The God Who Bends His Ear - Psalm 116

Summary

The speaker delivers a heartfelt reflection on Psalm 116, emphasizing the deeply personal nature of faith and gratitude. They recount their own spiritual journey and the transformative power of God's grace, compassion, and righteousness. The message encourages listeners to embrace their emotions, trust in God's attentiveness, and respond to divine love through service and worship.

Takeaways

• 📜 The speaker reads from Psalm 116, emphasizing the personal and intimate relationship with God expressed in the Psalm.
• ❤️ The Psalmist's deep gratitude and love for God are evident, highlighting the transformative power of God's mercy and compassion.
• 🙏 The speaker discusses the importance of prayer and the belief that God listens and responds to the cries of the faithful.
• 🌊 The Psalm is seen as a personal testimony, reflecting the Psalmist's journey through trials and the subsequent joy of knowing God.
• 😔 The Psalm alludes to times of deep sorrow and trouble, suggesting that the Psalmist may have faced life-threatening illness or betrayal by friends.
• 🌟 The speaker shares a personal conversion experience, drawing parallels between their joy in newfound faith and the Psalmist's expressions of gratitude.
• 🔥 There's a call to recognize the liberating power of the Holy Spirit, which can bring about a rebirth and renewed sense of God's love.
• 🤔 The speaker ponders the question of why the Psalm was written, suggesting it was a response to a profound personal crisis.
• 🌈 The Psalmist's discovery of God's care, character, and call to service are central themes, with a focus on God's graciousness, righteousness, and compassion.
• 🎉 The speaker concludes with an encouragement to serve God actively, reflecting on the Psalmist's desire to give thanks and commit to a life of service.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Psalm 116 as discussed in the transcript?

The main theme of Psalm 116 is the personal testimony of deep gratitude to God, expressed through an outpouring of emotion and heartfelt response to God's intimate and personal care during times of crisis.

Why does the speaker mention their own experience of becoming a Christian on December 1st?

The speaker mentions their own conversion experience to illustrate the joy and enthusiasm that can come from a newfound faith and relationship with God, which parallels the emotions expressed in Psalm 116.

What does the speaker mean when they say they 'detest emotionalism' in the context of faith?

The speaker indicates that while they are against emotionalism, which might imply insincere or exaggerated emotions, they value genuine emotion as a vital part of human health and spirituality, which is evident in the Psalms.

How does the speaker describe the personal nature of Psalm 116?

The speaker describes Psalm 116 as deeply personal, with the pronoun 'I' used 18 times, 'me' seven times, and 'my' nine times, indicating an intimate and individual connection with God.

What does the speaker suggest about the Old Testament believers mentioned in the Psalm?

The speaker suggests that there were real believers in the Old Testament who walked closely with God, indicating a deep and personal relationship similar to that of the Psalm writer.

What is the significance of the speaker's reference to a minister who had been preaching for years but had just been 'saved'?

The reference to the minister highlights the transformative power of a genuine spiritual experience, suggesting that even those deeply involved in religious work can have a profound awakening or rebirth in their faith.

Why does the speaker discuss the 'cords of death' and 'anguish of the grave' in the Psalm?

The speaker discusses these phrases to illustrate the depths of personal catastrophe and suffering the psalmist experienced, which contrasts with the joy and gratitude expressed later in the Psalm.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'God is known by the fact that he speaks and by the fact that he listens'?

The speaker emphasizes the interactive nature of the relationship with God, where God is not only communicative but also attentive and responsive to the cries and prayers of the faithful.

How does the speaker interpret the phrase 'the Lord is gracious and righteous' in the context of the Psalm?

The speaker interprets this phrase as a personal realization by the psalmist of God's character through direct experience, highlighting God's favor, justice, and compassion.

What call to action does the speaker derive from the Psalm for the congregation?

The speaker calls the congregation to serve God actively, not just through formal religious duties but by living out their faith in everyday life, as a response to God's grace and salvation.

