Sundays in the PSALMS (2)
Notes
Transcript
The Heathen’s Rage
The Heathen’s Rage
The Rage of Unbelief vs.1-3
The Rage of Unbelief vs.1-3
a. The Character of the Rage (v.1a)
The first voice heard in this opening line to Psalm 2 is the lost man crying out in defiance against God.
It is a Rage that only a heathen would know.
Remember the rage you use to have towards God.
You say, I didnt have any rage against God.”
Let me ask you, how many times did you defy him or cuss His name?
How many times did you ignore His voice?
It may not have been the same kind of rage the Psalmist is speaking of here but no the less it is still rage against God.
The heathen speaks of the unbelievers.
The raging is being done by the vast majority of people.
There are more heathens in the world then there are believers.
Christians are a minority
The word rage means a violent, restless, and tumultuous type of conduct.
It is not peaceful, tranquil, sensible, or honorable conduct.
It is the ill-mannerly way homosexuals act when they demand their rights to act perversely.
a. The Character of the Rage
b. The Contemplation in the Rage (v.1b)
“imagine a vain thing”
to think that they can overcome Christ is the dumbest thought and most vain thinking to ever be found in man.
I love John Butlers comparison: It is dumber than trying to stop a speeding freight train by stepping in front of it.
John G. Butler, Psalms, Analytical Bible Expositor, (Clinton, IA: LBC Publications, 2012), 6:16.
a. The Character of the Rage
b. The Contemplation in the Rage
c. The Conspiracy in the Rage (v.2)
i. The Subjects in the Conspiracy
Kings and Rulers
Satan has used kings and rulers through the ages to rise up against God’s children.
The thing is they think its us they dont like but in all reality it is God that they are rising against.
Its even funnier, the atheist are sometimes the most vocal against what we believe.
If God is not real, then why do they have such a problem with us believing that he is?
ii. The Strength of the Conspiracy
They were Unmovable
When the unbelivers become enraged, they are so steadfast that an F-5 could not move them.
They were Unified
You could have a building full of hate groups that hated each other with a passion
and you start talking about the Bible and watch them unite and come after you.
a. The Character of the Rage
b. The Contemplation in the Rage
c. The Conspiracy in the Rage
d. The Cause of the Rage (v.3)
The world wants freedom to live a wicked life.
They want no restraints on their evil and Nations have accommodated this desire by legislating such things as abortion, gambling, homosexualism and all other vile conduct.
They are restricted (bands)
They have limits that God has placed on just how far they can go.
They are restrained (cords)
They are held back from influence (Holy Ghost)
The Retribution for Rebellion vs.4-6
The Retribution for Rebellion vs.4-6
a. God’s Vehemence (v.4)
God laughs in the face of rebellion.
In response to man’s rage,
the One enthroned in heaven,
God the Father, merely laughs.
This is not the laughter of hilarity but of divine derision, mockery, and contempt.
Men are boldly shaking their fists against heaven, but such an attempted takeover is so bizarre, even insane, that the Lord scoffs at them, ridiculing and mocking their puny efforts.
Steven Lawson, Psalms 1–75, ed. Max Anders, Holman Old Testament Commentary, (Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2004), 11:23.
a. God’s Vehemence
b. God’s Vengeance (v.5)
They will get what is coming to them.
His laughter turns to fury.
He rebukes them in His anger because his absolute holiness moves Him to judge sinners.
When the Lord speaks His very voice terrifies them, as simply His words can bring His full wrath.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
God judgeth the righteous, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
a. God’s Vehemence
b. God’s Vengeance
c. God’s Victory (v.6)
God will have the ultimate victory
This declaration speaks first to the present enthronement of Christ, at the Fathers right hand
These words also anticipate the return of Christ to earth were He will set up His eternal kigdom in the new Jerusalem.
The Reign of the Anointed vs. 7-9
The Reign of the Anointed vs. 7-9
As this third stanza begins, we hear the voice of God’s Son Jesus Christ.
a. The Proclamation of the Reign (v.7)
All that the Father has planned and purposed in eternity past, the Son will proclaim and perform within time and history.
In this eternal counsel, the Father spoke to the Son, You are my Son; today I have become your Father.
This passage does not suggest that the second member of the Godhead, Jesus Christ, is a created being; this statement points to his incarnation (Heb. 1:5–6) and resurrection (Acts 13:33–34).
a. The Proclamation of the Reign (v.7)
b. The Possession of the Reign (v.8)
Because of Christ’s submission to the Father’s will, God will bestow a rich legacy upon his Son—a vast inheritance that is now being progressively realized and will be fully transferred to him during the millennial kingdom.
The Father will give the Son the ends of the earth as his inheritance (Rev. 11:15).
a. The Proclamation of the Reign (v.7)
b. The Possession of the Reign (v.8)
c. The Power of the Reign (v.9)
So supreme will be the Son’s reign over his enemies that the execution of his final judgment is compared to a potter who will take an iron scepter and dash them to pieces like pottery (cp. Rev. 19:15
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
He will consign them to his relentless wrath in hell forever.
The Recommendations for the Heathen vs. 10-12
The Recommendations for the Heathen vs. 10-12
The last three verses include four precepts which all are wise to obey.
a. Learn of Christ (v.10)
This does not just go for those in authority.
The Psalmist is implying that all need to be wise and learn of Christ.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
a. Learn of Christ (v.10)
b. Labor for Christ (v.11)
1. The Command (serve the Lord)
Stop serving yourself and start serving God.
2. The Character (with fear)
Dont do it with lip service
It is not in what you say or how you say it.
True fear is doing it because you respect and honor them. (use my relationship with my dad)
3. The Contentment (rejoice with trembling)
When you have had a change of heart towards God, you will rejoice like you have never rejoiced before. The quakers are called quakers for a reason. Trembling means to quake. The quakers rejoice knowing it is God that controls them and preserves them.
We should too!
a. Learn of Christ (v.10)
b. Labor for Christ (v.11)
c. Love for Christ (v.12a)
Sinners must kiss the Son, a sign of humble submission to his sovereignty as a subject who lowers himself before his king (1 Sam. 10:1; 1 Kgs. 19:18).
Loving devotion and loyal allegiance to Christ are required, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way.
The choice is clear.
It is better to bend than be broken.
God urgently calls sinners to pay homage to the Son, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
While there is an opportunity to do so, sinners must turn from their wicked ways and embrace the Son by faith.
a. Learn of Christ (v.10)
b. Labor for Christ (v.11)
c. Love for Christ (v.12a)
d. Live for Christ (v.12b)
Those that live in Christ are blessed because they have trusted in Him.
To take refuge in the Lord is synonymous with having saving faith (John 5:24; Eph. 2:8–9).
Are you living for Christ tonight?
Do you know Him Tonight?
We are about to partake in the Lords Supper, this is reserved for His children only. If you do not know Him personally as your savior, you are not only restricted from partaking you are sure to incure His wrath. Wont you come tonight and ask him to save you.
Wont you come and kiss the son?
Those of us that are saved tonight, wont you come and thank Him for saving you and praise Him for not bringing the full wight of his wrath against you.
For we know the full weight was brought against His Son Jesus Christ
He paid the price so we did not have to
wont you come tonight.