Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Concept of the sanctuary of God    Psalm 63

2. Counterpoint – focus on the worshipper    Psalm 4

3. Connection – between heaven and earth    Psalm 11

4. Today’s focus – The Community of Worshippers    Psalm 15

GOD’S INTENTION TO DWELL AMONG A COMMUNITY OF WORSHIPPERS

1. God’s intention

And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.   Exodus 25:8

a. To have a dwelling place

b. To also dwell among His people

c. This refers to a community of worshippers

2. Relevant inquiries raised up by David

LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? 
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?   Psalm 15:1

a. Who will form this community of worshippers?

b. How may it be built up and sustained?

3. Concerns to be addressed

a. It is not easy to build and sustain a community

b. Many communities become fractured and weakened over time

c. We see this very much in our world today

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN THE COMMUNITY

1. A strong community begins with the individual

2. This individual is well described in Psalm 15

2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart;
3 He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the LORD;
He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15:2-5

a. His life

i. He walks uprightly

ii. He works righteousness

iii. His speaks the truth in his heart

b. His tongue

i. He does not backbite

ii. He does not do evil to his neighbour

iii. He does not take up a reproach against his friend unnecessarily

c. His character

i. He despises a vile person

ii. He honours those who fear the LORD

d. His personal integrity (oath-taking)

i. When he swears an oath

ii. He does not change

e. His handling of money

i. He does not take advantage of the poor (charging usury)

ii. He does not take a bribe against the innocent

f. He will not be easily moved

i. There will be strength and steadiness

ii. Even during challenges

3. The individual who practices these things

a. He will influence others for good

b. He will make an impact on others

c. He will become an inspiration to the whole community

4. But if the individual does not practice these things

a. He will do what is right in his own eyes

b. He will not relate well to others

c. He will hurt rather than help the community

INSPIRATION TO BUILD THIS COMMUNITY

1. Inspiration for ourselves

a. May we first be inspired to practice Psalm 15 in our lives

b. May we then seek to be an inspiration to our local Bethany Community

c. May our local Bethany community be an inspiration for our overseas brethren

2. Inspiration to keep building this community

a. It is possible to keep building such a community

b. But we must rise to the occasion

c. It will take much diligence and determination from us

3. In doing so, our hope is that our Bethany family will always be

a. God’s kind of church

b. Where God will dwell among His people

c. Where the concept of the sanctuary of God will always be real