WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:05.580 Well, it's an honor and a privilege to be able to preach God's Word here with you this morning. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:08.720 So if you would, let's open up to Psalm chapter 18. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:11.960 It's our sermon text this morning, Psalm chapter 18. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:16.179 And when you've found it, we'll stand in honor of the reading of God's Word this morning. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:43.679 Psalm chapter 18, to the choir master, a psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 00:00:44.219 --> 00:00:48.460 He said, I love you, O Lord, my strength. 00:00:49.299 --> 00:00:59.659 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:01.119 My stronghold. 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:06.939 I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. 00:01:07.760 --> 00:01:09.799 The cords of death encompassed me. 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:12.379 The torrents of destruction assailed me. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:15.000 The cords of Sheol entangled me. 00:01:15.140 --> 00:01:17.099 The snares of death confronted me. 00:01:17.960 --> 00:01:20.200 In my distress, I called upon the Lord. 00:01:20.620 --> 00:01:22.420 To my God, I cried for help. 00:01:23.060 --> 00:01:27.400 From his temple, he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. 00:01:27.400 --> 00:01:30.320 Then the earth reeled and rocked. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:34.840 The foundations also of the mountains trembled and quaked because he was angry. 00:01:35.800 --> 00:01:39.960 Smoke went up from his nostrils and devouring fire from his mouth. 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:42.980 Glowing coals flamed forth from him. 00:01:43.640 --> 00:01:45.640 He bowed the heavens and came down. 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:47.900 Thick darkness was under his feet. 00:01:48.660 --> 00:01:50.540 He rode on a cherub and flew. 00:01:51.020 --> 00:01:53.020 He came swiftly on the wings of the wind. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:57.219 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him. 00:01:57.780 --> 00:01:59.840 Thick clouds, dark with water. 00:02:00.979 --> 00:02:05.280 Out of the brightness before him, hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds. 00:02:06.140 --> 00:02:10.099 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Most High uttered his voice, 00:02:10.579 --> 00:02:12.319 hailstones and coals of fire. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:15.560 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them. 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:18.280 He flashed forth lightnings and routed them. 00:02:18.280 --> 00:02:24.599 Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O Lord, 00:02:24.979 --> 00:02:27.300 at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. 00:02:28.240 --> 00:02:29.659 He sent from on high. 00:02:30.139 --> 00:02:30.879 He took me. 00:02:31.340 --> 00:02:32.800 He drew me out of many waters. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:37.439 He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:39.280 for they were too mighty for me. 00:02:39.860 --> 00:02:43.819 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:46.979 He brought me out into a broad place. 00:02:46.979 --> 00:02:50.939 He rescued me because he delighted in me. 00:02:51.939 --> 00:02:54.780 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness. 00:02:55.579 --> 00:02:58.839 According to the cleanness of my hands, he rewarded me. 00:02:59.519 --> 00:03:03.839 For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. 00:03:04.579 --> 00:03:08.739 For all his rules were before me and his statutes I did not put away from me. 00:03:09.139 --> 00:03:12.519 I was blameless before him, and I have kept myself from my guilt. 00:03:12.520 --> 00:03:19.640 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:22.879 With the merciful, you show yourself merciful. 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:25.740 With the blameless man, you show yourself blameless. 00:03:26.180 --> 00:03:28.460 With the purified, you show yourself pure. 00:03:28.920 --> 00:03:31.719 And with the crooked, you make yourself seem torturous. 00:03:31.719 --> 00:03:35.840 For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down. 00:03:36.520 --> 00:03:38.479 For it is you who light my lamp. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:41.319 The Lord my God lightens my darkness. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:46.180 For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:49.680 This God, his way is perfect. 00:03:50.379 --> 00:03:52.379 The word of the Lord proves true. 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:55.800 He is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. 00:03:55.800 --> 00:03:58.439 For who is God but the Lord? 00:03:58.740 --> 00:04:01.000 And who is a rock except our God? 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:04.980 The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 00:04:05.719 --> 00:04:09.939 He made my feet like the feet of a deer, and set me secure on the heights. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:14.540 He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 00:04:15.100 --> 00:04:19.040 You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me. 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:21.080 And your gentleness made me great. 00:04:21.079 --> 00:04:26.519 You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip. 00:04:27.319 --> 00:04:31.579 I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:36.339 I thrust them through so that they were not able to rise, and they fell under my feet. 00:04:37.019 --> 00:04:39.539 For you equipped me with strength for the battle. 00:04:40.180 --> 00:04:43.139 You made those who rise against me sink under me. 00:04:43.680 --> 00:04:48.000 You made my enemies turn their backs to me, and those who hated me I destroyed. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.339 They cried for help, but there was none to save. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:54.740 They cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:58.060 I beat them fine as dust before the wind. 00:04:58.459 --> 00:05:00.879 I cast them out like the mire of the streets. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:04.259 You delivered me from strife with the people. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:06.699 You made me the head of the nations. 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:09.480 People whom I had not known served me. 00:05:10.079 --> 00:05:11.980 As soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me. 00:05:12.680 --> 00:05:14.360 Foreigners came cringing to me. 00:05:14.360 --> 00:05:18.860 Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 00:05:19.780 --> 00:05:25.560 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation. 00:05:26.220 --> 00:05:31.160 The God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me, who delivered me from my enemies. 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:35.139 Yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me. 00:05:35.420 --> 00:05:37.639 You rescued me from the man of violence. 00:05:37.639 --> 00:05:43.939 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations, and sing to your name. 00:05:44.719 --> 00:05:53.800 Great salvation he brings to his king, and shows steadfast love to his anointed, to David and his offspring forever. 00:05:54.860 --> 00:05:57.579 And the word of the Lord proves true. 00:05:57.860 --> 00:05:58.919 Let's pray once more. 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:01.600 Lord, we thank you, Father, for your word. 00:06:02.460 --> 00:06:07.939 And we pray now as we receive it, as you deliver it to us, Father, by the power of your spirit, 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:10.120 would you convict those who need to be convicted? 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:12.939 And would you comfort those who need to be comforted? 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:15.480 Would you encourage those who need to be encouraged? 