Study for the Life of the World
For the Life of the World • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes! 13 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. 19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times. 21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments. 22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies. 23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.
Rev. James W. C. Pennington was born into slavery on the eastern shore of Maryland in 1807. He was able to escape from slavery as a young man. He writes about the ills of slavery, his harrowing escape from it and other aspects of his younger life in his 1849 autobiography. Here’s the title of Rev. Pennington’s autobiography:
The Fugitive Blacksmith; or, Events in the History of James W. C. Pennington, Pastor of a Presbyterian Church, New York, Formerly a Slave in the State of Maryland, United States.
How about that for a book title? I consider Rev. Pennington one of my Black Presbyterian fathers. Not only was he a minister, but before and after he was licensed to preach, he taught in schools for Black children in New Haven and Hartford, CT.
Here’s why I bring up Rev. Pennington’s story. He became the first African American to take classes at Yale University; Yale Divinity School to be exact. A few years ago a classroom at the Divinity School was named in his honor. Now, when I say he “attended” Yale Divinity School, the word attended is in quotation marks. He applied for admission but was not accepted into the school as a regular student.
He was allowed to sit in and audit the classes, but he was prohibited from asking questions or speaking at all during lectures. He was also not permitted to take books out of the library. So, he “attended,” but was hindered along the way and prohibited from earning a degree.
Why would he do that? Why would he subject himself to the indignity of that experience? There aren’t many of his sermons that were published, but one writer says of his sermons that “he made few concessions to limited vocabularies or drowsy minds.” Pennington writes in his autobiography of the painful process of mental and verbal emancipation,
It cost me two years hard labor after I fled, to unshackle my mind; it was three years before I had purged my mind of slavery’s idioms; it was four years before I had thrown off the crouching aspect of slavery.
This isn’t about proper diction. This is about the fact that Pennington was striving to raise the cultural level of his people. In other words, he endured the indignity of studying as an auditor, unable to speak or interact in class, because the focal point of his study wasn’t himself. His focal point was those whose lives he wanted to impact and improve. You could say that he was studying for the life of his world.
You see as we turn our attention to this discipline of studying the Scriptures, God’s word, it’s not just about our personal life or walk with God as individuals. It certainly is about that, but if we think about studying the Bible like we think about studying in school to get a good grade, we’re missing a key and fundamental perspective that runs through the Bible. The Lord always has his eyes on blessing his world for his glory and our good. There is the goal of our study; the glory of God and the good of his world.
What does it mean to be students of the Bible? I want to share three things from this passage. It’s a way out. It’s a way in. And it’s a way forward.
A Way Out
A Way Out
is the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s an acrostic psalm. That is, the structure of the psalm follows the Hebrew alphabet. Each stanza of the poem has eight lines. The first eight lines of the poem begin with the first letter of the alphabet. The second eight begin with the second letter, and so on. Each stanza is itself a prayer. Our 24 verses takes us through the first three letters of the alphabet. Here’s what I’m saying. It takes some creativity to compose a poem like this. When the psalmist poured his creative energies and genius into composing this acrostic masterpiece, what animated him? What was his motivation? It was the word of God. Pastor Russ started out our series a couple of weeks ago in ; Meditation for the life of the world. You remember how that Psalm begins? Indeed, how the whole book of psalms begins?
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
Then the psalmist says in v2 of ,
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.
is like an exponential expansion of . The blessed person’s delight is in the word of God. Why is the blessed person’s delight in the word of God? Because in God’s word we find the way out! We find the way out of sin and shame!
Over and over and over again the psalmist speaks to the liberty that God’s word has given him. He says,
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!
This
This blessing is liberty. In keeping God’s statutes and following his commandments, the psalmist says in v.6, “I shall not be put to shame.”
How can a young person keep their way pure, he asks in v. 9? By guarding their way according to God’s word. He says in v. 11,
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
There isn’t one of us in here who doesn’t know what it’s like to feel shame. We know what it’s like to experience that feeling of distress, humiliation, pain because we’ve done or wrong. We are conscious of wrongdoing in ourselves and others. What is the way out of the condemnation that comes with our shameful and sinful ways? It’s the word of God!
