I'm In This Church

Text: Psalm 84

Intro: The Greek word for "church" is "ecclesia", which means:

"a called out, seperated body of born again believers".

This church or ecclesia is composed of:

1) The Building of Christ - that lasting union

2) The Body of Christ - that living union

3) The Bride of Christ - that loving union

In this passage, the Psalmist is expressing his:

1) Delight for the house of God

2) Desire for the house of God

3) Dedication for the house of God

What the Psalmist expresses in these verses, should be

our greatest dedication to the Lord.

I. I'M SHELTERED IN A HAVEN OF REST

A) I've Got a Longing (vs 2a "my soul longeth, yea, even

fainteth for the courts of the Lord")

B) I've got a Loving (vs 2b "my heart and my flesh crieth out")

C) I've got a Living ("vs 2c "living God")

D) I've got a Lodging (vs3 "even thine altars")

II. I'M SECURED IN A HOUSE OF REFUGE

(VS 4 "blessed are they that dwell in thy house")

A) A House of Praise (vs 4b "they will still be praising thee")

B) A House of Power (vs 5 "blessed is the man whose strength

is in thee")

C) A House of Provision (vs 6 - rain in the valley)

D) A House of Prayer (vs 8 "hear my prayer")

E) A House of Protection (vs 9 "our shield")

An Old poem states it better:

When Winds and seas do rage

And Threaten to undo me

Thou dost their wrath restrain

If I but call on thee

A Mighty storm last night did my soul to swallow

But by the peep of light

A gentle calm did follow

What I need I then despair

Though ills stand round about me

Since mischief neither dare to bark or bite without thee

III. I'M SATISFIED IN THE HOME OF THE REDEEMED

A) My Motto (vs 10a "For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand")

B) My Morsel (vs 10b"I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Lord")

C) My Master (vs 11a "For the Lord God is a sun and shield")

D) My Measure (vs 12 "blessed is the man who trusteth in thee

He measures out:

1) the gospel 2) glory 3) gladness 4) gleaning 5) giving 6) gathering 7) gifts 8) goings