Message Notes

YAG 19th RETREAT
Session #2
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Time: 9.00am
Theme: “I Have Set My Affection on the House of My God”

D. A DEEP AFFECTION FOR GOD’S HOUSE COMES ABOUT WHEN ONE IS FILLED WITH GOOD AND NOBLE THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS

1. Appreciation of God’s blessings

a) I dwell in a house of cedar            1 Chronicles 17:1a
b) Symbol of achievement and wealth

2. A solemn comparison

a) The ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains            1 Chronicles 17:1b
b) It seems so wrong!
c) Hence the heart and mind desire to build God a House of worship

3. David’s outstanding example

a) Legendary example of possessing a deep affection for God’s House            1 Chronicles 29:3
b) Practical and positive outlook
c) Tremendous sense of commitment
d) It was his glory to search what was hidden by God            Proverbs 25:2

4. Learning to relate the Spiritual and the Physical dimensions

a) I cried to the Lord with my voice and He heard me from His holy hill.            Psalm 3:4

b) But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple            Psalm 5:7

c) The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven            Psalm 11:4

d) LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?            Psalm 15:1

e) Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?            Psalm 24:3

f) LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your glory dwells            Psalm 26:8

g) One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek:

That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple.

Psalm 27:4

h) When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me, for I used to go with the multitude;

I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept
a pilgrim feast.

Psalm 42:4

i) There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.            Psalm 46:4

j) As we have heard, so we have seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, In the city of our God: God will establish it forever.            Psalm 48:8

k) I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.            Psalm 63:2

E. FEW CULTIVATE NOBILITY OF HEART AND MIND

1. Old Testament

a) No spiritual understanding            Isaiah 6:9-10
b) Only lip service            Isaiah 29:13
c) Lack of knowledge            Hosea 4:6
d) A famine of God’s word            Amos 8:11-12

2. New Testament

a) Laying aside the commandments of God            Mark 7:6-8
b) Holding fast to the traditions of men            Mark 7:8
c) Parable of the Sower and the seed            Matthew 13
d) False teachings            1 Timothy 4; 2 Timothy 4

F. EVERY ENCOURAGEMENT TO CULTIVATE A GOOD AND NOBLE HEART AND MIND

1. The practice of Meditation

a) Meditation and being still            Psalm 4:4
b) Meditation in the morning            Psalm 5:2
c) Meditation in the night            Psalm 63:6

2. The Value of Meditation

a) Meditation will give understanding            Psalm 49:3
b) Wisdom is one definite direct result            Psalm 49:3

3. The example of the Bereans            Acts 17:11

a) Hearing
b) Researching
c) Confirming
d) Believing

4. Meditate on these things

a) The example of the Psalmist(s)            Psalm 119:15-16; 19:14
b) The exhortation of the apostle Paul            Philippians 4:8-9

5. Cultivating the mind of Christ            Philippians 2:5-11

a) Understanding it
b) Appreciating it
c) Appropriating it
d) Practising it

6. Setting the heart and mind on heavenly and eternal things            Colossians 3:1-2

a) Choosing eternal values
b) Refusing to be enamoured of earthly riches