Psalm 67, Let the Nations Be Glad

“Let the Nations Be Glad” , , 2019

We often think of our Christian life very individualistically, in isolation from others. In reality, our God has given us brothers and sisters in Christ for us to worship together and nurture one another in Christ as a witness to the world. Christ’s church enables us to see a larger vision of blessing the nations of this earth from the community of the church. “Lord, bless us to be a blessing . . . that the nations might be glad in Jesus Christ.”

I. The Church’s Purpose: To be a Blessing for the Nations –

A. The nations are languishing in the darkness of sin and ignorance of God’s love in Jesus Christ – ;

1. Yet our God blesses us so that our cup is overflowing

2. is blessing is not to be hoarded for ourselves but utilized for the glory of God

3. The greatest heresy of our generation is that the gospel is primarily for our own personal happiness, success, and health

4. Today the church’s success is often measured by outward signs of prosperity, numbers, and buildings. Sadly, the church has been turned into a business – . False teaching has accelerated as prophesied.

B. God blessed the people of Israel for the sake of the nations

1. Crossing the Jordan River –

2. David’s victory over Goliath –

3. The building of Solomon’s temple –

4. Worship is for the nations –

5. People leave churches because “they aren’t getting anything out of it.”

The question is what do the nations get out of your worship?

II. The Church’s Mission: To Pray and Intercede for the Nations –

A. We pray for joyful disciples not merely converts –

1. Jesus is o be Lord. If He is not Lord, He is not Savior.

2. It is in the church alone we grow to experience the fullness of God –

B. The French Revolution is the pattern that socialism follows to imaginary success

1. A witness to the French Revolution in 1794, five years after it began ending in terror and the worship of the “Supreme Being” (on screen)

III. The Church’s Benefit: Prosperity –

A. Worship of the Savior results in temporal blessing –

1. Fruitful harvest

2. The earth will yield her increase

3. When Christ rules in people’s lives, they are more productive

4. The fruit of the gospel is self-government, self-control, frugalness, industriousness, and God’s favor

5. Rebellion leads to wasted lives and misery

B. Daniel’s challenge to Nebuchadnezzar –

1. God’s provision of curse and blessing is seen in

2. Blessing promised to every nation –

The decision is before us to continue our descent into godlessness, lawlessness, confusion, and cruelty or a revival of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pray for a revival of worship and submission to Christ in our own hearts, our congregation, our community, our nation, and the world. It is the only hope.