God in His Proper Place
Griffith Baptist Church – 6/15/08
P.M. Service
Text: Psalm 33
Main Verse: Psalms 33:13 - The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
The Introduction
A man was driving in the country one day and he saw an old man sitting on a fence rail watching the cars go by. Stopping to pass the time of day, the traveler said, “I never could stand living out here. You don’t see anything, and I’m sure you don’t travel like I do. I’m on the go all the time.”
The old man on the fence looked down at the stranger and drawled, “I can’t see much difference in what I’m doing and what you’re doing. I sit on the fence and watch the autos go by and you sit in your auto and watch the fences go by. It’s just the way you look at things.”
Sometimes, we do not have a right perspective of the Christian life because we do not have God where He belongs in our lives. He is not in His proper place.
We know He should be number One, but is He really?
We know He is Sovereign God, but do we reduce Him to something more comfortable for us to deal with?
Transition Statement: First, in order to have God in the place He should be in our lives, He needs to be our song.
Body
1. God Must Be Our Song (1-5)
A. If you can’t sing about God, as a Christian you have no business singing about anyone or anything else.
B. No other tune ought to grace your lips than what is sung to your God
C. Look at what we have to sing with (1-3)
i. Joy (1, 3)
a. Never ceasing - Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
b. It is a delight to God’s ears - Psalms 147:1 - Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (it is a delight to God).
ii. Thanksgiving (2a)
iii. Instruments – all kinds (2)
a. Turn to Psalm 150
b. Praise Him no matter where you are (1)
c. Praise Him because of who He is (2)
d. Praise Him on instruments dedicated to His praise (3-6)
iv. New songs – His love never gets old (3a)
a. There is nothing wrong with new songs
b. A testimony of God working in our lives - Psalms 40:3 - And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
D. Look at what we have to sing about:
i. Redemption (righteous ones) (1)
ii. The faithfulness of the Word of God (4a)
a. Sweetness to the soul - Psalms 19:8 – 7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
b. The give the believer blessing in obedience - Micah 2:7c - . . . do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly?
iii. The faithfulness of God Himself (4b)
a. Faithful in all things
b. Never lets us down
c. Always with us and caring for us
d. Always ready to forgive and restore
iv. His love of righteousness and justice (5a)
v. His lovingkindness shown to all (5b)
Transition Statement: Not only does He need to be our song, He also needs to be our sovereign.
2. God Must Be Our Sovereign (6-12)
A. Because He is Creator (6-9)
i. God spoke and it happened (6a)
ii. Created out of nothing - Hebrews 11:3 – Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
iii. Genesis 1
iv. God breathed and it came to life (6b)
a. Elsewhere it is translated “Spirit”
b. It is used of creating life here in this verse and Genesis 2:7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
c. It was used in the giving of God-given Scripture – inspiration mean “the breath of God” – the Holy Spirit – 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:
d. It can even be used to destroy life – Isaiah 11:4 - But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
v. He formed and continues to form His creation (7)
a. He maintains – Colossians 1:16-17 - 16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
b. He creates us miraculously – Psalms 139:1 - 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
vi. No other power could be so powerful as God that we should be in awe of Him (8-9)
B. Because He is Commander (10-12)
i. He is ruler over every nation, no matter how godless they may be (10)
a. The attitude of nations against the Lord - Psalms 2:1-3 – 1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
b. The outcome - Isaiah 8:10 – Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God is with us.
c. He determines the destiny of political leadershipDaniel 2:21 – And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
d. He can direct the thoughts of individual leaders, even if they are not believers - Proverbs 21:1 - The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
ii. He determines the actions and history of all nations (11)
a. He is in control even when things seem out of control
b. It is in His will that we find direction and peace
iii. A nation can’t go wrong with God as their God (12)
a. His children must follow the Word of God
b. His children must put His will above their own
c. Most of His children in our country are doing the opposite. Our country will be blessed when we stop and take inventory of our spiritual condition. It is called revival - 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Transition Statement: He should be our song, our sovereign, and third, should be our superior.
3. God Must Be Our Superior (13-17)
A. God is and always will be high on His throne (13-14)
i. His gaze is all encompassing (everywhere) - Job 28:24 – For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven
ii. His sight is unlimited (everything) - Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
iii. His view is unobstructed (every detail) - Hebrews 4:13 – Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Ps. 139:7-12)
B. God knows every detail of every person and their life (15)
i. He knows us intimately so he can help us abundantly
ii. He understands us better than we understand ourselves
C. God is our confidence in our battles in this life, not in anything earthly (16-17)
i. The king
a. Gideon defeated the Midianites (around 135,000 of these nomadic pests) with 300 men.
b. Strength is not found in numbers
ii. The warrior
a. Samson was a mighty man but was weakened by disobedience
b. Strength is not found in muscle
iii. The horse
a. Sisera thought his iron chariots and horses would protect him but Barak defeated Sisera and Jabin, the Canaanite king – Judges 4:15 - And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
b. Strength is not found in false fortresses (self-righteousness, pride, self-solutions)
iv. Where is strength found – Zechariah 4:6 - Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
Transition Statement: Last in our text, but first in priority, God must be our Savior.
4. God Must Be Our Savior (18-22)
A. So He can watch over us in love (18)
i. That is His constant joy
ii. 1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
B. To deliver us from Hell (19)
i. A hell made for the devil and His angels (Matt. 25:41)
ii. Instead of a home in hell He is preparing a home in heaven
C. To give us a reliable Hope (20-22)
i. Our protection (20)
ii. Our joy (21a)
iii. Our trust (21b)
iv. Our hope (22)
Conclusion:
Where have you placed God in your life?
