THE TRUTH MATTERS TO GOD! Pt. 1
Reading Psalm 19v7-9.

Introduction:

This from Dr. John MacArthur.

"Behind the content of his message is the character of the expositor. He must be set apart from mundane matters, lifted above worldly aims and ambitions, and devoted singularly to God's service. In 1 Tim. Ch. 6v11-14, Paul lists four characteristics of such a man of God: He is marked by what he flees from, follows after, fights for, and is faithful to." End quote.

Dr. MacArthur is writing in the context of 'The man of God and Expository Preaching' or, if I may be so bold, 'The importance of the Word of God in the Ministry of the Man of God.'

Now, although the Word of God is important in the ministry of the man of God I believe it also extends its range of reference to all believers thus the reason for our reading in Psalm 19 today.

You see, by calling Timothy a man of God in 1 Tim. 6, Paul is identifying him with a long line of spokesmen for God extending back into the Old Testament. He is also pressing upon him the privilege and responsibility resting on his shoulders because he speaks on God's behalf, he represents God. As indeed, do we all.

As representatives of God, the word of God should matter to us because it matters to God. Psalm 138v2b. "For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."

"A loving Personality dominates the Bible, walking among the trees of the garden and breathing fragrance over every scene. Always a living Person is present, speaking, pleading, loving, working, and manifesting himself whenever and wherever his people have the receptivity necessary to receive the manifestation." A. W. Tozer.

I realise the trend of the day is for congregations to be bored by, or resistant to the preaching of the Word of God. Therefore, there comes a call adapt to the times! Give the people what they want, surely this will effect enlargement and growth. A little compromise will do no harm!

Dr. Graham Scroggie said of compromise, "It prompts us to be silent when we ought to speak for fear of offending. It prompts us to praise when it is not deserved, to keep people our friends. It prompts us to tolerate sin and not speak out because to do so might give us enemies." End quote.

Sermonettes for Christianettes seems to be the order of the day. It's a kind of a "fast-food" mentality: A convenient place, a quick service, a nice meal that does not take too long to inhale, a happy clappy atmosphere where everyone can enjoy themselves, no time restrictions, get up and go when you are finished never mind the rest, I've had enough I'm off.

My great fear folks is, this "McFaith" is producing "McChristians".

Hosea's words shout out at us from the centuries past! Hosea Ch.4v6.

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

Many of God's dear people today chase after extra-biblical experiences and neglect the clear biblical experience of seeking to follow the instruction of God's word. They traverse every church in the town looking for something different thus grinding into their children the theology, there is no need for faithfulness and commitment to anything or anyone in Christian life. And having sown this seed, they of course one day will begin to reap what they have sown. Those self same children cannot be understood by these parents, how come they show no faithfulness or commitment to us as their parents, how come they show no faithfulness or commitment to their job, how come they show no faithfulness or commitment to their church, after all, they were never brought up like that! Oh, No!

Others of God's dear children drag their unsaved loved ones from one special meeting to another in the hope of acquiring their salvation but yet would not dream of coming to their church prayer meeting to pray with the rest of the church who are faithfully praying for that loved one.

Many more of God's dear children are continually trying to find themselves and increasing their self-esteem, they are seeking inner healing over outward

obedience. The scripture clearly teaches, instead of getting in touch with their inner self, they need to be "reckoning the old man to be dead."

C.S.Lewis gave this warning many years ago: "If you do not listen to theology, that will not mean that you have no ideas about God. It will mean you have a lot of wrong ones. End quote!

You see, Acts 2v42 reminds us,

"And they continued steadfastly (devoted themselves) in the apostles doctrine."

Beloved, the answers people need can only be found in God's Word and in a living relation with the God of the Word.

Acts 4v13. "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus."

That kind of relationship dear folks grows only through a relationship with the Word living on earth at the time or with the Living Word given to us today for our understanding. That’s why the "Truth" matters to God and should therefore matter to us!

So let’s examine in some detail this word of truth that our God puts such a value upon.

The Power Of The Scriptures! Psalm.19v7a.
"The law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul." (Transforming)

The Bible doesn't necessarily want to simply address the modern world; it wants to create a whole New World that cannot be seen without conversion. William Willimon.

