I neglected to make an announcement earlier and a very important announcement. So my apologies and I neglected to pray for it as well. That is, Adam Corvemaker and Camden Back has signified their desire to be united in the Lord. There are no lawful objections. Their wedding will take place on Friday, September 13 at the Emanuel United Reformed Church of Jordan, Ontario. But you don't take your Bibles now and turn with me to Psalm 119. Psalm 119. Most of you probably know this is an acrostic song that follows the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. It goes through them, Alif, Bait, Gimel, Dalif, Hay, Wau, Zion, and so on. And each section follows the letter of that of that alphabet. And so I'm going to read to you the first two sections and we're going to be focusing on the second section this morning, nine through 16. So the first section is Alif. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. They do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways. You have laid down precepts that that are to be fully obeyed. Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees. Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. I will obey your decrees. Do not utterly forsake me. Here's our text, nine to 16. How can a young man keep his way pure by living according to your word? I seek you with all my heart. Do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord, teach me your decrees with my lips. I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees. I will not neglect your words so far. The reading of God's holy word. Your brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ. Once again, we have come to a new season of church education, it's a good time to consider the question, why do we do these things? Why do we do these things? Why do we provide classes for our young children, why do we provide catechism instruction for our young people, why do we provide midweek Bible studies for the congregation? Is it like busy enough without these things? Our children are busy with schoolwork. Our young people are busy with high school, college or jobs. And as parents, we're occupied with our businesses, our homes, our farms, our employment. It seems as though every minute of the day from morning till evening, it's tied up with something. Why then do we bother to take on the additional load of church education? What's the point of it all? Why do we and our children Memorize scripture. Why do we learn reform theology, why study the doctrines of grace? Many of your neighbors don't bother with these things, many of your fellow workers don't set a night apart in the middle of the week to study the scriptures, many of the children in your community don't have Bible lessons. Most of our young people in our communities today would consider it a total waste of time to memorize portions of an ancient book that to them is boring, dull, outdated and irrelevant. Why, then, do we emphasize something that the majority of our society today has no use for? Is it mere tradition? Do we do this because this is what the church has traditionally done? I hope you can be persuaded that church education is much more than an empty tradition. It is much more significant than that. Moreover, the goal is not merely to pack your heads full of theology or to produce great scholars. Our goal is that we and our children might walk before the Lord in love, holiness, uprightness, purity and joy. Our objective is that we and our children be conformed to the image of Christ and that we and our children be covenantally faithful. Our aim is that together, from children to seniors, we bring glory to the king and head of the church, the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not gather around a crusty, musty, old, boring, obsolete book. We gather around the word of life. The word that raises the dead, the word that changes hearts, the word that heals our wounds, drives away our fears and leads us to the Savior, the word that directs every aspect of life, the word that increases our joy in Christ and guides us to heaven. Yes, brothers and sisters, the word must be central in the life of this church. It must be taught to our children. It must be received by our young people. It must be precious to the adults and it must be applied by all of us of every age. If the word is not central in the life of this church, God's blessing will be withdrawn from you. Spiritual famine will afflict you. We and our children will suffer painful consequences and we will bring dishonor to the name of our God. This morning, as we anticipate a new season of church education, I want to draw your attention to verses nine through 16 of Psalm 119. While these verses provide specific instruction for our youth, they are certainly profitable for each and every one of us. Our text begins with a significant question, which is point number one, a significant question, what's the question? How can a young man keep his way pure? There are many questions that children and young people ask. Some children are constantly asking questions, right? What's this for? How does that work? Why is the grass green? How do clouds float? What causes the rain to fall? We learn by asking questions, we develop our thoughts, we expand our knowledge, we increase our understanding. Asking questions enables us to sharpen our skills. But while there are many profitable questions for children and young people to ask, This question should rank among the most important of all. How can I keep my way pure, how can I keep myself from the contamination of sin? The question is a very important one, because this world is filled with evil and unbelief. Everywhere you turn, everywhere you look, everywhere you go, you are confronted by unrighteousness and wickedness. The