Cornerstone Church September 18/19, 2010
“BETTER THAN GOLD AND HONEY”
Psalm 19:7-11
Chuck Swindoll recounts in his newest book: “The Church Awakening” about spending summers at his Grandparent’s cottage in Texas near the Gulf of Mexico. Let’s pick up the story:
“I remember one day when I was about ten years old. My Grandfather took me outside and said, ‘Every year this cliff drops off a little and wears away; I want to show you.’ He used a big word I never heard of before: erosion. We walked some distance from the edge, and he measured the space from that point to where the cliff dropped off to the water. He drove a stake into the ground to mark the spot. “You’re going to be here next summer,’ he told me, ‘and we’ll measure this again then.’”
He goes on to say:
“Webster defines erode in simple terms: ‘to diminish or destroy by degrees….To eat into or away by slow destruction of substance…To cause to deteriorate or disappear.’ Over the years, I have discovered three simple truths about erosion, all of which parallel Webster’s description. Rather than occurring rapidly, erosion is always slow. Instead of drawing attention to itself, erosion is always silent. And in place of being obvious, erosion is always subtle.”
“Indeed the safest road to hell is the gradual one – the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings,
without milestones, without signposts.”
C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters, quoted by Swindoll
Chuck Swindoll, “The Church Awakening” pgs 3-5
It reminds me of the story of the frog in a kettle.
Place a frog in a pan of cold water and place it on the stove. Then turn up the temperature gradually until the water boils. The frog will not jump out!
“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign LORD,
“when I will send a famine through the land — not a famine
of food or a thirst for water,
but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD.
Amos 8:11 NIV
“My people have committed two sins:
They have forsaken me, the spring of living water,
and have dug their own cisterns,
broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jer. 2:13 NIV
People today are looking everywhere in all sorts of places for spiritual truth.
Even Christians have bought into the notion that God’s Word is not enough.
We have capitulated and elevated man and his ability to reason and solve problems above the God who created us.
Social scientists
Behavioral psychologists
Philosophers
Educators
Religious thinkers
Politicians
The media elite
Many claim they possess the truth and understand the meaning to life and how to solve the world’s problems. But do they?
The greatest problem is not their lack of intellectual data.
Many of these people are honest and quite sincere in their pursuit of the truth.
They may hold the highest degrees from the greatest institutions. The dilemma, however, may be in what they have left out in their thinking. The truths revealed by God Himself.
Man, studying man and his environment around him is destined to fail.
His knowledge is not comprehensive. At best, we have journeyed to the end of our solar system with satellites, ventured into the inner space of the mind and body, probed the depths of the oceans and traveled around the world.
Man calibrates all the instruments to himself! They can’t deal with the metaphysical world.
ILLUSTRATION:
United States Senator, Dan Coats, from Indiana gave this testimony in an area church. He was on a committee to solve problems with delinquent youth. The government had poured unlimited money into this prototype program. They built a home for these youth, hired the finest counselors and educators to help them. When he and the other Senators on the committee viewed the best that the government could do he was discouraged. As he was leaving one of the youth stopped Senator Coats. “Senator, you seemed discouraged by what you have seen. Let me tell you what happened to me. This home could not solve my problems. But, during one of the visitation times, someone came to visit me and shared Jesus Christ with me and I was converted.” Jesus is our only hope. Senator Coats, left renewed in his commitment to Christ as being the answer to the world’s problems.
Archimedes: “Give me a place to stand on and I will move the Earth.”
In order for man to do this he needs a place beyond himself to place his lever.
His “place to stand” is found in God’s Word.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TELL US ABOUT ITSELF?
IS THE WORD OF GOD, ALONE SUFFICIENT?
IS THE BIBLE MERELY MAN’S WORDS ABOUT GOD
OR ARE THEY GOD’S WORDS ABOUT MAN?
Psalm 19:1-4 (Speak about General / Natural Revelation)
Natural Revelation is enough of a testimony to declare everyone guilty before a Holy God.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:7-9 (Speak about Special Revelation)
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Psalm 19:7
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
Psalm 19:8
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
Psalm 19:9
IN PSALM 19:7-9 ARE FOUND SIX STATEMENTS
Each contains three elements:
A title for God’s Word
A characteristic that describes God’s Word
A benefit produced by God’s Word
There are six TITLES for Scripture:
Law
Statutes
Precepts
Commands
Fear
Ordinances
There are six CHARACTERISTICS of Scripture:
Perfect
Trustworthy
Right
Radiant
Pure
Sure
There are six BENEFITS of Scripture:
It revives the soul
It makes wise the simple
It gives joy to the heart
It gives light to the eyes
It endures forever
It is altogether righteous
There are also six occurrences of the Covenant Name for God
(YAHWEH – Jehovah)
A. GOD’S WORD IS PRECIOUS
There is no other book on earth like it. When it speaks, it speaks for God.
1. It Challenges Us (19:7)
The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
Title: The Law of the Lord = Torah
This reflects teaching and instruction. God’s Laws for living.