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:18.180 Would you convert those who need to be converted? 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:22.600 Father, in all of it, Lord, would you be honored and glorified, we pray in Christ's name. 00:06:23.420 --> 00:06:23.700 Amen. 00:06:23.700 --> 00:06:23.840 Amen. 00:06:24.620 --> 00:06:25.740 You may be seated. 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:29.360 Amen. 00:06:30.020 --> 00:06:34.080 In 1999, Toy Story 2 hit the theaters. 00:06:35.100 --> 00:06:38.620 And Mr. Potato Head saved the lives of three green aliens. 00:06:38.819 --> 00:06:41.680 If you've seen the movie, you know the scene that I'm describing. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:44.420 If not, you're going to have to imagine it as I describe it. 00:06:44.500 --> 00:06:49.200 But this group of toys who can speak and interact and are friends 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:55.100 were driving a pizza delivery car from Pizza Planet to chase after their friends. 00:06:55.200 --> 00:06:56.379 They took a sharp turn. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:07:01.819 These three green aliens went out the window, but Mr. Potato Head thought and acted quickly, 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:05.959 reached out, grabbed them, pulled them back into the car, 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:08.500 which prompted the now famous line, 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:10.079 You have saved our lives. 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:12.519 We are eternally grateful. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:16.659 And that phrase throughout the movie, if you're familiar with the movie, 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:20.759 sort of became a repeated chorus over and over and over again. 00:07:20.759 --> 00:07:23.839 Anytime these three green aliens had the opportunity, 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:29.639 they wanted to express their eternal gratitude to Mr. Potato Head for saving their lives. 00:07:29.719 --> 00:07:33.120 Every time they saw him, every time they were in his presence, 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:34.620 they repeated the chorus, 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:36.039 You have saved our lives. 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.740 We are eternally grateful. 00:07:40.039 --> 00:07:42.779 Whether they meant it or not, I'm pretty sure they didn't mean it. 00:07:42.779 --> 00:07:49.339 I think that they nailed the right response of somebody who has been saved. 00:07:50.339 --> 00:07:57.139 Here in Psalm chapter 18, we see David responding to the salvation of the Lord. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:08:00.500 We see the context here in this inscription above the psalm. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:02.759 This is in every single psalm. 00:08:02.839 --> 00:08:05.099 Sometimes we're left kind of guessing the context. 00:08:05.659 --> 00:08:08.399 Psalm 18, it spells it out for us here in the inscription. 00:08:08.399 --> 00:08:09.000 It says, 00:08:09.560 --> 00:08:13.859 This is to the choir master, the psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, 00:08:14.099 --> 00:08:17.500 who addressed the words of this song to the Lord 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:24.319 on the day when the Lord rescued him from all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul. 00:08:25.120 --> 00:08:27.879 If you were to flip back to 2 Samuel chapter 22, 00:08:28.179 --> 00:08:34.840 you would find these same words written there right before the last words of David in 2 Samuel chapter 23. 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:43.820 This is the culmination of gratitude and worship and praise and thanksgiving to the Lord 00:08:43.820 --> 00:08:50.320 that's overflowing from David's heart after all of his enemies have finally been defeated. 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:52.960 You remember last week, Psalm 17, what was David doing? 00:08:53.340 --> 00:08:56.060 He was calling out to the Lord for deliverance. 00:08:56.700 --> 00:08:57.820 Lord, save me. 00:08:58.060 --> 00:08:59.100 Lord, hear me. 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:00.680 Lord, listen to my cry. 00:09:00.840 --> 00:09:02.000 Lord, arise. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.040 Subdue my enemies. 00:09:03.039 --> 00:09:07.439 And now, Psalm chapter 18, we see the Lord has done it. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:10.319 God has rescued him from all of his enemies. 00:09:11.139 --> 00:09:13.779 So how will David respond? 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:16.539 Here's the big idea for us this morning. 00:09:17.480 --> 00:09:23.639 The greater our salvation is, the louder our song ought to be. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:33.419 The greater the salvation, the greater the response and gratitude and praise and thanksgiving ought to be. 00:09:33.519 --> 00:09:35.100 And here's the connection with us, church. 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:39.960 We have received a great salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:40.159 Amen? 00:09:41.299 --> 00:09:47.720 We have been delivered and redeemed by the grace of God through the blood of Christ. 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:51.740 So how ought we respond to the Lord? 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:55.759 I want us to see four responses of the redeemed this morning. 00:09:56.040 --> 00:09:56.759 This will be our outline. 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:59.840 If you're taking notes, try to make it easy for you to follow along. 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:03.639 Four responses of the redeemed this morning. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:07.200 The first is we ought to respond with love. 00:10:07.200 --> 00:10:10.500 Respond with love. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:11.960 Look there to verse 1 with me. 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:16.800 David, he just lists off all of these descriptions of God. 00:10:16.940 --> 00:10:22.680 My strength, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, 00:10:22.820 --> 00:10:26.360 my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.560 You see the picture that he's painting here. 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:32.980 These are overflowing words of strength and stability. 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:37.480 God has been his security, his protection. 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:42.659 But I want you to notice it's not as if he's just describing something that he read about in a book 00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.700 or something that he's seen from afar. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:47.720 This is personal for David, isn't it? 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:56.060 God is his rock, his strength, his fortress, his deliverer, his God. 00:10:56.139 --> 00:11:00.539 You can see how deeply and intimately personal this is for David. 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:03.699 He hasn't just witnessed God's work from afar. 00:11:03.899 --> 00:11:06.339 He has experienced personally. 00:11:06.839 --> 00:11:09.419 God has been this for him. 00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:13.839 He called upon the name of the Lord who is worthy to be praised. 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:18.659 And he, he personally was saved from all of his enemies. 00:11:18.919 --> 00:11:21.379 This is a testimony of personal salvation. 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:24.360 The Lord is not just strong. 00:11:24.939 --> 00:11:26.419 He's my strength. 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:30.199 He's not just a rock, a fortress. 00:11:30.200 --> 00:11:35.120 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, my deliverer. 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:37.080 He's been this for me. 00:11:37.280 --> 00:11:37.640 You see that? 00:11:38.540 --> 00:11:39.660 And what's his response? 