WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:06.660 Heavenly Father, we have gathered this evening in the middle of the week to seek your face, 00:00:07.320 --> 00:00:15.179 to come before the cross of Christ, to receive anew your grace, 00:00:15.620 --> 00:00:21.440 so that we might come to you boldly in prayer, 00:00:24.379 --> 00:00:29.140 and seek your power for our life and for our church. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.759 So, won't you lead us and meet with us this evening? 00:00:34.280 --> 00:00:35.780 Speak to us from Psalm 96. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:41.740 As we go through that, Lord, instill in a deep passion for your glory, 00:00:42.120 --> 00:00:44.799 to spread your glory among all the nations, 00:00:44.799 --> 00:00:52.679 because you are due, your name is due, the glory that all the world can bring. 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:56.980 So, please, instill a deep passion for that. 00:00:56.979 --> 00:01:06.979 And stir in us for new songs of worship to you as we go through Psalm 96 together. 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.840 In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. 00:01:11.840 --> 00:01:15.259 We're in Psalm 96, 13 verses. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:22.980 And I will read it out loud first, and then we can go through it briefly. 00:01:29.200 --> 00:01:31.640 Oh, sing to the Lord a new song. 00:01:33.160 --> 00:01:34.780 Sing to the Lord all the earth. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.640 Sing to the Lord, bless His name. 00:01:38.280 --> 00:01:40.420 Tell of His salvation from day to day. 00:01:40.420 --> 00:01:44.019 Declare His glory among the nations, 00:01:44.240 --> 00:01:46.379 His marvelous works among all the peoples. 00:01:47.460 --> 00:01:51.200 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised. 00:01:51.719 --> 00:01:53.760 He is to be feared above all gods. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:56.960 For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, 00:01:57.700 --> 00:01:59.579 but the Lord made the heavens. 00:02:00.780 --> 00:02:03.480 Splendor and majesty are before Him. 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:07.520 Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. 00:02:07.519 --> 00:02:11.780 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples. 00:02:12.400 --> 00:02:15.079 Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 00:02:15.759 --> 00:02:18.500 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. 00:02:19.099 --> 00:02:21.379 Bring an offering and come into His courts. 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:24.859 Worship the Lord in splendor of holiness. 00:02:25.819 --> 00:02:27.780 Tremble before Him all the earth. 00:02:29.139 --> 00:02:30.259 Say among the nations, 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:31.879 The Lord reigns. 00:02:32.460 --> 00:02:34.579 Yes, the world is established. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:36.159 It shall never be moved. 00:02:36.159 --> 00:02:38.280 He will judge the peoples with equity. 00:02:39.620 --> 00:02:40.740 Let the heavens be glad, 00:02:41.139 --> 00:02:42.379 and let the earth rejoice. 00:02:42.800 --> 00:02:44.060 Let the sea roar, 00:02:44.359 --> 00:02:45.439 and all that fills it. 00:02:45.680 --> 00:02:46.919 Let the field exalt, 00:02:47.400 --> 00:02:48.439 and everything in it. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:50.819 Then shall all the trees of the forest 00:02:50.819 --> 00:02:52.419 sing for joy before the Lord. 00:02:52.780 --> 00:02:53.539 For He comes, 00:02:53.859 --> 00:02:55.979 for He comes to judge the earth. 00:02:56.519 --> 00:02:58.379 He will judge the world in righteousness, 00:02:58.939 --> 00:03:01.699 and the peoples in His faithfulness. 00:03:01.699 --> 00:03:04.079 Psalm 96, 00:03:04.399 --> 00:03:06.699 really the whole thing is kind of an extended call to worship, 00:03:06.919 --> 00:03:08.179 calling us to worship Him, 00:03:08.439 --> 00:03:11.139 and really calling the whole earth to worship Him. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.500 It just summons the whole earth to worship God, 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:14.579 who is our Creator King. 00:03:15.159 --> 00:03:17.159 And it's divided into three subsections. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:19.819 Verses 1 to 6 really is, 00:03:20.679 --> 00:03:23.859 the whole thing is about how the whole earth should worship Him. 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:27.200 But verses 1 to 6 in particular is directly toward God's people. 00:03:27.540 --> 00:03:28.840 So it's the worship of God's people. 00:03:29.380 --> 00:03:31.740 Verses 7 to 10 is the worship of all peoples. 00:03:32.660 --> 00:03:35.540 And then verses 11 to 13 is the worship of creation. 00:03:36.720 --> 00:03:38.260 And in each section, 00:03:38.540 --> 00:03:40.500 after calling people, 00:03:41.040 --> 00:03:43.580 these different particular groups of people to worship God, 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:46.200 will give a reason why they should worship God. 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:47.639 We're in Psalm 96 together. 00:03:50.899 --> 00:03:56.219 And verse 1 kind of captures the main exhortation of the psalm. 00:03:56.759 --> 00:03:57.000 It says, 00:03:57.119 --> 00:03:59.459 O sing to the Lord a new song. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:01.799 Sing to the Lord all the earth. 