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Writings on Christianity

Psalm 111 Sermon

I preached this sermon at Cross of Christ Fellowship in Naperville (you can hear the audio here under “stand alone sermons”).

“The Great Works of God” Psalm 111
Intro: What do you do when you feel bored with God? Heart feels dry and cold toward Him? World feels more real?
        -Psalms lead us back to worship God and see the truth of who He is.
                    -One way we come back to worship in by seeing again God’s great works and praising Him for it.
-Monet: One of the great artists of the impressionist era was a French man Claude Monet
        -People from around the world go to Museums to see His works; seeing His works helps us see His greatness as painter
                    -The works of a person reveal truths about a person (Oscar Schindler’s list—saving 1,200 people)
-Psalm 111 is a celebration of God’s works and call to worship Him for it.
         -Inspired ACROSTIC poem leads us to worship God.
                     -Theme: works of God.
-My prayer: we would see again God’s great works and worship Him for it. *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*

1. A Call to Worship (1)
-Ps 111 Begins with a call to worship:
Praise the LORD!
       
-This is an imperative (command).
                   
-We’re ALL worshippers. We were made to worship God.
-A Posture of Whole-hearted Worship: I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart,
       
-God desires a whole-hearted worship from us. Not hypocritical or partial.
                    -We want this too: wholeheartedness. Apologies, performances, effort in work and sports.
                                -Story of my own music lesson (your heart is not in it!)
-Worshipping With Others: in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
       
-There is no category in Scripture of lone-ranger Christian.
                    -We do worship alone. But also in small groups (company of upright) and Sunday (congregation)
APP: We’re all worshippers, let’s the Psalms lead us to worship the one true God.
                    –Idea for 2022: Begin your day by reading a Psalm and allow it to lead you to see God and worship Him.
 
2. Worshipping God for His GREAT WORKS (2-9)
Focus of this Psalm is God’s “works.” The “work/s” are mentioned explicitly 5 times, but more than that indirectly.
*Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*
QUESTION: What are the “works of God”?
        -Creation; salvation; providence; sanctification. (Acts 2:11 “MIGHTY WORKS OF GOD”)—Bavinck

5 Things to Notice about God’s Works

1. God’s works are GREAT!
-GREATNESS of God’s Works:
2 Great are the works of the LORD,
       
-God’s works are GREAT! Amazing/wonderful.
                    -Creation: Beauty and design is breathtaking
                    -Salvation: God’s work to save His people is amazing and wonderful.
-GREATNESS seen: 3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
                     (Visiting Frank Lloyd Wright houses: splendor to them)
                                           
-God’s works are even better: Performed by a great artist who is a king. (sky at night)                                 The works of his hands are faithful and just;
                                           
(not profane or vile, but faithful to what is right, and upright).                                                         -God’s works are not boring.
                                                                    -If you think God is boring, you don’t know the truth about God.
APP: See again the GREATNESS of God’s works this morning. *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*

2. God’s works can be known!
Agnosticism= God cannot be know. Bible=God can be known.
        -We can know God and we can know particular works of God.
-God’s Works are Objects of study and delight (2b): studied by all who delight in them.
       
-We DELIGHT in what God has done
        -We STUDY what God has done, by reading God’s word.
                    -This is the normal Christian experience: studying God and delighting in God.
-God has made sure we know about His works (4a) He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
       
-It is an act of God’s kindness for us to know God and His works: v4: the LORD is gracious and merciful.
-God has shown us His power: 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
        -WHY show his power? For humans = arrogant, but God does it that we might trust in Him and delight in Him.
                    -Like a going to talk with doctor about procedure, his expertise brings comfort and delight.
APP: God is the worthiest object of our study and delight. Let’s study and delight in His works together as a church.
                    -Pick a topic of theology and study it in 2022.
                                -Read through the Bible in 2022. *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*
                                            -Read a good theological book (Confessions; Knowing God; Religious Affections)
3. God’s Works are Kind-Provider of food: 5 He provides food for those who fear him;
       
-Manna in the wilderness (Exodus); Food for Elijah and widow; Daily bread for us (Matt 6) and wicked (Matt 5:45)-Provider of inheritance: 6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
        -Land of Israel
                    -Fulfillment in NT of eternal life, new Earth
APP: Our God is LOVING and KIND in His works. Remember that. *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*

4. God’s Works are Faithful and Lasting
“Eternal” is mentioned 5 times, which lifts up to the glory of God and His works.
        -Eternal righteousness (3):and his righteousness endures forever.
        -Eternally faithful to His covenant (5b, 9): he remembers his covenant forever.
                    -Instructions that trustworthy and enduring (7b-8): all his precepts are trustworthy; 8 they are established forever and ever,
                    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
        -His praise is eternal (10b): His praise endures forever! *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*
*CHILDREN:
Think of your favorite gift or toy from Christmas. Know this: it won’t last. But God will!APP: Our hearts were made for the eternal God, to enjoy His glory and revel in Him. 5. God’s Works Include Salvation for His People 
-God sends redemption to His people: 9 He sent redemption to his people;
Redemption: To bring a person who is enslaved out of enslavement is to redeem them.
        -OT redemption: God’s people enslaved in Israel.
                    -NT redemption: delivery from sin and condemnation (Matt 20:28; Col 1:14)
*GREAT WORK OF GOD SEEN IN THE GOSPEL! Jesus saves us to worship & behold God!*
         -RIGHT RESPONSE is WORSHIP: Holy and awesome is his name! *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*
APP: As Christians we need to daily remember the great work of the gospel, because we daily forget it!
        -Me: I have seen how often I forget and need to remember the gospel.

3. Worship and Wisdom (10)
There is a close connection of worship and wisdom. Those who worship the one true God, the God of all wisdom, will become wise, but those who worship the things of this world become fools.
        -We become like what we worship.
-Invitation to wisdom in v 10: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.
        -Psalmist quoting Scripture (Prov 9:10; Job 28:28).
QUESTION: What is “fear of the LORD”?
        Not: a cowering terror of being hurt or beat or abused.
        What it is: affectionate, reverent submission to God.
        It is seeing God in His absolute power, absolute authority, absolute wisdom, absolute beauty, and living accordingly.
                    -Here is beginning of wisdom and GOOD UNDERSTANDING.
CHILDREN: Do you want to be wise? True wisdom comes from fearing the LORD.

CONCLUSION: *Seeing the works of God lead us to worship God*
See them in his works of Creation.
See them in his works of redemption—sending Jesus to save us from our sins.
See them in his works of providence: working all things out behind the scenes for the good of those who love Him.
See them in his works of sanctification in your own life: saving you; sustaining you; filling you w/HS; making you more like Jesus.
See them in our church: carrying us, changing us, growing us in holiness in love.
See them as a sure future event: God is making all things new, we’re headed to new heavens and new Earth (1 John 2:9)

The sweet privilege Jesus grants to those who come to Him: to partake in a praise that never ends: “His praise endures forever”

By Tom Schmidt

Christian, husband of Rach, Church Planter,musician,

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