Exodus: Bondage, Deliverance, and Passover: The Superiority of Christ

Are You Special?

Transcript: AI Transcript

Professor: John Weaver

Subject: Old Testament Studies

Genre: Sermon

Dictation Name:

Date: 2008-07-13

Synopsis: John Weaver examines Psalm 4:1-3 to argue that God does not treat everyone alike but sets apart the godly for Himself, granting them special preferential treatment. He defines godliness as living in conformity to God's Word, not sinless perfection, and calls believers to pursue this distinct, faithful life to receive God's uncommon favor and answered prayer.

[John Weaver] I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Psalm 4. We will read the entire Psalm. Only eight verses in it. I will not deal with all eight verses, but Psalm 4. And the title of the message is, Are You Special? So notice, if you would please, Psalm 4, beginning with verse 1. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Thou hast enlarged me when I was a distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.

[John Weaver] O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and seek after leasing, Selah? But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. The Lord will hear when I call upon him. Stand in awe and sin not. Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still. And then there's the word Selah. And by the way, the word Selah literally means to pause or stop and think about what's been said. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord.

[John Weaver] There be many that say he will show us any good. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in mine heart more than at the time when their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep, for thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety." So notice the question, are you special? I can assure you that each of us desire to be treated in a special way. No one wants to be treated as someone who is common and ordinary.

[John Weaver] In fact, if you and I were really honest, we would confess that we really like what is known as the VIP treatment. We want to be treated as a very important person. In fact, some people have such a desire to be treated as very important people that they go to these very expensive resorts in order to receive such special treatment. It costs them a fortune, but according to their perspective, it's worth the price.

[John Weaver] Several years ago, Alice and I were invited to accompany Ovid and Betty Neame to the Bahamas. They had secured a condominium down there. It was free for us except just for the plane fare. So we agreed to go with them down there and we stayed at the place called Atlantis, which is a very expensive resort. But, you know, looked around, but there was an amazing thing. Here was this one part of Atlantis that went like this over a body of water, and you could look out and see the ocean. And it was a huge, huge, I guess, condominium over the water like that.

[John Weaver] And we were told that it cost to stay in that compartment $25,000 a night. Needless to say, we didn't stay there. wouldn't stay there. But I understood a lot of Hollywood movie stars stayed there. All I'm saying is when people go to those places like that and spend that kind of money, they're weighted on hand and foot and that's exactly what they want. They want people to treat them like royalty. They want to be treated very, very specially.

[John Weaver] Now I've got a very important question for you. I want you to think about this. How would you like to receive special preferential treatment from God, the sovereign of the universe. Instead of being the teacher's pet, how would you like to be his pet? Would you not like to have special access to him, to his love, his grace, his mercy, his blessings? I can hear many say, By way of objection, oh, but Brother Weaver, wait a minute now. You're talking about God treating us specially. You're talking about God treating us preferentially. Don't you know, Pastor, that God treats everyone alike and there is no respecter of persons with God?

[John Weaver] Well, let me burst your bubble. First of all, God does not treat everyone alike. Look around you. Let me ask you a question. Why are you saved and other members of your family lost? Why do you know the grace of God and friends and neighbors of yours are total strangers to the grace of God? Why do you have health and others do not? Why do you have liberty and freedom and others are in bondage? Why do you possess knowledge and skills and abilities that others do not have? Who makes you to differ from the other? If you would hold Psalm 4, we're coming back there, but look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and you're going to see that that is indeed a biblical question, and it is a biblical question, and there is a biblical answer to it. So after the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4 begins to talk about the differences, he asks this question, 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what he says, he asks, For who maketh thee to differ from another?

[John Weaver] Now, think about that. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, thou didst receive it. What is thou of glories that thou hadst not received it? So you have to answer the first question. Who makes you to differ? The answer is God. What have you received that you did not have as a gift from God? What's the answer? Nothing.

[John Weaver] So he asked them, why do you glory? Why are you boasting? Why are you proud as if you did not receive it? In other words, it is God who makes the difference. You can truthfully say that you are what you are only by the grace of God.

[John Weaver] Now, just to show you that God does put a difference between people, look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. It cannot be any more plainly stated, Exodus chapter 11, And notice, if you would please, verse 7. Everyone knows the story, or at least you should know the story, how God delivers the children of Israel out of Egypt. And notice what He said in Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. He's getting ready to deliver them in Exodus chapter 12 after the Passover. But notice verse 7 of chapter 11 of Exodus. God says to the children of Israel, but against any of the children of Israel, and to Pharaoh, but against any of the children of Israel, shall not a dog move his tongue, neither against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." He said, there's not going to be a dog that will lift his tongue and bark against my people. And I'm doing this, says God.

[John Weaver] that you may know that I put a difference between the Egyptians and the children of Israel. Now, the Hebrew word for difference here is the word palah, and it actually means to be distinct, to be marked out, to be separated, to be distinguished, to be set apart. So here's what he says. But against any of the children of Israel, shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast, that you may know that the Lord does set apart. He makes a distinction. He makes a difference. between the Egyptians and Israel. Now you have to ask the question, did God treat the Egyptians and the Israelites alike?

[John Weaver] And the answer is no. He destroyed Egypt while he delivered Israel. Did his people receive preferential treatment? The answer is yes. Does God still make a distinction between his people and those who are in rebellion to him? The answer is yes. All you have to do is read the Bible to discern that distinction.

[John Weaver] Now, I'm going to come back to Psalm 4, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, and let me just show you a number of verses that clearly teach that God does make a distinction, that God does place a difference between the saved and the unsaved. So look in Proverbs, chapter 15 and verse 8 to begin with. Proverbs 15, look at verse 8. And I could multiply these verses, but a few will be sufficient. Proverbs 15, verse 8.

[John Weaver] The Bible says the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord. But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

[John Weaver] Now, is there a difference? If the sacrifice of the offering of the wicked is an abomination, if it's a stench in God's nostrils, and it is, he says, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. What is that teaching you? It's teaching you that God delights in the upright, but he holds the wicked in an abomination. Look in verse 29 of the same chapter, Proverbs 15, verse 29. The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous. Why? The Lord is far from the wicked, but he heard the prayer of the righteous. In other words, he's close to the righteous. He's willing to hear and answer their prayer, but he's far away from the wicked. Is that a difference? Oh, yes, it is. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Proverbs 28 and verse 9. And the Bible says, he that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination. So what do the wicked do? The wicked disobey God. They don't want to hear God.

[John Weaver] They don't want to hear God's law. They don't want to hear God's word. God says even their prayer is an abomination. Wow. Does God put a difference between the prayer of the righteous and the prayer of the wicked? Yes, He does. Go back in your Bibles to Psalm 34. Psalm 34. And look if you would please at verse 15. Just trying to show you that God does place a difference between His people and the ungodly. Notice, if you would, Psalm 34 and verse 15. The Bible says this. The eyes of the Lord are open, or the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry. Now, wait a minute. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry. What did the Bible just get through saying about He that turneth away from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination." Well, here now we find out that God makes a difference. For a righteous man, his eyes are upon him, his ears are open unto their cry.

[John Weaver] Look in verse 17,"...the righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Is there a difference? If you want a verse in the New Testament that will teach this, I'm going to give you several later on, but how about James 4 and verse 17, or James 4 and verse 6 of this, where he says, Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but he give grace unto the humble. What does the Bible teach you? That God fights against the proud, arrogant, haughty, heady, high-minded person, but God gives grace to the humble. Now, does God hear The cries and the prayers of the wicked and the righteous alike. No, there is a difference. He hears the prayers of the righteous. His eyes are upon the righteous, but the wicked are an abomination to him. So the scripture does not teach that God treats everyone alike. He does not. Secondly. Someone is going to say, but pastor, you've not answered the objection Because the scripture says that God is no respecter of persons.

[John Weaver] What does that mean? Well, let me show you. If you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 10. Very quickly, I will show you the four times that that phrase occurs in the New Testament. Look at Acts chapter 4. I'm sorry, Acts chapter 10 and verse 34. Acts 10 verse 34. And here Peter is preaching to Cornelius. Notice Acts 10 and verse 34. And Peter makes this statement to Cornelius, who was a centurion. Then Peter opened his mouth and said of a truth, I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. Wow. What in the world does that mean? Well, look in Romans 2 and verse 11.

[John Weaver] You will see it again. Romans 2. Verse 11, here again the Bible says this, for there is no respect of persons with God.

[John Weaver] Now I'm not going to take time to look at all the context, I'm going to explain it, but skip down to verse 12 since you're right there. He says in verse 11, for there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without the law shall also perish without the law. And as many have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. That ought to give you some indication as to where we're going. But look in your Bibles to Ephesians 6 and verse 9. Ephesians 6 and verse 9.

[John Weaver] And then we'll turn over to the book of Colossians chapter 3. Notice Ephesians chapter 6 verse 9. Again the Bible says this. Romans 6 verse 9. And you, masters, do the same thing unto them, that is, to the servants of the slaves, forbearing threatening, knowing that your master also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with him." And then lastly, in the book of Colossians chapter 3 and verse 25, Colossians 3 verse 25, you read this,"...but he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons." Now, let's deal with this phrase, there is no respect of persons. Interestingly enough.

[John Weaver] In three of the passages. That phrase dealt with judgment. One of the passages in Acts chapter 10, it dealt with salvation. Let me tell you. What that phrase actually means, it means this that man's merits cannot commend him to God, neither does man's demerits, nor can they keep him from God." In other words, here's what it means when it says that God is no respecter of person. It means this, that God does not respect what a man has or what he does not have. In other words, the riches of the rich cannot commend that man to God, nor the poverty of the poor can keep God from blessing the poor man or saving the poor man. It means this, it doesn't matter what a man has, it doesn't matter what a man does, if he is wicked, God will judge him. Period.

[John Weaver] There's no way that he can escape. Now let me just show you what it means to have respect of persons. I've just told you, but look in your Bibles to James chapter 2. Here it is very clearly taught. When you see that the phrase that God is no respecter of persons, that does not mean that God treats everyone alike. It just simply means That there's nothing that man can do to commend himself to God, nor anything he has can keep God from reaching out to him. Here's what it means. Notice James 2, verse 1. My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect to persons. Ah. Now, wait a minute. Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect to persons. Now skip down, if you would please, to verse 9. He says, but if you have respect of persons or two persons, you commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressors. Now, wait a minute. What were they doing to respect persons?

[John Weaver] Go back to verse two. Here it is explained. For if they're coming to your assembly, a man with a gold ring and goodly apparel, and there come also in a poor man in vile raiment, and you have respect him that wears the gay clothing and send him, sit thou here in a good place. And to the poor stand thou there, or sit thou here under my footstool?

[John Weaver] Are you not become partial in yourselves, and become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which he hath promised them that love him? But you have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which you are called? If you fulfill the royal law according to Scripture, thou shalt love thy neighbors thyself, then you do well.

[John Weaver] But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin. What is respect to persons? So here we go. The President of the United States comes in through those doors, and I say, Harry, get up and let the President sit there. That's the most comfortable seat in this house. Let him. Harry, go back there and sit. What am I doing? I'm having respect to persons. In other words, it doesn't matter what a man has or what he doesn't have.

[John Weaver] We all stand equally as sinners before God. And if a poor man comes in and I say, well, you know, there's a chair back there when there's a comfortable seat right here in front, I'm having respect to persons. So having respect to persons does not mean necessarily that you're treating everyone equally in that sense of the word. It means that something that that man has or that he does not have is either commending himself to you or it's not commending himself to you. You follow? Now, listen.

[John Weaver] These people in James chapter two were showing partiality in the fact that they were honoring the rich with their best seats. and despising the poor and the poor happen to be the godly. And he's saying in James chapter two, don't you know, it's these rich politicians, you might as well say. Who are pulling you to the judgment seat and putting you in jail and taking everything you've got and you're honoring them. You're having respect, you're despising the poor because he doesn't have something, and certainly God condemns that. So when the Bible says that God is no respecter of persons, it means this. The rich man cannot commend himself to God. And the poor man, because of his demerits, does not mean that he can be kept away from God. God does not look at what a man has or what a man does not have. So very obviously, God does not treat everyone alike. The Bible says in Proverbs 12 and verse 26, the righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. So there is a difference that God puts.

[John Weaver] Now, having established this, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Psalm 4 because I want to show you that there are those who are marked out as distinct and treated with special preferential treatment by God himself. Now, Let me give you a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon, that prince of preachers, said this concerning Psalm 4. He says this psalm is apparently intended to accompany the third psalm, and Psalm 3 and 4 make a pair. If Psalm 3 is called the morning psalm, and it is, then he says Psalm 4 deserves the title of the evening hymn. because of Psalm 4 and verse 8. And if you look at verse 8, David says, I will both lay me down in peace and sleep.

[John Weaver] For thou, Lord, only makest me to dwell in safety." And I quote that verse frequently, especially when I go to bed at night.

[John Weaver] Now, notice if you would please, you have the morning psalm in verse 3, you have the evening psalm in verse 4. So Psalm 4 is indeed an evening psalm in the sense that we're to commune upon our beds. It's the Lord who gives peace and restful sleep. What I want to do today is this, I want to only deal with the first three verses of this psalm. And I'm going to pass very quickly and very lightly over verses 1 and verses 2 in order that I might get to verse 3. So notice if you would, verse 1, we're going to see David's prayer and praise. Verse 2, we're going to see David's protest. And then verse 3, David's pronouncement. So look in verse 1, David says, Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. God has enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer." So in verse 1 you have David's prayer and praise. David beseeches God in his prayer. He says, Hear me, O God, of my righteousness.

[John Weaver] Now let me just tell you what David is saying when he says, Hear me, O God of my righteousness. He is referring to the fact that God is not only the author of righteousness, He is the witness to our righteousness, He is the maintainer of our righteousness, He is the judge and He is the rewarder of righteousness. Therefore, when we are wrongly and wickedly condemned by man, We may rightly and justly appeal to the Supreme Court judge of all the earth, God Himself. God knows our righteousness since He is the author of it.

[John Weaver] You know, there's a sign and you see it along I-75. It's probably other places too. But to these little messages that have signed God at the bottom, there's one on I-75 North that says this. The real Supreme Court meets up here, signed God. And that's true. That's true. Do you realize we live in a day and time, oftentimes when the righteous or wickedly and wrongly condemned.

[John Weaver] I could sit here today and name numerous preachers as well as numerous Christians that are in prison not because they've done something wicked and wrong, not because they're rapists and murderers and bank robbers and thieves, no, no, no, no, but because they've taken a stand for righteousness and they've refused to support evil and now they're in prison for that. David said, Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness.

[John Weaver] Men may disregard our pleas. Men may ignore our cries. Men may stifle their ears. They may sear their conscience. But God, the righteous judge, will always hear our case. And David is saying, Hear my prayer when I cry. And now David does something in Psalm 4 that you're going to find as you read through the Psalms, that David does very often. What is that? David oftentimes appeals to God's past mercies to not only remind him, but to encourage him in his present distress. Look at verse one. Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. He says, Thou hast, that's past tense, Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Now look what he says. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer. So he said, God, you've delivered me in time past. You've helped me in time past. You've given me grace and mercy in time past.

[John Weaver] Now, Lord, I'm in trouble again. Hear my prayer again. And you and I need to learn to praise God for his past deliverances His past mercies and use them as a stepping stone to plead for present mercies in our present distress. That's exactly what David is doing. You know what the Bible says, let me just quote these verses. In Job 5 and verse 19, the scripture says, He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, and seven, no evil shall touch thee. What is he saying? God constantly and consistently delivers his people. In Psalm 34 and verse 6, and I love this verse, David said, This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all of his troubles. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and did what? And saved him out of all of his troubles. And then Psalm 34, verse 17, which I read earlier, the righteous cry and the Lord hear and deliver them out of all their troubles.

[John Weaver] So what is David doing in verse one? He's praying for help, but he's also praising God for past help. And he's saying, Lord, because you've been so gracious and kind in the past, please continue that. We've got to understand that God is immutable. He does not change. He that has helped us in the past will help us also in the present. Then if you look in verse 2, you have David's protest. After David gives his prayer and praise, he says in verse 2, O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and seek after leasing? So he's talking to the sons of men, he's talking to men in general, probably certain rulers in particular, or certain powerful men in particular. He says, how long will you turn my glory to shame? Not only God's glory, but also David's as well. He says, how long will you love vanity? And you've got to remember that vanity in the Bible is another word for idolatry. And then he asks, and seek after leasing.

