Great Peace

Max Fernandez

Psalm 119, the Word of God • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Psalm 119:161–176

The Bible

Word of God

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Introduction:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Prayer Stools

Awe of God’s Word is a main element in that love of God’s law which brings great peace. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon

(1) Where does true peace begin?

(2) How can I have great peace?

(3) Is faithless anxiety alright for the Christian?

(4) Is peace just a personal matter?

What is the passage saying?

The servant is expressing the fruit of peace for those who are lovingly devoted to the law.

The servant is expressing his petition and confession to the ultimate Shepherd.

The servant is expressing the greatness of the law through complete devotion (, ) to the law and through humble petition of the ultimate Shepherd.

Psalm 119:161 KJV 1900

SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: But my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Psalm 119:176 KJV 1900

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; For I do not forget thy commandments.

How is the passage saying this?

(1) The servant expresses devotion to the law in the midst of persecution ()

(a) he is devoted:

though the persecution is from leaders (v. 161),

though he is embattled (v. 162),

though it is verbal (v. 163).

(b.) he is devoted with complete praise (utmost) (v. 164)

(c.) his devotion has is one of love: (v. 165)

a love for the law that leads to hope for salvation (v. 166)

a love for the law that is expressed in obedience (v. 167-168)

(2) The servant expresses humble petition to the Ultimate Shepherd ()

his petition is personal (v. 169-170)

his petition is confessional (v. 171-172)

his petition is hopeful (v. 173-174)

his petition is purposeful (v. 175-176)

What does the passage mean?

Great peace of heart is only for those who love the law and deliverance is only for those who hope in the LORD.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations The Stranger

My parents were complementary instructors—Mom taught me to love the word of God, and Dad taught me to obey it.

Why does this meaning matter?

People are frantically searching for peace of heart and deliverance from trouble.

(1) Government

Many people are hoping that the government passes a stimulus package.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3547 World’s Richest Grandpa

At the age of 81, Paul Getty is the head of a family which has become disunited and which has been severely tried by accidents and catastrophes. His millions have bought him neither peace nor tranquility of mind. He once said that there are a lot of things that money cannot buy. It could not buy health, nor affection, nor a good digestion nor a long life, he said.

(2) Employment

Others are hoping that they have a job.

(3) Entertainment

Still others have placed their home in increasing sinful pleasures.

Point:

The Lord is the only true source of peace and deliverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 KJV 1900

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

But how do we experience this peace? How do we experience this deliverance?

(1) love the law ()

(2) be sought of the Shepherd ()

Illustration:

When I was in college, there was one person who I wanted desperately to pay attention to me. I would write her letters and leave them for her. The difference here is...

Even the LORD’S chosen people Israel could not love the law perfectly and confirms that even God’s people did not seek after God.

Psalm 14:1–3 KJV 1900

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, There is none that doeth good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: There is none that doeth good, no, not one.

So, if peace comes by way of loving the law and seeking the Lord to seek us, then we TODAY might consider ourselves to be at a loss.

The law is tremendously valuable, and treating the law as if it is valuable means LOVING THE LAW AND OBEYING THE LAW.

So, if peace comes by way of loving the law and seeking the Lord to seek us, then we TODAY might consider ourselves to be at a loss. Who would dare claim that we love the law enough and we seek God enough?

Who would dare claim that we love the law enough and we seek God enough?

How does this meaning find fulfillment in Jesus Christ?

The greatness of the law is manifested when the Prince of Peace () comes.

Isaiah 9:6 KJV 1900

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: And the government shall be upon his shoulder: And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The greatness of the law is manifested when the Good Shepherd () himself comes.

John 10:11 KJV 1900

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

The greatness of the law is manifested when the LORD fulfills the law perfectly ().

Matthew 5:17 KJV 1900

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

The wonder is that when we could not seek after God, he came seeking after us ().

Luke 19:10 KJV 1900

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

If life is found in the keeping of the law, then we are dead and lost; but if Jesus kept the law, then life is found in Him ().

Psalm 119:175a KJV 1900

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thy judgments help me.

But why has the Ultimate Servant come? Why has the Ultimate Shepherd come?

How does Christ’s work cause me to submit to this meaning?

The Shepherd has come so that He might have sheep who follow and obey Him for His praise (),

Psalm 119:175 KJV 1900

Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; And let thy judgments help me.

Ephesians 1:10–14 KJV 1900

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Illustration:

When we were growing up, we used to play a game called “Red Rover, Red Rover”. Breaking through the enemy lines meant we could then take back one of the broken links to our team…This is what Jesus did when He left Heaven. He broke through enemy lines by Keeping the Perfect Rule and now He has made peace with former enemies and He allows them to enjoy perpetual peace in His Kingdom.

Practically:

(1) Where does true peace begin?

(1) True peace begins when you are saved.

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

(2) How can I have great peace?

(2) Christians, peace is the fruit of God’s Spirit within you. Walk in submission to the Spirit’s Word.

Galatians 5:22 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

(3) Is faithless anxiety alright for the Christian?

(3) Christians, peace is experienced as we obey

Philippians 4:6 KJV 1900

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 4583 Her Husband Was on the “Titanic”

4583 Her Husband Was On The “Titanic”

One Sunday night in April 1912, an American woman was very weary, yet could not sleep because of an oppression of fear. At last she felt a burden of prayer, and with tremendous earnestness began to pray for her husband then in mid-Atlantic, homeward-bound on the Titanic. As the hours went by she could get no assurance, and kept on praying in an agony, until about five o’clock in the morning when a great peace possessed her, and she slept.

Meanwhile her husband, Colonel Gracie, was among the doomed hundreds who were trying frantically to launch the lifeboats from the great ship whose vitals had been torn out by an iceberg. He had given up all hope of being saved himself, and was doing his best to help the women and children. He wished that he could get a last message through to his wife, and cried from his heart, “Good-by, my darling.” Then as the ship plunged to her watery grave, he was sucked down in the giant whirlpool. Instinctively he began to swim under water, ice-cold as it was, crying in his heart.

Suddenly he came to the surface and found himself near an overturned lifeboat. Along with several others he climbed aboard, and was picked up by another lifeboat, about five in the morning, the very time that peace came to his praying wife! Supplication! The prayer that will not take No for an answer, that storms the battlements of Heaven, and brings confusion and defeat to all the powers of hell, even death itself!

—Christian Observer