Go with me back to Psalm 89. Psalm 89, we are going to let
God's word be our text tonight. I feel like I don't, maybe it's
not, but I feel like this is a little different from a standard outline for me anyway. I selected Psalm 89 for a starting
point because it covers so much ground declaring what God has
done and what man has done. And I selected this psalm because
of the last verse. Verse 52 says, blessed be the Lord forevermore. Amen. And amen. Amen. And amen. The word amen is a word that
is used and understood to have the same meaning in almost every
language in the world. This is a universal word, you
know how we have different words for different things in different
countries. I call that yellow vegetable
corn over in Malawi, they call it maize, same thing. Well, in
America, amen is amen. And in Malawi, amen is amen. And in almost every language,
that word means I believe. That's the definition. That's
the Hebrew definition that has carried on through time. It means
faith. Faithful. Full of faith. It means that is firm. That is trustworthy. When we hear something and say
amen to it, what we're saying is, I believe you. I agree with you. That's right.
That's the truth. That's what I believe. Amen.
Amen and amen. I was listening to the other
day to a preacher from the past, a true gospel preacher. And he
started his message with a story that happened to him. He said
after the service one Sunday morning, he was standing in the
back greeting everybody as they were leaving. And he said a visitor
came up to him and asked him. He said, I knew this was a visitor,
I'd never seen this man before. But a visitor came up and asked
him. Do you really believe what you're preaching? Do you really believe what you're
preaching? And the preacher said, yes sir,
I do. And then for the next few minutes,
he declared from the word of God, a summary of what he believed. And it was so good. It was so
good. I was in my study listening on
sermon audio, and it was so good. I had to say out loud, Amen.
I believe that, too. That's what I believe, too. And I want to repeat to you tonight
what he said, because I believe it'll be a blessing to you. And
I believe it'll be a reminder to you of what God has convinced
you of through his word. Our Lord said, man shall not
live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the
mouth of God. That means God's people believe
and say amen to every word. And that's what this preacher
was saying. And by God's grace, that's what we're saying, I've
titled this message, I believe. I believe. By God's grace, that's
what I believe. Amen. That man asked that preacher,
do you really believe what you're preaching? And this was that
preacher's response. He said, yes, sir, I do. Number
one, I believe that this book is the word of God Almighty. As I repeat these things to us,
let's let's think about them. OK, you you assess in yourself. And I'll assess in myself what
God has caused us to believe, what he has revealed to us and
caused us to believe about these things. Number one, he said,
I believe that the Bible is the word of God Almighty. And what took him 90 seconds,
as I was listening to this, it took him about a minute and a
half to rattle off what he believed. I'm going to take our time with
it, and I'm going to fill in the blanks with scripture to
support what he believed and to support what we say we believe
and we say amen to. But he said, I believe that the
Bible is the word of God Almighty, and to that we say amen. It just pains me to hear men
talk about Paul wrote this here and then, you know, he changed
his mind and wrote that. Have you ever heard men say that?
Well, he, he, but then he learned and changed his. No. Second Peter
one says no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man,
but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
If it is in here, it is directly from the heart, mind, and mouth
of God Almighty. I believe that. I'm just speaking
on my own behalf. I believe that. Psalm 89, look right here at
verse one, and I'm not going to read all these verses again.
I read the whole psalm to you, but I selected this psalm because
it does support what he believed and what we believe. Verse one
says, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever with my mouth,
while I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. For I have
said, mercy shall be built up forever, thy faithfulness shalt
thou establish in the very heavens. I have made a covenant with my
chosen. I have sworn unto David my servant. This book is a direct covenant
from God concerning his people. I believe that. This is not just
a book of stories. This is not just a book of moral
lessons. This is the declaration of God's
covenant concerning the salvation of God's people. This preacher
said, I believe that the Bible is the word of God almighty.
And then he said, I believe that the eternal almighty God created
all things as they are for His glory. I believe everything is for His
glory. I believe this is His Word and
everything is for His glory. The heavens declare His glory. The earth shows His handiwork. It shows the glory of His handiwork. Verse 4. Thy seed will I establish
forever and build up Thy throne to all generations, and the heavens
shall praise Thy wonders, O Lord, Thy faithfulness also in the
congregation of the saints. For who in the heaven can be
compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty
can be likened unto the Lord? It's all about Him, and it's
all about His glory. Everything is for His glory.