What we believe (Creed)
What we are (Character)
What we do (Conduct)
Characteristic: It is perfect
Flawless, perfect, comprehensive, complete, sufficient
Not so with human wisdom
Benefit: Reviving the soul
Reviving = converting, restoring, refreshing, transforming
Soul = Our whole being (body, mind, soul)
Literally, God’s Word brings the sinner back to God.
* It enlightens a darkened mind full of the world’s philosophies and religions.
* It has sufficient power to convert the soul, to transform the soul and to restore the soul.
* It cuts through to our heart/inner being
Heb. 4:12-13 NIV For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
Psalm 19:7b
Title: Statutes / Testimony of the Lord = Divine witness
God’s personal testimony
Characteristic: Trustworthy = Unmistakable / unwavering / sure
Benefit: makes wise the simple
Back to the characteristic
2 Pet. 1:16-21 NIV We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Just as sailing ships are carried across the ocean by the power of the wind so were the authors of God’s Word carried along by God the Holy Spirit.
Through inspiration the Holy Spirit only superintended the outcome but did not eliminate the author’s personality.
Note: The validity and the authority of the Scriptures is first of all a matter of faith.
“It isn’t God said it, I believed it and that settles it.”
“It is God said it, that settles it”
GOD IS GOD
PROOF OF THE SCRIPTURES:
1) The books of the Bible themselves claim to be God’s Word
2) Jesus testified to the Scriptures (Wilderness Temptation – Matthew 4)
3) Doctrinal and ethical purity is superior to other written literature
As John Wesley stated, “would bad men right such a book and if good men did it they would not have been dishonest.”
4) The power of the Word to affect and transform us
Example: A leading agnostic challenged Dr. Harry Ironside at a Salvation Army rally to debate. Dr. Ironside said he would if the agnostic agreed to these terms.
Next week you bring with you 2 converts whose lives hearing you teach on agnosticism changed. Dr. Ironside said he would bring 100 with him who heard the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ and their lives were changed!
5) Comprehensive Unity in the midst of Diversity
40 authors 66 Books
1,500 years (1450 BC - AD 90)
Marvelous doctrinal unity
Organic living unity
6) Exceptional Accuracy
Acts 19:38 NIV If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges.
Skeptic: Everyone knows that only one proconsul would be over a city such as Ephesus. See, the Bible must be wrong!
* Notice what took place in history. Junius Silanus, Proconsul had been murdered by messengers of Agrippina, mother of Nero.
* An Ephesian clerk records that Helius and Celer were apparent successors of Silanus.
7) Prophecy (fulfilled prophecy)
There are 61 Major Old Testament prophecies alone that were fulfilled by the birth and death of Jesus. The chances of that are 1 to 1017 power
One hundred thousand trillion
Illustration: Fill the entire state of Texas with Silver Dollars 2’ deep and then send out a blindfolded individual to pick once the coin with the red back!
8) The Bible’s Preservation
The Word of God was first translated by hand on papyrus, copied to parchment and later paper all by hand.
Many hated it and tried to eliminate it
By force
By argument
Illegal in many places throughout the world (Bloody Mary’s Reign - 1553)
Voltaire was a great antagonist against God’s Word seeking its elimination. He thought Christianity would disappear within 100 years of his death.
Fifty years after his death Voltaire’s printing presses and home was used to print Bibles by the Geneva Bible Society.
Because Satan was not effective in eliminating God’s Word he has devised a new approach of downgrading its importance.
Pastors fail to preach it and people fail to read it.
Like in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World it wouldn’t be that books would cease to be produced, it would be simply that nobody would want to read anymore.
In the words of Neil Postman, We are “Amusing Ourselves to Death”.
Benefit: makes wise the simple
Simple = “an open door”
* Naive
* Undiscerning
* Non-discriminating
Living without discerning when to shut your mind to false and harmful teaching.
For those who would say, “I am open minded!” the Jew would have said, “Close it!”
The Word of God makes us wise. Wisdom is not intellectual data.
Wise = Skilled in all aspects of Holy living
1 Cor. 1:18 NIV For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:25 NIV For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.
THE WORD OF GOD HELPS US ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:
Why am I here?
What is the purpose of life?
When I die, what then?
Who is God?
What is God like?
How can I know I have eternal life?
Where is there wisdom on marriage?
How do I raise my children?
2. It Cheers Us (19:8)
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
Title: Precepts = “Divine guidelines for living”
Characteristic: are right = “the right path”
Ps. 119:105 NIV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Because we understand where we are going for all eternity and life’s uncertainty has been removed we have the benefit of joy.
In the midst of sorrow, pain and suffering we can trust the Lord.
Benefit: …giving joy to the heart
Jer. 15:16 NIV When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
Title: Commands = “Divine mandate”
Authoritative and binding
The Word of God is not a Book of suggestions
“Therefore, to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.”