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:06.459 The command to sing a new song doesn't mean, 00:04:06.620 --> 00:04:07.659 as you probably know, 00:04:07.739 --> 00:04:11.339 that God doesn't want us to sing the same praise song we've sung before. 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:15.500 That you have to compose a new song every time you come to worship Him. 00:04:16.199 --> 00:04:17.099 If that's the case, 00:04:17.159 --> 00:04:19.939 we'd be in trouble for our Sunday services. 00:04:20.599 --> 00:04:20.779 Rather, 00:04:20.899 --> 00:04:23.159 I think it's calling for a fresh worship 00:04:23.159 --> 00:04:26.099 that springs from a live, 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:29.000 present experience of God's grace. 00:04:29.699 --> 00:04:33.579 As opposed to stagnant worship 00:04:33.579 --> 00:04:35.740 that's kind of a rote regurgitation 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:40.039 of a no longer experience reality. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:41.599 Something that you no longer feel, 00:04:41.680 --> 00:04:42.419 no longer know, 00:04:42.539 --> 00:04:43.519 you no longer experience, 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.879 but just thinking about it. 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:46.839 A dead worship. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:48.659 He's calling for new song, 00:04:48.860 --> 00:04:51.399 a live thing that comes from our hearts. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:53.079 Something we experience in the present. 00:04:54.100 --> 00:04:54.779 And so that's, 00:04:55.339 --> 00:04:56.060 Jesus asked, 00:04:56.180 --> 00:05:00.180 is your relationship to God, 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:06.600 is your relationship to God such that it inspires new songs? 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:11.180 Does your relationship with God inspire new prayers? 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:11.700 Right? 00:05:11.800 --> 00:05:12.540 New worship. 00:05:14.060 --> 00:05:18.240 Because a Christian should be a fountain of new songs 00:05:18.240 --> 00:05:19.879 that will never dry up 00:05:19.879 --> 00:05:21.480 because our inspiration, 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:22.340 our source, 00:05:22.660 --> 00:05:23.700 is an eternal God 00:05:23.700 --> 00:05:27.060 who is infinitely full of grace toward us. 00:05:28.000 --> 00:05:30.060 And so the whole earth should sing to God, 00:05:30.060 --> 00:05:33.220 but verses two to six focus first on God's people. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.019 Verse two says, 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:35.660 Sing to the Lord, 00:05:35.780 --> 00:05:36.480 bless his name, 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:38.800 tell of his salvation from day to day. 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.240 So the commands to sing, 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:41.939 to bless, 00:05:42.199 --> 00:05:44.420 are directed to those who have experienced God's salvation. 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:45.959 So it's directed to God's people here. 00:05:46.519 --> 00:05:48.680 And we should sing every day from day to day. 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.639 And God's people who are singing to him and praising him 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:55.180 aren't supposed to keep this to themselves. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:56.560 It says in verse three, 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:58.519 Declare his glory among the nations, 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:01.019 his marvelous works among all the peoples. 00:06:01.240 --> 00:06:03.220 So God's people are to spread the worship of God 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:04.420 among all the peoples. 00:06:04.920 --> 00:06:07.280 And the reason for that is given in verses four to six. 00:06:07.860 --> 00:06:09.759 For great is the Lord, 00:06:10.120 --> 00:06:11.540 and greatly to be praised. 00:06:11.960 --> 00:06:13.639 He is to be feared above all gods, 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:16.120 for all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, 00:06:16.460 --> 00:06:18.000 but the Lord made the heavens. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:20.480 His splendor and majesty are before him. 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.800 Strength and beauty are hidden in his sanctuary. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:24.860 So in the Old Testament, 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:28.600 no one but God is described as great 00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:30.220 in an absolute sense. 00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:31.819 So like for example, 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:34.360 Moses is described as great, 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:35.500 but it's qualified. 00:06:35.779 --> 00:06:37.740 It's great in the land of Egypt, 00:06:38.339 --> 00:06:39.699 in the sight of Pharaoh's servants, 00:06:39.819 --> 00:06:40.620 in the sight of the people, 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:41.639 Exodus 11.3. 