psalm 15

 

Introduction:

In Fellowship, small groups or SS class setting, we often find ourselves discussing what God is like. Some may say God is holy and righteous, therefore will not tolerate any sins. Others claim that God is loving and compassionate, therefore he is an all embracing God. The way we discuss God is like four blind men, trying to define what an elephant is by touching different parts of its body. In such discussions, we inadvertently become the host and God, the guest. As if we are discussing the topic called: A God after man's heart.

However, when we study the scriptures, especially the psalm before us, the picture we see is that God is the host and we are the guests. We do not define who the host is, but the host has the right to define who we are. Vs 1 is the setting of this psalm: WHO SHALL SOJOURN IN YOUR TENT? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? The content of this psalm is not about the requirement for coming to God. Instead, it is about expectations of those who have come to him. The psalmist looks back to the 10 commandments. At the same time, it is also a forerunner to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, especially the beatitudes.

This morning, in our study of Psalm 15, we want to look at God's expectation of those who have come before him; his children, citizens of his kingdom. Instead of discussing what we expect God to be, we will come to learn what God wants us to be. What some of God's objectives and goals for us are. What are some of the characteristics of a man after God's heart? We shall discover a very basic truth, which is: As citizens of God's kingdom, God desires who we are more than what we accomplish.

I. A Citizen of God's kingdom is a person of integrity.

In vs1, 2 words are used to describe this person: Blameless and Right. Vs 4c, "…does not change". These are words used to describe a person of integrity.

'Blameless' means morally whole and sound. A blameless person lives his life in conformity to God's law, the 10 commandments. He is obedient to God's instructions and standards as revealed in the written word, the Bible.

Last Sunday in our study of Psalm 1 we learned that a blessed person is one who does not follow the flow of the society. Even though everyone is doing it, yet he conforms to God's standards.

A blameless person is not a perfect person. For it is clear in the scriptures that we are all sinners. Even after our conversion, we still find ourselves being rebellious against God's instruction. You see, whenever we gossip, being dishonest, we are in contempt of God. However, God's word also tells us that when we confess our sins, God will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. A blameless person is one who acknowledges his sin, asks for forgiveness. Having been forgiven, he would turn around and not repeat the same sin again.

Secondly, a person of integrity is also a person who does the right thing. That is, he does the right thing. The opposite is a person who does things for personal gain and happiness. It is good for him, but not necessarily the right thing to do. For example, by driving 80mph, I can make it to my next appointment on time, but it is against the law, its wrong. In order to get that job, I will soup up my past experiences in my resume.

In the unfolding trial of the Enron debacle, this is how one of the former CEO is described in Thursday's newspaper: So and so, is fully behind his boss' game plan and carries it out even if it meant breaking the law. Our culture encourages us to do what is good for ourselves, for the company and not what is right. At work, or in the lab, or even in our ministry, do we try to fidge with the numbers, a little here, a little there so the report will look good, instead of doing what is right? Do we do what everyone else is doing, or do we do what is right?

A person who belongs to God, who comes to God, is expected to do what is right and not necessarily what is good and beneficial for him.

Thirdly, a person of integrity is also a person who keeps his words. V4c, "who swears to his own hurt and does not change." Once he made his promise, he would stick with it.

If I know you correctly, including myself, we have all made promises which we later relented. In some churches, we may pledge a certain amount towards the mission fund. But because of other expenses, we fail to fulfill our promise. Sometimes our children will say, "you promised to come to my football game, but you never show up even once." Wow, that hurts, right?

Then I think of the promise that most of us have made. Remember the wedding vows? That we promise, we vow to love and to care, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty……. If we are to keep our promises, we would not see so many divorces among the Christian community.

Robert Macquilken wrote a book about his love for his wife who had Alzheimer disease. He said people thought he was such a hero by quitting his job so he could take care of her full time. His response was, "the really hard thing was when I made the wedding vows over 40 years ago. Once that promise was made, the rest is easy. I am just keeping my words." Individuals working in long term health care facilities tell us that it is not uncommon to see a man bringing his wheel chair bound wife to the facility. He signed all the necessary paper work, and never came back again. A person of integrity keeps his words, even when it hurts.

II. A Citizen of God's kingdom is a person who restrains his speech. Vs.2b-3a

"Speaks truth in his heart; and does not slander with his tongue."

First God's kingdom people speak truth in their hearts. He not only speaks what is true, what is accurate, but he is trustworthy. He speaks from his heart. He doesn't tell you half truths. He is honest. He is frank and open with you. He doesn't play word games with you.

In the NT is a record of Jesus calling Philip and Nathanael to follow him. Philip responded to the call immediately. He then found Nathaniel and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?' Nathanael asked. Later when Jesus saw Nathanael approaching him, he said, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." Nathanael speaks truth in his heart. What he speaks is a reflection of what he is.

How can we build a community where one can speak truth in his heart? I feel it is important that we need to learn to accept each other, even those who are different from us. Without this atmosphere of acceptance, it will be difficult for individuals to speak truth in their hearts. Then we also need to speak the truth in love. In the Chinese culture, we have a tendency not to speak what is in our heart to those whom we perceive as authoritative. We are afraid that we may offend them, they may not like us.

