Hanging Out With God

Pastor James C. Ward

September 27, 2026

Sunday Morning

Psalm 15:1-5

(1) Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? (2) He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (3) He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. (4) In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. (5) He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.

Introduction

Let’s face it, we all like to be in the presence of prominent people. If only for a little while, sports fans would enjoy spending time in the locker room, before and after a game, with their favorite athletes. Music fans would enjoy conversations with their favorite artists, before and after a concert, in their dressing rooms. For many reasons, people would like to establish permanent friendships with famous people, but they just don’t know how. Sometimes, you have connected from afar and want to get closer, because the chemistry is there. Some want to sincerely learn from them. Other times, the motives are questionable. Is the person only seeking status? No matter whether the motive is pure or suspicious, the question still remains: How do you establish connections with people of prominence? What social status must you have? Who can put in a good word for you and make the connection?

The Psalmist asked the same question figuratively about God. He poses it directly to God. Who is worthy to hang out with God? What does it take to establish a permanent friendship with God? Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? This Psalm alludes to several customs of this society.

The word abide literally means to sojourn. It means to stay as a guest. Hospitality in this culture was a virtue highly esteemed. A traveler who accompanies a prominent person on a trip was treated as a friend. The tabernacle is simply a tent – a big luxurious tent. The host would invite the stranger to his tent and provide protection and entertainment.

The second question uses stronger terms. “Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? That is, who shall be accepted, not only as a passing guest, but as a permanent resident in the King’s court on His holy hill. Who is worthy to have access to God’s private chambers. This all points to the fact that kings and dignitaries did not let everyone come into their immediate presence because of security concerns, they and did not want to associate with people of “regular” status.

Most of Antioch-Lithonia’s members are already hanging out with God. So, this sermon is to motivate you to “keep on keeping on.” Now let’s review what it takes to hang out with God. You have been doing it so long until it comes naturally, and you overlook the individual steps.

Exposition

1. Good Conduct.

(Good Conduct Comes From Good Character.)

(Walks Uprightly.)

(Does Not Do Evil Against His Or Her Neighbor.)

2. Good Conversation.

(Speaks The Truth.)

(Does Not Backbite With His Or Her Tongue.)

(Keeps His Or Her Promises Even If It Is Inconvenient.)

3. Good Commerce.

(Handle Your Business In A Godly Way.)

(Don’t Take Advantage Of People In Need.)

(Don’t Kick People When They Are Down.)

Closing Thoughts

God promises stability to those who hang out with Him. He is a Promise Keeper. The saving blood of Jesus can make us fit to hang out with the Lord.

Our foreparents knew how to hang out with God. They had individual praying grounds. Often, it was at the spring, river, or the well. While they were getting water for the household, they would sneak in prayer and praise. The language even changed. Instead of saying, “I am going down to the river to get water,” they would say, “I am going down to the river to pray.” You know the lyrics: “I went down to the river to pray; my soul got happy and I stayed all day.”

After hanging out with God at the spring, river, or well, they came back refreshed and could endure the cruelties of life. They would sing, “I just came from the fountain. I just came from the fountain. I just came from the fountain. His name so sweet.” We all can agree that His name is so, so sweet.

Give God Glory! Give God all the Glory!

End Note

During a period in English history, this Psalm and the First Psalm were call the “gentlemen’s psalms.” These two psalms had to be recited at the beginning of each school day in the elite English male boarding schools. The message: If you live according to these two psalms, you will be a true English gentleman and not a low-class immoral ruffian.