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:44.800 Or Mordecai is described as great, 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.019 but he says he's great among the Jews, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:49.079 and popular with the multitude of his brothers. 00:06:49.500 --> 00:06:51.680 But only God in the Old Testament 00:06:51.680 --> 00:06:54.500 is described as great, period. 00:06:54.979 --> 00:06:55.859 He is great. 00:06:56.379 --> 00:06:57.959 So it's almost like an attribute of God. 00:06:58.079 --> 00:06:58.439 So he says, 00:06:58.819 --> 00:07:00.199 and because God is great, 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:00.579 he says, 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:02.039 for great is the Lord, 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:04.379 and he is greatly to be praised. 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:07.560 And not only that God is to be feared above all gods, 00:07:07.980 --> 00:07:08.439 for, 00:07:08.600 --> 00:07:09.519 the reasons given here, 00:07:09.600 --> 00:07:11.639 all the gods of the people are worthless idols, 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:12.879 but the Lord made the heavens. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:15.740 So the word gods and the word worthless 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:17.600 are like kind of, 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:18.480 their workplace, 00:07:18.620 --> 00:07:20.219 they look and sound very similar in Hebrew. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:22.800 So if we were to try to capture it in English, 00:07:22.879 --> 00:07:24.519 it would say something like this, 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:26.860 for all the supreme beings of earth, 00:07:26.980 --> 00:07:29.279 of all the supreme beings of the peoples 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:30.819 are supremely worthless. 00:07:30.819 --> 00:07:32.399 So it's kind of a play, 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:34.719 kind of intentional dig at those idols. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:35.560 All those gods, 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.279 so-called gods, 00:07:36.339 --> 00:07:36.819 are worthless. 00:07:37.819 --> 00:07:38.920 But in contrast, 00:07:39.060 --> 00:07:40.579 but the Lord made the heavens. 00:07:41.159 --> 00:07:42.819 The Lord God whom Israel worships, 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:44.339 whom we worship, 00:07:44.500 --> 00:07:45.779 is a God who made the heavens. 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.459 So splendor and majesty are before him. 00:07:48.539 --> 00:07:49.560 So splendor and majesty 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:52.100 representing kingship and royalty. 00:07:53.399 --> 00:07:54.759 And because he is king, 00:07:54.839 --> 00:07:55.839 as befits a king, 00:07:56.240 --> 00:07:57.259 strength and beauty 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.759 characterize his sanctuary, 00:07:58.759 --> 00:08:00.279 the place of his dwelling. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:03.579 There are a lot of pretenders in this world, right? 00:08:03.839 --> 00:08:07.439 There are a lot of people who claim to rule 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:10.439 and people who seek to exercise power over us. 00:08:10.839 --> 00:08:12.060 There are so-called gods 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:13.600 and so-called, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:14.159 I mean, 00:08:14.219 --> 00:08:16.100 people aspiring to be God. 00:08:16.819 --> 00:08:17.339 Yet, 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:19.659 there is only one God in the world. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:21.120 And that is our God, 00:08:21.199 --> 00:08:22.279 the Lord who made the heavens. 00:08:22.459 --> 00:08:23.719 And so splendor and majesty, 00:08:23.860 --> 00:08:24.000 right, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:24.659 we belong to him. 00:08:25.600 --> 00:08:27.620 So that's the worship of God's people. 00:08:27.620 --> 00:08:29.019 And then in verses 7 to 10, 00:08:29.139 --> 00:08:30.300 the psalmist turns his attention 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:32.019 to the families of all peoples. 00:08:32.279 --> 00:08:32.620 So now, 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:35.240 the very ones who worship these worthless idols 00:08:35.240 --> 00:08:37.279 are being called to worship the true God 00:08:37.279 --> 00:08:38.480 in verses 7 to 10. 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:39.840 So he says to them, 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.800 Ascribe to the Lord, 00:08:41.920 --> 00:08:43.160 O families of the peoples. 00:08:43.800 --> 00:08:45.960 Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:49.139 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:51.320 Bring an offering and come into his courts. 00:08:52.060 --> 00:08:54.019 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:56.160 Tremble before him all the earth. 00:08:56.420 --> 00:08:57.320 Say among the nations, 00:08:57.460 --> 00:08:58.460 The Lord reigns. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:08:59.399 Yes, 00:08:59.600 --> 00:09:00.820 the world is established. 00:09:01.040 --> 00:09:02.100 It shall never be moved. 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.659 He will judge the peoples with equity. 