Easter

[0:00] Good morning, everyone. I am Matt, one of Shoreline's four pastors, and I'm so excited to have a chance to share with you all today from God's word.

[0:11] Welcome Shoreline Community Bible Church family. Welcome friends and family. Welcome any visitors who may be tuning in. Glad to have you here this morning. Glad to be part of this time of worship and remembrance. And today is a great day. This is the day designated.

[0:30] Each year where we specifically recall and celebrate Christ's resurrection from the grave. And the resurrection story is amazing. But it's part of an even greater story, the story of the Bible. And the Bible is made up of so many small stories that work together to tell one big story.

[0:50] You might say when we see the Bible as one big story, we're seeing the Bible's big picture. In my mind, the Bible's big picture can be summarized using these two words, relationship and redemption.

[1:06] And so remember these words as we go along today. We'll be revisiting them. This morning, we're going to be looking at Psalm 24. And I chose this psalm as an Easter Sunday text because first, it summarizes the big story of the Bible, highlighting these themes of relationship and redemption.

[1:26] And second, it finds its completion in the resurrection of Christ. And the end of Psalm 24 isn't the end of the story. Praise God.

[1:37] It points us right to the events of Easter. We're going to see that this morning. And so I would say that the entirety of the Bible relies on the Easter story to make it complete.

[1:48] And the Easter story must have the rest of the Bible to attest to its significance and point to its glory. Today, it's my prayer that we are reminded how the Easter story and the rest of the Bible work together in perfect harmony, creating one big story of the Bible, creating one big story of the Bible, and that our time together in God's word would cause us to celebrate and to worship Jesus Christ, the risen King.

[2:17] Here are the words of Psalm 24. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

[2:32] Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false.

[2:47] He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such a generation, such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.

[3:00] Lift up your heads, O gates, be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty.

[3:13] The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory?

[3:25] The Lord of hosts. He is the King of glory. Let's pray. Lord God, this morning, we are so thankful for an opportunity to dig into your word, into the Bible.

[3:41] And remember the Easter story. Lord, not just the account we see in the Gospels, Lord, but how the Easter story fits into your whole scripture.

[3:57] God, would our hearts this morning be softened to your word? Lord, would our hearts be ready to receive? What your spirit longs for us to hear?

[4:08] God, and may we have lives that are changed as a result of this time. Lord, looking into your scripture. May we leave today with a renewed and a fresh perspective, Lord, on what this Sunday means, what the resurrection of Jesus is.

[4:28] Lord, we pray these things in the name of our Messiah, Jesus. Amen. So Psalm 24 tells the story of the Bible through a series of four statements and four groups of verses.

[4:45] And they're verses 1 and 2, 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 through 10. And here's the first section. If you're taking notes, this might be a good time to start writing some stuff down.

[5:01] The first section in telling the story of the Bible, verses 1 and 2 state that there is a God. Verse 1 says, The earth and everything that fills it is the Lord's.

[5:16] God is earth's creator and founder, right? It was his idea. He formed that which he deemed best. And that includes you and I. And he crafted us, humans, in all our complexity.

[5:29] He made us man and woman. And it is God who has caused our hearts to beat, blood to flow, lungs to breathe, and minds to think. And that's amazing.

[5:41] Verse 2, God has laid the foundation of the earth upon the seas and the rivers. And how amazingly overwhelming of a task that is in our minds, right?

[5:52] I poured some concrete pillars for my back deck this past summer. And that was hard stuff. And God has laid the foundation of the earth, right?

[6:02] So he wasn't pouring concrete. But this is amazing work. This is an amazing thing that he has done. And I wonder, have you been caught up ever in the raw and unsurpassing beauty of God's creation?

[6:19] The earth should bring us to these wow moments. Look outside, right? What a beautiful day. He did that, right? That should blow our minds.

[6:30] It's the design of the greatest architect. May the Lord help us to have an appropriate view of the majesty and the craftsmanship of his creation.

[6:41] Both in what we see now outside and what we see in his design in human life. So in the beginning, there is a God and he's the creator of all things.

[6:52] But when we read about what he's created, it really begs the question, why has God created the earth and mankind to dwell in it? And that leads us to our second statement that Psalm 24 makes about the Bible's story.

