Understanding Spiritual Gifts - Part 6 - The Church Gifts

Temple Baptist Church - 4-15-2026

Ephesians 4:4-16

Introduction:  “Diversity of Gifts”  Ephesians chapter four is an important one as it speaks of Church gifts that are both partial or passing and gifts that are permanent. 

A.  As long as our Lord walked on this earth, He personally took care of His people.  He guided them; He comforted them; He protected them; He fed them, etc. 

 

1.  It is no wonder that, in John 14, He said, “Let not your hearts be troubled!”  He was going away, and they thought that they were being left to fend for themselves. 

 

2.  I am glad that such was not the case.  The Lord will never leave us alone to walk through this present evil world.  God gave to the believers the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, individual gifts, and gifts to the local church.

 

B.  When our Lord resurrected, He did two things that are listed in verse 8:  He led “captivity captive” and “gave gifts to men.” 

 

1.  He brought out of Abraham’s Bosom all of the redeemed from Adam to the resurrection.  Now the saved dead are with the Lord in heaven. 

 

2.  Secondly, He gave gifts—both individually and corporately—to those who remained after His resurrection.  We found lists of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 8, and Ephesians 4.

 

C. We have been discussing gifts of the Spirit given to individuals.  Tonight, I want to look at the purpose of the gifts given to the church corporately. 

 

1.  Passing gifts were the Apostles and Prophets (foretelling).  The Prophets and Apostles were passing gifts given to the early church until the coming of “that which is perfect,” the Word of God.  They received divine revelation from God, and both gave it as they were “moved by the Holy Ghost,” incorporating it through the establishment of local churches.

 

2. The Apostles were foundational in nature.  There were only 12 apostles, with Paul being the 12th, because Judas Iscariot was set aside. 

 

a)  They were foundational in building the New Testament Church.  Ephesians 2:19-22  Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  (20)  And  are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;  (21)  In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:  (22)  In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.  

 

b)  The Apostles were not the building.  They were the foundation upon which the building was built.  Once the foundation was laid, their work was done and did not need to be repeated or continued.  Their foundational work is eternally established in the foundation of the New Jerusalem.

 

Revelation 21:14  And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

 

c)  The Apostles had to witness the resurrected Christ.  (Acts 1:21-22, 1 Corinthians 9:1)

 

d)  The Apostles had to be personally commissioned by Christ.

 

e)  The Apostles were given the authority, through the Holy Ghost, to establish both churches and doctrine.

 

f)  The Apostles were uniquely qualified and non-repeatable.

 

3.  The Prophets.  Ephesians 3:2-5  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  (3)  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  (4)  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  (5)  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

 

a)  The Prophets, before the completion of the Scriptures, were given divine revelations that confirmed and communicated truth not previously known. These Prophets foretold events in the absence of a completed Scripture that we can sit down and read.

 

b)  We now have a completed revelation, and prophets are no longer necessary.  Such prophecy today would be extrabiblical revelation and would, of necessity, be added to our now-completed Bible.

 

D.  The Lord also gave permanent gifts to the local church: evangelists and pastor-teachers.  I want to look at them individually.

 

1.  The Evangelist.  To bring glad tidings, to preach the Gospel. 

 

a)  In our day, the word “evangelist” has taken on an unbiblical meaning.  When we think of an evangelist, we think of a man who preaches revivals in local churches.  Biblically, I believe these men are “Revivalists.” 

 

b)  The biblical evangelist is the missionary!  These men are of utmost importance to the local church and to the world.  In order to obey these great commands:

 

Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

Mark 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

c)  Evangelists, called missionaries, are essential to carrying, preaching, and teaching the Gospel to those the local churches cannot reach.

 

2.  The Pastor and Teacher.  One and the same man!  Though punctuation is not inspired, it is right here.  Learn English. 

 

Ephesians 4:11  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 

Semicolons mark the end of one thought and the beginning of another.  “apostles;”  “prophets;” “evangelists;”  Now, look at pastors and teachers.   There is no semicolon between “pastors and teachers.”  The word “and” ties two equal things together in English.

