Insights from Psalm 95

Best-selling author, speaker and advocate for Christian apologetics Dr. Alex McFarland, best-selling author and apologist Dylan Burroughs together bringing you truth for a new generation. This is TMG radio calm, let us sing for joy to the Lord, let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extolled him with music and song for the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. With that scripture from Psalm 95. I welcome you to today's edition of T and G radio 24. A new generation Alex McFarland here glad to be with you and as always, my brother, colleague and friend Dylan Burroughs hello my friend.

Low greatly with you and what a wonderful topic to be talking about praising God what Scripture says about it and how it should affect our lives even now 3000 years. After some of the sounds of been written taking time to give praise to our Lord what you know this is a show about apologetics in defending the faith in the evidence for Christianity but you know Dylan you and I talked about it before I actually think the the demeanor of the Christian in the way that we act in the way we react is a witness for Christ. Deming unit we can do apologetics, but we ourselves are to be an apologetic first Peter 315 is very famous verse be ready always to give an answer. I also love first Peter 215. This is this is the will of God, that by doing well. You will put to silence the arguments of foolish men. In other words, the way we live should also point the authenticity of Christianity. And I think being grateful is a way to show the reality of God in our lives to have a great full of thankful spirit.

Many people have heard of Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's commentary has been around for a long long time. Dylan, how old is Matthew Henry's commentary and it's probably 150 years old. Maybe you're more, it's even more goes back to the 1600s. During the time of the Puritans and was a commentary used by many of the early American pastors and leaders and continues to even be one of the more popular commentaries today. What Matthew Henry was renowned for being a thankful Christian and he was always seeing the bright side and one day in Boston. He was mugged he was, he was beaten up and and robbed and he was recuperating from this and in one of his friends came and said will you know you're always praising God. You're always being thankful. Are you thankful for this, and Matthew Henry said oh yes absolutely.

And he said look while they knock me down. They didn't really hurt me and they took my wallet, but it wasn't much, and it was an opportunity to witness to those two young men that mugged me.

I was lying on the ground and I was telling them about Jesus. So, indeed, I am thankful and the friend said okay okay we get it you can you can give thanks in all things and and I think about that the that we do have reasons to praise God and from Psalm 95 in the spirit of the Christian life and looking at that our days from a scripturally informed vantage point we're going to talk about reasons to praise God in the first of these, I would say Dylan that we praise God for who he is the true and living God. Psalm 95 says let us shout to the Lord, joy, praise, and for the rock of our salvation. I mean, isn't it worth getting excited about and thanking God for for who he is and so cheery.

Often times we take for granted the fact that God has created us that he sustains us. For those of us who believe that he has changed us and changed our lives, the lives of those around us. But when we stop and we pause and we think about who God is what he's done in our lives. It should cause us to praise even in the hardest of times. I was looking recently at the book of Job and his story of all the hardship that happen him losing family members losing sons and daughters and all of his income in the same day and I said whoa how did he respond that made him such a legacy for years to follow a look at his response and says that he grieved. But he also worshiped the Lord's response even in the worst of times as to worship God something as an example still for us today in men admitted Psalm 95, two and three says let us come before God with thanksgiving extolled him with music and song for the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. You know, growing up rock 'n' roll and bands were in a very much a part of my interests growing up as a teenager and I remember that a lot of rock musicians were often called in a God's there were the guitar Godson and there were, you know all sorts of musical icons and we've even had a popular show in recent years, American idol I DOL and unit were not supposed to be idolaters but yet there are in this world, people and things that become godlike, but the Bible says that the Lord, the true living God the father, son, holy spirit, the triune God of the Bible is the eternal King above all Kings, the name above all names ask for verse 12. Speaking of Jesus says there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

God is the true and living God, Dylan, did you see the movie the 10 Commandments, the very famous Cecil B deMille with Ewell Brenner and Charlton Heston you do watch that movie. Sometimes, yes, I remember that even as a child that stated out my memory of Moses coming down at the 10 Commandments in just one of those vivid films that you see growing up that stays with you forever.

Well, the Egyptian Pharaoh has fought the God of Israel doesn't one let the people go, and the plagues of Egypt happen. And finally, in one moment it is very intense the Pharaoh admits defeat the gods of Egypt can't stand against the true God of Israel, and Pharaoh says it's Ewell Brenner in great acting. He says Moses is God is God and that's true.

We praise God for who he is, in a world of of imitation, the God of the Bible is reality in a world of imposters and deceivers. God is the true and living Savior, and you can depend on him in his word, and so we begin this.

