140-99 Helping the Next Generation
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Psalm 145
Psalm 145
Today we celebrate Mother’s Day (hope you’re able to join us for lunch).
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3198 Mother Charges Nothing
3198 Mother Charges Nothing
A mother found under her place one morning at breakfast a bill made out by her small son, Bradley, aged eight—Mother owes Bradley: for running errands, 25 cents; for being good, 10 cents; for taking music lessons, 15 cents; for extras, 5 cents. Total, 55 cents.
Mother smiled but made no comment. At lunch Bradley found the bill under his plate with 55 cents and another piece of paper neatly folded like the first. Opening it he read—Bradley owes Mother: for nursing him through scarlet fever, nothing; for being good to him, nothing; for clothes, shoes and playthings, nothing; for his playroom, nothing; for his meals, nothing. Total: nothing.
One person has said it is our attempt to make up for a year of taking advantage of mom and neglecting to honor her as we ought. We must honor our mothers. It is your biblical duty:
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.
‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or mother.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’
He who curses his father or his mother, His lamp will go out in time of darkness.
There is a kind of man who curses his father And does not bless his mother.
‘If there is anyone who curses his father or his mother, he shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother, his bloodguiltiness is upon him.
What does it mean to “curse” father or mother? the term means to belittle, make light of or be contemptuous of and would include everything from speaking in dishonor to physical abuse—even murder. To disobey is to dishonor, to curse with spiteful heart is dishonor. To be angry and lash out in disrespect is dishonor and amounts to cursing.
The failure to honor your parents is grievous sin in the eyes of God. It is so important, critically necessary for us to make sure that we don’t just give recognition to them 1 day a year.
Over the past several years the English language has given rise to several terms that speak of the degradation of the family and our society as a whole. It has been driven by the LGBTQ+ movement desiring to liberate human sexuality from all oppression (esp. family and marriage).
Gender Identity Disorder: which has historically been used by mental health professionals to diagnose transgender individuals.
“Gender Dysphoria” is now used to describe emotional distress over “a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender.” (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSMV)
Gender Confusion, Incongruity, nonconformity: a person's biological sex (birth) does not match their inner sense of self as masculine, feminine, mixed, neutral, or something else (whatever gender identity one feels)
The shift in American values that would accommodate such language has been slow but steady (1960s/70s—sexual revolution these attitudes have been incubating). But in recent years it has become more obvious that we are quite far down a slippery slope—and perhaps beyond the point of no return (but by God’s grace). Society’s stability is at risk (which is not unimportant). This is because our society has always found stability in the family unit ordained and defined by God. And further, the breakdown of society begins with the breakdown of the family.
God designed marriage to be the union of 1 man and 1 woman. Whenever humanity ventures outside of that plan, it always brings trouble.
· Abraham had children with 2 women not having patience to wait for the Lord
· David had 8 wives—leading to horrible consequences for the nation
· Solomon 700 wives, 300 concubines
What happens when people stray from God’s design? (The inevitable result of LGBTQ+)
· Unruly children: Gk Demosthenes said if the children misbehave the parents should be spanked.
· Home with exceeding conflict
· Lawlessness in society (riots of recent months)
· Breakdown of the social structure: relationship b/t parents/children, teachers/students, employers/employees, etc… no longer a recognition of authority that has been designed by God for humanity’s good.
Despite this deliberate destruction of the family—the importance of mother’s day is well recognized in our country.
This year:
Average of $220 spent on moms
$28.1 Billion—that’s where the stimulus money is going.
$2.2 billion on flowers
$3.4 billion on brunch/dinner
$1.6 billion on digital gifts (cameras, smartphones, tablets)
The amount spent on mother’s day is worth mentioning b/c maybe the family is still recognized as a crucial component of any healthy society. At least I’m hoping.
It is God’s design for the home that brings stability to society. So today, we recognize the value of honoring a crucial member of the family—according to God’s design.
It goes without saying that parenting is not easy. It wasn’t easy for your moms. I know it wasn’t for mine. Moms play a priceless role in the family—I suppose we could say it has never been more difficult to be a parent than today. B/c parenting is so crucial and the welfare of the family is of such great concern to our Lord, I’d like to share some timeless truths from God’s Word about parenting.
Even though today is Mother’s Day, the word of the Lord is given to all parents and is equally applicable to children, grandparents, aunts & uncles and everyone else here—so just b/c you’re not a mom doesn’t mean you can check out for the rest of the service.
If the family is going to find stability it must (and can only) come from revelation of God’s truth. And it is crucial for that truth to be spoken by and lived out by parents before their children. In Psalm 145 there are 4 truths that are essential to declare to the next generation (vs 4)—helping restore God’s design for the family.
1. Teach About God’s Greatness
1. Teach About God’s Greatness
Just a note about this psalm…authorship of 73 psalms is attributed to David. This is the final one and as it was being read this morning, you can tell what is foremost on the mind and heart of David—to extol the greatness of God and praise Him because of His character.
Vs 4—specifically shows David’s concern that God’s greatness be passed on from one generation to the next.
