Lamedh

Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It continues to be a great honor and privilege to share the Word of God with this congregation.

I saw something on the internet this week that left me dumbfounded. Now, the internet is good for that. Between the funny cat videos and angry commenters, the internet is filled with things that just make you think, “You can’t be serious.”

Earlier this week I saw a video circulating on Twitter in which Lt. Michael Flynn said that, Pastors and Priests, “cannot stand there at the pulpit and preach the Bible without the United States Constitution. And what they need to be doing is they need to be talking about the Constitution from the pulpit as much as the Bible.”

(Pause, sideways look)

Ok, So with that in mind, would everyone please turn in their Bibles to the United States Constitution, and open to the 16th Amendment. It is there where we read:

“Amendment XVI (1913): The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.”

Today, we’re going to have a sermon on everyone’s favorite topic! Income Tax!

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I hope that my sarcasm in this presentation thus far hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Let me say, I am very thankful to live in America. I celebrate the freedoms that we have been provided with great joy. We should all have deep respect for those who have served our country both in the past and those who are currently sacrificing their time and their lives in service to the United States of America. I wholeheartedly co-sign the preamble of our Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

The formation of our Country and likewise the Constitution was inarguably influenced to some degree by biblical teaching. Further, Christians are called to be good citizens. We even use and enjoy our rights as citizens as Paul did in his interaction with the Roman Commander in Acts 22. So while we respect and even cherish our citizenship, we must understand that Lt. Michael Flynn was giving really bad advice when it comes to the pulpit of the Church.

Our summer series looking at Psalm 119, has been all about the sufficiency of the Word of God. Today when we look at verses 89-96 will be no exception. Each and every Sunday it is my aim and God given responsibility to preach, not the constitution of the United States, but the inerrant, infallible, all sufficient Word of God.

Here is why:

Romans 10:10–17 ESV

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Not everyone will hear and obey the word of Christ, repent and believe in Him, but Romans 10 clearly shows us that the very core of preaching must be proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ. God works through the ordinary means of preaching to supernaturally draw sinners unto Himself. When all is said and done, it is not our earthly citizenship that will save us, but faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that will be our only hope. That is why we celebrate what Christ has done for us in ways such as partaking in the Lord’s Supper. We remember that Christ shed His blood and His body broken so that anyone and everyone who so ever believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. That is the good news that must be celebrated, promoted, and preached. That is the good news that is proclaimed in God’s Word.

So it is with this understanding that I ask you now to open God’s Word to Psalm 119. With Zeal and Joy we will feast on God’s Word, knowing that it directs us to the source of ultimate truth and Joy. For those of you who have been in the church for sometime, today’s message will be a Baptist classic: 3 Points and a poem. We will see: The Permanence, Provision, and Perfection of the Word! I hope you have come here today spiritually hungry for the filling buffet of God’s Word. Let us begin with

1. The Permanence of the Word.

We see the permanence of the Word in verses 89-91:

Psalm 119:89–91 ESV

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

How long is forever? This question is asked by Alice in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, to which the White Rabbit responds, Sometimes just one second.

The point in the book is that one very big moment in just a split second, can stick with you for the rest of your life. There is something to this idea, I’m sure we can all think of moments that we carry with us to this day.

But the forever discussed in verse 89 refers to something more objective than Carroll’s philosophical musings. This Word “Forever” refers to all of antiquity and all of futurity. It is everything that ever was and everything that ever will be. Forever is pointing us beyond the constraints of time and into the heavenly place of eternity. Before existence, after the end.

I hope that this is painting a vast and unfathomable picture, because it should be! In our humanity, we are linear creatures. God and His Word goes beyond what we can comprehend. The Lord’s Word is fixed, set, established, and reigning FOREVER in the heavens. This is a grandiose statement. The psalmist is not saying “Lord, your word just means a lot to me in this moment, and like if others don’t get it, that’s fine, but you’re really big to me.” No the psalmist is proclaiming under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that God’s Word is established forever and ever! This means that God’s Word is not just the subjective ramblings of man. His Word is Law. He Word is Truth. And it always has been.

The Lord has established the earth. It is upheld by the very Word of God. Everything is subservient to the will and word of the Lord.

