The Cross & Crown of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
Connection
There are three trees in the Bible that unify the entire Book. They are found at Creation, Calvary, and the City of God. In Creation there was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil that condemned men due to their sin. At Calvary there was the tree of the Cross that redeemed men due to the suffering of Jesus. And in the City of God there will be the tree of life, which heals men due to the grace of God.
Through a tree we fell into sin, through a tree we are redeemed from sin, and to a tree we look forward to full and perfect healing.
Thus, the Cross of Christ as the Tree of Calvary, is of utmost importance if we are to understand what our dilemma is as sinful men and women, what our only solution is in Christ, and what our only hope is for eternal life.
Ask a man what he thinks of the Cross—and you’ll find out if he is a Christian or not! MLJ:
“one of the most wonderful things that the cross of Christ does to a man who knows its meaning and understands what happened there, is that it delivers him from himself; and this is one of the most glorious deliverances a man can ever know, to be free and delivered from himself.”
The Cross of Christ is the tree that makes Good Friday so especially Good. I trust that after this morning we can say with the old hymn-writer:
“When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the prince of glory died, my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride!”
The Cross is the center of the Christian life—it is the sure foundation. So let’s seek the Lord this morning, as we gaze upon the Cross as it is prophesied thousands of years ago in Psalm 22, so that we can say with the hymn writer:
Purpose:
On the Cross Jesus quotes from Psalm 22:1 saying: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?!”. He shows us that the Psalm finds its fulfillment in his suffering for our salvation. And so this Good Friday, let’s walk through this Psalm to see and understand what Jesus did for us on that old rugged cross.
Read Text:
Psalm 22:1-18 ESV
PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY
(1) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Forsaken by the Father - v. 1-2
(1) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Forsaken by the Father - v. 1-2
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?
O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
(1) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Forsaken by the Father - v. 1-2
(1) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Forsaken by the Father - v. 1-2
To understand the agony of the Cross, we need to understand the glory of God. For all eternity, God has existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—one God in three persons—in perfect fellowship. The Triune God of the Bible is the Personal God of eternity. Jesus is the beloved Son of God, who has forever enjoyed the love of his Father, in the presence of the Holy Spirit who seals their love together.
Jesus is the Father’s delight—the Father’s joy—the Father’s prize! And the Holy Spirit has sealed that fellowship with his personal love and presence. John 1 & Proverbs 8 gives us this picture of the Son of God enjoying the this eternal glory!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
then I was beside him, like a master workman,
and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,
rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the children of man.
Jesus is the eternal Creator along with the Father, who was daily his delight, in perfect communion and relationship. But we also see that Jesus had been delighting in the children of man, in his people whom his heart was set on saving from their sins. And so Jesus became man, born of the Virgin Mary. He who is truly God, became truly man, as the Godman—in order to bring salvation to men and women who are under the judgment of God for our evil deeds of rebellion against him.
We have all sinned, broken God’s good law, chosen our own ways over his, and have failed to love Him as we ought to—and because God is a perfect Judge and a holy God, he must punish evil, and cannot dwell with unclean people. Scripture says this about the Lord:
Habakkuk 1:13 (ESV)
You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong.
God is so good, holy, beautiful, and just—that he cannot look favourable upon sin, sinners, evil, and rebels. God doesn’t look nicely upon evil—he turns his face away and pours forth his wrath upon all that is profane and unjust. This is the essence of hell—and the day of judgment to come.
This is the bad news. We deserve to be forsaken by God in death and eternal punishment. But that’s why the Cross is such good news—what we see in the first verse of Psalm 22 is that the eternal Son of God became the Son of Man, in order to bear our punishment that we deserve. Jesus who is the perfect and loving and sinless and righteous Son of God—became our Saviour and bore our guilt on that blessed tree:
And so Jesus cried out on the Cross—my God, my God, why have you forsaken me! Jesus who was the Son of God, was treated as God’s enemy, for you and me. Jesus who always enjoyed the blessing of his Father, was given the curse of God, for you and me. Jesus who always rested in the peace of his Father’s arms, was made the Man of Sorrows, that we might be freed from the pangs of hell. Jesus who always delighted in the presence of God, was separated from him on the Cross, bearing our sin and shame, so that we could be saved and brought back to God in a relationship of peace. He makes peace by the blood of his Cross!
