Values (2)

Two weeks ago we talked about the Bible and how we, as Christians, root our lives in it and seek God according to His word. We believe, at Grace Harbor, that the Bible is the inspired infallible Word of God, gives Light for salvation, and direction for life.

It can be trusted. From the Bible we gather our beliefs and values that guide us as a church in the decisions we make, and as individuals who live for Christ in a world full of hurt, disappointment, and disillusionment.

Without the Bible we have no compass, or knowledge of our Anchor as we navigate life. At Grace Harbor we talk about a compass for your life, which is the word of God and an anchor for your soul, who is Jesus Christ. As a church we recognize the importance of the Savior, the Historical and real Jesus, and His word, the Bible.

Today we’re going to be concluding a study of Christian values and moving to the next and final part of the Church covenant – the “We will…” section.

Values determine much of our lives. If your life is out of balance – you feel pushed and stressed and overworked, it’s probably because your values aren’t clearly defined or are off base.

When I was in college I had a pretty big project, along with finals looming. But there was also a ball game I wanted to watch on TV. My values got challenged: Watch TV, study, sleep – choose two. If my highest value had been grades, then obviously study and sleep would have been the right choice. I won’t tell you what I chose to do, but it’s a choice many have made.

That’s a small example: what about when it comes to doing our job, raising kids, being involved in the ministry God created you for, spending time with friends, running errands, taking time for yourself, dealing with extended family, handling the pressures of your job, making ends meet. Our values help us find balance and direction in life.

In Psalm 145 David, the King of Israel and a man after God’s own heart, lifts a song of praise to His King. In the heart of praise, David reveals a pattern of values that give light and direction and balance.

David went through tough times: he was hunted down, jeered by brothers, cast an outlaw; he jeopardized his peace with God by his deliberate choices to sin; yet through the tough times he stayed true and returned to God.

Read Psalm 145.

4 Values that directed David’s life – who saw a lot more trouble than most of us will ever see – and these values should direct our lives.

1. The Awesome (1-3, 8-9, 14-20)
a. David did not have a life of ease. He grew up in the fields, lived an outcast in caves, fled to foreigners for help, once lived like a mad man, and then became king. Even as king he faced war and battles and distrust in his own family. Listening to the radio this week Charles Stanley said, “A life of comfort and ease will not grow you spiritually. God will not grant it if you ask to grow.” If you want to grow as a person, there will be stress, conflict, disappointment, and failures. But David knew the key to living and growing was the Awesome God.
i. God is awesome and powerful. In premarital counseling I feel like the only truth I keep coming back to is that God can do anything. Remember that truth and no matter how sticky life gets, God can answer you powerfully.
b. We love the Lord. Psalm 145 is full of praise to the living Lord who enamored David. Our God is praiseworthy. He is eternal and infinite, and exists, one God, in three persons: God the Father, God the Son who is Jesus Christ, and God the Holy Spirit who lives in every believer and empowers Christ followers to be like Christ.
c. David never lost his understanding of God. Even when he committed heinous sin by adulterating another man’s wife and having that man killed, he returned to the Awesome God and sought Grace and forgiveness. He could write, “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made”[8-9] from experience. That understanding leads to the 2nd Value:
2. Worship (7, 10-12, 21)
a. This is a psalm of worship, and worship in 2 ways.
b. 1st Worship is extremely intimate and personal. Read v. 1-3. This is David from his heart to God. Worship starts with a heart warmed toward God, and it overflows the lips into life.
c. Personal worship is past, present, and future.
d. V. 4b – the acts of God through history offer the starting point. Begin your personal worship with recognition of all that God has done. And personally, all he has done in your life.
i. Grace Harbor started in 2002 with no one but the Conti family who moved here from Florida. God opened doors of ministry to students, to the streets, to the neighborhood, and has raised up this body today. And He is still working.
e. In v. 3 David offers up current praise. It is a declaration of God: He is great! God is opening doors today with the Youth Acting in Christ ministry led by DJ and with Debra’s arrival to serve in the month of June. God is doing great things Christian – rejoice! What about in your own life: do you see God’s hand in your own situation?
i. Worship is all of life. Coming to church, going to a Bible study, these are good things. But we are to be worshippers in Spirit and in Truth. There is no stopping the truth – it is always on. In the morning awake to praise, sing His praise High with the sun at noon, and marvel in His splendor and majesty with the moon at night. Walk in worship.
f. And worship is future: v.1-2. David plans on it: as long as I breathe I will praise you, O God. I heard one pastor say that he will retire when they take all the air from His lungs.
i. The sounds of our city never stop. This time of year, we sleep with windows open welcoming the cool nights. Sirens, neighbors coming and going, awaken us Kanye West driving by on somebody’s system. Praise should not stop, ever. Walk in worship.
g. Worship is also public. V.21. Join with a body to worship: that’s what the church is about: worship. It’s what we do. Because we love God, we worship. We encourage people to come and worship – it is the reason you are hear on earth: to worship through faith. Everything else we do flows from our warm hearted and loving worship of God.
3. Evangelism and Missions (4-6) come from our desire to worship.
a. This is the 3rd value: God, Worship, Telling others about God so they can worship: #3.
b. V.4-7. We value the next generation. Grace Harbor is committed to partnering with parents to disciple children. To loving our city and telling the good news to youth – and empowering youth (YAIC) to live their call in life and tell others. And to young adults and students we believe we have a responsibility to commend God’s works to the next generation.
c. v. 6: We tell others about Christ and prepare them to tell even more people. Evangelism is corporate: we as a church minister, serve, and bless our community as we tell the good news. But it is also personal.
d. Get involved in telling His good works to another. As we covenant together we will provide opportunities to be involved in impacting the city, the world, with the Good news, because we love God and we worship.
4. 4th: Worship Discipleship.
a. In the verses we just read something powerful is written: “I will meditate on your wonderful works.” Evangelism that leads people to pray to receive Christ is great, but not the goal. GHCC is about making disciples. But because we love God and worship Him we are about leading others to Worship. In other words, the goal of our lives as Christians is to lead others into life long worship. What does that look like?
i. People who live for God, whose lives are transformed into His life, and who worship.
1. Kingdom living (v.13): believing God’s promises and living by Faith. A transformed life lives for God’s Kingdom, not your own Empire.
2. Read v. 18. Knowing God is worship. Call on Him in truth.
3. Your life may crazy: have you called on God in truth? Not just checking it off your list, but calling on Him?
a. With these long daylights we are blessed with in RI I took some days and got up early to do outside work, and was doing it late as well. Wed. night I was getting tired. I drove some fence posts to build some screening with a very heavy hammer, and my arms were tired. Next I was driving some small tacks through vinyl, with the same hammer – I was racing daylight, and I hit everything: tack, vinyl, and finger mash. I screamed out to God for help.
b. Calling out to God in trouble and pain and necessity is one thing. What about for love’s sake?
c. Read v. 16. God satisfies by faith. Read v.19 – call on the Lord. Love is a tricky word today. It can mean a lot of things. But Loving God, the love Amy and I share for each other; this type of love is fervent, selfless, and committed. Read v. 20. Hear the warning: love God, worship God, read 21.

Pray.