The Authority of Scripture; Psalm 119:17-23

1/2/2011

Thesis: We need God’s gracious word in order to live righteous lives.

I. We are a dependent people (17-19)

The confession that we are God’s servants begins and ends this portion of Psalm 119. In verse 17 we pray, “deal bountifully with your servant. In verse 23 we confess, “Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.” Because God has created us we are dependent upon him. Because God has redeemed from slavery to sin through the work of Jesus Christ we are dependent upon him. We are a people who understand and live in light of the fact that we do not belong to ourselves but to God. He is not the servant of us. No, we are his dependent servants.

A.  We are dependent upon God’s grace for righteousness (17)

If God doesn’t do for us, or deal bountifully with us his servants, then life is not life.  Do you see the prayer of verse 17, “Deal bountifully with your servant [so that] I may live and keep your word”? We read last week in Revelation 20 verse 10 that at the end of time the devil, the beast, and the false prophet will be tormented day and night forever and ever in the lake of fire. Would these three agree with the Psalmist that their continued existence is completely dependent on God’s grace? No, “that I may live” is more than continuing to exist. People will continue to exist in a terrible state of punishment not because of God’s grace but because of his justice. The Psalmist is praying for grace in order to live a righteous life. He’s not content just existing.

I’m not content to just exist. I want to live a life that glorifies God. I want a marriage that proclaims the gospel of Jesus Christ for the glory of God. I want to raise children in a way that proclaims the excellencies of God. I want to be a neighbor and a pastor who walks in righteousness. And I know me so I need God’s grace to live this way. If God doesn’t pour out his cleansing and empowering grace upon me then I will not live a righteous life. I am dependent upon his grace in order to keep his word. We would do well to begin and end each day praying Psalm 119:17, “Be gracious to me your servant so that I may live a righteous life.” We are dependent on his grace for righteousness and

B.  We are dependent upon God’s grace for beholding wondrous things (18)

Verse 18 is a confession of blindness. This is one of God’s children, the Old Testament equivalent of a born-again saint, saying, “God please open my eyes because if you don’t I’m going to miss what your word is all about.” If we would do well to pray verse 17 before each day begins then we would do well to pray verse 18 before we read the bible.

These black letters on these white pages can be nothing but poetry, narrative, and prose. Many people with unopened eyes view this as nothing more than a book. Oh, but when God opens your eyes you see wondrous things within. You come face to face with an infinitely holy God. You enter into the presence of a God who forgives with extravagant grace. The black letters and white pages suddenly come to life as you see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit takes the truth and brings it to bear on your heart, your wants, and your situation. This doesn’t happen because you are smart. This happens because God is gracious so we pray with the Psalmist, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of law.”

This is why we prayerfully read Scripture: so that we can see God and through his lens of Scripture understand this world. There are wondrous things in these pages, in every verse. Prayerfully seek after wondrous things in God’s law.

This means we must approach Scripture from the perspective of 2 Timothy 2:7, “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.”  If you never think about Scripture how do you expect God to reveal wondrous things to you? It is as you are studying, memorizing, and meditating that the Lord reveals wondrous things to you about himself, his Son, his Spirit, and the life he wants you to live.

We are dependent upon God’s grace in order to see wondrous things and

C.  We are dependent upon God’s grace for direction (19)

A sojourner is someone who is passing through; a sojourner is here only temporarily. Some translations use the word ‘alien’ to describe this person who doesn’t belong here. The biblical truth is simple: this world and these possessions are temporary.  The age to come, the new heavens and the new earth, that is eternal (2 Cor 4:18).  Since we belong to God and are headed toward a heavenly city we are sojourners, temporarily occupying this space and possessing these things.

As such, as sojourners, we need God’s commandments. The Psalmist prays in verse 19, “I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!”  The world has its commandments but they are selfish, godless, and temporary. And God has his commandments which are Christ-centered, fruitful, and enduring. So we as God’s people depend on God to give us his commandments.

Now is the prayer, “hide not your commandments from me” asking God to not play hide and seek with his will? Is the Psalmist asking God to not talk in riddles like God is some trickster who takes pleasure in confusing his children? We know that’s not true. What does James 1:5 tell us about wisdom? “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

‘Hide not your commandments from me’ is praying in agreement with the nature of God. It could be said this way: I know I don’t belong to this world and I know the world’s goals are a waste. I also know that you know the right way. So God, please give me your commandments. God show me the way to go.