00:09:05.700 --> 00:09:06.460 So they should, 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:08.379 these families of all peoples, 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:09.379 should worship God. 00:09:09.500 --> 00:09:11.460 Ascribe glory and strength to him. 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:14.159 And because glory is due his name, 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:14.540 right, 00:09:15.820 --> 00:09:17.940 we ascribe, 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:19.139 you know, 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:21.180 praises or certain attributes 00:09:21.180 --> 00:09:22.040 to certain people. 00:09:22.600 --> 00:09:23.340 And to God, 00:09:23.420 --> 00:09:25.180 we should ascribe glory and strength 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:26.980 because he deserves it. 00:09:27.019 --> 00:09:27.879 Because he is glorious. 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:29.160 It's due to his name. 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:30.259 So that's why it's wrong 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.980 to ascribe glory to idols. 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:33.180 But to God, 00:09:33.320 --> 00:09:34.580 it rightly belongs to him 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:36.120 because it's due to his name. 00:09:36.220 --> 00:09:38.259 That's his name characterizes his person. 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:39.580 It symbolizes, 00:09:39.700 --> 00:09:40.659 it represents his person. 00:09:42.120 --> 00:09:43.960 And verse 8 extends this invitation 00:09:43.960 --> 00:09:45.279 to these peoples 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.720 to bring an offering 00:09:46.720 --> 00:09:48.159 and come into his courts. 00:09:48.720 --> 00:09:50.420 Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:51.740 Tremble before him all the earth. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:53.920 So this invitation to Gentiles 00:09:53.920 --> 00:09:56.060 to come into the temple courts 00:09:56.060 --> 00:09:57.519 for worship and sacrifice, 00:09:57.519 --> 00:09:59.019 it's really looking forward 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.560 to a time of universal worship. 00:10:01.139 --> 00:10:02.539 When not just Jews, 00:10:02.639 --> 00:10:03.379 but all peoples 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.339 from all over the world 00:10:04.339 --> 00:10:05.500 will come to worship God. 00:10:06.659 --> 00:10:07.639 And so they are, 00:10:07.759 --> 00:10:08.859 and these people too 00:10:08.859 --> 00:10:09.579 are commanded 00:10:09.579 --> 00:10:11.519 not to keep this to themselves, 00:10:11.719 --> 00:10:13.959 but to share it. 00:10:14.079 --> 00:10:14.939 So in verse 10, 00:10:15.079 --> 00:10:15.219 it says, 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:16.720 say among the nations, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:18.200 the Lord reigns. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:18.840 Yes, 00:10:18.940 --> 00:10:19.940 the world is established. 00:10:20.040 --> 00:10:20.920 It shall never be moved. 00:10:21.040 --> 00:10:22.519 He will judge the peoples with equity. 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.000 So these Gentiles 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:25.060 who are coming to worship God 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:25.620 and know God 00:10:25.620 --> 00:10:26.740 are also to spread 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:27.820 the fame of God 00:10:27.820 --> 00:10:28.940 among themselves, 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:30.320 among other fellow nations. 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.800 And because, 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:33.879 and the reason is this, 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:34.940 the Lord reigns. 00:10:35.180 --> 00:10:35.820 He is the king. 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:37.139 He reigns. 00:10:37.139 --> 00:10:40.699 whatever you can think of 00:10:40.699 --> 00:10:42.279 when you hear the phrase 00:10:42.279 --> 00:10:43.500 movers and shakers 00:10:43.500 --> 00:10:44.159 of this world, 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:44.439 right? 00:10:44.659 --> 00:10:45.639 We think of some people 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:46.500 as movers and shakers 00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.019 of this world. 00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:47.879 It doesn't matter 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.980 how powerful they are. 00:10:49.039 --> 00:10:49.500 It doesn't matter 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:50.159 where they are. 00:10:50.220 --> 00:10:50.679 It doesn't matter 00:10:50.679 --> 00:10:51.299 how turbulent 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:52.620 our world and our history, 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:53.960 our present moment seem. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:55.759 He's the king 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.539 and under his eternal rule, 00:10:57.779 --> 00:10:58.899 the world is established. 00:10:59.039 --> 00:11:00.039 It shall never be moved. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:02.840 His reign is not threatened 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.860 by anything 00:11:03.860 --> 00:11:04.919 that goes on below. 