The Wicked vs. the Zion Dweller

TEXTPsa. 14-15

INTRODUCTION:

A.      2 PSALMS CONTRASTING THE CHARACTER OF THE BELIEVER AND THE

          UNBELIEVER.

B.      SHOULD BE STUDIED TOGETHER.

I.      THE FOOL - THE UNBELIEVER.

A.      THE UNBELIEVER IS FOOLISH ( vs. 1;  Rom. 1:20 ).

          1.       His behavior ( Isa. 32:5-7 ).

          2.       His loss ( Isa. 35:8 ).

          3.       His works ( vs. 1 ).

B.      MEN, INCLUDING BELIEVERS, EXAMINED( vs. 2;  2 Cor. 5:10 ).

C.      ALL ARE FILTHY, BECAUSE NONE DOETH GOOD( vs. 3ff. ).

          1.       Does not reject man's righteousness, rather demands it

                   ( Ez. 18:19;  Acts 10:34-35 ).

          2.       None does right ( Rom. 3:9-10 ).

          3.       The unbeliever takes advantage ( vs. 4 ).

          4.       He recognizes not God ( vs. 4 ).

          5.       He makes light of the believer ( vs. 6 ).

D.      GOD AVENGES.

          1.       He is with the righteous ( vs. 5;  Rom. 8:31 ).

          2.       He delivers them ( vs. 7;  1 Thes. 1:9-10 ).

          3.       He speaks here of spiritual Israel ( Rom. 2:28-29 ).

          4.       The wicked from which deliverance was hoped were Jews.

II.     THE ZION-DWELLER - THE BELIEVER.

A.      THIS TABERNACLE REPRESENTS GOD'S PRESENCE.  IT IS THE CHURCH IN

          THIS AGE ( Heb. 8:2;  1 Cor. 3:16-17 ).

B.      WHO DWELLS THERE?

          1.       He that walks uprightly - manner of life ( vs.2;  Eph.4:1-4 ).

          2.       He that works righteousness – obeys ( vs.2;  Jas.1:22;  2:24 ).

          3.       And speaks truth in his heart ( Mat. 12:36-37;  Rev.21:8 ).

          4.       Slanders not with his tongue ( vs.3;  Titus 3:2 ).

          5.       Nor does evil to his friend ( vs. 3;  Prov. 6:12-14 ).

          6.       Doesn't take up a reproach against his neighbor - looks down on him –

                    holds him in shame ( vs. 3;  Luke 18:11 ).

          7.       In whose eyes a reprobate(vile)is despised(condemned) (vs.4).

                   a.       Love all, even enemies ( Mat. 5:44 ).

                                       Yet condemns Pharisees ( Luke 18:11 ).

                   b.       Recognize the wicked and avoid (1 Cor.15:33;  Eph.5:11).

          8.       Honors them that fear Jehovah ( vs. 4:  Rom. 12:9-10 ).

          9.       Sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

                   a.       tells the truth in spite of the cost ( Rev. 21:8 ).

                   b.       keeps his commitments ( 2 Tim. 2:13 ).

          10.     He that puts not out his money to interest. Doesn't refer to Savings and Loan.

                   Refers to helping the needy with a view of taking advantage

                    ( Luke 6:30-38 ).

          11.     Doesn't take a reward against the innocent - doesn't choose friends or

                    sides on basis of what he can gain ( vs. 5 ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      THE ZION DWELLER IS NOT MOVED OR DESTROYED.

B.      ARE YOU A ZION DWELLER?