WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.620 Now, if you turn in a Bible to Psalm 24, it's on page 555, which is quite pleasing. 00:00:21.660 --> 00:00:21.820 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.380 Psalm 24, of David, a psalm. 00:00:33.740 --> 00:00:39.899 The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. 00:00:40.659 --> 00:00:45.140 For he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 00:00:46.159 --> 00:00:48.240 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? 00:00:48.379 --> 00:00:50.359 Who may stand in his holy presence? 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:58.000 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:04.180 They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 00:01:05.159 --> 00:01:10.099 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. 00:01:11.260 --> 00:01:13.260 Lift up your heads, you gates. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:18.219 Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 00:01:19.019 --> 00:01:20.439 Who is this King of glory? 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:22.700 The Lord strong and mighty. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:24.420 The Lord mighty in battle. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:27.000 Lift up your heads, you gates. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:31.280 Lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 00:01:31.879 --> 00:01:34.040 Who is he, this King of glory? 00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:35.799 The Lord almighty. 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:38.519 He is the King of glory. 00:01:39.320 --> 00:01:41.040 Ray, over to you. 00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:43.879 Let's pray, shall we? 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:53.459 Father, we thank you already for the reminder of your greatness and your glory. 00:01:54.459 --> 00:02:01.099 And Lord, we see that so beautifully in our Lord Jesus Christ who gave his life for us. 00:02:01.979 --> 00:02:03.019 Lord, thank you for that. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:04.199 Thank you for this psalm. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:06.039 We pray that you would speak to us. 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:10.780 And Lord, you would tell us what you want us to hear from you tonight. 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:11.759 In Jesus' name. 00:02:12.159 --> 00:02:12.439 Amen. 00:02:12.439 --> 00:02:12.560 Amen. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:14.879 Amen. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:16.680 Amen. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:18.000 I thought I'd try and put a title. 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:18.979 Don't always do this. 00:02:19.079 --> 00:02:24.439 But I'll try and put a title to Psalm 24, mainly to help me, but perhaps it will help you. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:25.659 Perhaps not. 00:02:26.359 --> 00:02:27.439 I've got a clicker here. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:30.900 Right. 00:02:31.300 --> 00:02:33.139 Don't want to spoil the punchline there. 00:02:33.680 --> 00:02:35.120 So my title was this, okay. 00:02:35.819 --> 00:02:40.419 A song about the attributes of God and the history of redemption. 00:02:40.419 --> 00:02:44.319 But then I thought, let's try and break it down a bit. 00:02:44.799 --> 00:02:46.199 And I'll come up with this one. 00:02:46.799 --> 00:02:48.759 Who is God and what has he done? 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:51.539 That's the story of this psalm. 00:02:51.599 --> 00:02:56.479 And in fact, you could say, if you're a Bible scholar, that that's the story of the whole Bible. 00:02:56.759 --> 00:02:58.619 Who is God and what has he done? 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:05.539 Psalm 24 is about a specific event in Israel's history. 00:03:06.500 --> 00:03:10.319 It's also the story of a much bigger picture. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:17.259 The Olympic Games is an event that, if you are following it, happens every four years. 00:03:18.359 --> 00:03:20.879 But it has a bigger meaning to it. 00:03:21.019 --> 00:03:22.599 The bigger story is this. 00:03:22.799 --> 00:03:32.259 Nations coming together, contributing to world peace and promoting friendship and mutual understanding between the nations. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:38.579 That's pretty much a dictionary definition of what the Olympic Games seek to do. 00:03:39.259 --> 00:03:43.780 So the bigger picture is much more important than the specific event. 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.280 And so it is with Psalm 24. 00:03:47.159 --> 00:03:51.620 It's a song written in celebration of a specific event in history. 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:55.159 But it's also the story of a much bigger picture. 00:03:55.159 --> 00:04:06.219 The historical event celebrated in the psalm was probably, we can't be certain of this, but it was almost certainly when David brought the Ark of God into Jerusalem. 00:04:06.979 --> 00:04:09.340 We read about that in 2 Samuel chapter 6. 00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:19.220 And it was either written at the time of the event or perhaps afterwards to look back and celebrate the event. 00:04:19.220 --> 00:04:30.740 And they're celebrating the symbol of God's presence, which was the Ark, being brought up the hill to Jerusalem and through the gates of the city of David. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:40.680 You'll see as you read it that it's a processional psalm, processional song, and it also is describing a journey. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:46.380 The bigger picture, let me give you a spoiler right at the beginning. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:49.459 The bigger picture of the psalm is also a journey. 