Make thy face to shine upon thy servant
Book of Psalms • Sermon • Submitted
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Service Notes
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Prayer for Resthaven
Announce Beau’s first Sunday is the 18th
Introduction
Introduction
Opening Question:
If you get 10-15 minutes to explain your life.
Where do you start? What would your testimony say about the Word of God?
Tonight we continue our Psalm 119
Tonight we continue our Psalm 119
17th of 22 letters in Hebrew alphabet
We have seen many action verbs on this journey
Let’s walk through this together
Let’s walk through this together
Singing the word Psalm 119:172 “172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.”
Speak the word. Psalm 119:13 “13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.”
Studying the Word Psalm 119:15 “15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.”
Storing up God’s Word Psalm Psalm 119:93 “93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.”
Obeying God’s Word Psalm 119:129 “129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.”
Praising God for His Word Psalm 119:164 “164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.”
Praying that God would act according to his word Psalm 119:147 “147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.”
Tonight in our Text we will see
Tonight in our Text we will see
LOVE God’s Word (make a sacrifice of self to read it)
LONG for God’s Word (a natural reaction to loving it)
LEAN on God’s Word (obey what you read and see it proven true)
LAMENT over God’s Word (another natural response to loving)
Ask Beau to join me up front and bring his Bible
Our lives should be shaped by this Word.
Our lives should be shaped by this Word.
Core Value: · Text Driven Preaching
That is not all. Text Driven Lives and Ministries
This is what I have asked Beau to help us with.
Ask Beau about His Bible.
Praying together we will facilitate the ministry of the Word in our church and this community.
2 Thess 3:1 “1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:”
Ask Beau to read passage & invite missionaries to come up after the prayer.
Ask Beau to read passage & invite missionaries to come up after the prayer.
Let’s stand together - because we will shake hands after the time of prayer and as missionaries make their way up here.
Psalm 119:129–136 (KJV)
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
Life changing love for God’s Word
Life changing love for God’s Word
Psalm 119:129-130 “129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Wonderful
Wonderful
This is one of the words in this passage that starts with the letter “pei”
What is your word of choice for good things? It is generational. It is based on vocabulary.
We tend to overstate the obvious and understate the incredible.
In the 70 uses of the word in the OT they are almost always in regard to God
Wonderful is expressing actions that are beyond the bounds of human powers or expectations.
This idea is well expressed by the psalmist Psalm 118:23 “23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
“The word ‘wonderful’ is equivalent to our use of the word miraculous. These testimonies are supernatural, superhuman.” (Morgan)
What is wonderful?
What is wonderful?
Psalm 119:129-130 “129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Remember the synonyms we find of Psalm 119
Remember the synonyms we find of Psalm 119
Psalm 119:129–136 (KJV)
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
“Thy commands are wonderful. Full of wonderful revelations, commands and promises. Wonderful in their nature, as being free from all error, and bearing within themselves overwhelming self evidence of their truth; wonderful in their effects as instructing, elevating, strengthening, and comforting the soul. Jesus the eternal Word is called Wonderful, and all the uttered words of God are wonderful in their degree. Those who know them best wonder at them most”. CHS
Word of God has earned the right
Word of God has earned the right
Psalm 119:129 “129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.”
The enduring, abiding delight he had in the word of God prompted greater obedience.
These are the Words of God. He has rights to my life. His Words will dictate my life.
His Words have won my heart by being wonderful.
The Bible is not Rachel to us when we wanted to marry Leah.
“Holy admiration of the testimonies will kindle spiritual devotedness to them – Therefore doth my soul keep them.” (Bridges)
Why are they wonderful?
Why are they wonderful?
Entrance of the Word into my life brought life!
Entrance of the Word into my life brought life!
Psalm 119:130 “130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Won’t forget the touch lamp beside my sisters bed on the night she shared with me the Gospel. God’s Word’s brought light into my life and continues to do so.
People say “these are dark days” sure but the light is as bright as ever
The word “entrance” is another one of those words that start with the “pei” letter
Do not think of a door, but think of the flap of a tent for a moment.
Understanding to the Simple
Understanding to the Simple
Psalm 119:130 “130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
This is a blessing for the simple; God does not forget us.
This is a promise for the simple; We can approach God’s word with confidence, expecting God to give them understanding.
This is a responsibility for the simple; We cannot make excuses we are still responsible to seek God in His word.
Longing for the Word of God
Longing for the Word of God
Psalm 119:131 “131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.”
Would love to make so much of the Word of God tonight that if you did not already own one you would sale all you have for you.
The Psalmist may be panting because he is thirsty, or he may be panting gasping for air; but panting always denotes desire.
Story of Coach Pat Riley sticking his head in a bucket of water at half-time and holding it for almost 3 minutes. Came up gasping and saying “until you want to win as much as much as you want to breath we will never win”
Longing that is not acted upon is more wishing than longing.