[7:07] Verses 3 and 4 state that this God can be approached. God has created and founded the earth and man that he might know man and be known by man.

[7:20] And this God longs for relationship. Relationship is a dominant theme throughout the Bible story. And what a privilege to be able to approach the creator of all things.

[7:32] You know, nowhere else in the world can an ordinary man or woman approach such a powerful, revered one such as our God. The world's greatest leaders wouldn't bother to give us a moment of their time.

[7:45] But the God who designed the earth and who designed man and woman allows us to approach him. And that's amazing. Verse 3, who can ascend the hill of the Lord?

[7:58] The hill of the Lord is Mount Zion, the hill upon which the temple was built in Jerusalem. So who can ascend or who can go up to this place of worship?

[8:09] Who can enter this place of worship is the question verse 3 asks. The answer is not just anyone. And this was not a public gathering space.

[8:20] Many can worship in the sanctuary area, but it isn't for everyone. It's the space where common Jews would worship and offer sacrifices, where they would meet with God.

[8:32] But as you would expect, as with someone else of such great splendor and power, those who can approach God must meet several requirements.

[8:42] And verse 4 tells us these things. Verse 4 tells us who may ascend the hill of the Lord into this holy space, listing four qualifications.

[8:55] And I found these explanations from various resources to be pretty helpful. So verse 4, clean hands refers to right actions and those that are holy in their deeds.

[9:08] A pure heart refers to right attitude and will and inward holiness. The one who does not lift up his soul to what is false worships the one true God, not his own idols.

[9:23] And finally, the one who does not swear deceitfully has a right relationship to others. So there is a God who can be approached in relationship.

[9:35] How amazing is that? And that brings us to our next statement, our third statement. Verses 5 and 6. That this God has something to offer. The person who can ascend the hill of the Lord and worship with him.

[9:50] With the character described in verse 4. God has in store for them an offer so great. Verses 5 and 6. One Bible translation read this way.

[10:02] They will receive the Lord's blessing and have a right relationship with God, their Savior. This is the most remarkable verse, says one commentator.

[10:13] For it is an Old Testament expression of what we speak of as the doctrine of justification by faith. It tells us that the one who approaches God sincerely and trustingly will find salvation in him.

[10:29] Coming to God sincerely and trustingly, which I would add in and of itself is something only God can grant a person, means coming with his standards and laws and seeing them as good.

[10:42] Not a burden. Certainly not as a means to gain what God promises to offer. The one who disregards God's law outwardly has already disregarded it inwardly.

[10:56] Then vice versa. The one who complies with God's law outwardly, but disregards it in his heart. These are not people ready for the right relationship with God or its accompaniment of blessing.

[11:09] The one who can ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in the holy place is the one whose heart is fixed on pleasing God and God alone. Through a life lived with inner and outer purity.

[11:24] Inner and outer surrender to God. This one will receive salvation. Or vindication from God. He will be declared just by God as creator.

[11:36] He will receive blessing from God. So far we've seen that relationship is a priority to God. Verses 1 and 2 showed us that there's a God who created the earth and placed us in it for us to join in relationship to him.

[11:53] Verses 3 and 4 showed us that this same God offers man the ability to ascend the hill of the Lord. To meet with him and approach him in worship. Verses 5 and 6 showed us that the one who approaches God purely receives from God vindication or right relationship.

[12:12] And great blessing. And now the fourth and final statement this psalm makes about the story of the Bible. Verses 7 through 10. This God longs to dwell with his people.

[12:25] This God longs to dwell with his people. So I just want to look back at what Psalm 24 is all about.

[12:35] And it was written by David who intended for it to be used as a celebration. When the Ark of the Covenant, right, this symbolic dwelling place of God, entered Jerusalem.

[12:48] The city of God to be its new dwelling place. This story is found in the book of 2 Samuel chapter 6. In verses 7 through 10 illustrate a call and response between the gatekeeper at the entrance of the city and the priest who was entering the city with the Ark of the Covenant.

[13:09] So this is a dialogue, a call and response, right? So at last, the triumphal entry of God into the city of his people. Like what a glorious scene this would have been.

[13:24] Lift up your heads, O gates. Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the king of glory may come in, shouts one priest. And this phrase is repeated two times in verses 7 through 10.