That is a great prayer. The issue, however, is then what do you do after you pray asking God for wisdom?  Some people sit silently waiting on God to speak either audibly or internally through dreams or mind-control.  That response is not recommended by the Psalmist and I do not recommend it to you. What is recommended is that you hide God’s word in your heart. Pray for wisdom while studying, memorizing, and meditating on Scripture; that’s the biblical model for acquiring wisdom.

Look at Psalm 119:9-11 and see if the passive approach is recommended. (read it) Here is our model: diligently work to know God and his ways from God’s word so that you can prayerfully navigate this world.

Commit this morning to the biblical worldview: we are dependent upon God to graciously instruct us concerning how to live and navigate in this world. Then based upon that truth dedicate yourself to mastering God’s gracious commandments which he has already given.

Those who submit to the authority of Scripture are those people who know 2 things: that they are foolish and the wisdom of God is found in Scripture. Pray, study, and live like a dependent. Are you ready today to admit that you are needy, dependent on God’s grace? Let your pride go and discover the blessings of God’s wisdom and grace. Come be one of us; be dependent upon God.

II. We are a people who delight in God’s word (20-23)

A.  We delight in what we believe is glorious and good (20)

The first response when we read verse 20 is to say, “I can’t do that.” In verse 20 the Psalmist states, “My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.”  Before you tell me that you can’t be consumed with God’s word I want to tell you about a man who I met some months ago. This man receives a disability check from the government because he is addicted to pornography. His life is eaten up with desire.  His soul is dominated and the direction of each day is dictated by the pursuit of immorality. Now if an unbeliever can be disabled by desire for what is not good can we honestly say it is impossible for any of God’s children to be consumed by what is good?

The truth of the matter is everyone of us is consumed by what we think is the ultimate good. If you think peace and quiet is the ultimate good you will do everything to get it and fight everyone who stands in the way. The same is true for money, good looks, power, a good reputation, and the like. All of us are eaten up with gaining something. Some of us are even driven by the desire to gain nothing. Humanity is a crazy lot.

Here’s what I want you to grab onto by faith today: with man it is impossible but with God all things are possible (Mt 19:26). The Apostle Paul made the encouraging confession: “I can do all things through [Christ] who strengthens me” in Philippians 4:13. Do you read Psalm 119:20 with discouragement or do you read your bible through faith? With a defeated mindset do you think that you could never honestly say, “My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times”? Or through faith in Jesus Christ do you keep praying and memorizing? Do you say, “I may not feel like it today but through Christ I will find strength to rejoice in the word of God”? We delight in what we believe is glorious and good.  Through faith in Christ we are strengthened so that we delight in the word of God.

B.  We wander from God’s word because of pride (21)

We should be fearful that we would ever ignore or disregard God’s word. To wander is to go astray, to go into error, to be deceived, or to be disobedient. These insolent, prideful people, who think they don’t need God’s word are rebuked. These people who bring curses upon themselves by ignoring or disregarding God’s word are admonished by God.

To be rebuked is to be checked by a strong admonition or action (TWOT 370). God gets in your face. This is true of the believer when God corrects and disciplines us. This is true of the unbeliever when you stand before God and your pride and foolishness are exposed by his glory and wisdom.

So we ask: Why does anyone ignore God’s word? Because of pride we ignore God’s word and do our own thing. Church, we’re not going to do that because we are a people dependent upon God’s grace for life. So in humility we delight in obeying the wisdom of God’s word and

C.  When you delight in God’s word expect opposition (22)

The Psalmist, a man trying by faith to listen and obey the word of God, is receiving scorn and contempt. Some people around him are being unduly hard on him because he seeks to live a righteous life.  They say disgraceful things about him. They are disgusted by him and they’re not afraid to tell people.

The Holy Spirit puts it this way in 1 Peter 4:3&4, “for the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you.” The people who knew you before Christ changed you will make fun of you when you stop doing what you used to do.

When you strive to live a righteous life expect persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). Expect it. Prepare for it. And when it comes it’s okay to pray to God that He take it away. When you delight in God’s word expect opposition and know that it is okay to pray for it to stop. But no matter what keep following God’s word.

