Larry Siegle · Psalm 95:1-11
Link to sermon video: The Intimate Place of Rest – L Siegle
God’s “Sacred Space” II
“The Intimate Place of Rest”
(Psalm 95:1-11)
Series: God’s “Sacred Space”
Thesis: There is a “sacred space” where God “dwells” with His people, in His everlasting Presence.
INTRODUCTION
1. We are continuing a special series of lessons in learning about God’s “sacred space” where and how He “dwells” with His people who come to live in His Presence.
2. The title of the series is God’s “Sacred Space”
3. The title of our message today is: “The Intimate Place of Rest”
THIS WEEK WE BEGIN WITH A TRUE/FALSE QUESTION VOTE
1. “Is agitation a bad thing?” (Show of hands)
2. “Is agitation a good thing? (Show of hands)
3. “How many of us think this is a trick question? (Show of hands).
THE “TATER FAMILY” SERMON
1. Years ago I preached a sermon about the “tater family” and their attitude and characteristics and affect on the church:
a. Hesi Tater…
b. Dick Tater…
c. Agi Tater…
d. Imi Tater…
2. Agitation can be either a positive thing: Most washing machines has an agitation device with “tall spindles, vaned or finned, in the center of the wash basket that twist (or agitate) back and forth, rubbing against clothes to help break
down loose soils”
a. The writer of Hebrews 10:24 uses the term “stir up” paroxumos, meaning to “incite, provoke, stimulate, agitate” in this case “love and good works” as the end result, therefore a positive example of how to be agitated.
b. Paul tells believers to “stir up” (rekindle) the “gift” (II Tim. 1:6) anazōpureō is a word that pictures what happens when you “fan the flame, rekindle the fire, stir the ashes” of something that is burning—positive form of agitation.
c. The negative idea of agitation is used by Luke in Acts 15:39, “sharp contention, dissention, argument, agitation” (same word as in Hebrews 10:24).
3. It is God’s greatest desire that believers discover that intimate sense of peace in our lives—especially when there are so many things in the world that steal away that feeling of peace in our lives.
a. The daily news headlines are full of stories, such as what just happened in Minneapolis at the school there…our hearts break with grief to hear about these things…and we pray for the families involved.
b. The stressful situations of companies that shut down because of economics.
c. The high cost of the basic necessities of life—all of these things create unrest in the innermost parts of our being.
THE PSALMIST AND THE NEED TO ENTER INTO A PLACE OF PEACE, REST, AND TRUSTING IN GOD
1. The inspired author of this psalm (95:1-11) is not stated in the OT text, but the writer of Hebrews who quotes from the psalm attributes it to David through the Holy Spirit (Heb. 3:7; 4:7)—as a reminder of what happened during Israel’s time in the wilderness.
a. Psalm 95 is divided into three sections:
1) The Invitation to Joyful Worship (95:1-5).
2) The Call to Reverent Worship (95:6-7a).
3) Warning Against Hardness of Heart (95:7b-11).
b. Worship involves the believers entrance into God’s “sacred space” (His presence)—“before Him” (Exod. 33:12-17) and Moses intercedes on behalf of the nation who had become rebellious (Exod. 33:5)—they needed to “strip
away” the things of Egypt (orniments) that were a distraction so that they could enjoy genuine peace and have rest because of their trust in God.
1) Anything in our own lives that draws our attention away from God and seeking Him, must be laid aside in order to experience genuine peace with God and the rest He desires to give us in our life.
2) The psalmist reminds Israel that God is “the great king above all gods” and is the Creator. (95:1-5).
2. The action of “bowing down” with a humble heart and mind is essential to the experience of having God’s peace and rest in our life (6-7b).
a. Israel identifies God as “our God” and that they are His people.
b. Those who obey the gospel of Christ have the confidence and assurance of our identity as God’s “church” the “body of Christ” (Eph. 1:22, 23; 2:18-22—a relationship with God (Acts 20:28)
c. The “price” paid on our behalf is the shed blood of Christ that brought about redemption and deliverance from “sin and death” (Rom. 8:2).
THE WATER SHORTAGE ISSUE
1. God has delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt and as they began their journey, there came to be a ‘water shortage’ (which created stress and took about their sense of peace and rest (Exod. 17:1-7).
a. God had just given them ‘daily bread’ (manna) to eat as a provision from Him (Exod. 16:1-36)
b. The “bitter” water at Marah had been transformed into “sweet” water (Exod. 15:22-27)
c. They receive “water” because Moses strikes the “rock” and God provides for them (Exod. 17:1-7).
1) Meribah—“quarreling strife, contention”
2) Massah—“testing, trial”
2. How quickly people tend to forget the good things that God has done and instead begin to complain about everything….
3. The first century Jewish believers needed to be reminded about what happened to Israel because of their lack of faith and trusting in God to provide for them (Heb. 2:1-3; 3:7-18; 4:6, 7)
1) Whatever we face in life, God is there to bring us through into victory for Him (I Cor. 10:13).
THE INVITATION OF JESUS BRINGS US INTO AN INTIMATE PLACE OF REST (GOD’S SACRED SPACE)
1. Jesus had warned His followers of opposition and persecution to come (Matt. 10:16-23) but promises rest for those who are believers (Matt. 11:25-30)
2. There is a quiet place of rest…near to the heart of God and Jesus has made a way to enter into that “sacred space”and to experience peace in the midst of the storm that rages all around us in life.
a. The invitation of Jesus is a reality and the benefits of that invitation are something each of us can experience in our daily lives.
SALVATION AND GOSPEL OBEDIENCE
1. In order to have God’s provision, each person needs to enter into the “sacred space” of God’s presence as His children through responding to the gospel of God (Rom. 1:16).
2. As believers each of us needs to lay aside whatever it is that draws us away from His presence.
CONCLUSION
1. If you have a need today for God to bring a genuine sense of peace, happiness, and fulfillment in your daily life and circumstances, there is your invitation to respond as we stand and while we sing.
Outline (Word document): Gods__Sacred_Space__II.docx