Sermon

Psalm 103

April 6, 2019 IPC Ealing Sermon Podcast

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Your pastor told me that you've been going through the Gospel of Matthew over the last few months.
and this is what we've been also studying in Warsaw.
So when I asked him what he would like me to preach on, he said that will benefit from taking a break from the Gospel of Matthew.
And I thought, well I would too. So this worked out well.
But before we go to Psalm 103, which we have read earlier, beautiful Psalm.
I want you to go back in your memory to the Gospel of Matthew.
And I hope your pastor didn't skip the story from the chapter 8 verses 23 to 27.
Where Jesus went with disciples, not the 12th yet, but just disciples, people who are following him to the sea.
And he called the storm.
And by doing it, he was teaching people who wanted to follow him, what it will take to follow him.
I hope you remember that story.
Remember the great storm.
Earthquake.
Perfect storm.
Got tsunami coming.
You got the great wind.
And then Jesus who calms it.
And it's perfect peace.
This story gives us a powerful image of a violent sea storm.
One minute and a perfect calm the next moment.
The Lord rebukes the wind.
Turmoil changes into perfect peace.
Mayhem stops.
And order begins.
Similar situation comes to mind when we read Psalm 102.
Not 103.
102.
And we don't have time to read it.
We read Psalm 103 today.
But if you go back home to read Psalm 102.
And, I mean, N103.
Kind of together.
The Psalm 102 feels like a great earthquake and storm combined.
Psalm 102 makes the psalmist cry out,
Hear my prayer, O Lord.
Let me, let my cry come to you.
For my days passed away like a smoke.
And my bones burned like a furnace.
I lie awake.
I'm like a lonely sparrow.
On the housetop.
All the day, my enemies taunt me.
That's Psalm 102.
That's the storm of life.
Then, Psalm 103.
Perfect calm.
Perfect calm beginning with joyful expression of gratitude and thanksgiving.
Which we're reading earlier.
And it starts,
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
And all that is within me.
Bless His holy name.
Both psalms.
Turn to the Almighty God as a source of comfort.
In a time of trouble.
And in a time of blessing.
In a time of abundance.
And the contrast and continuity between Psalm 102 and 103.
Capture very well our earthly life.
We're either in some kind of trouble.
Or some kind of trouble is about to happen.
Forgive me, but it is a little bit like your weather here in England.
And it's either raining.
Or it's about to rain.
I love England.
But when I left Warsaw yesterday.
It was over 60 degrees.
And sunny and warm.
And I got here.
Sure enough, it's raining.
And cold.
Maybe Brits are a little closer to heaven.
Because of their weather.
I don't know.
But our life.
If you know what I mean.
It feels just a little bit like that.
No matter what moment of life you are.
Today.
Either you're troubled by life.
Or temporarily.
Out of trouble.
I want.
All of us.
To study Psalm 103.
And find encouragement.
For us today.
In it.
If the sea of your life.
Is peaceful right now.
May this Psalm.
Call forth praise.
For the sunny days.
In which the Lord has already showed his love.
And faithfulness to you.
Or if you're currently sailing through stormy seas of life.
May this be reminder.
Of the benefits.
Of the benefits.
Your promise.
By your heavenly father.
And comfort.
That he offers.
Each one of you.
Each one of us.
In the time of trouble.
This beautiful song of praise.
Is progressive.
In its character.
And what do I mean by progressive.
I mean by it.
That it's expanding.
Outward.
It begins.
With one covenant child.
Praising the Lord.
By saying.
Bless the Lord.
O my soul.
Which could be translated.
Bless.
Yahweh.
I tell myself.
And then.
In verses 6 and 7.
There's a transition.
To all God's covenant people.
Who can recall his faithfulness.
And say together.
Bless the Lord.
All.
All our souls.
Later in verse 20.
It encompasses the spiritual world.
The whole spiritual world.
That is faithful.
To our God.
Bless the Lord.
All you his angels.
You mighty ones.
Who do his word.
So now.
The psalmist progressive.
Song of praise.
Showing how praising God.
Can be contagious.
Spreading.
From one person.
To the congregation.
And to the whole.
Universe.
That is faithful to God.
God.
This progressiveness.
Is not universalist.
In nature.
Not all humans.
Not even all angels.
Are able to join.
This wonderful song of praise.
This song of praise.
For our creator.
Is reserved.
For those.
For those.
Who have.
Experienced his forgiveness.
For those.
Look at verse 3.
