SUMMER IN THE PSALMS | Psalm 10
Join us in Psalm 10 as we discover what to do about oppression and how as Christians we have a responsibility to be aware of and against injustice and oppression in the world.
It’s all about Jesus
Date: September 5, 2021
Series: Summer in the Psalms
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Sermon Extras
THE REST OF THE SERMON | Summer in the Psalms | Week 10
Join us today for The Rest of the Sermon as we talk about Psalm 10 and how we as Christians have a responsibility to have an awareness of and action against injustices and oppression in the world! It’s all about Jesus!
Pastor’s Comment
Thank you so much for listening in here at West Side. We often say that we love the word of God because it points us to the son of God. We hope these messages encourage you and equip you to love Jesus more. We also want you to be apart of a local church, we believe these messages are only supplemental, being apart of a local church is essential. Blessings.
SERMON NOTES
Summer in the Psalms: Psalm 10 “A Voice for the Oppressed”
CONTEXT> The context of this Psalm is that it is traditionally linked together with Psalm 9. BIG IDEA: When I don’t know what to do I must remember what God has done.
So Think of Psalm 10 as Psalm 9 ‘Part 2.’
If Psalm 9 is a reminder for us (when we don’t know what to do,) to look back and remember what God has done, then that contextually implies that David may not know what to do, so he first goes to God, knowing what He can do. And he asks… “Why?”
INTRO> This week the Psalm of David is a cry for those who are treated poorly and for those who are taken advantage of. Want to begin where David begins in the very first verse where he says ‘Why, O Lord… Why do you…”
ILL> This is a (PIC) of our oldest, this is Jessie. Jessie just turned 4 last month and she is a very curious person. She wants to know how things work, she’s figuring out our relationships, rhythms and rules within our home and the primary way she’s learning all of this is by asking, ‘why.’ She is in the ‘why’ phase right now. Finish your dinner until you’re excused…’why?’ Apologize for pushing your brother…’why?’ It’s time to go to bed…’why?’ “Alexa… Why?”
Why do i tell you this? Because we all ask ‘why?’ We all see the horrors around us in the world, on the news, at the doctor’s office, in our families. We think of the hurt we have experienced at the hand of others. The breakup, the divorce, the abuse, the lies and loss of trust. We see this brokenness and when we lie down in our beds at night we all share the same three letter question for what’s going on in our lives and in the world. And that question is ‘WHY?’
Did you know asking ‘why’ is a good thing? It does two things for us. It keeps us dependent upon God for the answers to those hard questions. And it keeps us compassionate toward others.
BIG IDEA: As Christians we need to have awareness of and action against injustices in the world.
- The Pair: The Oppressor and The Oppressed
What Oppression isn’t: Chic Fil-A is closed… Your social media account gets flagged or banned… Being asked to wear a mask… Being ridiculed for wearing a mask…
What is Oppression? OED: “Cruel and unfair treatment of people, especially by not giving them the same rights as other
people.”
From the Bible Several words used… The primary one throughout the old testament we see is
לַחַץ lachats, lakh’-ats; “wrong done to others, or distress.”
In James 2:6 we see katadynasteuō: “to exercise harsh control over one, to use one’s power against one.”
What we see in (v18) דַּךְ dak, from the root meaning “crushed,” i.e. (figuratively) or physically injured | afflicted | suffering from violence | oppressed.
Oppression seen in the scriptures: The use of power so others remain powerless.
- The Oppressor (Identified as ‘the wicked.’ v2,3,4,)
Schemes: v2,v7,v8,v9 Seeks gain at the loss others. (what you daydream about is what you love.)
Selfish: v3,v7,v9,v10 Finds pleasure in doing it.
Proud: v3,v4,v5,v6,v11, Does not expect to suffer consequences. Deeper than actions… Heart. v4 “Does not seek God.”
Charles Spurgeon quote (PIC).
Define PRIDE: Pride is placing yourself in God’s position.
The Source of Oppression is Pride. The problem is deeper than oppression. Oppression is the product of sin, the deepest broken condition within the human heart.
J A Motyer quote (PIC)
APP> Christians are not exempt from oppressing others.
Look at these three verses… v6, v11, v13 Do you say these things in your heart? “This isn’t too bad. They’ll never find out. They deserve this.”
How do I identify with the oppressor?
Who have I hurt in my pride?
- The Oppressed
Oppression seen in the scriptures: The use of power so others remain powerless.
The Oppressed Identifed as…
Helpless: v10 Poor: v2,9 Fatherless: v14,18
Don’t mistake God’s silence for his absence.
Oppression reveals the condition of humanity.
So what can we do?
APP> As Christians, we have a responsibility to be a voice for the oppressed and against the oppressor.
2) The Prayer for Justice: v12-14
ILL> 2014 ISIS attacked a Kurdish speaking village of Yazidis in Iraq. (PIC) Why do I tell you this story? Dr Miracle took action and did what he was equipped to do. We are all equipped to do something. God has equipped each and every one of us to boldly approach the throne of grace via prayer. So we can pray for justice…
Different types of prayers in the psalms. Thanksgiving, lament, adoration, and petition.
What to pray for:
A. Remember the Oppressed.
David is seeing these people in the midst of their oppression and is asking them to not be forgotten. Look at v12
“Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted.”
B. Justice for the Oppressor.
He is also asking for justice to be delivered upon the oppressor. Look at v 13 and 14 and v18 “Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘You will not call to account’? But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands;” | “…so that the man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.’
APP> As Christians, we have a responsibility to be a voice for the oppressed and against the oppressor.
We have an opportunity now as God’s people, to seek and pray for justice, that God’s kingdom would be on earth NOW as it is in heaven!
Does my heart break for those who are broken?
Do I pray for them?
Martin Luther King Jr quote
3) The Provider of Justice v13-18
“Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, ‘You will not call to account?’ But you do see…for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your own hands… v16 The Lord is king forever… v 18 to DO justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, SO THAT man who is of the earth may strike terror NO MORE.”
God’s Justice and God’s Righteousness.
9:7-8 “But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice, and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.”
(Justice) The Law (right living with the ways God instructed the people to live.)
(Righteousness) The Covenant (right standing in the future promise he gave to his people.)
We fail at both, but God is on the only one that provides both. The Righteous Judge.
APP> We find hope in the promises and character of God.
Dane Ortlund: quote
Questions:
Where do I see oppression| the oppressed?
Who have I hurt with my pride?
What injustice will I pray for this week?
Is my hope in the promises and character of God?
BIG IDEA: As Christians we need to have awareness of and action against injustices in the world.
Rom 12:1-9