Subtopic: Keep Looking Up
Psa. 61:1-3 "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (vs2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (vs3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy".
Col.3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (vs2) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.8, Page18, a comment on Psa.61:1-2 “The power of prayer in trouble. “My cry”. Every one has his own needs. Think how it is this day. In how many lands, by what various voices, with what manifold emotions, the cries of men are uttered! What signs of pain, what plaints of desire, what passionate prayers for help, go up to heaven! Who but God could “attend” to them all? Moses groaned under “the burden of all the people” (Num.11:11). Paul was oppressed with “the care of all the Churches” (2 Cor.11:28). But increase the “burden,” and multiply the “cares” ten thousand times, and what is it all compared with what falls upon God? What mind but the eternal mind of God could attend to all? What love but the infinite and unchanging love of God would not grow weary by the continual comings and the countless importunities of such multitudes of supplicants? But God bends his ear to all. Not one, not the humblest or the poorest, is neglected. Wherever we are, however great and sore may be our troubles , though weak and sinful and unworthy of the least of God’s mercies, yet if we will call upon him he will hear us; if we commit our cause to him, he will bring us deliverance.
Like an exile, we may be far off from friends, solitary, and sad. But God is always near. Through all help from man should fail, God is with us to deliver us. The enemy may be coming in like a flood. There may seem to be no way to escape. But God will, when we cry to him, stretch forth his mighty arm from above, and lead us to “the Rock” where we shall find safety and peace.”
Matthew Henry's Commentary, Page 1873, on Col.3:2 says " Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards. Things on earth are here set in opposition to things above. Heaven and earth are contrary one to the other and the prevalence of our affection to one will proportionally weaken our affection to the other".
Psa. 61:1-3 "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (vs2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (vs3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy".
Col.3:1-2 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (vs2) Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.
PREMISE
The Pulpit Commentary, Vol.8, Page18, a comment on Psa.61:1-2 “The power of prayer in trouble. “My cry”. Every one has his own needs. Think how it is this day. In how many lands, by what various voices, with what manifold emotions, the cries of men are uttered! What signs of pain, what plaints of desire, what passionate prayers for help, go up to heaven! Who but God could “attend” to them all? Moses groaned under “the burden of all the people” (Num.11:11). Paul was oppressed with “the care of all the Churches” (2 Cor.11:28). But increase the “burden,” and multiply the “cares” ten thousand times, and what is it all compared with what falls upon God? What mind but the eternal mind of God could attend to all? What love but the infinite and unchanging love of God would not grow weary by the continual comings and the countless importunities of such multitudes of supplicants? But God bends his ear to all. Not one, not the humblest or the poorest, is neglected. Wherever we are, however great and sore may be our troubles , though weak and sinful and unworthy of the least of God’s mercies, yet if we will call upon him he will hear us; if we commit our cause to him, he will bring us deliverance.
Like an exile, we may be far off from friends, solitary, and sad. But God is always near. Through all help from man should fail, God is with us to deliver us. The enemy may be coming in like a flood. There may seem to be no way to escape. But God will, when we cry to him, stretch forth his mighty arm from above, and lead us to “the Rock” where we shall find safety and peace.”
Matthew Henry's Commentary, Page 1873, on Col.3:2 says " Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards. Things on earth are here set in opposition to things above. Heaven and earth are contrary one to the other and the prevalence of our affection to one will proportionally weaken our affection to the other".
Since Jesus Is My Inward Well of Living Water I Am Glad I Have Life Springing Up
DEFINITIONS
Upward means: To or toward a higher place, in the higher or highest position, uppermost, to or toward a higher rank or amount, to or toward the upper or top most part.
EXPOSITION
1. This Is A Upward Life Because We Serve A High God--- Psa.97:9 “For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.”
2.This Is A Upward Life Because The Thoughts And Ways Of Our God Are So Exalted--- Isa.55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (vs9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
3.This Is A Upward Life Because Of The Road I Must Follow--- Isa.35:8 “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
4.This Is A Upward Life Because Our Power From God Is From On High--- St. Luke 24:47-49 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.(vs48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (vs49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
5. This Is A Upward Life Because We Have A Upward Salvation--- Eph.2:4-7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (vs5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,(by grace ye are saved;) (vs6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (vs7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
6. This Is A Upward Life Because Our Praise, Worship, Supplication And Actions Are In An Upward Mode---Psa.25:1 “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”, Psa. 63:4 “Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”, Psa. 121:1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (vs2) My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
7.This Is A Upward Life Because My Ultimate Spiritual Goal Is A Upward Goal--- Phi. 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
8.This Is An Upward Life Because I Am Storing Up My Treasures In A Upward Manner And Place--- St. Matt.6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through nor steal: (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
CONCLUSION
A. Since Jesus Is The Object Of My faith I Will (Look Up)--- Psa.5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
B. Since Jesus Is Our Lover I Will Let My Love Be (Built Up)--- Jude 20&21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (vs21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
C. Since Jesus Is My Inward Well of Living Water I Am Glad I Have Life (Springing Up)--- St. John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (vs14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life.”
D. Since Jesus Is My Renewing Power I Am Going To (Mount Up)---Isa. 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
E. Since Jesus Is My Hope I Am Waiting To Be (Caught Up)--- 1 Thess. 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (vs17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Upward means: To or toward a higher place, in the higher or highest position, uppermost, to or toward a higher rank or amount, to or toward the upper or top most part.
EXPOSITION
1. This Is A Upward Life Because We Serve A High God--- Psa.97:9 “For thou, Lord, art high above all the earth: thou art exalted far above all gods.”
2.This Is A Upward Life Because The Thoughts And Ways Of Our God Are So Exalted--- Isa.55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. (vs9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
3.This Is A Upward Life Because Of The Road I Must Follow--- Isa.35:8 “And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”
4.This Is A Upward Life Because Our Power From God Is From On High--- St. Luke 24:47-49 “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.(vs48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (vs49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
5. This Is A Upward Life Because We Have A Upward Salvation--- Eph.2:4-7 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, (vs5) Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,(by grace ye are saved;) (vs6) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (vs7) That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
6. This Is A Upward Life Because Our Praise, Worship, Supplication And Actions Are In An Upward Mode---Psa.25:1 “Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.”, Psa. 63:4 “Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.”, Psa. 121:1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (vs2) My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”
7.This Is A Upward Life Because My Ultimate Spiritual Goal Is A Upward Goal--- Phi. 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (vs14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
8.This Is An Upward Life Because I Am Storing Up My Treasures In A Upward Manner And Place--- St. Matt.6:19-21 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through nor steal: (vs20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (vs21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
CONCLUSION
A. Since Jesus Is The Object Of My faith I Will (Look Up)--- Psa.5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”
B. Since Jesus Is Our Lover I Will Let My Love Be (Built Up)--- Jude 20&21 “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, (vs21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
C. Since Jesus Is My Inward Well of Living Water I Am Glad I Have Life (Springing Up)--- St. John 4:13-14 “Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: (vs14) But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life.”
D. Since Jesus Is My Renewing Power I Am Going To (Mount Up)---Isa. 40:31 “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
E. Since Jesus Is My Hope I Am Waiting To Be (Caught Up)--- 1 Thess. 4:16-17 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (vs17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
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