Any efforts.
To praise God.
Without experiencing.
God's forgiveness.
First.
Will not be complete.
Why?
You might ask.
Well.
Because.
Because.
Experiencing.
Receiving.
God's forgiveness.
Forgiveness.
Of sin.
Is at the root.
Of all.
Other.
Personal blessings.
Living.
With a guilt ridden.
Conscience.
Or a conscience.
That has been.
Desensitized.
Or hardened.
By false ideas.
False religion.
Abuse of drugs.
False psychology.
Will eventually.
Lead to physical sickness.
As well.
Therefore.
The psalmist.
Deligs.
Forgiveness.
With healing.
Verses 4 and 5.
Satisfaction.
And renewal.
Of strength.
We are forgiven.
And assured of it.
Just like.
Pastor Levy read.
Assurance of pardon.
After our confession.
Of sin.
We are assured of it.
And it is a huge.
Weight.
That it's been lifted.
Of our shoulders.
Of our hearts.
We feel free.
We feel.
Like nothing.
Can stand in our ways.
We are crowned.
With steadfast.
Love and mercy.
Don't be fooled.
Verse 3.
Is not an easy way.
To justify.
Health and wealth.
Gospel.
That is destroying.
So many.
Of the evangelical churches.
Around the world.
Today.
Verse 3.
Is a poetic expression.
Of the idea.
That all illness.
In general.
Is a result.
Of sin.
Committed.
By our.
Father.
Adam.
And also.
By.
Sins committed.
Today.
By us.
And as Jesus.
Have pointed out.
There is no direct.
Cause and effect.
Between.
Illness.
And sin.
Except.
The generic one.
That I just said.
Remember the story.
When Jesus.
Confronted the Pharisees.
Who thought that.
Someone.
Was sick.
Because their parents.
Sin.
Sin.
The sickness.
And illness.
Is here.
Because of the.
Original sin.
And sometimes.
Because of our.
Personal sin.
As well.
Healing.
Must begin.
From inside out.
And that's why.
The psalm.
Starts with forgiveness.
The healing.
Takes place.
In the life.
Of every person.
Who has repented.
And we would say.
Was justified.
And now.
Gradually.
Gradually.
Progresses.
In sanctification.
It is a path.
To perfection.
It's a path.
Of becoming.
More like Christ.
And we all.
Progress.
In sanctification.
With different speeds.
As our souls.
Or sometimes.
Bodies.
Experience slow.
And gradual.
Healing.
To a different degree.
As we strive.
To be more like Christ.
As we strive.
To perfection.
This path.
To perfection.
Ends.
Either at our death.
Or it will end.
At the return.
Of our Lord.
We will all be perfected.
And we will all be glorified.
God.
But.
Let us not miss.
The important lesson.
That we can.
Learn from this.
Psalm here.
During our earthly life.
We are promised.
To have.
Our spiritual strength.
Renewed.
Like that of an eagle.
Soaring.
Through the skies.
As.
Here.
King David.
Is quoting.
Isaiah.

Isaiah 40 chapter mention
Chapter 40.
He says.
Just like the eagles.
Use winds.
To their advantage.
The same way.
We.
Are strengthened.
By the comfort.
That is found.
In the compassionate.
Love.
And forgiveness.
Of our God.
Now.
You may ask.
How can we be.
Sure.
That God.
Of Abraham.
Isaac.
And Jacob.
Is the one.
Who can forgive.
Is the one.
Who can heal.
Who can redeem.
Who can crown.
Who can satisfy.
Who can renew me.
Well.
I am glad you asked.
Really.
Look at you.
The answer is simple.
And.
He has already.
Showed it to you.
Where are you now?
You are here.
On the Lord's day.
In his church.
Aren't you?
You are in God's house.
You are among God's people.
You are here in God's word.
You are already brought out of slavery.
Brought out of slavery.
Of sin.
Just like.
Jews were brought out of.
Egyptian slavery.
God is watching over you.
He is watching over you.
As you seek his mercy and grace.
He watches over you.
And will exercise.
Justice.
And mercy.
As he did with Israel.
Now.
The Lord will not abandon you.
Even if you sin.
Against him.
The Lord is ready to forgive you.
Just as he forgave.
Israelites.
When they sin against him.
In the desert.
And then repented.
Ancient Israel's.
Stubborn nature.
Is a great picture.
Of how we.
Fall back into old patterns.
Of sin.
And disobedience.
And yet.
Our Lord is.