[John Weaver] The word leasing means lying, falsehood, fabrications. How long are you going to seek after lying and untruth and falsehoods? Let me give you a quote from Spurgeon. This is what he said on verse two. In the second division of the psalm, we are led from the closet of prayer into the field of conflict. Remarkably undaunted courage of the man of God. He allows that his enemies are great men, for such is the import of the Hebrew word translated, sons of men. But still he believes them to be foolish men, and therefore he chides them as though they were but children. He tells them that they love vanity and seek after leasing that is lying, empty, fancies, vain conceits, wicked fabrications.

[John Weaver] He asks them how long they mean to make his honor a jest and his fame a mockery. A little of such mirth is too much, why need they continue to indulge it? Had they not been long enough upon the watch for his halting? Had not repeated disappointments convinced them that the Lord's anointed was not to be overcome by their wickedness? Did they mean to jest their souls into hell and go on with their laughter until swift justice should turn their merriment into howling?

[John Weaver] In the contemplation of their perverse continuance in their vain and lying pursuits, the psalmist solemnly pauses and inserts a sylla. Surely, we too may stop a while and meditate upon the deep-seated folly of the wicked, their continuance in evil, and their destruction, that we may learn to admire that grace which has made us to differ and taught us to love truth and seek after righteousness." Isn't that amazing?

[John Weaver] Oh, you sons of men, how long? How long will you seek after vanity? How long will you seek after life? You know, you can look around at our present society. Look around at our present government. You look at the vast circumstances of evil that we're in. Look at our economy, if nothing else. Look at our money supply. And you look at our congressmen and you say, oh, you sons of men, how long will you love vanity and lying? How long will you continue in your foolishness? Paper is not money. Debt is not money. War is not peace. I mean, come on.

[John Weaver] That's exactly what David is doing. You can look around and see today multitudes of illustrations in our society of men who speak falsehoods, who love vanity, who love lying, who love deceit. That is their normal way of life. Like David, we need to protest their wickedness. Their stupidity, their foolishness. And do you remember that passage? In Proverbs 8, verses 35 and 36, what did Christ say? He said, for whosoever findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favor of the Lord.

[John Weaver] And then he added, verse 36, but he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul. All they that hate me love death. So David is right when he protests against the wicked.

[John Weaver] Now I want to call your attention to verse three. That is our verse for today. David's pronouncement. Are you special? Watch this, but know that the Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself. The Lord will hear. When I call. Look at that verse. But no. That the Lord has set apart him That is godly for himself. The Lord will hear when I call now. I want to emphasize certain words in this verse. And the first two words I want to emphasize are, but now or but no look at it. Verse three, but no, but no. Here are two words that are extremely instructive. David is informing us that here is a truth that you and I must comprehend. We must do it. We must perceive it. Now, the Hebrew word for no is the Hebrew word yada, and it literally means to know, to perceive, to understand. And to comprehend. So here's a word that speaks of certainty in knowledge, but no, in other words, you better know this, you better comprehend it, you better understand it.

[John Weaver] You know, many times in the New Testament, Paul used similar language. He would use a phrase like, know ye not. I mean, this is something that everyone should know. And then at times he would use this phrase, but I would not have you ignorant, brethren. In other words, I'm teaching you something. I'm telling you something you need to know. And have you ever noticed when our Lord was teaching in the New Testament, He used two terms over and over, especially when He was emphasizing a very important point.

[John Weaver] He would say, verily, verily, I say unto you, or truly, truly, or amen, amen. What was He saying? I'm punctuating this truth. This is extremely important. You must know it. So in verse four, He says, but No. Notice, if you would please, the next words, that the Lord. And notice, if you would please, the word Lord is Yahweh or Jehovah. Notice, he says, that the Lord, in other words, what David is about to tell us is something that God does. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. This is something that He does. And what David is saying is this, in our modern day language, sit up, pay attention. I'm about to tell you something that God Himself does. And you better know it. So what does David tell us? He says, but know, and you know for certain that you comprehend this. That this is an act, this is a work of God, that the Lord has set apart Him that is godly for Himself. Wow. You know, we read about a certain phrase in the Bible, but we've never really comprehended it.

[John Weaver] Have you ever noticed that we are to be His peculiar treasure. Or his peculiar people.

[John Weaver] Now, let me just show you look at verse three again, but know that the Lord had set apart him that is godly for himself. Now I want you to hold that passage and I want you to turn to the book of Malachi. Chapter three, the last book of the Old Testament. And let me show you a parallel passage. that is similar to Psalm 4 and verse 3. Notice if you would, Malachi chapter 3 and notice verses 16 and 17. Malachi 3 verses 16 and 17. And they that feared the Lord spake often one to another. Now look, and the Lord hearkened and heard it. And a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon his name." Now look what he says,"...and they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

[John Weaver] And that day, when I make up my jewels, and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." God said,"...they shall be mine."

[John Weaver] Now go back to Psalm 4 and verse 3. David said, but know this,"...that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 4 and verse 3, said this. The Lord has set apart him that is godly, every particular godly man for himself. In his eternal choice, in his effectual calling, in the special disposals of his providence and operations of his grace, his people are purified unto him a peculiar people. Godly men are gods separated, sealed ones.

[John Weaver] He knows those that are his and has sent his image and superscription upon them. He distinguishes them with uncommon favors. That is, they get special treatment. They shall be mine, said the Lord in that day when I make up my jewels. Know this. Let godly people know it and let them never alienate themselves from Him to whom they are thus appropriated. Let the wicked people know it and take heed how they hurt those whom God protects." He said, here is something you better know.

[John Weaver] Now let me show you whole Psalm 4, but look in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 19 and let me just show you how God ordained that His people always be His peculiar treasure. Notice in Exodus chapter 19 and verse 5. Exodus 19 verse 5. Look what God tells Israel. Exodus 19 verse 5. Now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all the people.

[John Weaver] For all the earth is mine. Now, let me just stop there. We're going to look at some other verses, but look at this. God says, now, therefore, if you will obey my voice. And keep my covenant. Now, look, you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me. Help me out with those next three words above all people. Does God put a difference? Does God make a distinction? Oh yes. What is required in Exodus 19 verse 5 for you and I to be above all people? We must know His voice. We must keep His commandments and His covenant. Look in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 14. Deuteronomy 14. Notice verse 2. Deuteronomy 14 verse 2. God says to Israel. For thou art a holy people under the Lord by God. And the Lord had chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself. Now look above all the nations that are upon the Earth. God has chosen you. To be a peculiar people look in Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18.

[John Weaver] Here again, the Bible says. And this is if I were to read the entire chapter, it's an obeying God. especially in giving and in tithing. He says this in verse 18,"...and the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be His peculiar people, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments..." Are you looking now? "...and to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise and in name and in honor, that thou mayest be in holy people of the Lord thy God, as He hath spoken." Wow.

[John Weaver] Now, it seems to me Just reading the Scripture, that God not only makes a difference, He makes a vast difference. And that vast difference is really based upon whether or not we obey Him. If you would look in Psalm 135, Psalm 135, and notice verse 4. Psalm 135, verse 4.

[John Weaver] Look what the scripture says. For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself and Israel for his peculiar treasure. For his peculiar treasure. Now let me tell you about the word peculiar. The Hebrew word is Segula and it literally means a valued property. A peculiar treasure that belongs particularly to someone. I want you to see that this exact same truth is taught in the New Testament. Look in your Bibles to the book of Titus chapter 2 and verse 14, and then we'll go to 1 Peter. Titus chapter 2 and verse 14. After 1st and 2nd Timothy, you have Titus. Titus 2, look in verse 14. If you were to ask, why did Christ give Himself for us? Why did He sacrifice Himself?

[John Weaver] Why did He become our substitute? Well, in verse 14, the Bible tells us. Titus 2, verse 14,"...who gave Himself for us." Why? That He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Isn't that amazing? As Israel was to be that peculiar people in the Old Testament, now we who are the redeemed children of God are to still be that peculiar people. Look in the book of 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Peter 2 verse 9. And interestingly, Peter uses the same word. He says in 1 Peter 2 and verse 9, But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is karyousios, and it refers once again to one's own belonging, particularly and peculiarly to an individual, it means here is a possession that has been selected by God above all people and above all nations for Himself.

[John Weaver] Now, I want you to go back to Psalm 4 and look at verse 3 and let me ask you a question. I've pointed out now how God does make a difference. how God does make a distinction. And David is telling us in verse three, but no, you better grasp this, you better understand it, you better comprehend it, because this is the work of God. He says, but know that the Lord had set apart him that is godly for himself. Here's the important question. What does it mean to be godly? What does it mean to be godly? It doesn't mean that you're just saved. I have known and I still know plenty of professing Christians, and they may not be real genuine Christians. I understand that. But I know plenty of professing Christians that I would never refer to as godly. In fact, most professing Christians are worldly, carnal and fleshly. So what is godliness? A godly individual is someone who lives his life in accordance with the word of God. The Hebrew word for godly is the word Qasid, and it refers to those who are holy, saintly, pious, faithful, and godly.

[John Weaver] Let me say this again. A godly man is one who is faithful in the principles of Scripture. A godly man is one who is constantly and continually bringing his life in conformity to the Word of God. A godly man is a saintly man in that he actually lives and acts and talks like a Christian. Let me say it again. A godly man is one who lives and acts the way God would have him to act.

[John Weaver] Now, let me clear up a misconception. When Scripture speaks of a godly man, it does not speak of perfection. It does not refer to a man who is sinless, who is perfect, and one who does not have any faults. How do we know that? Well, for two reasons. First, and most obviously, we're still sinners and we still sin. And we will not have perfection until we reach eternity, until we have a glorified body. And until then, we are still sinners. How do I know, secondly, that a godly man is not a perfect man? How do I know that a godly man is not one who does not have any faults and does not ever sit up?

[John Weaver] Let me tell you how. Look in your Bibles to Psalm 32 and you will find it in the Scripture. Look in Psalm 32. By the way, Psalm 32 is one of those penitential psalms where David is confessing and acknowledging his sin You remember that David was a man after God's own heart, and David sinned. But notice what he said in Psalm 32, verse 5. Watch carefully. Here's how we know that a godly man is not a perfect man. In verse 5, David said, I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. Stop. Think about that. Watch verse 6, for this, that is, for forgiveness, for this shall everyone that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found. Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come unto thee.

[John Weaver] Now let me ask you a question. If a godly man is praying for forgiveness, what does that mean? He sinned. David said, look, I have not hidden my transgression. I sinned against you, Lord. I'm acknowledging it. And Lord, I want forgiveness. And then he said, you did forgive the iniquity of my sin.

[John Weaver] Now, he said, for this shall everyone that is godly pray in a time when thou mayest be found. So godly men may sin. But let me tell you something else about godly men. They also repent. They do not remain in their sins. They do not pretend that they are perfect. They do not pretend that they have never sinned. I still remember the first time that I ever met a professing Christian who claimed sinless perfection.

[John Weaver] He lived in Thomasville, Georgia. I went into his place of business. I knew he was a professing Christian. And as I went in, I said to him, Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven? David said, Blessed is the man to whom thou wilt not impute iniquity. So I said, Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven? He said, I wouldn't know. I haven't sinned in 15 years. My mouth fell open.

[John Weaver] When I got my composure. I said. I'm sorry to upset you, but you just did. For he that says he hath no sin is a liar and the truth is not in him, according to 1 John 1. I said you just sinned because you lied.

[John Weaver] Now, David is saying, look, a godly man may sin, But a godly man's not going to remain in his sin. He's going to repent and turn from it. A godly man understands Proverbs 28, verse 13. Let me just quote it for you. The Bible says, If you cover your sins, you're not going to prosper. But if you confess them, if you acknowledge them, If you repent of them, you shall have mercy. You know what the Bible says in 1 John 1 and verse 9? The Bible says if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. A godly man is not perfect.

[John Weaver] Now, let me tell you something, folks. Although a godly man is not perfect, he may desire perfection. He may want perfection. He may strive for perfection, but he knows he's not perfect and he cannot be in this life. But let me point something else about a godly man. A godly man is also one who realizes, listen carefully, that he does not have to sin. What? Well, let me show you.

[John Weaver] Turn in your Bibles to two passages. 1 John and Romans 6. OK, 1 John. I want you to go to 1 John Chapter 2. We will look there first. And then we'll go back to Romans Chapter 6, because I've just made a statement that a godly man is not perfect, and that certainly is true. He sins because he's still a man. He's still a sinner. But I've also said now that a godly man also knows that he does not have to sin. Look in your Bibles to 1 John 2 and verse 1. John wrote, My little children, these things write unto you, that you sin not. Why did John write 1 John? In order that we not sin. And then he says this, And if any man sin, We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. Now, he said, the reason I wrote this, I don't want you to sin. But when you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. In other words, he's our mediator.

[John Weaver] He's the one that we go to. Now, if you'll go back in your Bibles to Romans chapter six, let me explain this a little further. In Romans six and verse 14, there's a powerful, powerful verse. And I want you to note what he says. In Romans 6 and verse 14, he says this, for sin. Shall not have dominion over you, for you're not under the law, but under grace. What does it mean when he says for sin shall not have dominion over you? Let me tell you, if you were to take the time and I preached on this chapter many years ago, but if you were to take the time to study Romans chapter 6, you're going to find that in Romans chapter 6, sin is treated as a king. It is treated as a lord. And as a king and as a lord, it has a dominion. What does Romans chapter 6 tell us? Romans chapter 6 tells us that Christ has come and Christ has redeemed us and saved us from the kingdom and the dominion of sin and He's translated us into the kingdom of God.

[John Weaver] Sin is no longer our king. Sin does not have dominion over us. We are now under King Jesus. We are now under His dominion. So when sin comes to the child of God and says, you want that woman, you want to steal that money, you can say, oh, no, no, no, you're mistaken. Thank you for your suggestion, but I do not want that suggestion because I have another king, one Jesus. I'm now under His dominion.

[John Weaver] I do not have to fulfill my lusts and my desires. Why? Because sin does not have dominion over me. Sin does have dominion over unsafe people, but it does not have dominion over a child of God. So very obviously, while on the one hand, a godly man is one who may sin, on the other hand, a godly man realizes he does not have to sin because of the power of God in his life. Now, will we sin? Yes.

[John Weaver] How many of you prayed yesterday the way you should have prayed? How many of you obeyed yesterday the way you should have obeyed? How many of you honored God? How many of you have worshipped God this morning the way that you should have worshipped God? None of us, which means we've sinned. You see, you don't have to be an adulterer and a whoremonger and a thief and a liar and a murderer to sin. There's many ways to sin. But what a godly man realizes is he does not have to sin now, I want you to go back in your Bibles.

[John Weaver] To the book of Malachi chapter two. Last book in the Old Testament. And let me show you. An interesting perspective. On being godly. Let me show you how practical this thing is. I've pointed out that a godly man is one who honors God, who obeys his covenant, who keeps his commandments. We'll look at Malachi chapter two. And verse 15. And did he not make one? Yet he yet had he the residue of the spirit and wherefore one now he's talking about marriage. That he might seek a godly seed. Now look what God says. Therefore, take heed to your spirit and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Wow. Why did he make the husband and wife one? Well, the answer is that he might seek a godly seed. Now God says, take heed to your spirit and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. So. Alice, I've been married 45 years.

[John Weaver] I can't say now, sweetheart, I'm going through a midlife crisis. I need a couple of 20 year olds. That's dealing treacherously against the wife of my youth. You follow me now, listen carefully, he said that he might seek a godly seed. Let me tell you what the word godly is in the Hebrew. Listen carefully. The word for God in the Hebrew is Elohim. Does that ring a bell? I hope it does. Because Elohim is a name for God in the Bible. In fact, the word Elohim is sometimes used of judges and rulers in the Bible because they are to judge and rule for God. And now here it is used When God is seeking a godly seed, what does that mean? It means he is seeking a seed like unto himself, a seed that will honor him, a seed that will obey him, a seed that will live according to his commandments. And to show you the practicality of being godly, look what he says, take heed to your spirit and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."

[John Weaver] What does he say? He says, you keep your mind, you keep your attitude, and therefore you will keep your actions. In other words, being godly then means bringing your thinking, bringing your thought life, bringing your actions in conformity to the Word of God. And guess what? When you get to the New Testament, And you find the word godly, although there are several words that are used there.

[John Weaver] Eusebius is one of them. But by and large, the most frequent word for godly in the New Testament is the word theos, which is the word, another word for God. We talk about theology, which is the study of God. In other words, what God is telling us is this. That being godly and living godly and acting godly literally means this, that you live and act as the way God would have you to live and act. That is, you bring your life in conformity to His words.

[John Weaver] You remember, our Lord said it like this in John 8 and verse 29. He said, and he that sent me is with me. The Father hath not left me alone, listen carefully, for I do always Those things which please Him. You know, that really ought to be our prayer when we wake up every morning. Lord, help me today to do only and always those things which please You.

