Weekly Sermon
 
In Psalm 119:6 the psalmist proclaimed, “Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.”  In verse 31 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.”  In verse 46 the psalmist expressed his commitment, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”  Again in verse 80 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.”  Yet again in verse 116 the psalmist lifted up his prayer, “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
 
In all five of these verses, the psalmist employed either the verb “ashamed” or its corresponding noun “shame.”  Furthermore, in all five of these verses the psalmist spoke about not being ashamed or not having shame.  What then does it mean to be “ashamed”?  It means to have a feeling of humiliation or embarrassment because of some wrong or foolish decision.  So then, what was involved in the psalmist’s desire not to be ashamed?
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Outlines in Psalms

 I.   The Troubled Life

      A.  Attacked by a fierce enemy.
           Verse 3a – “For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground.”

      B.  Dwelling in dark circumstances.
           Verse 3b – “He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.”

      C.  Troubled in the inner man.
           Verse 4 – “Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.”
           Verse 7a – “Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth.”

           1.  Overwhelmed in heart and spirit
           2.  Desolate in heart and spirit
           3.  Failing in heart and spirit

II.  The Right Response

James 1:2-3 reads, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

As a whole the epistle of James is written with a focus upon the daily character and conduct of the believer.  It is filled with imperative instructions, exhortations, and even correctives.  James, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19), was the leader among the pastoral leadership of the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18; Galatians 1:19; 2:9)  Therefore, as a pastor James originally wrote this epistle under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit to the Jewish believers who were scattered throughout the empire of Rome.  His Holy Spirit inspired purpose was to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the lives of these believers.

The opening matter about which this epistle provides pastoral counsel concerns the troubles, trials, and tribulations of our lives.  Yet the truth of this opening passage does not simply give us words of comfort as we face the afflictions of this life.  Rather, this opening passage confronts us with an instruction for our attitude as we face the afflictions of life.  Grammatically the single sentence of James 1:2-3 can be divided into three parts.  First, there is the exhortational imperative of the main clause – “My brethren, count it all joy.”  Then there is the contextual incident of the subordinate clause – “When ye fall into divers temptations.”  Finally, there is the motivational information of the participial phrase – “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:1-8 reads, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

As a whole the epistle of James is written with a focus upon the daily character and conduct of the believer.  It is filled with imperative instructions, exhortations, and even correctives.  James, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19), was the leader among the pastoral leadership of the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18; Galatians 1:19; 2:9)  Therefore, as a pastor James originally wrote this epistle under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit to the Jewish believers who were scattered throughout the empire of Rome.  His Holy Spirit inspired purpose was to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the lives of these believers.

The opening paragraph of this epistle (verses 2-8) moves immediately to the subject of life’s many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations.  This contextual situation and setting for the paragraph is established through the closing portion of verse 2 – “When ye fall into divers temp-tations.”  Now, in this context the phrase “divers temptations” refers to the many trials of our lives; for these “divers temptations” are described in verse 3 as “the trying of your faith.” 

Brethren, we all will face many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations in our lives.  Concerning this matter, God’s Word does not use the word “if,” but the word “when.”  It is not if we might fall into diverse temptations, but when we will fall into diverse temptations.  So then, how are we to deal aright with these many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives?  James 1:2-8 gives a series of four instructions concerning the matter.  Along with each of these instructions, a motivational reason is also provided in order to encourage our obedience therein.

Weekly Sermon

Acts 20:22-24 reads, “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.  And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” 

In this passage of Scripture, we pick up the life of the apostle Paul at the end of His third missionary journey.  While going about the areas of Galatia, Asia, and Macedonia, establishing and confirming churches in the faith, Paul collected money for the financially destitute church of Jerusalem.  Here we find Paul in Miletus for a few days, as the ship on which he had booked passage is resupplied and outfitted for the journey.  The apostle Paul, never one to waste time, takes this opportunity to send for the elders of the church at Ephesus, (Ephesus being approximately thirty miles distant).  Now, as the New Testament Scriptures often use the term “elder” as a reference for the official leadership of churches, we recognize these men in our common terminology as the pastors of the church at Ephesus. 

Unto these pastors the apostle Paul spends the whole of Acts 20:18-35 in a farewell address.  Contextually, this address can be divided into four parts.  First, in verses 18-21 there is Paul’s recollection of His past ministry with these men.  Second, in verses 22-24 there is Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading.  Third, in verses 25-31 there is Paul’s exhortation to these pastors concerning their ministry.  Fourth, in verses 32-35 there is Paul’s commendation of these pastors unto God.  In this message let us consider the second of these matters – Paul’s intention to follow the Spirit’s leading.  In the three verses of Acts 20:22-24, the phrase with which verse 24 begins stands out with great strength and emphasis – “But none of these things move me.”  The apostle Paul was like an unmovable rock.  Regardless of how the storms might blow, he remained a steadfast man of God.  Yet there are two questions that come to mind – By what things was Paul not moved, and from what things was Paul not moved?  So then, in this first part of the message, let us consider the answer to the first of these two questions – By what things was the apostle Paul unmoved as a man of God?  Furthermore, through Paul’s example let us consider how we also as men and women of God may also be unmoved in our spiritual walk with the Lord.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:25-29 reads, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”