00:11:40.640 --> 00:11:44.280 As he rattles off these descriptions of God, it's not just academic knowledge. 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:46.300 His response is love. 00:11:46.400 --> 00:11:49.180 He says, I love you, oh Lord, my strength. 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:51.000 I love you. 00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:56.580 This is the right response of somebody who has been redeemed. 00:11:56.580 --> 00:12:01.980 In fact, this is the sure sign that you have been redeemed by the Lord. 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:11.960 The sure sign that you have been redeemed, that you have experienced the personal salvation of God on your behalf, redeeming you, rescuing you, 00:12:12.180 --> 00:12:18.020 is that your heart has been transformed and changed to love God, your Redeemer. 00:12:18.019 --> 00:12:22.759 However, it's not just that you move on with your life and say, thank you, God, I appreciate that. 00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:25.819 I'll live however I want to live now and go about my life. 00:12:26.079 --> 00:12:28.679 You respond to the Lord with love. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.799 This is what's happening here. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:33.860 David has had his heart changed to love the Lord. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:44.699 You know, one reason that David might respond like this is that he recognizes how much danger he was in apart from the grace of God. 00:12:44.700 --> 00:12:46.800 Look there at verse 4. 00:12:48.120 --> 00:12:48.379 He says, 00:12:48.520 --> 00:12:50.920 The cords of death encompassed me. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:54.060 The torrents of destruction assailed me. 00:12:54.300 --> 00:12:56.540 The cords of Sheol entangled me. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:59.140 The snares of death confronted me. 00:12:59.220 --> 00:13:03.520 David recognizes this was not a small threat that's coming against David. 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:06.980 David understands that he was in danger. 00:13:07.100 --> 00:13:08.900 This is life or death. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:15.600 And so he calls upon the name of the Lord and from his temple, David says, he heard his voice. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:18.980 And he brought redemption to David. 00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:24.819 You know, if we find that we struggle to love the Lord as we ought, 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:28.980 maybe we need to remember the danger that we were in apart from him. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:35.679 Paul says in Ephesians chapter 2, we quoted this in our Sunday school class this morning. 00:13:35.679 --> 00:13:42.019 Paul says we were dead in our trespasses and sins in which we once walked. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:43.759 Not just near death. 00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.500 Not just close to death. 00:13:45.599 --> 00:13:52.059 But we were truly, totally, completely, absolutely, spiritually dead. 00:13:53.079 --> 00:13:55.239 Destined for eternity apart from God. 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:58.859 Destined for the wrath of God against our sins. 00:13:58.959 --> 00:14:02.099 Paul says we were children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:14:02.100 --> 00:14:05.379 You and I, we were hell bound. 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:10.940 But God made us alive together with Christ. 00:14:11.860 --> 00:14:15.440 And God raised us up together with Christ. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:21.360 We need to see ourselves in these verses, verses 4 and 5, that death was upon us. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:28.200 That we were children of wrath, but Christ tasted death for us. 00:14:28.200 --> 00:14:36.060 Now, if you've received this salvation, our response to the Lord ought to be love. 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:40.200 I'll give you another example from Luke chapter 7. 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:45.360 Jesus was invited to go eat at a Pharisee's house, and so he went. 00:14:45.520 --> 00:14:47.720 And it says that a woman knew that he was going. 00:14:47.820 --> 00:14:49.720 It says that she was a sinful woman. 00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:52.980 And she showed up there with a flask of ointment. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:55.360 And she poured it all over his feet. 00:14:55.440 --> 00:14:58.620 And she wept as she wiped his feet with her hair. 00:14:58.700 --> 00:14:59.800 And she kissed his feet. 00:14:59.840 --> 00:15:00.940 And she anointed him. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:03.100 And she wept and wept and wept. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.500 And the Pharisees couldn't believe it. 00:15:04.540 --> 00:15:08.040 And they looked and said, if Jesus knew how sinful this woman was, 00:15:08.080 --> 00:15:09.320 he would never allow her to do that. 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:16.360 If he only knew who this was that was touching him and weeping over him and anointing his feet, 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.980 he would never allow that. 00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.779 And listen to what he said. 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.680 He said to Simon, do you see this woman? 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:27.620 I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet. 00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:31.960 But she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:38.920 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:44.080 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:48.720 Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:51.040 For she loved much. 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:55.820 But he who is forgiven little, loves little. 00:15:57.160 --> 00:16:01.900 Those who have been forgiven much, love much. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:09.220 Those who think that they have little to be forgiven of, will love little. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:12.060 That's the first response of the redeemed, is love. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:17.460 It's love that overflows from a heart that realizes how much forgiveness you need 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:22.180 and how much forgiveness has been freely given to you in Christ by the grace of God. 00:16:23.560 --> 00:16:24.440 Response number two. 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:24.820 Second. 00:16:24.820 --> 00:16:24.940 Second. 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:28.040 Respond with awe. 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:31.180 Respond with awe. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:33.700 Verses 7 through 19 here. 00:16:33.800 --> 00:16:38.920 David is describing the sheer power of what God has done for him. 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:42.340 He says, in his moment of desperation, he calls out to the Lord. 00:16:42.400 --> 00:16:42.900 And look at this. 00:16:42.940 --> 00:16:45.780 He says, the earth reeled and rocked. 00:16:46.560 --> 00:16:50.820 The foundations of the mountains trembled and quaked. 00:16:51.120 --> 00:16:51.300 Why? 00:16:51.440 --> 00:16:52.980 Because God was angry. 00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:57.360 This is earth-shaking cosmic power. 00:16:57.519 --> 00:17:01.779 God is literally moving heaven and earth to come and rescue and help David. 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:06.539 He says, smoke went up from his nostrils and devouring fire from his mouth. 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:09.160 Glowing coals flamed forth from him. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:12.279 It's like David is looking up and imagining. 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:16.240 He's describing God like this big, powerful dragon. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:21.240 And he says, he bowed the heavens and he came down. 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:30.640 And this large, powerful, angry God is now coming down swiftly on the wings of the wind. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:33.420 And David, he describes God's power like a storm. 00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:35.700 He says, he made darkness his covering. 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:37.460 His canopy around him. 00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:38.559 Thick clouds. 00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:40.259 Dark with water. 00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:43.700 We've all seen thunderstorms forming off in the distance. 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.720 We're about to see some more this week. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:50.500 And you look out up in the sky and you see the dark clouds starting to form. 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:52.559 And you see them coming together. 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:54.799 And you feel the rumble of thunder. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:56.880 And you feel the atmosphere start to change. 00:17:56.960 --> 00:17:58.920 And you know that storm is coming. 00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.120 I better get inside. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:04.519 David says, out of the brightness before him, 00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:09.019 hailstones and coals of fire broke through this cloud. 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.500 This is no ordinary storm. 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:14.639 This is the storm of God's anger and God's wrath. 00:18:14.740 --> 00:18:15.980 God's righteous anger. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:18.759 His power and his wrath against the wicked. 00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:22.079 And it's coming to David's aid. 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:25.059 David says in verse 13, 00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:28.879 the Lord thundered in the heavens. 00:18:29.420 --> 00:18:31.160 We had a storm the other night. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:33.660 It woke me up at three in the morning with a thunder. 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:35.980 I thought the whole house was shaking. 00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:38.019 I shot straight up in bed. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:38.819 What's going on? 00:18:40.119 --> 00:18:42.079 The Lord thundered in the heavens. 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:45.099 But this thundering is not the thundering of a storm. 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:48.319 It says this thundering is the voice of the Lord. 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:50.259 The Most High uttered His voice. 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.720 Hailstones and coals of fire. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.759 The Lord speaks. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.559 And what's the result? 00:18:56.960 --> 00:18:58.379 As the enemies are scattered. 00:18:59.660 --> 00:19:00.940 He flashes forth lightning. 00:19:01.160 --> 00:19:02.539 And He routed them. 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:06.279 The very foundations of the world are laid bare at His rebuke. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:08.680 This is David in awe. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:13.460 The unbelievable power and strength of God. 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:18.000 There's an old song by Isaac Watts. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:21.079 How sweet and awful is the place. 00:19:21.079 --> 00:19:24.439 And we've sung it before. 00:19:25.220 --> 00:19:30.279 How sweet and awful is the place with Christ within her doors. 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:34.939 While everlasting love displays the choicest of her stores. 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:36.159 It's a song about the church. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.799 About the redeemed. 00:19:37.939 --> 00:19:41.399 How sweet and awful is the place. 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:44.519 But that's awful like full of awe. 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:46.759 Not awful like bad. 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.420 We don't speak that way anymore. 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:51.640 Isaac Watts wrote how sweet and awful. 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:53.720 Full of awe is the church. 00:19:53.800 --> 00:19:54.980 The church, the redeemed. 00:19:55.100 --> 00:19:56.080 Those who have been saved. 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.660 The church is meant to be awful. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.340 Okay? 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.800 You can go home and tell your friends this afternoon. 00:20:00.880 --> 00:20:02.200 Church was awful this morning. 00:20:02.600 --> 00:20:04.240 But you better clarify what you mean. 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:08.040 Because those two senses are completely different, aren't they? 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:10.480 Awful and awful. 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:19.659 God's power and his strength and his anger and his fury against sin is awful. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:22.119 For those who are under his wrath. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:24.639 It's terrible. 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:26.220 It's fearful. 00:20:27.680 --> 00:20:30.859 But for us who are saved by the power of God. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:32.460 From the wrath of God. 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:36.259 For us who have been redeemed by this great strength of God. 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:40.740 It ought to lead us to bow our knees in awe. 00:20:41.779 --> 00:20:42.799 At what God has done. 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:49.200 And as great as his power and his might is to destroy those who rebel against him. 00:20:49.299 --> 00:20:54.460 It is equally as great and as powerful and as strong towards you. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:58.059 To protect those who take refuge in him. 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:02.339 This power of God is awful for rebels. 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:05.240 And it is awful for the redeemed. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:09.299 And nowhere do we see this more clearly than at the cross of Christ. 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:14.200 Christian, as we consider the power of God at work. 00:21:14.400 --> 00:21:18.420 That he's demonstrated in saving you, believer, at the cross. 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:19.019 What happened? 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:25.160 God poured out the fullness of his wrath against your sin. 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:34.000 God poured out the fullness of his fury and his anger and his power and his might that was meant for you. 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:37.160 But he put it on his own son in your place. 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:42.580 So that when you look and you behold the power of God is no longer awful for you. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:46.820 It is a source of awe and wonder that God might do that for me. 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:53.619 This is what Paul prays for the Ephesians in Ephesians chapter 1. 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:56.799 Ephesians chapter 1. 