temptations of the world and the snares of Satan are many. And not only are the temptations of the world and the snares of Satan dangerous, but our own evil heart is often attracted to that which defiles. That which is impure, we have within our nature a tendency toward impurity. As moths are attracted to light, so we are attracted to sin. As a sow turns to the mire, so we turn to the mire of iniquity. It is a very difficult task for a young man or a young woman to keep his or her way pure. The world assaults us, the evil one entices us, and our own evil heart leads us astray. In fact, we are so affected by sin that of ourselves, we wouldn't even ask the question of verse nine. The natural heart does not ask, how can I keep my way pure? The unregenerate heart is not greatly concerned about purity, the unredeemed nature does not shun the contamination of sin. Apart from God's grace, we rather enjoy sin, it appeals to us, it does not greatly trouble us, we take pleasure in doing what God condemns. We find our delight in wickedness and evil. We cherish greater intimacy with sin than we do if not. Therefore, to ask this question with genuine interest is already a work of grace. It is the Lord who works in our heart, a desire for purity, a desire to be like Jesus Christ. It is God himself who opens our understanding to see sin for what it really is. When young people ask this question, how can I keep my way pure? It is a sign of the sovereign work of the spirit. It is an indication of the spirit of God is moving the heart. Sadly, there are not great numbers of young people in our communities today who are asking this question. Even some young people within the church are not asking it. I remember well one telephone conversation I had with a woman who was expressing great concern over the young people of her church. She said that many of them were not concerned about the pursuit of holiness. Not only was there a problem with drinking, but there was also a serious lack of judgment with respect to other lifestyle choices, inappropriate dress among a number of the girls, unhealthy entertainment, unhealthy relationships. This woman was alarmed by the apparent indifference in the young people meetings instead of challenging each other and building each other out in the faith. Their talk seemed to be primarily about silly, shallow, trivial matters. She said that they were strongly attracted to the entertainments of the world. There was very little zeal for Bible study or evangelism. Their discussions were very superficial and lack spiritual substance. They had little drive. lack of diligence for spiritual things and little enthusiasm for the work of God's kingdom. When I got off the phone with her, my heart sank. My heart was heavy and I grieved with her. And I had to ask myself, what about our churches? What about our Federation? Do the youth of the United Reformed churches have a strong desire to keep their way pure? Do we have vibrant youth groups that are committed to serving Christ? Are the young men beginning to take the spiritual leadership, are they committed to attending the meetings, do they have drive, do they have enthusiasm for the work of the Lord? I want to encourage our own young people here this morning to continue to give your life entirely to him. And I want to challenge you to challenge each other to seek the purity of which verse nine speaks. The question of verse nine is a very important question, but it is one that few young people today care to consider, perhaps you heard in the news this past week of the university students and their pro-rape chant. Eighty student leaders led three to four hundred newly arriving students, both men and women, in a chant advocating rape. It was caught on camera, played on the news. Was the question posed by the psalmist in verse 9 even remotely considered by those students? How can a young man keep his way pure? How can a young man keep his way pure? Pray, congregation, that your children and young people will apply that question personally. Pray that they will seek to live their life in God's way. Pray that they will be spared from the unique temptations of youth and that they will rise up to be faithful and mighty warriors for the Church of Jesus Christ and for the glory of God. In verses nine through 16, we are given a satisfying answer to this most significant question, which is point number two, a satisfying answer. How can a young man keep his way pure? How can a young man, a young woman keep himself herself from the pollution and stain of sin? Well, notice the answer for the psalmist, the answer is plain and straightforward. Verse nine says, by living according to your word. The answer is faithful obedience to the word of God. If we want to be cleansed of past sin and if we want to be equipped to face present and future temptation, all that we need is stated in the word. The word of God is essential. First of all, it defines what sin is. The word exposes our sin. It convicts us of sin. Scripture reveals the righteous requirements of God and convicts us that we are guilty. Secondly, the word of God is essential for it not only defines what sin is, but it also reveals the infallible remedy, the solution, the cure for sin. It reveals the way in which our sin is forgiven through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It reveals the way in which the lamb of God was led to the slaughter as a substitute for sinners. It reveals the way in which young men and young women are redeemed and set free. And then thirdly, the word is essential not only because it defines and reveals sin and because it reveals the infallible remedy, the cure for sin, but also because it reveals the way of gratitude in which we are called to walk. How would we