00:04:50.939 --> 00:04:54.360 But this is the journey of world history. 00:04:54.719 --> 00:04:56.560 That's a big claim for this psalm. 00:04:57.019 --> 00:05:00.959 If you read it through, you'll see that it is the story of world history. 00:05:01.600 --> 00:05:04.639 Verses 1 and 2, God creating the world. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:09.040 Verses 3 to 6, God redeeming his people. 00:05:09.779 --> 00:05:11.459 We'll see more about that later on. 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:18.419 And in verses 7 to 10, Jesus ascending to heaven, leading his people home. 00:05:19.479 --> 00:05:24.060 Some of that isn't immediately apparent, but I hope as we go through it, we'll see that together. 00:05:24.659 --> 00:05:27.319 The psalm seems to divide into these three sections. 00:05:28.179 --> 00:05:30.279 And I'd like to look at them under three headings. 00:05:30.659 --> 00:05:32.139 The main heading, who is God? 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:33.419 Subheading. 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:36.839 I think I'm supposed to turn on there. 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:38.939 He's the maker and owner of everything. 00:05:38.939 --> 00:05:42.459 He is holy, unlike us. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:44.879 And he is the king of glory. 00:05:46.000 --> 00:05:53.339 To David and his people, it was a song which spoke of who God is and what he is like. 00:05:54.399 --> 00:06:01.399 But when you and I read the psalm in the light of the New Testament, God's complete revelation, of course, 00:06:01.399 --> 00:06:11.179 we see clearly it's a song about Messiah Jesus and what he has done, not just for the Israelites, but for his people of every age. 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:14.699 So, where are we at to here? 00:06:15.579 --> 00:06:18.060 The first section here, who is God? 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:20.099 He's the maker and owner of everything. 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:21.519 Verses 1 and 2. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:23.899 I'm going to try and walk you through a bit here. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:27.099 So, if it gets a bit kind of ploddy, forgive me. 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:29.699 Just try and stay with him, following your Bibles. 00:06:30.459 --> 00:06:33.099 Verse 1, a statement is made. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:34.839 And it's a statement of fact. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:36.000 All right? 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:42.019 It doesn't actually surround it with anything where this could be true or it may not be true. 00:06:42.439 --> 00:06:44.319 It's an actual bold statement of fact. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:50.420 The earth is the Lord's and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:07:02.360 That is, every mountain, every field, every river, every tree, all the birds, all the animals, every human being belongs to God. 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:08.939 Every village, every city, every house, and all of the house contents belong to God. 00:07:09.719 --> 00:07:12.339 So, this is the fact that verse 1 tells us. 00:07:12.879 --> 00:07:14.300 The earth is the Lord's. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:19.139 Now, verse 2 gives us the outflow of that statement. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:20.980 It gives us the logic of it. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:27.199 Why it's an undeniable fact that God, that the earth is the Lord's. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:32.639 And it says, for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.199 So, the logic is this. 00:07:35.620 --> 00:07:38.500 God owns this world because he made it. 00:07:39.719 --> 00:07:43.480 God owns everything in it because he made it from nothing. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:48.420 No one else, nothing else contributed in any way to our existence. 00:07:48.960 --> 00:07:56.420 Even those we consider man-made and made by people God has made, with materials God has made. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:07:58.580 God has made everything. 00:07:58.579 --> 00:08:01.319 So, how should we respond to this knowledge? 00:08:01.319 --> 00:08:01.819 God has made everything. 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:01.819 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:07.819 certainly with awe, awe and wonder at such a marvellous God, 00:08:08.339 --> 00:08:09.779 but also with confidence. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:14.819 Confidence that our God is powerful and sovereign over all creation 00:08:14.819 --> 00:08:17.180 and therefore we can trust him. 00:08:18.159 --> 00:08:20.800 Confidence that living under the rule of the creator 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:25.600 is the best for us because it was what we were made for. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:30.600 To love him and to serve him is the best thing we can do. 00:08:31.819 --> 00:08:35.500 And confidence, thirdly, that it's the most loving thing we can do, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:40.860 that you can do, to tell someone that they need to submit to God's rule in their lives. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.960 It's a truth that is relevant and applicable to everyone, 00:08:46.500 --> 00:08:48.019 whether they understand it or not. 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:53.059 So in verse 2, David takes us back to the creation account 00:08:53.059 --> 00:08:56.519 and you notice there he says he founded it on the seas 00:08:56.519 --> 00:08:58.360 and established it on the waters. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:01.500 What does that remind you of in Genesis? 