00:21:56.959 --> 00:21:58.159 He prays for this reason. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:02.339 Because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love towards all the saints. 00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:04.379 I do not cease to give thanks for you. 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:06.279 Remembering you in my prayers. 00:22:06.679 --> 00:22:08.739 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:10.019 The Father of glory. 00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:14.979 May give you the spirit of wisdom and of revelation and the knowledge of him. 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:17.259 Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened. 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:20.879 That you may know what is the hope to which he has called you. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:25.340 What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 00:22:25.760 --> 00:22:31.480 And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believed. 00:22:32.480 --> 00:22:33.360 What kind of power? 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:38.280 According to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.980 When he raised him from the dead. 00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:45.020 And seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. 00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:49.260 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:50.900 And above every name that is named. 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.079 Not only in this age. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.559 But also in the one to come. 00:22:53.640 --> 00:23:00.700 Paul says he prays that you might grasp the power of God at work for you in Christ. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.539 What kind of power? 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:05.559 The same power at work in the resurrection of Jesus himself. 00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:11.180 That resurrection power is at work in you who believe. 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:18.160 Are you not in awe of the work of God? 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:22.779 That his power is no longer against us as we deserve. 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:24.539 It is now within us. 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:26.380 And behind us. 00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.940 And for us. 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:30.220 By the grace of God in Christ. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:36.180 Those who have received God's salvation ought to respond in awe. 00:23:36.320 --> 00:23:36.740 And third. 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:39.279 Because it is God's work. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.960 Third. 00:23:40.779 --> 00:23:42.700 We ought to respond with credit. 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:44.680 Or glory. 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:46.480 In other words. 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:49.539 We ought to give credit where credit is due. 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:53.440 Give glory and honor where glory and honor are due. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:55.819 This is going to be a larger section of this psalm. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:58.180 I see it here in verses 16 through 42. 00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.639 But here's the idea. 00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:01.859 Whoever gets the credit gets the glory. 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:07.379 Whoever takes the credit gets the glory. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:07.460 Glory. 00:24:08.100 --> 00:24:09.360 So the question is. 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:12.340 Well who gets the credit for this work of salvation? 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:16.340 Who gets the glory for David's salvation? 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:17.320 And at first. 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.760 Verses 16 through 18. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.540 David seems like he's saying God has done it. 00:24:21.620 --> 00:24:22.620 He's sent from on high. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.420 He took me. 00:24:23.540 --> 00:24:24.960 He drew me out of many waters. 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:26.860 He's rescued me from my enemy. 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.260 Why? 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:29.080 Because they were too mighty for me. 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:29.920 God's done it. 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:32.180 But then you get to verse 19. 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:37.920 It says he rescued me because he delighted in me. 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:38.980 Now I've got to ask. 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:40.539 Well what does that mean? 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:47.360 What's the basis of God's delight in David? 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.440 And on the one hand. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.720 Verses 20 through 27. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:55.539 David is drawing a lot of attention to the fact that he's been pretty good. 00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.200 You look there. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:56.500 He says. 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:58.779 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness. 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:01.299 According to the cleanliness. 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.660 The cleanness of my hands. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.640 He rewarded me. 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.819 For I have kept the ways of the Lord. 00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:07.819 And have not acted wickedly. 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:09.519 And wickedly departed from my God. 00:25:09.579 --> 00:25:11.140 All his rules were before me. 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:12.960 His statutes I did not put away from me. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.700 I was blameless before him. 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:16.160 I kept myself from guilt. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:20.380 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness. 00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:23.660 According to the cleanness of my hands. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.299 In his sight. 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.319 So I have to ask. 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:29.379 Is this a case of God helps those who help themselves? 00:25:30.919 --> 00:25:33.379 Is David saying that if you're good. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.779 If you are righteous. 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.899 If you're blameless. 00:25:36.059 --> 00:25:38.000 Then God will listen to your prayers. 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:38.919 He will save you. 00:25:38.980 --> 00:25:40.000 He will reward you. 00:25:41.419 --> 00:25:43.819 And we can't just dismiss that idea right away. 00:25:43.879 --> 00:25:44.759 Because it sounds like it. 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.139 Doesn't it? 00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.659 David says in verse 25. 00:25:47.659 --> 00:25:50.419 With the merciful you show yourself merciful. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:53.419 With the blameless man you show yourself. 00:25:53.420 --> 00:25:54.680 Blameless. 00:25:54.800 --> 00:25:56.900 With the purified you show yourself pure. 00:25:57.039 --> 00:26:00.320 And with the crooked you make yourself seem torturous. 