Psalm 2
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Acts 4:25 “who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “ ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain?” appoints this Psalm being attributed to King David.
It here we examine this royal Psalm of David, who King of Israel is asking the question why do the nations rage? Particularly among Israel where the almighty God has shown His presence.
This question of David is the very question that we ask today among a global society that has more access to the word of God than generations past and there is an increase of the gospel message.
Yet it is today that there is much worldliness and churches falling to apostasy. It is easy derive a depressing soul and ask like David why do the nations rage?
Today I we will look at eschatology which is the end times. We will look at while the world mocks Christ, while the apostate go wayward, there is a King whose Kingdom is reigning today and is victorious.
While David looked to the promise of the King, today we live under the rule of the King of Kings, whose Kingdom has come.
Point 1: Nations Rage because the Sovereign Lord permits it Verses 1-4
Point 1: Nations Rage because the Sovereign Lord permits it Verses 1-4
The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
While David asks a very important question, why do the nations rage, perhaps it is rhetorical. The answer is simple and complex.
First sin entered the world and indeed when sin entered the world it caused hatred towards God and destruction of creation.
Second, evil is not outside the permissible will of God. That does not mean God is the doer of wickedness but he does permit it as judgement leading to the final judgement upon sinners who are called to salvation.
I form light and create darkness;
I make well-being and create calamity;
I am the Lord, who does all these things.
Preach this in an american church today where theology is weak and a view of God is westernized most will leave the church or have the Pastor fired.
It is here our theology must always be shaped by the word of God and not the eyes of men. David was asking a theological question and indeed he knew the theological answer which is the King of whom the Lord will appoint forever and His Kingdom.
David knew that sin is the reason for darkness, and that while the nations rage against God out of their own folly, it is not outside of the will of God that they do so.
This world does not belong to Satan, it is rightfully the Lord’s who created it. He purposed it the way He did, permitted the serpent in the garden, to show case His glory for those of whom He has mercy and to give judgment for those whom he created for the day of destruction.
You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
The Lord will cast their chords
The Lord will cast their chords
As the Lord watches over his sheep, he is the one who takes the wheat from the chaff. On the day of judgment, that final judgment the evil will be removed from the presence of God and God’s people.
His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
The Nations belong to Christ Verses 7 - 9
The Nations belong to Christ Verses 7 - 9
The Lord Jesus who is the Christ is the anointed one, to which all things were made by him, through him and for him.
While to those looking at the world with out a proper eschatology see the church loosing and the times growing darker.
Rather let us at Christ whom the nations belong at this very hour. Upon his birth, Resurrection, and accession Christ today reigns as King over Heaven and Earth.
Christ who saves is the same as Christ who reigns. We are not waiting for the King to reign, but we know He does reign. That the nations belong to Him, that every tribe and tongue will confess his rightful authority as King.
Earth is the possession of our King and the nations are His heritage. We are not looking for the Kingdom of God, but rather this very Kingdom of God is in the midst of our presence and also still to come.
The Kingdom of God is a mustard seed, and like the tree that grows from that seed takes generations, is a slower process, it is growing.
Jesus never prayed for the church to not be taken out of the world, but rather kept from the darkness of the world. To be kept away from sins temptation.
Jesus taught us to pray by saying Thy Kingdom come, indeed His prayers are answered. If He teaches us to seek His Kingdom, pray for His Kingdom, and for us not be removed from earth, than His Kingdom has come while not in full consummation it is indeed here and not yet.
This was the hope of David and our reality. That Christ who is King reigns today and forever.
Is everything defeated? No, but it is being defeated with death being the last enemy. In one way outside of time death is defeated, within the time structure that are accustomed to, we await this day.
Christ has waged war against the prince of darkness, indeed there is spiritual warfare, but warfare that is not outside the providence of God himself.
Be Warned, Serve the Lord, Kiss the Son Verses 10-12
Be Warned, Serve the Lord, Kiss the Son Verses 10-12
The call of the Psalmist is the very call that Christ our King has. Indeed there are rulers in this presence age of the chaff and the wheat. The Kingdom of God is advancing and growing among the wheat and chaff. Because of this there are Kings, rulers on this present earth who are rebellious, against God, and there are those who are for God.
The warning to all in power is you had better serve the Lord. What does this serving of the Lord for Kings and Rulers look like? If you look at Romans 13 they are the office of the sword, which is a great calling.
Their duty in serving God is the protection of God’s people and the punishment of evil.
Like every-man it is also a calling to worship God and God alone. Christ is God.
Notice the words rejoice with trembling. Man today hates to think of the fear of God or so numbs it to a simple just have respect for the Lord. God is not anyone's equal, there should be the fear of God which leads us to proper worship of Him.
In this worship of God there is rejoicing. This is the call of every-man, Kings and Rulers.
Notice the next command to the Kiss the Son. The call is submission to the ways of Christ. To seek His Kingdom.
Submission to the true King of Kings, to His way, to kiss his ring as the rightful King. All Kingdoms belong to God and at the very hour of His final coming there is but one Kingdom and that Kingdom is His.
Blessed who Take Refuge: Application
Blessed who Take Refuge: Application
I love how the Psalmist ends this passage because it is the very words of Christ. Blessed who take refuge in Him or as Christ said come unto me all who heavy laidnen and I shall give you rest.
The kings of this world are a mixture of good and bad. The living in the Kingdom of now and awaiting for the full consummation of the Kingdom is a battle, indeed spiritual warfare.
I will not lie to you as some preachers do and tell you following Christ is going to make everything better. No it won’t it requires you to pick up your cross.
But the Good King in the midst of the war and the time of eternal peace you may take refuge in. Like Elijah who was worn out from ministry, on the verge of utter despair, deep depression, was ministered by God and then given strength to complete his calling.
Your calling is not in the building and seeking of God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. The King has called you into this world of darkness, to be the salt and light.
Take refuge in Him, for resting in Christ will lead you into following Christ where you can Kiss the Son and serve the Lord.
Remember you are heirs of the Kingdom, His Kingdom, which means you through Christ are royalty, Kings and Queens in His Kingdom.
You will even in due time judge the angels. 1 Corinthians 6:3
You will rule in His Kingdom Daniel 7:27
And the kingdom and the dominion
and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven
shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High;
his kingdom shall be an everlasting kingdom,
and all dominions shall serve and obey him.’
Christ has called not only His bride, but to be rulers in Kingdom. Indeed through the King of Kings, you are reigning today and will be royalty forever in His Kingdom which is now and is to come.
In stating this be active in your community, your calling is not over. So what does this look for us who are wiser in age, and greyer in the hairs?
Grab hold of that young 20 something you old mother and teacher her the ways of being a wife and mother. One who fears the Lord.
Grab hold of the young husband who is struggling to lead or has no idea how to lead. Teach him to be a father a husband.
Grab hold of your employees and teach them how to work but with Kingdom purpose. Teach them who the Savior of their soul is.
Grab hold of a life and speak Christ and teach Christ. The world is hurting today and I am of the persuasion the Kingdom of God has far more souls than we ever could imagine who have been called to Salvation.
Christ is a our refuge who calls us into His Kingdom.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Kingdom of God is here today and still to come. This Psalm is not a Psalm of David the King, but rather David a King pointing us to the true King himself, Jesus. Whose Kingdom has no end and is one of peace.
Yes, today the wheat and the chaff grow together but there is a day of judgement and all who profess and know Christ shall enter His Kingdom where peace is had, rest is attained, and the worship of God is forever.
So your work is not done, so Kiss the Son, take refuge in Him, and know Christ is the King of Kings.