100 Sermons Through the Psalms (Pt. 1)

The 1st of 7 Reasons Why I am Not Tired of Preaching the Psalms

As a church family, we have just completed an incredible journey—100 sermons through the book of Psalms!

Believe it or not, I have heard word-centered, gospel-centered pastors who are firmly committed to the practice of expositional preaching who suggest that preaching through the entire book of Psalms is a bad idea. Their concerns often revolve around the notion that such an endeavor would become too repetitive or that it would take too long to accomplish.

Therefore, I am starting this new series of short articles to share why I not only politely disagree with these brothers, but also to present the reasons why, after preaching the majority of these 100 sermons at our church, I am not the least bit tired of preaching the Psalms.

This series is intended to benefit anyone who listens to sermons or anyone who is a preacher or aspiring to become one. In sum, I want to encourage all of you with the reasons why the book of Psalms makes for a great expositional sermon series. If you are a member of Embassy Church, perhaps you will want to share this with your Christian friends in other churches, with the hope that they might pass it on to their own pastors.

Reason #1: The Psalms Are Incredibly God-Centered

The number one reason I am not tired of preaching the Psalms is because it is one of the most God-centered books in the Bible. Every sermon, every study, every reflection on the Psalms draws us deeper into the majesty and glory of God. The Psalms are rich with themes that showcase God's attributes—His holiness, righteousness, justice, mercy, and love. It is far from dull to explore and proclaim the grandeur of God's majesty or to unfold the beauty and glory of the LORD's covenant faithfulness, His "hesed."

In each Psalm, we encounter a vivid tapestry of God's relationship with His people. Whether it's David's heartfelt cries for deliverance, the community's songs of thanksgiving, or the wisdom reflections on God's law, every aspect of the Psalms points us back to the character and works of God. This relentless focus on the Divine keeps the study fresh, vibrant, and profoundly meaningful.

Preaching the Psalms is an opportunity to immerse oneself and the congregation in the richness of God's nature and His unwavering commitment to His covenant people. It allows us to marvel at His steadfast love, rejoice in His faithfulness, and find comfort in His sovereignty. Such a God-centered approach is not only refreshing but also essential for nurturing a deep, abiding faith in the hearts of our congregations.

So, God-centeredness of the Psalms is the first of seven reasons why I am not tired of preaching the Psalms. As a little teaser to whet your appetite, the upcoming articles in this series will expand the following reasons:

• Reason # 2: The Psalms Counteract the Expressive Individualism of Our Present Age — The Psalms teach healthy expressions of our emotions as we direct our thoughts and feelings to God and in corporate worship.

• Reason # 3: The Psalms Enhance Preaching with Vivid Illustrations and Word Pictures — The vivid poetry of the Psalms enhances preaching with profound illustrations and word pictures.

• Reason # 4: The Psalms Are Well-Organized in Their Canonical Arrangement — The canonical arrangement of the Psalms offers theological depth and insights that will only be observed through a consecutive expositional study.

• Reason # 5: Taking Breaks Between Psalms Series for a Balanced Diet — Alternating Psalms series with other Bible books maintains a balanced scriptural diet and prevents monotony.

• Reason # 6: The Psalms Offer Unique Opportunities for Shared Preaching — The diverse authorship of the Psalms encourages pastors to share their preaching series with other preachers.

• Reason # 7: Christ-Centered Preaching from the Psalms — The Psalms provide abundant material for Christ-centered preaching, since the Psalms are heavily and repeatedly referenced in the New Testament.