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:01.519 You save a humble people. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:03.259 But the haughty you bring down. 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.920 Doesn't it sound like David is saying. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.620 You be good. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.480 God will be good to you. 00:26:07.580 --> 00:26:08.259 You be bad. 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:10.380 God will be bad to you. 00:26:11.960 --> 00:26:13.279 How do we understand this? 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:15.620 It is absolutely true. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.340 Of course David acted in righteousness. 00:26:17.580 --> 00:26:18.800 We spoke about that last week. 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:20.919 He was innocent in the case of Saul. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:22.700 He was innocent in the case of Absalom. 00:26:23.139 --> 00:26:24.419 But here's what we need to understand. 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:26.839 When you look closer at Psalm chapter 18. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:31.659 You realize his righteousness is not the root of his salvation. 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:36.940 His righteousness is not the foundation of his relationship with God. 00:26:37.919 --> 00:26:45.220 We ought to understand David speaking here as somebody who has already been brought into covenant relationship with the Lord. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.779 Not because of his goodness. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:49.720 But because of, we learned this term last week. 00:26:49.819 --> 00:26:53.039 Because of the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. 00:26:54.240 --> 00:27:01.600 This righteousness and blamelessness that David is talking about here is not the root of his relationship with God. 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:05.839 These are the fruits of being in right relationship with God. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:11.160 God's relationship with David isn't because of David and his goodness. 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:13.380 If it were, David could take some of the credit. 00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:16.400 But that's not how it works, is it? 00:27:17.400 --> 00:27:24.960 We don't clean ourselves up and change our behavior and dust off our shoulders and improve ourselves. 00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:31.120 And expect that on that basis, God will now receive me because of my self-improvement. 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:33.080 How does it work? 00:27:33.320 --> 00:27:39.100 God takes ruined, dead, rebellious sinners. 00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:43.859 People who are in the flesh who Romans 8, Paul says, cannot please God. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:53.859 He takes children of wrath and he adopts them by his grace and makes them children of God through the gift of faith in Christ Jesus. 00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:56.179 He saves us. 00:27:56.679 --> 00:27:58.179 He gives us a new heart. 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.980 He works up good in us. 00:28:01.039 --> 00:28:03.619 And that's his work completely by his grace. 00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:05.740 He deserves the credit. 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:23.579 A right understanding of the grace of God ought to lead us to recognize that any doing or any thinking or any willing or any working or any goodness that we might do for the glory of God comes from God, not from us. 00:28:24.599 --> 00:28:25.579 It's his work. 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:28.519 It's as Paul says in Philippians. 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:35.679 It's God who works in you, Philippians, to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:36.419 You hear that? 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:42.839 It's God who works in you to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:28:42.919 --> 00:28:43.960 We don't want to think this way. 00:28:44.019 --> 00:28:44.199 Why? 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:47.419 Because in our pride, we want to hold on to some of the credit. 00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:50.980 We want some of the glory. 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:54.480 You mean to tell me that the work that I do for God comes from God? 00:28:54.579 --> 00:28:55.059 Yes, I do. 00:28:56.399 --> 00:29:01.539 You mean to tell me that my own will to serve God and to follow him, that comes from God? 00:29:02.359 --> 00:29:02.899 Yes, I do. 00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:11.839 If God doesn't work in us that we might will and work for his good pleasure, we will never desire him. 00:29:12.179 --> 00:29:14.859 And we will never work anything good for him. 00:29:15.399 --> 00:29:18.039 It is all from him. 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:19.039 All of it. 00:29:20.559 --> 00:29:24.339 That's exactly what David says here in verses 29 through 42. 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:28.980 I want you to look at the relationship here between David's work, God's work. 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:29.939 Okay? 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.659 Verse 29 through 32. 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:32.740 He says, 00:29:32.919 --> 00:29:35.519 For by you I can run against a troop. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:39.099 By my God I can leap over a wall. 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.439 That sounds like Olympic feats, don't they? 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.599 Leap over a wall. 00:29:43.699 --> 00:29:44.679 Everybody look at David and say, 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.659 Man, you're strong. 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.659 What does he say? 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:49.039 By my God I can leap over a wall. 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.159 Verse 32. 00:29:50.159 --> 00:29:52.139 The God who equipped me with strength. 00:29:52.220 --> 00:29:53.399 Where did his strength come from? 00:29:53.519 --> 00:29:54.299 From God. 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:57.319 The God who made my way blameless. 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:59.359 Where did David's blamelessness come from? 00:30:00.000 --> 00:30:00.879 From God. 00:30:01.859 --> 00:30:03.920 He made my feet like the feet of a deer. 00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:06.000 And set me secure on the heights. 00:30:06.099 --> 00:30:08.980 Where did his security and his safety come from? 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.440 It came from God. 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:13.220 He trains my hands for war. 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:16.200 So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 00:30:16.299 --> 00:30:18.759 Where did his power and his might come from? 00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:19.380 From God. 00:30:20.420 --> 00:30:22.779 You have given me the shield of your salvation. 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:25.100 Your right hand supported me. 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:27.680 Your gentleness made me great. 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.559 Don't you love that line? 00:30:29.620 --> 00:30:31.840 Where did David's greatness come from? 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.640 From God. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.820 From his gentleness. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:39.799 You gave me a wide place for my steps under me. 00:30:39.799 --> 00:30:41.079 My feet did not slip. 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:43.019 I pursued my enemies. 