Psalms 114

Dr. Steve Viars October 2, 1993 Psalms 114:

Theme: GOD IS WITH HIS PEOPLE!

Q: What other verse support this truth?

- Mt. 28:20
- Heb. 13:5

Introduction:

1. Writer: Unknown

2. Occasion: Ps. 114 commemorates - deliverance of Israel from Egypt.

(1) The PHAROAH letting them go.

(2) The PARTING OF THE RED SEA

(3) The PROVISION OF WATER in the desert.

(4) The TREMBLING OF MT. SINAI in the Presence of the Lord

(5) The CROSSING OF THE JORDAN on dry land


POINT: All miracles, all proof that GOD WAS WITH THEM!

- probably written after the return of some of the tribes of
Benjamin and Judah were returned from captivity in Babylon.

3. Purpose: Encourage those who had returned to Judah.

- Left relative prosperity to come back to the land of Promise, but
to difficulties/disappointments.

4. Reminder:

- by recalling the miracles of God in the first claiming of the
Promised Land, the writer was encouraging the generation to
believe:

>> THE SAME GOD CONTINUED TO BE WITH HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE

>> AND WAS POWERFUL ENOUGH TO WORK MIRACLES FOR THEM.


5. Meaning: (definite things to the Jewish people)

> traditionally sung at the Passover meal each year
> commemorating the Exodus of the nation Israel from Egypt.

NOTE: Christ and the disciples almost undoubtedly sang it during
the Lord's Supper the night before His trial and crucifixion.

6. Think about the background of this Psalm as we read it together.

- READ PSALM 114


7. Remember how we approach interpreting Scripture and finding
applications to our lives today.

1. Exposition Hermeneutics

2. What it meant to the original hearers

3. What it means to contemporary ears


- Many people don't have as high a view of the Bible.
- They rely on "types" and supposed "symbols" to get to the really
DEEP things of God.

ILL. Counselee man unsaved, wife very SPIRITUAL. Struggling with
bitterness. Assignment... life of Joseph... find all the things
he could have been bitter about and how he handled them. Husband
did a good job. All very obvious. Wife... no water in the well
Joseph's brothers threw him in? Pastor... It was dry. Man fell
off his chair.

POINT: It sounds so SPIRITUAL!

- But they are missing the clear teaching of the Scripture
looking for some DEEPER MEANING as if God has hidden
something from us

- GOD IS NOT A GOOD GENERAL!


8. One spiritualized, or allegorical view of this Psalm.

FLASH TRAN #1 >>> THEN PROBLEMS WITH THIS VIEW

- Sounds very spiritual >> BUT IT'S WRONG!

9. FLASH: 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF BI. SANCT.
WESLEYAN VIEW
PROG. SANCT. CHART
"WE MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN..."

Dr. Steve Viars

Roles

Senior Pastor - Faith Church

Director - Faith Legacy Foundation

Bio

B.S.: Pre-Seminary & Bible, Baptist Bible College (Now Clarks Summit University)
M.Div.: Grace Theological Seminary
D.Min.: Biblical Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary

Dr. Steve Viars has served at Faith Church in Lafayette, IN since 1987. Pastor Viars leads and equips Faith Church as Senior Pastor with a focus on preaching and teaching God’s Word and using his organizational skills in guiding the implementation of the Faith Church mission and vision. He oversees the staff, deacons, and all Faith Church ministries. Dr. Viars serves on the boards of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, Biblical Counseling Coalition, Vision of Hope, and the Faith Community Development Corporation. Steve is the author, co-author, or contributor to six books and numerous booklets. He and his wife, Kris, were married in 1982 and have two married daughters, a son, and five grandchildren.

Read Steve Viars’ Journey to Faith for the full account of how the Lord led Pastor Viars to Faith Church.

View Pastor Viars' Salvation Testimony Video