POD - Psalm 73

Psalm 73

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A psalm of Asaph.

¹Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.

² But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.

³ For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ They have no struggles;
their bodies are healthy and strong.

⁵ They are free from the burdens common to man;
they are not plagued by human ills.

⁶ Therefore pride is their necklace;
they clothe themselves with violence.

⁷ From their callous hearts comes iniquity ;
the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

⁸ They scoff, and speak with malice;
in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

⁹ Their mouths lay claim to heaven,
and their tongues take possession of the earth.

¹⁰ Therefore their people turn to them
and drink up waters in abundance. <sup>[c]

11</sup> They say, "How can God know?
Does the Most High have knowledge?"

¹² This is what the wicked are like-
always carefree, they increase in wealth.

¹³ Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure;
in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

¹⁴ All day long I have been plagued;
I have been punished every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, "I will speak thus,"
I would have betrayed your children.

¹⁶ When I tried to understand all this,
it was oppressive to me

¹⁷ till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.

¹⁸ Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.

¹⁹ How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!

²⁰ As a dream when one awakes,
so when you arise, O Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.

²¹ When my heart was grieved
and my spirit embittered,

²² I was senseless and ignorant;
I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

²⁶ My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.

²⁷ Those who are far from you will perish;
you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

²⁸ But as for me, it is good to be near God.
I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge;
I will tell of all your deeds.

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POD - Psalm 58

Psalm 58

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For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy."

Of David. A miktam .

¹ Do you rulers indeed speak justly?

Do you judge uprightly among men?

² No, in your heart you devise injustice,

and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

³ Even from birth the wicked go astray;

from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.

⁴ Their venom is like the venom of a snake,

like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

⁵ that will not heed the tune of the charmer,

however skillful the enchanter may be.

⁶ Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;

tear out, O LORD, the fangs of the lions!

⁷ Let them vanish like water that flows away;

when they draw the bow, let their arrows be blunted.

⁸ Like a slug melting away as it moves along,

like a stillborn child, may they not see the sun.

⁹ Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns-

whether they be green or dry-the wicked will be swept away.

¹⁰ The righteous will be glad when they are avenged,

when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked.

¹¹ Then men will say,

"Surely the righteous still are rewarded;

surely there is a God who judges the earth."

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POD - Psalm 51

Psalm 51

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For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51:1 Have mercy on me, God,

according to your loving kindness.

According to the multitude of your tender mercies,

blot out my transgressions.

51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.

Cleanse me from my sin.

51:3 For I know my transgressions.

My sin is constantly before me.

51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned,

and done that which is evil in your sight;

that you may be proved right when you speak,

and justified when you judge.

51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity.

In sin my mother conceived me.

51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.

Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness,

That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

51:9 Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all of my iniquities.

51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a right spirit within me.

51:11 Don’t throw me from your presence,

and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.

51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation.

Uphold me with a willing spirit.

51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways.

Sinners shall be converted to you.

51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness,

O God, the God of my salvation.

My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

51:15 Lord, open my lips.

My mouth shall declare your praise.

51:16 For you don’t delight in sacrifice,

or else I would give it.

You have no pleasure in burnt offering.

51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.

A broken and contrite heart,

O God, you will not despise.

51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion.

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,

in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings.

Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

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POD - Psalm 84

Psalm 84

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^1-2 What a beautiful home, God-of-the-Angel-Armies!

I've always longed to live in a place like this,

Always dreamed of a room in your house,

where I could sing for joy to God-alive!

^3-4 Birds find nooks and crannies in your house,

sparrows and swallows make nests there.

They lay their eggs and raise their young,

singing their songs in the place where we worship.

God-of-the-Angel-Armies! King! God!

How blessed they are to live and sing there!

^5-7 And how blessed all those in whom you live,

whose lives become roads you travel;

They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks,

discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!

God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and

at the last turn-Zion! God in full view!

^8-9 God-of-the-Angel-Armies, listen:

O God of Jacob, open your ears-I'm praying!

Look at our shields, glistening in the sun,

our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.

^10-12 One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship,

beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches.

I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God

than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.

All sunshine and sovereign is God,

generous in gifts and glory.

He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions.