Dr. Wayne Grudem, “Bible Doctrine: Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith”, pg. 39
Characteristic: radiant = Pure / clear / lucid
Easy to see / clear directions
Not mystifying, confusing or puzzling
Benefit: giving light to the eyes
The Word of God is illuminate the darkness to see properly:
Ignorance leads to understanding
Confusion gives way to order
Darkness becomes light
3. It Changes Us (19:9-10)
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
Title: Fear refers to Scripture
Fear = reverential awe and respect for God and His Word
Characteristic: Is pure = clean (absence of impurity / filthiness / defilement)
Without error
Psalm 12:6 NIV And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.
The Word of God is never wrong concerning what is says about:
God Satan
Man Demons
Angels Salvation
Hell Heaven
John 14:6 NIV Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
It is accurate and true
The Word of God is just as relevant today! It needs no updating, editing or revising.
Benefit: It endures forever
Matt. 5:18 NIV I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Mark 13:31 NIV Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
Title: Ordinances / Judgments = “Divine verdicts”
There is no equivocation with God or bending to popular opinion. These judgments reflect pronouncements from His bench.
Whatever He has stated is the truth on these matters and is non-negotiable.
Characteristic: are sure / true
John 17:17 NIV Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
Benefit: are altogether righteous
Psalm 1:1-3 NIV Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
The Word of God has a cleansing and consecrating effect on us.
This is one of the evidences that it is the Word of God.
The changed lives because of the power of the Word and work of the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 NIV All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
All Scripture is God-breathed = “the out-breath of God”
B. GOD’S WORD IS POWERFUL (19:11-14)
It has the power to:
1. Convict Us (19:11)
2. Cleanse Us (19:12)
3. Correct Us (19:13-14)
a. It Will Keep Me from Folly (19:13)
b. It Will Keep Me in Fellowship (19:14)
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:11-14 NIV
“This book will keep you from sin or
sin will keep you from this book.”
Bunyan
There is no greater power or authority on earth than God’s Word.
Because of this unfathomable power Satan seeks to work his most effective attacks.
He tries to keep us from the Word, keep pastors, missionaries and Christians from proclaiming the Word and keep us from believing and trusting in the Word.
Rom. 10:17 NIV Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
2 Tim. 2:15 NIV Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Because of all of this the Word of God is
“Better than gold and honey!”
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
Psalm 19:10 NIV
EXAMPLE: Lt. General William K. Harrison was the most decorated soldier in the 30th Infantry Division during W.W.II rated by IKE
He received every decoration of valor but the Congressional Medal of Honor
Distinguished Silver Cross
The Silver Star
The Bronze Star
The Purple Heart (one of the few generals ever wounded)
He was a soldier’s soldier with an intensely active life.
At the age of 21, a graduate of West Point he made a commitment to read the Old Testament through once a year and the New Testament through 4 times per year. Only on occasion, during a battle, did he miss his reading time. He kept this up until the age of 90 and his eyesight was too poor to read. Over the course of his life he had read:
The Old Testament 70 times
New Testament 280 times
Lessons: 1) The busiest person can read the Word regularly
2) His life reflected the mind of Christ
R. Kent Hughes: “Disciplines of a Godly Man”
If your Bible had a “log in record” that recorded usage what would be recorded?
How do we establish this habit?
Plainly – Just do it!
Pick it up and Read it!
It is that important! It is that vital to your Spiritual health!
Helps:
Bible Reading Guides – take you through the Bible in a Year
Buy a “One Year Bible”
Listen to the Bible on your I-Pod
Bible on CD or Cassette (not sure 8-track tapes exist)
Sample Questions while reading the Word of God:
What is God’s Word saying?
Is there an example for me to follow?
Is there an error for me to avoid?
Is there a duty for me to perform?
Is there a promise for me to claim?
Is there a sin for me to confess?
Adapted from “God Wrote a Book” by James MacDonald, pg. 107
Join a study at the Church:
Compass Classes
Compass Groups
Men’s Bible Studies
Women’s Bible Studies
Youth Bible Studies
AWANA
It is the Word of God that nourishes and feeds
your Spiritual Life and soul!
It teaches you what is right and what is wrong!
It helps you avoid the minefield of traps and snares satan
has devised to take you or your family out!
Erosion is subtle and deadly. Just look at Europe (France, Germany and England) to see where America is heading.
Do not let erosion create a sinkhole under your life and your family!
Pastor James Ford once said,
“You ought not to be on Facebook unless you’ve been in His Book”
We waste so much of our time on lesser things!
The Word of God is “Better than Gold and Honey!”
OUTLINE by John Phillips
Exploring the Psalms
God’s Revelation of Himself in the Scriptures (19:7-14)
A. God’s Word is Precious (19:7-10)
1. It Challenges Us (19:7)
2. It Cheers Us (19:8)
3. It Changes Us (19:9-10)
B. God’s Word is Powerful (19:11-14)
It has the power to:
1. Convict Us (19:11)
2. Cleanse Us (19:12)
3. Correct Us (19:13-14)
a. It Will Keep Me from Folly (19:13)
b. It Will Keep Me in Fellowship (19:14)
“BETTER THAN GOLD AND HONEY” Psalm 19:7-11
