{"id":851,"date":"2024-02-21T20:21:54","date_gmt":"2024-02-21T20:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=851"},"modified":"2025-12-15T20:22:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T20:22:29","slug":"becoming-people-of-the-word","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/becoming-people-of-the-word\/","title":{"rendered":"BECOMING PEOPLE OF THE WORD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BECOMING PEOPLE OF THE WORD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Psalm 19:1-14<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning \u2014 and Happy New Year!\u00a0It\u2019s great to see you all here today\u2026I hope you are well and looking forward to a great year together<\/strong>. This year has the potential of being our best year ever!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love being with you and having the privilege of serving you! And I’m looking forward to seeing God increase His presence in you and me (and our church family) in the year to come!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TRANSITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, as we begin this new year, we want to get off on the right foot as a congregation\u2026and once again prioritize our lives in a way that honors God. To do so, we\u2019re going to launch into a new series of messages that will take us through a number of psalms in a study we\u2019re calling: CULTIVATING A HEART FOR GOD!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we begin, I want to introduce you to some of the value of studying the psalms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe the Psalms<\/strong> to have a wonderful capacity to capture the reality of our human experience. Because quite literally, no matter where you are in life \u2014 no matter what you may be facing or going through, the Psalms speak directly to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These passages we will be looking at are ancient hymns and poems written over a span of several hundred years (penned by many different men)\u2026yet, most of them were written by the great king David. There are divided into 5 sections and relate very closely to the first 5 books of the Bible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is one over-arching theme of the Psalms<\/strong> \u2014 and it is, \u201cChrist<\/strong>!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesus<\/strong>, speaking of them and Himself<\/strong>, said in Luke 24:44,<\/strong> \u201cThis is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a prophetic way \u2014 the Psalms that we will be studying, while they will speak directly to the things we face in life and offer us direction about how we should live\u2026they, at their core, also point us to the realization that Jesus is the Christ! He is the ultimate expression of God\u2019s love and care for you and me. And such is the case with the Psalm that we will be looking at today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This psalm<\/strong> proclaims the reality that God is great<\/strong>, and yet still has an interest in revealing himself to us. He does so through creation<\/strong> and through his Word<\/strong>\u2026and ultimately, both point us to recognize God\u2019s<\/strong> greatest revelation is of His Son<\/strong> \u2014 Jesus the Christ!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, my aim this morning is to motivate you to recognize the passion of God to speak directly to you and me through both his creation and His written Word. And as we understand His passion to speak to us \u2014 that we would be responsive an obedient to all that He desires of us in the way we live and honor Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By way of giving our church (and you personally) a challenge for the year to come, I hope to encourage you to spend far energy reading, studying, meditating upon, and then living out the Word of God in your lives more than ever before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we really become, PEOPLE OF THE WORD<\/strong> this year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This morning we will look at Psalm 19<\/strong>. And beginning in verse 1<\/strong>, I\u2019d like for you to follow along with me. And here David writes,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nothing can hide from its heat.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