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:03.240 Genesis 1 verse 9, 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:07.080 God created the landmass by gathering together the waters. 00:09:07.740 --> 00:09:10.399 So David is taking us back then to Genesis, 00:09:10.740 --> 00:09:12.179 the first few chapters of Genesis. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:17.340 So in summary, we were created by God to live under his ownership, 00:09:18.059 --> 00:09:21.899 but we know as soon as Genesis chapter 3, 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:26.220 Adam and Eve had a problem with this ownership of God. 00:09:26.220 --> 00:09:34.019 And let's be frank, you and I, all human beings, still find it a problem today. 00:09:34.800 --> 00:09:43.660 In fact, a good friend of mine said to me that these verses are probably the most offensive verses in the whole of Scripture. 00:09:44.340 --> 00:09:44.980 Think of this. 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:47.580 God owns me because he made me. 00:09:48.139 --> 00:09:50.420 If you were to tell that to a work colleague or a friend, 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:52.659 how would they react to that? 00:09:53.120 --> 00:09:55.320 Nobody has the right to tell me how to live. 00:09:55.680 --> 00:09:56.680 Nobody owns me. 00:09:57.440 --> 00:09:59.139 We don't want to live under God's rule. 00:09:59.139 --> 00:10:04.439 And bear this in mind as we go on now to the next section. 00:10:06.379 --> 00:10:07.500 He is holy. 00:10:07.500 --> 00:10:19.740 Again, verse 3 is interesting actually to follow through the psalm to see what are statements, 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:22.919 what are questions, why are things asked as questions. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:26.659 And I think it's to draw us into it. 00:10:26.779 --> 00:10:30.100 And verse 3 starts with two questions to draw us in. 00:10:30.820 --> 00:10:33.179 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? 00:10:33.679 --> 00:10:36.179 Who may stand in his holy place? 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:41.679 Well, we're not left very long to ponder on that because the next verse, verse 4, tells us, 00:10:42.239 --> 00:10:44.639 the one who has clean hands and a pure heart, 00:10:44.899 --> 00:10:49.279 who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false God. 00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:58.659 Do these verses seem completely disconnected to you from the verses we just read about God making the world? 00:10:58.939 --> 00:11:01.279 It seems to be a completely different subject. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:06.399 So why do they follow on from the wonderful declaration of God being maker and owner? 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:10.639 Well, David is trying to build a picture of God. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:13.819 And these verses tell us at least two things. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:18.819 Firstly, God is holy and we are not. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:27.159 And secondly, and because of that, there is one who can ascend the mountain for us. 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:29.699 Firstly, God is holy and we are not. 00:11:30.819 --> 00:11:36.179 The context of the whole psalm is about God's authority and glory, I think. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:44.360 It's drawing a comparison here in these verses between sinful human beings and a holy God. 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:56.180 So these verses here, verse 3 onwards, are written so that we can see how awesomely pure God is and how utterly sinful we are. 00:11:57.399 --> 00:12:00.240 Now we have some lovely white walls in this church. 00:12:01.200 --> 00:12:06.300 And some people have been working very hard, particularly Anna, working very hard to paint them. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:14.159 I don't know a lot about painting, Anna, but one thing I do know is that when you paint a wall, lovely white, brilliant white like this, 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:19.319 you start to notice all the things around it which are not so clean and not so brilliant. 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:22.479 Well, that's what this psalm is doing for us. 00:12:23.079 --> 00:12:30.919 It's showing us the holiness of God and automatically we see how ungodly, how sinful we are. 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:39.479 Now, the passage isn't intended for us to measure up to see if we're holy enough, you know, asking us the question, 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:42.379 well, I wonder whether I could ascend the mountain of the Lord. 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:44.559 I wonder whether I could stand in the holy place. 00:12:47.379 --> 00:12:49.019 No, it's clearly not that. 00:12:49.120 --> 00:12:54.939 Instead, it's written to show us how holy God is and therefore how different he is from us. 00:12:54.940 --> 00:13:01.220 So secondly, we're told about one, perhaps, who can ascend the mountain. 00:13:01.860 --> 00:13:03.080 Who can ascend this mountain? 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:05.580 Who can stand in his holy place? 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:08.540 Who can stand before a holy God? 00:13:09.380 --> 00:13:12.680 Who is the one referred to in verse four? 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:21.800 Who is it who receives blessing from the Lord and who will be vindicated or better translated, receive righteousness? 00:13:22.420 --> 00:13:23.740 It says there in verse five. 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:31.220 Well, of course, you've all sat under a good pastor's teaching and you know the answer to that, particularly with this morning sermon. 00:13:32.840 --> 00:13:39.620 Jesus is the only one who deserves the blessing of his father, but was cursed on a cross for us. 00:13:40.540 --> 00:13:42.560 So that we would know his blessing. 