"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

To be truly thankful a person must realize he has received something to be grateful for. When a man sees himself as God sees him he realizes his need for forgiveness.

Read Romans 3:10-18. "There is none righteous no not one."

There can never be victory until there is a battle.

There is never a battle unless there is a cause.

God had a cause in salvation. That cause was that man was lost in sins and trespasses and was condemned to hell. The battle was won when the Lord came to earth and submitted to sinful men who crucified Him. But the battle that was fought was a spiritual one in which Jesus took upon Himself the sins of the world and the battle was won.

Because of Christ’s victory, sinful men can also win the

victory over sin. Many a sinner has found himself to be at odds with His Creator and turned to the Lord for salvation.

Salvation effects a change of heart. It makes a new man and the scope of what salvation does for a man will cause a deep love and appreciation for what God has done for him.

A. The psalmist explains that he is thankful to the Lord because God heard his sincere cry of help. (V1)

He says he loves the Lord because He heard him when he made his supplications know to the Lord. A supplication is an earnest prayer in which a person entreats the Lord to answer his request.

God not only heard, but He answered. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

B. Because God answered his prayer and saved him the true believer will be eternally grateful. The verse says "as long as I live." For the believer that is eternally. (V2)

C. This is the state of a man a man without God. (V3) This is a man looking back at his former state of being a lost sinner.

ILLUS: Several years ago at lunch I was talking with an elderly man who says he has been on three LDS missions. He asked me a lot of questions. He asked how I came to be here in Tremonton. I explained it started when I was saved in January 22, 1972. I told him how that God had changed my life and then called me to preacher and evidentially to be a church planter. I explained that God changes the life of all who believe and put their faith in Him, which is the testimony of all Christians. Every Christian is a new person in Jesus Christ. This very religious man had no such testimony. He spoke of all his many works for his church. He never mentioned any benefit of all his works, but he thought is was enough to get him to heaven.

In Verse 3, note the severity of the words that are used to describe his former life.

The sorrows of death. (v3) Death awaits all men at some point in their future. Every time we see the hearse roll by, pass a cemetery, see some fatal traffic, hear of cancer and disease, or wars and murder we are reminded of the certainly of death.

Verse 4 mentions two actions of the one who is seeking deliverance of his soul. The Psalmist was honest enough recognized he could not deliver himself and therefore he called on the One who could. Further, he realized himself as being a lost sinner and he the Psalmist called upon the Lord and beseeched the Lord to deliver his should. (v4)

The word "beseech" expresses the thought that his was a cry unto the Lord. "Oh, how I beseeched oh lord, I and pray for your deliverance."

God’s response? How did he find God to answer his prayer, "Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful." (Psalms 116:5)

Note verse 6 says he was brought low. In other words the Lord was loves the simple and puts a hedge around him. He preserves those who in simple faith go to Him.

Pains of hell. - If there is a heaven there has to be a hell. If heaven is a wonderful place of peace and joy, all men cannot go there because they are rebels, full of hatred, pride, greed and selfishness. Most people know they are sinners and most know they need a Savior. Problem is most love their sin more.

Trouble and sorrow. The problems and difficulties

of our life show we need a Savior. We need help with things that are beyond our control, which is just about everything.

Assurance. Verse 7 expresses the assurance that comes from trusting in the Lord. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee."

Delivered from death. (V8) The believer is delivered from eternal separation from God and given eternal life with the Lord. Paul says "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Corinthians 15:55)

It is not a hard rule, but often the unsaved are the one’s who grieve the most. You see on the news women and men mourning over their loved ones who have died. On TV we see the mourning of those killed in a bombing or war. They wail at their lost and there is such a hopelessness in their tears and cries.

D. The unsaved have no power to save themselves. They have no power to save themselves. They are consigned to just gouging through their trials as best they can. Often the death of a loved one or their troubles leaves the scarred for life.

However, the believer has the Lord to lift Him up and give rest to the weary soul. (V7) The believer in Jesus Christ may stubble, but never will fall. His salvation is sure in God’s promise.

The Christian then lives his life walking before the Lord. Note it does not say, "with" the Lord. The term "before" the Lord implies a more compelling reason to live in God’s presence. The implication is that there is strong commitment to live as God would want. I also implies walking before the Lord is a walk of a man who truly fears God.

One’s belief brings a full realization of their past state. They now with their eyes full able to see truth, understand the peril and imminent danger they were in as sinners.

A. The believer understands his responsibility to the Lord and willingly wants to serve the Lord. Several things are listed.

Verses 10-12 expressed the frustration of trusting in the world. Verse 11 correctly states "All men are liars."

The Cup of Salvation. (V13) A cup is a vessel made to hold something that is taken in. Example a cup of coffee or tea. The believer takes into himself the salvation that God has given. It means he is full of salvation and all that it brings. (v13)

The believer also calls upon the Lord. He knows where his strength comes from and sees himself as dependent on God. There is no better attitude for a Christian to have than to let the Lord direct his life.

B. The Christian out of his gratitude to the Lord wants to be a part of God’s work. He wants to honor the Lord before his brethren. He shows his gratitude by bringing his tithes and offering to the Lord. He fulfills his vow to serve the Lord. (V14)

C. Whereas death for the lost is a tragedy, for the believer it is a wonderful thing. Death for the believer is a precious thing. The man who dies knows that he will instantly be in the presence of God. Death of the believer then honors the Lord. (V15)

D. The saved men sees himself as the servant of God. (v16) That means all his has is at the Lord’s disposal. He wants to honor the Lord by working for Him and the only way to do that is to serve others.

Before the unsaved man/woman is in bondage to sin. There is no hope if that person continues rejecting the Lord. but in salvation are loosed into the freedom to willing serve without compulsion. (V16)

E. The child of God willingly offers to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and proclaims his gratitude to the Lord.

F. Verse 14 is repeated showing it importance in the life of a believer.

The believer beckons others to love and praise the Lord. He knows he deserves Hell, but it grateful to God’s mercy and grace. He knows the joy that comes from seeking the Lord and his Creator responding in salvation.

He relishes in the assurance of His salvation and promise of God. He has no fear of death and hell because he has been delivered. He serves the Lord and He wishes all to receive and therefore give the Lord praises.

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