D.  When you are opposed meditate on the word of God (23)

Verse 23, “Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statues.” The picture here is of a group of highly influential leaders, commanders, or princes gathering together to make plans. And they are planning on how to do away with the righteous. When by faith in Jesus Christ you commit to living a righteous life you will ‘bump into’ those people who disagree with you.  When you by faith in Jesus Christ seek to obey God’s word you will have to oppose the plans and ideals of others. Sometimes you will see God win them to the truth. Other times you will see them plan out ways to get rid of you or do anything they can to take away your influence. What will you do?

Meditate on God’s statutes. Focus on those foundational truths of God.  The truth that led you into the difficulty is sufficient to sustain you in the difficulty. Don’t abandon ship just because it starts to rain.  Jumping out of a ship half way across the Atlantic is not a good idea no matter how big the storm is.

It is precisely during these difficult times that we must commit ourselves to thinking God’s thoughts by meditating on God’s word. To meditate is simply to roll some truth around in your mind looking at all the sides and angles. You know how to meditate. All of us at one time or another have replayed a conversation in our minds and thought of all the things we should have said. That’s meditation; playing it back again and again while thinking of all the implications.

What we must do is commit to meditate on what matters especially in difficulty.  This happens when we are convinced that the word of God that got us into difficulty is sufficient to sustain and guide us through the difficulty. And let me remind you, the word of God is sufficient so that the man of God may be equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:17).

Now some of you are thinking that all of this is all well and good but for someone else. Maybe it’s good for pastors because we have more time to dedicate to God’s word. You tried it and you didn’t like it. You memorized Scripture for a little while and quit. You started a bible reading plan but didn’t finish. This last point is for you.

E.   Delight in God’s word is an acquired taste (24)

The Psalmist says in verse 24, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” This man enjoyed God’s word. It strengthened him, led him, and brought him to God. This bible is good stuff.

Now keep this in mind as you read: this was not always the case. There was a time when even this man of God didn’t delight in God’s word or let it set his life’s direction. But when the grace of God appeared he was changed. When the grace of God appears you will be changed. When we say that God gives us a new heart we are saying that God changes our wants. He gives us new desires; new tastes if you will. So delight in God’s word is an acquired taste.

Delight in God’s word requires the new birth. So it may be that you don’t care about God’s word because you are not God’s child. It may be that you don’t give a rip about the way God wants you to live because you don’t have eternal life. The good news for you who do not delight in God’s word because you are not a Christian is this: God stands ready today to forgive you of your sins and give you a new heart with new desires. If the Holy Spirit is exposing your sinful unbelief regarding the word of God then follow his lead. He’s leading you to Jesus Christ who takes away every sin, even the sin of not delighting in God’s word. On the cross he took our sin. Died and was buried. Then he rose again pure and holy because your sins that were on him had been paid for.  Through faith in Jesus Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected you too can be pure and holy. Call out to God today. Repent to God. Tell him you are sorry that you disobeyed him, place your faith in Jesus who died and rose again for you then you will be saved.  Your heart will be changed. Your appetite for God’s word will grow.  You must be born again.

But what about those of us who are born again but struggle to delight in God’s word? What about those of us who learn to listen to God’s counsel not because he said it but because we learned the hard way? Ground yourself in this truth: you are not a Christian because you delight in God’s word and obey his commands. You are a Christian because Jesus always delighted in God’s word and obeyed God’s commands. The righteousness of Jesus Christ has been applied to you. Ground yourself in the work of Jesus Christ and that gratitude will work on your desires.

The more grateful I am for Jesus Christ the more hungry I am for God’s word. So I track my lack of delight in God’s word back deep into my thankfulness for Jesus.  When I am weak on Jesus I am weak in the word but when my delight in Jesus is deep my delight in the word of God grows deeper. So don’t go to bed tonight thinking that you’re just going to wake up the next day and be excited about reading and obeying God’s word. Big decisions aren’t powerful but Jesus Christ is.  Make the simple commitment to learn more about Jesus. Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier. Splash some cold water on your face. Get dressed. Get a cup of whatever gets you going. Then don’t just start reading. No, instead start with prayer. Pray that God would pour out his grace on you and know that God wants to do that. Pray that God would open your eyes so that you see wondrous things and know that God wants to do that. Admit that you are a sojourner dependent upon God’s wisdom and know that God wants to give it. Pray and then read slowly through one of the gospels looking for Jesus. When you find something that is new or amazes you afresh then camp out there. Meditate on it. Right a verse or two on a note card and work on memorizing it.  Focus on Jesus and delight in the word of God will come with Him.

