2006-06-25 Communion Dedication – Baldwin Christian Church 

Psalm 97 

1 The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.

3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.

4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.

7 Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

8 Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of thy judgments, O LORD.

9 For thou, LORD, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.

10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

11 Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.

In Romans chapter 8, Paul asked the question, “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34). 

It is becoming increasingly popular and fashionable these days to call Christians stupid.  People who are in the world get a real kick out of that, but if it were truly stupid to believe what the Bible says, Christians would be an inconsequential bunch, and the world would have no reason to call them stupid.  That’s the problem with Christianity; it is not an inconsequential belief.  The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8-11). 

When you receive the Holy Spirit, you will start having troubles with those who do not believe, because the Spirit in you is an influence on them.  There are consequences to receiving the Spirit.  When you walk in that light and gladness, the people around you will know in their hearts that there is right and wrong and judgment for both.  They will have a sense that you are judging them, even when you haven’t.  They will put words in your mouth, and condemn you for judging them, even when you haven’t said a word.  When these things happen to you, rejoice in the LORD and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. 

Whenever people reach the end of their ability to reason away their own bloodguiltiness, they start with the name-calling.  The world is unable to reason-away the Lord Jesus on the cross, so it is easier to blaspheme Him. The world sees no need for a resurrected Savior, so it calls Christians stupid.  The world looks for God, but only sees the clouds and darkness round about Him. 

Do you remember people being mad at you for no real reason?  Do you remember bad things happening to you for no real reason?  Give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.  Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of God, making intercession for us, and we need a lot of it.  If you love Him, the world will hate you, but He is faithful and true to preserve your soul and deliver you out of the hands of the wicked. 

Let’s rejoice in the LORD, thanking Him that by faith, we have no need to worry about those who cause us trouble.   Let our hearts melt like wax this day at the presence of the LORD, that He may mold us and use us.