WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.160 Thanks, Kata. Well, good morning, folks. It is wonderful to see you, whether you've been here for years or whether this is your first time with us at Bronzefield. 00:00:09.540 --> 00:00:16.300 Welcome. And what a joy it is to look at this psalm together, to do exactly what we have just been singing, right? 00:00:16.519 --> 00:00:21.660 Behold our God seated on his throne. Let us come and adore him. 00:00:22.260 --> 00:00:25.460 That is my prayer, that that is what we would do this morning. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.539 My name is Alistair. It's been said I'm the assistant pastor here at the church. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.460 And this morning, it is my joy to lead us through this psalm. 00:00:33.539 --> 00:00:38.179 So please do keep that open in front of you. Everything we do at Bronzefield should be rooted in God's word. 00:00:38.500 --> 00:00:44.219 So don't take my word for it. Follow along in the psalm and we will see what the Lord has to say. 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:52.000 Now, this short summer series that we've been going through on Psalms 20 to 24 is all about the king in all of his glory. 00:00:52.000 --> 00:00:59.880 Each week we've looked at a different description or aspect of the king that finds its partial fulfillment in David, 00:01:00.320 --> 00:01:02.600 the ancient king of Israel. 00:01:02.740 --> 00:01:06.840 They're rooted first and foremost in his life, in his time as king. 00:01:07.540 --> 00:01:13.340 But then each of these psalms points us forward to the ultimate king, Jesus Christ. 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:22.000 The true king of glory whose dominion knows no end, whose kingdom will continue to grow until the end of time, 00:01:22.260 --> 00:01:27.100 and who is crowned in splendor and in majesty. 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:34.379 This series is designed to help us take a step back and see the glory of God. 00:01:35.119 --> 00:01:41.379 To readjust our thinking about who God is and to stand amazed in his presence. 00:01:42.259 --> 00:01:52.919 And to think how amazing it is that we get to call this all-powerful, mighty, majestic God, our Heavenly Father. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:59.180 So if you haven't been around for this whole series over the summer, I know many people have been away on holiday. 00:01:59.760 --> 00:02:02.640 Please do go back and listen to the sermons. 00:02:02.760 --> 00:02:03.579 You'll find them on YouTube. 00:02:03.799 --> 00:02:05.939 You'll find them on our website or on the podcast. 00:02:06.299 --> 00:02:09.000 They have been a great encouragement to us all. 00:02:09.060 --> 00:02:13.379 But let me just give you a recap of where we've been the last few weeks. 00:02:14.199 --> 00:02:17.460 So in Psalm 20, we saw the prayerful king. 00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:21.000 In Psalm 21, we saw the victorious king. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:23.560 In Psalm 22, the suffering king. 00:02:24.159 --> 00:02:27.259 Psalm 23, the shepherd and host king. 00:02:27.759 --> 00:02:32.240 And today in Psalm 24, we will see the glorious king. 00:02:33.819 --> 00:02:39.840 Now Psalm 24 this morning in a similar way points us beyond King David to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:40.759 --> 00:02:47.060 This psalm is all about how people can, like us, can come into the presence of this glorious king. 00:02:47.060 --> 00:02:50.939 The king of glory as he's described in Psalm 24. 00:02:52.020 --> 00:02:59.360 But this psalm is slightly different from the others in this series because David isn't actually the focus of this psalm at all. 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:03.340 The sole focus of this psalm is God. 00:03:03.340 --> 00:03:06.259 It's a liturgical psalm. 00:03:06.340 --> 00:03:12.219 One that would most likely have been sung as the people gathered corporately to praise and worship God. 00:03:12.719 --> 00:03:16.939 It's a psalm of praise and recognition of who God is. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:22.460 And it describes the immense privilege it is to come into his presence and worship him. 00:03:22.460 --> 00:03:29.840 Now I hope that as we gather this morning as a church family and as we walk away from this series, 00:03:30.060 --> 00:03:36.620 that we walk away in the same sense of awe and wonder as the original hearers would have. 00:03:37.040 --> 00:03:41.939 The sense of awe that we get to come before this great God this morning and praise him. 00:03:43.300 --> 00:03:46.580 So David wrote this psalm as a procession psalm. 00:03:46.580 --> 00:03:48.200 For when two things happened. 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:53.580 First, when people would enter the presence of God to worship in the tabernacle or the temple. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:58.120 And then secondly, when God draws near to his people. 00:03:59.160 --> 00:04:01.620 Now we don't know exactly when it was written, 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:09.760 but one of the possibilities is that it could have been when the Ark of the Covenant was brought into the city of Jerusalem. 00:04:09.760 --> 00:04:16.060 Now you can read about the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus 25 later on this afternoon, if you have time. 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:20.459 It was basically a big chest that contained the Ten Commandments, 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:25.100 a piece of manna that God fed Israel with in the wilderness, 00:04:25.519 --> 00:04:29.199 and the staff of Aaron, the first priest of Israel. 00:04:29.879 --> 00:04:39.439 The Ark of the Covenant was a physical symbol of faith and a reminder of the presence of God among his people. 