WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.380 Psalm 2. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Psalm 2. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:29.980 Psalm 2. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:33.319 We're taking a bit of a change in our sermon series. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:35.239 We've finished the series on Philippians. 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:38.480 What an encouraging series that was to start the year off. 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:41.299 For the holidays though, for the rest of the year, 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:45.599 what we'll be doing is preaching on a small series of psalms. 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:48.659 And this particular holiday is obviously the Easter holidays. 00:01:48.980 --> 00:01:50.560 So we're going to look at Messianic Psalms, 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:52.039 which is why we're starting with Psalm 2, 00:01:52.040 --> 00:01:55.660 the first Messianic Psalm in the Psalter. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:01:59.740 And so there'll be myself and Dave, 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.060 while David actually has some holiday during this period. 00:02:04.480 --> 00:02:04.900 All right. 00:02:05.440 --> 00:02:08.439 So as you've actually heard Psalm 2 read out, 00:02:08.500 --> 00:02:09.980 and probably as you have it open in front of you, 00:02:10.060 --> 00:02:12.500 you've probably realized that there's a little bit of a gear change 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.280 from the encouraging words of Philippians 00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:18.199 to where we're going to now in Psalm 2. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:19.819 Psalm 2 is quite confronting. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:24.379 When you look at these two categories that Catherine used, 00:02:25.159 --> 00:02:28.419 I think it's fair to say that if you look at the New Testament 00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:29.719 or you look at the Bible as a whole, 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:32.360 you get to see them and how they interplay with each other. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:34.880 But in Psalm 2, it's a little bit less clear. 00:02:35.020 --> 00:02:36.440 It seems far more balanced, 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:38.800 more toward the thunderbolt kind of God 00:02:38.800 --> 00:02:40.340 than the loving kind of God. 00:02:40.640 --> 00:02:43.500 But what I'm hoping is that as we look through this psalm, 00:02:43.780 --> 00:02:48.800 you'll actually get to see that love is very much in the picture 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:50.000 in what's going on here. 00:02:50.380 --> 00:02:55.380 God's desire to show grace toward us is very much in the picture. 00:02:56.880 --> 00:02:58.640 One of the other things that I hope you'll see 00:02:58.640 --> 00:03:01.400 is that this psalm actually gives us a sense of 00:03:01.400 --> 00:03:03.860 who we are and how we fit into the world. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:06.920 I don't know if you've picked up on the Israel Folau comments 00:03:06.920 --> 00:03:08.580 that he didn't tweet, did he? 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:10.700 He put them on his Instagram feed 00:03:10.700 --> 00:03:13.920 and how the response to that has led to his... 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:15.900 Has he been sacked yet? 00:03:15.980 --> 00:03:16.560 I'm not sure. 00:03:16.900 --> 00:03:18.939 They want to sack him if they can actually get in touch with him. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:22.920 So there's this reaction to what Israel Folau said 00:03:22.920 --> 00:03:25.040 in expressing his faith 00:03:25.040 --> 00:03:27.680 that has kind of shocked a lot of Christians. 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:29.300 I've noticed in my own Facebook feed 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:31.680 that folk have actually been responding to it 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:33.000 in a variety of different ways 00:03:33.000 --> 00:03:37.620 and I guess one of the most common features of those responses 00:03:37.620 --> 00:03:41.100 is a concern for where that leaves us as Christians. 00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:46.560 Where does it leave us in our desire to express our faith, 00:03:46.700 --> 00:03:49.439 in our desire to actually introduce other people to God? 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:50.800 What does it mean for us? 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:52.700 What is the future of Australia? 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:54.539 Where is this country going? 00:03:56.219 --> 00:04:01.060 Well, this psalm tells us not just where our country is going 00:04:01.060 --> 00:04:04.819 but it tells us the trajectory of the whole world, the universe. 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:07.739 It gives us a sense of the history of mankind 00:04:07.739 --> 00:04:11.439 and where it's going under God's hands. 00:04:11.859 --> 00:04:13.739 It gives us a sense of why people 00:04:13.739 --> 00:04:17.379 are so strongly objecting to Israel Folau 00:04:17.379 --> 00:04:19.939 and hearing only condemnation in his words 00:04:19.939 --> 00:04:24.420 and it gives us, I hope, a sense of comfort 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:28.139 that God actually truly is in control. 00:04:29.420 --> 00:04:31.659 So let's have a look at this passage then 00:04:31.659 --> 00:04:33.659 and start to break it open. 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:35.779 We get verses 1 to 3, 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:37.959 we get to see the sense of rebellion 00:04:37.959 --> 00:04:40.300 in the worldwide sense. 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:41.600 We read these words, 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:45.019 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 00:04:45.019 --> 00:04:47.939 The kings of the earth set themselves 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:50.299 and the rulers take counsel together 00:04:50.299 --> 00:04:51.939 against the Lord 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:54.039 and against his anointed 00:04:54.039 --> 00:04:55.180 saying, 00:04:56.199 --> 00:04:57.779 Let us burst their bonds apart 00:04:57.779 --> 00:05:01.000 and cast their cords from us. 00:05:03.439 --> 00:05:07.959 You see here a picture of universal rebellion against God. 00:05:08.519 --> 00:05:10.199 Now when I read this and when you read it 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:12.879 perhaps you read the nations and the peoples 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:14.839 as the whole world. 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:17.819 But when the Israelites read it and sang it 00:05:17.819 --> 00:05:19.219 and meditated on it, 00:05:20.339 --> 00:05:21.359 they read it as, 00:05:21.899 --> 00:05:24.039 well, it's everyone who is not Israel. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:26.699 They didn't read it as all of us, 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:27.479 they read it as, 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:30.219 they read it as from the perspective of us and them 00:05:30.219 --> 00:05:31.899 and they are the nations, 00:05:32.359 --> 00:05:33.139 they are the peoples. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.180 And I've got to say that frankly 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:38.759 I'm inclined to want to read a psalm like this that way. 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:40.439 I'm inclined to want to read it as, 00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:43.659 well, yeah, this applies to everyone else but me 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:46.480 or at least everyone else but me and you guys as well. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:47.620 Yeah, we want to stay in fellowship. 00:05:47.959 --> 00:05:49.319 So everyone else but us. 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:51.139 We're okay. 00:05:51.879 --> 00:05:53.240 It's the world that's a mess. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:56.819 And if they just turn to God like I have, 00:05:57.220 --> 00:05:58.560 then everything would be fine. 00:05:58.560 --> 00:06:01.680 So Israel, 00:06:01.860 --> 00:06:03.319 they thought it was about everyone else 00:06:03.319 --> 00:06:04.839 at the time that this psalm was written 00:06:04.839 --> 00:06:06.500 and at the time when they were singing this 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.060 up until a certain point. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:11.160 And they thought that the rest of the world 00:06:11.160 --> 00:06:12.639 were the rebels who were actually deserving 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:15.019 of the kind of judgment that's described in this psalm. 