Outlines

00:00

📖 Reflecting on Psalm 116

The speaker begins by expressing their love for Psalm 116, highlighting its personal and emotional depth. They recount the psalmist's journey from despair to gratitude, emphasizing the importance of God's attentiveness and mercy. The speaker also shares their own emotional response to their faith, contrasting their disdain for emotionalism in religion with the value they place on genuine emotion as part of the human experience. They appreciate the Psalms for their revelation of God and the raw emotion they convey, noting the personal nature of Psalm 116 as evidenced by the frequent use of 'I', 'me', and 'my'. The speaker concludes by drawing parallels between the psalmist's testimony and the personal testimonies shared earlier, likening the psalmist's experience to a newfound faith or a rekindled spirit.

05:01

🌊 Navigating the Deep Waters of Faith

In this paragraph, the speaker delves into the metaphorical 'deep waters' that the psalmist navigated, suggesting that these represent times of great personal crisis or trauma. They propose that the psalmist's experiences could resonate with anyone who has faced significant challenges, whether a newfound Christian or a lifelong believer who has recently undergone a spiritual rebirth. The speaker also touches on the idea of disillusionment and the pain of being let down by friends, which may have contributed to the psalmist's distress. They emphasize the universality of the psalmist's experiences, suggesting that everyone may find themselves in such 'deep waters' at some point, and that it is through these experiences that one can discover the joy of knowing God.

10:02

🙏 The Intimate Care of God

The speaker focuses on the intimate and personal care of God as described in the psalm. They highlight the importance of God's ability to listen as a fundamental aspect of any relationship, including the relationship with the divine. The speaker shares a personal anecdote about their own experience of God's presence during a life-threatening illness, emphasizing the profound impact such experiences can have. They encourage the congregation to recognize that God hears and responds to their prayers, even when they may feel insignificant or unworthy. The speaker also discusses the importance of speaking and listening in the context of prayer, suggesting that these are central to the Christian experience.

15:03

🌟 Discovering God's Character

This paragraph explores the psalmist's discovery of God's character through personal experience. The speaker contrasts intellectual knowledge of God's attributes with the deeper understanding that comes from direct experience. They reference Exodus 34, where God reveals His attributes to Moses after the Israelites' grave disobedience, suggesting that God's grace and compassion extend even to the most undeserving. The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's graciousness, righteousness, and compassion, and how these attributes were personally experienced and understood by the psalmist. They also mention a personal experience where they felt God's presence and care, reinforcing the idea that such experiences are transformative and deepen one's knowledge of God.

20:04

🍷 The Cup of Salvation

The speaker discusses the psalmist's decision to give thanks and serve God after experiencing His grace and compassion. They interpret the psalmist's desire to 'lift up the cup of Salvation' as a metaphor for embracing and enjoying the blessings God provides. The speaker encourages the congregation to consider how they can serve God in response to His blessings, emphasizing that service is an essential part of the Christian life. They also mention a new members' class and the importance of finding one's place in the church's various ministries, suggesting that everyone has a role to play in serving God and the community.

25:05

🛐 Commitment to Service

In the final paragraph, the speaker calls the congregation to action, emphasizing the importance of committing to service within the church and beyond. They acknowledge that not everyone can serve in the same way, but everyone has a part to play. The speaker highlights the 'bement team Ministry' as an example of an opportunity for service and encourages the congregation to consider how they can contribute. The message concludes with a call to embrace one's role in the community and to live a life of service as a response to God's blessings.

Keywords

💡Psalm 116

Psalm 116 is a specific psalm from the Hebrew Bible, known for its deeply personal testimony of gratitude and faith in God. In the video, the speaker reads from this psalm, emphasizing its emotional and heartfelt response to God's mercy and deliverance. The psalm is used to illustrate the personal relationship one can have with God, particularly in times of crisis and need.