00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:45.200 I overtook them. 00:30:45.500 --> 00:30:48.079 I did not turn back until they were consumed. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.220 David did that. 00:30:49.339 --> 00:30:50.339 David went to war. 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:53.480 I thrust them through so that they were not able to rise. 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.960 They fell under my feet. 00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.759 But who gets the credit? 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.440 Verse 39. 00:30:57.339 --> 00:30:59.299 For you equipped me with strength for the battle. 00:31:00.240 --> 00:31:03.139 You made those who rise against me sink under me. 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:05.759 You made my enemies turn their backs to me. 00:31:06.119 --> 00:31:07.639 Those who hated me I destroyed. 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:10.300 They cried for help but there was none to save. 00:31:10.400 --> 00:31:12.520 They cried to the Lord but he did not answer them. 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:15.300 I beat them fine as dust before the wind. 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:17.620 I cast them out like the mire of the streets. 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.200 This is something I did. 00:31:19.300 --> 00:31:19.920 I was active. 00:31:20.040 --> 00:31:20.620 I was involved. 00:31:20.780 --> 00:31:21.720 I was there. 00:31:21.840 --> 00:31:22.680 I was going to war. 00:31:22.840 --> 00:31:23.600 I was fighting. 00:31:24.820 --> 00:31:25.580 Verse 43. 00:31:26.080 --> 00:31:28.800 You delivered me from strife with the people. 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:29.560 You did it. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:31.200 You did it. 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.860 You did it. 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:38.579 This is what the song of the redeemed ought to sound like. 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:43.819 Whatever good we have in us is not from us. 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:49.219 Whatever we are that's pleasing to the Lord is not from us. 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:53.779 We ought to turn to the Lord and give credit where credit is due. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:58.480 We simply cannot credit ourselves for our salvation. 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.759 We must not. 00:32:00.940 --> 00:32:01.980 I walked an aisle. 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.460 I prayed a prayer. 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.799 I checked the box. 00:32:04.940 --> 00:32:05.920 I chose him. 00:32:06.119 --> 00:32:07.720 I decided to follow Jesus. 00:32:07.960 --> 00:32:15.000 I made all these choices to honor God with my life and to clean myself up and to turn from sin and to pursue righteousness. 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:18.259 Praise God for all of that. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.059 Keep growing. 00:32:20.779 --> 00:32:21.920 Keep pursuing. 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.080 Keep pursuing. 00:32:23.880 --> 00:32:30.000 But realize all of this from beginning to end is God's work in you. 00:32:30.340 --> 00:32:32.039 Long before it was yours. 00:32:33.860 --> 00:32:35.759 This is Jonathan Edwards said. 00:32:35.900 --> 00:32:40.740 You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:51.500 You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin. 00:32:51.920 --> 00:32:53.440 That made it necessary. 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:57.580 In other words, God gets the credit. 00:32:58.759 --> 00:33:01.060 God gets the glory. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:04.960 The truth is wherever you want to steal a little bit of the credit for yourself, 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:08.420 what you're actually doing is stealing a little bit of God's glory. 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.860 That rightly belongs to him. 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:16.879 Anything good in us is from him and it is through him and to him. 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:19.019 To him be the glory forever. 00:33:19.139 --> 00:33:21.240 So what's the right response to a God like this? 00:33:21.379 --> 00:33:22.879 Fourth, it's praise. 00:33:24.639 --> 00:33:25.839 It's worship. 00:33:26.939 --> 00:33:29.639 It's honor and glory. 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:32.019 Look there to verses 43 through 50. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:40.000 David ends this psalm with this picture of global, worldwide praise of the nations. 00:33:40.220 --> 00:33:40.480 He says, 00:33:40.480 --> 00:33:42.799 You delivered me from strife with the people. 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:45.640 You made me the head of the nations. 00:33:46.579 --> 00:33:48.799 People whom I had not known served me. 00:33:48.880 --> 00:33:51.360 As soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me. 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:54.339 Foreigners came cringing to me. 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:58.640 Foreigners lost heart and came trembling out of their fortresses. 00:33:59.140 --> 00:34:02.220 The Lord lives and blessed be my rock. 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:05.620 And exalted be the God of my salvation. 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:09.239 The God who gave me vengeance and subdued peoples under me. 00:34:09.359 --> 00:34:11.099 Who rescued me from my enemies. 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:14.759 Yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me. 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:17.219 You delivered me from the man of violence. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:21.779 For this I will praise you, O Lord. 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.579 Among the nations. 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.920 And sing to your name. 00:34:26.259 --> 00:34:29.039 Great salvation he brings to his king. 00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:33.480 And shows steadfast love to his anointed. 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:37.599 To David and his offspring forever. 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:45.139 And this is a picture of worldwide, global kingship. 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:49.199 The nations are coming together to worship the king. 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:52.740 The nations are coming together in obedience and submission. 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:54.599 God delivered David the king. 00:34:54.719 --> 00:34:56.920 He exalted David and honored him. 00:34:56.920 --> 00:35:01.900 And now David the king honors and praises and extols. 00:35:02.240 --> 00:35:07.059 And gives credit and glory to God in the presence of the nations. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:12.119 He's a witness to the nations of the glory of God. 00:35:12.240 --> 00:35:14.240 And here, as we close. 00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:19.680 We need to see how David is pointing us forwards. 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:23.159 To a true and better king. 00:35:23.240 --> 00:35:24.079 You see the promise here? 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.159 Verse 50. 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:28.619 Great salvation he brings to his king. 00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:30.920 And shows steadfast love to his anointed. 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:35.460 To David and his offspring forever. 00:35:38.460 --> 00:35:42.480 David here is pointing us forwards. 00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:47.480 Looking ahead in the pages of history. 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:51.480 To how the promises that God has made to him will be fulfilled. 