Qualified To Enter God's Sanctuary
AM I QUALIFIED TO WALK WITH GOD? Psalm 15
INTRODUCTION
Receive official looking envelop in mail. As examine it more closely-see is invitation & return address is Washington, D.C. The little replica-White House in corner catches attention! Carefully open envelop so don’t damage contents. Inside is card with words “you are invited” at top. Before finish reading card, mind forms quest, “What will I wear?” Rest of invitation spells out details. Initial quest comes back, “What will I wear? How does one prepare to spend evening at White House?” That= quest before us this morning, only in different set. How does person prepare to meet with God? Clarify—not for salvat. God accepts most depravd sinner just as is if intent is repent & put faith in Christ. 2 extremes exercisd in past. On one hand, there have been times when the holiness of God has been stressed so powerfully, that the ordinary mortal has felt it impossible to approach God in worship, prayer. On other hand, the open access to God in prayer has sometimes been so stressed that admission to God’s presence becomes thotless & casual matter. Between 2 poles, is proper median: there is indeed access to Holy God in worship, prayer-but it must be employed carefully, not casually, with appropriate preparation & reverence. Ps15 provides guide to such access; it reflects the wisdom, prior to entering the divine presence in worship, of reflecting upon the requirements presupposed of worshiper.
I. WHO IS QUALIFIED TO WALK WITH GOD? v1.
A. Who is the question addressed to?
LORD=Yahweh-4 letters YHWH appear w/t vowels-consider so sacred-Jews insert vowels Adonay-never pronounc. Make determin precise mean difficult. Can agree=God chose it as His personal name by which He related specificaly to chosen covenant peop-relationship God establish=his peop.
B. Why ask the question?
Man intuitively knows-holy God can’t accept presence of unclean humans & from begin time-ask quest-what do I need to do to come into God presence? Micah-differ-same idea: 6:6-8 With what shall I come before the LORD & bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with 1000s of rams, with 10,000 rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgressn, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed U, O man, what is good. & what does the LORD require of U? To act justly & to love mercy & to walk humbly with your God. Appear logical to writers of Script-not everyone qualified be in place of closeness with God. Basically one question stated in two ways.
--dwell in the sanctuary=to live as a stranger, someone who at one time had been citizen of another country but has chosen to take up residence in new location. Sanctuary=tent. Word neutral & depends on context for interpret-eg Ps84:10 Better is one day in your courts than a 1000 elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Fitting to explain it this way as think of God’s sanctuary-at one time we lived outside God house but no longer. Paul fully identifies OT sense of the foreigner adopted into the faith in speak of reconciliat of Gentiles, Jews-Eph 2:13-19 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel & foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope & without God in the world…Christ came & preached peace to you who were far away & peace to those who were near. For thru him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners & aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people & members of God’s household.
--live on your holy hill. Holy hill=another way indicat place-God dwells. Frequent OT refer high places-worship centers Ps 43:3 Send forth your light & your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where U dwell. Ps 87:1 He has set his foundaton on the holy mountain.
God’s Response:
With our NT thinking-jump Acts 16:31-Believe in the Lord Jesus, & you will be saved. That would have created a “Huh?” moment for psalmist, scratching head in confusion as to mean. So God respond in way-understand.
II. GOD’S QUALIFICATIONS TO DWELL IN HIS SANCTUARY v2-5a.
Note-God doesn’t get into “big” sins, knowing that if our charac, attitude correct he won’t have deal with murder, adultery, apostasy. List=issues with which anyone struggle. Nor any refer to extern evid such as sacrif, offerings.
A. Lifestyle v2.
Blameless=conveying the meaning of that which is complete, blameless, just, honest, perfect, peaceful, etc.; hence an attribute or an attitude that reflects genuineness, reliability. Blameless signifies a moral way of life. Not synonymous with “perfect” but with an attitude of the heart desirous of pleasing God. An unclouded relationship between God and the righteous.
Righteous=legal term which involves the whole process of justice. 1998-Jim Carrey star in movie-“The Truman Show”. Movie about “insurance salesman/adjuster who discovers his entire life is actually a TV show.” Every move makes=televised on nat’l TV, from time born until breaks away & goes to Fiji. Audience sees first steps & grad. Aud sees get job & aud sees him realize that whole life on display. What about your life? Is on display. Not every part of it, but many parts seen by those around you. What does it look like to them? What kind person comes to church every week? What you look like to them? Not to say that we make mistakes. Pastor once said: “If I’ve never disappointed you, just wait around a little bit—I will sooner or later.” All make mistakes. But, not talking about mistakes make as grow thru life—talk about consistent reputation. Does it represent qualities of Xian? You blameless? Will Rogers, actor, writer, speaker (1879–1935) Live so that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.
