Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
Ever feel like life life chaos?
- turmoil - desire for stability
Parents of small children — “Really??”
News - it’s all chaos
Chaos of losing/finding a new job
Chaos of relocating
Chaos of health
A billion things orbiting around us that brings the feeling that we are in utterly tumultuous times!!
How do I get stability when everything around me is chaos?
is our text - middle of this huge Psalm dedicated to showing us the brilliance of God’s Word.
The way a jeweler spins a diamond to see all the facets, this poetic art turns the Word of God around so we see the help, strength, and good that God’s word is for us.
This section of is the middle of the Psalm - all pointing us to the power, authority, depth
This section is about chaos and stability - how do we get it?
Outer-Space Theology (vv.
89-91)
Forever - Word is fixed in the Heavens - v. 89
Planetary bodies // stars // galaxies all circling in their place
There is a permanence to this - FOREVER the heavenly bodies follow the word of God in their course.
God has spoken - so he has hung his word above.
Every time a planet completes it orbital rotat
Earth stands fast (it is established) - v. 90
“Your faithfulness (synonym here for “word”) - - endures!
Because God does what he says he will do he is therefore faithful.
Established the earth - stands fast
Universe is in order “by your appointment (judgement/regulations/laws)” to this day - v. 91
All things do what God has instructed or appointed.
WHY - because - all things are your servants (everything serves your plan! - NLT)
Everything in the universe, except sinful humanity, obeys God’s law.
Universe is in order - it’s not in chaos - it’s been moving/functioning in order since day one… how?
God’s word - his commanding/authoritative/just decree
God’s faithfulness - the nature of his character - trustworthy, reliable, steadfast.
The constancy of the universe is a clear demonstration of the character of God
The universe is in chaos!
Haven’t you seen a sci-fi movie?
NASA is watching an astroid (TV135) that could hit earth in 2032.
The odds are one in 63,000; NASA says it is 99.998% positive the asteroid will fly by us.
It has already done so once: Ukrainian astronomers say the 1,345-foot asteroid came within 4.2 million miles of Earth on Sept. 16, 2013 but will come within one million miles on Aug. 26, 2032
Apparent turmoil of the universe - stars, quasars, black holes, astroids, planets - the stuff of our worst sci-fi/disaster movies… and yet - it’s not out of order, it’s not falling apart!
If that’s true on the outer-space level - God word holds all things together and nothing is out of place — then in my every day life this can be true as well…
Spurgeon:
if God’s word suffices to establish the world surely it is enough for the establishment of the individual believer.
If Christ upholds the universe by the word of his power (), we can be confident he can uphold our lives by the very same word.
he elevates our minds to heaven, that they may fix their anchor there.
The Psalmist applied what he’s seen to be true in the cosmos to his personal life.
This is where the stabilizing reality of the Bible comes -
John Calvin and James Anderson, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, vol. 4 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 468.
Outer Space Theology becomes Everyday Theology
“If it was not for your word in my heart as my delight and joy I would have died in my chaos”
If I had not anchored my heart in your word - I would have died feeling all the chaos of the universe!
If you want stability in your life.... anchor your heart with the Word of God.
if God’s word suffices to establish the world surely it is enough for the establishment of the individual believer.
Big Idea: The stable life delights in the Eternal Word
Big Idea: The stable life delights in the Eternal Word
If we’re going to have a stable life in the midst of a chaotic world we have to move from Outer Space to Everyday Theology
A bible
If we’re going to have a stable life in the midst of a chaotic world we have to move from Outer Space to Everyday
Everyday Theology - The Word for My Life
Transition: Three ways to anchor yourself in the Word
What follows in v. 93-96 is Outer Space Theology becoming everyday practice - some tools for us to grasp to take God’s word and let it be a stabilizing reality in our lives.
1. Fix God’s Word in your mind (v.
93)
Forever, I will not forget!
God’s ways show us God’s character and when we walk in those ways we walk in life
By fixing God’s word in our mind we are fixing our hearts in his faithfulness
How do you “never forget” — you hide it in your heart, you memorize it… God’s word gets nailed into your heart.
HRT/SRT Bible plans - w/ verses.
Fighter Verses.
2. Seek God’s Word for deliverance (vv.
94-95)
Let the gospel word remind you of your identity so that when afflictions/trials/chaos comes you can be delivered!
I AM YOURS! - B/c of what Christ (THE WORD OF GOD!) has done he has made me his.
His cross secured my redemption and adoption
Because I am his the promises of the gospel can build up my heart when disaster strikes.
"When Satan tells me I am a sinner, he comforts me immeasurably since Christ died for sinners.”
Martin Luther
Plunder the Bible!
Know it so that your heart is anchored.
Study theology!
Having a life built on God’s word builds stability in the chaos
3. Enjoy God’s Word as true freedom (v.
96)
Psalm 119:
Everything has an ending - right
That perfect meal… it ends.
The amazing film or book… comes to a close.
The perfect marriage will end in one partner dying.
Everything we categorize as “perfect” ends
But - God’s Word has no limit -
Heaven and earth will pass away
They are perfect - and limitless - even though they seem to limit us with God’s law.
But they show us life.
Walking in the commandments of God gives us the broadest road!
Hear that - HAPPY!! Walking in God’s ways lead to happiness and life… not death.
Take up the Word as a source of joy and delight!
In his ways are life.
Conclusion
Even in the midst of what may seem like chaos - you will find stability
Big Idea: The stable life delights in the Eternal Word
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