The Psalmist is not alone in making this biblical declaration. Look at the beginning of the book of John and see the parallels between the these two sections of Scripture:

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The psalmist declares “You have established the earth” John declares, “All things were made through him” The psalmist says “Forever your word is fixed.” John shows us the Word is there from the beginning. John shows us the darkness does not overcome the light of the Word of God. The Psalmist proclaims the Lord’s appointments stand unwaveringly.

Both of these are just some of the Supporting Scripture that shows us the PERMANENCE of the Word of God. God’s Word is steadfast and true. Let it be known that there is much that changes in this world, but God and His Word do not. The trends of our culture are on a never ending revolving door. That is why it is so refreshing to be anchored to God’s Word. I love reading quotes from Spurgeon and I am often awestruck at how applicable they are to our day some two hundred years after his ministry. He once wrote: “Sentiments fluctuate so constantly in this nineteenth century that I suppose we shall soon require to have barometers to show us the variations of doctrine as well as the prospects of the weather. We shall have to consult quarterly reviews, to see what style of religious thought is predominant, and then we shall have to accommodate our sermons to the dictum of the last wise man who has chosen to make a special fool of himself. As for myself, I shall continue to be unfashionable, and abide where I am. ‘Sticking in the mud,’ says somebody. ‘Standing on the Rock,’ say I.”

When our lives, our preaching, our church are all grounded on the never changing Word of God, we are empowered to confidently stand on the rock while the rest of the world attempts to keep up with the latest trends and what is fashionable.

The Word of God is Permanent. Always has been always will be. Remember the words of our psalmist:

Psalm 119:89–91 ESV

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

See and know the Permanence of the Word. Not one jot nor tittle passes away. The faithfulness of the Lord endures to all generations. We know this to be true. Think about how amazing it is that you have found yourself in that very pew today. Think about all of those who have come before you that have Been used by God to put this church where it is today. For over 80 years this church has been serving this area. This church was birthed out of Boone’s Creek which was established in 1785. With the right access to historical documentation, we would be able to trace the faith that we hold today all the way back to the very Words of Jesus some 2000 years ago. Even beyond that astounding fact, you can trace through the lineage of Jesus and get back to Adam, the first man. As Moses records the life of Adam you see the gospel presented all the way back in the garden of Eden just moments after the fall when sin entered the world. God’s Word is permanent and all encompassing. It has endured from generation to generation and will continue to do so.

From there we move on to see our second point:

2. The Provision of the Word.

The permanence of the Word shows us the grandeur of the Word, the sheer magnitude there is in God’s declaration. When we think of the vast spread of the Word, it may leave you feeling insignificant. A survey of Scripture will show you how God delivered an entire people out of Egypt. By His very Word came all of life. The existence of time and space are dependent upon His mighty decree. And because that is true, why would that Big God with such Big Power, have anything to do with little ole me. I’m just one guy living in Winchester Kentucky. God surely must have bigger things to do than to worry about little ole me.

If you were to draw out a timeline of human history over a football field,

SHOW FOOTBALL FIELD

from end zone to endzone, the life of even the world’s current oldest living resident, Lucile Randon a french nun who is 118, wouldn’t even span one full yard. Then if you were to stack the timelines of everyone currently living across the width of the field, our timelines would only be .000001 CENTIMETER of space. And that’s just us humans! God is upholding the entire universe by His Word! When we look at the Macro side of things we see just how powerful He is and honestly how small we are. This points us to what is called in the theological world, the Transcendence of God. He is above and over all things. We must understand the great magnitude of God. And it is from the understanding of how great He is and how small we are, that we begin to understand just how sweet it is that even in His transcendence, our God is also immanent. He is in all things. He shows care for all things. Jesus said that the Father feeds the birds of the air. That Great Big God also comforts us and is personally made known to us through His Word. When you open your Bible, you are reading the very Words of God. That great big God speaks to us! Even if we’re just a small speck on the football field of human existence, we are enabled to know God personally through the study of His Word. And as we continue on in verses 92-95, we see how God comforts us through His revealed Word.

Psalm 119:92–95 ESV

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.

The Psalmist, likely David, has study God’s Word and delights there in. As I alluded to earlier, he is, like we should be, feasting on the buffet of spiritual goodness that is the revealed Word of God. Look at how all of this points to the life God gives through His Word!