This is the first thing we see on the Cross of Christ, that Jesus, in his humanity, was forsaken by the Father. But Jesus wasn’t only passively suffering under the judgment of God—he was valiantly charging at death with true faith in his Father’s will to redeem. And so, secondly:
(2) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Trusting in the LORD - v. 3-5
(2) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Trusting in the LORD - v. 3-5
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
To you they cried and were rescued;
in you they trusted and were not put to shame.
(2) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Trusting in the LORD - v. 3-5
(2) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Trusting in the LORD - v. 3-5
Jesus reminded himself of the faithfulness of his God and Father. The Father is the holy one, praised by his people. The people of God in the Old and New Testaments trusted in the Lord, and the Lord delivered them. God is a God of deliverance. He answers prayers. He pours out grace and mercy. He moves in salvation. And so Jesus reminds himself that his Father is a trustworthy God, who does not put his people to shame.
The Father delivered Adam from immediate-death, Noah from the judgment-flood, Abraham from sinful-kings, Moses from evil-Pharoah, Israel from the Angel of Death, David from tyrannical Saul, Daniel from the Lions Den, Jonah from the great fish, and countless other saints in times of trouble. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is the God of salvation—and so Jesus trusted in the Lord even while he was forsaken because of our sin and evil.
Even in the agony of the suffering of the Cross, Jesus continued to put his full faith in the rescue and deliverance to come. That’s why there is a Resurrection Sunday coming—because Jesus didn’t only suffer our punishment on that Tree—he trusted God to rescue and deliver him to secure the Victory!
In the moment of the greatest suffering in all of history—Jesus reminded himself that the Father is faithful to his promises just like Jeremiah in his lament and prayer:
Remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
My soul continually remembers it
and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
In the chiefest affliction for man to ever know, the suffering of body and soul of Jesus on the Cross, he reminded himself: Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father, there is no shadow of turning with thee—thou changest not, thy compassions they fail not, great is thy faithfulness O God to me! And so though he was forsaken for our salvation—he knew that this was not forever. Weeping tarries for the night, but joy comes in the morning!
Jesus, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, trusted in his Father. But he also had to deal with slander while he hung there. So thirdly:
(3) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Mocked by Evil Men - v. 6-8
(3) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Mocked by Evil Men - v. 6-8
But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by mankind and despised by the people.
All who see me mock me;
they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;
“He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;
let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”
(3) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Mocked by Evil Men - v. 6-8
(3) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Mocked by Evil Men - v. 6-8
Jesus was despised and rejected by men. He was considered to be a worm, a worthless creature, less than a human being. He was treated like scum and garbage. He was scorned, he was mocked, he was slandered, and he was rejected.
Oh see Him hanging on the Cross, who was delivered over by the Jewish people, who rejected their own Messiah!
See Him hanging on the Cross, who was unjustly sentenced by Pontius Pilate.
Oh see Him hanging on the Cross, with the Roman Centurions mocking him for claiming to be King.
See Him hanging on the Cross, who was given a crown of thorns, who was spat on and struck with a reed, stripped of his robe, and raised up to be crucified.
Oh see Him hanging on the Cross, with the chief priests, elders, and scribes saying:
“He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.
See how the King of Glory, the Ancient of Days, the Almighty God, the Son of Man—the Lion and Lamb—see how he was mocked by his very own creatures. Oh what a painful thing it must have been for the creation to mock the Creator—while he hung upon that tree.
On the cross of Christ, Jesus was mocked by wicked men. But this didn’t cause him to give in. He persevered, for the joy that was set before him. Fourthly:
(4) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Praying to his God - v. 9-11
(4) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Praying to his God - v. 9-11
Yet you are he who took me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts.
On you was I cast from my birth,
and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.
Be not far from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is none to help.
(4) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Praying to his God - v. 9-11
(4) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Praying to his God - v. 9-11
Even in this midst of the onslaughts of wicked men, Christ poured forth his soul unto God! As the fiery darts of the evil one were being fired at the Son of God, he was reminding himself of past mercies.