Look at Psalm 95, giving reasons to praise God and ultimately to let it shape our life, our walk in our witness.

For one thing. Praise God for who he is. He really is the Savior, and he really is the king of all the eternity in this this God that we may personally know and Psalm 95 breaks in the four parts and were going to talk about the second part we come back about praising God because of his power and work as owner of all creation cystic with this will be right back at truth for new generation radio for centuries.

The Bible has inspired humanity and shape the very world we live but how do we know this book is the word of God, not merely the words of man, what we believe about the Bible is based on what we believe about source.

The God who speaks explores the evidence of the Bible's inspiration and authority to some of the world's most respected biblical scholars have essentially a jewel sorts. True to say that Paul wrote Romans is equally true to say that God's decision. We saw this and that sets the Bible apart from everything else in the ancient world and its religious pantheon of gods and goddesses.

The God who speaks is a feature-length documentary from the American family Association available now with the God who speaks.all first Peter 315 tells us to be ready always to give an answer for the hope we have were instructed to be prepared to defend our faith. This is Alex McFarlane for the life he answers teams students we train at North Greenville University, a leading Christian college in South Carolina. The life answers. Teams are made up of students who will inspire and equip your congregation. These apologetics teams. We train speaking churches to youth groups and train Christians of all ages to address key issues of our times. From a biblical perspective like is there a God is the Bible true.

What about gender and moral issues.

Call me at 864977 2008 and we will arrange for the life answers team to come to your church and give a presentation that will benefit your people for years to come. 864-977-2000 eight and always be ready explores a user is all the welcome back to volunteer with Dylan Burroughs so glad you listening to TNG radio just was a big thanks to all the people who were at the most recent truth for new generation conference. We do have a couple of other conferences in 2018, one in Tennessee one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and you can find out that the tour schedule for the save America tour. That's our theme.

Save a nation and we know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is what America needs equipping the church to present explained defend the faith is what God has called us to do and I want to encourage you to go to the truth for new generation website truth for a new generation.com and you can find out where we're going with this tour. I do want to encourage in your prayers and support or enabling us to go to cities and Dylan it's it's great to do events in churches where people enthusiastically hear speakers like Josh McDowell and Lee Strobel in the great people that God allows us to work with but I want to say this, we got a vision to go to places like Berkeley, Dearborn, Michigan, Newark, New Jersey, Hammond, Indiana.

God is put on my heart that we need to return to the upper Northeast we did an event in New Haven Connecticut at Yale University a few years ago and it was very well received. In fact, I'm told it was the largest Christian gathering in New Haven Connecticut in 100 years will go back there. We want to go to the upper North West Seattle, Portland, Idaho.

Places that don't get citywide multi-church multi-denominational Christian outreach events so follow us, and what God is doing this ministry. Your prayers, your support will enable us to do what we've been doing are doing and we believe that God is called us to do which is to equip the saved and persuade the lost a man, and I was so excited at our recent conference retreats for new generation to see people like a mausoleum to share his testimony of coming out of Islamic extremism coming to faith in Jesus and now he's an evangelist to not only people of Muslim background about the people all over the United States sharing his story how God radically changed him and how God can change others other couple of ways you can see revival happen in our country wanted to go into churches and to get people fired up about Jesus again to restore that passion and get people going out sharing their faith in our communities.

We been doing that, but we also want to do what you talked about that which is going directly to the mission field going to where people are who oppose the Christian message, or who are not aware of the true Christian message and sharing with them our faith in Jesus Christ and a compelling and compassionate and convicting way that brings people to faith in Jesus that that gets people to recognize the impact that their sin has on their lives, both now and for eternity and to see a new generation do what you're talking about. To save a nation and to see revival happen here in the United States and that's what inspires me as we look back at Psalm 95 we praise God for who he is but also what he's done and that it continues in looking at creation. Verse four of Psalm 95 says in his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him that had the opportunity go to pikes peak in Colorado and you see the majesty of the mountain area and you say God this is beautiful. What an amazing act of creation and we see things like this that should inspire our hearts to see God as great as mighty and powerful and give him prey. Shouldn't it.