B. Speech v3.
1. What he says will be constructive - v2c-3a
-truth
Person of truth deeply imbedded in heart. Pr4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Person speaks truth. Scottish poet, Sir Walter Scott wrote epic poem about battle fought in 1500s. In this poem we find one of the most famous lines in all of literature:
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive!
If truth isn’t in hearts-certainly won’t be evident in words, action. New York Times-4-27-07; Marilee Jones, dean admiss-MassInTech(MIT), recently resigned after admit résumé submitted 28 years ago for entry level posit in admiss dpt-filled with lies. As far as school knew, Ms. Jones had attended & grad Albany Med Coll, Union Coll & Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst—3 well-respect schools-NY. Rensselaer is only institution to have any record of ever being there—& only as p-t student for just one school year! "I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago & did not have the courage to correct my résumé when I applied for my current job or at any time since," Ms. Jones-statement post on MIT's website. "I am deeply sorry for this & for disappointing so many in the MIT community & beyond who supported me, believed in me, & who have given me extraordinary opportunities." Since Ms. Jones took position of dean of admissions in 1997, she has widely been considered guru in field. In fact, written number of books, including Less Stress, More Success, where writes: "Holding integrity is sometimes very hard to do because the temptation may be to cheat or cut corners. But just remember that 'what goes around comes around,' meaning that life has a funny way of giving back what you put out."
-no slander
To slander-spy—slander, like spying is stealthy, hidden. Contrary to person-Isa29:13 The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth & honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.
Will think of how can encourage rather than discour-Eph4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Young boy coercd dad into bedroom-play game darts. Dad tired, reluctant, yet force self, plop down on bed, & watched as son took careful aim & let fly, dart after dart. After several mins, dad, "Son, when I get to throw darts?" Young guy shot back, "Oh, dad, that’s not how like do it. I’m suppose throw darts & you’re suppos say ’Wonderful!’
2. What he says will be considerate - v. 3b
-treats neighbor well.
Person qualified walk with God also treats neighbors well. Neigh= person with whom one associates regularly, casually w/t establishng close relations. When Daniel Webster want give person the impress-rememb him, but could not recall his name or where had met before, would ask, “Well, how is old complaint?” & 9X out of 10 this work. Person begin to unfold some grievance that had discussed with Mr. Webster on former occasion, & thereby identify self. Same time-qualified godly person no put down friend, put him to low status, honor. Pr10:19-20 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. Pr12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Psalmist gone from neigh to fellowman -someone who is near, close to you. How easily tongues can destroy others, often ones love most. From personal exper I know how this happens! Let me explore little more this morn--do for my sake. Negat talk= prevalent in society. Don’t need to watch TV program very long before hear string of profanities & lash out at others. Come to place where think this is natural & okay cuz “everyone is doing it.” This message difficult for me to prepare cuz just recently found self doing very thing-warn against! Jas 3:5-6 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, & is itself set on fire by hell. Include in this=also tone voice used to speak to someone. Men, listen up-not sign of manhood to verbal beat up on wife, belittle! For unmarried-just as important for you to treat others with respect, honor. Remem kid’s rhyme: sticks & stones may break my bones, but names or words will never hurt me. Even as child, no really believe. We mouthed those words as a defense against the stinging, spiteful words—especially when the words dug deep, carving a gaping wound upon our hearts. Not only men use tongue as weapon —women. Needs to stop. Ruining our homes & ruining church. Some time ago preach message-Jos7 entitled Sin in the Camp. Israelites were defeat at Ai cuz Achan took some of loot from Jericho that God said was be totally destroy. Was sin of Achan-brot about devastat defeat-sin in camp. Dr. Grace Ketterman-Careless words & spiteful insults are so lethal in a marriage because of the very intimacy of the relationship. Opening oneself fully to the love of another also means being vulnerable to deep pain. & living with another human being day in & day out leaves no lack of opportunities to see the shortcomings of one’s partner. We especially need God’s grace to resist the ever-present temptatn to lash out in verbal abuse.
-He will refuse to participate in gossip.
Gordon MacDonald, sermon "Feeling As God Feels, story: One time, 20 or so years ago, in Japan on speaking tour with close personal friend. He was number of years older than I was. As walk down strt in Yokohama, Japan, name of common friend came up, & I said something unkind about that person. Was sarcastic, cynical. Was put-down. My older friend stopped, turned & faced me until face right in front of mine. With deep, slow words, "Gordon, a man who says he loves God would not say a thing like that about a friend." Could have put knife into ribs, & pain not have been any less. Did what prophet does. But know something? Have been 10,000X in last 20 years that been saved from making jerk of self. When been tempted to say something unkind about bro or sis, I hear friend's voice, "Gordon, a man who says he loves God would not speak in such a way about a friend." Ro1:28-31 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed & depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit & malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant & boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Before pass on any info, ask follow 3 quest: 1. Is it true? 2. Is it needful? 3. Is it kind?