[13:36] And along with the question of who is this king of glory? The other priest at the gate shouts that out. And then three descriptions of God proclaim who he is and what he has done.

[13:50] The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle. The Lord of hosts. Imagine this priest with the Ark of the Covenant and many of God's people proclaiming these things about God Almighty.

[14:06] And so we see both celebration and declaration at the city gates. For God Almighty is finally entering. That his presence would dwell in the midst of his people.

[14:18] This is a big deal. This is a huge event. And so we've seen very clearly so far in Psalm 24, like the rest of the Bible, Psalm 24 highlights this idea of relationship.

[14:34] And the relationship between God and mankind is a repeated theme when we're looking at the rest of the Bible. And it creates this one storyline.

[14:46] But the entering of the Ark of the Covenant of God's presence into Jerusalem, the city of his people, is not the end of the story of how God and man relate. The psalm ends leaving us wanting more.

[15:00] But the Bible story about this relationship is yet to come. The Bible story about this relationship is coming.

[15:14] And it's coming in the book, in the Gospels, in the New Testament. So recall my statement from earlier. The Bible's big picture could be summarized with these words, relationship and redemption.

[15:30] And although the occasion behind this psalm, Psalm 24, is astounding. These verses are just a placeholder in the relationship timeline, if you will, between God and man.

[15:43] And these verses in Psalm 24 point us to another event in God's great story. So you're thinking, Matt, when are we going to start talking about Easter?

[15:54] Well, now that we've set the background, here we go. Now, Jesus, God himself in the flesh, would enter the gates of Jerusalem at another triumphal entry many years later.

[16:09] And again, God's intention would be pursuing relationship. But his mission would be redemption. His mission would be redemption.

[16:19] On fully redeeming the relationship with mankind once and for all. Jesus' triumphal entry on Palm Sunday would lead just one week later to his death and resurrection from the grave.

[16:36] In Psalm 24, God entered Jerusalem to dwell with his people. But Christ came to Jerusalem, entered those city gates to die.

[16:48] The Easter story is the Bible. I'm sorry, is the story the Bible was waiting for. And the whole Old Testament, right? The whole first half of our Bible.

[16:59] The whole Old Testament scripture points towards Jesus. And Jesus is its main character. It points towards his life in this death and resurrection.

[17:14] And who is this man, Jesus? Hear from the Apostle Paul in Colossians 1, 15 through 22. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

[17:29] For by him, all things were created in heaven and on earth. Invisible, invisible. Whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through him and for him.

[17:42] And he is before all things. And in him, all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.

[17:54] That in everything he might be preeminent. For in him, all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. And through him to reconcile to himself all things.

[18:06] Whether on earth or in heaven. Making peace by the blood of his cross. And you who were once alienated and hostile in mind. Doing evil deeds.

[18:18] He is now reconciled in his body of flesh. By his death. In order to present you holy and blameless. And above reproach before him.

[18:31] Our sin resulted in a damaged relationship with God. And in his death on the cross. Jesus bore the penalty for the sin of humanity. And in his resurrection from death.

[18:44] Leaving the tomb empty. Means that he has gained victory over death. And he has made a way to renew relationship with God. Look again at verse 22.

[18:56] Or just listen. You who were alienated. Right? In relation to God because of sin. He has now reconciled in his body of flesh. By his death on the cross.

[19:08] In order to present you. Holy and blameless. And above rich approach before him. Through his resurrection from the dead. The Easter story is the pinnacle.

[19:22] Of the big story of the Bible. Because only through Christ's resurrection. Can you and I. Be a part of the relationship with God. As he intended it to be. Christ's resurrection.

[19:35] Gives us a chance. At being viewed as holy. Blameless. Before a holy God. Because Christ has been raised from the grave.

[19:48] The statements that Psalm 24 make. About the story of the Bible. Those four statements. Can be seen in a whole new light. Perhaps they can be seen.

[19:59] With a tone like this. Verses 7 through 10. Told us there's a God who longs to dwell with his people. Well Jesus Christ.

[20:11] Has entered the gates. With a mission. To redeem a relationship. So that God. May dwell with his people. And he has accomplished this mission.

[20:23] He has risen from the grave. And exited the city triumphantly. Celebrate saints. For the resurrected Christ.