 

a.  Simply stated, the God-called pastor is also a God-called teacher.  This is clarified in 1 Timothy, the first of the Pastoral Epistles, where the qualifications of the “bishop” or pastor are given.

 

1 Timothy 3:1-2  This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.  (2)  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

 

b.  The value of the pastor-teacher is obvious in verses 12-16.

 

1)  You find the perfection of the saints!  Vs. 12  The word perfecting means to be “completely furnished.”

 

2 Timothy 3:14-17  But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;  (15)  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.  (16)  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  (17)  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (fully equipped)

 

2)  You find the work of the ministry!  Vs. 12  Winning a lost world to Christ is not my job!  It is not your job!  It is OUR job!

 

2 Corinthians 5:17-18  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.

 

3)  You find the edification of the local church!  Vs. 12  The use of the word edifying, in relation to the local church, means architecture or to fitly build the church.

 

Ephesians 4:16  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.  (Everyone has a part in the work of the church so, if you are not doing anything, a part of the work goes lacking.)

 

4)  You find the unity of the faith!  Vs. 13  By faith, Paul meant the fullness of the Scripture.  It is more than just salvation; it is much more than just doctrine; it is the fullness of the Christian life!

 

1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

 

5)  You find the fullness of Christ!  Vs. 13  As full of God as you can get; as full of the Holy Ghost as you can get!

 

Ephesians 5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.  (So filled with God that you overflow in the presence of a lost world.)

 

6)  You find the protection of the doctrine! Vs. 14  Not susceptible to false doctrine.  Knowing what the Bible says and being able to recognize and spiritual enough to avoid false doctrine.

 

Romans 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

 

7)  You find the fellowship of love!  Vs. 15  Charity covers a multitude of sins!  If you love me, you can both tolerate and live with me.

 

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

The Martyr’s Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 5-12-2026

Psalm 44:1-26

 

Introduction:

A. Psalm 44 is one of the Maschil Psalms, a psalm of teaching and instruction. There are 13 Maschil Psalms in the Book of Psalms. In biblical numerology, 13 is associated with ill omens. Every psalm is for our admonition and instruction, but the Maschil Psalms are directed to the teaching of the suffering of the saints of God in all ages.

 

B. Psalm 44 has been referred to as the Martyr’s Psalm. Biblically defined, a martyr is a believer who bears witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and suffers death rather than deny Him. Though the word “martyr”, like “trinity” or “rapture”, is not found in the Bible, the root word for “martyr” is found 34 times in the New Testament.

 

C. In Acts chapter one, when speaking to His disciples (Acts 1:2), the Lord Jesus said that they would be “witnesses” (μάρτυς martus, a martyr). These men, with the exception of John the Beloved, would pay the ultimate price for their faithfulness to the truth.

 

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

D. That being said, I want to tie this psalm to Hebrews chapters 11-12. Hebrews chapter 11, “The Hall of Faith,” gives us a history of the price of faithfulness from the death of Abel to our day. With that in mind, let us look at the psalm.

 

1. Verses 1-3. The Martyr’s Record. God’s faithfulness in hardship was taught by our fathers.

 

Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

 

a. God has always been faithful. Throughout history, God has stood with His people.

 

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

 

b. God continues to be faithful! Whatever we face, God will be there with us and for us.

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

 

2 Timothy 2:13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

 

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

 

c. From the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem, we can rest assured that God is in complete control of our lives and circumstances.

 

2. Verses 4-8. The Martyr’s Confidence. God’s faithfulness inspires confidence in His children.

 

a. There are times when our confidence is misplaced.

 

Psalms 118:8-9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. (9) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

 

b. Confidence well placed.

 

Proverbs 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. (26) For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

 

c. Verse 8 says, “In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name for ever. Selah.” “Selah” means to pause and weigh something. Meditate upon that!

 

BUT! Verse 8 didn’t last long, did it?

 

3. Verses 9-16. The Martyr’s Suffering.

 

a. There will be times when God is silent, and we will seemingly be defeated. I can tell you, from personal experience, that life is hard and often unfair to all of us.

 

1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: (7) That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

b. A dear pastor friend of mine had this written in the front of his Bible: “A faith that cannot be tested, cannot be trusted.”