💡Emotion

Emotion is a natural and vital part of human experience, encompassing a range of feelings that individuals express. The speaker clarifies their stance on emotionalism in faith, distinguishing between emotional excess and the healthy expression of emotion. They argue that emotion is integral to our humanity and our relationship with God, as seen in the passionate language of Psalm 116.

💡Gratitude

Gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thanks. In the context of the video, the speaker discusses the psalmist's deep sense of gratitude towards God for hearing their cry and delivering them from distress. This theme is reflected in the psalmist's declaration to 'lift up the cup of salvation' and their commitment to serve God.

💡Mercy

Mercy is the act of showing compassion or forgiveness where it might not be expected or deserved. The video script highlights God's mercy as a central theme, with the speaker noting that the psalmist praises God for hearing their voice and cry for mercy, indicating a recognition of God's benevolence in times of trouble.

💡Salvation

Salvation, in a religious context, refers to being saved or delivered from sin and its consequences. The speaker uses the phrase 'cup of salvation' from Psalm 116 to symbolize the joy and gratitude of being saved by God. This concept is tied to the psalmist's personal testimony and their resolve to publicly acknowledge and celebrate their salvation.

💡Service

Service in the video refers to the act of serving or working on behalf of others or a higher cause. The speaker encourages the congregation to respond to God's grace by serving Him, drawing a parallel to the psalmist's commitment to lift the 'cup of salvation' and to fulfill their voice to the Lord in the presence of His people.

💡Crisis

A crisis is a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger. The video script describes the psalmist's experience of being in 'deep waters' or a crisis, which led to a profound realization of God's care and character. The speaker uses this to encourage listeners to turn to God in their own times of crisis, promising His presence and help.

💡Attributes of God

The attributes of God refer to the qualities or characteristics that define His nature. In the video, the speaker discusses how the psalmist's personal experience of God allowed them to understand His attributes, such as grace, righteousness, and compassion, on a deeper level. These attributes are central to understanding God's response to human need and the psalmist's subsequent gratitude.

💡Personal Testimony

A personal testimony is a firsthand account of one's experiences or beliefs. The video emphasizes the psalmist's personal testimony as a key element of Psalm 116, highlighting the 'I', 'me', and 'my' pronouns used to express a deeply personal encounter with God. The speaker uses this to illustrate the power of individual experiences in shaping one's faith and relationship with God.

💡Deliverance

Deliverance, in the context of the video, refers to being rescued or set free from danger, suffering, or distress. The speaker mentions the psalmist's experience of deliverance from death, tears, and stumbling, which underscores the transformative power of God's intervention in times of crisis. This concept is central to the psalmist's expression of gratitude and commitment to serve God.

Highlights

The speaker emphasizes the importance of reading from Psalm 116, focusing on personal testimonies and the emotional response of the psalmist.

The speaker contrasts emotion with emotionalism, expressing his belief that emotion is vital to humanity and faith, but he detests emotionalism.

The Psalms are described as full of revelation from God and rich in heartfelt emotions, making them personally relatable.

The psalmist's testimony is deeply personal, with the frequent use of 'I,' 'me,' and 'my,' signifying his intimate relationship with God.

The speaker reflects on his own experience of becoming a Christian and compares it to the joy and enthusiasm found in Psalm 116.

The speaker highlights that many churchgoers may be religious but have never experienced the 'liberating power of the spirit of God.'

The psalmist finds God in times of crisis, discovering God's intimate care during personal catastrophe.

The speaker recalls personal crises, including his own life-threatening illness, and how he felt God's presence during those times.

The psalmist acknowledges the profound care God provides, listening and responding in times of great need.

God's attributes, such as graciousness, righteousness, and compassion, are emphasized as qualities experienced through personal faith, not just intellectual understanding.

The speaker recounts Moses' experience with God after the Israelites worshiped the golden calf, underscoring God's grace even in the face of rebellion.

The psalmist's renewed spirit leads him to express gratitude to God and commit to serving Him in practical ways.