It's smooth sailing all the way with God-of-the-Angel-Armies.

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Jesus Overview in the Gospels

In the New Testament, we have four accounts of the life of Jesus Christ which are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are called Gospels. But what is a Gospel, how are the four accounts different or similar and what were the main points each writer sought to communicate. This series looks at the revelation of this remarkably extraordinary man.

Each Link opens up in a new window!

1. Jesus in the Four Gospels

2. Jesus’ Birth

3. Jesus’ Baptism

4. Jesus’ Temptations

5. Jesus’ Mission

6. Jesus’ Twelve Disciples

7. Jesus’ Identity

8. Jesus’ Teaching

9. Jesus’ I AM statements 1

10. Jesus’ I AM statements 2

11. Jesus' Encounters

12. Jesus Reaches Out

13. Jesus’ Last Night

14. Jesus’ Last Teaching

15. Jesus’ Last Prayer

16. Jesus the Dying King

17. Jesus the Risen King

18. Jesus the Ascended King

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Sermon - A God of Joy and His people

A God of Joy and His people

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Introduction

Four weeks ago we looked together at Psalm 66 and discovered that true joy involved praise, testimony and sacrifice. That only by being serving instruments of God's orchestra of joy, can true joy be experienced! Then last week we looked at a momentous and joyous event followed by a great tragedy as Nadab and Abihu stumbled and incurred God's wrath on their sin.

Book of Leviticus

Tonight, we look again in the book of Leviticus. Some of the words and phrases we commonly use come straight from the book of Leviticus. Words such as jubilee and scapegoat are commonly used today. And what husband hasn't offered a form of guilt offering to his wife!

Leviticus does have important things to tell us about sin, obedience and holiness. Perhaps most importantly it tells of God dwelling with His people. So tonight we delve into Leviticus chapter 16, which is the centre and pinnacle of the book. So please do turn in your bibles to Leviticus 16.

36. Partake – The Christian disciple and God the Son

36. Partake – The Christian disciple and God the Son

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Speaking about Jesus Christ, the Apostle John writes: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning… No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known. (John 1v1, 18)

• · By becoming a man, He humbled Himself (Philippians 2v8)
• · To confirm God's promises (Genesis 3v15).
• · To reveal the Father (John 1v18, 14v9)
• · To become our high priest (Hebrews 8v1).
• · To become our representative before God (1 John 2v1).
• · To destroy all the works of satan (1 John 3v8, Hebrews 2v14)
• · To give an example of a holy life (1 Peter 2v21, 1 John 1v6)
• · To prepare for the redemption of all creation (1 John 2v2)

In this way, God himself has taken on the responsibility for our sins. Jesus, the Son of God, bore our sins on the cross, becoming sin for us, even though he was himself, sinless. By doing this, we are drawn to him in a personal way. God has shown that he loves us and wants us in a relationship with himself. Through Jesus, God has bridged the gap between the supernatural and the natural, the infinite and the finite, to show us what He is like. Jesus as God in person gives humanity a focal point to respond to. God does not compel us to love Him, but invites all to a dynamic relationship with Him. If Jesus were not God, then he would be part of the problem and therefore need to be redeemed himself! This is an untenable proposition. Jesus whilst being fully God, didn’t lose any of that divinity when he became human. Instead of losing anything, Jesus gained humanity. This divine and human nature unity is called ‘hypostatic union‘.

1. The Incarnate Of God

His full glory was hidden (John 17v6). He lived on the resources of his Father (John 5v19-20 & 30, 14v10). He emptied Himself (Philippians 2v5-7) and this process is called ‘kenosis’.

• Surrendered the relative divine attributes (e.g. omnipotence) -->> tends to deny Jesus' deity.
• He gave up all of the divine attributes. --->> Rejects outright Jesus' deity.
• He was made like us (Philippians 2v7). God the Son, The Word, Jesus Christ became flesh (John 1v4).

2. The Humanity of Christ

He was fully human and explicitly called a man (John 8v40; 1 Timothy 2v5). He was born of a woman (Galatians 4v4), so at least in a prenatal state he was nurtured and formed as any other male baby was and is. With his humanity, he exhibited normal human emotions such as love, weeping, sadness, anger and anguish. Jesus ate and drank. He had a body and a soul (Matthew 26v26-38). Jesus grew tired. He slept and perspired. He had human experiences - temptations (Hebrews 2v18); hunger (Matthew 4v12). Jesus died just as all mortal people do. Religiously, he worshipped as a Jew. He was human in every way that we are - physically, mentally and emotionally.