No matter whether we consider it to be a good thing or a bad
thing, everything is for His glory. I believe the fall of
man was for the glory of God. So that the Son of God might
be glorified in redeeming His people from that fall. As the Lord Jesus Christ was
headed to the cross, he said, Father, glorify thy son. Glorify me in this. Glorify me. I believe Pharaoh sat on the
throne of Egypt so God could be glorified in showing his power
through Pharaoh. That's why I believe every leader
sits on the throne. God did it for his glory. That's the reason why. Or those
people were in hard bondage under Pharaoh. He was a hard taskmaster. But God did that for his glory. I believe even the wicked. What man means for evil, God
allows it to come to pass for the good of his glory. Man may
mean it for evil, but God means it for the good of his glory. This preacher said, I believe
that the Bible is the word of God. He said, I believe the eternal
almighty God created all things as they are for his glory. And
then he said, I believe that the eternal God elected a people
in Christ before the world began. And I do too. Amen. Verse three says, I have made
a covenant with my chosen elect according to the foreknowledge
of God. According as he hath chosen us
in him, in Christ, before the foundation of the world. You really believe in election?
We talk about election all the time. Do you really believe?
I can see somebody asking me that question. I've never been
asked that question, but I could see somebody coming up to me
and say, do you really believe God chose a people to save? Yes, sir, I do. Yes, I do. I believe whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his
son. Many people don't believe that,
but we do, don't we? Why? It's because God said it
in his word. This preacher went on to say,
I believe that God is sovereign in all things. You really believe what you're
preaching? I really do. I forget it a lot. I forget it a lot. But I believe that God is sovereign
in all things. Look at verse 7. It says, God
is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to
be had in reverence of all them that are about Him. O Lord God
of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto Thee, or to Thy faithfulness
round about Thee? Thou rulest the raging of the
sea, when the waves thereof arise.
Thou stillest them. Thou hast broken Rahab, that
means Egypt. Thou hast broken Egypt in pieces
as one that is slain. Thou hast scattered thine enemies
with thy strong arm. The heavens are thine, the earth
also is thine. As for the world and the fullness
thereof, thou hast founded them. The North and the South, thou
hast created them. Tabor, Hermon shall rejoice in
thy name. Thou hast a mighty arm. Strong is thy hand and high is
thy right hand. Justice and judgment are the
habitation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before
thy face. You are the sovereign over all
things. You really believe that? I really
do. I really do. I believe this book
is the Word of God. I believe everything is for God's
glory. I believe before the foundation
of this world, God elected a chosen people to save. I believe God
is absolutely sovereign over them and everything around them. This preacher continued by saying,
I believe Jesus Christ is God. I believe Jesus Christ is God. John 1 says the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh and
dwelt among us. Immanuel, God with us. God was manifest in the flesh. To Jesus Christ, the Father said,
Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever. We must all stand before
the judgment seat of Christ, the throne of Jesus Christ, the
King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, our Savior. He is not God's son. He is the
Son of God. He is the Son of God. I believe
Jesus Christ is God. Amen and amen. I wish people knew that. This preacher went on to say,
I believe that Jesus Christ came into this world to save sinners.
You really believe what you're preaching? You know, we touched on this
Sunday night. Christ came to save sinners.
And men stand up and tell people, if you want to be saved, you
better not be a sinner. That's just wrong. I just don't
believe that. I do not believe that he came
into this world to save people who think that they are righteous
in their flesh. I do not believe that. People
who honestly in their mind have themselves convinced that they
are good and righteous in their flesh. People who believe I'm
a good person. I do not believe Christ came
to save that person. But I do believe that he came
into this world to save people who think that they are sinners
in their flesh. I believe that. I believe Christ knew no sin. I believe Christ lived before
the holy law of God perfectly without sin. And I believe Christ
gave that perfect life without sin to his people so they could
stand before God in his righteousness. I believe that. I believe God made him to be
sin for us so that we might be made to be the righteousness
of God in him. I believe He is our righteousness
and our only righteousness. I believe He is our sanctification
and our only sanctification. I believe He is our redemption
and our only redemption, our only payment that can be made. Verse 13 says, thou hast a mighty
arm. Strong is thy hand, high is thy
right hand. Justice and judgment are the
habitation of thy throne. Mercy and truth shall go before
thy face. Blessed is the people that know
the joyful sound. They shall walk, O Lord, in the
light of thy countenance. They will walk in the light of
thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice
all the day. And in thy righteousness shall
they be exalted. For thou art the glory of their
strength. And in thy favor, our horn or
our strength shall be exalted. For the Lord is our defense and
the Holy One of Israel is our King. He is all of that to us, for
us, This particular preacher said,
and this is just, and I say amen
to what he said before what he said. This is what he said before
what he said. He said, I cannot explain this,
I cannot even understand this, and to that I say amen. I cannot
explain this, I cannot even understand this, but I believe that God
in human flesh died. Is that a deep statement? And he said, I believe he laid
in the grave for three days and then rose again. I believe Christ, the God-man,
accomplished for his people what they could not accomplish for
themselves. No mere mortal has ever died
and conquered death. No mere mortal. I believe that the Lord Jesus
Christ bowed his head and gave up his ghost and endured the
death and the penalty of the law that we could not endure. And I believe it was that very
death that saved His people from their sins. I believe it was
that very death. I do not believe that it is our
acceptance of that death. And I do not believe that it
is our responding works to that death. I do not believe it is
our anything. I believe it was that very death
that saved God's people from their sins. Therefore, I believe
the salvation of God's people is finished. I really do believe
it's finished. How on this earth can I preach
a message and tell people what Christ has done and then stop
talking and walk away? How can I do that? Here's how. I believe it's finished. That's
how. That's how. I don't have to turn
it on you to do anything. Now, are you going to accept
it or reject it? What are you going to do with
it? I believe there's no work left
undone. No work. John 19.30 says it is finished. That's what I believe. Look at
verse 25. This is the death of Christ and
the eternal salvation of God's people. Verse 25. I will set
his hand also in the sea and his right hand in the river. It's that river of death. He
shall cry unto me, thou art my father, my God, and the rock
of my salvation. My God, my God, why hast thou
forsaken me? I look to you, you will not leave
my soul in hell. You are the rock of my salvation.