There are realities about God that we need to pass on to the next generation; Specifically the greatness of God.
David writes that “His greatness is unsearchable” (NIV “No one can fathom”). The bottom line is there is no limit to His greatness and man’s attempt to understand how great God is…will be everlasting.
Psalm 139:1-6 explains the inability of man to fully grasp the greatness of God.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable.
God does things no one else can do.
*Eliphaz*
Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number.
*Job*
Who does great things, unfathomable, And wondrous works without number.
*Zophar*
“Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? “They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? “Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea. “If He passes by or shuts up, Or calls an assembly, who can restrain Him? “For He knows false men, And He sees iniquity without investigating.
So David…145:2, 5-7
So what makes God great?
His Sovereignty
His Sovereignty
We speak often of God’s sovereignty—as we should. God has absolute control over His creation and nothing can thwart His will/purpose. David praises God b/c of His mighty acts and demonstrations of power.
Vs 5 “glorious splendor of your majesty”—kingly possession of all power. (summation of all the divine attributes).
Vv 10-13
Sovereignty demonstrated in...
Creation/Sustaining Universe
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who provides rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains. He gives to the beast its food, And to the young ravens which cry.
nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
Governing the world and flow of history
Establishes governments (Rom 13:1-4)
Determines who rules in Govt (Dan 4:17,32; Jn 19:10-11)
Determines the times of those rulings (Is 40:23-24)
Rules over decisions that are made Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
Rules the victories and defeats between nations
His power over nature, weather, natural disasters
Job 37;
When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings out the wind from His storehouses.
God’s sovereignty is comforting—it is especially to your children when they’re introduced tot he chaos of the world around them.
His Immutability
His Immutability
God cannot change, either in nature, character, mind or will.
Dt 32:4—compares God to an immovable rock in the midst of a universe that is continually fluctuating.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
His Omni-potent, scient, present
His Omni-potent, scient, present
‘Ah Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You,
Psalm 139:1-6
Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?
His Perfection
His Perfection
Mt 5:48
His Incomprehensibility
His Incomprehensibility
There is a paradox that we need to understand…God reveals Himself to us so that we can know Him, but He cannot be comprehended but to the extent that He has revealed Himself to us. there are things He has not revealed (Dt 29:29).
2. Teach About God’s Goodness
2. Teach About God’s Goodness
vv 7-10
The word “good” means different things to each person. Some of you had good parents. Others…not so good. Of course none of them were perfect. When we talk about God’s goodness, we’re not speaking of holiness, righteousness, perfect as such…but what disposes God to be kind, benevolent full of goodness toward men.
“abundant goodness” (vs 7); “good to all” (vs 9)
You are good and do good; Teach me Your statutes.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
God only gives good things to His children
For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Speak of God’s goodness to your children so they will learn to give praise to God for His lovingkindesses.
Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your judgments are like a great deep. O Lord, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
3. Teach About God’s Generosity
3. Teach About God’s Generosity
vv 13b-16
Children need assurance. We all need assurance. There is no greater hope than the promises of God given us in Scripture.
If you have ESV or NIV 1 additional line in vs 13 (ps is acrostic—each line beginning with a letter of Heb alphabet—some of our translations omit letter “n”) “The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works/The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
This is found in 1 ancient Heb ms. affirming that God never fails to keep His word. He is loving to all; sustainer of life; lifting up those in heavy trials and burdens; in His generosity He satisfies the desire of every living thing.
4. Teach about God’s Grace
4. Teach about God’s Grace
vv17-21
Psalms, Volume 3: (Psalms 107–150): An Expositional Commentary God Is Righteous
“Righteous” here does not mean morally upright, though God is that. He is the only true source of morality. It means rather that God is upright, or just, in responding to those who have needs and call on him, those who are in peril and seek salvation. When verse 18 says that God is “near to all who call on him,” it means that he answers their prayers. Verse 19 says that he also “fulfills [their] desire.… and saves them.” Verse 20 adds, “The LORD watches over” them. In other words, throughout our entire lives God shows himself to be a good, caring, saving, and persevering God.
Interesting observation: What it means to be the people of the Lord:
those who call upon Him
those who fear Him
those who love Him
God is the gracious God. It is an important truth to constantly hold before your children/g-children. They’ll naturally try to earn favor from God (oldest false religion) but if they are to find salvation and favor they must call upon Him by faith.
The last part of vs 20 is what we can all rest in as we face a culture that is filled with scorn and ridicule toward Xns—moving toward aggressive opposition to the things of the Lord and those who love Him. God will destroy the wicked for they have no part with Him.
The family may be in peril and on the verge of collapse but what the believer can do is respond in obedience to fulfill God’s design for the family.
Mothers: be sure to speak often of God’s greatness, goodness, generosity and grace.
Men: work hard to create an environment in your home that will see the next generation of believers stand firm against a godless culture
Children: Honor your father and mother—1st commandment with a promise: that it may be well with you and that you live long on the earth.
Today is Mother’s Day—Mothers…May you be blessed and honored on this special day—and may that continue thruout the year—to the glory of God!