C. Character v4.
1. Relations with the evil people and God-fearers.
Living Xian life requires discriminate. Able to distinguish between right & wrong, good & evil is one of NB aspects of be qualifid to dwell in sanctuary of God. Evil ones those to be despised-vile=pertaining to one for which another has feelings of aversion. Not matter of race or social standing but rather because of fact-this person has chosen to reject God & live contrary Word. Is5:20 Woe to those who call evil good & good evil, who put darkness for light & light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet & sweet for bitter. Is32:6 For the fool speaks folly, his mind is busy with evil: He practices ungodliness & spreads error concerning the LORD; the hungry he leaves empty & from the thirsty he withholds water.
Honor-to be heavy, weighty-someone who carries lot of weight in figurat sense. Simply living as God would have us live-he despises vile people & honors ones who fear him. Doesn’t mean go around with visible contempt for ungodly, but minimize contact. Likely refer to avoid ones who live evil lives & seek companionship & posit attit of God-fear people.
2. Person of his/her word.
There’s more to integrity-keeps oath. Person of word. When person makes commitment you can take it to bank because will deliver! This integrity isn’t w/t its costs-circumstances have way of changing & find that commit made is going to be big time loser! Person qualified-walk with God=someone who says, I gave you my word. No matter what will cost, will keep my commit. Lev5:2 Or if a person thotlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil—in any matter one might carelessly swear about—even tho he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty. Making vow in ignorance, in hurray no excuse for not fulfill. Pr20:25 It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly & only later to consider his vows. Book Lessons from a Father to His Sons, Senator John Ashcroft: Until 1997 Michael Jordan, indisputably leading player in NBA for over decade, was never highest paid player. When asked why did not do what so many other players do—hold out on their contracts until get more $—Michael, "I have always honored my word. I went for security. I had 6-year contracts, & I always honored them. People said I was underpaid, but when signed on dotted line, gave my word." 3 years later, after several highly visible players reneged on their contracts, reporter ask Michael once again about being underpaid, & he explained that if kids saw dad breaking promise, how could he continue training them to keep their word? By not asking for contract renegotiation, Michael Jordan spoke volumes to his kids. Told them, "U stand by your word, even when that might go against you." His silence became roar.
D. Fiscal responsibility v5a.
1. Generosity.
One final thot from psalmist-generosity qualifies person-come to God. Lending without requiring repayment with interest=godly way to handle our money. Notice-isn’t giving money away that=commended here, altho indicat in other Script; is lending w/t interest. NIV translates-usury believing that context suggests unhealthy, ungodly collection of excessive interest. Usury= put the bite on someone. When person comes for loan, there=crisis & God is concerned we not take advantage of someone in need. If need borrow money to cover expenses, go into debt--interest rate high, ancient Near East as much as 50%--never get out of debt. Ex22:25 If U lend money to one of my people among U who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. When Jesus threw moneychangers out temple-did so not because exchanging money, sell animals-did it because of location & money making had become. To extend loan to foreigner-charge interest allowed provided rate no excess. Law no prohibit receive equitabl compens.
2. Not accepting a bribe.
Another aspect of fiscal responsibility=impartiality with money. Person qualified to walk with God not accept money so that power can be used against innocent. Often poor were also cast into court & taken advantage of by well-to-do, who could easily afford to pay bribe to thwart justice. De10;14-17 To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth & everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers & loved them, & he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, & do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods & Lord of lords, the great God, mighty & awesome, who shows no partiality & accepts no bribes. These verses clearly show the theological grounding of Israel’s conviction that the powerful should never let bribery influence the execution of justice. One who can be turned aside by a bribe has material gain as a higher priority than God. That person ignores God’s own priorities—justice, righteousness, mercy, & concern for the disadvantaged & helpless.