know what pleases God if he did not reveal it to us? Without the word, we would be left in the dark to stumble along in uncertainty. But when we take heed to the word, the will of the Lord is made plain to us. And therefore, the psalmist says in verse 11, I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. The heart, his heart would be kept by the word for the word was kept in his heart. He stored it within himself as a treasure, as a most prized possession. You see, children and young people, that is why in this church you are challenged to memorize scripture. That's why your parents go over it with you and over it with an over and over again, not so that you might quickly and mindlessly rattle it off of your teacher. But that you might hide it away in your heart, that you might build up a wall of defense, that you might be prepared to stand against the enemy. The reason the psalmist hid God's word in his heart was not to show off his knowledge of scripture. But that he might keep his way pure before the Lord, as one old commentator said, here is the best thing your word hidden in the best place in my heart for the best purposes that I might not sin against you. Here is the best thing your word hidden in the best place in my heart for the best purposes that I might not sin against you. This. It's the goal of church education. That we might live a life pleasing to God, that we might live a life without offense before God, that we might more and more be conformed to the character of God to learn to think as God thinks. I hope you never say that memorizing and studying scriptures a waste of time. By hiding God's word in your heart, you are filling up a storehouse of defense weapons. When the enemy comes trying to destroy you, you will have a secure defense. How did Jesus defend himself against the temptations of the devil? What was his strategy? How did he stand without compromised children? You remember. In Matthew four, Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness and there he was tempted by the devil. After he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, the tempter came to him. The devil said, if you are the son of God, command that these stones become bread. Now, children, what was Jesus response? It is written, it is written, man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The devil then took him up to the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, if you're the son of God, throw yourself down for it is written. See how Satan uses that, but distorts it. It is written. He shall give his angels charge concerning you. Well, again, what was Jesus response? It is written, you shall not tempt the Lord, your God. Jesus did not fall for Satan's distortion of scripture. And finally, the devil took Jesus to a high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, all these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me. What was Jesus response? Away with you, Satan, for it is written you shall worship the Lord, your God, and him only you shall serve. How did Jesus defend himself against the temptations of the devil? It is written, it is written, it is written. God's word was hidden in his heart so that his ways were kept pure and holy, his weapon of defense was the powerful, effective word of the Lord. Brothers and sisters, that is also your weapon, your defense. When Satan tries to tempt you with pride, you respond, it is written, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. When Satan tries to tempt you with a love of materialism and riches, you draw from your arsenal, it is written, the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. When Satan tries to tempt you with lust, you draw from your arsenal, it is written, put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts. If Satan tries to tempt you young people into the drinking scene, you respond, it is written. Wine is a mocker. Intoxicating drink arouses brawling. And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. No drunkard will inherit the kingdom of heaven. When Satan tries to tempt you into sexual immorality, you respond, it is written, avoid sexual immorality, that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God. When Satan stirs you to anger, you say it is written, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Then again, when Satan urges you to gossip, you draw from your arsenal. It is written where there is no wood, the fire goes out and where there is no gossip, strife ceases. When you are tempted to worry about the future. About your children, your job, your financial situation, your career, your health, your marriage, your university class. You recall it is written, be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. Be anxious for nothing. It is written, it is written, it is written, it is written, children, we want you to know what is written. We want you to apply what is written. How can a young man keep his way pure by living according to your word? I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. The Apostle Paul said to the young Timothy, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. What does a young man need to keep his way pure? He needs the scriptures. What does a young woman need to keep her way pure? She needs the scriptures. What do we all need? We need the scriptures. And then congregation, the psalmist realized. That in order for a young man to keep his way pure, he needs more than just a good grasp of the word. He also needs divine assistance. He needs divine preservation. And therefore, the psalmist teaches us to cast ourselves upon the Lord in earnest supplication. Look with me, please, in your Bibles to verse 10. Verse 10. I seek you with all my heart, do not let me stray from your commands. While a