Andy Nagahara
(Psalms 14)
Video Youtube
Audio
God is present in the company of the righteous
A. God looks for the people who are seeking Him (1-4)
0 For the director of music. Of David.
1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Will evildoers never learn– those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?
1) God is looking for you
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)
2) You are looking for God
B. God is with his followers (5-7)
5 There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.
6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.
7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
1) Jesus wants to be with you
“`For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. (Ezek. 34:11,12)
2) Knowing the eternal Joy through walking with Jesus
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost. (Matthew 18:12-14）
SUMMARY
The truth clarified by this text is that God has been looking for us for long before we started to look for Him. The restoration of our relationship with God is not one-sided discovery but an encounter. God is not a convenient tool that gives you something if you pray, but the lifelong partner for you.
FOR DISCUSSION
1) What kind of people is God looking for？
2) Where does God dwell?