00:06:15.420 --> 00:06:17.379 But this psalm is sharp-edged 00:06:17.379 --> 00:06:21.439 because those who anticipated this king, 00:06:22.259 --> 00:06:24.699 this anointed one being in thrones and his rule, 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:27.500 those who anticipated this were the ones 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:30.439 who raged against him and ultimately killed him. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:32.680 If you just take a note in your, 00:06:32.759 --> 00:06:34.379 if you take notes in your bulletin or whatever, 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:38.040 take a note of Acts chapter 4 verses 25 to 28. 00:06:39.040 --> 00:06:41.060 Because in those verses, 00:06:41.240 --> 00:06:43.759 the disciples actually apply these verses 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:46.300 to the people who killed Jesus. 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:48.300 Now think of who they were. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.000 They actually named them in this prayer 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.579 that they pray in Acts 4. 00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:54.819 They named them Herod, Pilate, 00:06:55.180 --> 00:06:57.519 and the peoples of Israel. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.340 What the psalmist goes on to describe 00:07:02.340 --> 00:07:06.300 is the shape and tone of the world we live in, 00:07:06.639 --> 00:07:07.800 no exceptions. 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:13.120 What we need to do is to begin to hear these words 00:07:13.120 --> 00:07:15.019 and ask, how? 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:17.240 How does it apply to me? 00:07:17.300 --> 00:07:18.819 As I read or sing these words, 00:07:19.160 --> 00:07:22.819 where am I positioned in this psalm? 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:26.079 Because this message is confronting. 00:07:27.719 --> 00:07:33.000 They, that is the people of the world, 00:07:33.620 --> 00:07:35.379 rage and plot. 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:38.920 Notice this is a heart attitude. 00:07:39.420 --> 00:07:40.719 It starts with a heart attitude. 00:07:41.079 --> 00:07:42.899 Raging and plotting isn't just something 00:07:42.899 --> 00:07:43.899 that's an external thing. 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:46.560 It's actually something that comes from within us. 00:07:46.560 --> 00:07:48.519 It's a passionate response. 00:07:49.920 --> 00:07:50.759 Now maybe you're not thinking, 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:53.300 you're thinking that you're not passionate in that sense. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:54.240 You're not a rager. 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:56.399 So you're wondering, 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:58.639 what does that actually look like? 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.740 Well, Bruce Waltke, 00:08:01.800 --> 00:08:03.060 an Old Testament theologian, 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:04.160 summed it up really helpfully. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:05.259 He describes it like this. 00:08:05.300 --> 00:08:05.560 He says, 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:07.040 in the 21st century, 00:08:07.560 --> 00:08:08.959 we want liberty without law, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:10.939 freedom without form 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.699 and love without commitment. 00:08:13.780 --> 00:08:15.259 Let me just flesh those out a little bit for you. 00:08:15.540 --> 00:08:16.519 So liberty without law. 00:08:16.899 --> 00:08:17.980 There's a growing perception 00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:20.920 that limits remove liberty. 00:08:21.560 --> 00:08:22.620 When someone writes a law 00:08:22.620 --> 00:08:24.259 that restricts what I want to do, 00:08:25.160 --> 00:08:25.480 well, 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:29.800 we feel like they're restricting my liberty. 00:08:30.699 --> 00:08:32.259 It rises in us in thoughts like, 00:08:32.340 --> 00:08:33.440 you don't have the right to tell me 00:08:33.440 --> 00:08:34.580 what I can and can't do. 00:08:35.559 --> 00:08:37.959 Funnily enough, 00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:39.239 going down that path is anarchy, 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:41.899 where anarchy means without government. 00:08:42.979 --> 00:08:44.139 So liberty without law 00:08:44.139 --> 00:08:46.039 or freedom without form, 00:08:46.479 --> 00:08:47.679 where freedom actually functions 00:08:47.679 --> 00:08:49.000 on the level of personal identity 00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:50.099 or expression. 00:08:50.719 --> 00:08:52.219 Rather than coming up against rules, 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.479 we come up against perceptions. 00:08:54.319 --> 00:08:57.159 I want to be free to be the version of myself 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:58.799 that I choose to be. 00:08:59.419 --> 00:09:02.759 Freedom without reference to who or what I am. 00:09:02.819 --> 00:09:04.139 And how much has that come out 00:09:04.139 --> 00:09:06.299 in the way that laws are being shaped at the moment. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:11.659 And any expectation that's contrary to my view 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:14.080 will be interpreted as an assault 00:09:14.080 --> 00:09:16.259 to my personal freedom of choice 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:17.879 or expression. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:20.179 And finally, 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:21.980 he said love without commitment. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:23.980 You see, 00:09:24.199 --> 00:09:26.360 I want to be unencumbered by demands. 00:09:26.360 --> 00:09:28.539 Nobody should have a hold on me. 00:09:29.240 --> 00:09:31.200 I should be free to move in and out of relationships 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:32.039 as I choose. 00:09:34.080 --> 00:09:36.620 I don't want love to be unconditional. 00:09:37.039 --> 00:09:38.340 I don't want to have to be giving 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:41.539 without guarantees that I'm going to receive. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:45.639 I'm going to suggest to you that these three things 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:47.839 stand in direct opposition to God's character. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:52.240 So this lifestyle actually requires life without God. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:55.959 Our hearts turn from God. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.459 And with our hearts go our minds. 00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:03.139 This attitude of heart takes form in the mind 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:06.480 as they plot, set, take counsel. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.740 We read in this section, 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.620 these first three verses. 00:10:10.200 --> 00:10:11.580 What the psalmist describes here 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:12.920 is nothing other than rebellion. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.200 Plotting to overthrow God. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:17.019 Setting ourselves on God's throne 00:10:17.019 --> 00:10:18.440 in place of the rightful king. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:21.420 Taking counsel among ourselves. 00:10:21.580 --> 00:10:23.220 Obviously rejecting God's counsel. 00:10:25.300 --> 00:10:28.039 I don't naturally and easily move toward God 00:10:28.039 --> 00:10:30.379 is what this psalm is saying. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:31.720 Far from it. 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:34.080 Rebellion is in my blood. 00:10:36.480 --> 00:10:37.039 Why? 00:10:37.779 --> 00:10:38.500 Why though? 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:41.960 Notice this psalm starts with the question, 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:42.539 why? 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:46.620 As all this is being described, 00:10:46.720 --> 00:10:48.980 the overarching question the psalmist asks is, 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:49.740 why? 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:51.860 Why do we rebel? 00:10:53.620 --> 00:10:56.259 Well, the answer is in our perception, 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:57.620 the perception of the plotters. 00:10:57.940 --> 00:10:59.039 They say in verse 3, 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:01.440 let us burst their bonds apart 00:11:01.440 --> 00:11:05.379 and cast away their cords from us. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.460 Now we understand the desire for freedom, 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.840 but to desire it in this way 00:11:12.840 --> 00:11:15.019 means that they believe 00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:16.720 that they're currently slaves. 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:19.460 They feel like they're in chains. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:21.580 They perceive their state 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:23.440 as tied down in bondage. 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:26.399 They believe that God 00:11:26.399 --> 00:11:27.720 is holding them back. 00:11:29.779 --> 00:11:32.220 And their claim carries echoes 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:35.320 of Satan's lie in Genesis chapter 3. 00:11:35.320 --> 00:11:36.180 Do you remember that? 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.620 In the midst of the world of evidence 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.640 of the goodness of God, 00:11:39.780 --> 00:11:41.260 they choose to believe otherwise. 00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.640 So Genesis 3 verse 1. 00:11:44.060 --> 00:11:45.300 Now the serpent was more crafty 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.379 than any other beast of the field 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:47.360 that the Lord God had made. 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:48.660 And he said to the woman, 00:11:49.140 --> 00:11:50.080 did God actually say 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:51.840 you shall not eat of any tree in the garden? 00:11:53.940 --> 00:11:55.260 Here's a law. 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:57.379 And the woman said to the serpent, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.039 we may eat of the fruit 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.000 of the trees in the garden, 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:00.819 but God said, 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.439 you shall not eat of the fruit 00:12:02.439 --> 00:12:03.059 of the tree that is 00:12:03.059 --> 00:12:04.100 in the midst of the garden. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.659 Neither shall you touch it 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.319 lest you die. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.519 There's a perception of liberty 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:08.480 or lack of. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.120 But the serpent said to the woman, 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:12.779 and here's the kicker, 00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:14.039 the serpent said to the woman, 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:15.539 you will not surely die. 00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:17.279 For God knows 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:18.559 that when you eat of it, 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.220 your eyes will be opened 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:21.659 and you will be like God, 00:12:22.100 --> 00:12:23.399 knowing good and evil. 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:27.500 Why would they think 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.399 they're in bondage? 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:32.720 Because as long as God rules, 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:35.519 they believe there is no liberty, 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:37.439 no freedom. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:39.959 In other words, 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:41.360 God is not good. 00:12:42.220 --> 00:12:43.860 He's just our jailer. 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.860 The psalmist then goes on 00:12:48.860 --> 00:12:49.819 to look at God's rule 00:12:49.819 --> 00:12:51.620 and to reflect on that. 00:12:51.720 --> 00:12:52.360 You see, humanity, 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.460 in his mind, 00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:54.720 has actually picked a fight 00:12:54.720 --> 00:12:55.700 with the biggest person 00:12:55.700 --> 00:12:56.279 in the universe. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:58.919 So what is going to happen next? 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.860 Well, in summary, 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.159 God will continue to reign 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:03.379 unchallenged and unimpeded. 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.580 In verses 4 to 6, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.300 we discover this. 00:13:05.300 --> 00:13:07.000 He who sits in the heavens 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.600 laughs. 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:10.019 The Lord holds them in derision. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.039 Then he will speak to them 00:13:12.039 --> 00:13:12.620 in his wrath 00:13:12.620 --> 00:13:14.159 and terrify them in his fury, 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.539 saying, 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:15.719 as for me, 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:17.759 I have set my king on Zion, 00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.500 my holy hill. 00:13:21.199 --> 00:13:21.679 Unchallenged, 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:23.459 God's rule. 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:28.039 God's rule persists unchallenged. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:30.059 The psalmist explains, 00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.699 God sits on a throne 00:13:31.699 --> 00:13:33.539 far beyond our reach 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.019 to challenge. 00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:36.099 So God looks on 00:13:36.099 --> 00:13:36.779 from this position 00:13:36.779 --> 00:13:37.959 and laughs 00:13:37.959 --> 00:13:39.399 at their futile expressions 00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:40.079 of defiance. 00:13:40.379 --> 00:13:41.599 He holds them in derision. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:43.860 Have you ever seen 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:46.159 this power difference 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.720 play out in your lives? 00:13:47.779 --> 00:13:50.080 I know when I was a parent 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:51.580 with much younger children, 00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.360 when they were very young, 00:13:52.659 --> 00:13:53.820 we used to have play fights, 00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.779 Friday night, fight night. 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.240 We'd have play fights 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:58.159 and they'd just pile on top of me, 00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.060 drag me to the ground 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.300 and climb all over me 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:01.759 and jump up onto the lounge 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.379 and then jump off 00:14:02.379 --> 00:14:03.300 of the lounge onto me. 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.320 And they'd just bounce off me. 00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:07.620 And I only had to use one weapon 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.480 and that was, 00:14:08.820 --> 00:14:10.279 the only weapon I was allowed to use 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:11.399 in the fight was tickling. 00:14:11.980 --> 00:14:12.500 Now you might say 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:13.680 that's a pretty extreme weapon, 00:14:13.820 --> 00:14:13.940 you know, 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.860 tickling is pretty bad 00:14:15.860 --> 00:14:16.860 and maybe your sort of person 00:14:16.860 --> 00:14:17.399 doesn't like that. 00:14:17.420 --> 00:14:18.500 But that's all I was allowed to do 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.000 was tickle them 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:20.220 and that was enough 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:21.180 for me to defeat 00:14:21.180 --> 00:14:21.920 those three kids 00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:22.600 all in one go. 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.680 Let me tell you now, 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.920 I don't let them do this now. 00:14:27.460 --> 00:14:27.779 But, 00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:29.100 but I want to, 00:14:29.139 --> 00:14:29.840 just want to point out 00:14:29.840 --> 00:14:31.360 that we're not like that. 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:32.320 We're not like these children 00:14:32.320 --> 00:14:33.300 that are going to grow up 00:14:33.300 --> 00:14:34.300 and actually become 00:14:34.300 --> 00:14:35.899 powerful enough 00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:37.139 to resist anyone 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:37.540 and anything 00:14:37.540 --> 00:14:38.480 that stands in our way. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.820 We aren't growing 00:14:39.820 --> 00:14:40.300 to a point 00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:41.359 where we can challenge God 00:14:41.359 --> 00:14:42.240 on any level. 