The speaker encourages everyone to serve God in some capacity, whether inside or outside the church.

The speaker discusses the importance of collective ministry, requiring participation from every member of the church community.

The speaker concludes by reminding the audience that serving God isn't limited to preaching but can be expressed in daily life, in workplaces, marketplaces, and sports arenas.

Transcripts

I'm going to read from

the6th Psalm lovely lovely Psalm and if

God doesn't help you through this then I

think you need to horse with me after

it's all

over here's how it

reads I love the

Lord

listen there's a reason why he loves the

Lord he says for he heard my voice he

heard My Cry for

Mercy I I love the Lord because he

turned his ear to

me look around

you how many great and good people do

you see in this

congregation he turned his ear to

me I will call in him as long as I live

the cuse of death and Tangled me the

anguish of the Grave Came Upon me I was

overcome by trouble and sorrow then I

called on the name of the Lord oh Lord

save

me the Lord is gracious and righteous

our God is full of compassion the Lord

protects the simple-hearted when I was

in great need he saved

me be at rest once more oh my soul for

the Lord has been good to you for you oh

Lord have delivered my soul from Death

my eyes from tears

my feet from stumbling that I may walk

before the Lord in the land of the

living I

believed therefore I said I am greatly

Afflicted and in my dismay I said all

men are

liars how can I repay the Lord for all

his goodness to

me I will lift up the cup of Salvation

and call on the name of the Lord

I will fulfill my voice to the Lord in

the presence of all his people precious

in the sight of the Lord is the death of

his

Saints oh Lord truly I am your servant I

am your servant the son of your maid

servant you have freed me from my

chains I will sacrifice a thank offering

to you and call in the name of the Lord

I will will fulfill my voice to the Lord

in the presence of all his people in the

courts of the house of the Lord in your

midst oh Jerusalem praise the

lord well I'll tell you what he had a

lot to say didn't he he was full of it

and when it comes to Faith listen to me

when it comes to Faith and Christianity

I am not a big fan of emotionalism I

want you to know that I'm not a big fan

of emotionalism in fact I detest it but

I'm all for

emotion because emotion is not only

vital but it's part of our health and

it's part of our humanity and perhaps

that's why the Psalms mean so much to me

it's a fact the Psalms are full of

Revelation I mean by that God telling us

about

himself but there's also an enormous

amount of emotion and feeling and

heartfelt

response Psalm

116 is something of a personal testimony

it's an outpouring of a heart that's

deeply grateful to God and intimately

personal in the translation that I use

the pronoun I is used 18 times me is

used seven times and my is used nine

times so you see how personal a piece of

writing this is and the psalm writer is

absolutely full of what he has known and

he has experienced of God and he wants

the whole world to know he's not hiding

his light under a

bushel it's a very personal testimony

something like what our two young people

have testified to this morning

now I say this because it's not always

clear to everyone it's important to be

clear that in the Old Testament there

were Believers real believers who walked

closely with God and verse n makes that

clear enough and the fresh and fo and

gushing feeling in this Psalm writer

I'll tell you what it reminds me of it

reminds me of the morning on December

1st around 2:30 that I became a

Christian I was just thrilled with my

new found faith and this relationship

with God that had eluded me for so many

years people used to think I had bird

seed for

breakfast because I went around

whistling every day that's how happy I

was but it could also fit the feeling of

someone who has been religious for a

very long time someone you might say

who's been a church Gore all their lives

but through the working of the Holy

Spirit has recently come into the

experience of being born again because

there are many people who come to church

Faithfully but yet though they are

religious they have never experienced

the liberating power of the spirit of

God bringing them into the family of God

and the joy that that

brings I knew a minister once who had

been preaching for years we all thought

he was a Christian and then one Sunday

he told us that he just been saved he

had just been born again the week

previous and can I say you could tell

the

difference because his sermon was much

better and I think it could well Express

listen the experience of a Christian

who's been through something of what

Keith had been singing about something

very trying dark days and as and as a