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit miraculously, he was born of the Virgin Mary and trusted God as a swaddled babe. The Father had protected baby Jesus, and had been his Faithful Provider and Shelter in time of trouble. When King Herod came to slaughter the infants, the Father led him to refuge in Egypt. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus watched over him with perfect care.
And so on the Cross Jesus reminds himself of past mercies, and in light of them pleads with God to deliver him. He was all alone and abandoned on that tree, suffering the weight of the sin of mankind, in body and soul, great trouble was upon him—and so He prays: be not far from me! Come to me again Lord! Deliver me! Bring me through this hell-storm of wrath and agony! Bring me safely through the Red Sea! Bring me safely to Canaan’s fair land! Bring me safely through the valley of the shadow of death! Do not abandon me, my God—do not leave me in this forsaken state. And oh Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.
It was the will of the Lord to crush him—but it was also the will of the Lord to save him—and so Jesus persevered with his eye on the prize of eternal deliverance, everlasting life, saving his precious people, and bringing them to glory. He endured the Cross—by remembering God’s mercy—pleading for God’s rescue—and trusting in God’s timing.
On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was praying to his God. We already saw how Jesus was being mocked by evil men, suffering in body, but he was also suffering spiritual warfare as the devil and his angels were attacking the Redeemer on that Tree. And so fifthly:
(5) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Attacked by Enemies - v. 12-13
(5) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Attacked by Enemies - v. 12-13
Many bulls encompass me;
strong bulls of Bashan surround me;
they open wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
(5) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Attacked by Enemies - v. 12-13
(5) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Attacked by Enemies - v. 12-13
Bashan in the old testament has deeply dark spiritual connotations, and I don’t think it’s without purpose that these enemies are described as roaring lions.
Jesus didn’t only come to save God’s people, he also came to crush God’s enemies—the chiefest of which is that old dragon, Satan, the serpent, the father of lies, the god of this world, the mortal enemy of King Jesus. He came to put Satan under his feet once for all. He came to destroy the works of the evil one. That snake who prowls arounds like a roaring lion—the enemy of the cross—Jesus came to conquer and defeat, bind and chain, and to free his people from slavery to spiritual darkness, demonic oppression, and evil spirits.
The human enemies of Christ were mocking him bodily, but the spiritual enemies of Christ were attacking him in his soul. All powers of hell were unleashed against King Jesus on Calvary’s Cross.
But behold King Jesus, in the midst of indescribable pain, body and soul, slaying our enemies and putting underfoot the master of demons. Oh on that Cross, on Good Friday, the Evil Dragon was defeated! On the Cross Jesus conquered:
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
As the roaring lion charged at King Jesus—the true Lion of the Tribe of Judah put him underfoot, bruised his head, trampled him over, stripped him of his power, humiliated him before all to see, and redeemed God’s people from his spiritual tyranny. The Prince of Peace conquered the prince of darkness. The darkness could not withstand the Sun of Righteousness!
And one day, he will at last throw him into the lake of fire. For now, he can’t stop King Jesus from saving his people, from saving the nations, and advancing his kingdom—which we will see on Resurrection Sunday, as we gaze upon Crown of Christ in the second half of Psalm 22. But for now we notice, that the bullish Bashan and Lion of Satan was subdued by the Son of God! Hallelujah!
On the cross of Christ, Jesus was attacked by his enemies, and won the battle. But he didn’t just slay the dragon, he also won the girl: Sixthly:
(6) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Suffering our Death - v. 14-15
(6) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Suffering our Death - v. 14-15
I am poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint;
my heart is like wax;
it is melted within my breast;
my strength is dried up like a potsherd,
and my tongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
(6) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Suffering our Death - v. 14-15
(6) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Suffering our Death - v. 14-15
Jesus was dying a death that he didn’t deserve—he was dying a death that we deserved. He was suffering in our place. He was bearing our penalty. He was saving our souls. He was atoning for our sins. He was winning his bride.
He was poured out like water, made out of joint, his soul melting like wax, his strength dried up, his tongue stuck to his jaw, and he was lain in the dust of death—under the curse of sin—to redeem his precious bride, the church of Jesus Christ, all those who repent and believe in Him for eternal life.