00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:43.799 There is no height 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:45.240 that we can launch ourselves from 00:14:45.240 --> 00:14:46.179 that is above Him. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:47.859 No weight 00:14:47.859 --> 00:14:49.019 that we can bring to bear 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:50.259 that will move Him. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:53.099 And no exercise of intellect 00:14:53.099 --> 00:14:54.240 that will confound Him 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:54.719 in any way. 00:14:56.979 --> 00:14:57.899 The only thing 00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.599 that we've achieved 00:14:58.599 --> 00:14:59.359 with our efforts 00:14:59.359 --> 00:15:01.479 is to plunge the world 00:15:01.479 --> 00:15:02.159 into turmoil. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:05.399 and it's really interesting 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:05.919 that humanity 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:06.939 is so committed 00:15:06.939 --> 00:15:08.199 to rebelling against God 00:15:08.199 --> 00:15:09.899 that we blame 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:10.620 that turmoil 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.620 on Him too. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.279 We've moved 00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.480 from resting in paradise 00:15:15.480 --> 00:15:16.959 to struggling for peace 00:15:16.959 --> 00:15:18.519 and we still blame God. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.379 But God's rule continues. 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:24.679 He rules unimpeded. 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:27.539 The psalmist makes this clear 00:15:27.539 --> 00:15:29.500 by describing the effect 00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:30.159 of God's rule 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:30.839 when he speaks 00:15:30.839 --> 00:15:33.439 God exercises His wrath 00:15:33.439 --> 00:15:35.419 and the response 00:15:35.419 --> 00:15:38.019 humanity is terrified. 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:41.039 We have picked a fight 00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.099 with the strongest person 00:15:42.099 --> 00:15:42.679 in the universe 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:45.799 and he plans to fight back. 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:49.659 God's plan involves setting 00:15:49.659 --> 00:15:50.759 or enthroning 00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.699 the word setting 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:53.240 set there actually means enthrone. 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:55.419 the rightful king. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.519 We're just pretenders 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.000 to the throne 00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.940 when we try and claim it 00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.539 for ourselves. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:00.740 God's king 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:02.320 is able to take a seat 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.279 on the heavenly throne 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:04.560 far above any position 00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:04.980 of authority 00:16:04.980 --> 00:16:05.720 that we could claim. 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:07.919 And this is a terrifying event 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.360 because everyone 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:10.320 is a rebel. 00:16:11.919 --> 00:16:13.399 And in the ancient Near East 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:15.340 there is only one outcome 00:16:15.340 --> 00:16:16.340 for rebels. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.419 That's death. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.820 The nations of the time 00:16:20.820 --> 00:16:22.919 reserved the worst form 00:16:22.919 --> 00:16:23.500 of death 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.459 for rebels. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.479 Methods that inflicted 00:16:26.479 --> 00:16:27.620 the maximum pain 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.319 and humiliation. 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.419 Methods like crucifixion 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.360 were widely used 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:32.879 in the nations 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.539 around Israel. 00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:35.959 I don't know if you know 00:16:35.959 --> 00:16:36.979 of the story Spartacus. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.939 That was 100 BC 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:41.379 where 6,000 rebel slaves 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.439 were crucified 00:16:42.439 --> 00:16:43.419 on the Appian Way 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.479 on the way back into Rome, 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.659 one of the main roads 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.139 into Rome. 00:16:46.139 --> 00:16:48.480 6,000 rebels 00:16:48.480 --> 00:16:50.039 were crucified 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.000 one after the other. 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:54.279 And the enthronement 00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:55.879 of this rightful king 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.340 would mean 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.439 that the rebellion 00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:59.080 is over. 00:16:59.779 --> 00:17:00.840 So punishment 00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:02.480 of this kind of magnitude 00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.740 is coming. 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:08.579 And this is what God, 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.720 this is what the psalmist 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.660 goes on to describe 00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:12.940 as he lays out 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.599 God's plan 00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:14.720 in verses 7 to 9. 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:17.980 We read the words, 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:37.980 Here he describes the king, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.660 the enthronement of the king 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:41.460 and his complete victory. 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.720 Let's look at the king here. 00:17:46.700 --> 00:17:47.779 The psalmist speaks in a way 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.619 that's actually reminiscent 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:50.299 of a coronation ceremony 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.879 of the time. 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:54.240 And it's also reminiscent 00:17:54.240 --> 00:17:55.720 of God's promise to David 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:57.079 in 2 Samuel 7. 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.099 Again, something to note down 00:17:58.099 --> 00:17:59.980 and have a look back at later. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:03.059 But in that chapter 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.819 of 2 Samuel, 00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:06.299 Yahweh promised 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:08.000 that a king of David's line 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.460 would be a son to him 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.960 and that that son 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.899 would rule forever. 00:18:13.420 --> 00:18:15.579 Here, the Lord, Yahweh, 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:17.099 personally swears in 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.759 this new king. 00:18:18.559 --> 00:18:19.680 You are my son. 00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:22.240 Today, I have begotten you. 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:25.619 Although, I think it's in Acts 2 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:26.599 that this psalm is attributed 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:27.799 to David as having been 00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.579 written by David. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.220 David's obviously talking 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:31.339 about someone who isn't him. 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.519 He's actually referring 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.299 to the promise 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:34.440 that God made to him. 