GOD’S HOUSE GUEST

(Psalm 15)

...As a boy I remember getting ready to visit our relatives and my mother would prep me by telling me

    to be “on your best _behavior__.”

...Such a thought introduces us to this Psalm by David who muses over the question of what kind of person could live in _God’s__ place.  Another way to put this is, “What is the _character__ of the person God

    approves?”  This is a question about godly _living__ and not a question about justification.

...What God wants for us, is to be like _Jesus__ _Christ__.  God saves us not merely to escape hell, which

    we do, but more that we might live righteous lives.  God requires that we keep His moral _law__.

            -This moral law is best summarized by the _10__ commandments.

            -The best explanation of the moral law was given by _Jesus__ who spoke in terms of the great

              commandment and the second...(Matt. 22:37,39)

...Using parallelism, David sets forth the character of a man/woman that God approves.

SIX CHARACTERISTICS WE MUST POSSESS IF WE ARE TO HAVE GOD’S  _APPROVAL_.

...This is how we are to live to enjoy the fullness of fellowship with God.

I.     YOUR  _CHARACTER__  IS DESCRIBED AS BLAMELESS, AS YOUR FAITH IS PUT INTO

        ACTION. (V 2)

        A. This first parallelism is not a contrast, for both lines are very similar.

             1. “Blameless” refers to a person whose character is morally _well-rounded_ and grounded. He is

                 not strong in 1 area and weak in others. He strives to keep the law. He is the _same__ person

                 Monday thru Sunday.

             2. The 2nd line does add something: The new element is what he _does__.

                  ...Not just upright in a passive sense,

                  ...But more, he is _actively__ engaged in doing righteousness.

         B. James was talking about the same thing (2:14-17)

             “A workless faith is a _worthless__ faith.”

II.     YOUR  _SPEECH__  WILL REFLECT YOUR NEW HEART. (V 2c-3a)

         A. This couplet is a contrast....

         B. _Truth__ speaking is what will fill your words...telling it the way it is.

             ...Your words are trustworthy, for truth is something you can count on. Like God, who always...

         C. Such a believer does not _slander__ others. Gossip is out!! “Many in the church are bold in

             gossiping about and harming others with their tongue.”  Don’t _you__ do it! Bite your tongue before...

III.   YOUR ACTIONS (CONDUCT) WILL NOT  _HARM__  OTHERS. (V 3b-c)

         A. This is similar to #2, but with a huge difference. The idea here is to move beyond mere words

              to our _actions_.  “He does...”

         B. “No wrong” clearly pictures the last six of the _10_ _commandments.     This is godly living.

         C. “Casting a slur” means more than verbal abuse. Do you _treat__ other people with respect, especially

             those who have a less important position in life than you do?

             ...Do you snub them? Talk down to them?

IV.    YOUR ROLE MODELS WILL BE OTHERS WHO HAVE GOD’S VALUES. (V 4)

          ...This couplet speaks to the way we _regard__ others.

          A. You will discern and reject, as models, those who live _evil__ lifestyles.

          B. You will embrace those who fear the Lord.

V.      YOUR  _WORD__  WILL BE KEPT, EVEN THOUGH THE SITUATION MAY CHANGE.

          (Integrity)

          A. No one has a problem keeping his promise when it is to his advantage to do so. But, what about when

              conditions change?

          B. God _approves__ of people who keep their word even when it hurts.

VI.     YOUR USE OF  _MONEY__  WILL REFLECT CHRIST. (V 5)

          A. The focus here is not on receiving interest for money loaned. It is _greed_. It is the taking

               advantage of the _poor__ when they should be helping one another. (Nehemiah 5:4-5)

              ...This was money _before__ people.

          B. The second case also involves the wrong use of money by perverting _justice_ through bribes.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. To be one with God’s approval you must be saved first.

2. If you are a Christian, has your life changed?

3. We please God now by keeping His moral law.

4. Ask the Lord to make these six characteristics prominent in your life.