Why Love the Law of God?

1. Read: Psalm 119:97-104

2. About the Text:

1) Psalm 119 is a Psalm about the word of God.

2) It is the longest Psalm in the book of Psalms.

3) Each section begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

4) It’s as if the Psalmist is saying every letter of the language praises God’s word.

5) In this section of the Psalm – mem – the Psalmist speaks about loving God’s law.

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The nation of Israel was supposed to love God’s law.

1) Psalm 1:1-2

2) Deuteronomy 6:6-9

2. God’s law gave the nation of Israel wisdom and understanding.

1) Wiser than enemies.

2) More understanding that my teachers.

3) More understanding than the aged.

4) Were one to pursue understanding without God’s law, he would end up sorrowful.

5) With God’s law, one has superior sense, thinking, wisdom, and knowledge.

3. We also must love God’s law under Christ today.

1) Galatians 3:24 says, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

2) 1 Corinthians 9:21 says that we are “under law toward Christ.”

4. The gospel of Jesus gives us great understanding today.

1) We have revealed in the gospel the very mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

2) It gives us knowledge for salvation (Romans 1:16-17).

3) It instructs us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

4) Those who practice Christianity faithfully have great understanding.

5. Do we have respect for God’s law in Christ today?

1. God’s law keeps us from wickedness.

1) Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word.”

2) Psalm 119:11 – “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”

2. God’s law keeps us on the straight path.

1) Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”

2) Proverbs 3:5-6

3. Today, the gospel provides everything for life and godliness.

1) 2 Peter 1:3 – “…all things that pertain to life and godliness….”

2) John 14:6

3) John 20:30-31

1. The law of God was sweet as honey.

1) Psalm 19:10 – “More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.”

2) Revelation 10:10 – “Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth….”

3) Acts 2:40 – “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them….”

2. It enables us to appreciate the beauty of truth and hate every false way.

1) John 8:31-32

2) 1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

3. The gospel is so much sweeter than the Law of Moses because Jesus is in it.

1) Through Him we receive grace and truth – Read John 1:16-18.

2) Jesus tells us who God truly is.

1. We should love the Law of God because . . .

1) It gives us Understanding

2) It makes us Upright

3) It is Uplifting

2. Invitation