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:35.720 So he's not applying 00:18:35.720 --> 00:18:36.420 this to himself. 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.859 He's not saying, 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:37.660 I am that king. 00:18:38.440 --> 00:18:39.000 He's saying, 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.819 this king is coming. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:44.059 The arrival of the eternal king. 00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:46.659 It's past tense 00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:48.700 to emphasize the certainty 00:18:48.700 --> 00:18:50.480 of this king's arrival. 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:53.779 In the minds of the Israelites, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.440 this was a king 00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:56.920 who was very much expected 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.160 but hadn't arrived yet. 00:18:59.440 --> 00:19:00.460 He was the one 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.079 that God's people 00:19:01.079 --> 00:19:01.799 were waiting for 00:19:01.799 --> 00:19:03.519 and they expected this king 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:05.000 to restore the fortunes 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.460 of Israel. 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:09.980 So it was an emphatic 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:11.299 declaration of kingship 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:13.720 with an emphatic expression 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:15.740 of victory involved too. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:17.600 This was not just a king 00:19:17.600 --> 00:19:19.299 but the king. 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:21.559 The king who would be universally 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:23.380 and emphatically victorious. 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.380 Not only would the king be eternal 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.779 but his rule would be universal. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.180 The nations would become his right. 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.340 The world, his possession. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:35.819 This ruler would be unimpeachable. 00:19:36.779 --> 00:19:38.159 This would be no Donald Trump. 00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:40.519 You could not resist 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.459 the rule of this king. 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:43.919 His rule would be bloody too. 00:19:45.099 --> 00:19:47.459 And it's kind of uncomfortable 00:19:47.459 --> 00:19:48.959 the way that he describes this. 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.720 But perhaps the worse your situation 00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:53.159 and the more desperate you get, 00:19:53.699 --> 00:19:54.579 the more willing you are 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:57.740 to hear the emphatic nature 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.439 of this victory. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:01.459 The more willing you are perhaps 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:03.400 to accept a ruler 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:05.360 who will get the job done. 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.500 We have examples of that 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:11.500 in recent political history. 00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.140 So for example, 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:13.539 the people of the Philippines 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.860 recently elected a president 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:16.840 to take on the drug gangs. 00:20:17.460 --> 00:20:18.400 Zero tolerance. 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.100 The people were given the authority 00:20:20.100 --> 00:20:21.620 to literally shoot on sight. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.980 And they have. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:24.600 They've killed 12,000 people 00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.519 in the past two years. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:29.200 The people of Brazil 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.980 have more recently done the same thing. 00:20:32.859 --> 00:20:34.460 The country is struggling 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:37.379 under economic mismanagement, 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:38.420 under corruption. 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:42.019 And the violence is just rife 00:20:42.019 --> 00:20:42.700 within the country. 00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:45.279 Over 60,000 murders a year in Brazil. 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:49.379 So they elected an extremist. 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.859 A man who is allegedly 00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.980 turning the country 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.879 into a police state 00:20:52.879 --> 00:20:54.099 according to an interview 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.599 I heard on Radio National this week. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.079 From a distance, 00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.819 these kind of things 00:20:58.819 --> 00:20:59.859 make us feel uncomfortable. 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.180 But when we read this psalm, 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.079 it almost sounds like, 00:21:02.180 --> 00:21:03.119 is this where things are going? 00:21:03.220 --> 00:21:03.819 Is this where this king 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.700 is going to go with things? 00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:08.420 Because his rule is emphatic. 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.180 The psalmist's image 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:11.019 of the king's victory 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.700 over his opponents 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.559 is equally brutal. 00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:14.619 The Lord says in verse 9, 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:16.019 You shall break them 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.879 with a rod of iron 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:18.740 and dash them in pieces 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:19.899 like a potter's vessel. 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.179 Not much lovey-dovey 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:24.799 in that, is there? 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:27.059 Break. 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:29.240 Smash. 00:21:31.179 --> 00:21:32.720 If we open these words 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.200 up a little bit, 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.819 and you might see it 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:34.879 in some of your Bibles, 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.940 that word break 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.859 can actually be, 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:38.440 there's no vowels 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:40.859 in the Hebrew, 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.599 original Hebrew. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:42.740 So you can actually 00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.839 re-vocalize that word 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.639 to mean another word, 00:21:44.719 --> 00:21:45.279 which is rule. 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.000 It may well be that 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:49.059 that's what's intended here. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:50.579 And that's why your Bibles 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.259 may well actually 00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.099 have a footnote here. 00:21:52.480 --> 00:21:53.480 Where rule is actually 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:55.199 literally meaning shepherd. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.480 And it fits with the imagery 00:21:56.480 --> 00:21:57.399 that's actually being used 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.099 in this verse. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.439 Because the rod of iron 00:21:59.439 --> 00:22:01.599 is actually representative 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.539 of the shepherd's 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.539 weapon of defense. 