00:11:04.919 --> 00:11:06.919 happens here in our world. 00:11:07.159 --> 00:11:08.259 So he is a righteous king 00:11:08.259 --> 00:11:08.740 who will judge 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.779 all peoples with equity 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:10.659 and for that reason 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.939 all the peoples of earth, 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:13.059 all the families of earth 00:11:13.059 --> 00:11:13.959 should worship him. 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.479 So that's the worship 00:11:15.479 --> 00:11:16.240 of all peoples. 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:17.819 And then finally 00:11:17.819 --> 00:11:19.519 is the worship of creation 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:20.819 in verses 11 to 13. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:23.099 When God's equitable rule 00:11:23.099 --> 00:11:24.559 spreads over the whole earth, 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:26.299 all creation will be glad 00:11:26.299 --> 00:11:26.899 and rejoice. 00:11:27.059 --> 00:11:28.659 That's what verses 11 to 13 00:11:28.659 --> 00:11:29.199 are about. 00:11:29.679 --> 00:11:30.159 So it says, 00:11:30.159 --> 00:11:31.939 let the heavens be glad 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:33.459 and let the earth rejoice. 00:11:33.460 --> 00:11:35.100 Let the sea roar 00:11:35.100 --> 00:11:36.040 and all that fills it. 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:37.759 Let the field exult 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:39.440 and everything in it. 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.420 Then shall all the trees 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:41.920 of the forest 00:11:41.920 --> 00:11:42.900 sink for joy 00:11:42.900 --> 00:11:43.860 before the Lord. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:45.820 And this is the reason 00:11:45.820 --> 00:11:46.920 for their gladness, 00:11:47.040 --> 00:11:47.660 verse 13. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:49.220 For he comes. 00:11:49.720 --> 00:11:51.220 For he comes 00:11:51.220 --> 00:11:52.360 to judge the earth. 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:53.840 He will judge the world 00:11:53.840 --> 00:11:54.580 in righteousness 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.580 and the peoples 00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:57.320 in his faithfulness. 00:11:57.320 --> 00:12:04.020 I guess we think of judgment 00:12:04.020 --> 00:12:06.760 as mostly negative terms 00:12:06.760 --> 00:12:07.600 nowadays, right? 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.180 And I guess that shows 00:12:09.180 --> 00:12:10.340 the kind of world we live in 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.460 and the kind of people we are, 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:11.800 right? 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:13.320 Because judgment rightly 00:12:13.320 --> 00:12:14.280 administered is supposed 00:12:14.280 --> 00:12:15.220 to be something that brings 00:12:15.220 --> 00:12:16.680 joy and gladness, right? 00:12:17.700 --> 00:12:19.120 It's supposed to bring peace. 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.140 And so many people in the world 00:12:22.140 --> 00:12:24.380 and so often even we, right, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:27.299 as Christians resist God's rule 00:12:27.299 --> 00:12:30.460 and we presume to think 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.639 that we know better 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:33.320 and that if we had our own way 00:12:33.320 --> 00:12:35.000 that things would get better 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.799 and we seek to rule 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.679 our own lives, right? 00:12:38.059 --> 00:12:40.799 But what these few verses 00:12:40.799 --> 00:12:42.039 are teaching us 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:44.659 is that the true gladness 00:12:44.659 --> 00:12:46.220 and true joy 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:48.840 are found not in our own rule 00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:49.740 but in our submission 00:12:49.740 --> 00:12:50.559 to God's rule. 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:52.039 When he is ruling, 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.440 he brings true justice. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:54.340 He brings true 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.220 righteous judgment 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.700 because it is God 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:57.460 who judges the world 00:12:57.460 --> 00:12:58.080 in righteousness 00:12:58.080 --> 00:12:58.740 and the people 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.720 is in his faithfulness. 00:13:00.500 --> 00:13:01.320 No one in the world, 00:13:01.800 --> 00:13:02.780 including ourselves, 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:05.660 is capable of ruling 00:13:05.660 --> 00:13:06.500 more graciously 00:13:06.500 --> 00:13:07.960 and judging more righteously 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.560 and fairly than our God. 00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:11.040 So it's when we are submitted, 00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:12.360 most submitted to him 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.680 as our creator king 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:14.660 that we are most free. 00:13:14.920 --> 00:13:16.100 It's when we are most humble 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:16.660 before him 00:13:16.660 --> 00:13:17.780 that's when we are most happy. 