WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:05.179 We turn now to the reading of God's Word. I invite you to turn with me in your scriptures 00:00:05.179 --> 00:00:13.720 to the Psalms. There we will read Psalm 100 from verse 1, and we will read the whole Psalm. 00:00:13.720 --> 00:00:32.340 Psalm 100 from verse 1. 00:00:32.859 --> 00:00:43.200 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before Him with joyful 00:00:43.200 --> 00:00:55.580 songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep 00:00:55.580 --> 00:01:05.120 of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:16.080 and praise His name. For the Lord is good, and His love endures forever. His faithfulness 00:01:16.080 --> 00:01:25.700 continues throughout through all generations. Amen. This is God's Word to us this evening. Let us once 00:01:25.700 --> 00:01:36.140 again pray. Lord, our Father, as we come to receive Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:43.439 Lord, let us receive willingly what You have to say to Your church this evening. Lord, feed us. 00:01:44.700 --> 00:01:51.280 Feed our minds, feed our hearts, and feed our souls that we may live for You and that we may be 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:57.500 encouraged in Christ. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:14.500 Herman Bavik once famously said, God and God alone is man's highest good. Similarly, our Westminster 00:02:14.500 --> 00:02:20.080 Shorter Catechism is a shorter catechism, and its first question asks what man's purpose is on this 00:02:20.080 --> 00:02:30.920 earth, and the answer is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. As we come to Psalm 100, it could 00:02:30.920 --> 00:02:39.780 certainly be said that these ideas of glorifying God are put to the center. I am sure many of you, 00:02:39.780 --> 00:02:47.039 if not most of you, if not most of you are familiar with these words. This is the old 100, and I remember 00:02:47.039 --> 00:02:53.900 on various occasions I have been in crowds, vast crowds sometimes, of thousands, thousands of voices 00:02:53.900 --> 00:03:06.520 lifted up singing these words. It is a psalm rich with the splendor of God. It is a psalm ringing with joy 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:13.660 and gladness, and it is a psalm which brings home the reality that the worship of God for the believer 00:03:13.660 --> 00:03:25.460 is sweetness and joy. This psalm is made up of four stanzas, which if you are using an ESV is clearer, 00:03:25.660 --> 00:03:32.920 and each of these stanzas are very rich in their contents. Verses 1 and 2 make up the first, then verse 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:42.199 3, the second, verse 4, the third, and verse 5, the fourth. And in this psalm, in this famous psalm, 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:50.739 a scene is depicted where the faithful are worshiping God, the King of the temple, with joy and gladness 00:03:50.739 --> 00:03:58.819 where they worship Him under His rule and protection. And through reflecting on this, Sam, 00:03:58.819 --> 00:04:06.039 my prayer is that we will find more and more joy in the worship of our God and an assurance that we 00:04:06.039 --> 00:04:14.819 will enjoy Him for all eternity. So, we will consider this psalm stanza by stanza. Firstly, 00:04:15.000 --> 00:04:21.480 in verses 1 to 2, we are to worship the Lord with joy. In verse 3, we worship the Lord as King. 00:04:21.480 --> 00:04:29.980 In verses 4, we worship the Lord in His temple. And finally, in verse 5, we worship the Lord for 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:41.780 eternity. So, firstly, in verses 1 to 2, we worship the Lord with joy. We worship the Lord with joy. 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:49.840 Read verse 1, shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:59.899 Come before Him with joyful songs. In these verses, we are commanded to do three things. Firstly, 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:08.819 we are commanded to shout for joy to the Lord. And the shout in view here is a loud, jubilant shout. 00:05:10.159 --> 00:05:17.279 It is often used in the context of battle, and it is not just limited to the human voice. Sometimes it 00:05:17.279 --> 00:05:24.619 is used to refer to that of a trumpet. I don't know if many of you have been in a relatively small 00:05:24.619 --> 00:05:31.139 space and you hear a trumpet blast, or maybe in Scotland, a bagpipe go off. It can be absolutely 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:39.659 definite, can't it? And this is the kind of volume and tone in view here when we are called to shout 00:05:39.660 --> 00:05:51.480 for joy to the Lord. It is a loud and triumphant shout. And when we consider all that our Lord has 00:05:51.480 --> 00:06:01.300 done for us, how much reason we have to shout for joy to the Lord. He is the one who, according to 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:08.220 His foreknowledge, has saved us and purchased us with the blood of Christ. He defeated the powers of 00:06:08.220 --> 00:06:14.960 this present evil age by the cross, and He has freed us from our bondage to sin. 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:24.140 I recall a few weeks ago walking to church here, and just across the road before we arrived, we could 00:06:24.140 --> 00:06:30.080 hear cheering and celebrations. Now, if you can hear that at this time in the year, you know there is a 00:06:30.080 --> 00:06:34.460 fairly good chance that the English national football team are playing, and that they have probably 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:40.079 just lost a goal, and that's exactly what happened. I looked up my phone and right enough, that's 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:45.560 exactly what happened. Sorry if there are any English people here. This is probably too soon. But we know 00:06:45.560 --> 00:06:55.359 what this type of triumphant celebration is like, and that's football. This is our eternal salvation and a 00:06:55.360 --> 00:07:06.439 glory that we will share in for all eternity. How much reason we have to shout for joy to the Lord. 