 

c. Throughout the Bible, we find the suffering of God’s children that often leads to a questioning of God. “Why” and “How long” are frequently found in the hearts and mouths of the best of us.

 

d. Hebrews 11:13 says, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

 

e. They did not die because of sin! They died for living a righteous life!

 

2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

4. Verses 17-22. The Martyr’s Submission. Though not understanding, bows to the will of God in suffering.

 

a. The martyr’s faithfulness to God. Though not always understanding, they maintained their spiritual integrity.

 

Job 2:9-10 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. (10) But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

 

b. The martyr’s following the lighted path of God.

 

Hebrews 12:1-3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

 

c. Verse 22, The martyr’s suffering.

 

Psalms 44:22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.

 

5. Verses 23-26. The Martyr’s Promise.

 

a. God does not sleep.

 

Psalms 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

 

b. God has not forgotten.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

b. God will be on time.

 

Psalms 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. (10) When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.

 

The Rending of the Veil

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-12-2026

Mark 15:37-38

 

Introduction:

A.  At the very moment of our Lord’s death, the veil of the Temple was rent from top to bottom. This was no small event—it was a divine declaration. This morning, I want us to consider the rending of the veil and its importance to the believer.

 

B.  Before Calvary, God consistently used veils—physical and spiritual—to conceal, separate, and reveal truth progressively.

 

1.  The veil that was within the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was a veil of covering.  It hid the Ark and Mercy Seat from the eyes of sinful men.

 

Exodus 35:12  The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,

 

a)  It was a veil of division. The veil of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness kept sinful man at a respectful distance from a thrice-holy God.

 

Exodus 26:33-34  And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.  (34)  And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the ark of the testimony in the most holy place.

 

b)  This veil or veiling continued into the New Testament in the Temple, as the Old Testament priest operated outside of the veil except for once a year when the blood of atonement was offered.

 

Hebrews 9:6-8  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God.  (7)  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:  (8)  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 

 

c)  This was no thin curtain. Jewish history records that the Temple veil was about a handbreadth thick—approximately 3 to 4 inches—woven of many strands and exceedingly heavy.  When God tore that veil, He did not tear something fragile—He tore something impossible for man to tear.  From top to bottom—this had to be a supernatural act.”

 

2.  God revealed Himself in veiled ways in the Old Testament.  In the Voice of God that walked in the garden, Theophanies, Christophanies, Anthropomorphisms, smoke and fire, etc.

 

3.  The veil that women wore in ancient times was a covering worn over the face, leaving only the eyes exposed.  Her features were concealed, emphasizing modesty and reserved revelation.  This illustrates a principle: God often works through what is partially concealed before it is fully revealed.

 

a) The Old Testament veil was used to conceal the appearance of women from casual observers. Purity and modesty were carefully protected in earlier days. The bride-to-be remained veiled in the presence of her intended husband until after the wedding.

 

b) The groom-to-be had no idea what her physical features looked like, as her clothing was loose-fitting and her face covered. This reflects a beautiful aspect of our Scriptural marriage today: we are to be drawn by God's will in marriage and to fall in love with the inner beauty of the intended bride.

 

Genesis 24:62-67  And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.  (63)  And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.  (64)  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.  (65)  For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.  (66)  And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done.  (67)  And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

 

C.  Even in these examples, we are reminded that God is still working through a veiled people today.  The world sees the Church or the Bride of Christ through the veil of our flesh.  We are not yet perfected; we are not yet sinless; we are not yet what we shall one day be, but one day, we shall be like the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

John 17:14-16  I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  (15)  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.  (16)  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

 

1 John 3:1-2  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  (2)  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

 

D.  All of this brings us to the central truth: The veil was not just a covering—it was a barrier.  It declared that sin separates man from God.

 

1.  The New Testament veil was found in the flesh of Christ. 

 

Hebrews 10:16-20  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  (17)  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  (18)  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  (19)  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  (20)  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

 

2.  When Christ died, the veil was torn in two from the top to the bottom, not man reaching up to God, but God reaching down to man.  And remember—this was a veil inches thick, massive, and humanly impossible to tear.