Absolutely, you know, in my home state of Western North Carolina. There are a lot of farm mountains and oftentimes a lot of these these mountains are owned by families, you know, one of the great attractions on the East Coast's grandfather Mountain with its famous mile high swinging bridge, and I'm told that certain family has owned that for well over a century, but in reality all of creation is owned by God. It says in Psalm 95 that the mountain peaks belong to him. You know, we get a deed to our property, or if we buy a house or something like that. We we think that on the plat around the. The blueprint our name might be, but really all of the world belongs to God and we praise him for his ownership of creation. You know, Dylan, in the book of Revelation. There's a scroll and John weeps because no man is worthy to open the scroll people of wondered what is the scroll and some of said that it's the title deed to planet Earth and who was worthy to open the scroll who really had the authority to claim ownership of the scroll and it was Jesus because really he is according to the Bible that he is the heir of all things.

In other words, the world belongs to him. The Bible says in his hand are the depths of the earth, the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it in his hands formed the dry land now.

We praise God because the creator really owns the creation will immediately personalize this just a little bit in first Corinthians 619 and 20. This is a verse that Dylan the longer I've been a Christian that the more it really means to me is that we are not our own. We are bought with a price God owns us in a twofold sense does make God owns us by virtue of creation. God owns us by virtue of salvation. You know, we are not owners were stewards and even our body.

Dylan sometimes when I speak it. University students will say in a will. Why can't I do this or that or what's wrong with drugs.

I mean, my body is my own. Nobody can tell me what I can or can't do with my body but really I think were supposed to take care of ourselves because in a very real sense were not our own. If you're Christian you know exactly what I'm talking about. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we need to to maybe shore up the care and feeding of the temple. We need to take care of our bodies because it is very real sense our lives.

All that we are and all that we have.

They they don't belong to us they belong to God. That's a very convicting thought many of us do not see that biblical view of our body as part of our witness. But when we do we realize the way we treat ourselves when we take care of our bodies or don't take care of our bodies influences our view of God. It influences how others perceive God so they looked at you and saw how you treat your body how you live your life, what you did in your time, what would they see.

And again, for many of us that would be convicting the way we eat.

Sometimes I what we drink or don't drink our purity issues. These are all things that God cares about and we must have in line with what he teaches and reveals our lives so we come back when I talk more about this country for new generation stick with this will be right back for new generation is here to equip Christians with the biblical worldview through conferences and camps and speaking about campus registration is now underway for the TNG summer youth, apologetics, happening July 22-26 at North Greenville University, South Carolina Alex McFarlane will be there along with Tony Lee is the vice president for student services and Christian worldview. It NGU will engage you on topics like if God is so good why is the world so bad. Understanding and applying what God's word says about gender and a whole lot more. 15 apologetic and worldview training sessions and all along with a field trip to the Billy Graham Center, and of course outdoor fun and games. And don't forget about the food, great food, enough to fill up and keep going. Find out more about the 2018 TNG summer youth apologetics camp when you visit truth for a new generation.com. If you're Christian parent. You of course want to instill a biblical view of life in the hearts of your children, your pastor, you want to offer ministry that draws young families to your church. This is Alex McFarlane encouraging you to check out my new book and video curriculum. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask about Christianity. I interviewed hundreds of children ages 5 to 12 and we address actual questions from actual children. The spiritual issues that are on the minds of your kids the book and video lessons are great for groups of any size and was produced with the goal of equipping kids to stand strong for Christ in any situation. The 21 toughest questions your kids will ask the book study guide and video series. You'll find it@aastore.net that AFA store.net is say what is saying, TV, radio, now filing deliveries were so glad that you're listening were talking about the reasons to praise God. It is a famous old song says, count your blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you with the Lord has done and you know I really do. I'm not trying to be like a Pollyanna or you know see the world through rose colored glasses but it really is so much to be thankful for my goodness. If you have gone to any developing nations and in 1/3 world countries. So many things that will be taken for granted here in America the people in the Third World countries are mean they would be amazed at what we have in you know I'm not. And we have to beat ourselves up by me.

We been blessed. But Dylan, I was I was on the road traveling on a mission trip a couple of years ago and for 21 days we were in a very destitute part of the world and all man I was craving a diet soda. You know sometimes I'll drink a diet soda to get that jolt of caffeine where we were, you know, we just couldn't have one good eye me there were no stores or anything like that. We were in a part of South Africa and Zambia actually and I begin to think wow any day the week I can in a grab a diet soda. But when you're in Zambia you just you can go forever without a diet soda and it makes you grateful we live in a land of such abundance and we praise God for the blessings of life were talking about praising him for creation. But in the final moments here. Let's praise him for our relationship with him and the way he deals with us.