00:04:40.019 --> 00:04:45.540 It was one of the most instrumental symbols for the nation of Israel and their worship of God. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:50.920 So in the Old Testament, before the temple was built and you talked about the presence of God, 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:53.920 the Israelite would have gone and thought about the Ark of the Covenant. 00:04:54.939 --> 00:04:56.180 That's what you would think about. 00:04:56.220 --> 00:04:58.860 It was a very big deal for the nation of Israel. 00:04:59.399 --> 00:05:05.860 It is how God's presence, or it was how God's presence, was interacting with his people. 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:15.699 So this whole psalm is about when the normal lives of people interact with the spiritual realm of God and his kingdom. 00:05:16.520 --> 00:05:20.720 It's about entering into the presence of this God, the King of glory. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:26.200 And I think it's quite fitting to end our short series on this particular element of the King, 00:05:26.460 --> 00:05:30.120 because it gives us an insight also into the end of time. 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:36.880 The time when the King will come in all of his glory and every single eye will see him. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:44.199 So we're going to look at this psalm using the two selahs as a break in the text in verses 6 to 10. 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:50.219 Now your pew Bibles don't actually have the word selah from the original text. 00:05:50.300 --> 00:05:52.980 We're not exactly certain what that word selah means. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:58.300 It could be a note to those singing or playing instruments to this psalm. 00:05:58.300 --> 00:06:06.540 And it could have been a sign of a break, a time to stop and to reflect on what God has just said in his word. 00:06:06.939 --> 00:06:10.699 And so as we come to the word selah in verses 6 and 10, we're going to do just that. 00:06:10.759 --> 00:06:17.540 I'm going to say the word and we're just going to pause for a few seconds and think about what God has said in the previous verses. 00:06:18.340 --> 00:06:23.800 But let me just draw our attention to the first thing that we see in this psalm. 00:06:23.920 --> 00:06:27.040 In verses 1 to 6, we see draw near to God. 00:06:27.040 --> 00:06:28.920 Draw near to God. 00:06:29.379 --> 00:06:31.879 Now read verse 3 with me. 00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:34.860 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? 00:06:35.560 --> 00:06:38.879 Who may stand in his holy place? 00:06:39.620 --> 00:06:42.640 This question is the crux of our first point. 00:06:43.580 --> 00:06:47.020 David is basically asking, who can approach God? 00:06:47.920 --> 00:06:51.640 Who has the right to stand in his presence? 00:06:51.639 --> 00:06:59.680 I wonder if you've ever had a time where you've been around someone and you've been flabbergasted. 00:07:00.639 --> 00:07:05.219 I saw a little bit yesterday with Graham as he saw Rachel coming down the aisle. 00:07:05.220 --> 00:07:09.280 That moment where you're unable to speak properly. 00:07:09.440 --> 00:07:10.980 You're unable to think straight. 00:07:11.120 --> 00:07:13.000 Everything is a blur. 00:07:13.140 --> 00:07:17.260 You are dumbfounded as you approach someone or they approach you. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:22.600 Maybe it was your celebrity crush that you met in a concert accidentally. 00:07:23.440 --> 00:07:27.080 Maybe it was your spouse when you first met or maybe it was on your wedding day. 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:31.839 Maybe it was even a member of the royal family or some other famous person. 00:07:32.620 --> 00:07:36.719 There are times where we meet people and we are taken aback. 00:07:38.079 --> 00:07:42.860 And those might be our responses when we come into the presence of certain people of prominence. 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:45.319 But we're still allowed to be there. 00:07:45.419 --> 00:07:46.879 Unless you've got a restraining order. 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:48.819 You're still allowed to be there. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:07:58.279 But David is asking who can approach God because he knows that nobody should be allowed to be there. 00:07:59.459 --> 00:08:06.039 To ascend or to stand, the language of verse 3, are not specific things about posture in worship. 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:08.719 But they're about the presence of the worshiper. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:15.539 They're words used to talk about a person's acceptance or approach to God in worship. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:21.720 Both in the public gathering of God's people to worship God and in private. 00:08:22.840 --> 00:08:27.400 And the mountain of the Lord in the Psalms is shorthand for the tabernacle or the temple. 00:08:27.520 --> 00:08:31.100 The place where God would meet with his people and they would worship him. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:37.480 Now the key thing that David wants us to know and the key thing that he knows. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:42.580 Is that for us to be able to enter into the presence of God. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:45.180 To be able to worship God. 00:08:45.179 --> 00:08:47.799 We must be accepted by God. 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:52.000 Because God is completely different from us. 00:08:53.359 --> 00:08:56.339 And David highlights that by drawing out two aspects of the king. 00:08:56.459 --> 00:08:59.519 First of all, he is creator in verses 1 and 2. 