 

a)  This was not incidental.

 

b)  This was not symbolic only.

 

c)  This was supernatural, thus divine.

 

E.  Let us look at some things that the rending of the veil accomplished.

 

1.  That the ceremonial dispensation of atonement was now abolished.  Many religions believe that they can approach God through their liturgical services, priestly robes, smoking incense pots, and the Jews through their Passover meal that, today, is a bloodless sacrifice.  God became accessible to every man and woman through the finished work of Calvary.  The shadow was gone, and the type revealed in the death of Christ.

 

Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 

 

a.  Not bound by sacrifice.  Sacrifices are no longer necessary because of Calvary and are not part of New Testament worship. We are no longer under the Law as a means of justification. We know the Truth, and thank God, the Truth has truly made us free. 

 

b.  Not bound by ceremonial law.

 

c.  Free, praise the Lord, free at last!

 

2.  That the Old Testament priesthood was annulled. 

 

a.  The Old Testament priesthood done away with. 

 

b.  The priests represented man to God; the apostles represented God to man; the New Testament believer is an individual priest who can go to God anytime, anywhere, with anything.  Our confession of sinfulness is private and not to be shared with a sinful priesthood.

 

c.  We now have the High Priest, an Advocate, and a Mediator—Jesus Christ the Righteous.  We can now come boldly before the throne of grace and find help in times of need.  We do not go through man—we go through Christ.

 

d.  The Old Testament priest could not be touched while ministering before God—but now, through Christ, we have continual access to Him. 

 

1 John 1:9, 2:1  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness … My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

 

3.  Our Lord Jesus can be touched!  He is touched by the feeling of our infirmities, and we have access to Him, and we can come to Him personally. 

 

a.  He is Lord, but He is also our very personal Savior. We can commune with Him and share our innermost desires and struggles. He walks with me, talks with me, and tells me I am His own! A truly personal relationship with a very personal Savior!

 

Hebrews 4:15-16  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

 

b.  When the Old Testament priest was purified on the Day of Atonement, he could not be touched by sinful man, but the child of God has access to our heavenly High Priest.  We can touch Him! Well glory!

 

4.  That salvation is found ONLY in the finished work of Christ at Calvary.  Salvation is not of works but by grace through faith in Christ alone.

 

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Acts 4:12  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

a.  Jesus Christ is the Way to heaven.

 

John 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

 

b.  Jesus Christ is the Door of access by which we enter in.

 

John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

 

c.  Jesus Christ is our life in this world and the world to come.

 

Colossians 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

 

5.  That sinners can now personally come to Christ for both salvation and rest. 

 

a.  God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.  Jesus Christ died for the sins of the whole world and wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. 

 

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  (29)  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  (30)  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 

b.  The veil that once said, “Stay out,” now, through Christ, says, “Come in.”

 

Revelation 22:17  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

 

c.  The veil that once declared separation now declares reconciliation.

 

Conclusion:  And the veil that stood for centuries—thick, strong, and immovable—was torn in a moment when Jesus said, “It is finished.”

Lord, It’s Me Again!

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-5-2026

Psalm 143

 

Introduction:

A.  This Psalm reminds me of the pastor who called on a farmer in his church to open the service in prayer.  The old farmer began his prayer in a way that all of us should be familiar with: “Lord, it’s me again!”

 

B.  The Psalms may seem repetitive at times, and my preaching keyed in on the same subjects.  My work is to preach it, but herein lies the problem: it is our work to apply it and adhere to it.

 

C.  Here, we find a man after God’s heart, overwhelmed, and his heart desolate.  If King David had a problem with his heart and mind, we are certainly subject to these same conditions!  One of my favorite songs on our subject for tonight is “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.”  Listen to the third verse:

 

O to grace how great a debtor
Daily, I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

 

D.  Why such repetition in the Psalms?  David wrote 73 of the psalms, many of which 12 or so begin by questioning God.  Because, though our hearts pant after God, we live in a fragile condition because of circumstances, our flesh, our enemies, and a short-term memory!  “Old folks' disease!”