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:54.679 In the one day coming true son of David. 00:35:54.880 --> 00:35:56.059 True forever king. 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:58.079 Whose kingdom will have no end. 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:06.599 He's pointing us forwards towards the ways the Lord has shown his steadfast love to him and his offspring forever. 00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:08.940 That is, Jesus Christ. 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:15.659 In fact, all of this psalm points us forwards to him. 00:36:15.659 --> 00:36:21.239 Christ Jesus is our shield and our salvation. 00:36:21.239 --> 00:36:25.179 Any who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved. 00:36:25.259 --> 00:36:26.379 That might be you this morning. 00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:28.299 As you hear of this great salvation. 00:36:28.500 --> 00:36:31.199 You might hear these words and say, I want that. 00:36:32.259 --> 00:36:36.819 Call upon the name of the Lord and you too will be saved. 00:36:36.820 --> 00:36:41.880 It's Christ alone who was totally blameless. 00:36:42.059 --> 00:36:43.180 Totally righteous. 00:36:43.400 --> 00:36:49.440 These words that David prays, answer me according to my cleanliness, can only truly be prayed by the words of Christ. 00:36:50.780 --> 00:36:52.840 Christ alone is totally pure. 00:36:53.000 --> 00:36:54.059 Totally righteous. 00:36:54.260 --> 00:36:55.280 Totally humble. 00:36:55.620 --> 00:36:58.860 And we are counted righteous in him. 00:36:58.860 --> 00:37:05.220 It's Christ who, like David, went down to the pit of death. 00:37:06.539 --> 00:37:11.800 But he went further and deeper than David ever did and truly tasted death. 00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:18.360 And yet the Lord answered his call and raised him triumphant from the grave. 00:37:19.820 --> 00:37:25.420 It's Christ who ascended on high and who equips the church for the task that he calls us to. 00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:28.120 It's Christ who equips the church for the work of ministry. 00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:33.119 Who sends forth his spirit and gifts us for every task he calls us to do. 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:43.559 It's Christ who will come again in vengeance and in fury and in power to judge the earth. 00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:49.139 And that day will be an awful day for all who rebel against him. 00:37:49.199 --> 00:37:57.059 But a day of awe and wonder and joy and triumph and worship for those who love his appearing. 00:37:58.119 --> 00:38:00.900 It's Christ who delivers us from all our enemies. 00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.440 He is our refuge and strength. 00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:05.420 It is Christ who is the offspring of David. 00:38:06.460 --> 00:38:07.639 The head of the nations. 00:38:08.699 --> 00:38:10.219 Who Paul says in Philippians 2, 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:14.759 In the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth. 00:38:14.839 --> 00:38:18.480 And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:38:18.579 --> 00:38:20.900 It's the glory of God the Father. 00:38:20.900 --> 00:38:22.760 This is where all things are headed, church. 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:29.840 I watch the Olympics at night and I see the nations coming together. 00:38:29.840 --> 00:38:35.940 I dream about what that day will be like when the nations gather together. 00:38:35.940 --> 00:38:36.820 Not in competition. 00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:39.720 But in praise. 00:38:40.460 --> 00:38:41.180 And honor. 00:38:41.860 --> 00:38:43.640 To give glory to the sun. 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:45.800 We see that parade of the nations come through. 00:38:46.220 --> 00:38:47.900 See, here's the church in Angola. 00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:51.240 Here's the church in Iraq. 00:38:51.239 --> 00:38:54.759 Here's the church in South Carolina. 00:38:54.899 --> 00:38:56.179 Here's the church in Allendale. 00:38:56.279 --> 00:38:59.419 Here's all the redeemed from every tribe and tongue and nation. 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:03.479 Coming forth, streaming in to give glory and honor to the king. 00:39:06.759 --> 00:39:07.779 John saw that. 00:39:10.139 --> 00:39:12.559 He wrote about it in Revelation chapter 7. 00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:12.939 He said, 00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:39.380 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:42.639 And they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God. 00:39:42.639 --> 00:39:42.920 Saying, 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:43.319 Amen. 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:52.980 Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever. 00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:54.379 That's where we're headed, church. 00:39:55.359 --> 00:39:59.420 This is what God has purchased for us through the blood of His Son. 00:40:00.359 --> 00:40:02.859 This is the hope of those who have been redeemed. 00:40:02.859 --> 00:40:07.799 This is the future joy of those who have been brought into relationship with God. 00:40:07.920 --> 00:40:11.219 By His grace and power through the blood of His Son. 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:16.559 And here's where I want to bring it to a close. 00:40:19.019 --> 00:40:21.319 Those who have tasted this salvation, 00:40:22.319 --> 00:40:24.699 sing this song right now. 00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:31.039 This is the song of the redeemed now and forevermore. 00:40:31.039 --> 00:40:35.679 Glory and might and power and honor and thanksgiving. 00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.879 Be to God and to the Lamb. 00:40:37.880 --> 00:40:42.280 So as we close, I'll ask you, 00:40:42.720 --> 00:40:45.220 is this the song of your heart? 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:53.800 Does your heart rejoice in what God has done for you in Christ? 00:40:53.800 --> 00:41:04.780 Are you praising Him and loving Him and in awe of what He's done and giving Him the glory and the credit and the honor and the praise that He's due? 00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:11.500 Are you doing it in the sight of the nations that they might see what salvation God has brought you and give honor and glory to the Son? 00:41:11.500 --> 00:41:17.159 Have you experienced the salvation of God? 00:41:17.239 --> 00:41:19.360 And if not, what keeps you from coming to Him right now? 00:41:21.440 --> 00:41:22.380 If you have, 00:41:23.219 --> 00:41:25.039 let your heart sing 00:41:25.039 --> 00:41:27.460 and worship 00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:28.619 to Him 00:41:28.619 --> 00:41:30.500 and in love 00:41:30.500 --> 00:41:31.760 and in awe 00:41:31.760 --> 00:41:33.000 and in glory 00:41:33.000 --> 00:41:35.719 and in praise for what He's done for you in Christ. 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:37.619 Let's pray. 00:41:37.619 --> 00:41:37.659 Let's pray. 00:41:37.659 --> 00:41:37.679 Let's pray. 00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:50.539 Lord, we praise You for the gift of salvation 00:41:50.539 --> 00:41:53.639 that none of us deserve. 00:41:55.099 --> 00:41:56.820 Father, it's only by Your grace. 00:41:58.340 --> 00:42:02.619 Lord, what power and what might You've worked for us in Christ. 00:42:03.599 --> 00:42:09.159 Lord, that we might be counted alive and righteous in You. 00:42:09.159 --> 00:42:12.420 That we might be adopted into Your family as sons and daughters of God. 00:42:13.879 --> 00:42:18.139 God, we thank You that we have been buried with Him in baptism 00:42:18.139 --> 00:42:20.960 and raised to walk in newness of life. 00:42:21.059 --> 00:42:24.480 We thank You for that resurrection power that's at work in us who believe. 00:42:26.639 --> 00:42:32.139 And we pray, Father, that our hearts would sing Your praises, Lord. 00:42:33.420 --> 00:42:34.719 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:42:34.719 --> 00:42:36.119 Amen.