Verse 27, also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the
kings of the earth. raise Him up, highly exalt Him,
give Him a name above every name. My mercy will I keep for Him. I'll keep mercy because of Him
forevermore. And my covenant shall stand fast
with Him. His seed also will I make to
endure forever in His throne as the days of heaven. Look at
verse 34. My covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that
has gone out of my lips. Once have I sworn by my holiness
that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure forever
in his throne as the sun before me. It shall be established forever
as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven. It'll be established
forever. I believe that. I believe in
the accomplishment of the salvation of His people. God Almighty died,
was buried, rose again, and ascended back up in glory to glory. And this preacher said, I believe
He is right now seated on the throne of His authority, making
daily intercession for His people. He said, I believe that Jesus
Christ our God is right now from that throne holding this universe
together until all of His elect people
are brought to the knowledge of their salvation in Him. I
believe He is holding everything by His hand. I think it's all,
I believe it's all being upheld by His hand in store. I think it's all being kept in
store. until all of His elect people are brought to the knowledge
of their salvation in Him. And He said, I believe when that
last secure soul is called out of darkness into light, I believe
at that moment Jesus Christ is going to fold this whole thing
up. And He said, I believe on that
day there will be a resurrection of the dead. Every soul who has
ever lived on this earth The graves will be opened, the
sea will be opened, and every soul that has ever existed will
go stand before God. It'll go right back to the God
who gave it. And this preacher said, every soul that was judged
in Christ will be accepted in Christ. And for every soul that
stands there outside of Christ, I'm telling you, I do not want
to stand before God outside of Christ. None of us want to go
stand before God outside of Christ. Outside of Christ, there is only
certain condemnation waiting for that soul. Who's going to be in Christ?
Whoever God the Father places in Christ. How can I know if I'm one of
them? How can I know if He's given
me life in Christ? Here's how. I will start crying out to Him.
I'll start crying out to Him. Our flesh, let me just say this,
and I'm done, okay? I got maybe one more little page
here. No, I don't. This is it. Better news for you. This flesh is so weak and this
flesh is so sinful and this flesh is so worldly, we constantly veer away from
and leave the God that we're going to have to stand before.
We constantly do. We forget God. And if we don't have a heart
to cry out to Him for mercy, to reveal our sin to us and to
cover our sin in His blood. If we don't have a heart to cry
out to Him for mercy, if we notice that we tend to go day to day
without crying out to Him for forgiveness and mercy in His
blood, then we need to start crying out to Him, asking Him
if He will cause us to cry out to Him. Because where there is
no cry, there is no life. And where there is no life, there
is no salvation. And I don't want to assume on
anybody, I don't want to assume just because I believe, I tell
you what I believe, tell you what I say amen to. I believe
we have the gospel here, not because of me, but because of
what God has done. I believe God has placed the
truth here. But we don't need to assume that
everyone here knows and believes the truth. And all of us, we
need to be crying out to him for mercy. If God put us in Christ,
we'll cry out for mercy. I believe, and this is what that
preacher said, I believe that God is holy and will only do
what's right. Therefore, I believe Jesus Christ
is a sinner's only hope. He is a sinner's only hope. Good
deeds, good morality, being a good person, that will send a man
or a woman straight to condemnation, straight to an eternal darkness
of hell. Jesus Christ is a sinner's only
hope. That's a sinner's only hope.
Now after that, somebody can ask, do you really believe what
you're preaching? I really do. I really do. By God's grace, I believe that
Jesus Christ is a sinner's only hope. This is what we believe. In closing, verse 52. Blessed be the Lord forevermore. Amen and amen. Amen, John 2031 says these things
are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God, and that believing you might have life through his
name. By God's grace, we believe. Thank
God. All right, let's all stand together.