00:08:59.879 --> 00:09:02.859 And he is holy in verses 3 and 4. 00:09:03.679 --> 00:09:05.819 So read verses 1 and 2 with me. 00:09:05.820 --> 00:09:21.379 See, David looks out and he knows that everything in the world was created by God. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:24.940 He is the one who made the seas and he governs them. 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:29.379 He is the one who told the sun and the moon when they should shine. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:32.240 He is the one who put the stars in their place. 00:09:32.240 --> 00:09:38.299 God is the one who created every single human being with dignity and worth. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:46.719 So how, David says, can we the creature approach our creator in worship on our own? 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:54.540 When since the beginning of time, humanity has done nothing but defile creation. 00:09:56.340 --> 00:09:59.899 And then in verses 3 and 4, David highlights the holiness of God. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:04.899 He is so holy that only certain people can enter into his presence. 00:10:04.899 --> 00:10:08.319 And we see who those people are in verse 4. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:09.159 Read it with me. 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:12.939 The one who has clean hands and a pure heart. 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:18.519 Who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:25.399 So only the purest of the pure can come into the presence of God because he is holy. 00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:28.600 And we all know that is not us. 00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:33.100 Humanity cannot do that because we are not holy. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.899 We are not pure. 00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:40.060 In Genesis 3, we get the story of how sin entered into the world. 00:10:41.139 --> 00:10:46.779 That first rebellion against God has affected every single human heart from the beginning. 00:10:47.840 --> 00:10:50.740 Where the first human being said, no God, we don't want you. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.300 We want to be like you. 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:58.100 And so our natural inclination is to rebel against God. 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.160 To reject him. 00:10:59.420 --> 00:11:00.940 To reject his will. 00:11:00.940 --> 00:11:06.740 To choose to live for ourselves instead of living for him. 00:11:08.540 --> 00:11:10.580 Sin has stained humanity. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:17.620 And so we, an unholy people, cannot come into the presence of a holy God. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:26.000 And the focus of verse 4 isn't on ceremonial acts that a person can do to make them clean. 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:29.379 Religiosity won't help you get into the presence of God. 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:33.340 But David is focusing on the adherence to God's law. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:37.919 Clean hands means blameless conduct. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:45.220 A pure heart means having thoughts and motives that are always honest and innocent. 00:11:45.220 --> 00:11:54.139 And not trusting in idols or having falsehood or swearing by falsehoods is about the worshiper not having any form of deception in them. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:59.220 In relation to God or in relation to their fellow human beings. 00:11:59.220 --> 00:12:05.060 Now as you hear that, maybe your heart sank. 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:08.560 Because you know that's not you. 00:12:09.820 --> 00:12:11.899 You know you're not pure. 00:12:12.940 --> 00:12:16.240 You know that your intentions aren't always right. 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:18.379 You know that you are not morally perfect. 00:12:18.560 --> 00:12:23.019 You know that deception and lying are not completely foreign to you. 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:31.460 For us you this morning then, you are in good company with the rest of the entire population of this world. 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:35.120 We all know that we're not clean. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:41.120 We know that our motives are warped and our hearts are eager to sin. 00:12:42.539 --> 00:12:44.799 Prone to wonder, don't we feel it? 00:12:44.799 --> 00:13:01.199 And because of our sin and our natural spiritual state, we are the ones that should be ringing that bell shouting unclean like the lepers did in Jesus' day. 00:13:01.359 --> 00:13:03.159 Warning everyone that we are coming. 00:13:05.319 --> 00:13:07.740 We are not clean and we are not pure. 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:10.439 But there is good news. 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:19.800 Because there was one person who fulfilled these criteria perfectly. 00:13:22.760 --> 00:13:29.560 And not only did that person make it possible, not only that, but this person made it possible in verse 5. 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:34.780 As verse 5 tells us, for us to be able to seek God. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:44.159 Friends, Jesus has made it possible for people to receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God. 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:50.740 That is possible because Jesus lived the perfect life in absolute obedience to God's law. 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.919 Untouched by sin. 00:13:54.740 --> 00:13:57.339 Not sin-stained like the rest of humanity. 