00:13:43.640 --> 00:13:45.640 And receive his righteousness. 00:13:45.639 --> 00:13:53.000 By his death, he restores rebels who refuse to own God as their maker and owner. 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:56.819 And brings them to glory. 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:02.860 My favorite commentator on this, on the Psalms, puts it like this. 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:07.620 We see portrayed in Psalm 24 verses three to six. 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:19.759 One flawless man bringing a whole generation, a new community of men and women with him covered by his righteousness and heirs of his blessing. 00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:22.259 So where is he leading us? 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.879 Where is Jesus taking us? 00:14:24.319 --> 00:14:26.259 And we see that in the next section. 00:14:28.860 --> 00:14:30.159 He is glorious. 00:14:30.340 --> 00:14:31.500 Verses seven to ten. 00:14:32.179 --> 00:14:32.840 So glorious. 00:14:33.460 --> 00:14:35.379 He's the king of glory. 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:40.580 I don't know whether you can read the words there, but I'll try and call it out to you. 00:14:40.580 --> 00:14:47.000 This section has a command, a call and a response. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:56.200 If you're at the funeral on Friday, most of the congregation were Congolese. 00:14:57.340 --> 00:15:08.620 And if you were there, you would have heard one guy calling out and the rest of the congregation following with a kind of a refrain. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:13.379 So between the two of them, there was the call and there was the response. 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.899 And that is exactly what's happening here. 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.580 There's a command, first of all. 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.960 Then there's a call. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.340 Then there's a response. 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.600 So what is the command? 00:15:24.379 --> 00:15:28.600 Verses seven and verse nine are saying similar things. 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.299 In fact, exactly the same thing. 00:15:31.060 --> 00:15:32.500 Lift up your heads, you gates. 00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:34.399 Be lifted up, you ancient doors. 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:42.179 Now, the picture here is of huge gates set into the city wall of Jerusalem. 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:47.059 The stone wall, thick wall, heavy wall with gates set in. 00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.980 So there's stonework going over the top. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.980 Anna will know about this. 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.480 She's know about architecture. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:59.779 It lintels over the thing to stop it, stop the stonework falling down and the gates. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:08.000 And the strange command is for the wall and the gates that they should be lifted up to make way for the king. 00:16:09.339 --> 00:16:11.220 We're clearly talking imagery here. 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:19.980 And the point of the imagery is that the huge gates are far too small to let the magnificent king of glory through. 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:25.980 We see this illustrated in London with Tower Bridge. 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:33.759 Most ships and vessels that use the Thames, they're under nine meters high so they can go under the bridge. 00:16:34.700 --> 00:16:42.879 But larger ships, we might say to fit in with this text, the more glorious ships, they can't fit under there. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:49.500 And they have to raise the road that runs through so that the ships can go through. 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:54.399 So the gates of Jerusalem, again, this is a picture language, isn't it? 00:16:54.419 --> 00:16:59.139 The gates of Jerusalem were designed for people, carts and wagons to pass through. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:02.860 They were nowhere big enough for the king of glory to pass through. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:06.400 He's far larger in magnificence. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:12.500 So the command was lift up your heads, you gates, be lifted up, you ancient doors. 00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:13.900 What was the call? 00:17:14.500 --> 00:17:15.200 It's a question. 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:17.660 Who is this king of glory? 00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:26.220 It isn't David, though he was king in 2 Samuel chapter 6. 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:30.380 We told him immediately who it is in the response of verse 8. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:33.780 The Lord, Yahweh, he is the king of glory. 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:36.480 How glorious is he? 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:39.500 He's glorious beyond our imagination. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:44.500 Now, last week, David Brown, standing here, was very brave. 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:48.599 And he tried to explain what God's glory is like. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:53.059 I tried to remember word for word what he said. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.240 And this is what I can remember. 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.299 It might not be exactly right. 