Long tempered.
And lavish.
In his loyal love.
Towards us.
He does not keep rebuking.
Or punishing.
Us.
When we repent.
He does not.
Stay angry with us.
He deals.
He doesn't even deal with us.
Proportionate.
To our own offenses.
Jesus.
God was loyal.
And patient.
With Israel.
As they were crossing the Red Sea.
He gave them manna from the sky.
And water from the rock.
And they complained.
And were disobedient.
And then they repented.
And then they sin again.
Look at verses 11 and 12.
They're a beautiful.
Geographic.
Or navigational.
You may say.
Illustration.
That portray.
That the compassionate love.
Of our God.
Is offering us strength.
And comfort.
Now.
Verse 11.
Vertically.
For as high.
As the heavens.
Are above the earth.
So great.
Is the steadfast love.
Toward us.
Who fear him.
We're going.
Up and down.
Now.
Verse 12.
As far as.
The east is from the west.
So far.
As he removes.
Us.
Transgression.
From us.
You see that motion.
Up and down.
Left and right.
Up and down.
Left and right.
What am I drawing here?
Kids.
Do you see me?
Okay.
Up and down.
Left and right.
What is that?
Across.
These two of course.
Form a cross.
Which many years later.
Will become the very symbol.
Of our redemption.
Interestingly.
Interestingly.
That right after that.
In verse 13.
We read that God is our father.
A father who shows compassion.
For his children.
So the Lord shows compassion.
For those who fear him.
And God of course.
The picture of a father.
Is ultimately fulfilled.
Where many hundred years later.
John will write.
His famous words.
For God.
So loved the world.
That.
He gave his only begotten son.
That whosoever believes in him.
Shall not die.
But have an everlasting life.
God acting as a father.
Giving us his son.
The compassion love of God.
Is for those who believe in him.
That is.
To have not only the knowledge.
In your head.
Of who he is.
But to approach God.
With reverence.
With respect.
And complete trust.
That's what it means.
To fear God.
To treat him as.
You would treat.
A father.
The fatherly compassion of God.
Is unique in its nature.
John Calvin.
John Calvin.
Commenting on the psalm.
Writes.
God is compared to earthly fathers.
Not because.
He is.
In every respect.
Like them.
But because.
There is no earthly image.
By which.
His unparalleled.
Love towards us.
Can be better expressed.
God.
Now I realize.
That not all of us.
Have perfect relationship.
With our earthly fathers.
Some of us.
Have not even met.
Our fathers.
But.
Precisely.
Because of the relationship.
With our earthly fathers.
Is so important.
And often hurting.
God chooses.
Jesus.
To use it.
As an illustration.
Of the nature.
Of the relationships.
That he has with us.
The lack of good father.
Cannot be an excuse.
For this belief.
Having a bad father.
Cannot be an excuse.
For this belief.
It's rather.
A good reason.
It's a good reason.
Why we need to find comfort.
In the fact.
That God.
Compars himself.
To the compassionate father.
Have you ever thought of that?
I remember the moment.
When my father.
Unexpectedly died.
In his early 50's.
He had a heart attack.
He was healthy.
Otherwise.
Just.
Drop.
And died.
In church.
On Sunday morning.
During a sermon.
I was at that time.
In Moody Bible Institute.
In Chicago.
Studying.
Came back.
To Poland.
But.
Never got.
A chance to even see him.
In a hospital.
He died.
There.
The fact that.
Death.
Took my father away.
Was the point in life.
When I.
Came to God.
And asked.
Him.
To meet.
All the needs.
That my earthly father.
Was supposed to fulfill.
Says.
You allow for my father.
To die so early.
Then.
Now.
The job is on you.
Lord.
I need you.
And he did.
He did more than I could ever ask.
He became more than a father.
Father.
Father.
Father.
Father.
Was just the tip of the iceberg.
I don't have time.
To tell you my whole life story.
But I can tell you.
That when I was 16.
And I came to UK.
Actually.
I went to.
Northern Ireland.
And I went to Aran Island.
Stood on the cliffs.
Facing.
The ocean.
Facing America.
I was 16.
I couldn't speak English.
Promise.
Fairly could communicate in English.
And I prayed.
For two things.
I said.
Lord.
I would like to learn English.
And I would like to go and study theology.
Preferably in America.
And the Lord answered that.
Not only did he.
Help me to learn English.
And provided for.
20 years.
Well.
Little less.
15 years of education.
In America.
And here I am.
