Psalm 116:1-19

THE BELIEVER'S STATEMENT OF FAITH

Intro: There are all kinds of creeds floating around. Many times, these creeds are used during the services of formal churches. In fact, we have a couple of them printed in our hymnals. Look at pages 105 and 112. We Baptists have always been a people who did not have a creed! We have always preferred to look upon the entire Bible as our creed. Now, there is nothing wrong with creeds as such, since a creed is defined as "A statement of faith. A formal summary of the principles of the Christian faith." And, there is nothing wrong with a church quoting a creed as part of their worship service. The problem comes in when people believe that just memorizing and repeating a few words can actually save their souls. Faith in Christ saves, not religious rituals!

In this Psalm, we are privileged to hear a clear statement of faith that arises out of a believer's heart. In this song from the pen of the Psalmist, we are allowed to read his creed. His statement of faith! Here, he tells us what he believes, why he believes it and what he going to do with it. Today, I want us to look into the words of this Psalm. Not only do we see what the Psalmist had in his heart regarding the Lord, we can see what should be in our own hearts today. Let's take a few minutes this evening to look at The Believer's Statement Of Faith.

I. v.1a THE BELIEVER'S REFRAIN

A. This statement, "I love the LORD!", is a chorus of joy. For a redeemed sinner to be able to make that declaration is a blessed thing.

B. What a precious thing to love God! Man may not return our love, but God loved us first, 1 John 4:19, and He loves us forever, Jer. 31:3; Rom. 8:35-39.

C. Do you love the Lord tonight? Isn't it great to be able to?

II. v.1b-8 THE BELIEVER'S REASONS

A. v.1b-2 God Has Listened To The Believer - Ill. The blessing of heard and answered prayer. (Ill. The sinner's prayer and every one there after!) (Ill. Jer. 33:3; Psa. 40:1)

B. v.3-7 God Has Lifted The Believer - Every person goes through times of depression and distress, Job 14:1; Job 5:7. God specializes in lifting the fallen and strengthening the weak - (Ill. Paul. 2 Cor. 12:7-10). Think about the times He has lifted you!

C. v.8 God Has Liberated The Believer - (Notice what God has done for the believer!)

1. He Has Been Liberated From His Sentence - Salvation and eternal life! Saved from Hell and the power of sin!

2. He Has Been Liberated From His Sorrow - Replaced his sorrow with joy - 1 Pet. 1:8; (Ill. Rev. 21:4) Trials will come, but they will be attended with His help!

3. He Has Been Liberated From Stumbling - Given a firm foundation upon which to stand - Psa. 40:1-2. (Ill. 1 Cor. 10:13)

4. It is good to be free in Jesus tonight - John 8:36. We are liberated - Ill. Lazarus - John 11:44!

III. v.9-19 THE BELIEVER'S RESOLVE (Ill. v.12 poses a good question! How could we ever begin to repay Him for all He has given to us?))

A. v.9 The I Will Of Practice - The Psalmist promises to live right. (Phil. 1:27). Ill. verse 16!

B. v.13a The I Will Of Persuasion - (Ill. Persuaded to believe!)The Psalmist promises to believe right. (Ill. This requires study - 2 Tim. 1:15) (Ill. Cup metaphor - Jesus had a cup, so do we. Ill. "Cup of wrath" - Psa. 75:8)

C. v.13b The I Will Of Prayer - The Psalmist promises to pray right! (1 Thes. 5:17; Luke 18:1)

D. v.14 The I Will Of Performance - (Ill. v.16) The Psalmist promises to carry out his promises before the Lord. Good intentions will not suffice, we need to follow through! (Ill. Old lady and her aim!) (Ill. "Now!")

E. v.17 The I Will Of Praise - The Psalmist promises to praise God! We need to be more active in this area - Psa. 47:1; Psa. 135:1-3; Heb. 13:15. ("A drop of praise is an unsuitable acknowledgment for an ocean of mercy."--Rev. William Secker) (Note: Praise is not the quoting of The Doxology! It is a spontaneous response of love from the heart of a worshiper!)

1. V. 15 Because of His Promises

2. V. 16 Because of Our Privileges

3. V. 17 Because of His Power

Conc: Do the words of the Psalmist strike a cord in your heart? Does he express the way you feel about the Lord and what He has done in your life? If so, then the best response we can make to Him is to come before Him, renew our commitment to Him, express our love to Him from our hearts and lift our praise unto the One Who has redeemed us from the awful grip of sin.