Now, let me briefly explain right at the commencement of our exposition of this passage! There are six titles for the Word of God in these three verses, there are six characters of the Word of God in these three verses and there are six benefits to the Word of God in these three verses.

So these three verses are absolutely packed with a powerful Word from God, therefore it’s worth listening, it's worth taking it in because it’s a Word from the LORD!

The first title for the Word of God is "The law of the Lord." 'The law' is the "Tora", it quite simply means Biblical or Divine teaching. It identifies the Scriptures as being "instructive doctrine" given for mankind as a guideline for living.

It has the meaning of instruction with respect to creed, what we believe!

It has the meaning of instruction with respect to character, what we are!

It has the meaning of instruction with respect to conduct, what we do!

It is a comprehensive explanation, instruction from God, for my lifestyle.

And please notice the character of this Word from which I am to draw instruction, it’s perfect! And it is displayed by the Psalmist, through the Spirit, as an amazing contrast to the inaccurate reasons of men. James in Ch.1 calls it the "Perfect law of liberty."

In other words the Scripture covers everything, it lacks nothing, it is a complete source of instruction from God as to how best I should live my life for him while upon this earth. I believe the evidence of this can be seen in many places in the Word of God, but nowhere more so than in 1 Thessalonians Ch. 1. While the Apostle Paul was with that infant church he taught them the whole council of God, when he had to flee from them because some enemies of his preaching were out to slay him, he could not rest until he would hear how they were getting along. So he sends Silas and Timothy to Thessalonica. On their return home, Paul was delighted to hear they were putting into practice the Word of God taught to them. Paul said, "from you" it was personal, "sounded out" it was pure, "the Word of the Lord" it was powerful.

But think with me of the benefit of the Word of God in this instance. It converts the soul. The Hebrew term for convert can mean, reviving, restoring, refreshing, or transforming. Is that thought not amazing? The idea here is that the Scripture is so complete, so comprehensive, that if literally applied and followed, it can transform a person's life.

It’s the very same thing Paul had in mind when he wrote to Timothy.

2 Tim. 3v15-17.

"And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

Paul is saying, Timothy listen! The scripture is enough to make you wise to salvation, through the scriptures you can become profitable in your understanding of doctrine. It’s enough, on the one hand, to reprove you when necessary, it’s enough to correct you when you go wrong, it’s enough to give you all the instruction you need in righteousness. Timothy, this scripture is enough to make you complete for your role in life, it's enough to thoroughly equip you for the work to which God has called you.

Now the question I should be asking me is, is this transforming power working in me?

One of the old puritan writers, Thomas Watson, gives us this with respect to the scriptures.

"The devil and his agents have been blowing at scripture light but could never blow it out, a clear sign that it was lighted from heaven." End quote.

This on the same subject from Dr. John MacArthur.

"There are evident signs of a blowing on scripture today from the most unlikely people. Not from the modernist, atheist or liberal, but from among those of the evangelical church who affirm the scriptures to be the Word of God. Reading the Word, teaching the Word, proclaiming the Word, obeying the Word and living it out, does not seem too many today to be sufficient for matters of life and conduct within the scriptural dimension. Such people are engaged in developing what they see to be necessary props to hold the Bible up. They feel they need to give the Bible some kind of transfusion to give it the power it seems to lack in our modern and sophisticated society.

The move to psychology to solve the problems of people.

The move to sociology to explain the matter of sin.

The move to methodology to win church growth.

The cry for miracles and signs and wonders and new revelation and supernatural activities.

The perversion of the simple gospel into some kind of pop gospel of prosperity, indulgence, sensuality, and success, propagated by celebrities who are supposed to have a greater ability to reach people that the simple preacher and the simple Word cannot, all betray a horrifying worldliness in the church, and a woefully weak view of scripture among Christians. End quote!

Is the Word of God so weak beloved that it takes super stars to get the message across with impact and acceptance? Are we to believe that they can do what the Word of God and the Spirit of God cannot do?

Dear folks, that's saying I cannot trust the Word of God to transform the soul!