godly person exerts himself, he does not trust himself. While a Christian pursues moral excellence, he does so with the realization that the pursuit is futile without the help of God. The prayer of the psalmist must be the prayer of every believer as he seeks to apply the word of his life. Each day again, we need to cast ourselves upon the mercy of God, saying, oh, let me not wander from your commands. Oh, let me not wander from your commands. The soul must understood the weakness of the flesh. He knew that his natural tendency was to veer off to the left or to the right. His prayer to God was that he might be kept from wandering. Brothers and sisters, the moment we think that we can stand in our own power. The moment we look to ourselves, the moment we become self-confident, that is the moment when we begin to wander. In order for a young man, a young woman to keep his her way pure, he needs to know his own frailty. Many situations arise in life that would pull us away from God, we find ourselves in unexpected situations where we need to make a snap decision. Without the restraining, preserving grace of God, we would quickly fall into the error of human wisdom and foolish judgment. People of God, how we need how we need to pray this prayer. so that we might be stable, immovable and unshakable. Do not let me stray from your commands. Young people, children, is this your prayer? Is this what you ask of the Lord? Is this your earnest desire to walk in obedience to the law of God, reflecting the character of Christ in your daily life? The psalmist wrote in the first Psalm, Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in what? The law of the Lord. You see, brothers and sisters, when rightly understood, the law of God is not a burdensome yoke, a set of hard regulations that rob us of joy and snatch away the pleasures of life. No, for those who are redeemed through Christ, the law of God brings security and increases our joy and pleasure. As a means of salvation, the law is brutal. If you try to earn your salvation through obedience to the law, you'll find it to be a crushing weight. It smites you. It condemns you. It drives you into the ground. But for those who are saved by grace alone to the obedience and suffering of Christ alone, the law becomes a friend. Within the boundaries of the law, there is safety, it will not mislead you in any way. David said in the 19th Psalm, the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean and enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and righteous. That's how David viewed the law of the Lord. Many people today view the scriptures as nothing more than a series of commands that are a hindrance to happiness. The scriptures limit my choices. This is what they say, the Bible puts a damper on life. It takes the fun out of life. Who wants to be restricted by all these regulations? The Bible merely robs people of pleasure. That's not how the psalmist view the law at all. The scriptures are a means of security and stability. Yes, they restrain us and restrict us, but in a very positive way, the same way a seatbelt restrains you on a roller coaster. Children, imagine getting on Leviathan at Canada's Wonderland, the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Canada. I understand. You're about to travel more than 300 feet in the air and move at 148 kilometers an hour, you will be dropped from 306 feet at an 80 degree angle. And you're going to say to the attendant there, I don't need anything to restrain me. Those things are just a nuisance. They limit my freedom. They limit my choices. Those restraints take away my pleasure. They take the fun out of the ride. That's a brilliant conclusion, isn't it? You see, the law of God holds us back from falling headlong into sin and the misery and pain that is the inevitable result of sin. Those who wander from the commandments of God are not ultimately happy. Just look around you, our society has largely rejected the scriptures, what do we see as a result? Torn up homes, rebellious children, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, and the guilt and depression that often follows. Young people who have no goals, no direction, no purpose, no future, no hope. Apparently, if you search the Internet, you will find more than three hundred and fifty thousand documents on the subject of youth games. A newspaper article stated that organized gangs of young males are proliferating throughout North America and Western Europe. They're recruiting thousands of young people from every walk of life. Their main activity is crime, drugs, theft, brutality, rape. They live and die by violence. They glorify violence, extreme abuse of women and disrespect for authority. A few years ago, Washington state police chief was quoted as saying this. We've got so many kids out there who've lost hope, who believe only in living for today. We've got so many kids out there who've lost hope, who believe only in living for today. That is the result, brothers and sisters, when a society wanders from the commandments of God. Then may our prayer be the sincere prayer of the psalmist, do not let me stray from your commands. Go with me, please, to verse 12. Verse 12. Praise be to you, O Lord, teach me your decrees. Teach me and by your spirit make me teachable so that I may learn to walk consistently in the path that leads to life, peace and fulfillment. Oh, Lord, would you be my teacher, would you be my instructor and my guide? There's no better teacher in the world than the Lord himself. The one who is the author of scripture is the one who can give us insight into the scripture. The one who is the author can open our understanding and give us eyes to see. And when then and when the Lord teaches us and gives us understanding, then