[20:34] Is what verses 7 through 10 proclaim. The Lord strong and mighty. Whose strength came through humbling himself. Taking the form of a servant. And submitting himself to death on a cross.

[20:47] Who fully surrendered his will to that of the father. He is the Lord. Mighty in battle. Who was not overcome by death.

[20:57] But defeated death. In his resurrecting from the grave. Jesus has fought our battle in his death. And reigns as the victorious king in his resurrection.

[21:09] Rejoice. Who is this king of glory. The risen Jesus. The Lord of hosts. Who has made a way for God to dwell with his people.

[21:23] But how? How? Verses 3 to 6 tell us. Verses 3 to 6 showed us that there's a God. Who can be approached.

[21:34] And a God who has something to offer. Because Christ has raised from the grave. God offers me. And any who come to him on his terms.

[21:47] Salvation. From my sin and myself. And this is done by faith. Entrusting that Christ's death. In Christ's death he bore the penalty of my sin.

[22:00] That I should have paid. That I should have paid. And that his resurrection has given me new life before God. Thus being justified before God as righteous.

[22:11] A new relationship. God also offers blessings in the form of peace. And hope. And joy unshakable. Because Christ has raised from the grave.

[22:26] I can ascend hill of the Lord. And approach him with confidence. He allows us to enter into the most holy place.

[22:38] Right? Never before done by common man. Reserved only for the high priests. Not simply worship from the outer sanctuary. Not simply worship from the outer sanctuary. Because Christ has forever erased that separation.

[22:53] Between God and man. I may enter his presence joyfully. In unhindered relationship. Because Christ has risen. I am given clean hands.

[23:06] And a pure heart for all time. No longer having to analyze the purity of my heart before God. In order to worship before him. Because Christ has given me a new heart.

[23:18] And a new life in him. He stands making intercession for me. Before my God. Even now. And he allows me.

[23:29] He allows us. To be purified once and for all. Raised to new life. No longer being bound by our old self. And our old ways.

[23:39] Which condemned us. And this also means. New intentions and new desires. Clean hands. Outward actions. That are formed by a new spirit.

[23:52] And my own new resurrected life. Through Christ. Christ has given us a chance. At totally transformed relationship to God.

[24:03] One that is personal and pure. And unhindered. Based on our new life. Because of his new life. And his resurrection from the dead. And finally.

[24:14] That first statement that we talked about. Verses 1 and 2. Who state that there is a God. Because Christ has raised from the grave. This God will be my God.

[24:26] Forever and ever. And the creator and founder. Will establish a new heavens. And a new earth. His intention.

[24:38] As it has always been from the beginning. Relationship with mankind. And the new heavens. And the new heavens. But in this one. In this new heavens and new earth. His people.

[24:50] We. His people. Will stand fully redeemed. And glorified. Because Christ has accomplished his mission. His new life. Brings our new life.

[25:01] The stain of our sin. Has been erased. The relationship barriers. Are gone forever. We will stand together friends.

[25:13] With King Jesus. For eternity. And proclaim with all the saints. These words. To him who sits on the throne.

[25:26] And to the lamb. Be blessing and honor. And glory. And might forever and ever. Amen. Praise be to God.

[25:38] Praise be to the risen King Jesus. Worship him. For he is worthy. Praise be to the risen King. Praise be to the risen King. Our God and our King Jesus.

[25:54] We are so unworthy. Of the offer of new life. That you give us Lord. Jesus we are so.

[26:08] Thankful. For your resurrection from the dead. Because it totally. And forever.

[26:19] Changes the relationship. That I can have with God. That we can have with God. It makes perfect. God's original design.

[26:31] To relate to mankind. Only through Christ's death. And then his resurrection from that death. For can I.

[26:43] Through Christ. Be presented before you. With all the saints. As holy and blameless. Jesus we thank you.

[26:55] Jesus we are forever thankful. Lord. Would this thanksgiving. Be the song of our hearts. Be the outpouring of our lives.

[27:06] Lord may the way we live. Be informed. By the risen Christ. Who he is. And what he has done. Lord that you would receive all glory.

[27:19] Forever and ever. Amen. Friends we are going to turn it. Back over. And we are going to worship the Lord. In song. Amen. Amen.

[27:29] Amen. Amen. Please sing with us.