[John Weaver] I want to show you that we are exhorted in the New Testament to live that way. Look in your Bibles. to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 4 and look if you would please at verse 1. Paul says, furthermore then, we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus That as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God, you would abound more and more. What did he say? We're exhorting you by the Lord Jesus how you received of us, how we taught you, how you ought to walk and please God so that you would abound more and more.

[John Weaver] You know what I'm teaching you today? I'm teaching you how to walk and please God. That's what being godly is. Look at Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy 2 verse 4, Paul writes, no man that warth entangled himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who have chosen him to be a soldier. What is our primary objective as a Christian soldier is to please our heavenly Father.

[John Weaver] And you don't have to turn to the scripture. I'll quote it up because you know it. Hebrews 11, verse six. But without faith, it is impossible to please him. For he that cometh to God must first believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. You know what a godly man is? A godly man is one who pleases God by his faith, by his attitude, by his conduct, by his faithfulness. He is one who sets the Lord and his word first and foremost and above all, and seeks in every area of his life to please God. Is the godly man perfect? No!

[John Weaver] But he sure would like to be. He sure wants to be. But he is a man that when he sins, he's willing to be reviewed. He's willing to face His sins. He's willing to acknowledge His sins. He's willing to repent of those sins. And He's willing to continually bring His life in conformity to the Word of God.

[John Weaver] Now, turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 4. Look in Psalm 4 and verse 3. Watch carefully. David says, but no, here's something you better know, but know. That the Lord has set apart him that is godly for him self. Wow. And then David says this. The Lord will hear. When I call unto him. David. How do you know God's going to hear you when you pray? His answer is, because I'm a godly man. God has set me apart for Himself. I'm different. I'm distinct. I'm His peculiar treasure. I'm His personal property.

[John Weaver] I have a special relationship to Him. He's going to hear me when I pray. You know what the Bible says in James 5 and verse 6? Listen carefully. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. You could say the effectual perfect prayer of a godly man availeth much. Now, here's the question. Do you want to be treated special by our Lord? Or are you satisfied to be the common everyday ordinary, run-of-the-mill, professing Christian who is satisfied with disobedience, ignorance, and apathy. If you want VIP treatment from God, you must render VIP treatment to God. And what God does As He sets apart Him that is godly for Himself. You're my peculiar treasure. I'm going to listen to you particularly. I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to protect you.

[John Weaver] I'll be your sun and your shield. Now, let me make just a couple of applications. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 12. Why is what I am preaching to you today so important? It is not only important to you as an individual. It is also important to our society. Why is it important to our society? I want you to understand that the lack of godly men should be a great cause of frustration and consternation. It was to David. Look how he begins Psalm 12 in verse 1. Help, Lord! David, why are you crying for help? For the godly man seeth, and for the faithful fail from among the children of men. By the way, I want you to note how godly and faithful are used interchangeably. They're synonymous. He says, Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases, and the faithful fail from among the children of men.

[John Weaver] Well, let me ask this question. What happens to society when the godly man ceases and the faithful fail? We'll begin with verse 2. They speak vanity, that is uselessness, ruthlessness. Idolatry, everyone with his neighbor, with flattering lips and with a doubled heart that they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaketh foul things, who have said with our tongue will we prevail, our lips our own, but who is Lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, said the Lord, I will set him in safety from him, and look what he says. He says, when the faithful fail, when the godly man ceases, you have pride and arrogance and rebellion. And the people say, who is Lord over us? They don't recognize any Lord. In other words, society deteriorates. We almost see that in America, don't we? Almost my foot.

[John Weaver] I'm just simply pointing out the fact, folks, we are in the mess we're in in this country. One of the reasons is because there are no godly, faithful men in it as we should be. There are some, but the deterioration and the loss of godly, faithful men equals the deterioration in society. So again, the question is this. How do you want to be treated in this life?

[John Weaver] Do you prefer the common, ordinary treatment? Or do you prefer to be treated as someone special, someone given preferential treatment by the sovereign God of the universe? Do you want to travel through this life first class or coach? If you want first class, then you have to make sure that you're a godly man or godly woman. The Bible says in Proverbs 15, verse 29, let me just quote it, the Lord is far from the wicked, but he hearth the prayer of the righteous. In Psalm 5, verse 12, the Bible says, for thou, Lord, will bless the righteous with favor that will come past him as with a shield. Do you want the special favor of God? Do you want God to hear you when you cry? Do you want to be blessed with uncommon favor?

[John Weaver] Then, dear friend, you better learn something. You better learn this simple truth. But know that the Lord has set apart Him that is godly for Himself. If you want to be treated specially, differently, preferentially, you better make sure that you're godly and obedient and faithful in every area of your life. And David said, the Lord will hear me when I call. Oh, to be heard by God. God sets apart Him that is godly for Himself. Let's pray.

[John Weaver] Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your grace and for Your mercy. And Lord, we thank You that You are the One who made the difference in our lives. Thou has made us to differ. Thou has saved us. Thou has given us grace and mercy. Thou has preserved us and kept us alive. Thou has given us knowledge and abilities. and we give Thee the honor and the glory. And Lord, my prayer is that You would make each one of us more holy, more godly, more obedient, more faithful, that we may bring more honor and glory to Thy great and holy name. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.

Are You Special?

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	91208163510
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Exodus: Bondage, Deliverance, and Passover: The Superiority of Christ
Genre	Sermon
Date	2008-07-13
Dictation Name
Book	Book 078: Exodus: Bondage, Deliverance, and Passover - Volume 1 — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	90

Formatted Transcript

Opening

I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Psalm 4. We will read the entire Psalm. Only eight verses in it. I will not deal with all eight verses, but Psalm 4. And the title of the message is, Are You Special? So notice, if you would please, Psalm 4, beginning with verse 1.

Scripture Reading — Psalm 4:1-8

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer."

"O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and seek after lying? Selah. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. The Lord will hear when I call upon him. Stand in awe and sin not. Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still." And then there's the word Selah. And by the way, the word Selah literally means to pause or stop and think about what's been said. "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord."

"There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in mine heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." So notice the question, are you special? I can assure you that each of us desire to be treated in a special way. No one wants to be treated as someone who is common and ordinary.

Introduction: The Desire for Special Treatment

Weaver opens by noting that everyone desires VIP treatment, illustrated by expensive resorts like Atlantis, and poses the question of whether we can receive special treatment from God.

In fact, if you and I were really honest, we would confess that we really like what is known as the VIP treatment. We want to be treated as a very important person. In fact, some people have such a desire to be treated as very important people that they go to these very expensive resorts in order to receive such special treatment. It costs them a fortune, but according to their perspective, it's worth the price. Several years ago, Alice and I were invited to accompany Ovid and Betty Neame to the Bahamas. They had secured a condominium down there. It was free for us except just for the plane fare. So we agreed to go with them down there and we stayed at the place called Atlantis, which is a very expensive resort. But, you know, looked around, but there was an amazing thing. Here was this one part of Atlantis that went like this over a body of water, and you could look out and see the ocean. And it was a huge, huge, I guess, condominium over the water like that.

And we were told that it cost to stay in that compartment $25,000 a night. Needless to say, we didn't stay there. Wouldn't stay there. But I understood a lot of Hollywood movie stars stayed there. All I'm saying is when people go to those places like that and spend that kind of money, they're waited on hand and foot and that's exactly what they want. They want people to treat them like royalty. They want to be treated very, very specially.

Now I've got a very important question for you. I want you to think about this. How would you like to receive special preferential treatment from God, the sovereign of the universe? Instead of being the teacher's pet, how would you like to be His pet? Would you not like to have special access to Him, to His love, His grace, His mercy, His blessings? I can hear many say, by way of objection, "Oh, but Brother Weaver, wait a minute now. You're talking about God treating us specially. You're talking about God treating us preferentially. Don't you know, Pastor, that God treats everyone alike and there is no respecter of persons with God?"

God Does Not Treat Everyone Alike

He challenges the notion that God treats all equally, citing 1 Corinthians 4:7 and Exodus 11:7 to show God makes a difference between people, such as between Israel and Egypt.

Well, let me burst your bubble. First of all, God does not treat everyone alike. Look around you. Let me ask you a question. Why are you saved and other members of your family lost? Why do you know the grace of God and friends and neighbors of yours are total strangers to the grace of God? Why do you have health and others do not? Why do you have liberty and freedom and others are in bondage? Why do you possess knowledge and skills and abilities that others do not have? Who makes you to differ from the other? If you would hold Psalm 4, we're coming back there, but look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and you're going to see that that is indeed a biblical question, and it is a biblical question, and there is a biblical answer to it. So after the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4 begins to talk about the differences, he asks this question, 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what he says, he asks, "For who maketh thee to differ from another?"

Now, think about that. "For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" So you have to answer the first question. Who makes you to differ? The answer is God. What have you received that you did not have as a gift from God? What's the answer? Nothing.

So he asked them, why do you glory? Why are you boasting? Why are you proud as if you did not receive it? In other words, it is God who makes the difference. You can truthfully say that you are what you are only by the grace of God.

Now, just to show you that God does put a difference between people, look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. It cannot be any more plainly stated, Exodus chapter 11, and notice, if you would please, verse 7. Everyone knows the story, or at least you should know the story, how God delivers the children of Israel out of Egypt. And notice what He said in Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. He's getting ready to deliver them in Exodus chapter 12 after the Passover. But notice verse 7 of chapter 11 of Exodus. God says to the children of Israel, "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." He said, there's not going to be a dog that will lift his tongue and bark against my people. And I'm doing this, says God.

that you may know that I put a difference between the Egyptians and the children of Israel. Now, the Hebrew word for difference here is the word palah, and it actually means to be distinct, to be marked out, to be separated, to be distinguished, to be set apart. So here's what he says. "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." Now you have to ask the question, did God treat the Egyptians and the Israelites alike? And the answer is no. He destroyed Egypt while He delivered Israel. Did His people receive preferential treatment? The answer is yes. Does God still make a distinction between His people and those who are in rebellion to Him? The answer is yes. All you have to do is read the Bible to discern that distinction.

Biblical Evidence of Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked

Weaver provides multiple Proverbs and Psalms showing God delights in the upright but abominates the wicked, hears the righteous but is far from the wicked.

Now, I'm going to come back to Psalm 4, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, and let me just show you a number of verses that clearly teach that God does make a distinction, that God does place a difference between the saved and the unsaved. So look in Proverbs, chapter 15 and verse 8 to begin with. Proverbs 15, look at verse 8. And I could multiply these verses, but a few will be sufficient. Proverbs 15, verse 8. The Bible says, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."

Now, is there a difference? If the sacrifice of the offering of the wicked is an abomination, if it's a stench in God's nostrils, and it is, he says, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. What is that teaching you? It's teaching you that God delights in the upright, but He holds the wicked in an abomination. Look in verse 29 of the same chapter, Proverbs 15, verse 29.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 15:29

"The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."

Why? The Lord is far from the wicked, but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. In other words, He's close to the righteous. He's willing to hear and answer their prayer, but He's far away from the wicked. Is that a difference? Oh, yes, it is. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Proverbs 28 and verse 9. And the Bible says, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." So what do the wicked do? The wicked disobey God. They don't want to hear God.

They don't want to hear God's law. They don't want to hear God's word. God says even their prayer is an abomination. Wow. Does God put a difference between the prayer of the righteous and the prayer of the wicked? Yes, He does. Go back in your Bibles to Psalm 34. Psalm 34. And look if you would please at verse 15. Just trying to show you that God does place a difference between His people and the ungodly. Notice, if you would, Psalm 34 and verse 15. The Bible says this. "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." Now, wait a minute. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry. What did the Bible just get through saying about "He that turneth away from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination"? Well, here now we find out that God makes a difference. For a righteous man, His eyes are upon him, His ears are open unto their cry.

Look in verse 17, "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Is there a difference? If you want a verse in the New Testament that will teach this, I'm going to give you several later on, but how about James 4 and verse 6, where he says, "Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." What does the Bible teach you? That God fights against the proud, arrogant, haughty, heady, high-minded person, but God gives grace to the humble. Now, does God hear the cries and the prayers of the wicked and the righteous alike? No, there is a difference. He hears the prayers of the righteous. His eyes are upon the righteous, but the wicked are an abomination to Him. So the scripture does not teach that God treats everyone alike. He does not. Secondly, someone is going to say, "But pastor, you've not answered the objection because the scripture says that God is no respecter of persons."

Clarifying 'No Respecter of Persons'

He explains that 'God is no respecter of persons' means God does not favor based on wealth or status, not that He treats all identically, using Acts 10, Romans 2, Ephesians 6, Colossians 3, and James 2.

What does that mean? Well, let me show you. If you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 10. Very quickly, I will show you the four times that that phrase occurs in the New Testament. Look at Acts chapter 10 and verse 34. Acts 10 verse 34. And here Peter is preaching to Cornelius. Notice Acts 10 and verse 34. And Peter makes this statement to Cornelius, who was a centurion. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Wow. What in the world does that mean? Well, look in Romans 2 and verse 11.

You will see it again. Romans 2, verse 11, here again the Bible says this,

Scripture Reading — Romans 2:11

"For there is no respect of persons with God."

Now I'm not going to take time to look at all the context, I'm going to explain it, but skip down to verse 12 since you're right there. He says in verse 11,

Scripture Reading — Romans 2:11

"For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law."

That ought to give you some indication as to where we're going. But look in your Bibles to Ephesians 6 and verse 9. Ephesians 6 and verse 9.

And then we'll turn over to the book of Colossians chapter 3. Notice Ephesians chapter 6 verse 9. Again the Bible says this. Ephesians 6 verse 9. "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." And then lastly, in the book of Colossians chapter 3 and verse 25, Colossians 3 verse 25, you read this,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:25

"But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

Now, let's deal with this phrase,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:25

"there is no respect of persons."

Interestingly enough. In three of the passages, that phrase dealt with judgment. One of the passages in Acts chapter 10, it dealt with salvation. Let me tell you what that phrase actually means. It means this: that man's merits cannot commend him to God, neither does man's demerits, nor can they keep him from God. In other words, here's what it means when it says that God is no respecter of persons. It means this, that God does not respect what a man has or what he does not have. In other words, the riches of the rich cannot commend that man to God, nor the poverty of the poor can keep God from blessing the poor man or saving the poor man. It means this, it doesn't matter what a man has, it doesn't matter what a man does, if he is wicked, God will judge him. Period.

There's no way that he can escape. Now let me just show you what it means to have respect of persons. I've just told you, but look in your Bibles to James chapter 2. Here it is very clearly taught. When you see that the phrase that God is no respecter of persons, that does not mean that God treats everyone alike. It just simply means that there's nothing that man can do to commend himself to God, nor anything he has can keep God from reaching out to him. Here's what it means. Notice James 2, verse 1. "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." Ah. Now, wait a minute. "Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons." Now skip down, if you would please, to verse 9. He says, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." Now, wait a minute. What were they doing to respect persons?

Go back to verse two. Here it is explained. "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool." "Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."

"But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin." What is respect to persons? So here we go. The President of the United States comes in through those doors, and I say, "Harry, get up and let the President sit there. That's the most comfortable seat in this house. Let him. Harry, go back there and sit." What am I doing? I'm having respect to persons. In other words, it doesn't matter what a man has or what he doesn't have.

We all stand equally as sinners before God. And if a poor man comes in and I say, "Well, you know, there's a chair back there" when there's a comfortable seat right here in front, I'm having respect to persons. So having respect to persons does not mean necessarily that you're treating everyone equally in that sense of the word. It means that something that that man has or that he does not have is either commending himself to you or it's not commending himself to you. You follow? Now, listen. These people in James chapter two were showing partiality in the fact that they were honoring the rich with their best seats and despising the poor, and the poor happen to be the godly. And he's saying in James chapter two, don't you know, it's these rich politicians, you might as well say, who are pulling you to the judgment seat and putting you in jail and taking everything you've got and you're honoring them. You're having respect, you're despising the poor because he doesn't have something, and certainly God condemns that. So when the Bible says that God is no respecter of persons, it means this. The rich man cannot commend himself to God. And the poor man, because of his demerits, does not mean that he can be kept away from God. God does not look at what a man has or what a man does not have. So very obviously, God does not treat everyone alike. The Bible says in Proverbs 12 and verse 26, "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour." So there is a difference that God puts.

Exposition of Psalm 4:1-2: David's Prayer, Praise, and Protest

Weaver briefly covers David's appeal to God as his righteousness, his remembrance of past deliverance, and his protest against the wicked who love vanity and lies.

Now, having established this, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Psalm 4 because I want to show you that there are those who are marked out as distinct and treated with special preferential treatment by God himself. Now, let me give you a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon, that prince of preachers, said this concerning Psalm 4. He says this psalm is apparently intended to accompany the third psalm, and Psalm 3 and 4 make a pair. If Psalm 3 is called the morning psalm, and it is, then he says Psalm 4 deserves the title of the evening hymn, because of Psalm 4 and verse 8. And if you look at verse 8, David says, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep." "For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." And I quote that verse frequently, especially when I go to bed at night.