The Supremacy of God; Romans 11:33-12:1

12/26/2010

Thesis: God is great and great in mercy.

I find it amazing that we are only 6 days away from the year 2011. I, for one, enjoy the new year. It provides me with the opportunity to think back over the past year.  This means repentance for my sins as well as thankfulness for God’s grace. A new year also provides me with the opportunity to look ahead: what should the focus be next year for my self, my marriage, my family, and this church?  Ask yourself: Am I headed in God’s direction? If not, what needs to change? If so, where could you be tempted to deviate from God’s ways?

It is out of this sense of opportunity that every year I endeavor to preach a short sermon series focusing on the 6 biblical core values of this church. We need to be regularly reminded concerning who we are, what must be central, and what we should be doing. Beginning this Sunday and continuing through January we will look at the 6 core values of Mambrino Baptist Church.  Here are the 6 things that should define us and shape everything we do: the supremacy of God, the authority of Scripture, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, prayer, the Great Commission, and biblical fellowship.   Lord willing we will take each of these in turn.

Today we take up the supremacy of God as our topic. Simply put we are a people who cherish the value of God over the recognized worth of every person, institution, and thing.  There is no one and no thing greater than the Triune God, nothing more satisfying, nothing more meaningful, and nothing more powerful.  Though our sin once separated us from him, now because of Jesus we can know and enjoy this great God.

From Romans 11:33-36 I want to remind you that our God is supreme; He is great and great in mercy. It is my hope that a fresh reminder of His greatness will stir you to worship Him with your life from this day forward.

Read Romans 11:33-36

I. Our God is deep (33)

A.  In response to God’s mercy we stand amazed

In verse 33 the Apostle Paul begins a time of worship. He writes the emotionally charged word ‘oh’. This isn’t an ‘oh’ like when you step outside to discover a snake on your doorstep. This is an ‘oh’ like when you discover something far better than you imagined.  And what is Paul amazed by? He’s amazed by the mercy of God by which all people may be saved.

In verse 32 Paul summarizes the message of judgment, righteousness, and salvation that he has discussed throughout chapters 1-11. Verse 32, “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.” God exposes sin in order to rescue and redeem the sinner. There are many places we could go to see this message but let’s take one: Romans 3:22-25

For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

God, in his great mercy sent his Son Jesus to rescue and redeem his sinful and broken people.  We should be given condemnation but instead we are given love. We should be punished but instead through the promised righteousness of Christ we become partakers of the divine nature. We have the righteousness and life of Jesus Christ. We are saved. We are children of God.

‘Oh’ seems like an insufficient word for all that but maybe the word isn’t the problem. Maybe we’ve forgotten about the love of God for us that he would send Christ for us. Maybe we should use words like ‘oh’ more when we talk about God. Our passage gives us three reasons to say ‘oh,’ three reasons to glorify our God who alone is supreme

B.  Glorify him for the depth of his riches

Verse 33, “Oh the depth of the riches of God.”

Think about the riches of the United States. Our collective worth is tied to the economy. If our economy is strong, meaning sales are strong creating stable jobs then our riches increase. The riches of any person or country are tied to the sale of services and goods. But what about the riches of God? What does God need in order to make something? God creates out of nothing.  All that God needs in order to make is nothing and there is an abundant supply of nothing. God can make as much as he wants of anything he wants anytime he wants. God’s riches are deep because he is the Creator. And God’s riches are deep because he owns everything.  Psalm 95:3-5 tell us

For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

In Psalm 50:10-11 God tells us: “For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.”

The riches, fullness, and abundance of God are exceedingly great. But don’t fool yourself into believing this means that God will give you financial or material riches. God might but he doesn’t promise you that. What he does promise you is far greater than money. He promises you the riches of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Look at verses 11-12. “So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean?”

“Oh the depth of the riches of God” is a shout of joy because of the forgiveness of God secured in Jesus Christ. There are fresh starts because of Jesus.  What have you done? What weighs on your mind in the quietness of the night? What do you regret? What are you ashamed of? Whatever it is it is not deeper than the riches of God’s mercy secured by Jesus. Praise our great God. Praise the One who forgives. Glorify him for the depth of his riches of grace.