result of all the trauma they have lost

a lot of their joy and their enthusiasm

they've gotten dry do you know perhaps

they may even have become cold of heart

but then through the kindness of God he

has rekindled their spirit and their

faith and their sense of something very

important their sense of God loving

them and I think verse seven well fits

in with that and quite frankly I think

that the content of this psalm

actually fits all of us at one time or

stage or

another and I want to ask first what

gave rise to this Psalm well evidently

it was some very deep water the

psalmist had found himself in it was

through an experience of traumatic times

and he came to discover in those times

the joy of knowing

god and these times are reference there

for us in verse three the cords of death

entangled me the anguish of the Grave

Came Upon me I was overcome by trouble

and

sorrow not happy

days then again in the latter part of

verse 6 times when I was in great need

again in verse eight a soul that was

delivered from Death eyes that were

filled with tears feet that were

stumbling

and these words give us some idea of the

deep Waters that the psalm writer had

been in and the language actually

suggests it may have been a time of

serious even lifethreatening illness

whatever it was it was a real personal

catastrophe I mean a real life personal

catastrophe and to understand at then

and that way begins to make it

applicable to all of us when we find

find ourselves in such

times in verse 11 there's another little

hint that might suggest his experience

had been

worsened had been bured by a time of

disillusionment with whom he thought

were his

friends it seems he had been badly let

down and discovered that he couldn't

trust

anyone and if that's ever happened to

you you know the bitterness that it

causes inside of you there's nothing

worse that when you're D when the people

that You' have looked to for years to be

your comforters and your help when they

don't care about you and they lie about

you I think with this in mind we're

really getting a handle on the

experiences that gave rise to this s so

then as a result of all the Deep Waters

and because God is very much in this

story I would hate my story to be a

story without God and the psalmist

stories are all about him and God so

what did the psalm writer discover when

his whole heart or when with his whole

heart he turned to the

Lord do you know I've been a Christian

for a long time I'm the pastor in this

church but I want you to know that I

always want my whole heart to be turned

to the

Lord there are times in my life that are

dry and sparse the wonderful Joy of

being renewed and revigor by the spirit

of God and experience where God it's not

just that you tell everybody that God

loves you but you feel it in

yourself Discovery number one the psalm

writer emerging through the storm

discovered the wonderful care of God the

care of God is intimate and it's

personal and it's detailed look at

verses 1 and two I cried to him and he

heard me he look for goodness sake he

heard

me he heard me he bent Dy to listen to

me what a wonderful

relationship you know the God's honest

truth is it's impossible to have a

relationship with anyone unless you

listen and talk to each

other what the Bible is saying here is

that God is known by the fact that he

speaks and by the fact that he listens

do you know what sometime I talk to that

many people I'm glad of the

break Friday's my formal day off I

rarely get the whole day but what I do

get I clear out of

town cuz I don't want to talk to anybody

you go to wior you meet how oh how are

you Pastor Will you pray for

me my wooden leg just took dry and I

don't know what to

do or

whatever and surely that's one reason

why we are here in

church because the Bible is saying that

God is known by the fact that he speaks

and by the fact that he

listens and surely we have come this

morning to hear what God has to say as

Christians that that's a priority in our

lives and then the other great priority

in our Christian Life is the fact that

God hears us he bends his ear to listen

to us isn't that the very reason we have

a praise and prayer meeting on Wednesday

evening and what I've just said is old

hat for

Christians speaking and listening to God

it's old hat we've heard it all our

Christian Life yet it's at the heart of

the Christian experience for every

Christian no matter how old or how young

you happen to

be you probably forgotten because I've

preached that many

sermons I'll say to my wife what did I

preach on last

Sunday and she remembers with every

detail

not do you remember some years ago I

told you about walking our dog Patty at

the time he's long since gone to dog

heaven and I would walk walk him in the

neighborhood and I noticed in my travels