The only exception to this is that He was sinless (2 Corinthians 5v21; Hebrews 2v26). He was the Son of Man and Son of God and did not inherit the carnal nature that all humans have.

But why did Jesus need to fully human? Firstly, so Jesus death could appease God’s anger with us. Secondly so that Jesus can empathize and pray for us. Thirdly, Jesus exhibited true and perfect humanity. Fourthly, due to his perfect humanity, Jesus is to be our example to follow. Fifthly, while God is both above and beyond, the incarnation He is not so far removed from us, that He cannot interact with his creation.

One of the church father’s, Anselm, wrote that God’s salvation plan for humanity involved triumphant victory over sin, death and the grave. However no person could be found that was eligible or capable to do this. Because of this, God stepped into the human history, so that this victory could be achieved. This God-man would be fully human, so as to live every feature of humanity, including suffering and death. This God-man would also need to remain fully God, so as to defeat sin, death and the grave. Jesus, being sinless, was this God-man, consisting as he did of two complete natures, the God nature and the human nature.

3. The Deity Of Christ

Jesus is expressly called God - (John 1v1) The Word was God; (John 1v14) The Word became flesh; (John 1v18) The only begotten God; (John 20v28) My Lord and my God as declared by Thomas; (Titus 2v13) Our great God and Saviour, Jesus; (Romans 9v 5) Christ who is God overall; (Hebrews 1v 8) About the Son, He says 'Your throne O God is forever and ever...’; (1 John 5v20) Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

• Old Testament description of God was applied to Jesus. (Matthew 3v3) 'Prepare ye the way of Jehovah'
• He possessed the attributes of God - (John 14v6) Life; (John 8v58) Eternal; (John 14v6) Truth
• The works of God were ascribed to Him - (Col 1v16) Creation; (John 20v28; 5v23) Receives honour worship and glory belonging to God.
• Jesus had equality with God - (John 10v30, 33) I and the Father are One; John 5v18) Making Himself equal with God; (Philippians 2v6) In His very nature God; (1 Timothy 6v15) King of Kings and Lord of Lords - God; (Revelations 19v16) King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Christ; (Isaiah 44v6; Revelations 1v8) - Alpha and Omega - God; (Revelations 22v13-16) - Alpha and Omega - Christ; (John 8v58) Before Abraham was I AM

4. Major Historical Heresies Concerning The Person of Christ

• Ebionite - Jewish heresy. Jesus was a man who received divine power at His baptism
• Docetist - believed that the material world was evil (Common Greek & Eastern idea). So Jesus could not have had a real body, He only appeared to be human, denying His deity.
• Arian - 4th Century. Arius taught that Christ was a created being, trying to explain the idea of Christ being the 'firstborn' or 'begotten'. Denied the deity of Christ
• Apollinarian - taught that Christ had a human body and soul, but that His spirit was divine. Denies the humanity of Christ.
• Nestorian - 5th Century. Denied the union of the divine and human natures in Christ. Christ became 2 people (man and God) in one body.
• Eutychian - 5th Century. Mixed divine and human natures to create a third type of person. The human nature was absorbed into the divine.

For more to think about please do read John 14v5-14. Ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.

Q1. How does Jesus’ relationship with the Father, reflect my relationship with God?

Q2. How as a Christian disciple, do I explain to others about how to get to know God the Father?

Q3. How did Jesus’ earthly life and ministry, reflect the Trinitarian relationship between Father and Son?