C.  Glorify him for the depth of his knowledge

Knowledge is basically knowing the right thing to do; this is right and this is wrong.  Knowledge is related to discernment; being able to distinguish between what is good and what is evil, what is beneficial and what is harmful.  Knowledge determines what to do and what not to do. Our God has all knowledge. He always knows the right thing to do.

D.  Glorify him for the depth of his wisdom

If knowledge is knowing what the right thing is then wisdom is knowing how to do that right thing.  Imagine that something has gone wrong with your car and it will no longer run.  Knowledge relates to identifying the problem and wisdom relates to choosing the right way to fix it.

When the Apostle Paul rejoices over the depth of the wisdom and knowledge of God he is encouraging us to praise and trust the Father, Son, and Spirit. In God there are always answers. In God there is always direction. This is true because God always knows what needs to be done, God always knows how to do it, and God always has the resources to fulfill his plan.  Is God capable of identifying the perfect plan even for fallen creation? Yes. Is God capable of realizing that perfect plan in spite of the rebellion of his creation? Yes.

And here is where we trust God and remain humble. God is capable and He is realizing his plan throughout all of creation. That’s what we trust. And here is humility:

E.   It is impossible for us to grasp the intricacies of God’s plan

Look back at verse 33. Because of the infinite riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God, Paul writes, “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!”

The judgments of God are the decisions of God. It is impossible for us with our finite selfish minds to understand why God does what he does. His judgments are unsearchable.

The ways of God are the means or avenues by which God does what he does. His ways are impossible for us to fully comprehend. Simply put the will and ways of God are so deep and complex that grasping them is a task outside of our abilities.  When we attempt to grasp all that God is doing and the intricate reasons for doing them that particular way it is like trying to swallow the Pacific Ocean. None of us are capable of handling those depths. Oh the depths of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God.  Our God is deep. Glorify him by worshiping him and trusting his wisdom revealed in his world.

II. Glorify the God who is greater than us (34-35)

Verses 34 and 35 give us reasons why it is impossible for us to understand the ways and goals of God. So these are additional reasons to glorify God; these verses humble us under the supreme God.

A.  You don’t know what God is thinking

Verse 34, “For who has known the mind of God?” Which one of you knows what God is thinking?  Who in this room knows why God causes the rain to fall where it does and when it does? Who can explain why you were born in America and not in Argentina?  Who can tell me why the holocaust and 9.11 and the Tsunami of 2006 occurred? God can. God knows and is sovereign over the greatest blessings and painful tragedies.

Now we know the goal of his plan. He told it to us in Ephesians 1:10. God is going to bring everything together through the power of and for the glory of Jesus Christ. We know the big picture but concerning how everything fits into that plan we must confess our ignorance. But do not fear. We are loved and protected by the merciful God who knows everything.

Remind yourself that you do not know what God is thinking and

B.  God doesn’t need your advice

In verse 34 we are asked, “who has been the Lord’s counselor?” Who in this room does God go to when God needs advice?  When God phones a friend who does he call? Who here has sat God down and set Him straight? That’s blasphemous to think. No one has ever counseled God or informed God or educated God.

Stand in awe of the God who needs no advice. God never says, “I’m sorry I didn’t have all the facts.” God doesn’t need and God doesn’t ask for your advice. That has some ramifications for the way you pray.  Do you pray so that you can tell God what to do? Or are you praying as one who is dependent? Do you pray as one who trusts? God doesn’t need your counsel nor has he asked for it. God needs nothing from you.  Glorify the God who gives because he His merciful and loves because He’s loving.

Glorify Him because God needs nothing from you but gives you everything. And glorify Him because

C.  God will never owe you anything

Verse 35 asks us, “who has given a gift to God that he might be repaid?” Who in this room is holding an I.O.U from God? Who by their goodness or good looks has the right do demand anything from God? Who because of suffering or difficulty has been given a free pass? Verses 34 and 35 really should shape the way we think about the past and pray about the future.

We do not know the details of God’s will.  We don’t understand but God does.  This frees us. God doesn’t expect us to figure it all out. God calls us to trust Him. Trust the One who knows, works, and will always do what is right.  Don’t make demands of him; that’s just pride. Besides you don’t know what you need. Your riches, wisdom, and knowledge are shallow at best. Your judgments and ways are tainted by sin and driven by selfishness.

