Sunday, December 1, 2013
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Studies IN Psalms
SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS
PSALM 100
Tonight we continue our study of
the psalms. This is a short
psalm of praise to God. As
with so many that we have studied it addresses our attitude in worship
to Him. We have no
background and no author. It
is such a general psalm that to attempt to put a time on it would be
merely guessing. But oh the
lessons it teaches, even today.
a.
“Make a joyful shout to the Lord.”
Just another reminder of praising God with a joyful heart.
b.
All you lands
– God is ruler of all the earth.
We are continually reminded of this in scripture.
When this was penned, Israel was at best surrounded by idolatrous
nations (at worst, they were caught up in the idolatry).
Throughout the prophets, we read warnings to nations around Israel.
Isaiah prophesied to 10 nations including Babylon and Assyria
(Isaiah 13-23). Ezekiel and
Jeremiah make similar warnings.
We live in a world that seeks ecumenicalism.
And now it is not even about belief in Jehovah God anymore (i.e.
Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, universalism, etc.).
But, a study of God’s word in comparison to other world views and
religions shows that He is the ONE true God today just as back then.
We are told in Philippians 2:9-11 that every knee shall bow
before the Lord.
Psalm 47:8-9 says, “God is the king of all the earth;…God reigns over
the nations;…”
a.
That we are to serve God is clearly taught – Rom.
12:1 – your reasonable service; Heb. 12:28 – we serve God with reverence
and godly fear.
b.
But do we serve Him with gladness and joy?
Phil. 4:4, Rom. 12:12 – rejoicing in hope, patient in
tribulation. 1 Thess. 5:16 – “Rejoice always.”
Rom. 5:1-2, rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
c.
Come before His presence with singing – does
our worship demonstrate that joy?
More in a few moments.
a.
Know that the Lord, He is God.
The word “know” is a word that means to be aware of or acquainted
with. As we see this word we
realize it is more than mere acknowledgment of His existence.
It is knowing Him!
Far too many today believe that all you need to do is believe in God and
you will be fine. But, as we
have noted often, there is a big difference between believing IN God
and believing God.
You could say the same thing about “knowing God”.
Far too many believe that all you need to know about God is who
He is, but knowing God is much more.
It means that you will obey Him.
How do we manifest that we know Him?
By keeping His commandments! 1 John 2:3-6
Titus 1:15–16, , “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who
are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and
conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but in works they deny
Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good
work.”
By loving Him - 1 John 4:7–8,
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love
does not know God, for God is love.”
b.
He made us, not we ourselves.
Genesis 1:26-27, Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them.”
One day, every knee WILL bow before Him and acknowledge this!
Also Col. 1:15-16 tells us HE created all things, including us!
c.
We are the sheep of His pasture
– but for the godly, realizing He made us is MORE than the creation.
When we become children of God we are a new creation – 2 Cor. 5:7
– old things have passed away.
As such, we belong to Him and follow Him as our Shepherd – John
10:14, “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by
My own.” And they follow
Him, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
(John 10:27)
Consider Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…”
a.
Gates and courts.
Obviously the gate would be an entrance into some place.
The most probable meaning of this is making reference to the gates of
the temple where Jews would enter to worship.
The “courts” would be an enclosed courtyards or gathering area
where Jews would gather to engage in proscribed worship to God.
b.
But the idea of a “gate” is interesting.
There are 3 “gates” we enter today in which we would serve God.
i.
The gates of the kingdom
– Jesus Himself said that He is the door to the sheepfold – John 10:7-9.
When we obey the gospel, we become His sheep and we follow, “the
Shepherd and Overseer of your soul” (1 Pet. 2:25)
ii.
The gates of worship
– just as the Jews entered the temple to worship, so we assemble
together to worship God. The church is the temple of God today (cf. 1
Cor. 3:16, Eph. 2:21-22, 1 Pet. 2:5).
While we realize the church is not the building, one of the
things we “come together” to do is worship.
(1 Cor. 11:18, 33, 14:23 ) When we come together to worship Him
we are entering into His presence.
Do we worship with that realization?
Is that at the forefront of our minds? How we may glorify Him?
iii.
The gates of heaven
– where God is and where we hope one day to be.
Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23, John 3:5 – entering the kingdom of heaven.
c.
Again we see the need for a proper attitude in our
worship. It ought not be a
weariness (cf. Mal. 1:12-13). And when we worship we ought to enter into
His presences with:
i.
Thanksgiving
– Col. 3:16-17 – we praise Him and give thanks to him.
Col. 4:2 tells us to continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it
with thanksgiving.
Our entrance into His presence ought not to be begrudgingly.
And it ought to be with gratitude for all that He has supplied for us.
ii.
Praise in His courts!
Heb. 13:15 – we offer the sacrifice of praise
1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises
of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
iii.
Bless His name
– we sometimes hear people use this word.
In its most frequent usage it means to speak well of (some 300+
times in OT). With it comes
the idea of esteeming Him highly.
Notice it is His name we are to bless – not just God in general,
but whatever belongs to God is worthy of exaltation.
That is why we treat His name with reverence (Psa. 111:9)
“I will extol You, my God, O
King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will
bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever.” (Psalm
145:1–2, NKJV)
a.
He is good & merciful – throughout the psalms, this
description of God is common.
We can with confidence say that our God is what good is.
His goodness is manifested in His mercy – Rom. 2:3-4
Both are everlasting.
b.
His truth endures to all generations.
Some versions use the word “faithfulness.”
The idea is that He can be relied upon.
What He says will come to pass.
God does not change! James 1:17 – the is no variation or shadow of
turning in Him. Mal.
3:6, “I the Lord do not change.”
And just as He does not change, neither does His word!
1 Pet. 1:24-25, Matt. 24:35,
Psa. 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”
And thus we have another psalm.
This psalm is a call to worship with a proper attitude about God
and in your heart. May
He be pleased with our worship to Him.
Let us not resist Him in this.