Psalm 95 says come let us bow down and worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker verse seven for he is our God and we are the people of his pastures and the flock under his care. Praise God for all the blessings of life. Most foundational late for the fact that we have a relationship with him. Yes no encourage people are listening, maybe go to church every Sunday and you listen to the songs you think maybe that song really touched me, or that song wasn't quite like I wanted to read and play my favorite song I don't like that persons I get guitar that persons, drums, or whatever your issues might be. These are not the main things the main things are clearly laid out for us in Scripture. And it focuses not on technique or style, but on reverence verse six as you mention says let us bow down and worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

I have a feeling that if we took this more seriously and more of us spent time bowing down in worship and kneeling before the Lord. We gathered on a Sunday morning and our worship services.

We would have a better attitude of praise to our God that we tend to focus on the superficial in our churches versus the most essential things in our churches. I think this passage the good when the call list. What really matters, says he is our God. We are the people of his pasture. That is the relationship we have where the flock under his care. So appreciate you bringing that out of this last point that Psalm 95 gives us is the praise God for his patience in dealing with us and I will be the first to admit I am so thankful for God's patience because I needed it time and time and time again.

Just as the people of Israel drilled there long ago will admin admin you know it goes on. It says out today if you would hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did it Mirabal and it talks about a couple of times in the wilderness where the people in the book of Exodus. They were quarreling with Moses.

They were murmuring and God had to reprimand them and it says your ancestors tested me, they tried me, though they had seen what I did meet the Israelites that had been delivered from slavery in Egypt and they're on their way to a beautiful promise land.

God was giving them along the way, God protected them.

God preserve them.

God provided for them and yet they were angry and was a price to pay. God says hey. Be grateful. Praise him because he deals with us patiently. God is very merciful and it goes on in Psalm 95 it says you don't let your heart go astray and out of the people experienced wandering and they were because Lily said this God always acts redemptive leaked God doesn't punish just to be cool. In fact, often times, God's reprimands are great evidence of his mercy, because God is always trying through words to circumstances through the Holy Spirit speaking to our heart and calling out was God is always trying to act redemptive way to draw us to himself who is life, and Dylan II think we've got a lot of reason to praise God, not the least of which is for his patients.

Let me throw thought out here and then you comment if you would Dylan was at a university to speak. Not too long ago when somebody said in a why does God cause us to worship him. I mean is God you know up in heaven on some ego trip.

He's like some cosmic egoist.

He says to all of the human race. Hey. Worship me.

You know what, what's up with that and I solicit Gina.

Even in calling us to worship him.

God is showing us love because think about it. If every human in the world, worship God. Would that make God bigger or would that somehow aggrandize him know he's God he doesn't need anything. He doesn't lack anything.

If nobody worship God or if everybody came to the Lord that would not change God because Malachi 3 says I the Lord change not.

Hebrews 13 says that Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. So us worshiping God doesn't change God, but it does change us, and in fact is the eternal God, who is the foundation of life. God is as is the philosophers would say God is the ground of moral reality. In fact, God is the foundation of reality itself in patiently calling us to himself. It's as John 1010 says it's giving us life eternal life abundant life, even in calling us to worship God is showing us love, because the most alive, we will ever be is the time that were closest to God our Savior and maker.

That's a great closing thought Alex.

I think of the saying that a moment in God's presence changes everything.

And I've experienced that myself. You probably have as well that when everything is falling apart and you pause and you focus on the Lord and you worship him at the depths of your darkest days she changes you need us something special in your life that can keep you moving forward in living and serving him if even listening today. Perhaps you been falling way.

Maybe you been discouraged. Maybe you have gone your own way and you think I don't know if I can come back to God. At this point that is not true. God wants you to turn to him. Now he wants you to focus on him to worship him must restore that passion in your life so that you can be part of what we're doing here truth for a new generation to make a difference in this world of a difference for eternity. He is meeting on purpose and for purpose. We appreciate you being with us and encourage you to join us the truth for new generation.com thanks for joining us will talk to truth for a new generation and association with Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries exists to equip Christians with the biblical worldview through conferences and camps for information about upcoming events visit for a new generation.com or give us a call at 877 yes, God one. That's 877 yes and the number one TMG radio is made possible by the friends of Alex McFarland evangelistic ministries PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden, NC 27313 that's PO Box 485, Pleasant Garden Carolina 71 will give online@alexmcfarland.com generation.com. Thanks for listening and join us again next time. As we bring you more true for a new generation on TMG radio