Topical Sermons                                                                                                             Power Point Show

Scripture Reading:  Psalms 118:15-24

THE TENTS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

Intro.
1.  God has repaired & raised up the “tent” of David (dwelling, house, ruling monarchy):  Messiah & His kingdom, Acts 15:16-17.

2.  The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.  (Psa. 118:15)

3.  We are not as familiar with tents as the ancients; yet, they teach us many essential lessons for life & eternity.

I.  LIVING IN TENTS, Heb. 11:9.

  A.  Nomadic Life is an Important Symbol in the Bible:

    1.  Wanderers:  “This world is not my home.”

      a.  Hebrew fathers.

      b.  Israel in the wilderness, Num. 9:17-18.

      c.  Rechabites, Jer. 35:5-10, 14, 16, 18-19: Blessed by God.

      d.  Christians, 1 Pet. 2:11.

    2.  Exposed to danger:  Jer. 10:19-20.

      a.  Must rely on God’s protection, cf. Psa. 18:1-3 (faith).

      b.  Judah did not trust God for protection…punished by God, Jer. 5:10-13; 10:17-25.

      c.  Christians: Dependent on God; do not despise the Lord’s correction, or we will be defenseless in the day of trouble, Heb. 12:4-6; 13:5-6.

    3.  Promise of a homeland, Heb. 11:9-10, 13-16.

      a.  Israel in wilderness, Deut. 8:2-7.

      b.  Christians dwell with God, Ezek. 37:27; 2 Cor. 6:16.

      c.  Christians live for heaven, Heb. 13:14; Rev. 21:1-3.

II.  PITCHING TENTS (“to stretch out, extend, spread out”).

  A.  Some Pitch their Tent toward Sodom, Gen. 13:12 (1 Jno. 2:15-17).

    1.  It is a material choice, Gen. 13:10.

    2.  It is a selfish choice, Gen. 13:11.

    3.  It is a shortsighted choice, Gen. 13:13; 2 Pet. 2:7-8 (Gen. 19:14, 16, 26, 30ff).  Influence of evil is real & deadly!

  B.  Some Pitch their Tent away from Wickedness, Gen. 13:18.

    1.  Abraham chose to live by faith in God’s promises, Gen. 13:14-17.

    2.  Come out & be separate, 2 Cor. 6:16-7:1; Eph. 5:11-14.

      a.  Guard your personal reputation by making godly choices.

      b.  Protect yourself against evil influence by fleeing, 2 Tim. 2:22.

   -The choice is before each of us: Psa. 84:10-12.

III.  MAKING TENTS, Acts 18:3.

  A.  Honor in Honest Labor, 1 Ths. 4:11-12.

     -To provide for self & family; to give to others; & to live honestly before others; cf. 1 Ths. 2:9; Acts 20:34-35.

  B.  Beware of Covetousness, Lk. 12:15-21.

    1.  Seek first things first, Matt. 16:33-34.

    2.  Work & its gifts are God’s gift; do not abuse it so that it becomes Satan’s tool to destroy us (Eccl. 5:18-20).

IV.  PUTTING OFF OUR TENTS, 2 Pet. 1:12-14.

  A.  We will all Die, 2 Cor. 5:1-5 (Heb. 9:27).

    1.  Destroyed:  “dissolve…throw down” (“lodge” in Lk. 9:12).

    2.  Our tent (body) will be “thrown down” (dismantled) in death.

    3.  For Christians, death is:

      a.  Fulfillment of desire, 5:2.

      b.  Relief of burden, 5:4.

      c.  Event for which we are prepared, 5:5 (faith, 5:6-8).

    4.  Are you ready to die?

Conclusion

1.  What will we do while we live in this “tent” (flesh):

  a.  Complain?   24 Then they despised the pleasant land; they did not believe His word, 25 But complained in their tents, and did not heed the voice of the LORD.  (Psa. 106:24-25)

  b.  Rejoice?  The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.  (Psa. 118:15)

2.  The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish.  (Prov. 14:11)