Psalm 118:24 ~~ Rejoicing in Salvation through Jesus ~~ Scripture reading: Psalm 118:19-29 (suggested memory verses: 24, 29 ) by David Churchill [printable PDF of outline][audio
MP3 of sermon -- approx. 28½ min.] I. Psalm 118 • v. 1, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (NKJV²) • v. 4, “Let those who fear the LORD now say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” (NKJV) • vs. 5-9, “The LORD is for me; I will not fear; what can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; therefore I will look with satisfaction on those who hate me. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.” (NASB) II. Psalm 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (NASB) • part of a prophecy or promise (14-29) about a foundation of salvation (Jesus) • looks ahead to when God establishes this “corner stone” of salvation (25-27) III. Isaiah 25:9, ‘And it will be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.”’ (NASB) • anticipates the Psalm 118 prophecy’s request for salvation being granted • credits God, and not mankind, for fulfilling the prophecy (cf. Isaiah 59:11-21) IV. Matt. 21:42-44, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the LORD’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (NKJV) (also recorded in Mark 12:10-12; Luke 20:17-19) • Jesus quotes the corner-stone prophecy to warn the scribes & chief priests (45) • He warns that God reserves His kingdom for those “bearing the fruits of it” • it does cost to follow Jesus, but it will cost even more to reject Him V. Acts 4:8-13, Peter explains to the Jewish leaders that this prophecy of the corner stone, salvation, and rejoicing is about, “Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead”. VI. Romans 9:22-33, Paul points out that some people will stumble with disappointment over Jesus because of their lack of faith in God’s authority. • v. 22 – God is ready to demonstrate His wrath and make His power known • v. 22-23 – He waits first so He can make known the riches of His glory • v. 33 – “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (NKJV) VII. 1 Peter 2:1-12, Peter explains that this fact… of Jesus being the foretold corner stone which saves those who believe Him and which crushes those who reject Him… should motivate and encourage us to believe and obey Jesus. • v. 1 – God’s word helps us grow in respect to salvation (can’t be saved without it) • v. 8 – Christ is a stumbling stone to those people disobedient to the word • v. 12 – our obedience to the word, through our good deeds, glorifies God VIII. Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (NASB) IX. Philippians 1:21-25, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,” (NKJV) X. Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” (NASB) Food for further thought — Plan each day like you’ll live forever. Live each day like you can’t plan on tomorrow. (Prov. 27:1; Matt. 6:25-34; James 4:13-17; 2 Cor. 6:1-3; Prov. 3:27-28; Ps. 69:13) (¹ “extol” = to praise highly; exalt) [printable PDF of outline][audio MP3 of sermon -- approx. 28½ min.] |