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:17.120 In verse 2, we are commanded to worship Him with gladness. Worship the Lord with gladness, it says. If 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:22.800 you're using an ESV, it may say, serve the Lord with gladness, but the idea here is really the same. 00:07:24.639 --> 00:07:30.079 Throughout the Old Testament, Israel were to serve and worship the true God, Yahweh. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:41.219 We are to worship Him alone, Yahweh. We are to worship Him as He has demanded. We are to give Him the praise due to 00:07:41.219 --> 00:07:50.240 His name. Throughout the Old Testament, we read the Israelites were so often guilty of doing this in all the 00:07:50.240 --> 00:08:00.060 wrong places. They so often served the false gods and other idols. But the call here is to serve and 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:10.220 worship Yahweh, the Lord, not all these other false gods. And we are to do so with gladness. 00:08:11.500 --> 00:08:16.680 We are to do so with gladness because worshiping the God, worshiping the Lord is a good thing. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:25.079 It is the reason why we were made, and it is the only thing in which our hearts can know rest and 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:35.779 satisfaction. And when our hearts are rightly tuned to this truth, oh, how blessed we are. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:46.639 In Christ, we have the forgiveness of sins. He redeems our life from the pit and crowns us with love 00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:53.279 and compassion. Oh, how much does that enrich our hearts in worship. 00:08:56.080 --> 00:09:02.139 Charles Spurgeon writes, the invitation to worship here is given is not a melancholy one, 00:09:02.480 --> 00:09:09.519 as though adoration were a funeral solemnity, but a cheery, gladsome exhortation, as though we were 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:18.559 forbidden to a marriage feast. Now, I know for many of us who are Presbyterian and proud, this may be a 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:27.519 hard one to hear, but how true it is. How true it is. We have been made co-heirs of the kingdom of God. 00:09:28.319 --> 00:09:35.600 And very often we come to church as though someone had just died. I certainly fall into this trap so often. 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:44.100 It could be said that though we are spiritually millionaires, we very often come to church and sing 00:09:44.100 --> 00:09:52.759 as though we were paupers. Now, let me be clear. I am not commending a certain style of worship 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:57.460 over another. I'm not saying we must come to church and lift the hands right in the air 00:09:57.460 --> 00:10:02.259 in every song. You know, for some of us, including myself, that's just not in our DNA. 00:10:02.259 --> 00:10:09.240 But the question I want to ask you this evening is, as you worship and sing to the Lord, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:18.399 is your heart filled with gladness? Is your heart filled with thankfulness for the joys 00:10:18.399 --> 00:10:22.080 and the wonders that your Lord has shown to you? 00:10:22.080 --> 00:10:35.759 In verse 3, we are also called to enter His presence with joyful songs. We are to come before 00:10:35.759 --> 00:10:43.420 Him. And the idea here, as the ESV captures well, is to come into His presence with joyful songs. 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:53.959 Psalm 84, which we sung, verse 2 captures a similar idea. If you'd flick over a few pages, 00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:56.519 Psalm 84, verse 2 says, 00:10:56.519 --> 00:11:15.399 As we think about coming into God's presence with joyful songs and gladness, can I ask, 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:25.679 do you come into His presence longingly? Do you yearn to enter into His presence? 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:34.199 I remember when in the UK we have had hot weather. Yes, I know the one week of the year that happens. 00:11:34.539 --> 00:11:40.519 I have sometimes decided to go out for walks and I think, huh, it's the UK. It's fine. I don't need 00:11:40.519 --> 00:11:46.779 to bring a water bottle with me. I go out on the walk and my mouth goes dry very, very quickly. 00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:54.759 And I'm absolutely dying to get back home for a drink. Maybe you've had similar experiences too. 00:11:55.639 --> 00:12:03.980 But in a similar way, does your soul long to be in the presence of the Lord? Or do you long to be elsewhere? 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:12.600 Maybe there are other things that would take away your attention from the worship of our Lord on His day. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:21.379 Maybe it's something that would take you away from church, but maybe it's not. And even in church, 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:24.960 it's a distraction on your hearts and minds. 00:12:24.960 --> 00:12:36.800 Do you long to gather together as a body of believers as you receive Christ in His Word and 00:12:36.800 --> 00:12:44.200 sacrament? Because that is what is happening this evening. As we gather together, God is present 00:12:44.200 --> 00:12:52.400 among us by His Word. And if we know this, how we should not neglect to gather together. 