SO DAVID INVITED GOD TO EXAMINE THE FACTS.
HE DESIRES FOR GOD TO EXAMINE HIM
HE WAS WILLING TO REAP WHAT HE SOWED
HE WAS WILLING TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES
HE WAS WILLING TO PAY THE PIPER
LOOK AT VERSE 5
5 Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me; Yes, let him trample my life to the earth, And lay my honor in the dust. Selah
HE IS SAYING, “IF I AM GUILTY, LET JUDGMENT FALL ON ME.”
DAVID IS APPEALING TO
GOD'S PERFECT JUDGMENT AND FAIRNESS.
GOD IS RATIONAL BECAUSE
HE JUDGES ACCORDING TO TRUTH
HE EXAMINES MOTIVES
HE KNOWS THE HEART
TODAY MANY TRY THEIR CASE
IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.
SOMEONE GETS UPSET
AND IMMEDIATELY POSTS ONLINE.
WITHIN MINUTES EVERYONE HAS FORMED AN OPINION.
BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT MOST PEOPLE
ONLY HEAR ONE SIDE OF THE STORY.
THEY RESPOND
BASED ON EMOTIONS
BASED ON FRIENDSHIP
BASED ON PARTIAL INFORMATION
BUT GOD DOES SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
LOOK AT THE END OF VERSE 9
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
GOD DOES NOT JUDGE BASED ON RUMORS OR EMOTIONS.
HE EXAMINES THE FACTS.
HE KNOWS THE MOTIVES.
HE KNOWS THE TRUTH.
DAVID WAS WILLING TO SAY:
“IF I HAVE DONE WRONG, LET ME FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.”
HE SAID IN Psalm 139:23-24
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
FRIENDS MAY TAKE YOUR SIDE
EVEN IF YOU ARE WRONG.
ENEMIES MAY ACCUSE YOU
EVEN IF YOU ARE RIGHT.
BUT GOD JUDGES WITH PERFECT KNOWLEDGE.
GO TO THE ALL KNOWING GOD
STOP GOING TO
FAMILY AND FRIENDS
STOP GOING TO
COWORKERS AND
STOP GOING TO
FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM
COUNSELORS AND THERAPISTS
LAWYERS AND HUMAN AUTHORITIES
ALL OF THESE CAN AND MAY
SEE IT WRONG
GO TO THE RATIONAL ONE THROUGH CHRIST
BECAUSE HE KNOWS THE TRUTH
ALSO TAKE YOUR CASE
II. GO TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE
II. GO TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE
6 Arise, O Lord, in Your anger; Lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; Rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded!
DAVID NOW ASKS GOD TO ACT ON HIS BEHALF.
HE IS MAKING A LEGAL APPEAL
TO THE LORD
HE KNEW ACCORDING TO PS 12:5
5 “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
AND ACCORDING TO PS 35:1
1 Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me.
A MAN WAS STANDING IN AN AIRPORT
NEXT TO A BROKEN ESCALATOR.
INSTEAD OF REPORTING IT,
HE STARTED COMPLAINING
TO EVERY PERSON WHO WALKED BY.
PEOPLE STOPPED AND SAID:
“THAT’S TERRIBLE.”
“SOMEBODY SHOULD FIX THAT.”
“THIS AIRPORT NEEDS TO DO BETTER.”
BUT HOURS PASSED AND NOTHING CHANGED.
WHY?
BECAUSE NO ONE REPORTED THE PROBLEM
TO THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.
THEY TALKED ABOUT THE PROBLEM
BUT NEVER WENT TO THE ONE WHO COULD FIX IT.
MANY BELIEVERS DO THE SAME THING.
THEY COMPLAIN TO:
• FRIENDS
• FAMILY
• COWORKERS
BUT THEY NEVER TAKE THE MATTER TO GOD.
DAVID SAID:
“ARISE, O LORD.”
HE WENT TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE.
GOD RESPONDS BY JUDGING THE MATTER
LOOK AT VERSE 8
8 The Lord shall judge the peoples; Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, And according to my integrity within me.
THE LORD JUDGES THE PEOPLE
HE RESPONDS BY TESTING
9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds.
REMEMBER GOD SAID
10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
IN 1 Samuel 16:7 “7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.””
IN THE NT
THE WRITER OF IN HEBREWS SAID THAT Hebrews 4:13 “13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
SOME HAVE GONE TO PARENTS
AND THEY COULDN’T DO ANYTHING
SOME HAVE GONE TO THE POLICE
AND THEY COULDN’T DO ANYTHING
BUT I GUARANTEE THAT GOD WILL RESPOND
NOT IN YOUR TIMING BUT IN HIS TIMING
HE WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT
SO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST
ARE YOU GOING TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE
ARE YOU CALLING FOR GOD
TO ARISE
TO TAKE ACTION
ARE YOU ASKING GOD
TO JUDGE ACCORDING TO HIS WORD
ARE YOU CALLING FOR THE LORD
TO TEST HEARTS AND MINDS
GO TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE
GO TO GOD WHO RESPONDS!