with him a house with a beautifully

landscaped yard and over in the corner

there was a waterfall and and a pool in

the corner and there in the midst of the

pool was the

Buddha and water was running out of his

mouth 24/7 the only problem was the

Buddha was

dwelling in the midst of a world that

was fixed and

idelic a place where nothing ever

threatened anyone nothing threatened the

Cal and that is not real

life and worst of

all he had nothing to

say and he couldn't listen to

anyone but here in verse one God hears

the psalmist cry and it must have been a

very special experience one that the

psalm writer would never forget because

he writes this Psalm and aren't there

times like that aren't

there I remember as a young Minister

just before Christmas in

1986 I was struck down with

menitis they took me to hospital and had

me in an isolation I didn't think I was

going to

live but as you can

see I did

and I will never forget the goodness of

God and the feeling and experience of

his presence with me and my family

through that times there are times like

that aren't there in everyone's life and

here in verses 1 and two the psalm

writer is praising God that in a a time

of Crisis a special answer has been

given to him and he can't forget

it now I want to encourage encourage

each and every one of you because

sometimes sometimes we may be tempted to

think that God in heaven would never

never de to hear the prayer of Little

People Like Us let alone answer our

prayer man There's 7 billion plus people

in the world I'm not a president I'm not

the pope I'm not even a deacon of church

God listening to me and you know you

know what I've messed up so many times

I'm afraid to admit it myself and and

how would God hear

me and yes I suppose it would be hard to

believe that God could hear you and

answer your prayer if you were in that

kind of mold and I suppose if it weren't

for the fact that the whole Trinity has

actually conspired together to have us

pray in the first

place that's who initiated your prayer

it was the whole Trinity of God that

Drew you to prayer and I imagine it

would be unbelievable that God would

hear an answer your prayer if Jesus

himself hadn't opened the way to the

father for us and if the father himself

hadn't invited us again and again to

draw near to him that he would draw near

to us and I imagine it would be

unbelievable if the holy spirit of God

within us didn't cry out constantly ABA

father

brothers and sisters yes it would be

hard to believe that God could hear and

answer our prayer if the father Son and

Holy Spirit hadn't determined that we

should pray in the first place amen and

that's this first discovery that the

psalmist made that in the deep water of

his crisis God was there with all his

intimate personal and detailed care now

where do you fit in with that this

morning

he discovered the very thing that Peter

wrote about in the New Testament you

know that one where Peter says cast your

care on

him for he cures for

you and those of us who are Christian

can testify that verses 1 and two we

could have written them we love the Lord

because he heard our voice he heard our

cry for Mercy because he turned his ear

to us and we call on him as long as we

live the second Discovery the psalm

writer made was something of God's

character mentioned this in Wednesday

night God's acutes I have books up there

one of them written by a man called

charik 600

Pages describing and and cataloging the

attributes of the character of

God

but you see this Psalm writer it's one

thing to read about them isn't it it's

one thing to be set a test and you've

studied the book and and the literature

and they asked you what what give a list

of God's attributes you think oh what

did Steven Charo say you know and and

what did somebody else

say let me tell you the psalmist made

the discovery about the characteristics

and attributes of God the best way

possible you didn't read them in a book

it was through personal

experience look at verses 5 and six

let's see get my specks out

again the Lord is gracious and

righteous our God is full of compassion

the Lord protects the simple-hearted

when I was in great need he saved

me through his EXP experience of what

God did in listening to

him in saving him in delivering him he

has come to know something about the

Lord and can say this about him let me

read it again the Lord is gracious and

righteous our God is full of

compassion here are the three great

characteristics of God his

graciousness his

righteousness and his

compassion now I shared with the folks

on Wednesday night if you turn to Exodus

chap

34 Moses comes before the Lord and he

has already broken the first two tablets

and God says okay chisel out another two

and God speaks to him and he says the

Lord the Lord and then he gives this

list of God's attributes and character