Now, notice if you would please, you have the morning psalm in verse 3, you have the evening psalm in verse 4. So Psalm 4 is indeed an evening psalm in the sense that we're to commune upon our beds. It's the Lord who gives peace and restful sleep. What I want to do today is this, I want to only deal with the first three verses of this psalm. And I'm going to pass very quickly and very lightly over verses 1 and verses 2 in order that I might get to verse 3. So notice if you would, verse 1, we're going to see David's prayer and praise. Verse 2, we're going to see David's protest. And then verse 3, David's pronouncement. So look in verse 1, David says, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." So in verse 1 you have David's prayer and praise. David beseeches God in his prayer. He says, "Hear me, O God of my righteousness."

Now let me just tell you what David is saying when he says, "Hear me, O God of my righteousness." He is referring to the fact that God is not only the author of righteousness, He is the witness to our righteousness, He is the maintainer of our righteousness, He is the judge and He is the rewarder of righteousness. Therefore, when we are wrongly and wickedly condemned by man, we may rightly and justly appeal to the Supreme Court judge of all the earth, God Himself. God knows our righteousness since He is the author of it. You know, there's a sign and you see it along I-75. It's probably other places too. But to these little messages that have signed God at the bottom, there's one on I-75 North that says this. "The real Supreme Court meets up here, signed God." And that's true. That's true. Do you realize we live in a day and time, oftentimes when the righteous are wickedly and wrongly condemned.

I could sit here today and name numerous preachers as well as numerous Christians that are in prison not because they've done something wicked and wrong, not because they're rapists and murderers and bank robbers and thieves, no, no, no, no, but because they've taken a stand for righteousness and they've refused to support evil and now they're in prison for that. David said, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness." Men may disregard our pleas. Men may ignore our cries. Men may stifle their ears. They may sear their conscience. But God, the righteous judge, will always hear our case. And David is saying, "Hear my prayer when I cry." And now David does something in Psalm 4 that you're going to find as you read through the Psalms, that David does very often. What is that? David oftentimes appeals to God's past mercies to not only remind him, but to encourage him in his present distress. Look at verse one. "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness." He says, "Thou hast," that's past tense, "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress." Now look what he says. "Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." So he said, "God, you've delivered me in time past. You've helped me in time past. You've given me grace and mercy in time past."

Now, Lord, I'm in trouble again. Hear my prayer again. And you and I need to learn to praise God for His past deliverances, His past mercies and use them as a stepping stone to plead for present mercies in our present distress. That's exactly what David is doing. You know what the Bible says, let me just quote these verses. In Job 5 and verse 19, the scripture says,

Scripture Reading — Job 5:19

"He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."

He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, and seven, no evil shall touch thee. What is he saying? God constantly and consistently delivers his people. In Psalm 34 and verse 6, and I love this verse, David said, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and did what? And saved him out of all of his troubles. And then Psalm 34, verse 17, which I read earlier, "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."

So what is David doing in verse one? He's praying for help, but he's also praising God for past help. And he's saying, "Lord, because you've been so gracious and kind in the past, please continue that." We've got to understand that God is immutable. He does not change. He that has helped us in the past will help us also in the present. Then if you look in verse 2, you have David's protest. After David gives his prayer and praise, he says in verse 2, "O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?" So he's talking to the sons of men, he's talking to men in general, probably certain rulers in particular, or certain powerful men in particular. He says, "how long will ye turn my glory to shame?" Not only God's glory, but also David's as well. He says, "how long will ye love vanity?" And you've got to remember that vanity in the Bible is another word for idolatry. And then he asks, "and seek after leasing."

The word leasing means lying, falsehood, fabrications. How long are you going to seek after lying and untruth and falsehoods? Let me give you a quote from Spurgeon. This is what he said on verse two. "In the second division of the psalm, we are led from the closet of prayer into the field of conflict. Remarkably undaunted courage of the man of God. He allows that his enemies are great men, for such is the import of the Hebrew word translated, sons of men. But still he believes them to be foolish men, and therefore he chides them as though they were but children. He tells them that they love vanity and seek after leasing, that is lying, empty fancies, vain conceits, wicked fabrications."

"He asks them how long they mean to make his honor a jest and his fame a mockery. A little of such mirth is too much, why need they continue to indulge it? Had they not been long enough upon the watch for his halting? Had not repeated disappointments convinced them that the Lord's anointed was not to be overcome by their wickedness? Did they mean to jest their souls into hell and go on with their laughter until swift justice should turn their merriment into howling?" "In the contemplation of their perverse continuance in their vain and lying pursuits, the psalmist solemnly pauses and inserts a Selah. Surely, we too may stop a while and meditate upon the deep-seated folly of the wicked, their continuance in evil, and their destruction, that we may learn to admire that grace which has made us to differ and taught us to love truth and seek after righteousness." Isn't that amazing?

"O you sons of men, how long? How long will you seek after vanity? How long will you seek after lying?" You know, you can look around at our present society. Look around at our present government. You look at the vast circumstances of evil that we're in. Look at our economy, if nothing else. Look at our money supply. And you look at our congressmen and you say, "Oh, you sons of men, how long will you love vanity and lying? How long will you continue in your foolishness? Paper is not money. Debt is not money. War is not peace." I mean, come on.

That's exactly what David is doing. You can look around and see today multitudes of illustrations in our society of men who speak falsehoods, who love vanity, who love lying, who love deceit. That is their normal way of life. Like David, we need to protest their wickedness, their stupidity, their foolishness. And do you remember that passage? In Proverbs 8, verses 35 and 36, what did Christ say? He said, "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord."

And then he added, verse 36, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." So David is right when he protests against the wicked.

Psalm 4:3: God Sets Apart the Godly

The focus shifts to verse 3, emphasizing 'but know' as a call to understand that God actively sets apart the godly for Himself as His peculiar treasure.

Now I want to call your attention to verse three. That is our verse for today. David's pronouncement. Are you special? Watch this, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call." Look at that verse. "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call." Now, I want to emphasize certain words in this verse. And the first two words I want to emphasize are, "but know" or "but know." Look at it. Verse three, "but know," "but know." Here are two words that are extremely instructive. David is informing us that here is a truth that you and I must comprehend. We must do it. We must perceive it. Now, the Hebrew word for know is the Hebrew word yada, and it literally means to know, to perceive, to understand, and to comprehend. So here's a word that speaks of certainty in knowledge, "but know," in other words, you better know this, you better comprehend it, you better understand it.

You know, many times in the New Testament, Paul used similar language. He would use a phrase like, "know ye not." I mean, this is something that everyone should know. And then at times he would use this phrase, "but I would not have you ignorant, brethren." In other words, I'm teaching you something. I'm telling you something you need to know. And have you ever noticed when our Lord was teaching in the New Testament, He used two terms over and over, especially when He was emphasizing a very important point. He would say, "Verily, verily, I say unto you," or "Truly, truly," or "Amen, amen." What was He saying? I'm punctuating this truth. This is extremely important. You must know it. So in verse four, He says, "But know." Notice, if you would please, the next words, "that the Lord." And notice, if you would please, the word Lord is Yahweh or Jehovah. Notice, he says, "that the Lord," in other words, what David is about to tell us is something that God does. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. This is something that He does. And what David is saying is this, in our modern day language, sit up, pay attention. I'm about to tell you something that God Himself does. And you better know it. So what does David tell us? He says, "But know," and you know for certain that you comprehend this, that this is an act, this is a work of God, "that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Wow. You know, we read about a certain phrase in the Bible, but we've never really comprehended it.

Have you ever noticed that we are to be His peculiar treasure, or His peculiar people? Now, let me just show you. Look at verse three again, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Now I want you to hold that passage and I want you to turn to the book of Malachi, chapter three, the last book of the Old Testament. And let me show you a parallel passage that is similar to Psalm 4 and verse 3. Notice if you would, Malachi chapter 3 and notice verses 16 and 17. Malachi 3 verses 16 and 17.

Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:16-17

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."

Now look what he says,

Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:16-17

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts."

"In that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." God said, "They shall be mine." Now go back to Psalm 4 and verse 3. David said, "But know this, that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 4 and verse 3, said this. "The Lord has set apart him that is godly, every particular godly man for himself. In his eternal choice, in his effectual calling, in the special disposals of his providence and operations of his grace, his people are purified unto him a peculiar people. Godly men are God's separated, sealed ones." "He knows those that are his and has set his image and superscription upon them. He distinguishes them with uncommon favors. That is, they get special treatment. 'They shall be mine,' said the Lord, 'in that day when I make up my jewels.' Know this. Let godly people know it and let them never alienate themselves from Him to whom they are thus appropriated. Let the wicked people know it and take heed how they hurt those whom God protects." He said, here is something you better know.

Old and New Testament Teaching on God's Peculiar People

Weaver traces the theme of God's peculiar treasure from Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy, and Psalms to Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9, showing continuity of God's special possession.

Now let me show you whole Psalm 4, but look in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 19 and let me just show you how God ordained that His people always be His peculiar treasure. Notice in Exodus chapter 19 and verse 5. Exodus 19 verse 5. Look what God tells Israel. Exodus 19 verse 5.

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people." "For all the earth is mine."

Now, let me just stop there. We're going to look at some other verses, but look at this. God says,

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice, and keep my covenant."

Now, look,

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me."

Help me out with those next three words: "above all people." Does God put a difference? Does God make a distinction? Oh yes. What is required in Exodus 19 verse 5 for you and I to be above all people? We must know His voice. We must keep His commandments and His covenant. Look in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 14. Deuteronomy 14. Notice verse 2. Deuteronomy 14 verse 2. God says to Israel, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself." Now look, "above all the nations that are upon the earth." God has chosen you to be a peculiar people. Look in Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18.

Here again, the Bible says, and this is if I were to read the entire chapter, it's an obeying God, especially in giving and in tithing. He says this in verse 18, "And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments." Are you looking now? "And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken." Wow. Now, it seems to me just reading the Scripture, that God not only makes a difference, He makes a vast difference. And that vast difference is really based upon whether or not we obey Him. If you would look in Psalm 135, Psalm 135, and notice verse 4. Psalm 135, verse 4.

Look what the scripture says. "For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure." For his peculiar treasure. Now let me tell you about the word peculiar. The Hebrew word is segulah and it literally means a valued property, a peculiar treasure that belongs particularly to someone. I want you to see that this exact same truth is taught in the New Testament. Look in your Bibles to the book of Titus chapter 2 and verse 14, and then we'll go to 1 Peter. Titus chapter 2 and verse 14. After 1st and 2nd Timothy, you have Titus. Titus 2, look in verse 14. If you were to ask, why did Christ give Himself for us? Why did He sacrifice Himself?

Why did He become our substitute? Well, in verse 14, the Bible tells us. Titus 2, verse 14, "Who gave himself for us." Why? "That he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Isn't that amazing? As Israel was to be that peculiar people in the Old Testament, now we who are the redeemed children of God are to still be that peculiar people. Look in the book of 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Peter 2 verse 9. And interestingly, Peter uses the same word. He says in 1 Peter 2 and verse 9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is periousios, and it refers once again to one's own belonging, particularly and peculiarly to an individual. It means here is a possession that has been selected by God above all people and above all nations for Himself.

Defining Godliness: Not Perfection but Conformity to God's Will

He defines a godly person as one who lives according to God's Word, not sinless but repentant, and aware that sin no longer has dominion over them through Christ.

Now, I want you to go back to Psalm 4 and look at verse 3 and let me ask you a question. I've pointed out now how God does make a difference, how God does make a distinction. And David is telling us in verse three, "But know," you better grasp this, you better understand it, you better comprehend it, because this is the work of God. He says, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Here's the important question. What does it mean to be godly? What does it mean to be godly? It doesn't mean that you're just saved. I have known and I still know plenty of professing Christians, and they may not be real genuine Christians. I understand that. But I know plenty of professing Christians that I would never refer to as godly. In fact, most professing Christians are worldly, carnal and fleshly. So what is godliness? A godly individual is someone who lives his life in accordance with the word of God. The Hebrew word for godly is the word chasid, and it refers to those who are holy, saintly, pious, faithful, and godly.

Let me say this again. A godly man is one who is faithful in the principles of Scripture. A godly man is one who is constantly and continually bringing his life in conformity to the Word of God. A godly man is a saintly man in that he actually lives and acts and talks like a Christian. Let me say it again. A godly man is one who lives and acts the way God would have him to act.

Now, let me clear up a misconception. When Scripture speaks of a godly man, it does not speak of perfection. It does not refer to a man who is sinless, who is perfect, and one who does not have any faults. How do we know that? Well, for two reasons. First, and most obviously, we're still sinners and we still sin. And we will not have perfection until we reach eternity, until we have a glorified body. And until then, we are still sinners. How do I know, secondly, that a godly man is not a perfect man? How do I know that a godly man is not one who does not have any faults and does not ever sin?

Let me tell you how. Look in your Bibles to Psalm 32 and you will find it in the Scripture. Look in Psalm 32. By the way, Psalm 32 is one of those penitential psalms where David is confessing and acknowledging his sin. You remember that David was a man after God's own heart, and David sinned. But notice what he said in Psalm 32, verse 5. Watch carefully. Here's how we know that a godly man is not a perfect man. In verse 5, David said, "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah." Stop. Think about that. Watch verse 6, "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him."

Now let me ask you a question. If a godly man is praying for forgiveness, what does that mean? He sinned. David said, "Look, I have not hidden my transgression. I sinned against you, Lord. I'm acknowledging it. And Lord, I want forgiveness." And then he said, "You did forgive the iniquity of my sin."

Now, he said, "For this shall every one that is godly pray in a time when thou mayest be found." So godly men may sin. But let me tell you something else about godly men. They also repent. They do not remain in their sins. They do not pretend that they are perfect. They do not pretend that they have never sinned. I still remember the first time that I ever met a professing Christian who claimed sinless perfection.

He lived in Thomasville, Georgia. I went into his place of business. I knew he was a professing Christian. And as I went in, I said to him, "Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven? David said, 'Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.'" So I said, "Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven?" He said, "I wouldn't know. I haven't sinned in 15 years." My mouth fell open.

When I got my composure, I said, "I'm sorry to upset you, but you just did. For he that says he hath no sin is a liar and the truth is not in him, according to 1 John 1. I said you just sinned because you lied." Now, David is saying, look, a godly man may sin, but a godly man's not going to remain in his sin. He's going to repent and turn from it. A godly man understands Proverbs 28, verse 13. Let me just quote it for you. The Bible says, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." You know what the Bible says in 1 John 1 and verse 9? The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." A godly man is not perfect.

Now, let me tell you something, folks. Although a godly man is not perfect, he may desire perfection. He may want perfection. He may strive for perfection, but he knows he's not perfect and he cannot be in this life. But let me point something else about a godly man. A godly man is also one who realizes, listen carefully, that he does not have to sin. What? Well, let me show you.

Turn in your Bibles to two passages. 1 John and Romans 6. OK, 1 John. I want you to go to 1 John chapter 2. We will look there first. And then we'll go back to Romans chapter 6, because I've just made a statement that a godly man is not perfect, and that certainly is true. He sins because he's still a man. He's still a sinner. But I've also said now that a godly man also knows that he does not have to sin. Look in your Bibles to 1 John 2 and verse 1. John wrote, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." Why did John write 1 John? In order that we not sin. And then he says this, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Now, he said, the reason I wrote this, I don't want you to sin. But when you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. In other words, he's our mediator.

He's the one that we go to. Now, if you'll go back in your Bibles to Romans chapter six, let me explain this a little further. In Romans 6 and verse 14, there's a powerful, powerful verse. And I want you to note what he says. In Romans 6 and verse 14, he says this, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." What does it mean when he says "for sin shall not have dominion over you"? Let me tell you, if you were to take the time and I preached on this chapter many years ago, but if you were to take the time to study Romans chapter 6, you're going to find that in Romans chapter 6, sin is treated as a king. It is treated as a lord. And as a king and as a lord, it has a dominion. What does Romans chapter 6 tell us? Romans chapter 6 tells us that Christ has come and Christ has redeemed us and saved us from the kingdom and the dominion of sin and He's translated us into the kingdom of God.

Sin is no longer our king. Sin does not have dominion over us. We are now under King Jesus. We are now under His dominion. So when sin comes to the child of God and says, "You want that woman, you want to steal that money," you can say, "Oh, no, no, no, you're mistaken. Thank you for your suggestion, but I do not want that suggestion because I have another king, one Jesus. I'm now under His dominion."

