119 - pt. 2

This evening we will be discussing honesty (or truth-telling) from Matthew 5:33-37.  If you are a follower and learner of Christ then you must be marked by honesty.  You must be one who resists lying to others.  Your desire must be to tell the truth in all things.  We could all work on this area, eh?  

God's Word, on the other hand is always true.  Unlike His followers, every time He says "yes," He means yes.  Every time He says "no," He means no.  This evening we will continue our reading of the sections of Psalm 119.  Read this section and you will see that God's Word is trustworthy - even when we are not.

Psalm 119:9-16

BETH

How can a young man keep his way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

With my whole heart I seek you;

let me not wander from your commandments!

I have stored up your word in my heart, 

that I might not sin against you.  

Blessed are you, O LORD; 

teach me your statutes!

With my lips I declare 

all the rules of your mouth.

In the way of your testimonies I delight

as much as in all riches.  

I will meditate on your precepts

and fix my eyes on your ways.

I will delight in your statutes; 

I will not forget your word.

119

Last night at our weekly gathering we discussed Matthew 5:27-32.  It's a passage that deals with adultery, lust and divorce.  I know what you are thinking - "that's a great way to grow a new church!"  I understand that discussing sticky issues is not the most appealing thing for visitors to a church - especially a new, small church.  As much as I understand that, my conscience and my calling will not allow me to skip difficult passages.

Over the last five weeks we have been looking at Matthew 5-7 - commonly called "The Sermon on the Mount."  The more we look at Jesus' words to his disciples on this mountain, the more I realize that Scripture is quite counter-cultural.  If you are a follower of Jesus, though, you are called to be a student of this counter-cultural book.

Last evening I encouraged people of The Town to begin reading Psalm 119.  We read the first section (ALEPH) of Psalm 119 as we began our service last night.  We plan to read one section every week so that we can join the psalmist in a deep love of the Word - God's Word to us.  Wanna join us?

PSALM 119:1-8

ALEPH

Blessed are those whose way is blameless, 

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, 

who seek him with their whole heart, 

 who also do no wrong, 

but walk in his ways!

You have commanded your precepts 

to be kept diligently.

Oh that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

Then I shall not be put to shame, 

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

I will praise you with an upright heart, 

when I learn your righteous rules.

I will keep your statutes; 

do not utterly forsake me!