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.219 The kings of the ancient 00:22:06.219 --> 00:22:07.500 Near East carried a scepter 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.819 as a symbol of their 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.319 shepherding, 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.059 caring role 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.879 over their people. 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.759 They were to devote 00:22:12.759 --> 00:22:13.919 themselves to defending 00:22:13.919 --> 00:22:14.539 their sheep. 00:22:16.159 --> 00:22:17.599 This imagery 00:22:17.599 --> 00:22:18.359 that's being used here 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:18.960 is meant to be 00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:19.619 defensive. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.559 But does it make you 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.379 flinch that it's being 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:23.399 expressed in this kind 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:23.659 of way? 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.399 The psalmist writes 00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:27.379 a song of introduction 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:28.440 to the book of songs 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:29.460 that encourages 00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.259 God's people 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:31.139 to long 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.899 for this 00:22:31.899 --> 00:22:32.859 kind of king. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:37.439 They meditated 00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:38.240 on these words 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:40.219 as they sang 00:22:40.219 --> 00:22:40.679 the song. 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.379 And they hoped 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.779 for it to be fulfilled. 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:47.099 It almost makes you 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.740 wonder if religion 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.519 really is the cause 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.139 of all the violence 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:49.519 in the world 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.279 when you read 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.599 verses like this. 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:53.539 Until 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:55.319 you understand 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.479 who this king is 00:22:56.479 --> 00:22:57.979 and how 00:22:57.979 --> 00:22:58.899 this victory 00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.559 was achieved. 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:02.839 then you realize 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:04.099 that this psalm 00:23:04.099 --> 00:23:05.159 is grace filled. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.139 It's offering 00:23:06.139 --> 00:23:06.819 God's grace 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:07.460 to the world. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:08.859 The psalmist 00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.799 writes in verse 7 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.700 I will tell 00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.319 of the decree 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.980 the Lord said 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:12.299 to me 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:13.759 you are my son 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.799 today 00:23:14.799 --> 00:23:16.339 I have begotten 00:23:16.339 --> 00:23:16.539 you. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.200 This king 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.980 has come 00:23:19.980 --> 00:23:21.879 and the New 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.279 Testament 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.039 writers 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.059 recognized him. 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.619 Again some 00:23:25.619 --> 00:23:26.440 verses to take down 00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:26.740 they're actually 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.399 up on the screen 00:23:27.399 --> 00:23:28.500 as well for you 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:28.940 to take note 00:23:28.940 --> 00:23:29.279 so you don't 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.700 have to just 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.420 get them down 00:23:30.420 --> 00:23:31.099 as quickly as 00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:31.359 you can. 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:32.059 They'll be there 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.440 for a few 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:32.740 moments. 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.359 In Hebrews 1.5 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.759 we discover 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.420 that this psalm 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:37.299 is about Jesus. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.099 Jesus 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:40.400 is the son 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:41.240 who will rule 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.859 over everyone 00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:42.380 and everything 00:23:42.380 --> 00:23:42.960 higher than the 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:43.259 angels. 00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:45.619 In Hebrews 5.5 00:23:45.619 --> 00:23:46.640 this psalm 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:47.380 is about Jesus 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.500 as high priest. 00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:50.420 He is appointed 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:51.799 to sacrifice 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:52.619 on behalf 00:23:52.619 --> 00:23:53.299 of the people 00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.420 to protect them 00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:54.759 from their 00:23:54.759 --> 00:23:55.440 greatest enemy 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.339 death. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.419 death. 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.919 In Acts 4.25 00:23:58.919 --> 00:23:59.799 the opposition 00:23:59.799 --> 00:24:01.819 in this psalm 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:03.199 results in 00:24:03.199 --> 00:24:04.000 Jesus' death. 00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:05.559 The disciples 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.099 understood 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.559 as I already 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.000 said earlier 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:07.679 the disciples 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.059 understood 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.359 that the 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:08.579 plotting 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:09.099 against the 00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.259 Lord 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.500 and his 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:09.879 anointed 00:24:09.879 --> 00:24:11.319 was fulfilled 00:24:11.319 --> 00:24:12.839 in Jesus' 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:13.740 execution. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.099 How? 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.959 A traitor's 00:24:16.959 --> 00:24:17.240 death. 00:24:17.599 --> 00:24:18.359 A rebel's 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.679 death. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.720 The death 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:21.079 that we 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.579 deserved. 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:24.679 And in 00:24:24.679 --> 00:24:25.359 Acts 13. 00:24:25.599 --> 00:24:26.159 33. 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:27.939 This psalm 00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.419 is about 00:24:28.419 --> 00:24:28.799 Jesus' 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:29.379 resurrection. 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.460 Today I 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.019 have begotten 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.740 you is 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.079 applied 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.699 directly 00:24:33.699 --> 00:24:34.599 to Jesus' 00:24:34.779 --> 00:24:35.159 resurrection. 