A Saints Prayer

Hey folks, welcome. Today, we will be starting a new sermon series entitled  "A Saint's Prayer." We are going to spend the next few weeks in Psalm 25. This is a prayer, a song written by King David, and it is one that all Saints, including you, can pray. Did you know you were a Saint? You are. This prayer of David is definitely worth learning. 

Let us pray, Father. We are so thankful for your love and grace. We come before you today to learn from your Word. We know we cannot do that without your guidance. Please grant us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a spirit to receive your Word, Truth, and Revelation. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

If you have your Bibles, turn to Psalm 25. Again, this is a Psalm of David.

"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause."

Now notice. The first thing he does is recognize that God is in charge. Although he is the King of Israel, he still states, “Do I lift my soul. O my God, I trust in thee.” Although he does not know it, he is following, if you will, the formula of the “Our Father” prayer that Jesus gave us. Acknowledge God about and before all things.

Then what is he asking for? Truth, and discernment of truth. Notice he is not praying for the world. He is praying for wisdom and discernment to know the truth from lies. Remember, the wisdom of this world is far different than the wisdom of God.

We are told this over and over in the Word.

“Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Since it is true, what is right and just? The world's point of view, or God’s Word? Is the truth relevant? Is it led by compassion and love or worldly things? Or is it the living Word of the one true God? How can you tell the difference? This. {Holding up the Bible}

If you want, turn to 1 John 4:1-6

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

This is more true today than ever. All these false churches popping up all over the place, that call sin good, and good sin, or better yet, teach that there is no sin.

“By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

Again, some of these churches and false prophets are convincing, compassionate, and some are often skilled in the Word. I just debated someone who is using the Word in one breath, quoting scriptures, and in the other rejecting scripture and claiming we must do this out of love. What he is doing is attempting to justify sin by using the Word of God.

You really cannot do that. Yet, if I were not skilled in the Word, and if I did not have the spirit of discernment, I may have fallen for the lies. Verse 4

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world, and the world listens to them.”

Ever wonder why some “good people,” some friends, maybe even some family, can even possibly believe some of the stuff out there? Some of the stuff the world is spouting? I do often. I think to myself, come on, you're smarter than that. HOW. How do you possibly buy into this, uh, stuff? But then I have to remember, they are not of God. Therefore, no matter how “good” they may be, they cannot nor will they listen to God.

“We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this, we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”

It really is this simple. Even if they seem “religious,” it does not mean they are right. Look at this passage in Romans 10: 2-3

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

Sadly, this is where we seem to be today.

“In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:9

And in 2 Corinthians 11:13

“For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

Of course, 2 Timothy 4:3-5

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. But as for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

Again, some of these are very charismatic. They are very convincing. They tell people what they want to hear. What they want to believe. It sounds good. More importantly, what? FEELS good. Feels right. Feels justified.

If you do not have a solid foundation in this, {Holding up the Bible,} in the truth, you can and will fall for a lie. Remember, they are very skilled. But they will not last. Look at this warning.

“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them, the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed, they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3

Know the truth, and it will set you free. Pray for discernment, and it will set you free from the snares of false teaching. Follow this simple truth.

“But even if an angel from heaven, or we, should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

Pretty simple, but important enough to say it twice.

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:8-10

God is constant. God does not change. There are no variations. No grey areas. No compromising. No changing with the times. God is God, the Gospel is the Gospel. Truth is Truth. Lies are lies. Jesus IS LORD.

Here is another simple way to know the truth. Ask God. Not man. Join us next time as we continue Psalm 25: A Saint's Prayer.

Are you a Saint? Would you like to be? Simply "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9.

Say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be, no matter what you think of your worthiness, say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us pray.

Oh, heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus' sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent of my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

The email, if you wish to contact me, is truthbygod1@gmail.com

May the comfort of the Holy Spirit and the peace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. May God bless and be with you always.

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!