Acts 20:28 (ESV)
The church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.
Revelation 21:9 (ESV)
“Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.”
On that old rugged Cross, Jesus was dying for his bride, he was suffering for his wife, he was saving her life, cleansing her soul, forgiving her sins, winning her life, washing her clean, loving her freely, delivering her from death, and granting her eternal life.
In Hosea, our Groom and King promised us:
Hosea 13:14 (ESV)
I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol;
I shall redeem them from Death.
O Death, where are your plagues?
O Sheol, where is your sting?
Our beloved Jesus drank the cup of wrath, bore the power of Sheol, suffering the pangs of death, bore the plagues of sin, and was pierced with the sting of hell—in order that we might be saved forevermore—we who trust in Jesus Christ for life!
On the cross of Christ, Jesus suffered our death, and won his bride. And lastly this morning:
(7) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Pierced with Nails - v. 16-18
(7) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Pierced with Nails - v. 16-18
For dogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers encircles me;
they have pierced my hands and feet—
I can count all my bones—
they stare and gloat over me;
they divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
(7) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Pierced with Nails - v. 16-18
(7) On the Cross of Christ, Jesus was Pierced with Nails - v. 16-18
And so it is, a prophecy that could only apply to Jesus Christ, for the Jews didn’t know of Roman Crucifixion hundreds of years before the time of Christ.
The word of the living God, foretold that the Christ would suffer in this way, by having his hands and feet pierced on the Cross, crucified and tortured by men, judged and condemned for us and for our salvation. There he hung, with all his body weight resting upon the nails through his hands and feet, every breath he took experiencing incredible agony with pains sharper than being stabbed by a blade, with pangs of distress and doom.
And why? Why did the nails pierce him?—because of our idolatry, because of our false worship, because of our taking God’s name in vain, because of our profaning of the Lord’s Day, because of our despising of authority, because of our murderous anger, becuase of our sexual immorality, because of our schemes of theft, becuase of our lying tongues, because of our covetous hearts—because of our failure to love God and love our neighbour as ourself—because of our selfish pleasure and human vanity—because of our rebellion against our Creator, Lord, and God.
He hung there because of us—but he also hung there for us. He was pierced because of us—but he was also pierced for us. He gave his life as a ransom for many! His name is Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins! And so he did!
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
What was the last thing he cried out before they divided his garments and took his clothing by lots? What did the Apostle John record for us?
IT IS FINISHED! SALVATION WON! RANSOM PAID! FOR ALL THOSE WHO THE FATHER HAD GIVEN HIM—HE ACCOMPLISHED AN ETERNAL REDEMPTION! IT IS FINISHED!
Have you thrown your faith upon Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Have you repented of your sins, turned from them, and run to the Father for mercy? Have you put your trust in the blood of Jesus to wash you clean and give you peace with God? Has the Cross of Christ become your everlasting salvation? Is your only hope and only boast in Christ and Him Crucified!
Oh bring your sin, your shame, your sorrow, and your suffering to Jesus—see how he died to forgive our sins, bore our shame on the tree, felt our sorrows beyond degree, suffered beyond comparison, and all for you who believe!
There is no other way! There is no other Tree! There is no other Saviour! There is no other way to God! There is no other way to heaven! There is no other way to life! Oh life and death are set before you this day, heaven and hell are before your eyes—oh choose life, come to Jesus, the only Mediator between God and man—the only One who can Save:
Jesus saves, Jesus saves! Is he your Saviour? Have you committed your soul to his precious blood? Is that old rugged cross your only plea!—not your works, not your striving, not your self help, not your therapy, not your efforts—but Christ alone!
Nothing but the blood of Jesus can wash away our sin! Oh run to Jesus, flee from the wrath to come, be saved from God’s judgment, be made a child of God, find peace with the Lord, find redemption, ransom, renewal, salvation, and eternal life.
The God who foretold the Cross of Christ in Psalm 22, and the Son of God who died on that Cross 2000 years ago, is able and willing to save all who come to Him with true faith, and He will pour forth the Holy Spirit upon you and free you from the shackles of sin, death, Satan, and hell. Come to Jesus, and find peace with God. Come to the Cross of Christ, the Saviour of Psalm 22, and be made whole. Amen!