 

E.  With these thoughts in mind, let us break down the Psalm into its parts,

 

1.  Verses 1-2. 

Psalms 143:1-2  A Psalm of David. Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.  (2)  And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.

 

a.  In the first 2 verses of the Psalm, David asked God not to enter into judgment with him at this particular time because no living man can be justified with God.  He realizes he's a sinner, but sinners love God too, and he's turning to God for help. God remains his refuge and strength in times of need.

 

Hebrews 4:14-16  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  (15)  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  (16)  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

b.  In verse one, David wants God to hear his prayer.  It pleases God when His children turn to Him in times of need instead of relying on themselves.   I thank the Lord for hearing the prayers of His people. Even in our sinful condition, we are still sinners saved by the grace of God.   God hears them when they pray.

 

c.  Secondly, David said I want you to give ear to my supplications.  He had things that he needed to ask God for. He had things that he needed God to do in his life.  He had things he needed the grace of God for to maintain his spirit.  Most of the time, our need is more spiritual than physical!

 

d.  David appeals to the faithfulness of God.  Aren't you glad that when we're not faithful, God still is faithful!  He cannot, He will not deny Himself! In his appeal, he said, Lord, you've always been there for me. I don't see why you won't be there for me now and in the days to come.

 

e.  David appeals to the righteousness of God.  Bowing to the righteous answers that God gives, not just what he wants done.  I find that interesting, as we want answers, and we never say Lord, you do what you know is right. I don't know the end from the beginning, but He does.  I don't know what I'll need tomorrow. God does know what I don't need tomorrow. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow; I just want God, in his faithfulness, to righteously lead me, even if it's against my will. Our Lord bowed to the will of God in the garden!

 

2.  Verses 3-4. 

 

Psalms 143:3-4  For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.  (4)  Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

 

a.  Verse 3.  In verses 3 and 4, we find that David's condition is both outward and inward.  I will deal with the outward first. 

 

1)  David’s enemies have persecuted his soul well.  They will never give up!  They never give up because Satan never gives up. 

 

2)  If you think there's going to be a day in your life when everything is going to be absolutely wonderful, I think you're living in a dream world, not reality. 

 

3)  Though we cannot control either our enemies or circumstances, we cannot allow them to control us.

 

b.  Verse 4.  Inwardly is the problem.  David said, “ For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness.”  

 

1)  I thought about that, that's something you have to allow him to do.  He might persecute our souls, but our lives are in our hands.

 

2)  David is not seeing his plight right.  His spirit is overwhelmed, and his heart is desolate because of his spiritual condition. God does not want us overwhelmed or our hearts desolate.

 

3.  Verses 5-6. 

 

Psalms 143:5-6  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.  (6)  I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.

 

a.  Three things that go together in a progressive manner: remember, meditate, and muse.

 

1)  “I remember the days of old” is a good thing!  Now, David is beginning on the road to spiritual recovery!  In past trials, God had not let him down.  Hindsight is normally 20/20 and changes our perspective on the present.

 

2)  “I meditate on all thy works” speaks of a deliberate, focused reflection about something.  It is both active and purposeful.  David is choosing to think about God’s past faithfulness.  Considering, reviewing, or weighing.

 

3)  “I muse on the work of thy hands” is similar to meditate, but distinctly different at the same time.  Muse means to internalize. Murmuring to oneself.

 

b.  Though they sound similar, they carry distinct shades of meaning that deepen the verse rather than repeat it.  Remember, David recalls, meditates.   David thinks carefully or assesses what he remembers.  Muses, David allows them to sink into his soul.

 

c.  “I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.”  Now, David is on the right road. 

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

4.  Verses 7-11. 

 

a.  Notice the progression that takes place when David gets his persecuted soul, smitten life, overwhelmed spirit, and desolate heart in “his rearview mirror,” and his eyes are focused on the God of all comfort. Hear me.  Cause me.  Lift me.  Deliver me.  Hide me.  Teach me.  Lead me.  Quicken me.

 

b.  These are all things that God does, not what David does.  When David got his eyes off himself and on God, he found help that was always available.  God is still able to do!

 

Ephesians 3:20-21  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,  (21)  Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

5.  Verse 12.  Psalms 143:12  And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.