00:13:57.519 --> 00:14:00.120 And yet he willingly went to the cross. 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:05.399 Luke's gospel says he set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:12.960 He bore the wrath of God against the sins of the world so that all who seek him, 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:19.179 so that all who put their trust in him are forgiven of their sins and what? 00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.399 They are made pure. 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:24.500 They are made clean. 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:28.480 And can enter into the presence of a holy God. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:37.019 And at that moment, the Son of God hang, dying on a cross for the sins of the world. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:39.500 The curtain of the temple was torn. 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:45.580 That physical reminder of the separation between a holy God and an unholy people, gone. 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.480 Torn to shreds. 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:56.279 Meaning that through Jesus, now people can draw near to God. 00:14:56.279 --> 00:15:00.620 Naturally, on our own merit, we cannot draw near to God. 00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:05.019 But through Jesus, we can be seen as pure and holy. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:11.100 Because Jesus took our sin and in the place of our sin gave us his righteousness. 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:14.720 His right standing before God. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:19.139 And see, this is where this psalm points us beyond David. 00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:23.659 Beyond the tabernacle and to the true King of glory, Jesus Christ. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:29.199 As Hebrews 10 says, verses that Archie read out to us earlier on in the service. 00:15:29.319 --> 00:15:31.919 Hebrews 10, verses 19 to 22. 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:39.439 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the most holy place by the blood of Jesus. 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:45.779 By a new and living way opened for us through the curtain that is his body. 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:50.000 And since we have a great high priest over the house of God. 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:52.620 Let us draw near to God. 00:15:53.439 --> 00:15:58.839 With a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings. 00:15:59.079 --> 00:16:03.600 Having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:07.579 And having our bodies washed with pure water. 00:16:07.580 --> 00:16:12.840 Now for the Christian, as we stand on this side of the cross. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:16.440 As we look back and see Jesus' death and resurrection. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:21.780 As we look back and see the moment that the innocent one died for us, the guilty. 00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:26.740 We look back and see the Son of God dying in our place. 00:16:26.820 --> 00:16:32.920 We need to remember that we look back and we see the moment that that great exchange happened. 00:16:32.919 --> 00:16:43.419 That moment where Jesus took our sin and our punishment and gave us his forgiveness and his right standing with God. 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:49.259 Something that we're going to come and celebrate later on in our service as we take communion together. 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:56.339 Because of what Jesus has done, we can draw near to God with confidence as Hebrews 10 says. 00:16:56.340 --> 00:17:04.799 We can come into the very throne room of this gracious God who is enthroned on high with splendor and majesty. 00:17:07.579 --> 00:17:10.380 And the great news is that we do not walk in as guests. 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:19.900 We don't sit on the edges of the room dodging the gaze of this King and this holy Creator God. 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.400 Because we feel like we don't fit there. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:29.220 But we can walk in boldly to the throne room of God and we are beckoned in as sons and daughters. 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:37.880 Called to sit at the table of this King and to feast in his presence. 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:42.740 This is who Jesus has made us. 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:46.759 This is the identity of every single Christian. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:50.960 No longer seen as someone with dirty hands and an impure heart. 00:17:51.039 --> 00:17:52.900 But now seen as a new creation. 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.120 New citizens. 00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:58.620 Transformed by the gospel. 00:17:58.859 --> 00:18:01.420 Sons and daughters of the glorious King. 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:03.940 Once we were alienated from God. 00:18:04.339 --> 00:18:05.680 Unable to worship him. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:07.779 Unable to come into his presence. 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:09.960 Unable to seek his face. 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:14.420 Because of the sin that entangled our hearts and corrupted his minds. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:18.819 But now only by the grace of God and through Jesus' death. 