Larry Siegle · Psalm 100
Link to sermon video: The Story of God – Part 2 – L Siegle
THE PROCESS OF REDEMPTION
“The STORY of God – Part 2”
(Psalm 100)
Series: The Process of Redemption
Thesis: The PROCESS of Redemptive history unfolded exactly as God has intended.
INTRODUCTION
1. We are continuing a series of messages that takes us into the very heart of God and the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
2. The title of the series is THE PROCESS OF REDEMPTION
3. The title of our message today is: “The STEPS of Ascension”
THE BOOK OF THE BIBLE WITH NO CHAPTERS
1. There is one of the 39 books of the OT Hebrew Scriptures that has no chapters…
a. As part of our worship assembly we have some wonderful, godly brothers who stand here to lead the congregation present in singing a variety of hymns chosen from within our song books.
b. Our Songs of Faith and Praise and several other books we have used over the years provide us with the words of expression in our hearts to the Lord and for the encouragement of fellow believers.
1) Our song books have no chapters, but rather a number attached to a particular song that everyone can turn to, or is displayed on the screen for all to see and to enjoy.
2) Nobody says, “Turn to chapter 480, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine…”
c. The book of Psalms in the OT has no chapters, it has individual psalms…so we refer to it properly as “Psalm 23” or “Psalm 119”
2. The book of Psalms is a collection of songs that Israel lifted their voices in praise, adoration, and worship of God.
a. In the NT, the apostle Paul refers to these as “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs” (Eph. 5:19, 20; Col. 3:12-17).
b. The purpose of engaging in ‘corporate’ worship is for the faith and encouragement of “one another”
1) The act of singing is what prepares our hearts and minds as we participate in the “breaking of bread” (Lord’s Supper), and “prayers” and to create a moment of reflection in preparation to hear and to receive the Word of God.
2) What we do here with the young ones just before the message gives them an awesome opportunity to participate and to lead in the honor and praise of God.
ISRAEL AND THEIR JOURNEY TO THE TEMPLE
1. The nation of Israel was given “festivals” or “feast days” in which they were to leave their homes in whatever part of Israel where their specific “tribe” was located, to go to Jerusalem to worship God (Exod. 23:14-17; 34:22, 23; Deut. 16:16, 17).
a. This was a command to the Hebrew “men” whose responsibility it was to appear before the Lord on the behalf of their whole families.
b. It was the opportunity for them to “give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord”—a heartfelt act of worship done with a joyful heart of appreciation to the Lord.
c. As part of our worship, believers also give on the “first day of the week” (I Cor. 16:1, 2).
d. The act of giving must arise from thankfulness of heart and appreciation for all that God has done for us (II Cor. 9:6-15). God loves a “cheerful giver”
2. Last week, in our study in this series we discovered something astonishing—that when anyone in Israel was asked about their love and devotion for God, they told the story—reminded themselves of who Yahweh is and what Yahweh has done for His people
3. The three feasts or festivals when Israel came to Jerusalem to appear in the presence of the Lord as “one” was Passover (to demonstrate thankfulness for their deliverance from bondage), Pentecost (to celebrate the gathering of the “firstfruits“ of the ”harvest” and provision that God had blessed them with), and Tabernacles (booths), of feast of ingathering where they would dwell in ‘tents’ (temporary structures) to remind them of God’s provision during the time of their wilderness wanderings and to honor and celebrate God’s goodness.
WHILE ON THEIR WAY TO JERUSALEM
1. Depending on where a family lived throughout the land of Israel, the journey into Jerusalem three times each year would take days to arrive there, sometimes 3 or 4 days on the road!
a. The people would travel in Caravans (the minivans made by Plymouth or Dodge), but groups of people.
1) The whole family of Jesus traveled to celebrate the festivals (Luke 2:
b. The fact that they were “all in one accord” had nothing to do with riding there in the comfort of a subcompact Honda—“one accord” meant and expression of unity of the people in their love and devotion both to God and to “one another”
2. Contained within the pages of the OT Psalms were those specified as Songs of Ascent—to be sung while they were walking along in their journey to Jerusalem.
a. There were 15 of these Songs of Ascent that were familiar to the Israelites and that they sang from the innermost parts of their being.
b. Generally speaking, the Songs of Ascent contained within the OT are Psalm 120-134.
1) Some were written by David and also Solomon, some psalms do not provide the name of the writer.
2) Israelite ‘tradition’ also tells us that the Levite priests sang they songs on each of the 15 steps leading up to the structure of the Temple—according to the Mishnah.
3. The Psalms were yet another way for Israel to tell the story of God in a Majestic and reverent way.
a. We can only imagine what the sound of these thousands of people lifting up their voices unto the Lord.
b. From the perspective directionality it did not matter from what area of Israel a family was traveling to Jerusalem, the elevation was “up”—the “mountain of the Lord’s house” (Isa. 30:29; Psa 48:1).
c. The establishment of God’s Kingdom and the Church is the spiritual representation of God’s “holy mountain” (Isa. 2:1-5).
1) When believers come together ours also is a Song of Ascent as we remember the goodness and majesty of God and in the realization of God’s glorious provision for us “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3; 2:8-10).
2) Never once in the OT, while they were going to Jerusalem three times each year do we hear any of the whispering: “Are we there yet?”-they were too busy singing and cherishing the time of families, fellowship, friends, and others who may have lived some distance away.
HEARTS FILLED WITH PRAISE
1. For Israel, the act of singing on their journey was not just a way to ‘kill time along the way’ (when my kids were little and we were on a road trip, there were no iPads, or electronic games for them to play….so we would sing in the car).
2. Psalm 100 gives us a picture of what happened along with way…
a. They were told to “give a shout to the Lord”—Do our hearts overflow with happiness and joy for who God is and what God has done that we are ready to ‘give a loud shout’ to the Lord of praise and thanksgiving?
b. Do we come before the Lord with gladness and thanksgiving for His love, His mercy, and His grace (Eph. 2:8-10)?
c. When we look at our lives and our relationship with God do we celebrate the fact that it is “He who made us, and not we ourselves”?
d. Because of what Jesus has done we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
e. Israel would enter into the gates of the city with thanksgiving and into the courts with praise.
f. God is good and His mercy is everlasting and His truth endures to “all generations”
CONCLUSION
1. Despite the struggles and challenges of our everyday lives, God is BIGGER than whatever we may face.
2. The essence of the “gospel of Christ” (Rom. 1:16, 17) is that the “righteous of God” (His covenant faithfulness) gives us assurance in every area of our lives.
1) We have forgiveness of sins because of the shed blood of Jesus Christ
2) We have the assurance that He hears our prayers and answers us when we cry out to Him.
3) We have “eternal life” in the very presence of God, to live forever with Him in the heavens.
4) We have fellowship with God and with each other in the body of Christ to give us hope and encouragement to one another.
5) There is every reason for us to have a song in our hearts as together we lift our hearts to Him each day.
3. If you have never surrendered your life to the gospel of Christ with access to “every spiritual blessing” (Eph. 1:3) there is no reason to hesitate any longer.
4. If you need the prayers of the congregation to strengthen your stance with God, we are here to help you with that.
Outline (Word document): THE_PROCESS_of_Redemption_V.docx