HE WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE MOVED: Psalm 15

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HE WHO DOES THESE THINGS SHALL NEVER BE MOVED: Psalm 15

Psalm 15

July 16, 2023 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 15

DOCTRINE. A true believer can be identified by their walking in integrity before the Lord; if they have integrity, they live an unshakeable life enjoying and glorifying God.

A person with integrity, who shows evidence of their faith,

I. SPEAKS THE TRUTH NOT ONLY WITH THEIR MOUTH BUT IN THEIR HEART (Ps. 15:2b).

II. DOES NOT SPEAK GOSSIP OR SLANDER (Ps. 15:3a).

III. DOES NO HARM TO THEIR NEIGHBOR (Ps. 15:3b).

IV. DOES NOT LISTEN TO GOSSIP OR SLANDER (Ps. 15:3c).

V. DESPISES THOSE WHO DESPISE THE LORD (Ps. 15:4a).

VI. HONORS THOSE WHO HONOR THE LORD (Ps. 15:4b).

VII. KEEPS THEIR WORD, EVEN IF IT COSTS THEM GREATLY (Ps. 15:4c).

VIII. DOES NOT USE THE POOR, BUT RATHER HELPS THEM (Ps. 15:5a).

IX. DOES NOT PERVERT JUSTICE BY TAKING A BRIBE AGAINST THE INNOCENT, BUT RATHER DEFENDS THEM (Ps. 15:5b).

APPLICATION

I) EXAMINATION. Christian, are you a man or woman of integrity? What sins do you need to confess to God even now and look again to Christ for forgiveness? May the Spirit convict you of sin, grant you repentance, and assure you of pardon through Christ’s blood.

II) DIRECTION. Here is a great list of things to put into practice so you can best glorify and enjoy God.

III) COMFORT. Use Psalm 15 to see how excellent your Redeemer is. You and I have not lived up to this perfect standard of love to God and neighbor, but O there is one who has. Christ Jesus, the righteous one, obeyed Psalm 15 perfectly so that you who trust in Him would have that perfect righteousness credited to your account.

Not only did Christ perfectly achieve the righteousness believers need in order to stand before God, He also “swore to His own hurt and did not change.” Christ Jesus swore that He would receive a people for Himself, and He kept His word even when it cost Him crucifixion. Christ died in your place, Christian, because He received that charge from His Father and He swore to uphold our end of the Covenant. “No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father” (John 10:18). You who feel such guilt for your sins, look to Christ crucified in faith and have that burden fall off your back and roll into a tomb. You who feel such depression and anxieties because of the pressures and cares of this world, look to Christ crucified in faith and see His great love for a wretched person like you. Let His costly love melt away your fears.

Christ not only died in your place, believer, He has also sworn to both keep and glorify you. “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day” (John 6:39). You who are suffering or sorrowful, look at Christ swearing that he will lose nothing that His Father has given Him. You cannot drown in your affliction while Christ is resolved to keep your head above the waters. You saints who are sick or diseased, look at Christ swearing to His Father that He will raise you up on the last day. You cannot out-sin the cross and you cannot out-die resurrection.

“[Christ] swears to his own hurt and does not change” (Psalm 15:4c). Let that be an anchor to you in calm waters and in great storms.

Meditate on Psalm 15, beloved. Use the truths for Examination, Direction, and Comfort if you belong to Christ. If you do not yet belong to Him yet, what are you waiting for? Look to Him and live.

THE HAPPINESS OF SAINTS AND THE MISERY OF SINNERS: Psalm 1

May 30, 2021 • Brett Baggett

OUTLINE I. THE HAPPINESS OF SAINTS (vv. 1-3) I) Would you be happy? Then do not walk in the counsel of the wicked (v. 1a) II) Would you be happy? Then do not stand in the way of sinners (v. 1b) III) Would you be happy? Then do not sit in the seat of scoffers (v. 1c) IV) Would you be happy? Then get a delight in the Scriptures (v. 2a) V) Would you be happy? Then meditate on the Scriptures day and night (v. 2b) VI) What are the happy saints like? (v. 3) II. THE MISERY OF SINNERS (vv. 4-6) I) What are the wicked like? (v. 4) II) Those who stand in the way of sinners will not stand in the judgement (v. 5a) III) Those who walk in the counsel of the wicked will not be in the congregation of the righteous in heaven (v. 5b) IV) The great difference between saints and sinners (v. 6) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Q1. What does it mean to “walk in the counsel of the wicked”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “walking in the counsel of the wicked”? Q2. What does it mean to “stand in the way of sinners”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “standing in the way of sinners”? Q3. What does it mean to “sit in the seat of scoffers”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “sitting in the seat of scoffers”? Q4. What does the happy man do according to verse 2? How can you apply this to your daily life? What do you need to change so you can both delight in and meditate on God’s word? Q5. What is the happy righteous person like according to verse 3? What does David mean? Q6. What is the miserable wicked person like according to verse 4? What does David mean and how does Matthew 3:12 help? Q7. What is the outcome for the wicked according to verse 5? What does David mean by each phrase? How should this wake you up out of your sins and propel you toward Christ? Q8. How does David finish this Psalm in verse 6?