God's word wants us to break such cultural barrier. We need to learn to speak the truth to each other, even to those whom you perceive as leaders in your fellowship groups, leaders in this church, including the pastors.

Besides speaking the truth, those who are in God's holy mountain are to refrain from slandering another person. Using words to cut, to hurt and destroy someone. This is really hitting home, isn't it. We often use half truth untruths to ruin a person. The scripture teaches us to encourage one another, not to tear down another person.

III. A Citizen of God's kingdom is a person who respects others.

"and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend." The person before God is expected not to do anything that may harm his neighbor or friends. He will not harm them physically, emotionally and spiritually. Certainly the closest neighbor will be our family members. Is there physical abuse in our family? Do we emotionally abuse our children or spouse with words that degrade them? Do we harm them spiritually by being a negative example for them? A word to us fathers. When we harm our children and spouse physically and emotionally, it will be very hard for them to understand and relate to a God whom we call the loving Heavenly Father.

So what do we do? The antidote to this evil behavior starts from the heart. We are to respect those whom God brings into our lives. To respect someone means I consider you as important. You are important because you are made in God's image. When I consider you important, then certainly I will not do or say anything that will harm you. We are all equal before God. Years ago, Francis Schaeffer wrote a book called, "no little people". You see, in God's sight, there are no little people. Sometimes I hear people say, "pastor, you are very busy, you don't need to bother us small potatoes", or "I am a insignificant part of this body of Christ." This is wrong. In God's kingdom, everyone is important; therefore we are to respect everyone. There is no small potatoes in God's kingdom. Everyone is precious, equal and with dignity.

IV. A Citizen of God's kingdom is a person with proper values. Vs.4

"…in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the Lord." Whom we despise or honor, reflects our value system.

Who are our idols? What we look up to reflects what we consider as important in life. In the local Chinese newspaper, there are two pages on movie stars and singers. Their actions make headline news. This certainly reflects what the society considers as important.

When Enron was in its glorious days, some of their CEO's were looked upon as gods. About 2 years ago, Jack Welch of GE was considered as the most like CEO in America. Yet, little do we pay attention to his personal life. Last week was Elvis Presley's 25th death anniversary. He was on TV as if he were still alive. Of course many still claim that they are seeing Elvis here and there. He is even greater in death than when alive. Some media claimed that one can trace his music to his religious roots. If we don't watch out, we may even call him a saint! However, a closer look at his songs revealed not his religious roots, but how incompatible they were with God's character.

Whom do we look up to? Are they the powerful, the wealthy, the capable and the pretty ones? Are they our role model? You know, whom you look up to reflects where your heart is. How about this person, "For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men;……" If this person show up at our door, I wonder how many of us would reach out to him. You know who he is: Jesus Christ.

The scriptures teach us that the person we are to look up to is the one who fears God. The one who puts God first.

V. A Citizen of God's kingdom is a person who handles his money wisely.

Vs.5, "who does not put out his money at interest and does not take a bribe against the innocent." This has to do with handling money. In the OT context, not put out his money at interest, is a reference to how the rich take advantage of the poor. So God's word teaches them not to expect interest when you loan your money to the poor and the needy. This has to do with how they use their money. They are not to use their money to squeeze more money from the unfortunate ones. This is wrong. No different from loan sharks.

We are given material wealth so we can help others and not to take advantage of them.

"not take a bribe against the innocent." The setting is the legal court. The one in position takes bribe and condemned the innocent. The previous phrase is about how we use money. Here it is about where it comes from. Even to this day, in many countries bribery is a source of income for certain people. This is wrong. The principle we learn here is where does our money come from. What happened with Enron is a good illustration of this passage. Some of the CEO's through inappropriate and unethical means, at the expense of its shareholders, made millions of dollars for their bosses, family and even friends.

Conclusion:

"Who shall dwell in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?" We may not say it out loud, but don't we like to see those with power, fame and wealth among us? We like to promote the movie stars, singers and politicians who have become Christians. We treat them as if their conversions lend credibility to God's kingdom. As if God would say, I am so glad you have come into my kingdom; this will certainly improve my credibility and visibility. Thank you, thank you.

But Psalm 15 teaches us something very different. Who can dwell in God's tent? Who can dwell in his holy hill? It's those with integrity, who restrained their words, respect others, with proper values and know how to handle his money. God looks at who the person is and not what he has accomplished. For us citizens of God's kingdom, this is the objective and goal God has set for us.

However, as we look as this passage closely, isn't it true that we again, see a portrait of Jesus Christ? Truly, he is the one who is perfectly blameless, always doing what is right and not what is advantageous to him. He treats everyone he met with respect and dignity. He knows what his priority should be. Who can dwell in God's tent, in his holy hill? Who is the one after God's heart? He is the one who follows and imitate Jesus Christ.

Rev. William Hsueh    Aug.25., 2002    Houston Chinese Church,  Houston, TX