Salem Church
God is Talking to You
The Shaping of a Servant
Locations & Times
Clove Lakes Campus
634 Clove Rd, Staten Island, NY 10310, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Sunday 9:45 AM
Sunday 11:30 AM
Sunday, February 2, 2025
God is Talking to You
The Shaping of a Servant
Psalms 119:113-144
We are walking through the longest chapter in the Bible which is all about God’s word because we believe that God is talking to YOU. In the 70’s, Robert De Niro asked himself in the mirror, “Are you talking to me?” If you ask God that, the answer is YES!
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God is talking to you for a PURPOSE. His words are designed to transform you into who he made you to be. One key word that marks our identity is the word servant. We were made to serve! “Servant” shows up 934 times in your English Bible, 14 times in Psalms 119, and 5 times in the passage we are reading. Some of the people who called themselves servants in the Bible were: Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Mary, Paul, Peter, John, and yes even JESUS… and all joyfully accepted the descriptor of “Servant.”
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Main Idea: God’s Word will Shape Us into the Servants He Wants Us to Be
“Samekh I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. Ayin I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Pe Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Tsadhe Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:113-144
Aspects of a Servant Immersed in God’s Word in Psalms 119:113-144
I. Discerning Servant – Psalms 119:113-120
The Samekh stanza addresses how the person immersed in the word of God views the ideologies, behaviors, and the people of the world. The word hate is employed, which we don’t like to use in reference to anything. Yet, over 150 times the Bible uses this term. Christians have adopted the phrase “hate the sin, not the sinner” which is very difficult to do (especially with ourselves). The very reason we hate the behavior is because we love the person that is being destroyed by the behavior (C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity).
A Discerning Servant Hates:
• The Way the Wicked Think: They are double-minded (vs. 113).
“The opposite of the fixed and infallible word of God is the wavering, changing opinion of men.”Charles Haddon Spurgeon
• The Way the Wicked Worship: They reject God for lies (vs. 118)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”Psalms 1:1-2
• The Way the Wicked Die: They will suffer (vs. 119-120)
“Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”Jude 1:22-23
II. Principled Servant – Psalms 119:121-128
A faithful servant must fully embrace, embody, and explain the principles of his master. This Ayin stanza is all about a principled servant.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, or a servant above his master."
Matthew 10:24
“I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors… My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.” Psalms 119:121, 123 – Took a stand, paid a price, and asked God to deliver.
This could involve: refusing the unethical practices that saturate your office or job site even if it costs you promotions and bonuses: abstaining from vulgar and demeaning talk even if it results in being ostracized; refusing to let schools, sports teams, or other parents set the values of your family even if it costs a starting job; sharing the gospel, even if it may get you mocked; refusing to sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend, even if it may cause them to break up with you.
All of us learn from someone. Wisdom seeks those who are wisest and the One who loves us the most (God). As we immerse ourselves in God’s word, we begin to think like God in all situations of life (like Sherlock Holmes to Moriarty regarding Dr. Watson, “I am absent, but my methods are not.”)
III. Compassionate Servant – Psalms 119:129-136
This Pe stanza concludes with a piercing statement that resonates…
“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”Psalms 119:36 – Not Anger, resentment or mockery toward people but weeping!
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it.”Luke 19:41
“Sin breaks the heart of God. Sin brings tears to the eyes of God…It moved Jesus to go to the cross so that he could turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy.”Danny Akin – This is the whole premise for evangelism. Don’t miss this!
We are surrounded by brokenness, sorrow, pain, and sin in this world. It would be easy to become calloused to it all, but Christ (who knows the brokenness of this world more than anyone) never lost his compassion for sinners. Compassion is rooted in the glory of God and love for sinners! We can never lose our compassion and claim to be a Christlike Servant.
“Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.”1 Corinthians 8:1b – Be careful!
IV. Consistent Servant - Psalms 119:137-144
In the Tsadhe stanza “righteousness” occurs 6 times in only 8 verses describing God’s character.
“God’s righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.” Wayne Grudem
“Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true… give me understanding that I may live.”Psalms 119:142, 144b // Live accordingly
If God never changes and his word never changes, then servants of the Lord who are immersed in his word will be consistent in their faithful followship of Jesus Christ.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”Hebrews 10:23
Though it seems like everyone lies, changes, and cannot be trusted, we do not have to follow that path. We can anchor ourselves into the faithfulness of God through immersion into his word to be a constant presence of righteousness to those around us.
Righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own, no matter how hard we pursue it. We have always and will always fall short despite our best efforts. We are sinners by nature and by choice. That’s the bad news!
“He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB)
Christ is the ultimate servant, and through his word we can be shaped into his image as a servant as well. So come to love the God of the Word, and the Word of God. Righteousness is positionally received as a gift, and practically experienced as a lifestyle
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
Exalting Jesus in Psalms 119 – Daniel L. Akin (2021)
The Treasury of David – Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1869)
Expository Outlines on the Old Testament – Warren Wiersbe (1993)
The New Bible Commentary – Carson, France, Motyer & Wenham (1994)
Christ Centered Exposition: Psalm 119 – Platt, Akin, Merida (2021)
God is Talking to You
The Shaping of a Servant
Psalms 119:113-144
We are walking through the longest chapter in the Bible which is all about God’s word because we believe that God is talking to YOU. In the 70’s, Robert De Niro asked himself in the mirror, “Are you talking to me?” If you ask God that, the answer is YES!