KISS THE SON: Psalm 2

July 31, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 2

DOCTRINE: Rebels to the crown will be utterly defeated one way or another by the exalted King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will defeat them by conversion or condemnation. I. WHAT DO REBELS DO? (Psalm 2:1-2) I) Rebels rage against the LORD (Psalm 2:1a) II) Rebels plot against the LORD (Psalm 2:1b) By the way, the raging and plotting of rebels is vain and pointless—because they will not defeat the King of Heaven (Psalm 2:1c). III) Rebels set themselves against the LORD and against His anointed (Psalm 2:2a) V) Rebels take counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed (Psalm 2:2b) II. WHAT DO REBELS SAY? (Psalm 2:3) I) Rebels lie about the Law of God and say it should be overthrown (Psalm 2:3) People who do not love Jesus also do not love his Law. Sinners who refuse to turn to Christ and be saved will lie to you about God’s Law. But you need to know that the Law of the LORD is perfect and righteous altogether! I) The Law reveals who God is in his holiness. II) The Law also reveals how society should be governed, so that the wicked do not trample of the innocent. III) The Law reveals that we are sinners that need to be saved by Jesus. IV) The Law reveals how we as Christians should live so that we can please and glorify our merciful King. III. WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN RESPONSE TO REBELS? (Psalm 2:4-6) I) The LORD laughs and mocks the rage and vain plots of rebels (Psalm 2:4) II) The LORD speaks wrathfully against rebels (Psalm 2:5). III) The LORD mocks and terrifies rebels by pointing to his Anointed King (Psalm 2:6). IV. WHAT DOES THE LORD DO IN RESPONSE TO REBELS? (Psalm 2:7-9) I) The LORD gives solid evidence that his Son is the King (Psalm 2:7). II) The LORD gives the nations to the King as his heritage and the ends of the earth as His possession (Psalm 2:8) III) The LORD promises the King will utterly defeat His enemies (Psalm 2:9) V. WHAT DOES THE LORD DEMAND OF REBELS? (Psalm 2:10-12) I) The LORD demands all to be wise, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:10a) II) The LORD demands all to be warned, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:10b) III) The LORD demands that all serve him with fear, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:11a) IV) The LORD demands that all rejoice in Him with trembling (Psalm 2:11b) V) The LORD demands that all rebels Kiss His Son (Psalm 2:12a) We are to kiss the Son’s feet in repentance, kiss his hand in faith and obedience, and kiss His face in love and affection. VI. WHAT DOES THE LORD PROMISE REBELS? (Psalm 2:12b-d) I) For those who will not kiss the Son, the LORD promises anger (Psalm 2:12b) II) To those who will not kiss the Son, the LORD promises perishing which will come upon them suddenly, without warning (Psalm 2:12c) III) The LORD promises blessing and happiness to all rebels who do lay down their arms and Kiss the Son, taking refuge in him (Psalm 2:12d) I. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR INSTRUCTION I) The Lord Jesus Christ is King, and there is not a thing anyone can do about it—everyone will give an account to him (Ps. 2:6; Heb. 4:13). II) If you turn from your sin and embrace Christ by faith, he will receive you, protect you, and make you happy (Ps. 2:12d). II. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR WARNING I) Christ will have glory from everyone either in salvation or damnation. You will either “perish in the way” with Christ’s rod of iron or you will be “blessed” with Christ’s scepter of mercy by taking “refuge in him.” III. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR TESTING I) Do you happily submit to Christ’s rule or do you treat his commands like they are chains? IV. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR COMFORT I) Look at the raging and vain plots of rebels who hate Christ and hate you for his sake. Now see the LORD laughing at them. In Psalm 110:2, God the Father says to his Son, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” and because we belong to this King Christ by his grace, we can say with David in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” We can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Because Christ is ruling in the midst of his enemies we can feast in the presence of their hatred and scoffing. Because Christ mockingly laughs at his enemies, we who are united to him can joyfully laugh even when they surround us. V. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR EXHORTATION I) Since Christ is King, believers, preach the gospel and tell everyone to repent and believe (Ps. 2:12). Oh that we believers would pity those still in rebellion to God. We were all there, were we not? but God rescued us, not because of our works but because of his mercy. Therefore pray to God for rebels, proclaim the Law and the Gospel to them, plead with them to Kiss the Son, and promise them that if they bend the knee to Christ he will make them happy and holy. Promise them also that if they do not they will perish in the way. II) Since Christ is King, believers, press his crown rights into every square inch of existence (Ps. 2:11). Press Christ’s crown rights into: (i) Yourself. (ii) Your home. (iii) The church. (iv) Your vocation. (v) The public square. (vi) The civil government. (vii) The nations.

I WILL RECOUNT ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL DEEDS: Psalm 9:1-10

June 19, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 9:1–10

DOCTRINE: The Lord’s people praise His name by recounting his wonderful deeds of terror to persistent sinners and deeds of protection to His saints. I. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS (Psalm 9:1-2) The LORD’s people praise Him: I) By giving thanks to Him for His wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1a). II) In Gladness for His wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:2a). III) Through song for His glory (Psalm 9:2b). II. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL TERRORS TO PERSISTENT SINNERS (Psalm 9:3-6) The LORD is a terror to persistent sinners because: I) He is holy and they are not (Psalm 9:3). II) He is a righteous judge and they are guilty (Psalm 9:4). Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” III) They have tried to steal God’s glory, and He will share it with no one (Psalm 9:5-6). Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,” III. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL PROTECTION OF HIS SAINTS (Psalm 9:7-10) The LORD protects His saints: I) Because He is our just King (Psalm 9:7-8). II) Like a stronghold for wear Christian soldiers (Psalm 9:9). Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” 2 Tim 1:12 “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” Psalm 119:114: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” III) Because their faith is in Him (Psalm 9:10). IV) He will never forsake them (Psalm 9:10b). Hebrews 13:5 “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”