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:24.319 Those who trust in him have been made alive in Christ. 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:29.519 It is no longer I who lives, but Christ in me. 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:36.000 No longer under the wrath of God, but free from the wages of sin. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:41.819 Unable to boldly come into the throne room of this King and call him Father. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:46.839 The intimacy of that relationship is magnificent. 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:54.059 Brothers and sisters, as we read Psalm 24 verse 4. 00:18:54.059 --> 00:19:24.039 We read Psalm 24 verse 4. 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:27.659 Draw near to him through Jesus and worship him. 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:32.399 Spend your life in his service and glorify him in every way you can. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.200 And maybe this isn't you. 00:19:36.819 --> 00:19:41.599 Maybe you're sitting on the fence about Jesus and what significance he has in your life. 00:19:42.139 --> 00:19:45.240 Maybe you still have questions about whether any of this is true. 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.799 Maybe you're doubting. 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:53.019 Whether or not you're worthy to come into the presence of God because of your past. 00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.440 You think you've done too much. 00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.500 You've gone too far. 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.579 You can never. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:04.319 You can never out-sin the glory of God. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:07.119 You can never out-sin his grace. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:12.799 And you can never go beyond what Jesus has already paid for your sins. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:19.759 There will be a day when all of humanity will stand before God and he will be the judge. 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:23.720 The question won't be, what have you done? 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:27.480 How sketchy has your past been? 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.779 How sketchy is your life? 00:20:28.859 --> 00:20:31.519 The question will be, are you forgiven by Jesus? 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:37.059 Did you respond to him with faith in this life? 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:42.079 And if the answer is no, then the opposite of verse 4 is true of you. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:46.279 You will not be able to enter into the presence of God and draw near to him. 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:49.139 And yet the invitation is still there. 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:54.539 While you live and breathe, will you draw near to God? 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:56.299 Put your trust in Jesus. 00:20:56.299 --> 00:21:02.019 Because only in him will you find the blessing and vindication from God that verse 6 talks about. 00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.579 Selah. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:18.779 And the second thing we see in this psalm is that God will draw near to you. 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:23.079 In verses 7 to 10, God will draw near to you. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:28.200 Do you remember the Jubilee weekend earlier on this year? 00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:37.019 In London to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, the main procession had a total of 1,500 parading soldiers. 00:21:37.899 --> 00:21:44.119 250 horses, 400 musicians and 70 aircraft flying overhead. 00:21:45.259 --> 00:21:47.480 Crowds lined the streets to celebrate. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:53.039 We should have a similar image in our minds as we read these verses. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:59.379 But instead of a parade celebrating the Queen or even the King of Israel, David, 00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:06.559 this psalm uses the language of procession, a parade, to celebrate God as he enters Jerusalem. 00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:13.099 The second half of this psalm talks about God drawing near to us. 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:15.420 Read verse 7 with me. 00:22:15.420 --> 00:22:17.880 Lift up your heads, you gates. 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:22.600 Be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 00:22:23.340 --> 00:22:29.000 Now this is military language of a victorious King returning from battle. 00:22:29.840 --> 00:22:32.720 With a parade to show his splendor and his glory. 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:34.600 All the spoils of war. 00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:45.299 This song uses the imagery of gates and ancient doors open and ready to receive this victorious King in all of his glory as he draws near. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:48.019 It's an image of God. 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:55.700 The King of glory coming into Jerusalem to dwell with his people and make his home among them. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:23:00.079 Possibly in the first instance when the Ark of the Covenant arrived in Jerusalem. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:04.660 A great day of celebration for the worshippers of God. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:11.460 Verse 7 is repeated in verse 9 exactly to show the prominence of the person coming in. 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:14.259 But who is this person? 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.819 Who is this King? 00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:18.240 Read verse 8 with me. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:20.319 Who is this King of glory? 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:22.600 The Lord strong and mighty. 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:24.519 The Lord mighty in battle. 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.200 And verse 10. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.100 Who is he this King of glory? 00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.680 The Lord Almighty. 00:23:30.340 --> 00:23:32.740 He is the King of glory. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:39.839 Now at this point David the King of Israel is standing with the rest of the population on the sidewalk. 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:44.059 Shouting with joy as the Ark of the Covenant goes forward. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.960 And he is pointing people to God. 00:23:46.720 --> 00:23:50.099 To the greater King of more splendor and glory. 00:23:50.620 --> 00:23:52.259 Of more honor and power. 00:23:52.380 --> 00:23:54.319 Who alone is worthy of all praise. 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:56.359 David is saying don't look at me. 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:57.799 Look at the true King. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:01.019 Look at the one who should be worshipped. 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:04.839 He is the one who makes his dwelling among his people. 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:09.559 Now there is an element where that happened in the Old Testament. 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.720 In the Ark of the Covenant. 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:13.660 And after David's reign when the temple was built. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:16.160 The Lord's presence was there. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:19.740 But the Ark of the Covenant was stolen and lost. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:23.259 The temple was destroyed. 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:27.920 Because they are but shadows of a future day. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:36.879 Mere glimpses of the glorious future that would come. 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:38.480 And is still to come. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:41.440 And even now we see that in two parts. 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:46.379 We see the now and not yet a little bit similar to what we were thinking about last week. 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:49.519 Because this psalm finds its partial fulfillment. 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:52.859 After Jesus rose victorious from the grave. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.379 Defeating sin. 00:24:54.480 --> 00:24:55.599 Defeating death. 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:59.279 And then in Acts the risen Jesus went back into heaven. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:01.480 Into the presence of God. 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:05.079 And Jesus promised that he would send the helper. 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:09.019 God the Holy Spirit to do what? 00:25:09.079 --> 00:25:10.819 To dwell with his people. 00:25:13.819 --> 00:25:19.639 That is how the earthly realm and the heavenly realm connect every single day. 00:25:20.939 --> 00:25:22.779 As the Lord's people. 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:25.599 Have the very presence of God within them. 00:25:25.639 --> 00:25:29.299 As the Holy Spirit guides us to live the life that we were created to live. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:32.299 To make us more like Jesus every single day. 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:35.480 Empowering us to live a life of holiness. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.240 And communion with God. 00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:43.899 So Psalm 24 verses 7 to 10 are fulfilled in part now. 00:25:44.099 --> 00:25:47.019 As God dwells with his people through the Holy Spirit. 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:53.159 But there's an element where this promise of God drawing near to us is yet to be fulfilled. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:59.200 Because the day is yet to come when God the ruling and reigning king. 00:25:59.300 --> 00:26:00.519 The victorious king. 00:26:00.800 --> 00:26:01.759 Will come. 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:04.800 And establish his kingdom on earth. 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:10.700 The Lord will come in judgment on all those who have rejected him. 00:26:10.820 --> 00:26:12.440 And he will not draw near to them. 00:26:12.540 --> 00:26:14.200 They will not draw near to him either. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:21.220 But he will draw near to all those who have drawn near to him already in this life. 00:26:21.220 --> 00:26:27.559 Psalm 24 verses 7 to 10 will ultimately find their fulfillment in the new creation. 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:34.120 The new heavens and the new earth is described for us in Revelation 21 verses 1 to 4. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.180 Where it says this. