Sermon on Psalm 84

God’s wrath is = (His absence) is God’s wrath – who left, wandered.

Eph 4:15-18 – walk vanity of their mind, (18) understanding darkened through darkness

Eph 1:1-2 – directed to saints at Ephesus – Grace and peace

Eph 5:1-(6) because of these things cometh the wrath of God on children of disobedience

Who was the one who left?

Stopped listening to His VOICE – preferred another voice

Cares of Word – choked Word

Turned inward to ourselves

Turned to other voices – sold birthright

Who sympathized with our complaint, our lust, desires – (Be as gods)? Your will be done.

Out from PRESENCE of LORD

I AM WITH THEE (Ex 33:14 I’LL GO WITH YOU) Protection – (Mercy) – refuge, shelter, against enemy

Not only absent, but against, opposed to

Jas 4:4 Friend of World, enemy of God

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive (you) = Ephesus – because of these things comes wrath of God.

SILENCE (= God can speak in our aloneness) – the hidden, unpreached God hides His face = those who merely want to use God – (Agenda – hide from Him, live in darkness).

Not merely necessary God – (Because we don’t believe that Father gave His only Son – (Ps 84:11) will not, has not withheld – from those who walk uprightly (Trust and Believe)

HIDDEN [800-01] hide from God, hide & seek (cover up) trick God (fig leaves)

People hate God because He is God – says and does what He wants.

Killed Him once – because of who He was – (God – Above me)

(Pilate Matthew 27:1) ______ are you He? (Caiaphas, the High Priest asked Jesus)

______ ripped his robe

While we were enemies (Ro 5:10). (Why?) We trust more in the voice that accuses God = Oh yes, by the way, we think we are gods, thin we’re in control.

Hidden God appears as something we have to hide from – as our enemy – when – unpreached - ______ - Law

Lk 4:21 Scripture fulfilled in your ears

Looking in wrong place if not ears [500 – sight, vision] – Focus on problems (ears, eyeball in ears) What voice?

Mt. 3:14-15 Dull of hearing – Do not understand

Jehoshaphat – (Eyes on Thee WOG)

Threats – fears –how to protect myself.

Solve my problems – my mind, thoughts (vanity) self-defense – wall – keep out – futile – Go away W.O.G.!

2 Cor Turn IN (no rest within ourSELF – Peace)

Ps 34:5 Face radiant (lightened)

HEAR VOICE – H.G. (Jn 6:63 – the Words = speak to you ARE SPIRIT and LIFE)

Mind stayed = PEACE (on SELF – cares – problems – others do wrong

Impossible with men. (World sells distractions) – noise - no longer trust in self – abilities – How then love, long-suffering, utter despair.

Magnify – problems – fears -= Jehoshaphat’s problems, magnify the lord.

Mt. 14:30 Peter looked at wind – was boisterous – fear – began to sink

I understand - ? I know. (We thought?)

I don’t like tofu (?) = Are you sure you know what you don’t like, or do like?

Who do you say I am (enemy / friend)?

Do I know what’s good / bad?

What mediates you – justified.

C.A. 110 – Sola Scripture

Luther on the Hidden God – Paulson

Too invasive – but He invades – Go away – W.O.G. This is our place. Refuse to govern ourselves.

Individualism.

Selfishness is the root of all unhappiness.

Jn 6:63 My Word is Spirit and Life

1 Tim 4:1 The Spirit speaketh expressly

Rv. 2 Hear what the Spirit sayeth

Rev 2:11-17, 29, Rev. 3:6-13, 32

Rev 14:12-13 I hear a voice – blessed are the dead which die in the Lord – Henceforth sayeth the Sprit – they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.

SCRIPTURE - Notes 3/24/13

Ps 34:5 Face radiant (lightened)

Mt. 3:14-15 Dull of hearing – Do not understand

Mt. 14:30 Peter looked at wind – was boisterous – fear – began to sink

Lk 4:21 Scripture fulfilled in your ears

Jn 6:63 My Word is Spirit and Life

(Ro 5:10) While we were enemies

2 Cor Turn IN (no rest within ourSELF – Peace)

Eph 1:1-2 – directed to saints at Ephesus – Grace and peace

Eph 4:15-18 – walk vanity of their mind, (18) understanding darkened through darkness

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive (you) = Ephesus – because of these things comes wrath of God.

1 Tim 4:1 The Spirit speaketh expressly

Jas 4:4 Friend of World, enemy of God

Rv. 2 Hear what the Spirit sayeth

Rev 2:11-17, 29, Rev. 3:6-13, 32

Rev 14:12-13 I hear a voice – blessed are the dead which die in the Lord – Henceforth sayeth the Sprit – they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.

Sermon Notes – Don O’Connor – 3/24/13

(The message with Jennifer’s ears.)

I want to magnify what God has done for us I Christ, and in the Cross – and that he shows up today in flesh and blood.

He will satisfy the last aching abyss of the human heart.