III. A PERSON WHO WALKS WITH GOD IS SECURE v5b.
When psalmist finished list he was impressed. Person has eternal, shake-proof foundation-will never be shaken! Pro10:30 The righteous will never be uprooted. Wicked don’t have that security-Ps37:35-36 I have seen a wicked & ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil, but he soon passed away & was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found. Little wonder that Isaiah denounces his listeners & derides the idolaters as mocks their idols. Isaiah focuses on absurdity of such idols, which need to be fastened with nails in order that they not totter or fall over-41:7 The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, & he who smooths with the hammer spurs on him who strikes the anvil. He says of the welding, “It is good.” He nails down the idol so it will not topple. While this follows close to the financial qualific-believe apply to entire list-person who distinguish self in such ways will have sure foundation. Doesn’t mean there won’t ever be any uncertainties in life. The promise does not merely concern itself with security or freedom from troubl, oppresson, the like. Indeed, the righteous very often were “shaken” (cf. Ps 13:5) in a literal sense, to the rejoicing of enemies. Promise pertains to more fundamental stability, indicated in opening verse: “Who may reside in your tent?” (v 1). Answer: righteous person (vv 2–5b), & come what may, he would not be shaken from that residence in divine presence. From human perspective, psalmists were constantly shaken by their exper of human oppression & the fluctuations of life, & so they issued their laments; but the only possibility of transforming lament into confidence or praise lay in the fact that there was an unshaken position transcending the changes of a shaken & uncertain life. That position was in the presence of God, whether in public worship or private devotion.
APPLICATION
You now have an assessment tool by which to determine your readiness to come before God. How do you measure up?
How is your lifestyle? Your speech? Your character? Your fiscal responsibility?
I lived for a time with my friend and mentor John MacMurray, where the first rule is to always tell the truth. John and I were sitting in the family room one night when he asked about my new cell phone.
"I got it free," I told him.
"How did you get it for free?" he asked.
"Well, my other one broke, so I took it in to see if they could replace it. They had this new computer system at the store and they didn't have their records. They didn't know whether mine was still under warranty. It wasn't, I knew, because it was more than a year old. The guy asked me about it, and I told him I didn't know, but it was right around a year. Just a white lie, you know. Anyway, the phone was so messed up they replaced it with a newer model. So, I got a free phone."
"Did you ever see that movie The Family Man with Nicolas Cage?" John asked. "There's this scene where Nicolas Cage walks into a store to get a cup of coffee. And Don Cheadle plays the guy working at the counter. There's a girl in line before Nicolas Cage, and she's buying something for ninety-nine cents, and she hands Cheadle a dollar. Cheadle takes nine dollars out of the till and counts it out, giving her way too much change. She sees that he is handing her way too much money, yet she picks it up and puts it in her pocket without saying a word. As she is walking out the door, Cheadle stops her to give her another chance. He asks her if there is anything else she needs. She shakes her head no and walks out."
"I see what you're getting at, John," I say.
"Let me finish," he says. "So Cheadle looks over at Nicolas Cage, and he says, 'Did you see that? She was willing to sell her character for nine dollars. Nine dollars!'"
After a little while, I spoke up. "Do you think that is what I am doing with the phone? Do you think I am selling my character?" And to be honest, I said this with a smirk.
"I do," John said. "The Bible talks about having a calloused heart. That's when sin, after a period of time, has so deceived us we no longer care whether our thoughts and actions are right or wrong. Our hearts will go there easily, and often over what looks like little things—little white lies. All I am saying to you, as your friend, is, watch for this kind of thing."
I went back to the store the next day. It cost me more than nine dollars, but I got my character back.
—Reprinted from the Catalyst GroupZine Volume 2: The Culture Issue. Copyright © 2006. Used by permission of INJOY & Thomas Nelson Publishers. This article is originally adapted fromTo Own a Dragon© 2006 by Donald Miller and John MacMurray. Used by permission of NavPress—www.navpress.com. All rights reserved.
Psalm 11:3 When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do ?”.
On Tuesday, man came into my office very agitated. He lived in McCullum Lake but needed to be at the courthouse in Woodstock by 9:00 for a court appearance. It was now about 10 to 9. He gave me his story about how he overslept, had no vehicle and now it looked like he was going to miss his appointment. Needless to say, that would create all kinds of other problems. So he wanted to know if there was any way I could give him a ride to Woodstock. After asking a few questions do I could do some thinking and praying, I agreed. He continued his story for a while telling me how he was only looking for some quiet place where he could be in peace. Was I set up? I don’t know but I shared with him how he could find true peace. He said, “I wondered how long it would take.” He readily acknowledged that he was a sinner but had little interest in pursuing our conversation about spiritual matters. I gave him the NT I carry with me in the car.
I welcome news of the sins of others because it makes my sins appear more normal. Misery loves company.
Although William Randolph Hearst’s income ran as high as $15 million a year, friends found him constantly broke, unable to pay a bill of $50 or $100. James Gordon Bennett, one-time publisher of the New York Herald, spent $30 to $40 million on any whim & impulse that struck him—business, pleasure, relationships. Obviously, if these men ever possessed financial discrimination, they silenced it long before adulthood. We need to discriminate, to develop a filtration system in our lives that separates virtue from vice, the unnecessary from the needed, the possible from the unlikely, good ideas from bad, and best ideas from the better. Without that system, a chaos of ideas, hopes, and dreams will glut our mind and soul—leaving us at the mercy of our urges.
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cf. confer, compare