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:38.860 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:42.039 For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:44.039 And there was no longer any sea. 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:47.480 I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem. 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:50.660 Coming down out of heaven from God. 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:54.700 Prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 00:26:56.360 --> 00:27:00.259 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:05.360 Look, God's dwelling place is now among his people. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:07.340 And he will dwell with them. 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:12.180 They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:15.060 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. 00:27:15.059 --> 00:27:19.720 There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. 00:27:20.019 --> 00:27:23.559 For the old order of things has passed away. 00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:29.200 Now on that glorious day when we will spend, 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:34.119 on that day we will spend eternity in the presence of God in his kingdom. 00:27:34.819 --> 00:27:38.480 He will come like a victorious king for all to see. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:41.539 And will make his dwelling among his people. 00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:45.200 See the focus of the new creation isn't on new bodies. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:50.819 It isn't even the absence of sin and the absence of pain and the absence of death. 00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:53.019 As great as those things are. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:28:01.319 The most amazing thing of the new creation is that we will dwell in the presence of this glorious king forever. 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:09.980 Psalm 24 is all about entering into the presence of God. 00:28:10.939 --> 00:28:18.720 It's about how the normal lives of the Lord's people intersect with the spiritual world as we draw near to God and we worship him. 00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:23.460 And the promise, friends, is that whilst he is with us now by his spirit, 00:28:24.079 --> 00:28:28.000 one day he will draw near to us completely in the new creation. 00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:36.200 And that will make the jubilee celebrations of earlier this year look like a toddler's birthday party. 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:40.579 Because God is the king of true splendor. 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:43.059 Of true majesty. 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:48.019 He is the almighty creator God, the holy God, the saving God. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:51.420 Who invites us to draw near to him through his son. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:55.259 And who promises that if we do that, he will draw near to us. 00:28:55.259 --> 00:29:02.480 Psalm 24 and this whole summer series was designed to help us take a step back. 00:29:03.299 --> 00:29:04.559 To behold our God. 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:09.279 To see him in all of his glory and be amazed that we get to call him father. 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:16.740 Each of these psalms points us to the person of Jesus through whom we have access to the glory of God. 00:29:16.740 --> 00:29:19.019 We can come into his presence. 00:29:20.220 --> 00:29:21.599 Anytime we want. 00:29:22.140 --> 00:29:23.380 Because he is with us. 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:26.859 And he will be with us finally in the end. 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.079 Let us pray together. 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:44.120 Heavenly Father, we thank you for the immense privilege it is to be able to come into your presence. 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:52.379 Lord, we recognize that we are sinful human beings who cannot do that on our own merit. 00:29:54.479 --> 00:29:57.500 But we need to come in through Jesus Christ. 00:29:58.539 --> 00:30:00.219 Trusting in his death and resurrection. 00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.099 Trusting in his righteousness. 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:06.259 Which means that we can enter boldly into the throne room. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:07.719 And call you father. 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:15.140 Father, we pray that you would help us not to take that truth lightly. 00:30:16.440 --> 00:30:22.740 But to remember the weight of the crucifixion of Jesus. 00:30:22.740 --> 00:30:27.140 But the glorious truth that that points us to as well. 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:30.599 An eternal life spent in your presence. 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.779 Father, I pray that if we don't. 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:36.099 If there is anyone here who doesn't know that reality. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:39.799 That by your spirit you would do a work in their heart. 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:43.500 And that they would draw near to you. 00:30:44.059 --> 00:30:46.480 So that they can have hope and true life. 00:30:46.880 --> 00:30:48.299 And you would draw near to them. 00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:48.339 Amen. 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.859 In Jesus name we pray. 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.039 Amen.