Audio:
2007-09-16 AM Fear God, Honor the King.mp3

Fear God, Honor the King

Daniel 4:28-37; 1 Peter 2:17-25 / Proverbs 24:1-34

I. Christians Have a Social Policy

A. Peter stated the social policy which properly governs all Christians and enables the church to function in any culture. “Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.” (1 Peter 2:17)

B. When people do not understand the place of Providence in human affairs, they fail to understand what is taking place around them. “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.” (Proverbs 24:1-2)

C. A society will prosper when it functions according to the pattern God sets for it. “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:3-6)

D. People praise and endorse social planning which excludes God, but the result of such planning is sin and when it fails (as it inevitably fails), the friends of the planners abandon and repudiate those whom they once followed enthusiastically. “The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.” (Proverbs 24:9) “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.” (Psalm 14:1)

E. In contrast to the sifting sands of popular culture, the right ordering of priorities will lead to success. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

II. The 5th Commandment Encapsulates Christian Social Policy

A. An entire social world-view is encapsulated; the Fifth Commandment requireth the preserving the honour, and performing the duties, belonging to every one in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (Exodus 20:12)

B. All social relationships and obligations focus above all on Christ; the surface relationship should never obscure the ultimate relationship. “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:21-22)

C. Children often have difficult parents, but a Christian does not demand reciprocity in relationships; Christ is taking everything into account. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1)

D. The worst work condition is still an opportunity to offer service to Christ. “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;” (Ephesians 6:5)

E. Even civil governments which have often been problems for believers hold their authority from heaven and will ultimately give account for what has been entrusted to them. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” (Romans 13:1) “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:27-29)

F. None of these duties can be neglected safely. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:7-8)

G. God specifically repudiates any line of thought or action which results in the violation of His standard; truth demands more than the best logic. “For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:10-13)

III. The Faithful Way Stands the Test of Time

A. Consider the account of Nebuchadnezzar. “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counselors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.” (Daniel 4:34-37)

B. Take the advice of Paul over every political, cultural, or social alternative. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:10-18)

Audio:
2007-09-12 PM God Fixes Life's Problems.mp3

God Fixes Life’s Problems

Psalm 9

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. It Is Always Time for Praising God

A. Believers want the entire world to see God and His marvelous work; people brag about what matters to them. “To the chief Musician upon Muthlabben, A Psalm of David. I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvelous works.” (Psalm 9:1)

B. People who understand have trouble keeping things to themselves; salvation and the coming Holy City are too big to hide. “I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.” (Psalm 9:2) “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm 34:3-4)

II. The Lord Is a Genuine Judge

A. The biggest Goliath around can expect an anxiety attack when he figures out who is standing in the shadows keeping watch over the people of God. “When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.” (Psalm 9:3)

B. God does things His way in His time, but history shows the undeniable sweep of Providence. “For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right. Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 9:4-5)

C. The great triumphs and trophies of evil come to an end; hell begins for civilization, culture, and art in this world. “O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.” (Psalm 9:6)

D. In contrast, the Lord and His gospel continue and advance across time and territory. “But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.” (Psalm 9:7)

E. Uniquely God does what is right and establishes righteousness. “And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.” (Psalm 9:8)

III. God Protects His Own

A. God provides life’s only safe place. “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.” (Psalm 9:9)

B. God has never abandoned people who sought refuge in Him. “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.” (Psalm 9:10)

C. God’s protection is a major message for believers to share with the terrified world. “Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.” (Psalm 9:11)

D. The humble who are at a disadvantage in human institutions get justice in heaven’s courts. “When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.” (Psalm 9:12)

E. People who believe in resurrection have little room in their hearts for fear; if God can overcome death, He can handle any problem which surfaces. “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.” (Psalm 9:13-14)

IV. The Lord Also Wins in the End

A. Always remember that evil is its own enemy. “The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.” (Psalm 9:15)

B. Over time God is known through His triumphs and evil is displayed in its failure. “The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.” (Psalm 9:16)

C. People and societies which seek freedom from God go to hell; they forget their only comfort. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” (Psalm 9:17)

D. The very helpless people evil folks seek to exploit survive in contrast. “For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” (Psalm 9:18)

E. Do not get in God’s way; let Him settle accounts as He did with Herod. “Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight. Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.” (Psalm 9:19-20) “And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts 12:22-23)

Audio:

2007-09-09 AM Resurrection.mp3

Resurrection

Psalm 17:1-15; 1 John 3:1-14 / Psalm 16:1-11

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Death Is Disastrous for Unbelievers

A. Death is not a cessation but rather a transition which will be altogether unattractive for those who have rejected the Lord Jesus. “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 6-7)