I do not have to fulfill my lusts and my desires. Why? Because sin does not have dominion over me. Sin does have dominion over unsafe people, but it does not have dominion over a child of God. So very obviously, while on the one hand, a godly man is one who may sin, on the other hand, a godly man realizes he does not have to sin because of the power of God in his life. Now, will we sin? Yes.

How many of you prayed yesterday the way you should have prayed? How many of you obeyed yesterday the way you should have obeyed? How many of you honored God? How many of you have worshipped God this morning the way that you should have worshipped God? None of us, which means we've sinned. You see, you don't have to be an adulterer and a whoremonger and a thief and a liar and a murderer to sin. There's many ways to sin. But what a godly man realizes is he does not have to sin. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles.

Practical Godliness in Marriage and Daily Life

Using Malachi 2:15, Weaver illustrates godliness as faithfulness in marriage and bringing every thought and action into conformity with God's commands.

To the book of Malachi chapter two, last book in the Old Testament. And let me show you an interesting perspective on being godly. Let me show you how practical this thing is. I've pointed out that a godly man is one who honors God, who obeys his covenant, who keeps his commandments. We'll look at Malachi chapter two and verse 15. "And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one?" Now he's talking about marriage. "That he might seek a godly seed." Now look what God says. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." Wow. Why did he make the husband and wife one? Well, the answer is that he might seek a godly seed. Now God says, "Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." So, Alice, I've been married 45 years.

I can't say now, "Sweetheart, I'm going through a midlife crisis. I need a couple of 20 year olds." That's dealing treacherously against the wife of my youth. You follow me now, listen carefully, he said "that he might seek a godly seed." Let me tell you what the word godly is in the Hebrew. Listen carefully. The word for God in the Hebrew is Elohim. Does that ring a bell? I hope it does. Because Elohim is a name for God in the Bible. In fact, the word Elohim is sometimes used of judges and rulers in the Bible because they are to judge and rule for God. And now here it is used when God is seeking a godly seed. What does that mean? It means he is seeking a seed like unto himself, a seed that will honor him, a seed that will obey him, a seed that will live according to his commandments. And to show you the practicality of being godly, look what he says, "Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."

What does he say? He says, you keep your mind, you keep your attitude, and therefore you will keep your actions. In other words, being godly then means bringing your thinking, bringing your thought life, bringing your actions in conformity to the Word of God. And guess what? When you get to the New Testament, and you find the word godly, although there are several words that are used there. Eusebeia is one of them. But by and large, the most frequent word for godly in the New Testament is the word theos, which is the word, another word for God. We talk about theology, which is the study of God. In other words, what God is telling us is this. That being godly and living godly and acting godly literally means this, that you live and act as the way God would have you to live and act. That is, you bring your life in conformity to His words.

You remember, our Lord said it like this in John 8 and verse 29. He said, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." You know, that really ought to be our prayer when we wake up every morning. "Lord, help me today to do only and always those things which please You."

The Call to Please God and the Promise of Being Heard

He exhorts believers to walk to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:4) and assures that the godly are heard by God, as David declares in Psalm 4:3.

I want to show you that we are exhorted in the New Testament to live that way. Look in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 4 and look if you would please at verse 1. Paul says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." What did he say? We're exhorting you by the Lord Jesus how you received of us, how we taught you, how you ought to walk and please God so that you would abound more and more. You know what I'm teaching you today? I'm teaching you how to walk and please God. That's what being godly is. Look at Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy 2 verse 4, Paul writes, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." What is our primary objective as a Christian soldier? It is to please our heavenly Father.

And you don't have to turn to the scripture. I'll quote it up because you know it. Hebrews 11, verse six. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." You know what a godly man is? A godly man is one who pleases God by his faith, by his attitude, by his conduct, by his faithfulness. He is one who sets the Lord and his word first and foremost and above all, and seeks in every area of his life to please God. Is the godly man perfect? No!

But he sure would like to be. He sure wants to be. But he is a man that when he sins, he's willing to be reviewed. He's willing to face his sins. He's willing to acknowledge his sins. He's willing to repent of those sins. And he's willing to continually bring his life in conformity to the Word of God.

Now, turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 4. Look in Psalm 4 and verse 3. Watch carefully. David says, "But know," here's something you better know, "but know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Wow. And then David says this. "The Lord will hear when I call unto him." David, how do you know God's going to hear you when you pray? His answer is, because I'm a godly man. God has set me apart for Himself. I'm different. I'm distinct. I'm His peculiar treasure. I'm His personal property.

I have a special relationship to Him. He's going to hear me when I pray. You know what the Bible says in James 5 and verse 16? Listen carefully. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." You could say the effectual fervent prayer of a godly man availeth much. Now, here's the question. Do you want to be treated special by our Lord? Or are you satisfied to be the common everyday ordinary, run-of-the-mill, professing Christian who is satisfied with disobedience, ignorance, and apathy? If you want VIP treatment from God, you must render VIP treatment to God. And what God does is He sets apart him that is godly for Himself. "You're my peculiar treasure. I'm going to listen to you particularly. I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to protect you."

Application: The Need for Godly Men in Society

Weaver warns from Psalm 12 that the lack of godly, faithful men leads to societal decay, and challenges listeners to pursue godliness for God's special favor.

"I'll be your sun and your shield." Now, let me make just a couple of applications. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 12. Why is what I am preaching to you today so important? It is not only important to you as an individual. It is also important to our society. Why is it important to our society? I want you to understand that the lack of godly men should be a great cause of frustration and consternation. It was to David. Look how he begins Psalm 12 in verse 1. "Help, Lord!" David, why are you crying for help? "For the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." By the way, I want you to note how godly and faithful are used interchangeably. They're synonymous. He says, "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."

Well, let me ask this question. What happens to society when the godly man ceases and the faithful fail? We'll begin with verse 2. "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him." And look what he says. He says, when the faithful fail, when the godly man ceases, you have pride and arrogance and rebellion. And the people say, "Who is Lord over us?" They don't recognize any Lord. In other words, society deteriorates. We almost see that in America, don't we? Almost my foot.

I'm just simply pointing out the fact, folks, we are in the mess we're in in this country. One of the reasons is because there are no godly, faithful men in it as we should be. There are some, but the deterioration and the loss of godly, faithful men equals the deterioration in society. So again, the question is this. How do you want to be treated in this life? Do you prefer the common, ordinary treatment? Or do you prefer to be treated as someone special, someone given preferential treatment by the sovereign God of the universe? Do you want to travel through this life first class or coach? If you want first class, then you have to make sure that you're a godly man or godly woman. The Bible says in Proverbs 15, verse 29, let me just quote it, "The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." In Psalm 5, verse 12, the Bible says, "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Do you want the special favor of God? Do you want God to hear you when you cry? Do you want to be blessed with uncommon favor?

Conclusion and Prayer

He concludes by urging believers to be godly to receive preferential treatment from God, and closes in prayer for increased holiness and faithfulness.

Then, dear friend, you better learn something. You better learn this simple truth. "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." If you want to be treated specially, differently, preferentially, you better make sure that you're godly and obedient and faithful in every area of your life. And David said, "The Lord will hear me when I call." Oh, to be heard by God. God sets apart him that is godly for Himself. Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your grace and for Your mercy. And Lord, we thank You that You are the One who made the difference in our lives. Thou hast made us to differ. Thou hast saved us. Thou hast given us grace and mercy. Thou hast preserved us and kept us alive. Thou hast given us knowledge and abilities, and we give Thee the honor and the glory. And Lord, my prayer is that You would make each one of us more holy, more godly, more obedient, more faithful, that we may bring more honor and glory to Thy great and holy name. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.

Study Guide

Major Themes

God's Distinguishing Grace

Summary: God does not treat all people the same; He actively makes a difference between the righteous and the wicked, setting apart the godly for special favor.

Evidence: Weaver cites Exodus 11:7 ('the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel') and 1 Corinthians 4:7 ('who maketh thee to differ?') to establish that God distinguishes His people.

The Nature of True Godliness

Summary: Godliness is not sinless perfection but a life lived in conformity to God's Word, characterized by repentance, obedience, and a desire to please God.

Evidence: He defines godly from Psalm 4:3 and Psalm 32:5-6, showing that godly men confess sin, and explains from Romans 6:14 that sin does not have dominion over them.

God's Peculiar Treasure

Summary: Believers are God's special possession, chosen and set apart for Himself, a theme running from Exodus to the New Testament.

Evidence: Weaver traces 'peculiar treasure' from Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2, Psalm 135:4 to Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9, emphasizing God's ownership and distinction.

The Privilege of Answered Prayer

Summary: God hears the prayers of the godly because they are set apart for Him; this is a mark of His special treatment.

Evidence: Psalm 4:3 ('the Lord will hear when I call') and Proverbs 15:29 ('he heareth the prayer of the righteous') are used to show the connection between godliness and answered prayer.

The Call to Please God

Summary: Believers are exhorted to walk in a manner that pleases God, which is the essence of godliness and the path to His favor.

Evidence: He references 1 Thessalonians 4:1 ('how ye ought to walk and to please God') and 2 Timothy 2:4 ('that he may please him who hath chosen him') as direct commands.

Societal Impact of Godliness

Summary: The presence or absence of godly, faithful men directly affects the moral and spiritual health of society.

Evidence: Psalm 12:1 ('the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail') is cited to show that when godly men disappear, society deteriorates into pride and rebellion.

Key Arguments

God treats the godly with special favor, contrary to the idea that He treats everyone alike.

Summary: Weaver argues that Scripture plainly shows God making distinctions, such as between Israel and Egypt, and between the prayers of the righteous and the wicked.

Evidence: He uses Exodus 11:7, Proverbs 15:8, 29, and Psalm 34:15, 17 to demonstrate that God's treatment differs based on one's relationship with Him.

'No respecter of persons' means God does not favor based on external status, not that He treats all identically.

Summary: He clarifies that the phrase refers to impartiality in judgment and salvation, not to a lack of distinction between the godly and the wicked.

Evidence: By examining Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, and James 2:1-9, he shows the phrase condemns partiality based on wealth or poverty.

Godliness is defined by obedience and conformity to God's Word, not by sinless perfection.

Summary: A godly person may sin but repents and strives to live according to God's commands, knowing sin no longer has dominion over them.

Evidence: Psalm 32:5-6 shows David, a godly man, confessing sin; Romans 6:14 teaches that sin shall not have dominion; 1 John 2:1 encourages not sinning but provides an advocate if we do.

God sets apart the godly as His peculiar treasure, granting them special access and protection.

Summary: The godly are God's personal property, distinguished by His grace, and this special relationship ensures He hears their prayers.

Evidence: Psalm 4:3 states 'the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself'; Malachi 3:17 calls them His jewels; Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 call believers a peculiar people.

The lack of godly men leads to societal decay, making personal godliness a matter of public importance.

Summary: When faithful, godly individuals cease, society becomes characterized by vanity, flattery, pride, and rebellion against God.

Evidence: Psalm 12:1-4 describes the consequences of the godly man ceasing: 'they speak vanity... with flattering lips... who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?'

Scripture References

Psalm 4:1-8

Context: The entire psalm is read at the beginning; the sermon focuses on verses 1-3, with verse 8 noted as an evening prayer.

1 Corinthians 4:7

Context: Used to show that God makes people to differ; whatever we have is received from God, so we should not boast.

Exodus 11:7

Context: Demonstrates that God puts a difference between the Egyptians and Israel, treating His people with special protection.

Proverbs 15:8

Context: Shows that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, but the prayer of the upright is God's delight, indicating distinction.

Proverbs 15:29

Context: States the Lord is far from the wicked but hears the prayer of the righteous, reinforcing God's differential treatment.

Proverbs 28:9

Context: Declares that even the prayer of one who turns from God's law is an abomination, contrasting with the righteous.

Psalm 34:15, 17

Context: Affirms that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and He hears their cries, delivering them from troubles.

James 4:6

Context: Quoted to show God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, another distinction.

Acts 10:34

Context: Peter's statement that God is no respecter of persons, used to explain the phrase's meaning regarding impartiality.

Romans 2:11

Context: Reinforces that there is no respect of persons with God, in the context of judgment.

Ephesians 6:9

Context: Masters are reminded that their Master in heaven has no respect of persons, emphasizing impartiality.

Colossians 3:25

Context: States that wrongdoers will be repaid, and there is no respect of persons, again in judgment context.

James 2:1-9

Context: Illustrates respect of persons as showing partiality to the rich over the poor, which God condemns.

Proverbs 12:26

Context: Cited briefly: 'The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour,' indicating a difference.

Job 5:19

Context: Quoted to show God delivers His people from troubles repeatedly.

Psalm 34:6

Context: David's testimony that the Lord heard his cry and saved him from all troubles, used as an example of past deliverance.

Proverbs 8:35-36

Context: Quoted to show that those who find Christ find life, but those who sin against Him love death, supporting the protest against the wicked.

Malachi 3:16-17

Context: God's promise that those who fear Him will be His jewels, paralleling Psalm 4:3's 'set apart.'

Exodus 19:5

Context: God's covenant that Israel would be a peculiar treasure above all people if they obey.

Deuteronomy 14:2

Context: Israel chosen as a peculiar people above all nations.

Historical References

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Context: Spurgeon is quoted regarding Psalm 4 as an evening psalm paired with Psalm 3, and his commentary on verse 2 is read at length.

Matthew Henry

Context: Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalm 4:3 is quoted, describing the godly as God's separated, sealed ones.

Atlantis resort in the Bahamas

Context: Weaver shares a personal anecdote about visiting the Atlantis resort, noting a $25,000-per-night suite to illustrate the desire for VIP treatment.

Important Quotes

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call.

Significance: This is the central verse of the sermon, declaring God's special setting apart of the godly and the promise of answered prayer.

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Significance: Used to establish that God is the source of all distinctions among people, countering the idea that all are treated identically.

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Significance: Direct scriptural proof that God makes a distinction between His people and others.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Significance: Highlights the stark contrast in how God receives the worship of the wicked versus the righteous.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Significance: Shows that godly men are not sinless but are characterized by prayer for forgiveness.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Significance: Key verse explaining that believers are no longer under sin's dominion, enabling godly living.

Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Significance: Used to illustrate the societal crisis when godly individuals are absent.

The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Significance: Summarizes the differential treatment of God toward the wicked and the righteous in prayer.

Discussion Questions

In what ways do we see God making a distinction between people today, and how should that affect our view of His grace?

Context: Weaver argues from Exodus 11:7 and 1 Corinthians 4:7 that God actively puts a difference between people.

How does understanding 'God is no respecter of persons' as impartiality rather than identical treatment change your perspective on God's justice and mercy?

Context: The sermon clarifies the phrase using James 2 and other passages.

What does it practically mean to be 'godly' according to Psalm 4:3 and the rest of Scripture, and how is that different from mere profession of faith?

Context: Weaver defines godliness as living in conformity to God's Word, not sinless perfection.

How can we cultivate a life that pleases God in every area, as exhorted in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 and 2 Timothy 2:4?

Context: The application calls believers to walk to please God.

Why is the presence of godly, faithful individuals crucial for the health of a society, and what can we do to be such people?

Context: Psalm 12 is used to show societal decay when the godly cease.

In what ways have you experienced God's special treatment or 'uncommon favor' as a result of pursuing godliness?

Context: Weaver promises that God sets apart the godly for Himself and hears their prayers.

How does the concept of being God's 'peculiar treasure' influence your identity and daily choices?

Context: The sermon traces the theme of God's peculiar people from Exodus to 1 Peter.

What are some practical steps to ensure we are not 'common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill' Christians but are living as those set apart for God?

Context: Weaver challenges listeners to pursue VIP treatment from God through godliness.

Applications

Pursue Godliness for Special Favor

Summary: Believers are called to live godly lives—obedient, faithful, and conformed to God's Word—to receive God's special treatment and answered prayer.

Evidence: Psalm 4:3 promises that God sets apart the godly for Himself and hears them; the sermon urges, 'If you want VIP treatment from God, you must render VIP treatment to God.'

Repent and Confess Sin

Summary: Godly individuals are not sinless but are quick to confess and forsake sin, maintaining a clear relationship with God.

Evidence: Psalm 32:5-6 and Proverbs 28:13 are cited to show that godly men pray for forgiveness and receive mercy.

Live as God's Peculiar Treasure

Summary: Recognize your identity as God's special possession, set apart for His purposes, and live in a way that reflects that distinction.

Evidence: Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 call believers a peculiar people, zealous of good works, showing forth God's praises.

Be Faithful in Marriage and Family

Summary: Practical godliness includes faithfulness to one's spouse, as God seeks a godly seed through faithful marriages.

Evidence: Malachi 2:15 warns against dealing treacherously with the wife of one's youth, linking godliness to marital fidelity.

Strive to Please God in All Things

Summary: Make it your daily aim to do only those things that please the Lord, following Christ's example.