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ADD - Armour of God

25. The Christian Disciple and the Armour of God

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Paul writing in Ephesians 6v13-17: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery darts of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

We have learnt previously something of satan’s strategy. Satan wants you, as a Christian disciple, to compromise your faith. He wants you to be fearful. He wants you to have doubts and blasphemous thoughts. He wants you to be a hedonist that only thinks of themselves and living a materialistic life. He wants you to put off till tomorrow what you can do today. He wants you to be an individual, instead of being involved in your local Christian community. At times we feel like giving up being a Christian disciple with the pressure applied on us by sin & temptation. The thoughts that satan implants in our minds like “Did God really say that?” or in the insatiable thoughts of lust, revenge or pride. Doubts set in. Guilt appears constant. To help His people, God has designed spiritual armour for us to wear during our constant battle with sin & temptation. This armour is what God wears according to Isaiah 59v17, when He goes out to battle! What are the hallmarks of this spiritual armour? Cast all thoughts of a Roman soldier out of your mind!

• · Truth - know, understand and live truth. Our lives are to be controlled by truth as revealed in Scripture. When we know truth so well, we can recognize the lies that we are told!

• · Righteousness - live a righteous life. Live the truth! When we started as a Christian disciple, before God we were given the righteousness of Jesus! But that righteousness needs to be lived out in the lives of Christian disciples. If it isn’t, then satan will attack!

• · Gospel - be ready to share it and rely upon it. Because we have peace with God, we are able to withstand without fear the attacks of the enemy! We have peace with God, but we are also to exhibit peace with others. Where peace is, the discord of our enemy cannot prevail!

• · Faith – show total trust in God for your life. The faith we have is a defensive weapon against the mistruths that come into our head: lies, blasphemy, lust, greed, selfishness are all little darts thrown at us by satan. By maintaining our trust in God’s promises and God’s power, these little darts are extinguished.

• · Salvation - assurance of salvation. Be assured! Let your mind be controlled by the Holy Spirit, so that you are not led astray. Your salvation rests in nothing apart from God’s promises and Jesus’ righteousness!

• · Bible - read and study God’s Word. The Word of God, the Bible, is our attack weapon! That is why we are to study it and learn from it, trusting in the Holy Spirit to lead and reveal it to us! We are to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus according to 2 Peter 3v18 and that is only achieved through studying the Scriptures! Then when we hear that nagging little voice that says “God didn’t say that”, we can say “Oh yes, He did!!”

• · Prayer – talk to God. This is how we are energized! Fighting in our own power is useless! When we talk to God, we strengthen our relationship with Him! When we ask other Christian disciples to pray for us, the Church unity is strengthened! A solo Christian is an anomaly. Except in extreme circumstances, there is always a way to ask for prayer and help.

How do we put on the armour? It is not through some mystical, deep and secret process that the spiritual armour is put on. If it were, not many of us would be wearing it! It is revealed, whenever we resist the works of satan, and don’t listen to the lies he tells us in our head. When our marriages, reflect the sacrificial love that Jesus has for the church, our spiritual armour is displayed. When children are taught the Gospel and instructed in the Lord, our spiritual armour is being worn. When we are diligent in the workplace, our spiritual armour is exhibited. When God is glorified in your life, you are wearing the spiritual armour! When are living fruitful lives for God, and giving all glory and honour to Him without compromise, we show we are wearing our spiritual armour! We can stand up for Jesus and say with honesty and integrity that He is our Lord and our master. When we meditate on God’s word, we nourish our minds with the truth of salvation! When we tell others of this message of peace with God, our enemies flee! 

When we ask others to pray for us, as Paul did, we show we are part of the Church, the beautiful bride of Jesus! All these and more, reflect that as Christian disciples, we are clothed in spiritual armour. It is our own responsibility to wear it and use it with confidence. We are to be alert to the prowling of our enemies and relying solely on God’s power to overcome sin and temptation. In our own strength we will surely fail, but by using God’s strength and clothed in His armour, we will prevail and overcome. The Christian disciple prevails and is an overcomer when reliant solely upon the God they seek to serve wholeheartedly.

For more to think about please do read for yourself Psalm 1. Ask yourself the following questions, writing them down if you can, and see how you respond or react to them. Then why not share your answers with your spouse or a close friend, so that you can pray over any issues together.

Q1. What are the contrasts between the ways of the godly and the ways of the ungodly?

Q2. In what ways am I bearing fruit in my life for God and showing I meditate on His word?

Q3. What can I do this week, to stop somebody walking down the path that leads to destruction?

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Testimony - Carol

Testimony - Carol Maxwell

Hear how this lady of faith turned her life around and came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour!

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