PSALM 97

SUMMER PSALMS:
This post is a summary of the most recent sermon preached at Morningside Baptist Church (MBC) by Pastor Dave Sowers. The audio of the sermon can be found at the "Sermon Audio Podcast" link of the website http://www.morningsidebaptist.us/.As much as is possible it is hoped that these notes honor both the intent and the content of Pastor Sowers' original message. Please compare to the sermon audio podcast.

Note: This post was made live blogging on 8/9/09. May it serve as a reminder of the sermon itself but not as a full presentation of all that was preached.


Sometimes even the world recognizes that there is more to life than living for yourself.

Even sometimes the world sees: "The satisfaction of belong to something greater than yourself."

It is intriguing that even the world can recognize that there is more than living for a self-serving agenda.


Psalm 97:1-6

V2-5 God manifesting his presence in extraordinary ways.


Psalm 97:6 Verse 6: All people everywhere have seen the Glory of God.

Psalm 19 -- the heavens declare the glory of God.

Every day the stars, the sun, the moon, the universe declares the glory of God. And every single person on this planet has access to this message.

Rom 1:20 Without Excuse

Consider the movie Expelled with Ben Stein. At the end of the movie Ben Stein asked Richard Dawkins, "What if you are wrong? What will you tell God as excuse?" To which Dawkins answers, "I'd ask 'why did you hide yourself?'"

But Psalm 97 and Psalm 19 and Rom 1:20 are showing that God does not hide himself but his glory is made manifest every day. Having been clearly seen - they are without excuse.

Rom 1:21-25 This text tells us that everybody knows there is a God worthy of thanks and worship - and yet they suppress it. They don't honor God as he deserves but choose idols.

Psalm 97:7

Acts 14:15 -- Paul is saying "Don't worship idols - but the TRUE GOD."

Acts 17:29

1Thess 1:9 Turning from idols to serve the living God.

BUT DO YOU HEAR ANY DISSONANCE in what I've said with our current culture?

Our culture teaches us always that people should be left alone - they can worship what they want without hearing from us.

But the bible tells us differently - it is counter-cultural in this regard. We are Declare God - it's not live and let live - it is not "leave people alone." BUT RATHER MAKE KNOWN GOD TO THEM.

Psalm 97:8

Zion is a reference to God's people.

So we have a message to all the world - TURN FROM YOUR IDOLS TO WORSHIP THE LIVING GOD.

Psalm 97:1 Reign: exercise sovereign power, .... right to judge the world... Our God is a God who has and exercises sovereign power.

Using the Psalms to demonstrate this:
Psalm 22:27-28 The Lord rules over all nations - all nations no exceptions.
Psalm 2:4
Psalm 93:1-2
Psalm 99:1-3

John Piper: "Worship is the fuel and goal of missions." ... "The goal of missions is the gladness of peoples in the worship of God." ... click here for Dr. Piper on Let the Nations be Glad.

Psalm 97:10-12
Holy Hatred comes from a Holy Love for God.

If the whole world is called to rejoice in the Lord - HOW MUCH MORE WE -- who know him not only as King but as Father.

APPLICATION:
Q. Am I in a right relationship with the REAL GOD? Lots of people say the believe in God...almost everybody...but the God they beleive in is not the real God.

Rom 3:23
It is infinitely serious with everlasting consequences to rebel against the true king.

But God has designed a way for people to be pardoned and saved.

God sending his Son. A sacrifice for my sin, for your sin. A sin bearer who makes true atonement for my sins bearing in himself the wrath of God against me for my sins.

Repent of the idols of your life - idols like self-sufficiency... deal making with God... God doesn't do it on our terms but on His. We must believe that Christ's death only is the proper payment.. Christ's righteousness alone is the only righteousness.

Acts 16:31
Rom 10:9-10

Self is the biggest idol in our life. Even the Army National Guard recognizes that there is more to life than living for self.

Q. What is my role in this?
Do I understand what my role is as to what God is doing in the world to make his name known and calling men to worship Him.

Psalm 96:10 "SAY among the nations 'The Lord reigns'" Somebody needs to be saying this. Either send or go but see to it that it is said among the nations that "The Lord Reigns."

The SUN has a role, the MOON has a role, they make His glory known. And so do people. People saying 'The Lord reigns.'

BUT the sun and the stars do not tell people HOW TO GET right with GOD. God uses people to announce this. God is made known by the sun, the stars, the moon. The gospel is made known by people preaching.

ASK GOD:
"Am I involved at the level YOU GOD want me involved at this season of life?"

Is it to PRAY MORE.

Praying: "YOUR NAME HONORED ON EARTH AS IN HEAVEN"

Praying: "YOUR KINGDOM COME"

Praying: "For our missionaries." See our web page for a list of our tentmakers. Pray for them.

Praying: "Send Laborors to the harvest." "Asking also - AM I one of the ones you want to send."