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God is talking to you for a PURPOSE. His words are designed to transform you into who he made you to be. One key word that marks our identity is the word servant. We were made to serve! “Servant” shows up 934 times in your English Bible, 14 times in Psalms 119, and 5 times in the passage we are reading. Some of the people who called themselves servants in the Bible were: Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Mary, Paul, Peter, John, and yes even JESUS… and all joyfully accepted the descriptor of “Servant.”
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Main Idea: God’s Word will Shape Us into the Servants He Wants Us to Be
“Samekh I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. Ayin I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors. Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me. My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes. I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies! It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken. Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Pe Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Tsadhe Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness. My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words. Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it. I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true. Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.” Psalm 119:113-144
Aspects of a Servant Immersed in God’s Word in Psalms 119:113-144
I. Discerning Servant – Psalms 119:113-120
The Samekh stanza addresses how the person immersed in the word of God views the ideologies, behaviors, and the people of the world. The word hate is employed, which we don’t like to use in reference to anything. Yet, over 150 times the Bible uses this term. Christians have adopted the phrase “hate the sin, not the sinner” which is very difficult to do (especially with ourselves). The very reason we hate the behavior is because we love the person that is being destroyed by the behavior (C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity).
A Discerning Servant Hates:
• The Way the Wicked Think: They are double-minded (vs. 113).
“The opposite of the fixed and infallible word of God is the wavering, changing opinion of men.”Charles Haddon Spurgeon
• The Way the Wicked Worship: They reject God for lies (vs. 118)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.”Psalms 1:1-2
• The Way the Wicked Die: They will suffer (vs. 119-120)
“Have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”Jude 1:22-23
II. Principled Servant – Psalms 119:121-128
A faithful servant must fully embrace, embody, and explain the principles of his master. This Ayin stanza is all about a principled servant.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, or a servant above his master."
Matthew 10:24
“I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors… My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.” Psalms 119:121, 123 – Took a stand, paid a price, and asked God to deliver.
This could involve: refusing the unethical practices that saturate your office or job site even if it costs you promotions and bonuses: abstaining from vulgar and demeaning talk even if it results in being ostracized; refusing to let schools, sports teams, or other parents set the values of your family even if it costs a starting job; sharing the gospel, even if it may get you mocked; refusing to sleep with your boyfriend or girlfriend, even if it may cause them to break up with you.
All of us learn from someone. Wisdom seeks those who are wisest and the One who loves us the most (God). As we immerse ourselves in God’s word, we begin to think like God in all situations of life (like Sherlock Holmes to Moriarty regarding Dr. Watson, “I am absent, but my methods are not.”)
III. Compassionate Servant – Psalms 119:129-136
This Pe stanza concludes with a piercing statement that resonates…
“My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.”Psalms 119:36 – Not Anger, resentment or mockery toward people but weeping!
“And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it.”Luke 19:41
“Sin breaks the heart of God. Sin brings tears to the eyes of God…It moved Jesus to go to the cross so that he could turn tears of sorrow into tears of joy.”Danny Akin – This is the whole premise for evangelism. Don’t miss this!
We are surrounded by brokenness, sorrow, pain, and sin in this world. It would be easy to become calloused to it all, but Christ (who knows the brokenness of this world more than anyone) never lost his compassion for sinners. Compassion is rooted in the glory of God and love for sinners! We can never lose our compassion and claim to be a Christlike Servant.
“Knowledge puffs up, love builds up.”1 Corinthians 8:1b – Be careful!
IV. Consistent Servant - Psalms 119:137-144
In the Tsadhe stanza “righteousness” occurs 6 times in only 8 verses describing God’s character.
“God’s righteousness means that God always acts in accordance with what is right and is himself the final standard of what is right.” Wayne Grudem
“Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true… give me understanding that I may live.”Psalms 119:142, 144b // Live accordingly
If God never changes and his word never changes, then servants of the Lord who are immersed in his word will be consistent in their faithful followship of Jesus Christ.
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”Hebrews 10:23
Though it seems like everyone lies, changes, and cannot be trusted, we do not have to follow that path. We can anchor ourselves into the faithfulness of God through immersion into his word to be a constant presence of righteousness to those around us.
Righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own, no matter how hard we pursue it. We have always and will always fall short despite our best efforts. We are sinners by nature and by choice. That’s the bad news!
“He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”2 Corinthians 5:21 (CSB)
Christ is the ultimate servant, and through his word we can be shaped into his image as a servant as well. So come to love the God of the Word, and the Word of God. Righteousness is positionally received as a gift, and practically experienced as a lifestyle
Sources and Further Reading Opportunities:
CSB Study Bible – Trevin Wax, General Editor (2021)
Exalting Jesus in Psalms 119 – Daniel L. Akin (2021)
The Treasury of David – Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1869)
Expository Outlines on the Old Testament – Warren Wiersbe (1993)
The New Bible Commentary – Carson, France, Motyer & Wenham (1994)
Christ Centered Exposition: Psalm 119 – Platt, Akin, Merida (2021)
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