(Brian Spivey’s story…)
Brian was giving me a testimony of the truth we heard in our Scripture reading from ,
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. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Look at some of the descriptions of the person submitted to God’s word in this passage. Blameless in v. 1. Those who do no wrong in v. 3. An upright heart in v. 7. Purity in v. 9. These descriptions serve as counters to the sin and shame that we so desperately need to be free of. The way out is the way of liberty and that freedom comes in and through God’s commands. Freedom doesn’t come from being released from God’s commands. It’s found in submitting to God’s commands.
Look at some of the descriptions of the person submitted to God’s word in this passage. Blameless in v. 1. Those who do no wrong in v. 3. An upright heart in v. 7. Purity in v. 9. These descriptions serve as counters to the sin and shame that we so desperately need to be free of. The way out is the way of liberty and that freedom comes in and through God’s commands. Freedom doesn’t come from being released from God’s commands. It’s found in submitting to God’s commands.
Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary a. Liberation
Two elements of this freedom are, first, the breaking of sin’s ‘dominion’ as one’s steps are steadied by the word (133), and secondly the mind-stretching encounter with a greater wisdom and vision than one’s own.
Hebrews 4.
The Way In
The Way In
Derek Kidner is right to say that the word of God provides a breaking of sin’s dominion over us by steadying our steps. But the mind-stretching encounter with the word of God also provides us with a greater wisdom and vision than our own because it’s not only a way out of our sin and shame, it’s a way in to God’s heart and mind.
We’re talking about studying the word of God for the life of the world. Well, look at all of the words the psalmist uses to describe the Word of God.
V. 1, the law of the Lord. V. 2, his testimonies. V. 3, his ways. V.4, his precepts. V. 5, his statutes. V.6, his commandments. V.7, his righteous rules. V.9, his word. V.11, his word (different Hebrew word). V.15, his ways (different Hebrew word than v. 3).
The word of God is the way in to the mind and heart of God. Here’s the deal, says that no creature is hidden from God’s sight. We are all naked and exposed to the one to whom we must all give account! Well, here’s the mind-blowing reality. God has exposed himself to us as well. We don’t have to grope around in the dark, wondering what God’s heart and desires are. He has revealed himself to us in his word. You and I don’t have to play guessing games when it comes to God and his will.
There is a reason why the Bible is called special revelation. You and I are not going to get a grasp of God’s law, his testimonies, his ways, his precepts, his statutes, commandments, and righteous rules apart from God gifting us with special revelation from his own mouth. You and I are going to be in bad shape if what we attempt to learn about God simply comes from studying and observing other people. You and I are going to be in bad shape if what we attempt to learn about God simply comes from studying nature. We need wisdom from above; wisdom that doesn’t simply come from creatures or creation. Wisdom that comes from the Creator himself.
And the way into God’s heart requires a certain position. I come to it as a learner. That means I come to it in humility. I come to it expecting the Spirit of God to instruct me. I don’t stand over the Word. The Word stands over me. Do you hear that positioning of himself under God’s word from the psalmist’s pleas?
5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
I come to it as a learner. That means I come to it in humility. I come to it expecting the Spirit of God to instruct me. I don’t stand over the Word. The Word stands over me.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.
10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!
PS119.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
PS110.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
PS119.
We come as those needing instruction. And the different words that the psalmist uses to describe God’s word are like facets of a diamond. The word of God as law speaks to the fact that we’re called to obedience. The word of God as testimony speaks to God’s faithfulness. The word of God as precept speaks to the way he regulates our behavior. The word of God as statute speaks to its permanence. The grass withers and the flower fades, Isaiah says, but the word of our God will stand forever (). The word of God as commandments speaks to his right and authority to give orders. The word of God as righteous rules or judgements speaks to him as the all-wise judge of our dealings with him and with each other. When the psalmist simply calls God’s word, the word, we are being tuned in to the fact that God himself is speaking. We are hearing his voice. Lastly, when we hear the psalmist refer to God’s ways, when he says, “I will fix my eyes on your ways,” he knows that the Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works (). And he wants God’s ways to influence his ways.
