ST. PAUL SCHOOL OF LEADERSHIP

"Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ." (I Corinthians 11:1)

(With Frank Eiklor and Walter Contreras)

WINNERS AND LOSERS

THE BOOK OF PSALMS - PART 1

 

LESSON 64  Part 1

 

INTRODUCTION

 

It is time to return to our study of Old Testament examples of Winners and Losers. What caused individuals and nations to be blessed by God and what were the failures of those

who ended up losers. If we learn from those who passed God's test of faithfulness and we walk in the same obedience, we also will finish our lives as winners with God. And those

who learn from the mistakes and sins of others will be more careful to stay on the path of righteousness.

 

This is the fifth series in our journey through the 39 books of our Old Testament:

 

Lessons 19-23 (Genesis through Deuteronomy);

Lessons 37-40 (Joshua through 2 Samuel);

Lessons 49-52 (I Kings through 2 Chronicles);

Lessons 58-61 (Ezra through Job).

 

When our Old Testament course is complete, you will have a great tool to use in discipling others - whether groups or individuals.

 

PSALMS

 

1:1-3                      Example of the man who delights in God.

2:1-4                      Example of evil men whose plans make God laugh.

4:3                         Example of God's "layaway plan" - having the godly for Himself forever.

7:11-16                   Example of sin becoming its own boomerang and bringing destruction.

10:1-13,18               Example of the illusion and delusion of the wicked.

13:1-6                     Example of a sad and weary heart that is determined to look up and

                              trust God.

  

DEFINING A FOOL

 

14:1                        Example of God defining the atheist as a fool (see also Psalm 53).

15:1-5                     Example of the immovable man.

16:5-11                   Example of a life in all its parts dedicated to God.

17:14,15                  Example of the poverty of mere material possessions when compared  

                              to one whose true riches are in knowing and loving the Lord.

18:1-7, 16-24           Example of God's protective hand over those in whom He delights.

 

BOUNDLESS LOVE

 

22:1,2,6-18,28,31    Example of the Messiah's love that knew no limits.

23:1-6                    Example of a life led by God

27:1-5,8,13.14         Example of a life that makes loving God its first priority.

28:3-5                    Example of the destruction of the world's false "peacemakers".

32:1-5,7,8,              Example of misery when hiding sins compared to the relief that comes

                             when we confess our sins. (See also 38:1-11, 15-18.)

34:4                       Example of the only pathway that leads 180 degrees away from all     

                             our fears to God's own face of love and compassion.

                             (see 1 John 4:18,19).

35:11-14                 Example of how to behave toward hurtful people.

 

(TO BE CONTINUED)