Before you today.
By God's grace.
Preaching in English.
And I can tell you.
The Lord can do that.
The Lord can be a father.
To all of us.
Whether we have good.
Or bad.
Or no fathers at all.
No.
Because of my father's death.
I grew closer.
In my relationship.
To my heavenly father.
And in the times.
Of trouble.
Or prosperity.
I can recall.
All the ways.
God brought me.
Through life.
And now.
Trying to serve him.
With all that I have.
Something that.
He doesn't just call pastors.
Or elders to do.
As you have studied.
In the gospel of Matthew.
He calls all of us.
To seek.
The kingdom of God first.
And then.
Everything else.
Shall be added unto us.
Sounds crazy.
Guess what.
Everything else is crazier.
Try it.
Now.
Read verses.
17 and 18.
But the steadfast love.
Of the Lord.
Is from everlasting.
To everlasting.
On those.
Who fear him.
And his righteousness.
To children's children.
To those.
Who keep his covenant.
And remember.
To do his commandments.
Here.
The psalmist.
Powerfully.
Contrast.
Our own.
Frailty.
With his.
Enduring love.
For us.
His enduring love.
For all his sons.
And his daughters.
We are temporary.
We are frail.
Our days are short.
But God.
And his love.
For us.
Is not frail.
Frail.
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
It doesn't.
Change.
He is loyal.
In his eternal.
And compassionate love.
Not to all.
But to those.
Who have put.
Their trust in him.
To those.
With whom.
He has established.
A covenant.
Covenant.
And that covenant.
Is by.
His grace.
And he keeps it.
Because of Jesus Christ.
It's a covenant.
Of grace.
Now the comfort.
That comes.
From knowing.
On which side.
We are.
The comfort.
Of knowing.
That we belong.
To God.
The comfort.
Of knowing.
That we are forgiven.
And that the Lord.
Almighty.
Is watching.
Our back.
And that he gave.
His only son.
To die.
For our sins.
That is the source.
Of strength.
We are talking about.
That is the source.
Of strength.
In a time.
Of trouble.
And a source.
Of joyful.
Praise.
In a time.
Of prosperity.
Naturally.
The last few verses.
Of the Psalm.
20 and 21.
Are a call.
For the whole.
Spiritual world.
Of angels.
Those angels.
That are faithful.
To God.
To join in.
And praise God.
Who is our loving.
Father.
So the progression.
Reaches.
The end.
Of the universe.
The song.
Which started.
In the heart.
Of one.
Redeemed man.
Named David.
Now.
Through thousands.
Of years.
Encourages.
God's covenant.
People.
To find comfort.
In God's.
Compassionate love.
All the way.
From Palestine.
3,000 years ago.
To.
Ealing.
And to.
Warsaw.
This song.
Encourages.
Us.
Today.
To praise.
Our heavenly.
Dad.
Why don't you.
Join in this song.
Of praise.
Today.
Why don't you.
Find encouragement.
In it.
Despite.
Of your life.
Situation.
Despite.
Of the fact.
Whether you are.
In a stormy.
Part of life.
Or.
The storm.
Is about to happen.
Even though.
Maybe.
Psalm 102.
Better describes.
The way you feel.
Today.
I want to encourage you.
To read.
Psalm 103.
And be reminded.
Of God's forgiveness.
And his faithful.
Compassionate love.
To you.
You.
He will not leave you.
Or abandon you.
He will bring you.
Through the storm.
But maybe.
You cannot join the song.
Because you never.
Repented.
You don't fear the Lord.
Perhaps.
You didn't even realize.
You need forgiveness.
Today.
You need to.
You need to.
Today.
Today.
Is the time.
To realize.
That you are.
A sinner.
That you deserve.
Hell.
And you deserve.
Trouble.
And that you need.
To talk to your creator.
About that.
See how you.
Offended him.
See how you.
Caused the trouble.
You find yourself in.
Repent of it.
Come to the Lord.
He is waiting.
Join a church.
Where you can grow.
In your faith.
And understanding.
Of God's will.
In your life.
Surround yourself with.
Mature Christians.
Not just Christians.
Look for mature ones.
Men and women.
Who serve the Lord.
With all they have.
And.
Finally.
Those of us.
Who are enjoying.
Time of prosperity.
In our life.
In our rejoicing.
May our hearts.
Do not forget.
About the one.
Who is the source.
Of all good.
And all blessing.
And let us all.
Give him thanks.
For he is good.
Amen.