Know, Believe, Love, Do (Psalm 119:33-34, Shorter Catechism 103) 1/9/22 PM

·32 min·3 clips

Augustine said God commands what we must ask Him to grant—how does Psalm 119 illustrate this paradox?

This evening sermon from First Christian Reformed Church of South Holland focuses on Psalm 119:33-40, particularly verses 33-34, and Shorter Catechism question 103 about the third petition of the Lord's Prayer. Reverend Daniel Svendsen begins by reading the Scripture and catechism, setting up the theme of praying for God to teach and grant obedience. He explains that unlike learning subjects such as history through personal study, understanding God's truth requires divine grace because God intends it to lead to an obedient life from a transformed heart. The sermon notes that Psalm 119's hay stanza uses prayer verbs like 'teach' and 'lead,' emphasizing reliance on God. Svendsen references Augustine's idea that God commands what He also grants, and the Heidelberg Catechism's teaching on renouncing one's will. He discusses God as the ultimate teacher, surpassing even human favorites like his fifth-grade science teacher Mr. Trutna, and stresses humility and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The pastor warns against relying on man-made formulas or scheduling revivals, advocating instead for attending to the Word, meditation, and church means of grace. Moving to verse 34, he addresses the challenge of keeping God's law perfectly, using David's failures and Psalm 51 as examples. The sermon then centers on Christ as the true David who fulfilled the law, offering imputed righteousness to believers. Svendsen quotes George Whitefield on the futility of self-righteousness and the gift of Christ's righteousness. He explains that through faith in Christ, believers can live lives pleasing to God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, as supported by Romans 6 and Colossians 1:9-10. The message concludes with a prayer for God to work obedience in the congregation, emphasizing giving one's heart in reliance on grace.

As heard by us

Psalm 119 and Question 103 are joined into a sustained call to obedient prayer.

The piece opens with Psalm 119:33-40 and Question 103 of the Shorter Catechism, then settles quickly into verse 33 as a frame for prayerful obedience.

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Why you'd press play

You want Psalm 119 and catechism in the same room.

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