The Law is David’s delight! If that were not so he would have perished in his affliction. When the trials of life were bearing down on him, he remained anchored to the steady and permanent Word! He knew that he was living in a world full of sin and that meant going through hardship, he knew that the serpent tempted Adam and Eve and when they fell to sin that there would pain and suffering. But David also knew that the Serpent Crusher was promised. He knew that God had a plan that would be carried out! The hope there is in the Lord sustained him through his trials!

And oh, how true is this?! I know that there are many in our own congregation who have gone through or are going through some very difficult challenges. I have heard many people say, I don’t see how I could get through this without faith in God. Y’all there is hope! I would encourage you to see that hope through affliction. Delight in God’s Word! See His promises.

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Remember what we saw in the first few verses this morning, His faithfulness endures to all generations! Hold on to that promise! Remain steadfast in Him because His love is steadfast. Even in your trials and affliction. God’s promises are made known to us through His glorious Word. See and understand what our Psalmist knew:

Psalm 119:92–95 ESV

If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.

Know that while God is big and His Word spans beyond the breadth of time, He has made Himself known to us. Understanding this, shows us our great need and dependence on Him. Notice what is the psalmists delight. He does not delight in personal indulgence or sin, rather he delights in following the Lord! He is dependent upon the Lord for Salvation. As are we all!

James 4:7–10 ESV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

When we understand the greatness and holiness of God, we see our inadequacy. We no longer rejoice in our personal abilities. We mourn our sin. We take no joy in darkness. We are humbled before the Lord and He exalts us, not for our glory but for His. We repent from our sins, believe in Him, and draw near to the God who is the only source of true contentment, satisfaction and delight. The Word of God provides and supplies for us what this fallen world cannot. It’s permanence gives us the anchor we need to live and live how we are created to be: that is reconciled to God our Maker!

There is nothing that even begins to match the completeness there is in being restored to God as revealed to us through His Word. God’s Word provides where everything else fails.

This leads us to our final point this morning:

3. The Perfection of the Word.

Psalm 119:96 ESV

I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to see many great things on this earth. One of the images that often comes to mind when I think of beauty was watching the sunset over the ancient city of Bath in England.

PICTURE OF BATH ENGLAND

So much history and ingenuity has taken place in that city just down the hill behind the trees of this photo. by 75 AD the roman empire had established a settlement around the natural hot springs. There have been changes of empires over that land throughout the last 2000 years, but to this today it remains a bustling city full of shopping, dining, and a luxurious and relaxing spa. In my opinion, it is epitome of manmade perfection.

But the epitome of manmade perfection is still inadequate to address the deepest need of the soul.

Our psalmist wrote:

Psalm 119:96 ESV

I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

The psalmist is saying that he has seen the best that this world has to offer and God’s Word goes beyond it all. The best this world has to offer is limited. We can shop and shop, but are never satisfied. We can eat and drink the finest of things, but are never satisfied. We can relax in the most luxurious of surroundings, but even in that we are never satisfied. The true desire of our hearts go beyond what this world has to offer. We are seeking something supernatural. We look for it. We long for it.

We seek satisfaction in the stars, even.

You may have seen the new and stunning images from NASA’s Webb telescope.

Show Image of Stars from new telescope

This image is utterly incredible. Those aren’t just stars, but entire galaxies! And yet, even if we had a telescope powerful enough to zoom into the surface of every planet circulating the cosmos, we would still not be satisfied. Because what we are all really searching for is eternity and eternity cannot be captured in an image.

The desire for eternity is satisfied by the eternal. That is, being reconciled to the eternal God.

John 17:3 ESV

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

God’s Word shows us His perfect plan for eternity. And it is so much greater than anything we could find without it.

Three Circles Graphic

Start with what we find in the world leading us back to brokenness.

Now, I promised that this was going to true baptist sermon today, three points and a poem. Our points are to see the permanence, the provision, and the perfection of the Word. And now time for a poem.

I’m not much of a poetry guy but I do like poetry in the form of hip hop. So here is a segment from Shia Linne’s Supreme:

He's the most magnificent, the total antithesis of insufficient The blessed, the glorious, splendid, transcendent Difficult to comprehend, independent of space and time but presently present, suspending the heavens with speech From coast to coast, He speaks peace to wind and seas Got heavenly hosts easily posted on bended knees Controls the cosmos with the most authority So we boast in the most exalted King, Christ supreme!

Do not boast in yourself or in the World, it will only leave you back in brokenness. Boast in the one who controls the cosmos. Submit to Him today. Christ is where eternal life is found. Respond today.