Sermon for 8/15/21 13 Minutes "The Wonderful Works of the Lord"

Psalm 111

This morning I'll be reading Psalm 111 and I'll read all 10 verses. And I'll be reading from the Holman Christian Standard Bible. Psalm 111 This is the beginning psalm in what some call the “Hallelujah Psalms.” These begin with Psalms 111 and go through Psalm 118 even though both Psalm 114 and Psalm 118 do not have the word “hallelujah,” in them. Psalms 111–113 begin with this phrase and Psalms 115–117 end with it. Psalm 111:1–10 (HCSB) 1 Hallelujah! I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. 2 The LORD’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them. 3 All that He does is splendid and majestic; His righteousness endures forever. 4 He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered. The LORD is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has provided food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever. 6 He has shown His people the power of His works by giving them the inheritance of the nations. 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His instructions are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, enacted in truth and in what is right. 9 He has sent redemption to His people. He has ordained His covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring. 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever. God bless the reading and the hearing of your word this morning. Let us pray: Dear Lord,,, as we begin this morning,,, with everyone here today and all that are listening and watching by video,,, we ask that you open our ears to hear and our hearts and minds to receive the message that you have for us today,,, In Jesus' name I pray,,, Amen.

----------------------------------------------------------- As our covid numbers continue to rise around the country,,, we need to remember that God is in control,,, He knows what is happening,,, and,,, He has a plan for us.

We must never forget that,,, no matter what we are going through today,,, or,,, anytime for that matter.

That doesn’t make it any easier to go through,,, but hopefully we can take comfort in knowing and understanding,,, that God is watching over us,,, even when we don’t see or understand why.

Last week we spent time in John 6:35, 41-51 where we looked at the conversation that Jesus had,,, where He spoke about being “The Bread of Life”.

We saw that Jesus intends for us to tell others about this and to explain to everyone,,, that He was put through His agonizing death on the cross,,, all for our sins,,, He was innocent of sin,,, but dying on the cross,,, for our sin!

And remember that I said,,, I don’t just mean those of us here today that are Christians already,,, but our neighbors in our communities and workplaces,,, some that we may not agree with,,, but we are told to love,,, a commandment given by Jesus to show God’s love throughout the world.

And it’s through that love that we show others,,, that God knows,,, that we love Him,,, and truly show others,,, that Jesus is,,, “The Living Bread” and if they accept that “living bread”,,, they can live forever,,, in heaven,,, with Him!

This morning we are going to look at Psalm 111,,, one of the “Hallelujah Psalms” and see how these verses can help us in our walk with God this week.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 1 says: 1 Hallelujah! I will praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

Notice the beginning,,, as I told you just a few minutes ago,,, this psalm begins with “Hallelujah” just as Psalm 112 and Psalm 113.

This is also a psalm that can be characterized as an alphabet psalm,,, but that’s not easily seen because of the translation into English that we read today.

It’s thought that they wrote this way to help with memorization.

But,,, this first verse,,, opens with almost a shout where the writer is making known his determination to worship God with thanksgiving,,, “with his whole heart”,,, and this worship will not be private,,, but public,,, in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 2 and 3 say: 2 The LORD’s works are great, studied by all who delight in them. 3 All that He does is splendid and majestic; His righteousness endures forever.

This psalmist is in agreement with all of the other writers of praise of God because he accepts without question the truth,,, that God and all that He does,,, is great.

He understands that the true believer in God,,, has an eagerness to seek out,,, and glory in,,, the mighty activity of God.

God’s work is not simply large in size or in number; it is overwhelming in quality.

His work possesses honor and majesty (cf. Ps. 104:1), everlasting righteousness and fame.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 4 and 5 say: 4 He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered. The LORD is gracious and compassionate. 5 He has provided food for those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.

Beginning in this verse the psalmist begins to list the wonderful things that God has done,,, and is doing,,, and continues to do,,, today!

The theme is announced in verse 4,,, 4 He has caused His wonderful works to be remembered.

Because,,, He is gracious and compassionate.

In God’s marvelous grace,,, He has helped mankind,,, by providing food for those who fear Him;,,, and He remembers His covenant forever.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 6 says: 6 He has shown His people the power of His works by giving them the inheritance of the nations.

Continuing with his list,,, he says that God showed them His power by taking it from the Canaanite nations and,,, by giving them the promised land.

----------------------------------------------------------- Verses 7 through 9 say: 7 The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His instructions are trustworthy. 8 They are established forever and ever, enacted in truth and in what is right. 9 He has sent redemption to His people. He has ordained His covenant forever. His name is holy and awe-inspiring.

All of God’s works show that He is always faithful and just.

They are always dependable.

He keeps His promises forever and fulfills them faithfully and honorably.

He sent redemption to His people at the time of the exodus,,, then later when He brought them back from the captivity in Babylon.

He will do it again when He brings the twelve tribes back to the land of Israel prior to His glorious reign.

It is all part of His covenant,,, and it can never fail.

His name is holy and awesome,,, or reverent,,, and as His name is,,, so is He!

----------------------------------------------------------- Verse 10 says: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever. The road to wisdom begins in a “holy,,, fear” of the Lord.

The more we obey Him,,, the more light He gives us.

People who follow Him and His standards have good understanding.

Worship and obedience will then be accompanied by praise that belongs to Him.

And,,, He is worthy to be praised forever!

----------------------------------------------------------- This psalm speaks of the “Wonderful works of the Lord”.

It’s these marvelous works that we need to remember whenever we are going through hard times and wonder if God is really paying attention to all that is happening to us!

Psalms can be a comfort to us during trying times,,, and this is one that we need to remember.

It’s so hard to feel bad,,, when we begin to praise God,,, and we begin that praise by never forgetting everything that He has done for us personally,,, and,,, all of the things that are written down by so many of the writers in God’s word.

And we know about one of the most “wonderful works of the Lord” that the writer of this psalm didn’t know about yet.

And that was the work that Jesus Christ did for all of the world,,, by His death on the cross,,, taking the punishment for our sin,,, dying a terrible death,,, but resurrected on the third day,,, overcoming death’s hold on us,,, and giving us a chance to have the personal relationship with God that I pray that you experience today!

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If you have never made the commitment to allow Jesus to be your Personal Savior,,, please make that decision today.

We aren't promised tomorrow,,, so the choice must be made today.

We don't know the hour or the day when Jesus comes back nor do we know if we will be called home,,, we are just told to be ready.

And to be ready,,, you must have made the decision to follow Jesus,,, be sure that you have made that decision today!

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So as we sing our final hymn,,, let me remind you that the alter is always open,,,

If you feel God speaking to you,,, don't hesitate to come,,, maybe you just have questions,,, God will answer,,, you just have to ask Him,,, whatever the need may be,,,

As we sing the final hymn,,, come if needed! ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- Hymn: 337 - Oakdale Hymn: 337 - Seminary Benediction ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------