under the the same as in this

Psalm now what I discovered not

Wednesday night but some days previous

was do you know when the Lord said those

words to

Moses it was after the Israelites had

committed the most heinous act that they

ever did Moses was up in the mountain

communing with God getting the law and

while he was gone the people imposed

upon Aaron to make a golden Cal that

they could

worship and yet when Moses come

down God in all his grace and

righteousness and compassion said okay

make two new

ones let me tell you

something you've got to be the hardest

Rebel at heart to get past a God Like

That amen a righteous compassion

caring loving

God now the psalm writer had heard about

these atributes scores of times he knew

them intellectually but now he knows

them in his own

experience in the Old Testament Grace is

God's favor to the thoroughly

undeserving it's free Grace because it

can't be coerced and it can't be earned

in the Old Testament God's compassion is

his unmerited and inexhaustible War

Warth and pity toward the most wretched

and and foolish of his

people oh well God wouldn't want to know

me he wouldn't want to Hear My Cry

wouldn't want to answer my cry cuz you

know I'm a

bum I'm a bit of a damp squib as a

Christian my life has not been going

north it's been going

south but what were the Israelites doing

when Moses was up in the mountain how

deep in your sin and turning away from

God can you get and yet God comes to

them and he says I'm your gracious God

your compassionate God your God of love

and

mercy brothers and

sisters I want you to remember I told

you

this that's who our God

is and for some reason the psalm writer

had turned away from God but now he has

turned back and these attributes the

these characteristics of God are what he

experiences what he had once known by

head knowledge he now knows in his heart

by personal experience and it's much

better felt than tell as the Scots man

said and finally and very

briefly but nonetheless

significant his third Discovery

considers God's call

God's

God and I've got to be quick we are

saved to

serve this man has come to the

realization of all that God has done for

him so what's his response oh man I'm

really pleased about that I'm going to

have a nap and I'm going to change my

name to Rip Van

Winkle what does he

do he gives thanks for what God has done

for him and he turns right round to God

and he says you'll see it

there in

verse

12 now

Lord I want to do something for

you I want to do something for you and

that's exactly what he does but what

does he do well verse 13 I'll read it to

you I will lift up the cup of Salvation

and call on the name of the Lord now

what he's saying there is I'm going to

enjoy

this I'm going to take up the cup of

Salvation he wasn't going to take it up

and look at it and show it everybody he

was going to take it up and drink it I

mean what would you do if you were Irish

and somebody gave you a glass of whiskey

would you hold it up and say there's a

lovely glass what would you do with

it I don't know what you'd do with

it verse

13 his heart and desires are renewed and

he pays the debt of

gratitude then verse 16 oh Lord truly I

am your servant I am your servant the

son of your maid

servant he's going to serve the

Lord and then if you were awake while I

was reading you'll see he then goes

through a catalog of ey

Wills yes I'm going to serve the Lord

Lord what can I do you've been so good

to me what can I do for you I'm going to

lift up the cup of Salvation I'm going

to take what you have provided for me

I'm going to enjoy it and Lord I'm going

to do this and I'm going to do that and

I'm going to do the other thing and I'm

going to do it all the days of my life

am and that's what he's

calling

us to

do I completed a new members class for

12 perspective new

members and today that's what we were

talking

about okay we've heard about what we

believe in this church we've heard about

uh why we have church membership

formally but hey now what are you going

to

do and we outlined all the Ministries

that we operate in this church and how

that it takes 117 people every week just

to do what we do in the normal calendar

and how we need everybody to play a part

that if you're not playing your part

then you're a passenger and if you're a

passenger you're a

drag but we still love

you this morning we're highlighting the

bement team Ministry they've got a

lovely little folder that will tell you

all about it and how you can help if you

want

to but brothers and

sisters God calls us to serve him not

everyone can jump behind a actor and

preach sermons just be glad about that

the best sermons are the ones that are

spoken outside the pulpit in the

workplace in the market place in the

sports

arena

amen I have only one thing to

say you

listening

amen amen