Psalms 50
God's Word to His people emphasizes the importance of listening, giving, and serving Him with a joyful heart, while warning the wicked not to mistake His patience for approval or weakness.
Chuck Smith emphasizes that God has spoken through Psalms 50, calling His people to listen and understand the true meaning of their sacrifices. He explains that God does not need our offerings, as everything belongs to Him, but desires a heartfelt relationship and genuine thanksgiving from His people. Smith warns that God's patience should not be mistaken for approval of wickedness, urging both the faithful and the wicked to recognize the importance of sincere worship and repentance. Ultimately, God longs for a loving fellowship with His people rather than mere ritualistic practices.
Text
"GOD HAS SPOKEN"
Intro: Ps. 50 is divided into three sections. Vs. 1-6 The declaration of God as He gathers
His people to hear Him. Vs. 7-15 His Word to His people. Vs. 16-22 His Word to the
wicked.
I. EL, ELOHIM, JEHOVAH HAS SPOKEN.
A. When God speaks, we had better listen.
II. HIS WORD TO HIS PEOPLE.
A. No reproof for lack of sacrifice.
1. They were faithful in their religious activities.
2. He didn't really need their sacrifices.
a. All the animals in the forest are His.
b. The cattle on a thousand hills.
c. "I know all the fowls."
1. I will give to God this pair of turtledoves.
2. We can make so much out of giving so little.
d. All of the wild beasts in the field are mine.
e. "If I were hungry I would not tell thee," "The world is mine
and the fullness thereof."
B. What God didn't want.
1. Wrong concepts in giving.
a. We have to give this lamb, because God is hungry.
b. He is hungry, but not for lamb. For meaning fellowship with
His people.
1. Their sin had broken that fellowship
2. The sacrifice opened the door to restored fellowship.
3. They had twisted the meaning of the sacrifice.
c. I must put something in the offering because God is broke.
1. He is facing another crisis.
2. He will have to stop His great work.
3. I will help soave Him from bankruptcy.
d. Giving to God should not be with the concept of keeping
off welfare.
1. Expression of my love & thanksgiving.
2. That's what He longs for, your love.
a. A widows mite can express more than ten million
from Rockefeller.
2. God didn't want heartless service.
a. He doesn't desire formal worship.
b. He isn't interested in Christina duties.
c. He wants your service to spring from your heart. A joyous
response to His love. "How can I do less, and give Him my best
and live for Him completely, after all He's done . . ."
C. What God wanted.
1. "Offer unto God thanksgiving."
a. We seem so quick to complain to God, so slow to give thanks.
1. God forgive us! How could He put up with us so long?
2. Pay your vows.
a. LORD I am going to give you my life.
b. "I'm going to pray more."
3. Call upon Him in the day of trouble.
a. I believe that God off times gets so lonesome for you, He
allows trouble just so you will call.
b. "I will deliver you."
c. "You shall glorify Me."
III. HIS WORD TO THE WICKED.
A. Don't mistake my patience and long-suffering for approval or weakness.
Sermon Outline
- EL, ELOHIM, JEHOVAH HAS SPOKEN
- II points: - No reproof for lack of sacrifice - '{''1'': ''Wrong concepts in giving'', ''2'': ''God didn''t want heartless service'', ''C'': ''What God wanted''}'
- HIS WORD TO THE WICKED
Key Quotes
“I know all the fowls, and I will give to God this pair of turtledoves.” — Chuck Smith
“If I were hungry I would not tell thee, The world is mine and the fullness thereof.” — Chuck Smith
“How can I do less, and give Him my best and live for Him completely, after all He's done . . .” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should listen to God and respond with faithfulness, rather than ignoring or disobeying Him.
- Our giving to God should be an expression of love and thanksgiving, not a means to keep Him from welfare or to fulfill duties.
- Serving God should spring from our heart, a joyous response to His love, rather than a mere duty or obligation.