Evidence: John 8:29, 1 Thessalonians 4:1, and 2 Timothy 2:4 exhort believers to walk to please God.

Be a Godly Influence in Society

Summary: The presence of godly, faithful men and women is essential to prevent societal decay; thus, personal holiness has public impact.

Evidence: Psalm 12:1-5 shows that when the godly cease, society becomes filled with vanity and rebellion.

Trust in God's Deliverance Based on Past Faithfulness

Summary: Like David, recall God's past mercies as a basis for trusting Him in present distress.

Evidence: Psalm 4:1 and Job 5:19 are used to encourage believers to plead present mercies based on past deliverances.

Protest Wickedness and Love Truth

Summary: Believers should, like David, protest against the vanity and lies of the wicked and instead love truth and righteousness.

Evidence: Psalm 4:2 and Proverbs 8:35-36 are cited to show the contrast between loving vanity and finding life.

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T03:58:33Z

deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T16:33:55Z

Clean Transcript

Are You Special?

Clean readable transcript. This view follows the Commentary.net cleaned segment text while preserving timestamps for audio follow-along.

I want you to open your Bibles, if you would please, to Psalm 4. We will read the entire Psalm. Only eight verses in it. I will not deal with all eight verses, but Psalm 4. And the title of the message is, Are You Special? So notice, if you would please, Psalm 4, beginning with verse 1. "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer."
#1 | 0:01 to 0:33 | cleaned
"O you sons of men, how long will you turn my glory into shame? How long will you love vanity and seek after lying? Selah. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. The Lord will hear when I call upon him. Stand in awe and sin not. Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still." And then there's the word Selah. And by the way, the word Selah literally means to pause or stop and think about what's been said. "Offer the sacrifices of righteousness and put your trust in the Lord."
#2 | 0:34 to 1:07 | cleaned
"There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou hast put gladness in mine heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." So notice the question, are you special? I can assure you that each of us desire to be treated in a special way. No one wants to be treated as someone who is common and ordinary.
#3 | 1:08 to 1:40 | cleaned
In fact, if you and I were really honest, we would confess that we really like what is known as the VIP treatment. We want to be treated as a very important person. In fact, some people have such a desire to be treated as very important people that they go to these very expensive resorts in order to receive such special treatment. It costs them a fortune, but according to their perspective, it's worth the price.
#4 | 1:41 to 2:10 | cleaned
Several years ago, Alice and I were invited to accompany Ovid and Betty Neame to the Bahamas. They had secured a condominium down there. It was free for us except just for the plane fare. So we agreed to go with them down there and we stayed at the place called Atlantis, which is a very expensive resort. But, you know, looked around, but there was an amazing thing. Here was this one part of Atlantis that went like this over a body of water, and you could look out and see the ocean. And it was a huge, huge, I guess, condominium over the water like that.
#5 | 2:11 to 2:51 | cleaned
And we were told that it cost to stay in that compartment $25,000 a night. Needless to say, we didn't stay there. Wouldn't stay there. But I understood a lot of Hollywood movie stars stayed there. All I'm saying is when people go to those places like that and spend that kind of money, they're waited on hand and foot and that's exactly what they want. They want people to treat them like royalty. They want to be treated very, very specially.
#6 | 2:52 to 3:25 | cleaned
Now I've got a very important question for you. I want you to think about this. How would you like to receive special preferential treatment from God, the sovereign of the universe? Instead of being the teacher's pet, how would you like to be His pet? Would you not like to have special access to Him, to His love, His grace, His mercy, His blessings? I can hear many say, by way of objection, "Oh, but Brother Weaver, wait a minute now. You're talking about God treating us specially. You're talking about God treating us preferentially. Don't you know, Pastor, that God treats everyone alike and there is no respecter of persons with God?"
#7 | 3:26 to 4:14 | cleaned
Well, let me burst your bubble. First of all, God does not treat everyone alike. Look around you. Let me ask you a question. Why are you saved and other members of your family lost? Why do you know the grace of God and friends and neighbors of yours are total strangers to the grace of God? Why do you have health and others do not? Why do you have liberty and freedom and others are in bondage? Why do you possess knowledge and skills and abilities that others do not have? Who makes you to differ from the other? If you would hold Psalm 4, we're coming back there, but look in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, and you're going to see that that is indeed a biblical question, and it is a biblical question, and there is a biblical answer to it. So after the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 4 begins to talk about the differences, he asks this question, 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7, look what he says, he asks, "For who maketh thee to differ from another?"
#8 | 4:15 to 5:36 | cleaned
Now, think about that. "For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?" So you have to answer the first question. Who makes you to differ? The answer is God. What have you received that you did not have as a gift from God? What's the answer? Nothing.
#9 | 5:36 to 6:03 | cleaned
So he asked them, why do you glory? Why are you boasting? Why are you proud as if you did not receive it? In other words, it is God who makes the difference. You can truthfully say that you are what you are only by the grace of God.
#10 | 6:04 to 6:17 | cleaned
Now, just to show you that God does put a difference between people, look in your Bibles to the book of Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. It cannot be any more plainly stated, Exodus chapter 11, and notice, if you would please, verse 7. Everyone knows the story, or at least you should know the story, how God delivers the children of Israel out of Egypt. And notice what He said in Exodus chapter 11 and verse 7. He's getting ready to deliver them in Exodus chapter 12 after the Passover. But notice verse 7 of chapter 11 of Exodus. God says to the children of Israel, "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." He said, there's not going to be a dog that will lift his tongue and bark against my people. And I'm doing this, says God.
#11 | 6:17 to 7:22 | cleaned
that you may know that I put a difference between the Egyptians and the children of Israel. Now, the Hebrew word for difference here is the word palah, and it actually means to be distinct, to be marked out, to be separated, to be distinguished, to be set apart. So here's what he says. "But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel." Now you have to ask the question, did God treat the Egyptians and the Israelites alike?
#12 | 7:23 to 8:03 | cleaned
And the answer is no. He destroyed Egypt while He delivered Israel. Did His people receive preferential treatment? The answer is yes. Does God still make a distinction between His people and those who are in rebellion to Him? The answer is yes. All you have to do is read the Bible to discern that distinction.
#13 | 8:03 to 8:29 | cleaned
Now, I'm going to come back to Psalm 4, but I want you to turn in your Bibles to the book of Proverbs, and let me just show you a number of verses that clearly teach that God does make a distinction, that God does place a difference between the saved and the unsaved. So look in Proverbs, chapter 15 and verse 8 to begin with. Proverbs 15, look at verse 8. And I could multiply these verses, but a few will be sufficient. Proverbs 15, verse 8.
#14 | 8:29 to 9:05 | cleaned
The Bible says, "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight."
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Now, is there a difference? If the sacrifice of the offering of the wicked is an abomination, if it's a stench in God's nostrils, and it is, he says, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. What is that teaching you? It's teaching you that God delights in the upright, but He holds the wicked in an abomination. Look in verse 29 of the same chapter, Proverbs 15, verse 29. "The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." Why? The Lord is far from the wicked, but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. In other words, He's close to the righteous. He's willing to hear and answer their prayer, but He's far away from the wicked. Is that a difference? Oh, yes, it is. Look in Proverbs 28 and verse 9. Proverbs 28 and verse 9. And the Bible says, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." So what do the wicked do? The wicked disobey God. They don't want to hear God.
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They don't want to hear God's law. They don't want to hear God's word. God says even their prayer is an abomination. Wow. Does God put a difference between the prayer of the righteous and the prayer of the wicked? Yes, He does. Go back in your Bibles to Psalm 34. Psalm 34. And look if you would please at verse 15. Just trying to show you that God does place a difference between His people and the ungodly. Notice, if you would, Psalm 34 and verse 15. The Bible says this. "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry." Now, wait a minute. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and His ears are open unto their cry. What did the Bible just get through saying about "He that turneth away from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination"? Well, here now we find out that God makes a difference. For a righteous man, His eyes are upon him, His ears are open unto their cry.
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Look in verse 17, "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Is there a difference? If you want a verse in the New Testament that will teach this, I'm going to give you several later on, but how about James 4 and verse 6, where he says, "Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." What does the Bible teach you? That God fights against the proud, arrogant, haughty, heady, high-minded person, but God gives grace to the humble. Now, does God hear the cries and the prayers of the wicked and the righteous alike? No, there is a difference. He hears the prayers of the righteous. His eyes are upon the righteous, but the wicked are an abomination to Him. So the scripture does not teach that God treats everyone alike. He does not. Secondly, someone is going to say, "But pastor, you've not answered the objection because the scripture says that God is no respecter of persons."
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What does that mean? Well, let me show you. If you will turn in your Bibles to the book of Acts chapter 10. Very quickly, I will show you the four times that that phrase occurs in the New Testament. Look at Acts chapter 10 and verse 34. Acts 10 verse 34. And here Peter is preaching to Cornelius. Notice Acts 10 and verse 34. And Peter makes this statement to Cornelius, who was a centurion. "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons." Wow. What in the world does that mean? Well, look in Romans 2 and verse 11.
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You will see it again. Romans 2, verse 11, here again the Bible says this, "For there is no respect of persons with God."
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Now I'm not going to take time to look at all the context, I'm going to explain it, but skip down to verse 12 since you're right there. He says in verse 11, "For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." That ought to give you some indication as to where we're going. But look in your Bibles to Ephesians 6 and verse 9. Ephesians 6 and verse 9.
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And then we'll turn over to the book of Colossians chapter 3. Notice Ephesians chapter 6 verse 9. Again the Bible says this. Ephesians 6 verse 9. "And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him." And then lastly, in the book of Colossians chapter 3 and verse 25, Colossians 3 verse 25, you read this, "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons." Now, let's deal with this phrase, "there is no respect of persons." Interestingly enough.
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In three of the passages, that phrase dealt with judgment. One of the passages in Acts chapter 10, it dealt with salvation. Let me tell you what that phrase actually means. It means this: that man's merits cannot commend him to God, neither does man's demerits, nor can they keep him from God. In other words, here's what it means when it says that God is no respecter of persons. It means this, that God does not respect what a man has or what he does not have. In other words, the riches of the rich cannot commend that man to God, nor the poverty of the poor can keep God from blessing the poor man or saving the poor man. It means this, it doesn't matter what a man has, it doesn't matter what a man does, if he is wicked, God will judge him. Period.
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There's no way that he can escape. Now let me just show you what it means to have respect of persons. I've just told you, but look in your Bibles to James chapter 2. Here it is very clearly taught. When you see that the phrase that God is no respecter of persons, that does not mean that God treats everyone alike. It just simply means that there's nothing that man can do to commend himself to God, nor anything he has can keep God from reaching out to him. Here's what it means. Notice James 2, verse 1. "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." Ah. Now, wait a minute. "Have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ with respect of persons." Now skip down, if you would please, to verse 9. He says, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." Now, wait a minute. What were they doing to respect persons?
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Go back to verse two. Here it is explained. "For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool."
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"Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."
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"But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin." What is respect to persons? So here we go. The President of the United States comes in through those doors, and I say, "Harry, get up and let the President sit there. That's the most comfortable seat in this house. Let him. Harry, go back there and sit." What am I doing? I'm having respect to persons. In other words, it doesn't matter what a man has or what he doesn't have.
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We all stand equally as sinners before God. And if a poor man comes in and I say, "Well, you know, there's a chair back there" when there's a comfortable seat right here in front, I'm having respect to persons. So having respect to persons does not mean necessarily that you're treating everyone equally in that sense of the word. It means that something that that man has or that he does not have is either commending himself to you or it's not commending himself to you. You follow? Now, listen.
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These people in James chapter two were showing partiality in the fact that they were honoring the rich with their best seats and despising the poor, and the poor happen to be the godly. And he's saying in James chapter two, don't you know, it's these rich politicians, you might as well say, who are pulling you to the judgment seat and putting you in jail and taking everything you've got and you're honoring them. You're having respect, you're despising the poor because he doesn't have something, and certainly God condemns that. So when the Bible says that God is no respecter of persons, it means this. The rich man cannot commend himself to God. And the poor man, because of his demerits, does not mean that he can be kept away from God. God does not look at what a man has or what a man does not have. So very obviously, God does not treat everyone alike. The Bible says in Proverbs 12 and verse 26, "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour." So there is a difference that God puts.
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Now, having established this, I want you to go back in your Bibles to Psalm 4 because I want to show you that there are those who are marked out as distinct and treated with special preferential treatment by God himself. Now, let me give you a quote from Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon, that prince of preachers, said this concerning Psalm 4. He says this psalm is apparently intended to accompany the third psalm, and Psalm 3 and 4 make a pair. If Psalm 3 is called the morning psalm, and it is, then he says Psalm 4 deserves the title of the evening hymn, because of Psalm 4 and verse 8. And if you look at verse 8, David says, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep."
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"For thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety." And I quote that verse frequently, especially when I go to bed at night.
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Now, notice if you would please, you have the morning psalm in verse 3, you have the evening psalm in verse 4. So Psalm 4 is indeed an evening psalm in the sense that we're to commune upon our beds. It's the Lord who gives peace and restful sleep. What I want to do today is this, I want to only deal with the first three verses of this psalm. And I'm going to pass very quickly and very lightly over verses 1 and verses 2 in order that I might get to verse 3. So notice if you would, verse 1, we're going to see David's prayer and praise. Verse 2, we're going to see David's protest. And then verse 3, David's pronouncement. So look in verse 1, David says, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." So in verse 1 you have David's prayer and praise. David beseeches God in his prayer. He says, "Hear me, O God of my righteousness."
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Now let me just tell you what David is saying when he says, "Hear me, O God of my righteousness." He is referring to the fact that God is not only the author of righteousness, He is the witness to our righteousness, He is the maintainer of our righteousness, He is the judge and He is the rewarder of righteousness. Therefore, when we are wrongly and wickedly condemned by man, we may rightly and justly appeal to the Supreme Court judge of all the earth, God Himself. God knows our righteousness since He is the author of it.
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You know, there's a sign and you see it along I-75. It's probably other places too. But to these little messages that have signed God at the bottom, there's one on I-75 North that says this. "The real Supreme Court meets up here, signed God." And that's true. That's true. Do you realize we live in a day and time, oftentimes when the righteous are wickedly and wrongly condemned.
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I could sit here today and name numerous preachers as well as numerous Christians that are in prison not because they've done something wicked and wrong, not because they're rapists and murderers and bank robbers and thieves, no, no, no, no, but because they've taken a stand for righteousness and they've refused to support evil and now they're in prison for that. David said, "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness."
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Men may disregard our pleas. Men may ignore our cries. Men may stifle their ears. They may sear their conscience. But God, the righteous judge, will always hear our case. And David is saying, "Hear my prayer when I cry." And now David does something in Psalm 4 that you're going to find as you read through the Psalms, that David does very often. What is that? David oftentimes appeals to God's past mercies to not only remind him, but to encourage him in his present distress. Look at verse one. "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness." He says, "Thou hast," that's past tense, "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress." Now look what he says. "Have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer." So he said, "God, you've delivered me in time past. You've helped me in time past. You've given me grace and mercy in time past."
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Now, Lord, I'm in trouble again. Hear my prayer again. And you and I need to learn to praise God for His past deliverances, His past mercies and use them as a stepping stone to plead for present mercies in our present distress. That's exactly what David is doing. You know what the Bible says, let me just quote these verses. In Job 5 and verse 19, the scripture says, "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee." He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, and seven, no evil shall touch thee. What is he saying? God constantly and consistently delivers his people. In Psalm 34 and verse 6, and I love this verse, David said, "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and did what? And saved him out of all of his troubles. And then Psalm 34, verse 17, which I read earlier, "The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles."
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So what is David doing in verse one? He's praying for help, but he's also praising God for past help. And he's saying, "Lord, because you've been so gracious and kind in the past, please continue that." We've got to understand that God is immutable. He does not change. He that has helped us in the past will help us also in the present. Then if you look in verse 2, you have David's protest. After David gives his prayer and praise, he says in verse 2, "O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?" So he's talking to the sons of men, he's talking to men in general, probably certain rulers in particular, or certain powerful men in particular. He says, "how long will ye turn my glory to shame?" Not only God's glory, but also David's as well. He says, "how long will ye love vanity?" And you've got to remember that vanity in the Bible is another word for idolatry. And then he asks, "and seek after leasing."
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The word leasing means lying, falsehood, fabrications. How long are you going to seek after lying and untruth and falsehoods? Let me give you a quote from Spurgeon. This is what he said on verse two. "In the second division of the psalm, we are led from the closet of prayer into the field of conflict. Remarkably undaunted courage of the man of God. He allows that his enemies are great men, for such is the import of the Hebrew word translated, sons of men. But still he believes them to be foolish men, and therefore he chides them as though they were but children. He tells them that they love vanity and seek after leasing, that is lying, empty fancies, vain conceits, wicked fabrications."
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"He asks them how long they mean to make his honor a jest and his fame a mockery. A little of such mirth is too much, why need they continue to indulge it? Had they not been long enough upon the watch for his halting? Had not repeated disappointments convinced them that the Lord's anointed was not to be overcome by their wickedness? Did they mean to jest their souls into hell and go on with their laughter until swift justice should turn their merriment into howling?"
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"In the contemplation of their perverse continuance in their vain and lying pursuits, the psalmist solemnly pauses and inserts a Selah. Surely, we too may stop a while and meditate upon the deep-seated folly of the wicked, their continuance in evil, and their destruction, that we may learn to admire that grace which has made us to differ and taught us to love truth and seek after righteousness." Isn't that amazing?
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"O you sons of men, how long? How long will you seek after vanity? How long will you seek after lying?" You know, you can look around at our present society. Look around at our present government. You look at the vast circumstances of evil that we're in. Look at our economy, if nothing else. Look at our money supply. And you look at our congressmen and you say, "Oh, you sons of men, how long will you love vanity and lying? How long will you continue in your foolishness? Paper is not money. Debt is not money. War is not peace." I mean, come on.
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That's exactly what David is doing. You can look around and see today multitudes of illustrations in our society of men who speak falsehoods, who love vanity, who love lying, who love deceit. That is their normal way of life. Like David, we need to protest their wickedness, their stupidity, their foolishness. And do you remember that passage? In Proverbs 8, verses 35 and 36, what did Christ say? He said, "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord."
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And then he added, verse 36, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." So David is right when he protests against the wicked.