00:13:18.700 --> 00:13:19.880 And if we really believe 00:13:19.880 --> 00:13:20.360 this truth 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:21.540 then our lives would be full 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.740 of contentment 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.419 and thanksgiving 00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:25.179 because we would be 00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:25.980 submitted to him 00:13:25.980 --> 00:13:27.339 and humbly given to him 00:13:27.339 --> 00:13:28.360 no matter what situation 00:13:28.360 --> 00:13:28.879 we're in 00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:30.699 instead of grumbling 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:31.360 and complaining, 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:32.740 seeking to rule 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.539 our own lives 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:34.099 and wanting to live 00:13:34.099 --> 00:13:34.799 the way we want. 00:13:36.459 --> 00:13:37.500 So Psalm 96 00:13:37.500 --> 00:13:38.279 as a whole 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:39.539 looks forward 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:40.139 to a time 00:13:40.139 --> 00:13:41.019 when all the peoples 00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.939 and all creation 00:13:41.939 --> 00:13:42.819 will submit to God's 00:13:42.819 --> 00:13:43.839 gracious reign and worship. 00:13:43.840 --> 00:13:47.139 and this plan 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.639 really comes to fulfillment 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:52.460 and begins to be fulfilled 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.460 in the life, death, 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:54.180 the resurrection 00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:55.660 and ascension 00:13:55.660 --> 00:13:57.420 and reign of Jesus. 00:13:59.080 --> 00:14:00.899 Ephesians 2, 12-13 00:14:00.899 --> 00:14:02.280 tell us that Gentiles 00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:04.600 like most of us 00:14:04.600 --> 00:14:06.840 were once alienated 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:07.800 from the commonwealth 00:14:07.800 --> 00:14:08.340 of Israel 00:14:08.340 --> 00:14:09.519 and strangers 00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.340 to the covenants 00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:10.900 of promise 00:14:10.900 --> 00:14:11.900 having no hope 00:14:11.900 --> 00:14:12.740 and without God 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.220 in the world. 00:14:13.840 --> 00:14:14.460 But now, 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.820 in Christ Jesus, 00:14:16.040 --> 00:14:16.820 you who once 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:17.780 were far off 00:14:17.780 --> 00:14:19.139 have been brought near 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:20.300 by the blood of Christ. 00:14:21.540 --> 00:14:22.060 So, 00:14:22.820 --> 00:14:24.000 if we're not 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.180 ethnically Jewish, 00:14:25.440 --> 00:14:26.340 then we were all 00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.100 once people 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:27.960 who were far off, 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.360 cut off. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.000 We were among 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:30.980 the peoples of earth, 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:31.940 the families of earth 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:33.259 who were worshipping 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.180 those worthless idols. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.800 But because Jesus 00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.639 died on the cross, 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.900 he fulfilled the requirements 00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:39.139 of the law for us 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.560 and satisfied God's wrath 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.639 and in doing so, 00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:42.220 he made a way 00:14:42.220 --> 00:14:42.920 for sinners 00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:44.879 from all nations 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.279 to be reconciled to God. 