Topic: Love God, Hate Church!

FCF: We love God, we hate His people, especially people in His church.
Proposition: If we love God, we ought also to love His people.
I. Vindicate me (v. 1).
A. The enemies who were slandering David are described in verses 45 and
910. They were deceitful, hypocritical, and wicked evildoers, sinners who
schemed to rob others and even accepted bribes (Ex. 25:8; Amos 5:12),
murdering those who stood in their way.
B. Throughout the history of both Israel and the church, there was a
congregation of evildoers (v. 5; 50:1621) along with the congregation of
true worshipers (v. 12), the tares among the wheat (Matt. 13:2430, 36
41), and wolves in sheeps clothing (Matt. 7:15, Acts 20:2631).
C. We arent just defending ourselves; were defending the name of the Lord
whom we serve. Our vindication is for his names sake (23:3; 25:11).

II. Examine me (vv. 2-8).

A. As with Davids words in 18:2024, this is not an expression of self-
righteousness (see Luke 18:914), but rather the honest testimony of a
real man of God.
B. He refused to have fellowship with the hypocrites in the congregation, the
men of vanity, nothingness who pretended to worship the Lord and keep
His covenant. This doesnt imply that he was isolated from the real world
(1 Cor. 5:10), but rather that he didnt allow it to defile him (1:12; 2 Cor.
6:147:1).
C. His hands were clean (24:4), his sacrifice was acceptable (see Isa. 1:10
17), and his voice was clear as he praised the Lord. Cleansing comes
from the blood of Christ (1 John 1:7, 9) and the water of the Word (Eph.
5:2627; John 15:3). In order to serve God acceptably, the priests were
required to wash their hands and feet at the laver (Ex. 30:1721).

III. Redeem me (vv. 9-12).

A. David couldnt stop the hypocrites from joining the worshiping
congregation, but he could help from becoming like them; so he asked the
Lord to deliver him from that sin. Dont sweep me away with the wicked!
B.