00:17:56.019 --> 00:18:02.200 Imagine the best thing you can think of, but multiplied and in perfection. 00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:03.819 All right. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:07.519 So the best thing you can think about, multiplied and in perfection. 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:12.400 In other words, David, it's really beyond our imagination. 00:18:13.059 --> 00:18:15.720 We can't get hold of the glory of God. 00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:17.340 It is too massive. 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:22.519 So I'm not going to try and explain God's glory any more than that. 00:18:22.600 --> 00:18:23.200 I can't. 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:25.940 But how do we see his glory? 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:31.000 Well, verses 1 and 2 have told us that we see his glory in what he has made. 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:40.279 Verses 3 and 4 tell us that we see his glory in the spotless character that he has. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:47.339 But the psalmist here in this part of the psalm wants us to reflect on what he has done. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:49.940 What victory he has won. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:54.420 We see this in response to the question, who is the king of glory? 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.559 The response is in two verses. 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.599 Very, very similar, but slightly different. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.299 Verse 8. 00:19:00.920 --> 00:19:02.139 The Lord strong and mighty. 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.500 The Lord mighty in battle. 00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.460 Verse 10. 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:07.379 The Lord almighty, or the Lord of hosts. 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:09.359 He is the king of glory. 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:13.579 So the Lord is pictured here as a warrior. 00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.339 Verse 8. 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.539 Strong and mighty. 00:19:16.079 --> 00:19:17.059 Mighty in battle. 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:20.019 And in verse 10, the Lord of hosts. 00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:23.920 The Lord of the armies of heaven, in other words. 00:19:25.399 --> 00:19:27.920 So who is the text talking about? 00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:31.960 The father or the son of Jesus? 00:19:33.619 --> 00:19:36.519 I think the answer to that question is yes. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:37.859 Both. 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:45.639 God's people reading and singing this in David's time would have thought of Yahweh, who had defeated their enemies. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:47.599 Given them victory. 00:19:48.419 --> 00:19:51.059 And therefore given them security in their land. 00:19:51.059 --> 00:20:00.819 But with your perspective on history, my perspective, this side of the cross, we see this is about Jesus, king of glory. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:05.819 And we see that in John chapter 1. 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:09.700 He's co-creator with the father. 00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:12.319 It says through him, all things were made. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.859 And without him, nothing was made that has been made. 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:19.220 We see him in Colossians 2 as a savior. 00:20:19.220 --> 00:20:27.600 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:30.480 And we see him in Philippians 2. 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:30.559 And we see him in Philippians 2. 00:20:30.559 --> 00:20:32.259 He's the ascended king. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:40.019 Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:48.399 That at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. 00:20:48.400 --> 00:20:54.280 But you know, just as amazing is this truth here. 00:20:55.900 --> 00:21:04.040 Not only is Jesus ascended, not only is he seated in glory, rightfully receiving the praise. 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:12.360 But in doing so, in ascending, he leads the procession of his people to glory themselves. 00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.860 Who are those people? 00:21:14.859 --> 00:21:19.159 They're those described in verses 5 and 6 of the psalm. 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:27.199 Those who have received his righteousness and the blessing that he should have got. 00:21:28.159 --> 00:21:30.479 And we now follow him to glory. 00:21:30.839 --> 00:21:35.899 So this has happened in Jesus' ascension. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:38.319 But it's fully realized. 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:42.259 It will be fully realized when Jesus returns. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:44.420 And we rise to join him. 00:21:45.220 --> 00:21:47.819 And we enter into the presence of his father. 00:21:49.099 --> 00:21:51.059 What a glorious king we have. 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:57.660 So, finally, what does this mean for us today? 00:21:58.220 --> 00:22:02.099 Well, as a summary, Jesus fulfills this psalm completely. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:04.559 As creator, savior and enthroned king. 00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:10.240 And enables us to join the procession that he leads to glory when he comes again. 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:13.339 How should you respond to this today? 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.339 How should I respond? 