The Symphony of God's Word
Notes
Transcript
A. Rapport for the time
What is needed for salvation? It it simple a knowledge of who God and that he exists. Is it a step further and knowing that he not only exists but that he is powerful?
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him.
47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
48 Then the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.
49 Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.
The King was able to recognize the God of Daniel had the power but was never claimed that God would be his God. In fact in chapter 3 nebuchadnezzar builds a golden image of himself.
B. Reading of the text
C. Review of the text
David is pointing us to the God of the universe in this Psalm and reminding us of the intimate relationship that has been provided for us in Christ. I want us to start this morning by evaluating our relationship with the Lord. You don’t have to say anything out-loud but just stop and think about how your relationship is going with the King of King and Lord of Lords.
Do you know him—not just knowledge but saving grace
Is that relationship a daily one? Do you say you have a relationship with him but don’t actually talk with him or read what he has written to you?
Do you live a life of confession and faith daily weekly before him or are you just doing what you want to do and adding God to the equation.
Do you realize just how Good he is and how desperate you are for him this morning?
D. Relevance of the text
As we dive into this Psalm it is a reminder that just as creation declares God’s glory, believers are called to reflect that glory through obedience to His Word. We are to engage with scripture in such a way that it grows us closer to our God and enhances our understanding of His will during this complex life we live.
Harmony of Heaven and Earth: The Symphony of God’s Word
Harmony of Heaven and Earth: The Symphony of God’s Word
I. Creation's Constant Chorus
I. Creation's Constant Chorus
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
The bible begins not by explaining that there is a God. Not by telling us about him and giving us what he is like. Genesis begins by telling us that the one true God is the creator of all that we know and will ever know.
1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
4 And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
Creation tells a story to us as humans that their is a creator of all this marvelous world has to offer.
3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters.
3 He lays the beams of his chambers on the waters; he makes the clouds his chariot; he rides on the wings of the wind;
4 he makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.
The authority comes from God because he is the one that has designed and made everything that is made. It is why we see him in Job not answering Job’s questions but putting him in his place.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
You see humans may say that their is no God. They may say that all things that are made just happened to come together out of just a lucky coincidence. But scripture tells us this world is much more than that.
It is often described as general revelation.
General Revelation—Grudem The knowledge of God’s existence, character, and moral law that comes through creation to all humanity.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
God’s moral demands are written on the hearts of all those that he has created.
32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law.
15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them
Man’s morality itself does not come to us because we are basically good people in need of a little help from our creator. That is the reason general revelation will never save us. General revelation only points us to the one who has the answers and the truth.
This message transcends speech and remains accessible to everyone, inviting us to see God’s eternal power and divine nature reflected in the world around us. You might suggest that recognizing this harmony urges us to live in awe and respect for God’s creation.
T.S.
II. Scripture's Soulful Symphony
II. Scripture's Soulful Symphony
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
Law of the Lord is perfect—Blameless
12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Only God can revive the soul of man.
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Testimony is sure—
—effective, successful in making wise those who are untaught without it
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Precepts are right
Flowing from God’s righteousness, His word infuses joy in a life knowing the bounties of being right with the Source
commandment of the Lord is pure
—Respect for God and His values is clean, in tune with what He is, qualified to abide in Him, and His will endures forever with Him, finding His approval
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
—As God’s words are true, genuinely what men can deem trustworthy and verifiable, they comport completely with what is just and workable. This praiseful assessment may be intended to prepare for a transition into the words’ preciousness.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
How much do we desire the word of God. We know that it is our everything yet we often treat it as though it is just another book.
Special Revelation: God’s word address to specific people, including the words of the Bible.
Engaging with God’s Word empowers us to live faithfully, bearing the fruits of wisdom and joy. Emphasize that just as God’s creation is orderly and intentional, His Word provides a moral and spiritual framework that guides us toward the fullness of life rooted in God’s truth.
III. Spiritual Sanctification Symphony
III. Spiritual Sanctification Symphony
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Vs. 11 Scripture is more than general revelation. The word of God serve as a guide for our hearts as it is the only way that we know about the requirements of the law that we are unable to keep. The word enables us to see just how Holy our God is and how far short we fall from his goodness.
Vs. 12-13 is calling us to live a life of repentance and faith before this perfect God.
Esther–Psalms 19. Two Hymns on God’s Revelation
That such sins were a matter of serious concern for Yahweh’s servants is clear from the space devoted to the ritual for their atonement in
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Different translation
Esther–Psalms 19. Two Hymns on God’s Revelation
May the words of my mouth,
even the very reflection of my mind,
be a delight to your Presence,
Yahweh, my rock and my avenger
MacArthur—Using a term often associated with God’s acceptance of properly offered, literal sacrifices, he asks for grade and enablement as he lays his “Lip-and-life” sacrifices on the “altar”
We are new creatures
15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.
16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good.
17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
The call to let God's Word shape our innermost thoughts and actions might inspire your congregation to pray for discernment, inviting Christ to steer them when their paths seem unclear. This point could anchor the sermon in Christ as the living Word who offers the ultimate path to sanctification and eternal communion with God.