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Now I want to call your attention to verse three. That is our verse for today. David's pronouncement. Are you special? Watch this, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call." Look at that verse. "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call." Now, I want to emphasize certain words in this verse. And the first two words I want to emphasize are, "but know" or "but know." Look at it. Verse three, "but know," "but know." Here are two words that are extremely instructive. David is informing us that here is a truth that you and I must comprehend. We must do it. We must perceive it. Now, the Hebrew word for know is the Hebrew word yada, and it literally means to know, to perceive, to understand, and to comprehend. So here's a word that speaks of certainty in knowledge, "but know," in other words, you better know this, you better comprehend it, you better understand it.
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You know, many times in the New Testament, Paul used similar language. He would use a phrase like, "know ye not." I mean, this is something that everyone should know. And then at times he would use this phrase, "but I would not have you ignorant, brethren." In other words, I'm teaching you something. I'm telling you something you need to know. And have you ever noticed when our Lord was teaching in the New Testament, He used two terms over and over, especially when He was emphasizing a very important point.
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He would say, "Verily, verily, I say unto you," or "Truly, truly," or "Amen, amen." What was He saying? I'm punctuating this truth. This is extremely important. You must know it. So in verse four, He says, "But know." Notice, if you would please, the next words, "that the Lord." And notice, if you would please, the word Lord is Yahweh or Jehovah. Notice, he says, "that the Lord," in other words, what David is about to tell us is something that God does. This is an act of God. This is a work of God. This is something that He does. And what David is saying is this, in our modern day language, sit up, pay attention. I'm about to tell you something that God Himself does. And you better know it. So what does David tell us? He says, "But know," and you know for certain that you comprehend this, that this is an act, this is a work of God, "that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Wow. You know, we read about a certain phrase in the Bible, but we've never really comprehended it.
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Have you ever noticed that we are to be His peculiar treasure, or His peculiar people?
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Now, let me just show you. Look at verse three again, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Now I want you to hold that passage and I want you to turn to the book of Malachi, chapter three, the last book of the Old Testament. And let me show you a parallel passage that is similar to Psalm 4 and verse 3. Notice if you would, Malachi chapter 3 and notice verses 16 and 17. Malachi 3 verses 16 and 17. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name." Now look what he says, "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts."
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"In that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." God said, "They shall be mine."
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Now go back to Psalm 4 and verse 3. David said, "But know this, that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Psalm 4 and verse 3, said this. "The Lord has set apart him that is godly, every particular godly man for himself. In his eternal choice, in his effectual calling, in the special disposals of his providence and operations of his grace, his people are purified unto him a peculiar people. Godly men are God's separated, sealed ones."
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"He knows those that are his and has set his image and superscription upon them. He distinguishes them with uncommon favors. That is, they get special treatment. 'They shall be mine,' said the Lord, 'in that day when I make up my jewels.' Know this. Let godly people know it and let them never alienate themselves from Him to whom they are thus appropriated. Let the wicked people know it and take heed how they hurt those whom God protects." He said, here is something you better know.
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Now let me show you whole Psalm 4, but look in your Bibles to Exodus chapter 19 and let me just show you how God ordained that His people always be His peculiar treasure. Notice in Exodus chapter 19 and verse 5. Exodus 19 verse 5. Look what God tells Israel. Exodus 19 verse 5. "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people."
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"For all the earth is mine." Now, let me just stop there. We're going to look at some other verses, but look at this. God says, "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice, and keep my covenant." Now, look, "ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me." Help me out with those next three words: "above all people." Does God put a difference? Does God make a distinction? Oh yes. What is required in Exodus 19 verse 5 for you and I to be above all people? We must know His voice. We must keep His commandments and His covenant. Look in your Bibles to the book of Deuteronomy chapter 14. Deuteronomy 14. Notice verse 2. Deuteronomy 14 verse 2. God says to Israel, "For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself." Now look, "above all the nations that are upon the earth." God has chosen you to be a peculiar people. Look in Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18. Deuteronomy 26 and verse 18.
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Here again, the Bible says, and this is if I were to read the entire chapter, it's an obeying God, especially in giving and in tithing. He says this in verse 18, "And the Lord hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments." Are you looking now? "And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken." Wow.
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Now, it seems to me just reading the Scripture, that God not only makes a difference, He makes a vast difference. And that vast difference is really based upon whether or not we obey Him. If you would look in Psalm 135, Psalm 135, and notice verse 4. Psalm 135, verse 4.
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Look what the scripture says. "For the Lord hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure." For his peculiar treasure. Now let me tell you about the word peculiar. The Hebrew word is segulah and it literally means a valued property, a peculiar treasure that belongs particularly to someone. I want you to see that this exact same truth is taught in the New Testament. Look in your Bibles to the book of Titus chapter 2 and verse 14, and then we'll go to 1 Peter. Titus chapter 2 and verse 14. After 1st and 2nd Timothy, you have Titus. Titus 2, look in verse 14. If you were to ask, why did Christ give Himself for us? Why did He sacrifice Himself?
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Why did He become our substitute? Well, in verse 14, the Bible tells us. Titus 2, verse 14, "Who gave himself for us." Why? "That he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Isn't that amazing? As Israel was to be that peculiar people in the Old Testament, now we who are the redeemed children of God are to still be that peculiar people. Look in the book of 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Peter 2 verse 9. And interestingly, Peter uses the same word. He says in 1 Peter 2 and verse 9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light." Now, in the New Testament, the Greek word is periousios, and it refers once again to one's own belonging, particularly and peculiarly to an individual. It means here is a possession that has been selected by God above all people and above all nations for Himself.
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Now, I want you to go back to Psalm 4 and look at verse 3 and let me ask you a question. I've pointed out now how God does make a difference, how God does make a distinction. And David is telling us in verse three, "But know," you better grasp this, you better understand it, you better comprehend it, because this is the work of God. He says, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Here's the important question. What does it mean to be godly? What does it mean to be godly? It doesn't mean that you're just saved. I have known and I still know plenty of professing Christians, and they may not be real genuine Christians. I understand that. But I know plenty of professing Christians that I would never refer to as godly. In fact, most professing Christians are worldly, carnal and fleshly. So what is godliness? A godly individual is someone who lives his life in accordance with the word of God. The Hebrew word for godly is the word chasid, and it refers to those who are holy, saintly, pious, faithful, and godly.
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Let me say this again. A godly man is one who is faithful in the principles of Scripture. A godly man is one who is constantly and continually bringing his life in conformity to the Word of God. A godly man is a saintly man in that he actually lives and acts and talks like a Christian. Let me say it again. A godly man is one who lives and acts the way God would have him to act.
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Now, let me clear up a misconception. When Scripture speaks of a godly man, it does not speak of perfection. It does not refer to a man who is sinless, who is perfect, and one who does not have any faults. How do we know that? Well, for two reasons. First, and most obviously, we're still sinners and we still sin. And we will not have perfection until we reach eternity, until we have a glorified body. And until then, we are still sinners. How do I know, secondly, that a godly man is not a perfect man? How do I know that a godly man is not one who does not have any faults and does not ever sin?
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Let me tell you how. Look in your Bibles to Psalm 32 and you will find it in the Scripture. Look in Psalm 32. By the way, Psalm 32 is one of those penitential psalms where David is confessing and acknowledging his sin. You remember that David was a man after God's own heart, and David sinned. But notice what he said in Psalm 32, verse 5. Watch carefully. Here's how we know that a godly man is not a perfect man. In verse 5, David said, "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah." Stop. Think about that. Watch verse 6, "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him."
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Now let me ask you a question. If a godly man is praying for forgiveness, what does that mean? He sinned. David said, "Look, I have not hidden my transgression. I sinned against you, Lord. I'm acknowledging it. And Lord, I want forgiveness." And then he said, "You did forgive the iniquity of my sin."
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Now, he said, "For this shall every one that is godly pray in a time when thou mayest be found." So godly men may sin. But let me tell you something else about godly men. They also repent. They do not remain in their sins. They do not pretend that they are perfect. They do not pretend that they have never sinned. I still remember the first time that I ever met a professing Christian who claimed sinless perfection.
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He lived in Thomasville, Georgia. I went into his place of business. I knew he was a professing Christian. And as I went in, I said to him, "Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven? David said, 'Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.'" So I said, "Isn't it wonderful to have your sins forgiven?" He said, "I wouldn't know. I haven't sinned in 15 years." My mouth fell open.
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When I got my composure, I said, "I'm sorry to upset you, but you just did. For he that says he hath no sin is a liar and the truth is not in him, according to 1 John 1. I said you just sinned because you lied."
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Now, David is saying, look, a godly man may sin, but a godly man's not going to remain in his sin. He's going to repent and turn from it. A godly man understands Proverbs 28, verse 13. Let me just quote it for you. The Bible says, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." You know what the Bible says in 1 John 1 and verse 9? The Bible says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." A godly man is not perfect.
#67 | 50:28 to 51:22 | cleaned
Now, let me tell you something, folks. Although a godly man is not perfect, he may desire perfection. He may want perfection. He may strive for perfection, but he knows he's not perfect and he cannot be in this life. But let me point something else about a godly man. A godly man is also one who realizes, listen carefully, that he does not have to sin. What? Well, let me show you.
#68 | 51:22 to 51:59 | cleaned
Turn in your Bibles to two passages. 1 John and Romans 6. OK, 1 John. I want you to go to 1 John chapter 2. We will look there first. And then we'll go back to Romans chapter 6, because I've just made a statement that a godly man is not perfect, and that certainly is true. He sins because he's still a man. He's still a sinner. But I've also said now that a godly man also knows that he does not have to sin. Look in your Bibles to 1 John 2 and verse 1. John wrote, "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not." Why did John write 1 John? In order that we not sin. And then he says this, "And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Now, he said, the reason I wrote this, I don't want you to sin. But when you do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. In other words, he's our mediator.
#69 | 51:59 to 53:10 | cleaned
He's the one that we go to. Now, if you'll go back in your Bibles to Romans chapter six, let me explain this a little further. In Romans 6 and verse 14, there's a powerful, powerful verse. And I want you to note what he says. In Romans 6 and verse 14, he says this, "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace." What does it mean when he says "for sin shall not have dominion over you"? Let me tell you, if you were to take the time and I preached on this chapter many years ago, but if you were to take the time to study Romans chapter 6, you're going to find that in Romans chapter 6, sin is treated as a king. It is treated as a lord. And as a king and as a lord, it has a dominion. What does Romans chapter 6 tell us? Romans chapter 6 tells us that Christ has come and Christ has redeemed us and saved us from the kingdom and the dominion of sin and He's translated us into the kingdom of God.
#70 | 53:11 to 54:18 | cleaned
Sin is no longer our king. Sin does not have dominion over us. We are now under King Jesus. We are now under His dominion. So when sin comes to the child of God and says, "You want that woman, you want to steal that money," you can say, "Oh, no, no, no, you're mistaken. Thank you for your suggestion, but I do not want that suggestion because I have another king, one Jesus. I'm now under His dominion."
#71 | 54:19 to 54:46 | cleaned
I do not have to fulfill my lusts and my desires. Why? Because sin does not have dominion over me. Sin does have dominion over unsafe people, but it does not have dominion over a child of God. So very obviously, while on the one hand, a godly man is one who may sin, on the other hand, a godly man realizes he does not have to sin because of the power of God in his life. Now, will we sin? Yes.
#72 | 54:48 to 55:21 | cleaned
How many of you prayed yesterday the way you should have prayed? How many of you obeyed yesterday the way you should have obeyed? How many of you honored God? How many of you have worshipped God this morning the way that you should have worshipped God? None of us, which means we've sinned. You see, you don't have to be an adulterer and a whoremonger and a thief and a liar and a murderer to sin. There's many ways to sin. But what a godly man realizes is he does not have to sin. Now, I want you to go back in your Bibles.
#73 | 55:22 to 55:57 | cleaned
To the book of Malachi chapter two, last book in the Old Testament. And let me show you an interesting perspective on being godly. Let me show you how practical this thing is. I've pointed out that a godly man is one who honors God, who obeys his covenant, who keeps his commandments. We'll look at Malachi chapter two and verse 15. "And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one?" Now he's talking about marriage. "That he might seek a godly seed." Now look what God says. "Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." Wow. Why did he make the husband and wife one? Well, the answer is that he might seek a godly seed. Now God says, "Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth." So, Alice, I've been married 45 years.
#74 | 55:58 to 57:18 | cleaned
I can't say now, "Sweetheart, I'm going through a midlife crisis. I need a couple of 20 year olds." That's dealing treacherously against the wife of my youth. You follow me now, listen carefully, he said "that he might seek a godly seed." Let me tell you what the word godly is in the Hebrew. Listen carefully. The word for God in the Hebrew is Elohim. Does that ring a bell? I hope it does. Because Elohim is a name for God in the Bible. In fact, the word Elohim is sometimes used of judges and rulers in the Bible because they are to judge and rule for God. And now here it is used when God is seeking a godly seed. What does that mean? It means he is seeking a seed like unto himself, a seed that will honor him, a seed that will obey him, a seed that will live according to his commandments. And to show you the practicality of being godly, look what he says, "Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth."
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What does he say? He says, you keep your mind, you keep your attitude, and therefore you will keep your actions. In other words, being godly then means bringing your thinking, bringing your thought life, bringing your actions in conformity to the Word of God. And guess what? When you get to the New Testament, and you find the word godly, although there are several words that are used there.
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Eusebeia is one of them. But by and large, the most frequent word for godly in the New Testament is the word theos, which is the word, another word for God. We talk about theology, which is the study of God. In other words, what God is telling us is this. That being godly and living godly and acting godly literally means this, that you live and act as the way God would have you to live and act. That is, you bring your life in conformity to His words.
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You remember, our Lord said it like this in John 8 and verse 29. He said, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him." You know, that really ought to be our prayer when we wake up every morning. "Lord, help me today to do only and always those things which please You."
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I want to show you that we are exhorted in the New Testament to live that way. Look in your Bibles to 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 and verse 1. 1 Thessalonians 4 and look if you would please at verse 1. Paul says, "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." What did he say? We're exhorting you by the Lord Jesus how you received of us, how we taught you, how you ought to walk and please God so that you would abound more and more.
#79 | 1:00:22 to 1:01:19 | cleaned
You know what I'm teaching you today? I'm teaching you how to walk and please God. That's what being godly is. Look at Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy chapter 2 and verse 4. Second Timothy 2 verse 4, Paul writes, "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." What is our primary objective as a Christian soldier? It is to please our heavenly Father.
#80 | 1:01:20 to 1:01:55 | cleaned
And you don't have to turn to the scripture. I'll quote it up because you know it. Hebrews 11, verse six. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." You know what a godly man is? A godly man is one who pleases God by his faith, by his attitude, by his conduct, by his faithfulness. He is one who sets the Lord and his word first and foremost and above all, and seeks in every area of his life to please God. Is the godly man perfect? No!
#81 | 1:01:58 to 1:02:37 | cleaned
But he sure would like to be. He sure wants to be. But he is a man that when he sins, he's willing to be reviewed. He's willing to face his sins. He's willing to acknowledge his sins. He's willing to repent of those sins. And he's willing to continually bring his life in conformity to the Word of God.
#82 | 1:02:40 to 1:03:09 | cleaned
Now, turn back in your Bibles to Psalm 4. Look in Psalm 4 and verse 3. Watch carefully. David says, "But know," here's something you better know, "but know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." Wow. And then David says this. "The Lord will hear when I call unto him." David, how do you know God's going to hear you when you pray? His answer is, because I'm a godly man. God has set me apart for Himself. I'm different. I'm distinct. I'm His peculiar treasure. I'm His personal property.
#83 | 1:03:11 to 1:04:10 | cleaned
I have a special relationship to Him. He's going to hear me when I pray. You know what the Bible says in James 5 and verse 16? Listen carefully. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." You could say the effectual fervent prayer of a godly man availeth much. Now, here's the question. Do you want to be treated special by our Lord? Or are you satisfied to be the common everyday ordinary, run-of-the-mill, professing Christian who is satisfied with disobedience, ignorance, and apathy? If you want VIP treatment from God, you must render VIP treatment to God. And what God does is He sets apart him that is godly for Himself. "You're my peculiar treasure. I'm going to listen to you particularly. I'm going to take care of you. I'm going to protect you."
#84 | 1:04:11 to 1:05:33 | cleaned
"I'll be your sun and your shield." Now, let me make just a couple of applications. I want you to turn in your Bibles to Psalm 12. Why is what I am preaching to you today so important? It is not only important to you as an individual. It is also important to our society. Why is it important to our society? I want you to understand that the lack of godly men should be a great cause of frustration and consternation. It was to David. Look how he begins Psalm 12 in verse 1. "Help, Lord!" David, why are you crying for help? "For the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men." By the way, I want you to note how godly and faithful are used interchangeably. They're synonymous. He says, "Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men."
#85 | 1:05:35 to 1:06:43 | cleaned
Well, let me ask this question. What happens to society when the godly man ceases and the faithful fail? We'll begin with verse 2. "They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him." And look what he says. He says, when the faithful fail, when the godly man ceases, you have pride and arrogance and rebellion. And the people say, "Who is Lord over us?" They don't recognize any Lord. In other words, society deteriorates. We almost see that in America, don't we? Almost my foot.
#86 | 1:06:43 to 1:07:41 | cleaned
I'm just simply pointing out the fact, folks, we are in the mess we're in in this country. One of the reasons is because there are no godly, faithful men in it as we should be. There are some, but the deterioration and the loss of godly, faithful men equals the deterioration in society. So again, the question is this. How do you want to be treated in this life?
#87 | 1:07:49 to 1:08:22 | cleaned
Do you prefer the common, ordinary treatment? Or do you prefer to be treated as someone special, someone given preferential treatment by the sovereign God of the universe? Do you want to travel through this life first class or coach? If you want first class, then you have to make sure that you're a godly man or godly woman. The Bible says in Proverbs 15, verse 29, let me just quote it, "The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous." In Psalm 5, verse 12, the Bible says, "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield." Do you want the special favor of God? Do you want God to hear you when you cry? Do you want to be blessed with uncommon favor?
#88 | 1:08:24 to 1:09:30 | cleaned
Then, dear friend, you better learn something. You better learn this simple truth. "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself." If you want to be treated specially, differently, preferentially, you better make sure that you're godly and obedient and faithful in every area of your life. And David said, "The Lord will hear me when I call." Oh, to be heard by God. God sets apart him that is godly for Himself. Let's pray.
#89 | 1:09:32 to 1:10:23 | cleaned
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, we thank You for Your grace and for Your mercy. And Lord, we thank You that You are the One who made the difference in our lives. Thou hast made us to differ. Thou hast saved us. Thou hast given us grace and mercy. Thou hast preserved us and kept us alive. Thou hast given us knowledge and abilities, and we give Thee the honor and the glory. And Lord, my prayer is that You would make each one of us more holy, more godly, more obedient, more faithful, that we may bring more honor and glory to Thy great and holy name. In the name of Jesus Christ we ask and pray, Amen.
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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | clean_readable_transcript | 2026-06-06T03:58:33Z