00:12:52.399 --> 00:13:00.480 How wonderful is this opportunity week by week to enjoy His presence in worship. 00:13:06.000 --> 00:13:13.059 So, we worship the Lord with joy. Moving on to verse 3, we worship the Lord as King. 00:13:13.059 --> 00:13:29.019 We worship the Lord as King. Verse 3, know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:40.319 For those of you who know your Bibles well, you will know that when you see Lord in all capitals, that is standing in place for the covenantal name of God, Yahweh. 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:48.299 This is the name which He revealed Himself by at the burning bush to Moses in Exodus chapter 3. 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:57.659 And the call here is to know that He is God. It is not all the other false gods. It is He, Him, and it is Him alone. 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:04.399 And this theme is a theme which has occurred many times before in the Scriptures. 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:18.399 In Genesis chapter 1, one of the chief purposes of Genesis chapter 1, the account of creation, is to establish the covenantal Lord Yahweh as King of creation. 00:14:20.459 --> 00:14:24.240 This was supposed to be in sharp contrast to all the pagan gods. 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:33.620 The pagans, of course, had a god for just about everything. They had a god for the seas, they had a god for the sun, they had a god for the stars, and just about anything you could imagine. 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:40.919 And I suppose that in this way we may say that Genesis chapter 1 has a polemical function. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:49.419 That is, it is attacking all of these other false gods, and it is asserting Yahweh as King of creation. 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:57.480 And this, we know, is the foundation for the covenant relationship that Yahweh has with His people. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:15:12.200 In Exodus chapter 19 and 20, it is because God rescued the Israelites and showed Himself to be the one true God above all other false gods that they are to be set apart to Him. 00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:18.120 We see, and we see something similar in Psalm 100. 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:25.340 In verse 3, we read it as He who made us, and we are His. 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:36.259 It is because He is the Maker of heaven and earth that He alone deserves our worship. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:41.159 This is the foundation of our relationship with our Maker. 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:48.899 It is because He is our Creator that we can trust He will be a faithful Lord to us. 00:15:51.700 --> 00:15:53.059 Verse 3 continues, 00:15:53.220 --> 00:15:56.139 We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:16:03.299 And when we read texts such as this, we like to think of images of cuddly sheep following after a relatively good-looking guy. 00:16:03.299 --> 00:16:09.579 But we need to understand what this biblical metaphor is beyond face value. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:17.000 Throughout the Scriptures, the shepherd metaphor is used to communicate kingship. 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:21.779 In Jeremiah chapter 13, verse 20, it says, 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:24.740 Look up and see those who are coming from the north. 00:16:25.099 --> 00:16:30.000 Where is your flock that was entrusted to you, the sheep of which you boasted? 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:37.659 Ezekiel chapter 34 gives us a similar idea where it describes to us the bad shepherds. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:42.460 In other words, the bad leaders of Israel who abused their people. 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:50.080 And in the Bible, this metaphor is used, and it is applied to the Lord, to Yahweh. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:55.379 And it is used in contrast to all of these bad shepherds. 00:16:55.379 --> 00:17:07.299 Notably, if you flick the page over to Psalm 95, in verse 3, God is described as the great king above all other gods. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:18.640 And then in verse 7, it describes His subjects as the people of His pasture, the flock under His care. 00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:30.020 And of course, this language was used famously in Psalm 23 to describe the unique relationship between God and His people Israel. 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:39.640 But notice that in verse 3 in Psalm 100, this covenantal language is used in reference to all the earth. 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:41.640 We lose the gravity of God and the people of Israel. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:43.020 We lose the gravity of this. 00:17:44.100 --> 00:17:49.300 For the Israelite, the idea that the pagan nations would worship God would be absolutely mind-blowing. 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:57.580 It would be like if you turned up to your workplace this coming week and you found all your colleagues or classmates worshiping the Lord. 00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.040 You would probably be a little bit confused. 00:18:00.039 --> 00:18:14.099 But the wonder of Christianity and the mystery of the Scriptures is that God has broken down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. 