In Psalm 119:25-29 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, presented a series of requests unto the Lord.  Then in Psalm 119:30-32 he presented a series of commitments unto the Lord.  However, it is important that we understand the circumstances and context out of which the psalmist expressed these requests and commitments.  Even so, the psalmist cried out in the opening line of Psalm 119:25, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.”  Again in the opening line of Psalm 119:28, he cried out, “My soul melteth for heaviness.”  The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, was suffering under a great trial of affliction.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was pressed down unto the lowest point, to the very level of the dust.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was melting away with grief and sorrow, possessing no strength to go forward.  In like manner, we ourselves may also suffer under such a great trial of affliction.  That great trial of affliction may come through opposition and oppression, through trouble and tribulation, or through discouragement and depression.  At such times we may also find our inner man pressed down to such a low and weak condition, to such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness.  At such times, what can we do?  At such times, we should follow the psalmist’s example by looking up unto our Lord in prayer.  So then, for what did the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, pray in his time of hopelessness and helplessness; and for what should we pray in our times of such hopelessness and helplessness?

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 143 contains twelve verses and is divided directly in half by the “Selah” at the end of verse 6.  Each half of this psalm begins with a request by the Lord’s servant David for the Lord to hear him.  Psalm 143:1 begins with the request, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications.”  In like manner, Psalm 143:7 begins with the request, “Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth.” 

The six verses of the first half of this psalm may be divided into three parts, each part containing two verses.  Within each of these two-verse parts of this first half of the psalm, we find three points presented.  Even so, the outline for this first half of the psalm may be found at the following link:  O Lord, Give Ear to My Supplications - Psalm 143:1-6. 

However, the six verses of the second half of this psalm are presented in a different form.  Herein we find a series of requests, and with each request we find a reason why that request might be answered.

Outlines in Psalms

“A Psalm of David”

  I.  The Desire of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 143:1-2)
 II.  The Desolation of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 143:3-4)
III.  The Devotion of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 143:5-6)

Outlines in Psalms

“Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave.”

  I.  The Supplication of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 142:1-2)
 II.  The Situation of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 142:3-4)
III.  The Safety for the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 142:5-7)

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm of David.”

  I.  The Cry of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 4:1-2)
 II.  The Confidence of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 4:3-4)
III.  The Commitment of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 4:5-6)
IV.  The Comfort of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 4:7-8)

Outlines in Psalms

“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.  My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”

 I.  The Reasons for Discouragement & Depression (Psalm 42:3-4, 6-7, 9-10; 43:1-2)
II.  The Response to Discouragement & Depression (Psalm 42:1-2, 5, 8, 11; 43:3-5)

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outline:  O God, Why - Psalm 74    

In that time of the Old Testament, the enemies for the Israelites were the foreign nations around them, that were attacking and afflicting them.  In this time of the New Testament, the primary enemy for us believers is not a “flesh and blood enemy,” but is our spiritual adversary the devil, who “as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” spiritually. (See Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8)

The Introduction:

Psalm 74:3 – “Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary.”

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.”

Psalm 11:1a – “In the LORD put I my trust.”
(Note:  The two questions of this psalm are significant for the flow of thought in this psalm.)

  I.  The challenge against the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:1b)
 II.  The conflict for the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:2)
III.  The concern of the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:3)
IV.  The confidence of the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:4-7)

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to two previous outlines:  In the Day of My Trouble - Psalm 77    
                                                                                    But I Will Remember - Psalm 77:10-12    

In Psalm 77:4-9 the psalmist Asaph cried out and complained, saying, “Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.  Will the Lord cast off for ever?  And will he be favourable no more?  Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?  Hath God forgotten to be gracious?  Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”

As we have noted in a previous outline (see above), through this complaint we understand that the psalmist had come to a place of utter discouragement and depression.  In addition, we understand that the foundational reason for the psalmist’s discouragement and depression was that he had come to a place of doubting and questioning the gracious, merciful, and faithful nature of the Lord his God.  Yet by the end of this psalm, the psalmist had come to a completely different place, to a place of comfort and courage through whole-hearted trust in and praise of the Lord his God.  The turning point for this change began with the opening confession of verse 10 – “And I said, This is my infirmity.”  Herein the psalmist acknowledged and confessed the sinfulness of his attitude against the Lord.

Yet what was the path by which the psalmist originally came to the place of utter discouragement and depression?  This path is revealed in the steps of Psalm 77:2-3.  According to the opening portion of verse 2, the psalmist had indeed sought the Lord through prayer – “In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord.”  Yet this involvement in prayer did not bring relief to the psalmist’s attitude; for in the opening portion of verse 3, he declared, “I remembered God, and was troubled.”  Why did seeking the Lord through prayer not bring relief?  It did not bring relief because although the psalmist involved himself in the practice of prayer, his heart remained focused upon the troubles of his life.  This then was the psalmist’s path to utter discouragement and depression:

Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outline:  In the Day of My Trouble - Psalm 77    

In Psalm 77:4-9 the psalmist Asaph cried out and complained, saying, “Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.  Will the Lord cast off for ever?  And will he be favourable no more?  Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?  Hath God forgotten to be gracious?  Hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.”

Through this cry and complaint, we understand that the psalmist had come to a place of utter discouragement and depression.  In addition, we understand that the foundational reason for the psalmist’s discouragement and depression was that he had come to a place of doubting and questioning the gracious, merciful, and faithful nature of the Lord his God.  Yet by the end of this psalm, the psalmist had come to a completely different place, to a place of comfort and courage through whole-hearted trust in and praise of the Lord his God.  So then, what brought about this change?  The turning point of the psalm is found in verses 10-12.