Psalm 15
Posted on Jul 21, 2016 by Shera Payne No comments
Introduction:
Relishing Scripture without Rushing
Eph. 18b-19. “Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”
Psalms
Poems sung to the accompaniment of music.
A variety of authors, mainly David
Real emotions expressed to God
Can be prayers, thanksgiving, hymns of praise, encouragement, or sometimes even a rebuke.
Psalm 15
A life that pleases God.
Psalm 15:1
Vital Questions
‘LORD, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?’
“Who can be God’s guest in his house? Who can truly worship Him?
“How shall I come before the Lord?”
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’ Micah 6:8
Psalm 15:2a
1. By doing what is right
‘The one whose way of life is blameless,who does what is righteous,’
Having the highest standards for our lives
Righteous ~ pure, like a perfect sacrifice.
Mat. 5:8 ~’be pure in heart’
Mat. 5:48 ~ ‘Be perfect……as your heavenly Father is perfect’
Psalm 15:2b-3
2. By being true in word
‘who speaks the truth from their heart; 3whose tongue utters no slander,who does no wrong to a neighbour, and casts no slur on others;’
Our words should be sincere and trustworthy
We shouldn’t slander people,- speaking evil about them or only talking about their bad points
Before speaking about others, we should ask ourselves, “Is it true? Is it loving? Is it helpful.
Zech. 8:16-17~ ‘Speak the truth to each other, …..do not plot evil against your neighbour, and do not love to swear falsely.
Psalm 15:4a
3. By honouring those who deserve honour
‘who despises a vile person but honours those who fear the LORD;’
Doesn’t mean we reject some as people beyond hope.
We should honour and support those who put God first, rather than those who seek to lead people in the opposite direction.
‘ love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth’ 1 Cor. 13:6
Psalm 15:4b
4. By keeping true to promises we make
‘who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;’
Many promises are hard to keep
Serving the Lord
Marriage
Promises to our kids
Contracts at work.
Psalm 15:5a
5. By having a right attitude to money
‘who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.’
Usury ~ The OT forbade lending money to poor people in order to make money from someone in desperate need. We should be prepared to help without expecting return.
We shouldn’t use money to gain an unfair advantage over others
Psalm 15:5b
The Outcome of a Righteous Life
‘Whoever does these things will never be shaken.’
When we realise all God expects of us it leads us to humility and repentance’
We should thank Him that we can come and accept His forgiveness through Jesus.
These values are not just means of coming to worship Him, but should govern our whole life.
Following them leads to knowing true security.
Psalm 15:5b
The Outcome of a Righteous Life
‘Whoever does these things will never be shaken.’
Mat. 7:24,25 ‘Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.’
Sermon by Colin Holtum