Psalm 133-134

Big Idea: Elevating And Worshiping God Over All Leads To Experiencing Spiritual Unity And God’s Blessing In All

The Blessed Life (Psalm 133-134):

1) Dwelling together in unity (Psalm 133)

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
- John 17:20-23

3 blessings that come through dwelling together in unity:
1) A daily goodness to delight in (v. 1)
2) A supernatural and sustaining sweetness to partake in (v. 2-3a)
3) An abundant and eternal life to hope in (v. 3b)

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call – one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
– Ephesians 4:1-6

“As for the person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.”
– Titus 3:10-11

2) Worshipping the Lord wholeheartedly (Psalm 134)

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
– Hebrews 12:28-29

Wholehearted Worship:
1) The Who: The Lord (v. 1a)
2) The When: day and night (v. 1b)
3) The How: lift up your hands (v. 2)

Psalm 132

Big Idea: The Guarantee Of God’s Promises To Us Should Drive Us To Worship Him With Our Whole Heart

3 Keys for Whole-Hearted Worship:

1. A passion for God’s presence (vs 1-5)

“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a spring; his branches run over the wall. The archers bitterly attacked him, shot at him, and harassed him severely, yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob.”
- Genesis 49:22-24

“Then he called for Solomon his son and charged him to build a house for the Lord, the God of Israel. David said to Solomon, “My son, I had it in my heart to build a house to the name of the Lord my God. But the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘You have shed much blood and have waged great wars. You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth. Behold, a son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest. I will give him rest from all his surrounding enemies. For his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name. He shall be my son, and I will be his father, and I will establish his royal throne in Israel forever.’”
- I Chronicles 22:6-10

What drives our passion for God’s presence:
1) Time in His Word
2) Praying
3) Fellowship with other believers
4) Corporate and private worship
5) Confession and repentance from sin
6) Remembering the salvation He has provided us
7) Slow down and be quiet

2. Faithful reverence (vs 6-10)

“having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.”
- Hebrews 9:4

3. Eternal Confidence (vs. 11-18)

“When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”
- 2 Samuel 7:12-16

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built!”
- I Kings 8:27

“And the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’”
- Luke 1:30-33

Psalm 131

Big Idea: A Calm And Quiet Soul Before The Lord Is The Key To A Content Life In The Lord

Because The Lord Is Enough:

1) An attitude to avoid: pride before the Lord (v. 1)

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
– Proverbs 16:18

“Come let us build ourselves a city and tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves …”
– Genesis 11:4

2) A posture to pursue: contentment in the Lord (v. 2)

“’Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’”
– Matthew 18:3-4

3) An exhortation to embrace: hope in the Lord (v. 3)

“For He Himself (Jesus) is our peace …”
- Ephesians 2:14a

Psalm 130

Big Idea: The Lord Hears The Cries Of The Troubled Soul And Assures Them Of His Forgiveness And Redemption

1. Earnestly cry out to the Lord. (v. 1-2)

2. Confidently fear the Lord. (v. 3-4)

3. Expectantly wait for the Lord. (v. 5-6)

4. Corporately hope in the Lord. (v. 7-8)

Psalm 129

Big Idea: Our Earthly Affliction Is Great But The Lord’s Enduring Preservation Is Greater

1) Earthly affliction is real, but the Lord always preserves us (v. 1-2)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
– 2 Timothy 3:12

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:8

2) Earthly afflicters are ruthless, but the Lord always delivers us (v. 3-4)

“I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
- Genesis 12:2-3

3) Earthly hate can be relentless, but the Lord always provides the victory for us (v. 5-8)

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”
– John 15:18-20a

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
– Matthew 5:44

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
– Hebrews 12:1-3

Philemon

Big Idea: Christian Love Is Not Merely A Concept Or Ideal—It Is Deeply Personal, Boldly Actionable, And Powerfully Transformational In Our Lives And In The Lives Of Others

1. A love that is hospitable and holds all things in common (vs. 1-3).

2. A love that is genuine and has a lasting impact on others (vs 4-7).

3. A love that recognizes a higher purpose in all circumstances (vs. 8-15).

4. A love that transforms lives and your identity (vs. 16).

5. A love that willingly counts and embraces the costs (vs. 17-20).

6. A love that believes the best in others (vs. 21-22).

7. A love that forgives and restores relationships (vs. 23-25).

Psalm 128

Big Idea: God Blesses Those Who Fear And Follow Him

1. The condition for God’s blessing is godly living. (1)

2. The context of God’s blessing is “the good life.” (2-6)

- “The good life” as seen in the marketplace: hard work. (2)
- “The good life” as seen in the home: healthy families. (3-4)
- “The good life” as seen in the world: hope-filled communities. (5-6)

Psalm 127

Big Idea: As We Trust In The Lord To Build The House We Can Rest In His Blessing Of It

Unless The Lord Builds It:

1) The Lord is the ultimate builder: depend on Him (v. 1-2)

2 wisdom warnings:
1) Without dependence on the Lord our working and watching is in vain (v. 1)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.”
- 1 Corinthians 10:31

2) Without dependence on the Lord our activity and anxiety is in vain (v. 2)

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5

2 antidotes for anxiety:
1) Trust the Lord to build it (v. 1)
2) Rest in the Lord as He watches over it (v. 1-2)

“Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep.”
– Ecclesiastes 5:12

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
– Matthew 11:28-30

“Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you.”
– 1 Peter 5:7

2) The Lord is the greatest Giver: delight in Him (v. 3-5)

2 Reasons To Delight In The Lord:
1) Because children are a blessing from the Lord (v. 3)

"And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
- Deuteronomy 6:6-9

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
– Ephesians 6:4

The impact of faithfully stewarding the blessings of our children:
1) When neither parent attends church: 81% of children will likely not attend church as adults
2) When only the mother attends church regularly: 39% of children will likely attend church as adults
3) When both parents attend church regularly: 74% of children will likely attend church regularly as adults
4) When only the father attends church regularly: 67% of children will attend church regularly as adults

2) Because children are a source of security and protection from the Lord (v. 4-5)

“Honor your father and mother”
- Ephesians 6:2a

2 Corinthians 2:12-17

Big Idea: God’s Plan To Reach The People Around You With The Gospel… Is YOU!

1. God uses us in unideal circumstances. (12-13)

2. God uses us to spread His gospel. (14-17)

We are…
a. Not wandering, but led. (14a)
b. Not deodorant, but perfume. (14b-16)
c. Not paid salespeople, but satisfied customers. (17)

Psalm 126

Big Idea: Remembering What God Has Done Fuels Hope In What God Will Do When We Live On Mission For Him

“Missional Memory” means…

1) Remembering with joy what God has done. (1-3)

2) Resolving with hope to “GO" for God. (4-6)