Weekend Sermon--Psalm 15

     Psalm 15 is one of the many Psalms written by the great Psalm writer, King David of Israel. 
     Last week, we looked at the three requirements James lists for one to practice true and pure religion.  This week, we look at Psalm 15 where David asks the question, "who many dwell in the sanctuary of the Lord?"  I think what David is asking is who is the person who may have fellowship with the Lord?  Who is the one who can be pleasing to the Lord in such a way that it fosters a deep fellowship with God? 
     David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, begins his list in verse 2 by saying, "He whose walk is blameless and does what is righteous."  I believe that this is the same sentiment expressed by James when he said that the one who practices true religion, "keeps himself unstained by the world."
     It is a very important part of the Christian walk to live a life which follows the commands and teachings of Jesus Christ.  A few weeks ago, I spoke about how that the first criterion for abiding in Christ is keeping His commandments.  David is saying much the same thing.  To be in deep fellowship with the Lord it is essential that we follow the path laid before us by the Lord Jesus.  We must abstain from even the appearance of evil.
     Another point that David makes is that someone who dwells with God does what is righteous.  I think this is so important.  So much of the time we only focus on what we should not do.  The Christian walk becomes a list of thall shalt nots.  This only expresses the negative side of doing what is right.
     As believers, we need to be actively engaged in doing what is right.  Jesus said, "blessed are the peace makers."  Christians should promote peace and reconciliation.
     Jesus gave us the great commission to go and spread the gospel.  This should be the believers number one priority.  The Lord said to feed the hungry, cloth the naked and visit the sick.  As true followers of Jesus, we should follow these good words.
     The Psalmist continues with his list of requirements for dwelling with God by saying that this person, "speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue."  Just as we saw with James and true religion, how we speak is vital in our walk with God and to our testimony toward our fellow man.
     Words have power.  We can really make other people's lives miserable years into the future by unkind and nasty speech.  All believers should let their speech be controlled by the example of Jesus Christ.
     The one who would dwell with God is also described as a person of truth.  Lying, exaggerating, and falsehood should have no place in the Christian life.  Jesus said He was, "the way, the truth and the life."  As Christians, we follow the one who is the very embodiment of truth.  Therefore, we should be truthful people.  As Jesus said, "let your yes be yes, and your no be no."  Nothing is more damaging to a Christians testimony than being caught in a lie.  The devil is the father of lies.  Jesus said that the devil, "was a liar from the beginning."
     Lying is usually motivated by selfishness.   We don't want to get caught when we've done something wrong.  Sometimes we lie to make ourselves look more important, or we exaggerate our accomplishments.  Whatever the cause, the righteous person is a person of truthfulness.
     David goes on in Psalm 15 to state that one who will dwell in God's sanctuary is someone, "who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellow man."
     Neighbors, especially a bad neighbor, are often hard to get along with.  Regardless of how the folks next door act, we are to be good to our neighbors.  This is a case of following the Golden Rule set down by the Lord, "Do unto others as you would have done unto you."  Also remember the second part of the Great Commandment.  Jesus said, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."
     In verse 4, David continues by expressing a theme which in our Western culture could be a sermon in and of itself.  The one who would dwell with God, "despises a vile man, but honors one who fears the Lord.
     How the values of our society have been turned upside down.  Today, that which is opposed to God's Word is honored.  For example,  movies and television shows that depict pre-marital sex and aberrant sexual behavior are the top rated programs.  Movies filled with violence and profanity vault to the top of the box office.  On the other hand, family and nature movies are flops.
     Entertainers who violate God's Word are praised as role models and their every action is covered by the press.  The person who honors God is looked on as a fool.
     I'll give you one example from our society which is particularly troublesome.  Scripture clearly teaches that sexual relationships before marriage are sinful.  Yet, in our society, the young person who wishes to remain a virgin until married is made the object of jokes.
     The righteous person who will have a close relationship with God is the person who honors and extols what God honors and rejects those things which are contrary to God's will. 
     We are called in this chapter to be those who keep their word even when it hurts.  You know you've found an honest person when they say that they will do a job $100 and stick to that price even if they realize they should have charged $150. 
     Verse 5 is interesting in our money obsessed world.  This verse says that one who seeks God's presence doesn't charge interest when lending out money.  In other words, if your family needs money you are to lend it interest free.  We are to be God's people helping one another without seeking gain.
     The Psalmist concludes this important chapter with the words, "He who does these things will never be shaken."  All of us who are followers of Jesus should desire a closer relationship with the Lord.  By following the principles outlined in Psalm 15, we can grow closer to the Lord and He will grow closer to us.