B. Jesus illustrated the problem with a parable. “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” (Luke 16:22-24)

C. People who do not want Christ in life will not find Him in the grave; accounts are settled permanently at the grave. “But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” (Luke 16:25-26) “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

II. Death Has Limits for Christians

A. Christians believe in the Resurrection of the Dead; the Apostles’ Creed affirms both resurrection of the body and life everlasting. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts 3:19-21)

B. On the cross Jesus told the thief being killed with Him that they would both be in paradise that very day. “And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

C. Christians see beyond life’s troubles and the grave itself to times of restoration and fulfillment. “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1)

D. Death brings happy opportunity rather than disaster for the blood-bought people of God. “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8)

E. Resurrection is physical as well as spiritual. “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)

III. Resurrection Will Bring Settlement of Accounts

A. Everyone will be resurrected, but resurrection will mean different things to different people. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:25-29)

B. The world will become what it should have been before the fall. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.” (Revelation 21:1-3)

C. All eternity hangs in the balance. “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8) “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)

D. When a person understands the options, no problem seems all that large for a believer. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Dr. James Kennedy left this message on Wednesday: “Now, I know that someday I am going to come to what some people will say is the end of this life. They will probably put me in a box and roll me right down here in front of the church, and some people will gather around, and a few people will cry. But I have told them not to do that because I don’t want them to cry. I want them to begin the service with the Doxology and end with the Hallelujah chorus, because I am not going to be there, and I am not going to be dead. I will be more alive than I have ever been in my life, and I will be looking down upon you poor people who are still in the land of dying and have not yet joined me in the land of the living. And I will be alive forevermore, in greater health and vitality and joy than ever, ever, I or anyone has known before.”

The Excellent Name of God

Psalm 8

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. God Is the Greatest by Any Standard

A. David raises the question which comes to any mind which considers God. “To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” (Psalm 8:1)

B. History repeatedly demonstrates the greatness of God. “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” (Psalm 72:17-19)

C. Grace is a mighty work and a wonder. “Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isaiah 29:14)

D. Wisdom cannot function or endure apart from a foundation in God. “For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:19-24)

II. Mankind Is Evidence of God’s Greatness

A. Tiny children demonstrate God to the watching and accusatory world; children saw in Jesus what the religious leaders of the day could not see. “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.” (Psalm 8:2) “And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?” (Matthew 21:15-16)


B. People can only be happy when seeking God; man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him for ever. “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;” (Psalm 63:1)

C. Little children often understand God better than the wise folk who have learned not to believe. “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” (Matthew 11:25)

III. Space with Stars and Planets Glorifies God

A. The universe testifies to the Creator and to His character. “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;” (Psalm 8:3) “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Hebrews 7:26)

B. Patterns displaying the Creator’s marks appear at all levels of reality. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” (Romans 1:20)

IV. Man Is the Most Instructive Evidence of God’s Greatness

A. Something about humanity interests God and that in turn tells something about God; as Calvin suggested, the study of God leads to man and the study of man leads to God. “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4)

B. The incarnation of Christ and His death on the cross reveal the marvelous mind of God; the interpretation appears in Hebrews. “For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” (Psalm 8:5) “But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” (Hebrews 2:6-9)

C. Man’s spreading dominion over creation speaks more of God than of mankind; creation is structured, integrated, and purposeful. “Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” (Psalm 8:6)

D. Every individual item of creation entrusted to mankind points back to the Creator and His inexhaustible mind. “All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.” (Psalm 8:7-8)

V. The Study of God Leads from Him to Him

A. By any measure God is above all. “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9)

B. Every genuine investigation of reality ultimately returns to God. “O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.” (Psalm 104:24)

If, Then

Romans 8:31-39

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott

I. Election Establishes Logical Propositions

A. Knowing the process of redemption gives the redeemed courage to boldly obey God. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)

B. Because God has done the greater, He can be expected to do the lesser, and there is no greater gift than the substitutionary atonement. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” (Romans 5:6-10)

C. God’s atonement triumphs over every sin and failure. “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” (Romans 8:33) “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

D. With the Savior on the throne of all reality, no one is in a position to bring charges against any believer. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34) “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Galatians 3:13-14)

II. For God’s People, Life’s Great Terrors No Longer Frighten

A. God’s demonstrated love is more powerful than life’s great difficulties. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)

B. Christians boldly do what paralyzes non-believers because God’s promises are more certain than life’s disadvantages. “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Romans 8:36) (from Psalm 44:22)

C. In Christ, believers triumph over every problem confronting them. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