Longing that is not acted upon is more wishing than longing.
Psalm 119:131 “131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.”
Do you since that longing to hear from God?
Do you since that longing to hear from God?
“Never rest content with mere longings. He that really longs is not content too long.” - CHS
Three words that bring great conviction
Three words that bring great conviction
Matthew 6:16 “16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.”
Why would Jesus give us instruction on fasting if He did not believe it would be part of our lives?
For many of us it would be like telling me “when you cook tofu…
Lesson from Ashely Southard to the High School Class a few years ago.
Lesson from Ashely Southard to the High School Class a few years ago.
John Pearson told me it was as good a lesson as he has ever heard on the topic.
Do not get prideful about fasting, but a church did contact us and tell us Ashely Southard and her husband were with us last week
There are 77 Biblical references to fasting mentioned !
1. Fasting humbles us & exposes our utter humanness; how much we need Him.
1. Fasting humbles us & exposes our utter humanness; how much we need Him.
Psalms 35:13 “13 But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.”
2. Longing for God will drive us to fast.
2. Longing for God will drive us to fast.
Matthew 9:15 “15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”
Until the ascended bridegroom (Jesus) returns for His bride (the church), fasting is a spiritual discipline His disciples will occasionally practiced.
This was the understanding of Christians in the book of Acts who are reported fasting in 13:2 and 14:23.
3. Fasting allows us to practice spiritual & physical discipline.
3. Fasting allows us to practice spiritual & physical discipline.
“The same discipline that allows us to say no to the cookie, guides us away from the path or sin: saying no to those friends or foul decisions that the devil plants in your mind.”
4. Lastly, fasting denies us of our fleshly or worldly desires, whether that be food or video games. Instead of filling your time and mind with the things of this world replace them with the satisfactory Word and Relationship of the Lord!
4. Lastly, fasting denies us of our fleshly or worldly desires, whether that be food or video games. Instead of filling your time and mind with the things of this world replace them with the satisfactory Word and Relationship of the Lord!
Romans 12:2 “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Leaning, steadfastly upon the Word of God
Leaning, steadfastly upon the Word of God
Look upon me
Look upon me
Psalm 119:132 “132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.”
It is wonderful to think that God has a custom, a pattern of action, toward those who love His name.
Leaning requires trusting. Trust this.
Let Him order your steps
Let Him order your steps
Psalm 119:133 “133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
Many today want to direct their steps by something else, anything else other than the word of God. (David Guzik)
“Direct my steps by my feelings.”
“Direct my steps by my lusts.”
“Direct my steps by my friends.”
“Direct my steps by my parents.”
“Direct my steps by my circumstances.”
“Direct my steps by my fate.”
“Direct my steps by my comfort.”
Avoid and and all iniquity
Avoid and and all iniquity
Psalm 119:133 “133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
We have taken “I am not perfect” and turned it into an excused to not pursue holiness.
Let our steps have a firmness about them
NT Promise Romans 6:14 “14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
One man said “you may not work on the Sabbath, but that doesn’t matter because you don’t work the 6 other days either”
If we do not avoid sin, we will avoid God.
If we do not avoid sin, we will avoid God.
Illustration: A little girl did something wrong, and when her mother found out she began to ask her daughter questions. Immediately the child lost her smile and a cloud darkened her face as she said, “Mother, I don’t feel like talking.” So it is with us when our fellowship with God is broken by sin in our lives. We do not feel like talking Him. If you do not feel like praying, it is probably a good indication that you should start praying immediately. (Billy Graham)
A peaceful walk is possible, because of Jesus
A peaceful walk is possible, because of Jesus
Psalm 119:134-135 “134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. 135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.”
Deliver me
Deliver me
Not just from any iniquity but from oppression of man
Psalmist wanted freedom to follow God
He didn’t ask freedom from oppression to build his name
As long as we have that freedom that is all we need.
Shining Face
Shining Face
Psalm 119:135 “135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.”
To know the face of God shining upon you is to be at peace with God and to know He is at peace with you.
This should be the desire of all of us.
This comes from the Aaron Blessing of Numbers 6.
Blessing increases by 2 words (hebrews with each line)
Numbers 6:24–26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
What is central to the blessing is the presence of God!
We see this same blessing with Peter and Paul when they started letters with “grace and peace”
Lament over those who break God’s Love
Lament over those who break God’s Love
Psalm 119:136 “136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.”
We have seen the truth stated positively, now negatively.
Tears show compassion and a lack of tears show a lack of understanding.
The psalmist here did not sorrow over his own troubles, but over the sins of others and the consequences those sins would bring.
Story of a shameful situation concerning sin. There should have been mourning but in hearing it they responded with pride. 1 Corinthians 5:2 “2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”
Closing
Closing
In this eulogy of God’s Word we have seen
Praises God's word.
Shows his affection to it.
Prays for grace to keep it.
Mourns for those who do not.