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.619 And it's 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:39.899 like we 00:24:39.899 --> 00:24:40.259 picked a 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.579 fight with 00:24:40.579 --> 00:24:40.960 the strongest 00:24:40.960 --> 00:24:41.460 person in 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.000 the universe. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:45.299 The new 00:24:45.299 --> 00:24:45.859 Avengers movie 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.259 is coming 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.539 out. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.339 They're all 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:47.899 still part of 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.279 the universe. 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.199 We're talking 00:24:49.199 --> 00:24:49.559 about the 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.299 creator of the 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.779 universe. 00:24:50.779 --> 00:24:51.920 the strongest 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:52.660 person who 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.139 exists in 00:24:53.139 --> 00:24:53.519 the universe. 00:24:55.819 --> 00:24:56.819 We stole 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.279 from him 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:57.579 what was 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.279 most precious. 00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.539 We humiliated 00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:00.259 him publicly. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.440 We committed 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:02.799 the most 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:03.819 blatant injustice 00:25:03.819 --> 00:25:04.420 and rebellion. 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.599 And there 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.099 he is, 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.119 ready to 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:08.000 fall on us 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.819 with the 00:25:08.819 --> 00:25:10.019 full weight 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:10.299 of his 00:25:10.299 --> 00:25:10.579 anger. 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.220 And he 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:13.559 had all the 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.240 power necessary 00:25:14.240 --> 00:25:14.839 and every 00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.500 reason to 00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.139 crush us. 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:18.440 And yet 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:19.200 that person 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.759 fought back 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:22.440 by taking 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.839 it out on 00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.299 himself. 00:25:25.019 --> 00:25:25.700 The king 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.980 ruled by 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:27.480 establishing 00:25:27.480 --> 00:25:27.980 justice. 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.400 And King 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.299 Jesus ruled 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.859 by choosing 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.319 to have the 00:25:30.319 --> 00:25:30.819 full weight 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.119 of this 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.660 justice 00:25:31.660 --> 00:25:32.519 bear down 00:25:32.519 --> 00:25:32.940 on him. 00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.480 The justice 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.200 we deserved 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:35.660 fell on 00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:35.980 him. 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:37.920 Grace 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.379 filled 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.019 response. 00:25:40.039 --> 00:25:40.500 People do 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.140 blame religion 00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:42.119 for the 00:25:42.119 --> 00:25:42.519 problems of 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.920 the world. 00:25:43.140 --> 00:25:43.440 But when 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.799 they blame 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.440 Christianity, 00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.079 do they 00:25:45.079 --> 00:25:46.140 really understand 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.599 what's at the 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.099 heart of it? 00:25:47.099 --> 00:25:49.719 at the 00:25:49.719 --> 00:25:50.099 heart of the 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.879 Christian faith 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:52.399 is Christ, 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.379 this king. 00:25:54.500 --> 00:25:55.199 The one who 00:25:55.199 --> 00:25:55.659 has every 00:25:55.659 --> 00:25:56.079 right to 00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:56.599 punish us 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:56.899 and yet 00:25:56.899 --> 00:25:57.519 chooses to 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:57.899 bear the 00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:58.240 punishment 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.759 himself, 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.559 should we 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.359 only trust 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:00.619 him? 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.079 We do 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.279 get 00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:04.699 Christianity 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.039 wrong. 00:26:05.139 --> 00:26:05.299 Even 00:26:05.299 --> 00:26:05.839 Christians 00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.099 get 00:26:06.099 --> 00:26:06.579 Christianity 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:06.939 wrong. 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:08.719 But friends, 00:26:08.759 --> 00:26:09.159 the solution 00:26:09.159 --> 00:26:09.740 isn't less 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.240 Christianity. 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.019 The truth 00:26:11.019 --> 00:26:11.299 is the 00:26:11.299 --> 00:26:11.740 world needs 00:26:11.740 --> 00:26:12.279 more of 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.459 it. 00:26:13.679 --> 00:26:14.639 We need 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.240 this king 00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.639 to reign 00:26:15.639 --> 00:26:16.240 over us. 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:20.000 And so 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.200 the 00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.519 psalmist 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:21.120 concludes 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.319 with 00:26:21.319 --> 00:26:21.599 presenting 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:21.779 us 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:21.900 with 00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.019 a 00:26:22.019 --> 00:26:22.400 choice 00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:24.400 in 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.640 verses 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:25.299 10-12. 00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:26.859 Now 00:26:26.859 --> 00:26:27.200 therefore, 00:26:27.339 --> 00:26:27.680 O kings, 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.420 be wise, 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:29.880 be warned, 00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.620 O rulers 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:30.900 of the 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.180 earth. 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:32.799 Serve 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.220 the Lord 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.799 with fear 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.420 and rejoice 00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.099 with trembling. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.339 Kiss 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:36.839 the Son, 00:26:36.920 --> 00:26:37.299 lest he be 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:37.740 angry and 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.140 you perish 00:26:38.140 --> 00:26:38.380 in the 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:38.620 way, 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:39.920 for his 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.480 wrath is 00:26:40.480 --> 00:26:40.740 quickly 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.279 kindled. 