00:22:16.079 --> 00:22:18.819 Well, clearly with worship. 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:25.859 Worship the father and Jesus for creation, salvation and glorious exhortation. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.919 He is worthy of our praise. 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:29.539 He is all glorious. 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.960 The king of glory. 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:34.480 But also the right response is also submission. 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:38.059 God is our creator, our king and our ruler. 00:22:39.200 --> 00:22:43.319 And therefore, every area of our lives should be submitted to him. 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:46.360 To do with as he wishes. 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.480 For his glory. 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:53.400 That the king of glory may receive more glory. 00:22:55.299 --> 00:22:56.980 He is your king and ruler. 00:22:56.980 --> 00:23:00.039 Lastly, trust. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.980 Should respond with trust. 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:06.779 Trust Jesus, the only one who makes it possible for us to stand before the father. 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:12.440 And will one day complete the glorious procession by taking us home with him forever. 00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.960 Now, we know that's true. 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.720 It's fact. 00:23:17.620 --> 00:23:18.599 We know that will happen. 00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:24.859 But sometimes our understanding, our vision becomes a bit clouded, doesn't it? 00:23:25.079 --> 00:23:26.619 And we don't see it so clearly. 00:23:28.699 --> 00:23:29.740 It's a fact. 00:23:30.219 --> 00:23:31.219 He is coming back. 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:39.559 And whatever you are going through and experiencing at the moment, which may turn your eyes from that. 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:42.240 It's a fact that you will be with him. 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.879 Praising him forever. 00:23:44.399 --> 00:23:45.259 Giving him glory. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:46.960 As you should do. 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:49.079 Not just as you want to do now. 00:23:49.579 --> 00:23:51.720 But really fully as you should do. 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:54.619 So how does this all play out in eternity? 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:59.659 David's song is a journey through history. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:01.259 As we've seen. 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.659 But it's also the song of heaven. 00:24:04.419 --> 00:24:06.159 Going on throughout eternity. 00:24:06.160 --> 00:24:09.360 It's a song to our creator. 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.460 Revelation chapter 4. 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:17.160 You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:22.120 For you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being. 00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:26.360 The heavenly hosts are still singing Psalm 24. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.600 You are worthy. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.660 You are our creator. 00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.779 It's a song to our saviour. 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:33.480 Revelation chapter 5. 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:37.940 You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:44.559 And with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.400 A song to our saviour. 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.279 You are worthy. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:51.360 And it's still a song about our glorious king. 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:54.700 Revelation 21. 00:24:54.700 --> 00:24:54.960 Revelation 21. 00:24:55.960 --> 00:25:00.640 It tells us that the city does not need sun or the moon to shine on it. 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:03.840 The glory of God gives it light. 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:07.160 And the lamb is its lamp. 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:10.299 Jesus, the glory of heaven. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:15.340 May God help us to realise that in our day-to-day living. 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.960 We just pray and then I'll come back to the stage. 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:27.299 Father, thank you that you and your son are altogether glorious. 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.980 Beyond description. 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:31.860 Beyond imagination. 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:36.160 We thank you that one day because what you have done for us, 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:40.620 we will be with you in glory and we will see that gloriousness 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:45.420 and we will be able to respond in a fuller and a better way. 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:50.340 Lord, until that time, help us to see more of your glory. 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:55.140 More of your ownership over us. 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:59.180 More of what Christ has done for us on the cross. 00:26:00.880 --> 00:26:04.279 And may we long for that day when you take us to be with you forever. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.340 In Jesus' name. 00:26:05.560 --> 00:26:05.800 Amen.