MOTIVATE
This past week I spent time in OC with BCMD. Happy to report that the Lord is at work in a variety of ways through our 400+ churches
But two additional aspects of OC stuck out to me: 1) Windy Cold, 2) Sunrise
Creation demands our attention. Today we look at a psalm that commands us to pay attention: “give ears” / “incline ears to words of my mouth”
EXAMINE PSALM 78
A Maskil of Asaph.
- Maskil comes from a verb meaning: “to make wise, or imparting understanding.”[1] Music and songs have a way of inspiring and instructing us with deep emotion and spiritual reflection. So, this psalm has 72 verses that cover 500-years of Israel’s history for us to meditate on God’s faithful yet refining love. God’s pursues and prunes us so that we turn away from false idols that will never satisfy to experience the true God who is always faithful.
- Asaph was a Levite (priestly tribe) and chief music leader during the time of King David (cf. 1 Chron 15:16-19; 16:4-5). Asaph’s sons continued ministry a couple hundred years later under King Jehoshaphat (2 Chron 20:14-19), and another hundred years later continued serving under King Hezekiah (2 Chron 29:30). Asaph and his family is a reminder of the importance for growing godly generations.
1 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! 2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, 3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
- Psalm 78 covers 500 years of Israel history.The biblical record is an example for us to learn the difference between right and wrong (cf 1 Cor 10:6). The adage rings true, “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Unfortunately, today’s culture is seeking to erase history rather than educate from it. If we do not learn from our past, we will loathe our future. This psalm is meant to help us learn history’s greatest lesson of having faith in God.
- Psalm 78 concludes with God’s faithful love for Israel by giving them a shepherd.
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; 71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance. 72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand.
David was a surprise. God chose David from a sheep-pin. God chooses what is foolish in this world to shame the wise (1Cor 1:27). Godly leaders are not chasing platforms but people; their aim is to help others.
David was a sinner. He strayed significantly, but his humility to be honest about his sin, confess it, repent, and grow in grace are what make him a model shepherd.
This last verse describes two qualities of a faithful shepherd: upright heart & skillful hands.
Upright Heart: [tōme = completeness; not sinless perfection but consistency without duplicity]. The phrasing describes integrity of character.
The most important element of a good leader or godly shepherd is their humble heart and trustworthy character. It’s the ability to do the right thing even when no one is looking and without reward. Further, an upright heart includes not just external actions but our internal attitude. The character of a leader reflects their whole being.
1Tim 3 “An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sobe-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well… not be a recent convert… [and] well thought of by outsiders.
1Tim 4:16 “watch your life and doctrine closely. Persist in this to save both yourself and your hearers”
Skillful Hands: [tebunah = understanding & wise action]. Phrasing describes competent ability.
When we look at the qualifications of spiritual leadership, the emphasis on who they are more than what they do. Every leader is a laborer of the LORD and servant to others.
- Both elders and deacons are offices of the church.
- Both elders and deacons are servants. Elders deacon but deacons never elder.
- Deacons of Sunday Hospitality (First Impressions, Greeters, Offering, Ordinances, Security)
- Deacons of Specific Fellowship (Internal community, External outreach)
- Deacons of Special Compassion (Benevolence, Meal Trains, Memorials)
Some of the unique skills that elders need are
- Pastoring (poimen). Pastors need a heart for the people. They smell like sheep bc they spend time in the celebrations and struggles of others. No love = Nothing! (1Cor 13)
- Overseeing & leading (episkopos). Elders are mature and experienced to make wise decisions, with an ability to work well with a plurality of elders.
- Teach. Elders must be able to teach Scripture by knowing God’s word and how to apply it in discipleship of believers (2 Tim 2:2); and evangelizing unbelievers.
- Testify from Dickerson, Montagne, Swartz
Faithful shepherds help us remember God’s saving power.
- V.11 “They forgot His works and the wonders He had shown them.”
- V.22 “they did not believe in God and trust His saving power”
Faithful shepherds help us replicate God’s kingdom purpose.
- V.4-6 Four Generation impact: “our fathers [1] passed to us [2]… tell a coming generation… a next generation – children yet unborn [3] might arise… and tell their children. [4]”
Our roles together as a church family…
- Pray… / Vote on 11/23
- Take your next step
[1] Kidner, D. (1973). Psalms 1–72: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 15, p. 53). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
Growing Godly Generations 