00:18:14.099 --> 00:18:25.159 He has destroyed human divisions and has united for Himself a people in Christ, which is the New Testament church. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:37.560 So with God as our covenantal king, we know that as we gather to worship Him, we are in safe hands. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:46.140 We face many persecutions and pressures as brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:53.480 If you keep up with Open Doors or other missionary organizations, you will know about some of the horrendous persecutions. 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:56.460 And some bear for bearing the name of Christ. 00:18:58.140 --> 00:19:08.759 Even in our own lands, you may face tremendous persecution or pressure to conform to this world's way of thinking and living. 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:19.360 A few weeks ago, I was preaching on Psalm 29 where God rules over creation by His powerful and majestic voice. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:23.359 And Christian, this is your God. 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.899 This is your God. 00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:27.019 This is your God. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:29.179 He's enthroned over the world. 00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:33.839 And this world that so often seems chaotic and evil. 00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:35.579 That seemingly prevails. 00:19:36.219 --> 00:19:37.959 You are His. 00:19:38.699 --> 00:19:39.500 Read that again. 00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.359 Verse 3. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:42.819 And we are His. 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:49.439 And because of this, be assured that you are held by Him. 00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:59.220 And as you participate in His worship, you anticipate the day in glory when no evil power will ever touch you again. 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:05.640 And until then, you are surely held by His loving arms. 00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:14.600 This psalm envisages a scenario where God's people worship Him as King under His rule and protection. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:18.799 And this is what we will do for all eternity. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:25.919 We worship the Lord with joy. 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:28.220 We worship the Lord as King. 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:33.480 And thirdly, in verse 4, we worship the Lord in His temple. 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:39.079 We worship the Lord in His temple. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.779 Verse 4. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:44.859 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:48.619 Give thanks to Him and praise His name. 00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:56.879 As we found in verses 1 to 2, we come with joyful songs to the presence of the Lord. 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:01.539 And here in verse 4, we find that we are coming to His temple. 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:07.639 The language in verses 1 and 2 does hint towards this. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:15.539 Many of the praise, much of the praise described in verses 1 and 2 is often used of the priests in Old Testament worship. 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:23.759 And here we find this idea that we worship God in His temple much, much clearer. 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:28.319 The temple in the Old Testament was where God dwelt. 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.980 It was His house among His people. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:40.019 If you want fun bedtime reading, you could go and read Exodus chapters 25 to 30 or perhaps 1 Kings chapters 5 to 8, 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:44.839 where the very detailed instructions for the tabernacle and the temple are given. 00:21:46.120 --> 00:21:51.480 And we see in these passages that these were magnificent structures overlaid with gold. 00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:56.380 It was made as a place for God to dwell. 00:21:56.380 --> 00:22:10.279 Of course, not even the highest heavens could contain God, but in His grace, He has chosen and has been pleased to condescend to dwell with His people. 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:20.339 To dwell with sinners in these holy places, which signified the temple in heaven where He dwells in light inaccessible. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:26.720 And this is the scene which we have before us. 00:22:27.659 --> 00:22:28.859 We read of His gates. 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:31.419 We read of His courts. 00:22:33.419 --> 00:22:35.079 These were features of the temple. 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:37.919 And we enter His gates with thanksgiving. 00:22:38.179 --> 00:22:41.619 Again, another image of temple worship. 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:50.399 The idea here may be similar to that of the thank offerings made in the Old Testament, such as in Leviticus chapter 7, verse 12, 00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:56.299 where this kind of thankfulness is used in the context of sacrifices at the temple. 