He gives Himself to us in the common things of bread and wine.

2 Chron 20 – the Story of Jehoshaphat

Why is this coming upon them? Sin. They have no defenses against their enemies

We’re not warring against flesh and blood, but against a culture of modernity, post-modernity.

The Tribes in 2 Chron 20 are still represented today. Love, Love, Love becomes Lust, Lust, Lust.

Who do you love Your wife? Then you won’t be looking at certain things.

Some of you buy into the torrents of modernity.

Three superior armies come against them and they have no army because they have sold out.

There is a great multitude against you – overarching power – angels, fallen angels, and you’re not up to the fight in your own strength.

Here’s the promise of God:

2 Chron 20:6 When you’re under attack, remember the promise of God that He will fight for you, intercede for you in your weakness.

Jesus was murdered because of who He was – God.

God hides His power and might and become the epitome of weakness – of a loser.

If you are led by the Spirit, you are the seed of Abraham. If you’re led by the flesh, you will not get the fruit of the Spirit.

The Church is not here to meet heart felt needs.

Jehoshaphat – this good king had a need. Three armies were coming against them, and he had no one to fight. They came together in the sanctuary (Ps 84). There are people whose life is the valley of Baca.

2 Chronicles 20:9 (KJV) 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

Guilt – get busy and do many wonderful things for Jesus.

Or speak evil of that person, and do evil.

Jay Adams and his story about Violet – her teacher wanted to stand by er in her trouble, sympathizing with her sin.

2 Chronicles 20:11-12 (KJV) 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

You have no might. You also have no understanding of what is against you.

We war against principalities, powers, computations, and reasonings.

Sin, in the world is logical. Modernity = tolerance. Feminine men = Gross Sin. Don’t let them counsel you.

Wide is the gate that leads to destruction. Narrow is the gate that leads to eternal life.

Every institution has an anglious over it. The world hates the church.

You are surrounded by just men made perfect, and innumerable angels fighting for you.

We’re talkinga bout your problems today – how big they are. Hopefully they’re so big you’ll cry out.

C.S. Lewis: You’re avoiding trouble if you don’t love anyone.

If you’re a mother, be a mother. Hold your children and look at them.

2 Chronicles 20:14 (KJV) 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

Prophesy in the midst of trouble.

2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJV) 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

We fight with the weapons of our warfare.

Our eyes are on you and no longer on ourselves, our wits, reasonings, abilities, beauty, or strength.

Fear not! It is sin – evil. What do you fear? Losing control.

Modernity / Post Modernity makes you the center, as if the Church exists to meet your needs.

We live in the market, and the powers there will kill. It tells you that you are a princess, or this or that, and everyone should bow down to you. PRIDE – ends in destruction.

Self becomes the alternative to God – even in the Church. God becomes a useful tool. Make me look good.

Honor me in front of the people is what Saul asked. Assist me with my wants and then I’ll honor you.

As if God needs anything you’ve got. Take your ball and go home.

If you don’t have Christ in your marriage, you’ll have darkness. My wants are sovereign. Our children we catechize into that. Everything is about you – revolves around you. That ends in a victim story. “Don’t let anyone move you off the center.”

We have another catechism – bought with blood.

If you sow to the flesh – all about you – you will reap death. You’ve bought into the torrents of modernity. You are up against forces you’re not aware of.

(Don read from Calvin – The Caging of God – you’re the center – children of the Enlightenment.)

Entertainment – you can die of entertainment which has to be more and more, bigger and bigger. Consumerism is eating you up. Inner experience. You’re not making me feel good.

(Calvin –We’re turned to a god we can use rather than to the one we must obey.)

Some came to this church and thought they had something to bring – to give to the church.

Obey – still true, but there are other things. The children will watch you dads to see if you obey too.

(Calvin - God, before whom we must surrender our right to ourselves.)

If you save your life – you being the center – you will lose your life.

God is first against you. You have defiantly made yourself His enemy. I don’t want God to be my enemy. I want to trust Him.

(Calvin – we’ve learned to think of Christ (and the Churc) in the way of the market.)

We are not of the world. 1 Jn 2:16 “All that is in the world” has not changed since John’s day.

When you come to Jesus, you’re nobody – dead.

He is the God who hides Himself. Who started the hiding? Adam

VOICES – if you eat this, you’ll be as gods.

If I need to be baptized every day, what should I think about you?

You should hear, because faith comes by hearing.

Baptism, once begun, and ever continuing daily.

Anybody that brings a word is legalistic. God is legalistic. Modernity hates the Ten Commandments.

Trust in the lord with all your heart – there, is peace.

You shall be clean, holy, pure, for I, the Lord your God, am holy. This requires continual washing.

Jehoshaphat’s problem = we do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.

We can, by the mercy of God, turn our eyes off of ourselves and onto Him, the one born in a manger, Emmanuel.

Our trust was in ourselves so we had to experience the hidden God.