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:47.539 And that's why 00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:49.019 in Revelation 5, 9, 00:14:49.099 --> 00:14:50.419 at the end of all things, 00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.219 the consummation 00:14:51.219 --> 00:14:51.919 of all things, 00:14:52.439 --> 00:14:54.559 it says of Jesus, 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:55.699 worthy are you 00:14:55.699 --> 00:14:57.000 to take the scroll 00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.419 and to open its seals 00:14:58.419 --> 00:15:00.259 for you were slain 00:15:00.259 --> 00:15:01.299 and by your blood 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:03.039 you ransomed people 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.659 for God 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.959 from every tribe 00:15:04.959 --> 00:15:06.039 and language 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:06.860 and people 00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:07.879 and nation. 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:09.019 that's the cosmic 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:09.879 end of all things 00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.480 when people 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.799 from every tribe 00:15:11.799 --> 00:15:12.220 and nation 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:13.460 will be worshipping God 00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.379 as this Psalm 96 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.220 is picturing. 00:15:16.659 --> 00:15:17.740 And Jesus 00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.320 is the new focal point 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:19.960 of that worship. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.179 This Psalm was quoted 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:23.320 when David brought 00:15:23.320 --> 00:15:24.019 the Ark of God 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:25.059 into Jerusalem 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:25.980 for worship 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:27.179 in 1 Chronicles 16. 00:15:27.860 --> 00:15:28.279 And now, 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.700 so this Psalm, 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:31.740 Jesus now, 00:15:31.860 --> 00:15:32.779 he's at the new temple 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.440 and new Jerusalem 00:15:33.440 --> 00:15:34.419 is the focal point 00:15:34.419 --> 00:15:35.200 of this worship. 00:15:35.200 --> 00:15:36.300 And so we're supposed 00:15:36.300 --> 00:15:37.680 to direct all the peoples 00:15:37.680 --> 00:15:38.360 to him. 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.000 So our commission 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.580 as believers 00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.900 is, as you guys know, 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.920 Matthew 28, 19, 00:15:43.300 --> 00:15:44.700 to go and make disciples 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:45.740 of all the nations 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:46.800 because God 00:15:46.800 --> 00:15:47.720 is the God over all. 00:15:48.420 --> 00:15:49.240 We are supposed 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.940 to make disciples 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:50.720 of all nations. 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.580 All peoples of the world 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:53.480 are to worship God 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:55.220 because God's king 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:57.120 not over our nation alone, 00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.440 over Israel alone, 00:15:58.520 --> 00:15:59.860 but over all the nations 00:15:59.860 --> 00:16:00.960 and all peoples of earth. 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:02.860 And so last question 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:03.580 that I want to end 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:04.580 the Psalm with 00:16:04.580 --> 00:16:04.920 is, 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:06.079 do the priorities 00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:07.019 of your life 00:16:07.019 --> 00:16:10.679 reflect this Christian purpose 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:12.919 of wanting to see 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.759 all nations 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.139 come to worship God? 00:16:15.979 --> 00:16:17.139 Does the way 00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:18.459 you spend your money 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:21.240 reflect that Christian purpose? 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.719 Does the way 00:16:22.719 --> 00:16:24.339 you spend your time, 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.539 the way you spend 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.120 your vacation, 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:29.399 the way you live your life 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:32.279 reflect that purpose 00:16:32.279 --> 00:16:33.240 of wanting to see 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.740 all nations 00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.719 come to worship God? 00:16:34.919 --> 00:16:37.299 and I want to pray tonight 00:16:37.299 --> 00:16:38.599 in my prayers 00:16:38.599 --> 00:16:39.259 that we would be 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:40.379 a church that's consumed 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.339 by that desire 00:16:41.339 --> 00:16:43.099 to see God's glory.