29 July 2007

And not forget the works of God

And not forget the works of God
Text: Psalm 78

Series:
"Come, behold the works of the LORD"

Message Notes

(I) THE POSSIBILITY OF FORGETTING THE WORKS OF GOD

“And forgot His works And His wonders that He had shown them.” Psalm 78:11

“They did not remember His power; The day when He redeemed them from the enemy”

Psalm 78:42

1. The mighty works of God – forgotten!

2. The wonders and signs of God – forgotten!

(II) DEADLY DEGENERATION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT WHEN IT FORGETS

1. The spirit of man can degenerate badly

2. Some expressions of degeneration

a) Stubbornness

“…A stubborn…generation…” Psalm 78:8

b) Rebelliousness

“…rebellious generation…” Psalm 78:8

“…they sinned even more against Him By rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness” Psalm 78:17

c) Unfaithfulness

“…And whose spirit was not faithful to God.” Psalm 78:8

d) Speaking against God

“Yes, they spoke against God…” Psalm 78:19

e) Unbelief

“Because they did not believe in God,
And did not trust in His salvation…”
Psalm 78:22

“In spite of this they still sinned, And did not believe in His wondrous works.” Psalm 78:32

(III) DREADFUL CONSEQUENCES WHEN MAN CHOOSES UNBELIEF

1. Futility and Fear

“Therefore their days He consumed in futility, And their years in fear.” Psalm 78:33

2. Fury and abhorrence

“When God heard this, He was furious, And greatly abhorred Israel” Psalm 78:59

3. Forsaking the Tabernacle

“So that He forsook the tabernacle of Shiloh,
The tent He placed among men”
Psalm 78:60

(IV) TAKING GREAT PAINS TO REMEMBER THE WORKS OF GOD

1. Establishing of a law

“For He established a testimony in Jacob,
And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers,
That they should make them known to their children”
Psalm 78:5

2. Commitment to reach out to the next generation

“That the generation to come might know them,
The children who would be born,
That they might arise and declare them to their children”
Psalm 78:6

3. Setting a steadfast hope in God

“That they may set their hope in God,
And not forget the works of God…”
Psalm 78:7