It's Not About Me
Notes
Transcript
About Me:
Shannon, Lorelai, & LyzaBeth
Who/What I was...
What God did...moment of Truth...
What He continues to do...
Segue...
Read Psalm 115:1-3.
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
We read only a few verses to begin with this morning...partially because these are the most commonly quoted verses in the Psalm.
Many politicians and famous men have quoted these verses over the years… but one of the most famous would be William Wilberforce.
Wilberforce is quoted as going home, after parliament voted to abolish slavery, and meditating on Psalm 115:1.
We might consider his thoughts about the great work of God in the midst of this change. Often men take credit for the work of God in our midst.
Let’s consider what these Words would mean if the church would hold fast to them in the midst of all we face.
So let’s look at our first idea from the text:
If You Are Alive, Glorify His Name
If You Are Alive, Glorify His Name
Be mindful of the fact that our first main point begins with the words: “If you are alive...”
Look with me at verses 16 -18
16 The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the Lord, nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the Lord!
There are two concepts to remember from verse 17-18...The alive praise and the dead do not.
Come in close to vs. 17...the dead have silence
And vs. 18, the Psalmist fleshing out what he has just taught exclaims, Praise the Lord!
The preacher/teacher does not exhort others only, but fleshes out what he communicates.
Let’s be mindful of vs. 16… “the heavens are the Lord’s heavens”
They are not our heavens...they are His
The earth has been given to the children...
So let’s not miss the fact that they are His and we are His.
Considering...there should be a response.
Consider the Lord’s prayer… over in Matthew 6… “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name” “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done...”
Do you notice the Lord Jesus, when teaching His disciples to pray...taught them to exalt the Father...to recognise His position, to honor His place...to desire His purpose/will.
Does this sound kind of counter cultural in our modern world?
Does this tend to point us to a bit of wonder and maybe even consternation?
Our world says get all you can while you can...seek position/power/prestige...God says lay it all aside and trust me.
Look back now at our opening verse:
1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
Look at the repetition to start the text...
Be mindful when the Word repeats itself...it is call to pay special attention.
The Psalmist is exclaiming… “It’s not about me...It’s not about we...”
“IT’S ABOUT THE LORD!”
“If you are alive, glorify His name!”
I wish i could hover here for a couple of weeks...this Psalm could be preached in a 6-10 week series.
For the sake of time let’s move forward.
IF YOU ARE ALIVE, GLORIFY HIS NAME...
Secondly,...
They Can’t, We Can’t, But He Can
They Can’t, We Can’t, But He Can
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
These two verses set the stage for a question: “in whom are the people trusting?”
The Psalmist may have had Sennacherib in 2 Kings 18:35 in mind when he wrote vs. 2.
35 Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’ ”
This statement goes well beyond arrogance and fully leaps to hubris.
The Psalmist states:
2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?”
This Psalm may have been much later...even after the return from Babylonian exile...but still the thought remains… The thought might even come to mind amongst some of the false “word of faith/prosperity gospel teaching” teaching today.
Let’s be mindful of the Psalmist’s answer in vs. 3
3 Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.
The Psalmist gives the location and the position of God on such statements.
He is in the heavens and does what He wills.
The Psalmist proceeds to unpack the issue for the world...and sometimes even the “people of God”.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
So if we cannot trust in the idols we create...who/what do we trust?
9 O Israel, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He is their help and their shield.
Thirdly...
Why Do We Praise...
Why Do We Praise...
12 The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron;
13 he will bless those who fear the Lord, both the small and the great.
14 May the Lord give you increase, you and your children!
15 May you be blessed by the Lord, who made heaven and earth!
We praise because of Grace...
We praise because His blessing is of no respect of person: small, great, young and old, corporate and the leadership.
We praise because He is Worthy!
Walking Away, But In...
Walking Away, But In...
Acknowledge His Position.
Trust in His Capacity.
Walk in His Blessing.
