Sermon Cloud

The Strength Of God’s Word

Psalm 119:25-32

We have been studying the longest “chapter” in the Bible – Psalm 119.

• There are 22 sections of eight verses each
• Each division deals with some aspect of God’s Word
• We have looked at what the Word of God does for us, and How it works in the lives of believers.

THIS MORNING – The fourth section deals with the Strength of God’s Word

• Here the Psalmist urges men to be true to the Bible

It deserves our commitment because of the strength it brings

IT IS:

1. STRONG UNTO SALVATION
2. STRONG FOR WITNESS-BEARING
3. STRONG TO SAVE LIVES
4. STRONG TO GIVE HOPE

IT IS STRONG UNTO SALVATION: SAVED ACCORDING TO THE WORD – V.25-26

A. “My soul cleaveth unto the dust”

1)    Dust = “this world”

• David faced a crisis of life
• He was in the valley of despair
• He eloquently and poetically likened his soul to “lying in the dust”

FRIENDS – Indeed, there comes a time in life when it seems we are so low that we have to reach up to touch bottom

• Discouragement and despair faced the Psalmist of Israel

HEAR ME THIS MORNING CHURCH - This world offers no hope to the lost soul!

• In actuality the opposite is true
• We find that the things of this world can choke the Word

Matthew 13:22 - "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

• Jesus is telling the parable of the “Sower of the Seeds”
• Here, the seed germinated and a new life sprang forth
• The person quite evidently was born again
• However – because of distractions by the “things” of life – the seed is choked
• And though alive – never brings forth much fruit

FRIENDS – Though saved – this type of Christian gets so involved in the activities of the world that he never brings forth much fruit for God

• Legion are their number
• They are saved – but fruitless

2)   In 1 Corinthians 15:19 - Paul said if our hope was only limited to this life – this earthly existence – then we will be miserable.

1 Corinthians 15:19 - “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."

B. V.26a – “I have declared my ways, …”

  1. David declared his ways  to the Lord – He repented

• Repentance is a misunderstood doctrine these days
• It is necessary for us to be saved – because it deals with our thinking
• It involves a complete turnaround in our minds concerning what sin is – who God is – and what he did for us.
• When Paul instructed the Philippian jailer to “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Not in the “man upstairs” or “the force of good” or any other mystic foolishness that is put forth today

FRIENDS – Salvation is in the person of Jesus Christ and in His finished work on the cross of Calvary.

• When we repent – we change our thinking – which will result in a change of our behavior!

   2. V.26b – “and thou heardest me”

• In his repentance – the Lord heard David’s cry

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

• Praise God – He has promised to hear our confession

FRIENDS – Salvation brings about a desire to know the Lord’s will

• God’s Word – the Gospel – tells us how to be saved
• BUT - The Word also instructs us on HOW we should live for Him

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

• FOR DOCTRINE = what is right
• FOR REPROOF = what is wrong
• FOR CORRECTION = how to get it right
• FOR INSTRUCTION =how to keep it right

IT IS STRONG FOR WITNESS-BEARING: TAUGHT ACCORDING TO THE WORD – V.27-28

²⁷Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. ²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

A. The Lord could make David understand by the way of His precepts

• Paul told us that the natural man (unbeliever) could not understand the things of the Spirit
• It is the Holy Spirit within the believer that brings the understanding of God’ Word

B. Notice that David did not write “make me to understand Thy precepts”

• Rather, he wrote: “the WAY of Thy precepts”

FRIENDS – Do you see the difference?

• It is one thing to have an academic understanding of God’s Word
• It is another thing to understand the practical outworking of God’s Word in our day-to-day living.
• David yearned to understand the WAY of God’s Word so that he could clearly speak of God’s working in his life
• Indeed, the more we understand God’s Word – the more clearly we can witness to others.

LET ME ASK YOU THIS MORNING CHURCH – How often do we fail to speak a word of witness – because we feel inadequate to explain the Scriptures?

• God tells us in His Word that He will give us the understanding and the confidence in our witness as we study His Word and become effective in its use

Heb 5:14 - "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

FRIENDS – Just as the Word was able to strengthen David, It will strengthen us to have a stronger more effective witness to others who are going through difficult times.

• How often have we simply stood by and said nothing to someone who was facing a tremendous trial – simply because we didn’t know what to say!

God’s Word directs the saved toward proper service in the church!

(1. It uis strong unto salvation; 2. It is strong unto witness-bearing)

IT IS STONG TO SAVE LIVES: TO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE WORD  - V.29-30

²⁹Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

1. God’s Word helps us avoid lying and falsehood

• When we learn the graciousness of His Word it will cause us to choose the “Way of Truth”  - JOHN 14:6

FRIENDS – The Word is like an open book arrayed before us

QUESTION – How many of you have used a road map in your travels?

• When you traveled you kept in folded up and put away in the glove box – RIGHT?
• Of course not.
• When we open it up – spread it out before us – then we can know which way to go!
• The same is true for God’s Word

EMPHASIS: God’s Word is sufficient all through the lives of the saved!

IT IS STRONG TO GIVE HOPE: HOPE ACCORDING TO THE WORD – V.31-32

³¹I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. ³²I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

A. Life is to be spent clinging to the Lord’s testimonies

1. Spiritual markers – In the Experiencing God discipleship class we are encouraged to take time to review our lives and recognize times that how certain events changed our lives

• We learned that God is always at work in our lives – even when we were non-believers
• We learned to give God credit for how He had worked in our lives

FRIENDS – When the going gets tough – we need to remember how God has worked in our lives in the past and then claim by faith that He will continue to work in our lives today.

B. “Put me not to shame”

• David implored the Lord that he not be put to shame – or disappointed in his choices.

NOTE: Moses’ instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised land.

READ: Deuteronomy 11:22-28

FRIENDS – The shame is when we fail to obey God’s Word

• I realize that we are not under the covenant AS Israel was, but there is a principle here concerning consequences of actions.
• Each of us will reap the consequences of our actions

Galatians 6:7-9 - "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. {8} For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. {9} And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

C. Our course is to be run in the way of the Lord’s Commandments

2 Timothy 4:6-8 - "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. {7} I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: {8} Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

FRIENDS – David expected by this that the Lord would enlarge his heart – fulfill every hope.

• The Word of God can guide us safely into eternity!

CLOSE

So we see the strength of God's Word.

• It is strong unto salvation.
• It is strong for witness-bearing.
• It is strong to save lives.
• It is strong to give hope.

FRIENDS - We need to recommit our lives to the Word of God.

• It will make the difference in our lives

And in our effectiveness to make a lasting impact upon others