Gene Cunningham - October 26, 2003
Psalm 15 - Abiding With the Lord
Cities of refuge are pictures of Christ: (1) Cadesh mean holiness (Psa 89:18), (2) Shechem - power or shoulder - the mighty arm of God Isa 53:1, Psa 44:3); (3) Hebron - united (Mat 1:23); (4) Bezer - fortress (Psa 18:2, Psa 31:1-2); (5) Ramoth - height or exalted (Phi 2:9); (6) Golan - exile or stranger (Heb 13:12-13). Psalm 15 may have been written to go with Psalm 24. David wrote it bringing the Ark of the Covenant (1Ch 16:1-6) - a picture of the Lord coming in to dwell with His people. David asks " LORD,who shall abide in Your tabernacle..." Seraphim shield their eyes and cry "Holy, Holy, Holy" (Isa 6:2). Only Christ fulfills this Psalm perfectly (Joh 8:35). We are strangers in this world and are to live as if we just passing through. By faith in Christ we've become His household; we should abide with Him (Heb 3:6, Eph 3:17). Through the filling of the Holy Spirit we are able to abide -- live lives of fellowship -- with Him (Eph 5:18, 1Jo 1:3). Psalm 15 illustrates the great commandment - love for God and neighbor (Mat 22:37-39). The character needed to abide is stated - walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart" (Psa 15:2) - inner man is reflected in the outer work. Faith in the soul produces right actions. There is no fellowship with God for hearers and nor doers (Jam 1:22, Jam 2:17). Obedience to this standard is possible through the filling of the Spirit (Rom 8:4). "Out of the treasure of the heart, the mouth speaks" (Mat 12:34). David illustrates conduct of a person in fellowship (Psa 15:3-4, Lev 19:16-18). It's impossible to have fellowship with God and malign other people. "Vile" means "to utterly despise or treat as having little worth" (Gen 25:34). Those who fear the Lord honors Him (1Sa 2:30, Rom 13:7). Use of money is also a test -- you don't try to profit from brothers (Lev 25:36-37, Exo 22:25) . Abiding is the word Jesus uses for fellowship in Him (Joh 15:1-10). In fellowship our works abide forever (1Co 3:14). Psalm 15 illustrates standard (i.e., "the fire") by which works will be judged (1Co 3:13).
Scripture References: John 1:3, Psalms 89:18, Matthew 12:34, Philippians 2:9, Exodus 22:25, Ephesians 5:18, Romans 8:4, Psalms 31:1-2, Leviticus 25:36-37, Ephesians 3:17, James 2:17, Psalms 18:2, Romans 13:7, Hebrews 3:6, James 1:22, Matthew 1:23, Genesis 25:34, John 8:35, Psalms 15:2, Psalms 44:3, Leviticus 19:16-18, Isaiah 6:2, Matthew 22:37-39, Isaiah 53:1, Psalms 15:3-4, Hebrews 13:12-13, John 15:1-10
From Series: "Psalms - 2001"
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