8 The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

11 They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don\u2019t let them control me. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was the late C.S.. Lewis<\/strong> who wrote his feelings regarding this verse and expressed in clear terms that he believe this Psalm<\/strong> (Psalm<\/strong> 19<\/strong>) to be the greatest poem ever written \u2014 and the most beautiful Psalm ever written. This Psalm<\/strong> is all about helping us focus on the glory of God as it\u2019s being revealed before us throughout our world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first few verses actually describe with precision God\u2019s wordless revelation<\/strong> in the universe: how creation reveals the glory of God. And for many, these things (the heavens, and sky, and sun, moon and stars), cause them to think in terms of scientific research. For others, they stir up ideas of astrology or divination. But for the believer in Christ, they cause us to become filled with praise and adoration for our God and His creativity and authority over all things.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As David points out, everything in the heavens, reveals the work of God\u2019s hands\u2014and the fact that there is a creator who has made ALL THINGS! And there is nothing \u2014 nor anyone as important as Him.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, with these first few verses, we are challenged not to simply focus on creation \u2014 but rather to focus on the creator. David<\/strong> tells us how the heavens continually point us back to the wonder and glory of God \u2014 day after day after day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Moses in Genesis 1:1<\/strong>, David<\/strong> leads us to recognize God\u2019s existence. You\u2019ll recall the words of Genesis 1:1<\/strong>. As the story of creation unfolds, we\u2019re told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And then, in the verses that follow, Moses<\/strong> tells us how on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 1:<\/strong> God created the heavens, the earth, light and darkness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2:<\/strong> He created the skies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3:<\/strong> He created the land, and the seas, and things that grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 4:<\/strong> He created the sun, the moon and the stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 5:<\/strong> He created those things that swim in the sea, and the birds of the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 6<\/strong>: He created all land dwelling animals \u2014 including his greatest creation, humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 7:<\/strong> He rested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The thing is, too often, those who read and study the creation story \u2014 they focus on the word \u201cDAY<\/strong>\u201d, wondering how long a \u201cDAY<\/strong>\u201d is\u2026what Moses meant when he wrote the word \u201cDAY<\/strong>\u201d \u2014 and could God do everything said in the time of \u201cone day\u201d. What does Genesis mean by the word DAY<\/strong>. But I would argue that the word DAY<\/strong> is not the most important word in this CREATION<\/strong> STORY<\/strong>. But rather, the more important word is the word \u201cGOD<\/strong>\u201d! For He alone is the main character of the creation story.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all of creation is to help us focus upon our creator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that is precisely the point David is making in this Psalm. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

God and His glory is the subject of all of creations story!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, when you look up or look out a window \u2014 when you see the beauty of all the things that surround us, you are really being confronted with the REVELATION OF GOD and His glory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And this revelation is relentless as we see in verse 2-4<\/strong>, which tells us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the natural revelation<\/strong> of God<\/strong> may not communicate with specific words, it\u2019s message is clearly understood! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charles Spurgeon<\/strong> put the power of creation\u2019s revelation this way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor he who looks up and then writes himself down as an atheist either becomes an idiot or a liar, because the sun and the moon and the stars are God\u2019s traveling preachers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

God\u2019s glory is revealed in creation. And we must never worship the CREATION \u2014 but the CREATOR. That\u2019s the revelation that David is making here. But that\u2019s not the only way God reveals Himself.<\/strong> With verse 7<\/strong>, David<\/strong> shifts gears and draws our attention to the greater revelation \u2014 the more specific revelation<\/strong> of God through His<\/strong> Word<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look again at verse 7<\/strong>, where David says,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7\u00a0The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul.\u00a0<\/em>The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this verse, there is an abrupt change in language, style, and content. And the attention shifts from the splendor of God\u2019s creation to the value of the Word of the Lord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural revelation declares a lot \u2014but it is limited, and so God speaks through his faith men and women and gives us His Word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While David<\/strong> was writing specifically about the Law or the Torah \u2014 the first five books of our Bible\u2026we who stand on this side of the cross are able to recognize that this also applies to the totality of God\u2019s Word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul<\/strong> confirm\u2019s David\u2019s teaching when he says in 2 Timothy 3:16,<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable . . . ” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, <\/strong>we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13 <\/em><\/strong>And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, as the Bible<\/strong> attests, when we study the Bible, we are studying God\u2019s written Word. And so both the Old and the New Testament are the revelation of God to us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, you should know that the Bible is undeniably the most important book in my library. I am a collector of books \u2014 and I have a pretty extensive library. But without question, the most important book I own (or have read) is the Bible\u2026the cherished Word of God. I have read from it nearly every day for more than 25 years, and it still continues to challenge, motivate and inspire me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was written by more than 40 authors<\/strong> over a period of two thousand years<\/strong>, it is remarkably consistent from beginning to end<\/strong>, in spite of the fact that most of the writers didn’t know each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They came from almost every conceivable background: Some were educated<\/strong>, some were<\/strong> not<\/strong>; some were young, some were older; some were men, some were women; some were Jewish, some were Gentile; some were preachers, others were not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike other religious writings, the Bible<\/strong> reads as a factual account of real life events, places, people, and dialogue. And both historians as well as trusted archaeologists have repeatedly confirmed its authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the bible we find one central message consistently carried by all 40 authors<\/strong>: That there is a God, and He created us and all things, and He desires a relationship with us. So he\u2019s called us to know him and trust him.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n