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.380 Blessed 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.440 are all 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.319 who take 00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:45.839 refuge in 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:46.039 him. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.079 be wise, 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:50.299 be warned, 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:50.720 there is a 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.319 real choice 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.839 to be made 00:26:51.839 --> 00:26:52.079 here. 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.740 Accept 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.380 this king 00:26:54.380 --> 00:26:56.640 or accept 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.259 the judgment 00:26:57.259 --> 00:26:58.319 he offered 00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.700 to bear 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:58.980 on your 00:26:58.980 --> 00:26:59.440 behalf. 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.279 The 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.559 psalmist 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:03.859 has a 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:04.500 perspective 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:04.839 of God 00:27:04.839 --> 00:27:05.019 that I 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.259 think we 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.779 struggle to 00:27:05.779 --> 00:27:06.220 maintain, 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.519 that there 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.200 is no 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:07.880 equality 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.440 with God 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:08.980 to be 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.160 offered 00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:09.460 here. 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.019 God 00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:10.819 is God. 00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.439 God 00:27:11.439 --> 00:27:12.159 is God 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:13.279 to be 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:14.179 to be 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:14.559 with fear 00:27:14.559 --> 00:27:15.259 and rejoicing 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.819 with trembling 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.419 are clear 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.439 signs that 00:27:17.439 --> 00:27:17.980 we really 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:18.779 do recognize 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.200 this king 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.519 for who 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.980 he is. 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:21.019 And 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.599 understanding 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.159 his anger 00:27:22.159 --> 00:27:22.399 and his 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:22.779 right to 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.099 exercise 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:23.779 justice 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.519 are sure 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:26.259 signs that 00:27:26.259 --> 00:27:26.579 we actually 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.159 recognize who 00:27:27.159 --> 00:27:27.639 we are. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.220 But 00:27:30.220 --> 00:27:30.799 blessed 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.179 are all 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:32.679 who take 00:27:32.679 --> 00:27:33.339 refuge in 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.579 him. 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:37.000 Blessed 00:27:37.000 --> 00:27:37.700 are all 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.200 who take 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.720 refuge in 00:27:38.720 --> 00:27:38.879 him. 00:27:38.880 --> 00:27:42.100 Let me 00:27:42.100 --> 00:27:42.500 finish by 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:42.860 saying that 00:27:42.860 --> 00:27:43.320 this blessing 00:27:43.320 --> 00:27:44.340 is not a 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:44.720 call to 00:27:44.720 --> 00:27:45.100 religion. 00:27:45.820 --> 00:27:46.480 It's a 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:46.860 call to 00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.180 God. 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.980 Come to 00:27:49.980 --> 00:27:50.400 the church 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.080 and hopefully 00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.720 you'll find a 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.460 caring community. 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:54.340 You'll 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:54.980 discover a 00:27:54.980 --> 00:27:55.600 principled and 00:27:55.600 --> 00:27:56.040 appealing 00:27:56.040 --> 00:27:56.680 lifestyle. 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:58.200 One that I 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.660 think actually 00:27:58.660 --> 00:27:59.460 enriches life 00:27:59.460 --> 00:28:00.160 for anybody. 00:28:01.680 --> 00:28:02.320 But to 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:02.660 come for 00:28:02.660 --> 00:28:03.280 those reasons 00:28:03.280 --> 00:28:03.700 would be to 00:28:03.700 --> 00:28:04.060 miss the 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:04.380 point. 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.420 The 00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:06.940 psalmist 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:08.080 calls us to 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:08.660 kiss the 00:28:08.660 --> 00:28:08.940 son. 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:10.740 It's a 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.140 sign of 00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.500 covenant 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.080 commitment, 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:12.680 of 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.259 submission, 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.940 of 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.500 intimacy. 00:28:17.340 --> 00:28:18.100 It's a 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:18.540 personal 00:28:18.540 --> 00:28:19.200 relational 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:20.000 commitment to 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:20.540 this God, 00:28:20.820 --> 00:28:21.620 this king, 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:24.019 this God, 00:28:24.560 --> 00:28:24.920 king, 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.000 who personally 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.960 and relationally 00:28:26.960 --> 00:28:27.840 and emphatically 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:28.540 broke into 00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:29.040 history. 00:28:31.080 --> 00:28:31.840 But this 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.600 choice in this 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.300 psalm is not 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:33.960 for a lifestyle, 00:28:34.100 --> 00:28:34.680 that's religion. 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:36.880 And religion 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:37.940 is comfortable 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.700 nothingness 00:28:38.700 --> 00:28:42.120 at best. 00:28:43.320 --> 00:28:44.360 This choice 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.600 is for 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:45.940 God, 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.799 the God 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.460 who graciously 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.240 offers us 00:28:49.240 --> 00:28:50.820 peace with 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:51.279 himself. 00:28:52.680 --> 00:28:52.980 Friends, 00:28:53.039 --> 00:28:53.400 don't settle 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:53.960 for comfortable. 00:28:56.620 --> 00:28:57.620 Settle for 00:28:57.620 --> 00:28:58.000 God, 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.080 for blessed 00:29:00.080 --> 00:29:00.640 are all who 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.279 take refuge 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:01.680 in him. 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:01.720 Amen.