III. Examine Personal Terrors in the Light of Sovereign Grace

A. Paul lifted each of his challenges up for examination in the light of grace. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,” (Romans 8:38)

B. Nothing is great enough to undo God’s love in Christ. “Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39)

C. Redemption from Egypt is the great pattern which illustrates how God works His purpose against the greatest force the world has to offer; God raised up pharaoh to put him down as a demonstration of Heaven’s concern for God’s people. “And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?” (Exodus 9:16-17)

D. The unity of God the Father and Christ the Savior is too great for anyone to undo; the Redeemer, not the redeemed, guarantees eternity. “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)

Life Can Get Better

Psalm 115:1-18; Ephesians 4:1-31 / Psalm 94:1-23

Dr. Edwin P. Elliott, Jr.

I. God Demands New Life

A. Saved people must distinguish themselves from lost people. “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,” (Ephesians 4:17)

B. The unredeemed are unable to understand reality; the minds of such people do not process truth. “Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” (Ephesians 4:18)

C. When people lose the categories necessary for perception, they simultaneously abandon their fear of consequences and carelessly grow increasingly evil. “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.” (Ephesians 4:19)

D. The saved and the unsaved function with conflicting mental operating systems so that unbelievers place the wrong meaning on what they experience. “They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. And none considereth in his heart, neither is there knowledge nor understanding to say, I have burned part of it in the fire; yea, also I have baked bread upon the coals thereof; I have roasted flesh, and eaten it: and shall I make the residue thereof an abomination? shall I fall down to the stock of a tree? He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (Isaiah 44:18-20)

II. God Causes New Life

A. God changes the way the Christian functions; grace reverses the effects of the fall incrementally. “But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24)

B. God takes away old thought processes and replaces them with new ones. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27)

C. Jesus explicitly called on His disciples to give up what had failed, face the cost of faithfulness, and pattern after Him. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)

D. Interaction with God’s word inevitably transforms people. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)

III. New Life Displays Changed Thinking and Behavior

A. Moving from falsehood to truth is an essential first step. “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

1. Lying traces its family heritage to Satan. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

2. Truth is evidence of the presence of Jesus Who is Truth. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

B. Each bad behavior must be replaced with a righteous one; believers return good for evil. “Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

C. Part of what the new heart does is to identify what has been wrong in a believer’s life and then move in the opposite direction from vice to virtue. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Ephesians 4:28)

D. One of the identifying marks of a genuine Christian congregation is the way in which the community fosters this process through its associations. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Managing Put-Down Artists

Psalm 7

I. Slander Demands Self-Examination

A. David composed Psalm 7 after Cush [a name for Saul whose father was Kish] slandered him. “Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite.” (Psalm 7:1a) See 1 Samuel 24:4,5; 9-15

B. Rather than rely on himself, David turned to God for help. “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” (Psalm 7:1b)

C. David did not expect other people to come to his assistance. “Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.” (Psalm 7:2)

D. David examined the possible justifications for the attack and the evidence that he had done precisely the opposite of what his accuser charged. “O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)” (Psalm 7:3-4)

E. David did not deny that the charges would have merited punishment if they had been true. “Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.” (Psalm 7:5)

II. The Lord of Providence Understands Reality

A. God is in charge of justice and ultimately He will dispense it. “Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.” (Psalm 7:6)

B. Individual situations like David’s fit into a larger pattern of God’s protective care for His people; God’s reputation is exposed in the attention He pays to His people. “So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high.” (Psalm 7:7)

C. David appealed to God to handle his defense. “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.” (Psalm 7:8)

D. It is God’s business to expose wickedness and establish justice. “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” (Psalm 7:9) Mind and Emotions

E. Ultimately believers are happy to leave their defense to God. “My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.” (Psalm 7:10)

F. God is personally concerned with evil and will utterly settle affairs with wicked people who do not repent. “God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors.” (Psalm 7:11-13)

III. Slanderers Self-Destruct

A. Evil thinking is at the root of bad behavior. “Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.” (Psalm 7:14)

B. The traps evil people set ultimately confound their designers. “He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.” (Psalm 7:15)

C. Evil ultimately catches up with itself. “His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.” (Psalm 7:16)

D. Haman was hanged on the gallows he designed. “So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king’s wrath pacified.” (Esther 7:10)

E. David cut off Goliath’s head with his own sword. “So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.” (1 Samuel 17:50-51)

IV. Even Slander Should Result in Praise for God

A. The right response to malicious abuse is praise to God. “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” (Psalm 7:17)

B. History unfolds according to heaven’s pattern; evil cannot ever be the ultimate determiner of anything. “This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)