Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. Concluding the series of Pulpit Messages

“The LORD knows the days of the Upright”   Psalm 37:18

2. The Challenge is to choose the way of righteousness

3. Conviction of the heart that God will certainly bless the upright

THE SALVATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS

1. The word “salvation” in the Book of Psalms

a) Deliverance

b) Divine intervention

2. Nuances of the word “salvation”

a) Protection from God

b) Plan of God

c) Provision of God

d) Power of God

AN IMPORTANT TESTIMONY

25 I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.

26 He is ever merciful, and lends;
And his descendants are blessed.

Psalm 37:25-26

1. A personal testimony

2. Observations of the righteous

a) He is merciful   (Psalm 37:26a)

b) He lends (gives)   (Psalm 37:26b)

3. Further observations about the righteous

a) They are not forsaken by God   (Psalm 37:25b)

b) His descendants are not in want   (Psalm 37:25c)

c) The descendants are blessed   (Psalm 37:26b)

THE DELIVERANCE OF THE RIGHTEOUS

35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
And spreading himself like a native green tree.

36 Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more;
Indeed I sought him, but he could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright;
For the future of that man is peace.

38 But the transgressors shall be destroyed together;
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
He is their strength in the time of trouble.

40 And the LORD shall help them and deliver them;
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
And save them,
Because they trust in Him.

Psalm 37:35-40

1. The Wicked

a) They rise in great power   (Psalm 37:35a)

b) They are compared to a native green tree   (Psalm 37:35b)

2. Defeat of the Wicked

a) He passed away   (Psalm 37:36a)

b) He was no more   (Psalm 37:36b)

c) Destroyed   (Psalm 37:38a)

d) Future will be cut off   (Psalm 37:38b)

3. The Salvation of the Righteous

a) This comes from the LORD   (Psalm 37:39a)

b) He is their strength in the time of trouble   (Psalm 37:39b)

c) He will give help and deliver   (Psalm 37:40a)

d) He will deliver from the wicked   (Psalm 37:40b)

e) He will save them   (Psalm 37:40c)

f) Because they trust in Him   (Psalm 37:40d)

CONCLUSION

1. The Promise of Deliverance given

a) To Moses to be given to Israel in Egypt   (Exodus 3:7-10)

b) This was fulfilled wonderfully

2. The Promise of Salvation

a) To Sinners

i) Salvation in the Lord Jesus

ii) Sonship through the grace of God

b) To Saints (the upright/ the righteous)

i) Salvation (deliverance)

ii) Special divine blessings

3. Trust in the Lord

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:3-9

a) We have a living hope   (1 Peter 1:3)

b) We have an incorruptible inheritance   (1 Peter 1:4)

c) We have a precious faith   (1 Peter 1:7)

d) We have a glorious salvation   (1 Peter 1:9)