00:22:58.219 --> 00:23:07.719 And the picture here is that of God's dwelling in heaven, which is where we believers are headed towards. 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:13.039 The new creation is depicted as a temple. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:19.539 It is a place where we will worship God in His presence for all eternity. 00:23:22.039 --> 00:23:25.700 Friends, this is where we come to in worship. 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:29.519 We come to the heavenly temple of our God. 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.599 And we come to worship in none other than the dwelling place of God. 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:36.779 As we gather this evening, we join in this worship. 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:39.960 We join in the eternal song. 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:48.380 We also have to understand that this stanza follows from the last. 00:23:50.059 --> 00:24:00.680 That is, the stanza which proclaims to us the royalty and kingship of God is followed by the one which describes to us a temple scene. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:10.240 It is a common theme, especially in this altar, that God is king in His temple. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:21.360 It is His temple where He sits enthroned as king over His people, giving Him His peace and protection. 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:31.679 History and circumstances, they change, but God's rule over His dwelling place will never cease. 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:39.759 Friends, if you worship the one true God, He cannot disappoint you. 00:24:40.339 --> 00:24:41.479 He cannot disappoint. 00:24:41.859 --> 00:24:44.439 If you worship other things, they will fail you. 00:24:44.440 --> 00:24:49.840 You know, in the world, we have many general elections going on. 00:24:50.580 --> 00:24:55.039 And in these elections, these can sometimes completely take over us. 00:24:56.160 --> 00:25:02.460 People on both sides, or not on all sides, are prone to view their candidate as some sort of Messiah figure. 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:07.460 Governments will pass. 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:10.420 Political candidates will pass. 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:17.480 But God's rule in His heavenly dwellings will never fail or pass. 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.800 It will never cease. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:24.019 And therefore, we can approach His dwellings with thanksgiving. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:30.360 And we can enter His courts with praise and bless His holy name. 00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:42.199 Finally, in verse 5, we worship the Lord for eternity. 00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:47.559 We worship the Lord for eternity. 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:53.639 Verse 5, for the Lord is good, and His love endures forever. 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:59.139 His faithfulness continues through all generations. 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:04.159 And how the Bible is a witness to these things. 00:26:04.959 --> 00:26:09.519 Where time and time again, God saves His people from their distress. 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:16.399 How He was faithful to His promise to Abraham in sending Christ the Son, 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:21.559 the only mediator between God and man, to die as a ransom for many. 00:26:21.559 --> 00:26:28.740 How we experience and know His mercies anew every day. 00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:33.899 Charles Spurgeon again says, 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:40.240 On this verse, this sums up his character and contains a mass of reasons for praise. 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:48.079 He is good, gracious, kind, bountiful, loving, yea, God is love. 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:51.879 John Calvin, likewise. 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:54.000 Verse 5 points out, 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:56.059 There will always be cause for praise. 00:26:56.659 --> 00:27:01.480 What base ingratitude, therefore, for us to weary in giving thanks. 00:27:02.199 --> 00:27:08.379 Yet so foolish are we that God must open His holy lips to declare His care for us, 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:12.939 though He silently maintains it every day. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:19.480 How prone we can be to forget the grace of God. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:25.980 How easy it is to fail to render the praise that is due to His name. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.420 Christian, God is good. 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:33.640 Let us not forget this truth. 00:27:34.240 --> 00:27:35.059 God is good. 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:38.420 Let us not forget the love that He has shown us in Christ Jesus, 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:41.620 in saving us from our bondage to sin, 00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:48.500 and let us not forget His work in sustaining us every day as our great high priest. 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:55.660 His love endures forever, 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:59.759 and this is what we find throughout the rest of the Scriptures. 00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:04.920 This psalm leaves us with an element of anticipation. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:08.460 We have to realize that as we read these verses, 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:11.980 that the believers reading this psalm before the advent of Christ, 00:28:13.100 --> 00:28:15.019 or were singing it, rather, 00:28:15.360 --> 00:28:17.980 were not singing with our New Testament perspectives. 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:24.180 This psalm envisages all the earth praising God. 00:28:25.279 --> 00:28:27.840 But as we will know, this had not happened yet. 00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:31.799 Of course, throughout Old Testament history, 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:35.159 it was anticipated that by the Abrahamic promise, 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:38.599 that all the nations would be blessed in that promise. 00:28:39.299 --> 00:28:41.000 But the time was not yet. 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.419 And as we have seen, 00:28:44.679 --> 00:28:48.740 this psalm also has the language of victory. 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:54.619 In verse 1, we saw that the shout was often used as a battle cry. 00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:57.279 It is military language. 00:28:57.839 --> 00:29:00.859 But when we read the psalms in the Old Testament history books, 00:29:01.359 --> 00:29:04.819 we read that the Israelites did not always enjoy this victory. 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:10.220 Even just the psalms. 00:29:10.699 --> 00:29:12.480 Psalm 100 is in book 4. 00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:15.459 And before book 4 is book 3, 00:29:15.599 --> 00:29:18.679 where Israel suffered much devastation. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:24.459 Psalm 88 gives us but a glimpse into their suffering, 00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.119 where it ends in verse 18. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.479 You have taken from me, 00:29:27.479 --> 00:29:29.099 friend and neighbor. 00:29:29.379 --> 00:29:32.979 Darkness is my closest friend. 00:29:35.079 --> 00:29:38.179 The people of Israel were longing 00:29:38.179 --> 00:29:41.139 for the restoration of their kingdom. 00:29:42.139 --> 00:29:43.819 They were yearning for the day 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:47.859 when God's promises would fully and finally be fulfilled. 00:29:47.859 --> 00:29:53.579 Psalm 20 verse 5 would express this desire. 00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:58.279 May we shout for joy over your victory. 00:29:58.279 --> 00:30:03.440 And of course, a few psalms later, 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:06.139 we read of the... 00:30:06.139 --> 00:30:07.660 We read Psalm 24, 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:12.500 where the Messiah is exalted as king in his victory. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:16.460 And as we read our New Testament, 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:18.500 we begin to see this picture as fulfilled. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:21.920 After Jesus died and rose from... 00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:23.500 Died on the cross and rose from the dead, 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:26.660 he achieved victory for his people. 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:30.079 Colossians chapter 2 verse 15, 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:33.220 Christ triumphed over the powers of this age 00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:36.700 by triumphing over them by the cross. 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:44.680 After this, Christ was exalted as king in his ascension. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:48.740 And after he sent the promised Holy Spirit, 00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:53.519 we read something very striking in Acts chapter 2 verse 46. 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:57.039 Turn with me in your Bibles to Acts chapter 2. 00:30:57.039 --> 00:31:06.799 Acts chapter 2. 00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:10.379 After Peter has given his sermon to the crowds, 00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:12.799 where in verse 41, 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.779 those who accepted his message were baptized 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:17.339 and about 3,000 were added to their number that day. 00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:19.879 We read this from verse 42. 00:31:20.019 --> 00:31:22.379 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching 00:31:22.379 --> 00:31:23.759 and to fellowship, 00:31:24.039 --> 00:31:26.440 to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:29.059 Everyone was filled with awe 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:33.000 at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:36.139 All the believers were together 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:38.319 and had everything in common. 00:31:39.220 --> 00:31:41.339 They sold property and possessions 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:43.299 to give to anyone who had need. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.779 Every day, 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:48.879 they continued to meet together in the temple courts. 00:31:48.879 --> 00:31:51.519 They broke bread in their homes 00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:58.240 and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:02.099 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:04.599 And the Lord added to their number daily 00:32:04.599 --> 00:32:06.859 those who were being saved. 