Sermon Tone Analysis

A New Song

Psalm 40   |   Shaun LePage   |   May 28, 2006

 

 

I.

Introduction

A.   Songs 1-4

B.    Greeting and Offering

1.     Tim is out of town this morning, so I’m taking advantage of the opportunity to do something a little different this morning.

The good news is, we’re going to sing a little bit extra.

The bad news is, I’m going to preach a little bit less.

2.     Normal Greeting and Offering.

C.   Songs 6-7 (/You’re Worthy /and Beth’s special, /Knees To The Earth/)

D.   Let children go to Sunday School

E.    Song 9

F.    Introduction of Psalm 40

1.

As many of you know, I led worship for 12 years in the church we attended prior to coming here.

Shortly after I started leading worship, I began to feel somewhat ignorant about worship.

So, I began to explore the Scriptures more and more regarding the subject of worship.

One of the most meaningful things I did during that time was study the Book of Psalms.

I figured 150 psalms, 150 days.

That’s about five months—give or take a few weeks.

Well, I actually spent about five years of my devotion time in the Book of Psalms.

I found that one day per psalm just wasn’t enough.

I often spent weeks reading the same psalm over and over to try to understand it.

Now, I’m a slow learner, but I don’t think that’s the only reason it took me so long.

The Psalms are rich and powerful and true to life.

I’m forever grateful that God gave us this book of songs.

2.      One of the things I realized as I studied the Psalms was that they are best utilized when we respond to them.

When we follow the example of those who wrote them.

When we use them as models for worship and prayer.

3.     That’s what we’re going to do today with Psalm 40.

As I said, this service is going to be a little different.

We normally have two very distinct sections in our worship service: song service and preaching.

But this morning, I’m going to ask you to bear with me as we merge those two sections.

We’re going to look at the Word of God, then respond to it with testimony and with song and with prayer.

4.     One of our core values is prayer.

I know that sounds like a no-brainer—of course Christians value prayer, that’s what Christians do.

But by listing prayer as a core value, your elder board is acknowledging that apart from the supernatural hand of God, we can do nothing significant as a church body.

So it’s a statement of our desire to become more and more dependent upon God in the days ahead and it’s a commitment to pray—as well as to encourage prayer.

My hope is that this morning’s service would be refreshing to you—not only as we worship and pray together, but also in your personal prayer life in the days ahead.

Please turn with me to Psalm 40.

II.

Body

A.   Praise

1.     David’s Praise

a)    David reported what God did (1-5): “*1I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.

The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare*.”

(i)   What God did—God’s record: turned to me, heard my cry, lifted me out of the slimy pit, set my feet on a rock, gave me a firm place, put a new song in my mouth.

(ii)  What God does—God’s ways: Based on what God has done in his life, David makes a broader application—for all who read Psalm 40: God blesses those who trust Him with wonderful and unspeakable blessings.

b)    David gave what God requires (6-8): “*6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart*.”

(i)   David—more than almost anyone—knew that God was more interested in heart worship than religious duty.

If someone brought sacrifices and offerings, but did not worship God from the heart, God was not impressed.

(ii) So, David brought himself.

His heart.

“Here I am” he said as he presented himself to God. “I desire to do Your will…Your law” David said, making it clear that he knew God’s glory and God’s will and heart obedience to God was what really mattered.

David gave what God truly required: His heart.

c)    David proclaimed what God proclaimed (9-10): “*9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord. 10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.

I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly*.”

(i)   Earlier, David focused on God’s works and His ways.

Here, he is focusing on who God is.

By nature—if God never did another great work—He is great.

(ii) David proclaimed what God had revealed about Himself.

God is righteous!

God is faithful!

God is Savior!

God is love!

God is true!

(iii)    What does it mean to “praise”?

It means to boast about God.

It means to boast about the greatest of God and righteousness and faithfulness and power and love and truth of God.

2.     Our Praise—Let’s follow David’s example.

a)    Report what God does (1-5).

Who would like to report what God has done in your life?

Who would like to stand and express your gratitude for something God has done in your life?

b)    Give what God requires (6-8).

We’ve already taken up an offering earlier, but remember that God requires more than mere obedience.

He does require obedience and it really is an act of worship to give time and treasure and talents to God.

But don’t think God /needs/ your time to get things done.

Don’t think God /needs/ your treasures to finance His work.

Don’t think God /needs/ your talents to make His name great.

But God does desire your heart-worship.

He does desire that you would give from a cheerful and grateful heart.

So, take a few minutes to offer yourself to Him.

I’ll ask one of your elders to close on our behalf in praying a prayer of recommitment of Community Bible Church to His glory and His will.

[ Sing song #11—/Take My Life And Let It Be /]

| *Take My Life**[Play first line as intro]*E                          B A ETake my life and let it be    C#m     F#m      E       B   EConse - crat-ed, Lord, to Thee.

B             A    B   Esus-ETake my moments and my days;               A          F#m         BLet them flow in ceaseless praise,E            C#m     E       B    ELet them flow in ceaseless praise.E                               B A        ETake my hands and let them move  C#m     F#m      E       B   EAt the   impulse  of    Thy love.

B             A    B   Esus-ETake my feet and  let  them  be                      A          F#m         BSwift and   beau -ti -ful  for  Thee,E                 C#m         E     B    ESwift  and   beau -ti - ful   for   Thee.E                              B    A     ETake my voice and let   me   sing  C#m     F#m      E       B   EAlways,  only,    for   my  King.

B             A    B   Esus-ETake my lips and  let  them  be                       A          F#m           BFilled with mes  -sa -ges  from Thee,E                  C#m         E       B    EFilled with  mes - sa - ges   from  Thee.

|  E                          B       A     ETake my silver    and   my   gold; C#m     F#m                E    B   ENot a    mite     would I   withhold.

B             A    B   Esus-ETake my intel  -  lect and   use                 A                F#m           BEvery       power as  Thou shalt choose,E                C#m           E       B    EE  -   very  power as   Thou  shalt choose.E                             B       A    ETake my will and  make  it   Thine;C#m     F#m      E       B   EIt shall be no    long -er  mine.

B           A    B       Esus-ETake my heart--it is   Thine own;                A          F#m         BIt shall    be    Thy royal      throne,E            C#m          E       B    EIt     shall be    Thy  ro -  yal   throne.E                              B     A     ETake my love; my  Lord, I    pourC#m     F#m      E       B   EAt Thy   feet its trea -sure store.

B             A    B   Esus-ETake my-self, and I    will  be               A          F#m         BEver,       on  - ly, all for    Thee,E              C#m       E      B    EE   -  ver,  on  - ly,  all   for   Thee.*[Play

last line to end]*(Public Domain, Frances R. Havergal, 1874) |

 

c)    Proclaim what God proclaims (9-10).

David proclaimed God’s righteousness.

His faithfulness.