Are You Special?

John Weaver | Freedom Ministries

John Weaver examines Psalm 4:1-3 to argue that God does not treat everyone alike but sets apart the godly for Himself, granting them special preferential treatment. He defines godliness as living in conformity to God's Word, not sinless perfection, and calls believers to pursue this distinct, faithful life to receive God's uncommon favor and answered prayer.

Opening

Scripture Reading — Psalm 4:1-8

"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness. Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress. Have mercy upon me and hear my prayer."

Introduction: The Desire for Special Treatment

Weaver opens by noting that everyone desires VIP treatment, illustrated by expensive resorts like Atlantis, and poses the question of whether we can receive special treatment from God.

God Does Not Treat Everyone Alike

He challenges the notion that God treats all equally, citing 1 Corinthians 4:7 and Exodus 11:7 to show God makes a difference between people, such as between Israel and Egypt.

Biblical Evidence of Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked

Weaver provides multiple Proverbs and Psalms showing God delights in the upright but abominates the wicked, hears the righteous but is far from the wicked.

Scripture Reading — Proverbs 15:29

"The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous."

Clarifying 'No Respecter of Persons'

You will see it again. Romans 2, verse 11, here again the Bible says this,

Scripture Reading — Romans 2:11

"For there is no respect of persons with God."

Now I'm not going to take time to look at all the context, I'm going to explain it, but skip down to verse 12 since you're right there. He says in verse 11,

Scripture Reading — Romans 2:11

"For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law."

That ought to give you some indication as to where we're going. But look in your Bibles to Ephesians 6 and verse 9. Ephesians 6 and verse 9.

Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:25

"But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons."

Now, let's deal with this phrase,

Scripture Reading — Colossians 3:25

"there is no respect of persons."

Exposition of Psalm 4:1-2: David's Prayer, Praise, and Protest

Weaver briefly covers David's appeal to God as his righteousness, his remembrance of past deliverance, and his protest against the wicked who love vanity and lies.

Scripture Reading — Job 5:19

"He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee."

And then he added, verse 36, "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." So David is right when he protests against the wicked.

Psalm 4:3: God Sets Apart the Godly

The focus shifts to verse 3, emphasizing 'but know' as a call to understand that God actively sets apart the godly for Himself as His peculiar treasure.

Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:16-17

"Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name."

Now look what he says,

Scripture Reading — Malachi 3:16-17

"And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts."

Old and New Testament Teaching on God's Peculiar People

Weaver traces the theme of God's peculiar treasure from Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy, and Psalms to Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9, showing continuity of God's special possession.

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people." "For all the earth is mine."

Now, let me just stop there. We're going to look at some other verses, but look at this. God says,

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice, and keep my covenant."

Now, look,

Scripture Reading — Exodus 19:5

"ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me."

Defining Godliness: Not Perfection but Conformity to God's Will

He defines a godly person as one who lives according to God's Word, not sinless but repentant, and aware that sin no longer has dominion over them through Christ.

Practical Godliness in Marriage and Daily Life

Using Malachi 2:15, Weaver illustrates godliness as faithfulness in marriage and bringing every thought and action into conformity with God's commands.

The Call to Please God and the Promise of Being Heard

He exhorts believers to walk to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:4) and assures that the godly are heard by God, as David declares in Psalm 4:3.

Application: The Need for Godly Men in Society

Weaver warns from Psalm 12 that the lack of godly, faithful men leads to societal decay, and challenges listeners to pursue godliness for God's special favor.

Conclusion and Prayer

He concludes by urging believers to be godly to receive preferential treatment from God, and closes in prayer for increased holiness and faithfulness.

Are You Special?

John Weaver | SermonAudio

Lecture Metadata	Details
Speaker	John Weaver
Source	SermonAudio
Media ID	91208163510
Subject	Old Testament Studies
Course	Exodus: Bondage, Deliverance, and Passover: The Superiority of Christ
Genre	Sermon
Date	2008-07-13
Dictation Name
Book	Book 078: Exodus: Bondage, Deliverance, and Passover - Volume 1 — Chapter 6
Source Timed Segments	90

Lecture Guide

Outline

Introduction: The Desire for Special Treatment: Weaver opens by noting that everyone desires VIP treatment, illustrated by expensive resorts like Atlantis, and poses the question of whether we can receive special treatment from God.
God Does Not Treat Everyone Alike: He challenges the notion that God treats all equally, citing 1 Corinthians 4:7 and Exodus 11:7 to show God makes a difference between people, such as between Israel and Egypt.
Biblical Evidence of Distinction Between Righteous and Wicked: Weaver provides multiple Proverbs and Psalms showing God delights in the upright but abominates the wicked, hears the righteous but is far from the wicked.
Clarifying 'No Respecter of Persons': He explains that 'God is no respecter of persons' means God does not favor based on wealth or status, not that He treats all identically, using Acts 10, Romans 2, Ephesians 6, Colossians 3, and James 2.
Exposition of Psalm 4:1-2: David's Prayer, Praise, and Protest: Weaver briefly covers David's appeal to God as his righteousness, his remembrance of past deliverance, and his protest against the wicked who love vanity and lies.
Psalm 4:3: God Sets Apart the Godly: The focus shifts to verse 3, emphasizing 'but know' as a call to understand that God actively sets apart the godly for Himself as His peculiar treasure.
Old and New Testament Teaching on God's Peculiar People: Weaver traces the theme of God's peculiar treasure from Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy, and Psalms to Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9, showing continuity of God's special possession.
Defining Godliness: Not Perfection but Conformity to God's Will: He defines a godly person as one who lives according to God's Word, not sinless but repentant, and aware that sin no longer has dominion over them through Christ.
Practical Godliness in Marriage and Daily Life: Using Malachi 2:15, Weaver illustrates godliness as faithfulness in marriage and bringing every thought and action into conformity with God's commands.
The Call to Please God and the Promise of Being Heard: He exhorts believers to walk to please God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:4) and assures that the godly are heard by God, as David declares in Psalm 4:3.
Application: The Need for Godly Men in Society: Weaver warns from Psalm 12 that the lack of godly, faithful men leads to societal decay, and challenges listeners to pursue godliness for God's special favor.
Conclusion and Prayer: He concludes by urging believers to be godly to receive preferential treatment from God, and closes in prayer for increased holiness and faithfulness.

Major Themes

Key Arguments

God treats the godly with special favor, contrary to the idea that He treats everyone alike.

Weaver argues that Scripture plainly shows God making distinctions, such as between Israel and Egypt, and between the prayers of the righteous and the wicked.

He uses Exodus 11:7, Proverbs 15:8, 29, and Psalm 34:15, 17 to demonstrate that God's treatment differs based on one's relationship with Him.

'No respecter of persons' means God does not favor based on external status, not that He treats all identically.

He clarifies that the phrase refers to impartiality in judgment and salvation, not to a lack of distinction between the godly and the wicked.

By examining Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9, Colossians 3:25, and James 2:1-9, he shows the phrase condemns partiality based on wealth or poverty.

Godliness is defined by obedience and conformity to God's Word, not by sinless perfection.

A godly person may sin but repents and strives to live according to God's commands, knowing sin no longer has dominion over them.

Psalm 32:5-6 shows David, a godly man, confessing sin; Romans 6:14 teaches that sin shall not have dominion; 1 John 2:1 encourages not sinning but provides an advocate if we do.

God sets apart the godly as His peculiar treasure, granting them special access and protection.

The godly are God's personal property, distinguished by His grace, and this special relationship ensures He hears their prayers.

Psalm 4:3 states 'the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself'; Malachi 3:17 calls them His jewels; Titus 2:14 and 1 Peter 2:9 call believers a peculiar people.

The lack of godly men leads to societal decay, making personal godliness a matter of public importance.

When faithful, godly individuals cease, society becomes characterized by vanity, flattery, pride, and rebellion against God.

Psalm 12:1-4 describes the consequences of the godly man ceasing: 'they speak vanity... with flattering lips... who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?'

Scripture References

Psalm 4:1-8: The entire psalm is read at the beginning; the sermon focuses on verses 1-3, with verse 8 noted as an evening prayer.
1 Corinthians 4:7: Used to show that God makes people to differ; whatever we have is received from God, so we should not boast.
Exodus 11:7: Demonstrates that God puts a difference between the Egyptians and Israel, treating His people with special protection.
Proverbs 15:8: Shows that the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, but the prayer of the upright is God's delight, indicating distinction.
Proverbs 15:29: States the Lord is far from the wicked but hears the prayer of the righteous, reinforcing God's differential treatment.
Proverbs 28:9: Declares that even the prayer of one who turns from God's law is an abomination, contrasting with the righteous.
Psalm 34:15, 17: Affirms that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and He hears their cries, delivering them from troubles.
James 4:6: Quoted to show God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, another distinction.
Acts 10:34: Peter's statement that God is no respecter of persons, used to explain the phrase's meaning regarding impartiality.
Romans 2:11: Reinforces that there is no respect of persons with God, in the context of judgment.
Ephesians 6:9: Masters are reminded that their Master in heaven has no respect of persons, emphasizing impartiality.
Colossians 3:25: States that wrongdoers will be repaid, and there is no respect of persons, again in judgment context.
James 2:1-9: Illustrates respect of persons as showing partiality to the rich over the poor, which God condemns.
Proverbs 12:26: Cited briefly: 'The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour,' indicating a difference.
Job 5:19: Quoted to show God delivers His people from troubles repeatedly.
Psalm 34:6: David's testimony that the Lord heard his cry and saved him from all troubles, used as an example of past deliverance.
Proverbs 8:35-36: Quoted to show that those who find Christ find life, but those who sin against Him love death, supporting the protest against the wicked.
Malachi 3:16-17: God's promise that those who fear Him will be His jewels, paralleling Psalm 4:3's 'set apart.'
Exodus 19:5: God's covenant that Israel would be a peculiar treasure above all people if they obey.
Deuteronomy 14:2: Israel chosen as a peculiar people above all nations.

Historical References

Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Spurgeon is quoted regarding Psalm 4 as an evening psalm paired with Psalm 3, and his commentary on verse 2 is read at length.
Matthew Henry: Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalm 4:3 is quoted, describing the godly as God's separated, sealed ones.
Atlantis resort in the Bahamas: Weaver shares a personal anecdote about visiting the Atlantis resort, noting a $25,000-per-night suite to illustrate the desire for VIP treatment.

Important Quotes

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call.

This is the central verse of the sermon, declaring God's special setting apart of the godly and the promise of answered prayer.

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Used to establish that God is the source of all distinctions among people, countering the idea that all are treated identically.

But against any of the children of Israel shall not a dog move his tongue, against man or beast: that ye may know how that the Lord doth put a difference between the Egyptians and Israel.

Direct scriptural proof that God makes a distinction between His people and others.

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Highlights the stark contrast in how God receives the worship of the wicked versus the righteous.

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Shows that godly men are not sinless but are characterized by prayer for forgiveness.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

Key verse explaining that believers are no longer under sin's dominion, enabling godly living.

Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Used to illustrate the societal crisis when godly individuals are absent.

The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Summarizes the differential treatment of God toward the wicked and the righteous in prayer.

Discussion Questions

[Question]

In what ways do we see God making a distinction between people today, and how should that affect our view of His grace?

[Context]

Weaver argues from Exodus 11:7 and 1 Corinthians 4:7 that God actively puts a difference between people.

[Question]

How does understanding 'God is no respecter of persons' as impartiality rather than identical treatment change your perspective on God's justice and mercy?

[Context]

The sermon clarifies the phrase using James 2 and other passages.

[Question]

What does it practically mean to be 'godly' according to Psalm 4:3 and the rest of Scripture, and how is that different from mere profession of faith?

[Context]

Weaver defines godliness as living in conformity to God's Word, not sinless perfection.

[Question]

How can we cultivate a life that pleases God in every area, as exhorted in 1 Thessalonians 4:1 and 2 Timothy 2:4?

[Context]

The application calls believers to walk to please God.

[Question]

Why is the presence of godly, faithful individuals crucial for the health of a society, and what can we do to be such people?

[Context]

Psalm 12 is used to show societal decay when the godly cease.

[Question]

In what ways have you experienced God's special treatment or 'uncommon favor' as a result of pursuing godliness?

[Context]

Weaver promises that God sets apart the godly for Himself and hears their prayers.

[Question]

How does the concept of being God's 'peculiar treasure' influence your identity and daily choices?

[Context]

The sermon traces the theme of God's peculiar people from Exodus to 1 Peter.

[Question]

What are some practical steps to ensure we are not 'common, ordinary, run-of-the-mill' Christians but are living as those set apart for God?

[Context]

Weaver challenges listeners to pursue VIP treatment from God through godliness.

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deepseek | deepseek-v4-pro | weaver_study | 2026-06-06T16:33:55Z