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:11.619 After the exaltation of Christ, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.740 we read that the New Testament church 00:32:13.740 --> 00:32:14.479 who were depicted 00:32:14.479 --> 00:32:18.159 as the worshiping temple community of Yahweh, 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:20.399 we find in verse 46 of Acts 2 00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:22.439 that they were serving one another 00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:24.259 with gladness. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:29.279 In the picture we have in Acts, 00:32:29.279 --> 00:32:31.000 and in the wider New Testament, 00:32:31.400 --> 00:32:34.700 is the fulfillment of Psalm 100. 00:32:35.579 --> 00:32:37.740 As we gather together this evening, 00:32:38.039 --> 00:32:41.319 we are joining in the worship presented by this psalm 00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:43.379 in light of the victory 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:46.980 that Christ by His blood has bought for us. 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:49.539 How marvelous, 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.420 how wonderful, 00:32:52.000 --> 00:32:53.920 and my song shall ever be. 00:32:54.920 --> 00:32:56.140 How marvelous, 00:32:56.400 --> 00:32:57.360 how wonderful 00:32:57.360 --> 00:33:00.059 is my Savior's love 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:01.500 for me. 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:05.460 Friends, as we read our New Testaments, 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.680 we read that Christ 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:08.720 is the one who is King 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:10.339 in the heavenly temple. 00:33:11.140 --> 00:33:13.140 He is the object of our worship 00:33:13.140 --> 00:33:15.779 and the one in whom we are secure. 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:18.139 Our lives are hidden 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:19.299 with Christ, 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.339 our good shepherd, 00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.700 in God. 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:25.799 However, the picture 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:27.240 in Psalm 100 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.960 is only partially fulfilled. 00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.799 The final fulfillment 00:33:31.799 --> 00:33:33.180 of Psalm 100, 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:34.399 where all the earth 00:33:34.399 --> 00:33:36.399 worships the Lord 00:33:36.399 --> 00:33:38.480 in His presence, 00:33:39.039 --> 00:33:39.619 is depicted 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:43.399 by Revelation chapter 5, 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.460 where in verse 9 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:45.539 it says, 00:33:45.539 --> 00:33:46.279 you are worthy 00:33:46.279 --> 00:33:48.159 to take the scroll 00:33:48.159 --> 00:33:49.799 and to open its seals 00:33:49.799 --> 00:33:51.579 because you are slain. 00:33:52.379 --> 00:33:53.700 And with your blood 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:55.740 you purchase for God 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.420 persons 00:33:56.420 --> 00:33:58.299 from every tribe 00:33:58.299 --> 00:33:59.240 and language 00:33:59.240 --> 00:34:00.180 and people 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:00.740 and nation. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.559 You have made them 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.539 to be a kingdom 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.359 of priests, 00:34:04.440 --> 00:34:05.559 to serve our God, 00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.460 and they will reign 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:09.380 on earth. 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:12.079 Christian, 00:34:12.079 --> 00:34:14.619 this is what Christ 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:16.519 is guiding you towards. 00:34:17.140 --> 00:34:18.920 You are His 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:21.820 and He will keep you secure 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:23.360 until that day 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:25.800 when He comes again 00:34:25.800 --> 00:34:27.000 in glory, 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:28.480 where you will worship Him 00:34:28.480 --> 00:34:30.440 with all the joy 00:34:30.440 --> 00:34:32.440 and with all the gladness 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.700 that you could imagine. 00:34:33.699 --> 00:34:37.960 as I close, 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.639 let me close 00:34:38.639 --> 00:34:39.219 with the words 00:34:39.219 --> 00:34:40.059 of the famous hymn. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:42.000 When He comes, 00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:43.419 our glorious King, 00:34:44.019 --> 00:34:45.519 all His ransomed home 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.039 to bring, 00:34:46.859 --> 00:34:47.480 then anew 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.799 this song will sing, 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.059 Hallelujah, 00:34:50.919 --> 00:34:52.460 what a Savior. 00:34:52.460 --> 00:34:54.079 Let us pray. 00:34:54.079 --> 00:34:54.139 Amen.