Ps 119, The Sanctifying, Sufficient, Scriptures

Intro

Lantern

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Passage: Psalm 119:1–16 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”

Psalm 119:33–42 “Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise; then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Transition:

Main Exposition

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Main Point: The Law of the Lord sanctifies the whole heart and life of a believer bringing transformation to broken souls.

Transitional sentence

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Scripture is Sufficient

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

The word Sufficient means “enough” It is the only lamp we need. And it is the only true lamp. No other document is trustworthy like the Bible, no other document is from God

Sufficiency asserts that the biblical text contains everything necessary for Christian faith and practice.

God has given us everything we need to know in His word.

This means that there is no more new revelation or new truth.

Scripture equips believers for righteousness and prepares them to accomplish every good work (2 Tim 3:16–17), establishing a foundation for spiritual maturity and obedience and growth.

What this means is that the Bible is the highest authority in our lives and the most important media you’ll ever consume.

- Its beautiful and wonderful and needs to be treated with love, dignity and care

Transitional sentence

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Scripture brings Conviction

Psalm 119:36–37 “Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.”

When you break open God’s word is brings conviction. It challenges you to live differently.

Conviction means “bringing awareness to our sin” The Holy Spirit convicts the heart of a believer when they sin and often through reading the word.

The Lord has declared in His Word the law, statues and commands. He has declared some things valuable and others worthless.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction when we read the Bible because we see and read with our own eyes what God has declared worthless. Conviction is our hearts becoming aware of what is worthless and what is valuable.

But we as believers do not live in conviction, we are called to move

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Scripture brings Transformation.

Psalm 119:9–11 “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

Once we are made aware of our sin we are called to walk in the law of the Lord.

When you store up God’s word in your heart your actions and desires will become pure.

Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ.

Transformation happens by slow, steady commitment to reading, memorizing, and applying Scripture.

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Anything worth doing requires commitment.

The person who reads their Bible once a week will probably see little change in their life.

If you want to be pure and fight sin, you need to be in the Word.

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Transformation is a choice

Sanctification but you also can’t sit on your hands.

Yes God is changing your desires but You also have to choose to spend time reading your Bible and applying it to your life.

You have the choice to change your life

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Application: Men and Women of God must love Scripture wholeheartedly, walking in the Law of the Lord.

Guard your heart with God’s word

Guard your heart by exercising intentional control over what influences your thoughts and desires.

Sin is crouching at the door so don’t give it an excuse to enter into your heart.

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2. Store up the Lord’s word in your heart

Memorize the Bible

Talk about the Bible

Live it out

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3. Fix your eye’s upon the Word.

Change your perspective. Look away from worthless things and look to the light of life.

Don’t look at your life through the world but through the word.

Every decision you make is a choice, am I going to choose Godliness or self gratification. And I going to establish holy habits or empty praise?

You need to be using the Bible in your decision making and processing because the Bible is sufficient. It is what you need.

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Guard your heart, Store up in your heart the Law of the Lord. And Fix your eyes upon the Word.

Psalm 119:1–13 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.”

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You receive blessing from the Lord when you walk in the Light of His Word.

Main Point: The Law of the Lord sanctifies the whole heart and life of a believer bringing transformation to broken souls.

Scripture is Sufficient

Scripture brings Conviction

Scripture brings Transformation

Application: Men and Women of God must love Scripture wholeheartedly, walking in the Law of the Lord.

Small Group Questions

Tonight we read how Scripture is enough. It is the lamp to our feet and light to our path. Why does the Bible contain everything necessary for Christian faith and practice?

How do we use the Bible as the highest authority in our lives? How is it counter cultural to do so?

What does it mean when Scripture states that it is a 'lamp to our feet and a light to our path'?

In what ways can you make Scripture the highest authority in your life despite societal pressures?

What does the word Conviction mean? Is feeling conviction a good or bad thing?

How does conviction when reading God’s word challenge you to live differently?

Take a moment to read Ps 119:33-42. How does time in Scripture bring transformation? What is Sanctification? Why is transformation also a choice? Why is Transformation slow process?

What are physical actions that reveal our love for the Bible?

Why will a person who reads their Bible once a week probably see little change in their life? Why must we be devoted to reading the Word each day? How daily reading bless our life?

Why do Christians need to memorize many Bible verses?

How do you use the Bible to guard your heart?What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that you are storing up God's Word in your heart?