The different words that the psalmist uses to describe God’s word are like facets of a diamond. The word of God as law speaks to the fact that we’re called to obedience. The word of God as testimony speaks to God’s faithfulness. The word of God as precept speaks to the way he regulates our behavior. The word of God as statute speaks to its permanence. The grass withers and the flower fades, Isaiah says, but the word of our God will stand forever (). The word of God as commandments speaks to his right and authority to give orders. The word of God as righteous rules or judgements speaks to him as the all-wise judge of our dealings with him and with each other. When the psalmist simply calls God’s word, the word, we are being tuned in to the fact that God himself is speaking. We are hearing his voice. Lastly, when we hear the psalmist refer to God’s ways, when he says, “I will fix my eyes on your ways,” he knows that the Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works (). And he wants God’s ways to influence his ways.
Is there any wonder then, that when the apostle Paul wants to leave pastoral instructions for his young protege, Timothy, he says to him in 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2TI
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2TI3.1
Furthermore, is there any wonder that John says to us in his gospel that Jesus is the incarnate Word? That the Word became flesh and dwelt among us? In other words, if you want to know the way in to God’s heart you’ve got to go through Jesus.
What does obedience to God’s law look like? Look at Jesus. How do we pursue obedience to God? Look to Jesus.
Where do we see the ultimate testimony of God’s faithfulness? Look at Jesus. How do we pursue faithfulness to God ourselves? Look to Jesus. On on and on it goes. The precepts, the statutes, the commandments, the ways of God; you want to see it in action? Look at Jesus. Do you want to pursue it yourself? Look to Jesus!
He is the revelation of God’s heart to us. And he is the one through whom our hearts get intimately connected with God’s heart to follow him in all of his ways.
The Way Forward
The Way Forward
You see, this is the way forward. The study of God’s word shows us the way out of sin and shame. The study of God’s word shows us the way in to God’s heart. The study of God’s word shows us the way forward to love of neighbor.
Let me point out a couple of things here. When the psalmist says
in vv. 1 and 3, Blessed are those whose way is blameless and blessed are those who also do no wrong, he’s not simply talking about being blameless before God. He’s also talking about being blameless before others. Doing no wrong doesn’t simply mean wronging God. It has the sense of wronging someone else. Its focal point is how we live before others, and engage others, and treat others. We miss it if we think this is just about personal piety and keeping myself unstained by the world.
All of these things he’s praying and declaring are related to the life of the world. They are related to living with and before others.
Walking in God’s ways, keeping God’s precepts diligently, fixing his eyes on God’s commandments, learning God’s just judgments, guarding his way according to God’s word, declaring the rules of God’s mouth, delighting in God’s statutes, refusing to forget God’s word, these commitments are about how we live in the world before one another.
We can’t walk in God’s ways before anyone if we’re not delving into God’s word. We can’t declare God’s justice to anyone if we’re not learning his righteous rules from his word.
In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 2:41ff, Luke tells us that when Jesus was 12 years old his family went up to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast, like they did every year. And after the feast ended, they began their journey back, but 12 year old Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents thought that he was with their group, but with relatives and acquaintances. They went a whole day without realizing that he wasn’t with them. They frantically return to Jerusalem looking for him. Luke says that after three days they found him in the temple. What was he doing? He was sitting among the teachers listening to them and asking them questions. And Luke tells us in v. 47,
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.
Even his parents were astonished.
48 And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
What does Jesus say?
49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
At a young age Jesus understood who he was. But, listen, the picture is of him sitting and listening to the teachers, learning, even as the Son of God how to apply the word of God for a life of obedience to God’s ways. His declaration, “did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house,” included his commitment to study and grow in his knowledge of God’s will for the sake of God’s world. He knew the formative impact of God’s word and its necessity for faithfulness. And faithfulness for him was literally for the life of the world. Faithfulness for him meant the cross. Faithfulness for Jesus meant obedience to his role as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
How does Jesus reply to Satan when he’s tempted in the wilderness? Jesus responds to each temptation with the words, “It is written.” He has a grasp of the Scriptures that prepared him for his testing in the wilderness.
Faithfulness to study of God’s word and the following of God’s ways equipped him for that night in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed,
42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
How do you think he became equipped to be able to say, at the moment the trial was most intense, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done”? He understood God’s will from God’s word.
Studying for the life of the world isn’t about being able to quote Bible verses to people. It’s about learning and growing in our ability to apply God’s word to all aspects of life. Jesus’ firm grasp of the word of God was for the life of the world. And, make no mistake about it, through faith in him we are called to the same; a deepening growth in the study of God’s word for the blessing, good, and life of God’s world.