we, in turn, can be used to proclaim to others the unfailing truth of God. When the Lord teaches us, we become teachers to others, those who are taught Become teachers. The psalmist says, verse 13, with my lips, I recount all the laws that come from your mouth or with my lips. I have declared all the judgments of your mouth. The judgments from the mouth of God are declared from the lips of its people. When we understand the preciousness of the word. When the Lord teaches us his statutes, that we should be eager and prepared to make those statutes known to others. As God's people, we are to communicate the will of God to others, we're not only to heed the word, we're not only to hide the word in our hearts, we're not only to be taught by God, but we are also called to declare to others the judgments of his mouth, the laws that come from his mouth. Is that your desire this morning, congregation? Do we speak of the word to others? Do we testify to those around us concerning the perfection of God's law? Are we so filled with thanksgiving and praise that we cannot restrain our lips from declaring the judgments of his mouth? Why did the psalmist proclaim the word? Because he knew its value. Look with me, please, to verses 14 through 16, verses 14 through 16, I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees. I will not neglect your word. Notice this, I rejoice. I meditate, I consider, I delight, and I will not neglect, or I will not forget. I rejoice, I meditate, I consider, I delight, and I will not neglect, I will not forget. This is the expression of one who deeply cherished the word of God and the God of the word. All the riches of the world would not give him more joy than that which he received through the testimonies of God. You know, congregation wealth is often thought to be the ultimate source of happiness. We're a society that clamors after wealth, lotteries and casinos are doing a great business as men and women seek to win their fortune. But wealth only provides temporary pleasure. It is the testimonies of God that provide lasting enjoyment, and therefore, the psalmist says, I rejoice in following your statues as one rejoices in great riches. Young people, children, what do you hope to do with your life? What do you hope to do with your life? Do you plan to build a thriving, successful business or a state-of-the-art farm? Do you hope to drive nice cars? Do you hope to live among the upper class? Do you plan to purchase as many toys as possible to cruise through life having lots of fun? We may certainly enjoy the lawful pleasures of this life. But if the things I mentioned are your primary goals. Your life will be very empty and unsatisfying. Some of the middle aged people here remember when Princess Diana died. So the younger ones remember when Michael Jackson died, it goes four years ago. They, among many others, illustrate the terrible tragedy of a sorrowful, confused and unfulfilled life. From a human perspective, they had it all well, fame, luxury, popularity, I suspect their funerals were among the most impressive in history in terms of their popularity. But insofar as we are able to determine from their life, they were very empty, disturbed, hurting, broken people. The media praised and continues to praise Diana for her great humanitarian deeds. The media praised Michael Jackson as a wonderful entertainer, some called him the greatest entertainer of all time. The congregation, their lives show us that they did not keep their way pure. They wandered from God's commands. They did not hide God's word in their heart. They did not declare the judgments of his mouth. They did not rejoice in following God's statutes as one rejoices in great riches. They did not delight in God's decree. It's on my job to judge their eternity. God is the ultimate judge, but their lives. In spite of the many beautiful pictures of Diana's smiling face and in spite of the praise given to Jackson, Jackson, their lives are a tragic illustration of those who did not keep their way pure. I realize that my assessment would be severely criticized by many people. And I realize that some would be very angry with me. But in light of God's word, I can arrive at no other conclusion. Brothers and sisters, how can a young man keep his way pure by living according to your word? Do not let me stray from your commands. As we anticipate a new season of church education, may the study of scripture convict us. May it convict us as parents. May it convict our children and young people. And may we together say with a psalmist, I will not neglect your word. I will not forget your word. Parents, I want to encourage you to be involved in your children's lessons. Go over the material with that. Be sure that they are prepared for Tuesday night before they walk out your door. And do all that you can to get them there faithfully week after week after week. Memorize the passages with them, sing the songs with them during your daily family devotions. Help them to keep their way pure. Help them to meditate on God's precepts, help them to learn of their savior, help them to understand the cross. The children. Do not forget what you are taught. But rejoice in the testimonies of your God, for it is through the Word that Jesus Christ, the only Savior, is revealed. He's our greatest treasure. He's our source of purest pleasure. He's our life and our salvation. He alone truly kept His way pure. Put your trust in Him. And believe that his purity, his obedience, his righteousness is yours by faith. Transferred to you by faith. And then go on learning about his will for your life. And confess with a psalmist, I will not forget your words. I will not forget my Redeemer. my Savior, my Lord, my Master, my King. I will not forget. Let's pray.