HE HEARS HIS CHILDREN’S PRAYER
HE RESPONDS TO INJUSTICE
HE DEFENDS THE INNOCENT
HE STANDS WITH THE RIGHTEOUS.
III. GO TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
III. GO TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
10 My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart.
11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
HERE DAVID EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S CHARACTER.
MY DEFENSE IS OF GOD
“GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.”
IMAGINE A CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME WHERE THE REFEREE IS CORRUPT.
NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS:
• FOULS ARE IGNORED
• THE WRONG TEAM GETS THE CALL
• THE GAME IS UNFAIR
THE PLAYERS BECOME FRUSTRATED BECAUSE THE REFEREE IS NOT JUST.
BUT IMAGINE A REFEREE KNOWN FOR FAIRNESS.
EVEN IF YOU DISAGREE WITH A CALL,
YOU TRUST THE GAME BECAUSE THE REFEREE IS HONEST.
DAVID TRUSTED GOD FOR THE SAME REASON.
“GOD IS A RIGHTEOUS JUDGE.”
GOD DOES NOT SHOW FAVORITISM.
GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES.
GOD ALWAYS JUDGES RIGHTLY.
HUMAN JUDGMENT IS OFTEN:
• BIASED
• EMOTIONAL
• PARTIAL
BUT GOD IS PERFECTLY RIGHTEOUS.
HIS JUDGMENTS ARE PERFECT
HIS ANGER IS JUST
HIS JUSTICE IS CERTAIN
GOD IS NOT MERELY AWARE OF EVIL, HE IS ACTIVELY OPPOSED TO IT.
11 God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
12 If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready.
13 He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes His arrows into fiery shafts.
“GOD IS ANGRY WITH THE WICKED EVERY DAY.”
GO TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
BECAUSE GOD ALWAYS JUDGES RIGHTLY.
IV. GO TO THE RELIABLE ONE
IV. GO TO THE RELIABLE ONE
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust; Save me from all those who persecute me; And deliver me,
2 Lest they tear me like a lion, Rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
DAVID BEGINS BY RUNNING TO GOD AS REFUGE.
KEY WORD: “TRUST” (CHASAH) – TO SEEK REFUGE OR SHELTER.
DAVID IS SAYING:
GOD IS DEPENDABLE
GOD IS THE SAFEST PLACE
GOD IS THE FIRST PLACE TO RUN
IMAGINE A STORM HITS AND RAIN
BEGINS POURING INTO YOUR HOUSE THROUGH THE ROOF.
YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS.
YOU CAN CALL A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS
A LADDER AND SOME DUCT TAPE…
OR YOU CAN CALL A LICENSED ROOFING CONTRACTOR
WHO ACTUALLY KNOWS HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
IF YOU CALL THE NEIGHBOR,
HE MAY TRY TO HELP,
BUT THE PROBLEM WILL LIKELY REMAIN.
BUT IF YOU CALL THE PROFESSIONAL,
HE HAS THE SKILL, AUTHORITY, AND EXPERIENCE TO FIX IT.
WHEN PEOPLE WRONG US,
MANY TIMES WE CALL THE NEIGHBORHOOD
BEFORE WE CALL THE LORD.
WE CALL:
• FRIENDS
• FAMILY
• GROUP CHATS
• SOCIAL MEDIA
BUT DAVID SAID:
“O LORD MY GOD, IN YOU I PUT MY TRUST.”
HE WENT TO THE RELIABLE ONE.
PEOPLE CAN LISTEN…
PEOPLE CAN AGREE…
PEOPLE CAN SYMPATHIZE…
BUT THEY CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
SYMPATHY IS NOT THE SAME AS SALVATION.
GOD IS RELIABLE BECAUSE:
HE HEARS HIS PEOPLE
HE PROTECTS HIS PEOPLE
HE RESCUES HIS PEOPLE
MY BROTHER AND SISTERS
RUN TO THE LORD.
WHEN YOU ARE WRONGED:
DON’T RUN TO YOUR FRIENDS
RUN TO THE FATHER.
DON’T RUN TO COMRADES
RUN TO CHRIST
DON’T RUN TO MOMMA
RUN TO THE MASTER
I RECOMMEND JESUS
WHEN YOU ARE WRONGED:
GO TO THE RELIABLE ONE
GO TO THE RATIONAL ONE
GO TO THE RESPONSIVE ONE
GO TO THE RIGHTEOUS ONE