Luke 4:18 (KJV) 18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Is this about you or someone else? Is it about you? God sent His Word and healed them.

Love is not our God – He is, but it is no primary. You can’t love more. It is the byproduct of faith. Faith = you go to your own funeral – faith is passive. It is no longer you who are active. Christ is the active on.

The world has lost its scriptural morality (10 Commandments). Not that you could do them. Christ has.

Surrounded – something has to break through and God is answering while you are asking.

The Holy Ghost sets at liberty those that are bruised.

Luke 4:21 (KJV) 21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

These things are written that you would see with your eyeballs, and put your eyeballs in your ears.

Ask God to get your eyes on Jesus – the Author of your salvation – and the one who is actively finishing your faith.

Even entertainment can kill you. I don’t have any hope in it.

Look to Jesus or focus on your problems. Jehoshaphat didn’t do that. He went into the sanctuary – to the prophet.

You’ve been given exceeding precious promises.

Their heart is waxed hard. The cares of the world have choked the seed of the Word.

Focus – then your eyes on Jesus – He’s is finishing you. Jehoshaphat switched his mind from the problem, to the solution. Problems? Turn your mind and thoughts to the Lord.

I know. I love Romans 7 – the good I would, I do not.

Meditate on His promises to you. Give all your problems to Jesus. God, the Holy Ghost, being my helper.

What are you magnifying? Worry = sin. Take no thought for tomorrow. Money? Live on 65% of your income.

Matthew 14:22-31 (KJV) 22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

When the winds of life come up, and you look at them, you will sink. You could think, “I’m really blowing it.” Pleased to meet you. You’re a Christian, needing daily baptism.

Ultimate despair – despairing of your own abilities, but no hoping in Jesus.

Fear choked the Word and Peter started sinking.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Ps 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord and He shall sustain you.

You can bear them, through Christ.

Eph 4:15-32 Speaking the truth in love.

Lust to be right – vindicate yourself.

V. 31 Let all bitterness

“I’m not bitter about what THEY did to ME.”

Eph 5 – Paul is writing this letter to Christians.

Romans 1:18 (KJV) 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Like 1:51 God scatters the proud in the imaginations of their hearts.

What voice will you hear? If you turn to other voices, you will die.

In the day of your trouble, call upon Me – look to Me, the Author and Finisher, and I’ll take care of your enemies when they try to get tough.

Isaiah 11:1-5 (KJV) 1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: 2 And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: 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. 5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

If Christ is the vine, what are you? Branches. Christ gives life to the branches. Gifts – wisdom, understanding.

Jn 6:63 My Word is Spirit and Life

If you hear God’s Word being preached through anyone, it is Jesus you’re hearing. But make sure it is the Word of God they’re preaching.

1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) 1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

Hear the voice of the Lord.

Blessed are the dead – dead to looking at things from their own perspective.

2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV) 1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Me-age, al about me.

You fight, surrounded by a team, millions.

God has done something in you miraculously. He killed you. He will take all your sins, problems, cares, and fight your war if you let Him.

We would look to Jesus the Author and Finisher, not to ourselves.

He is now the Center.

Look away from all that would distract. He endured the cross, despising its shame.

Jay Adams: Guilt – you are your own Adam.

Guilt is the basis for a sense of guilt. Guilt and the feeling from guilt comes from sin - unconfessed, unforgiven sin. Real guilt is intended as an early warning. Pain is deactivated by heeding the warning. Guilt flows from a violation of your own standards.

God is calling us to stop doing those things.

Sin is: I want to do what I want to do.

Psalms 84:1-7 (KJV) 1 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

You are the temple, the sanctuary of the Holy Ghost – bought with precious blood.

Psalms 84:4 (KJV) 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah.

Psalms 84:2 (KJV) 2 My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

“They” have never been my problem. Let it go and let God take over. You’re worried about your paneled house, when the House of God is in ruins. You only think about yourself.

Psalms 84:5-6 (KJV) 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 6 Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

Valley of Baca – where there is no water – it is dry and thirsty.

We allo Him to be the active on. We are dead. We go out not knowing.

The lepers said they did not well enjoying the spoils while the whole city starved.

Passing through the valley where people do not know what to do, you bring them a drink of water- the Word.

When you hide from Him, He has to hide from you.

Psalms 84:10-12 (KJV) 10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. 12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

God hides from people who make Him merely necessary. He wants to be more than necessary. In giving you His Son, he gave you everything.

Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

“Uprightly” isn’t perfection. Perfection = He is the only perfection we’re ever going to have in this life.

2 Cor 1 – Paul was pressed out of measure.

I don’t think anyone can have a clean heart without suffering because of the ones you love.

So blessed, his heart and mind are open to receive from the Lord. So much so, that when he passes through the valley of the shadow of death, he fears no evil.

The Gospel has no “you must”, or “if’s” in it. You GET TO. You can’t help it.

Don prayed the absolution and said a bit more.