Paul Tripp was right when he said the best thing to happen is for God to write our stories because if we held the pen we’d write ourselves straight into hell. Trust the God who is rich in mercy and knows exactly what you need. Glorify Him. He is greater than us.

Glorify God because he is deep. Glorify God because he is greater than us. And one more

III. Glorify God because he is the creator, sustainer, and owner (36)

Verse 36 tells us the reason why we can’t advise God or put him into our debt. You can’t sway God. Here’s why

A.  You can’t sway God because he created everything

Verse 36 tells us that all things are from Him.  You can’t bribe the God who created and owns everything. You can’t control the God who controls everything. You can’t tempt God by offering Him his stuff.  Your life is His. Your worship is His. Your love is His.  You gain no power over God by giving them to Him.  God owes you nothing. You can’t sway God because he created and controls everything and

B.  You can’t sway God because he sustains everything

Next, verse 36 tells us that all things are through Him.  Creation depends on Him and continued existence depends on Him. Your heart is beating right now and your lungs are expanding and contracting because God exists. It is the height of foolishness to think that we can threaten God by withholding anything.  You can’t sway God because he sustains everything and

C.  You can’t sway God because he owns everything

Verse 36 says, “to God are all things.” Every person and every rock and every neutron is headed toward God. Why is it that no one can give a gift to God? Because everything is God’s. Everything. Bow the knee before the glorious sovereign ruler of everything. Not because he is an ego-centric tyrant who longs to exploit you.  Bow the knee because he is glorious and he loves you and has redeemed you. Bow the knee because he has given Christ for you. Worship the merciful God.

The humble realize that I can’t give God anything but I stand to gain everything from him. What then should we do? Should we do nothing and ask nothing and try nothing because God is supreme?

IV. You exist to glorify the God who is supreme

A.  To him be the glory forever

When a Christian personally begins to understand who God is, what God has done, and what God is doing the response is always worship. We don’t worship because we like the music. We worship because we see God more clearly.

This is why Paul ends this paragraph with these words in verse 36, “To him be glory for ever. Amen.” Look at who God is. Look at what God has done through Jesus Christ. Look at what God continues to do in you and in the nations.  Glorify him.  Worship him. Make him known. And don’t stop.  Keep on treasuring God. Give him the praise and honor that God deserve forever. And then the Apostle Paul ‘amen-ed’ himself.

Paul saw the greatness and mercy of God and it overwhelmed his heart. He sealed his words of praise with agreement. ‘Amen’ means it’s true.  That’s right. This is glorious fact. The Father, the Son, and the Spirit are worthy of all praise.

Obviously this has implications for our worship gatherings. We must come together to celebrate, worship, and glorify our great God through faith in Jesus Christ according to the wisdom and power of the Spirit.  We will worship God to the extent that we see God for who he truly is. We must be Christ-centered.

And the glory of God has implications for more than our worship gatherings.

B.  God must be the reason for everything we do.

This is the conclusion. This is what we do because of who he is, Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

You are alive today because of the Father’s mercy. Your sins have been forgiven because of the Father’s mercy. You’re going to go eat lunch today because of the Father’s mercy. We celebrate Christmas because the Father is merciful.

In response to the mercy of God what should we do? Worship God by doing everything out of faith in this God and for the glory of this God. God is so glorious he must be the reason for everything. Everything else is idolatry.

Sit in the pew and remind yourself, “God is worthy. This is for Him.”  Sit in your car on the way to work and remind yourself, ‘God is worthy. This is for Him.” Set at your table and remind yourself, ‘God is worthy. This is for Him.” Work and love and breath and serve and worship because God is worthy of our everything. Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  Do you understand what is truly going on? Do you understand what this world and your life are truly all about?

We must cultivate an awareness of God’s greatness. Read the bible looking for the greatness of God.  Read the bible searching for the revelation of God’s mercy.  Read the bible broadly and study the gospel particularly. Jesus is the visible display of the invisible God. Study Christ.  Jesus is the exact representation of God. Make mastering what has been revealed about Jesus Christ your aim.  We must fight to make Jesus central to every day otherwise we will waste every day.

May God shine the light of his glory into our hearts today. May God show us Jesus Christ such that we honestly believe that God is worthy of every task and every thought in every minute of every day.