The Word is the sea where Christ; the pearl of greatest price is to be found.

The Word is the field where Christ; the hidden treasure is buried.

The Pleasure Of The Scriptures! Psalm 19v7b.
"The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple."

In this statement the Psalmist uses the word testimony, which means he sees the Word of God, not this time as divine instruction, but as divine witness. And of course testimony or witness to the power of God in a life will always bring great pleasure to the hearer. This time of course the testimony is God's own testimony about Himself, which surely must give us infinite pleasure.

This is God giving witness and testimony to, whom He is and what He requires through His Holy Word. So as you look into, or ponder this Word of God, which is His own testimony about Himself it gives such great and wonderful pleasure we want to draw even deeper from this thirst quenching spring and be found satisfying our deepest hunger from His own Word about Himself.

So the Psalmist says, listen! Listen! This testimony is "sure" and that in contrast to the unsure, uncertain, unbalanced unreliable testimony of mankind.

The Word of the Living God is sure, His testimony is certain, it is balanced and can be totally relied upon, it’s worthy to be trusted.

You see beloved, such a Word, such a testimony provides a foundation for building a life without fear of falling apart.

Dr. Vance Havner gives us this excellent quote!

"When you see a Bible that is falling apart, it probably belongs to someone who isn't." End quote!

The Apostle Peter puts it like this in 2 Peter 1v16.

"For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye witnesses to His Majesty."

Peter says, I was on that mount of transfiguration, I saw His excellent glory, but I say unto you we have a more sure word of prophecy.

Do I build my foundation on my experience? No! Do I build my foundation on supernatural happenings? No! Do I build my foundation on signs and wonders? No! I build my foundation on the sure word of God, on the scriptures.

2 Peter 1v20-21.

"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

"Do you know a book that you are willing to put under your head for a pillow when you are dying? Very well; that is the book you want to study when you are living. There is only one such book in the world." Joseph Cook.

The character of His word is sure! But not only that, look at the benefits of His testimony. "Making wise the simple."

Now, it’s most interesting here, the root of the word for simple has the idea of an open door. A person of this calibre finds it very difficult to fully understand every scriptural text. That is because they are young in the faith and have not yet come to a full understanding, if any of us ever do! It can also mean, that simple person may not yet know what yet to shut out and let in but through the Word of the Living God they can become wise, not with the wisdom of men but with the wisdom of God. Scripture can take the most naive, uninformed person who is willing to apply and obey the Word of God and bring to that individual, wisdom in all its fullness.

By the way, that word "wise" is so wonderful, it’s a Hebrew word, which means to become skilled in the art of godly living. The text is saying, it’s possible to become wise so that we can make right choices at all times, in all things. We can live out a godly life according to His will through His Word.

Listen beloved, listen, the testimony of God Himself is that His Word is sufficient to make the simplest wise in the matter of godly living.

Psalm 119v98-100.

"Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts."

3. The Practice Of The Scriptures! Psalm 19v8a.

"The statutes of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart."

The word statutes gives the idea of divine principles, precepts or guidelines. And what do we do with statutes or principles? We practice them, we use them as our guidelines. The scripture is a complete set of principles, the practice of which makes a life of godly living.

"I'd like all my books to be destroyed so that only the sacred writings in the Bible would be diligently read." Martin Luther.

"Give the Bible to the people, unadulterated, pure, unaltered, unexplained, uncheapened, and then see it work through the whole nature. It is very difficult indeed for a man or for a boy who knows the Scriptures ever to get away from it. It follows him like the memory of his mother. It haunts him like an old song. It reminds him like the word of an old and revered teacher. It forms a part of the warp and woof of his life." Woodrow Wilson.

Where does the believer go to find relief from sorrow, anxiety and depression? Why the scriptures of course! Where does the believer go to find a shield, strength, satisfaction and spiritual power? Why the scriptures of course! Where does the believer go to find guidance, purpose and wisdom? Why the scriptures of course! And we should notice that all those guidelines, our text says, are "right" that is, they show you the right path, they give you the right understanding, I mean we are not left without a blue print for life. We are not left to wander about in a fog not knowing the way. We don’t have to depend on the words and wisdom of man. And it’s when we walk in that Spirit directed way, we can know true joy. All this rejoices the heart!

Right principles should draw out of us right practices!

First to the right, then to the left, the road was ever ascending but always twisting, and thus, by easy marches, we were able to reach the summit of the pass. A straight line would have been shorter for the eagle's wing, but no human foot could have followed it. Nobody called us inconsistent for reaching our destination in this way; we kept to the road, and no one could complain.

If we honestly desire to gain the heights of divine truth, we shall find many zigzags in the road. Here we shall face divine sovereignty with all its lofty grandeur, and soon we shall turn in the opposite direction, toward the frowning peaks of human responsibility. What does it matter if we appear to be inconsistent, so long as we keep to the highway of Scripture, which is our only safe road to knowledge! Angels may, perhaps, be systematic divines. For men it should be enough to follow the Word of God, let its teachings wind as they may. C. H. Spurgeon.

Jeremiah displayed the reality of deep joy through obedience when, in the middle of personal human suffering and stress, rejection of his person and his preaching, in a day when disaster was to come on the nation, he could say.

Jeremiah 15v16.

"Thy Words were found and I did eat them, and thy Word was in me the joy and rejoicing of my heart."

1 John 1v4.

"These things are written that your joy might be full."

The Word of God gives very clear testimony to the truth that it is the source of all joy, and it’s when we walk in the right of its path it rejoices the heart.

So do we need to be hearing voices from heaven, having talks with angels, holding onto supernatural experiences, looking for miracles, and becoming more and more dependent on mystical science of the mind to be led of God into the fullness of joy? No! No! A thousand times No! Simply follow His Word.

The true testimony of God about Himself through His Word then is that true joy comes from following His blue print laid out in His Word. Not from inflating our self-esteem or becoming more self-fulfilled or growing in self-indulgence. Would you believe it, that in fact is doing just the opposite, running away from the Word, getting further away from the supply and source of that which we need for life. The testimony of God about His Word is that it is the source of the believer’s joy, and we cannot afford to stay from that source, for as Nehemiah says Ch.8v10. "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

The Psalmist reminds us in 119v54.

"Thy statutes have become my song in the house of my pilgrimage."

He is saying, my life is filled with the joy of your statutes, they are like music in my heart.

Now, there’s an unusual combination, statutes and song, we would never have equated those two, but the Psalmist does.

He is saying, Lord, your statutes, your divine principles, your precepts, your guidelines, as I learn them, as I follow them, as I obey them, they have become an absolute joy to my soul.

Do you recall Psalm 137v1-4?

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion." How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?

Because of sin they had been taken captive to Babylon. Their captors said, sing us a song! Sing us a song of Mirth or sing us a song of Zion, sing us a Happy song or sing us a Holy song. And, do you know what, they could sing neither.

Why? Because they had lost their song, "We cannot sing the Lord’s song in a strange land."

Had they been abiding in and fully enjoying the statutes, principles, precepts and guidelines of the Lord, why the song of the Lord would still have been in their heart.

The Psalmist says, 119v54.

"Thy statutes have been my song in the house of my pilgrimage."

This world is the house of our pilgrimage and we should be able to sing the Lord’s song.

A post graduate student, studying cello under Pablo Casals, was called upon by the Master to play a certain piece previously set.

As he played, the other students listened in raptures, for this was Casals prize student. When he concluded the piece every one of the students stood and clapped and cheered, they were thrilled. Casals rose to his feet, and when the maestro stood, silence fell, for they waited with batted breath for his words on the performance of his star student. Looking directly at the young man he said, "young man, you are playing the notes but not the music."

Could it be beloved that it’s like that with some of us today? We are playing all the right notes of evangelicalism, we know what to say, how to pray, the language is second nature to us, but we have long since lost our song. The song of the soul set free finds no deep joy within our hearts anymore. It has become a performance without an experience. Somehow, long ago we lost our song and we can no longer sing the Lord’s song in a strange land.

This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through, but as I do I want to be able to sing the Lord’s song so that I may bless all those with whom I connect.