If your going to be at Calvary on Sunday, we will finish the rest of the Psalm as we look at the Crown of Christ on Resurrection Sunday. The Cross is worthless without the Crown—but so too the Crown is worthless without the Cross. The only way to the Crown is through the Cross—the only way to the Kingdom is through that Old Rugged Tree of Calvary.
On that Cross, Jesus was pierced with nails, so that we could be saved from sin. So hear our conclusion for this morning:
(C) Christ was Forsaken on the Cross so we could be Forgiven of our Sins—so Trust in Him for Saving Peace with God.
(C) Christ was Forsaken on the Cross so we could be Forgiven of our Sins—so Trust in Him for Saving Peace with God.
Have you from the heart put your trust in that bloody cross?
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
And can you say with the Apostle Paul:
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Can you sing this morning as we are about to lift our voices together:
“Man of Sorrows!” what a name
For the Son of God, who came
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Oh may the Tree of Calvary be your only hope in life and in death. Praise be to God for Jesus Christ.
(C) Christ was Forsaken on the Cross so we could be Forgiven of our Sins—so Trust in Him for Saving Peace with God.
(C) Christ was Forsaken on the Cross so we could be Forgiven of our Sins—so Trust in Him for Saving Peace with God.
Amen? Amen, let’s pray.
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Connection:
On Good Friday, we began by meditating on trees in Scripture. From the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in Creation, to the tree of Calvary in Redemption, and looking forward to the tree of life in the Consummation. God has woven the story of redemption around trees. But we could also argue that God has woven the story of redemption are rule & kingdom. Adam was made to rule and have dominion over creation, to extend the kingdom of God to the ends of the earth—but he failed and the ground was cursed because of him. But Jesus, the Last Adam, came to restore rule and dominion over creation, by extending the kingdom of grace to the ends of the earth. The King we desperately need, is the King we have in our Risen, Ascended, and Reigning Lord! Kyrios Christos. Christ is Lord! So this morning, on Resurrection Sunday, lets meditate on the Crown Rights of our Risen King.
Theme:
The Crown of Christ
Purpose:
To proclaim the Crown of Jesus Christ as our triumphant King; to show what it means for Jesus to be the risen and reigning Lord; to delight us in the promised Global Victory of the Kingdom of Christ; and to exhort us to praise and serve Him in the great congregation.
Recap:
On Good Friday, at 1st Baptist Church, we looked at the first half of Psalm 22. We gazed upon the Cross of Christ and saw that Jesus was forsaken by the Father, trusting in the Lord, mocked by evil men, praying to his God, attacked by enemies, suffering our death, and pierced with nails. We saw that he went to the cross for us, and for our salvation—for the forgiveness of our sins, and for saving peace with God. It was finished upon that tree. But a dead Saviour can save no one. And so we continue the second half of Psalm 22 this morning, rejoicing with joy unspeakable that He is risen indeed! He rose from the dead as the triumphant Victor, to be the reigning King of kings, and Lord of lords. And so in the great congregation this morning, he is gathered with us to build his church, and advance his kingdom. So let’s look together at the Crown of Christ this morning—the seal that death has been defeated, eternal life has been won, and living hope has been secured!
Turn with me to:
Psalm 22:19-31 ESV
PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY
(1) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came through Deliverance - v. 19-21
(1) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came through Deliverance - v. 19-21
But you, O Lord, do not be far off!
O you my help, come quickly to my aid!
Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of the dog!
Save me from the mouth of the lion!
You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!
(1) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came through Deliverance - v. 19-21
(1) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came through Deliverance - v. 19-21
As Jesus had been praying on the cross, crying out to God in his soul for deliverance, we see here again that he was pleading with God to draw near, to come to his aid, to deliver him from death, to free him from the spiritual pain, to rescue him for the spiritual attack, and to save him from the wrath he was enduring—but such deliverance wouldn’t come until the work was complete, until all the ransomed church of God was paid for in full by his precious blood. And then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit to the Lord. And three days later God answered Christ’s prayers in fullness of salvation. Hear how the Apostle Peter describes this deliverance:
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’
Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
And so He arose! Hallelujah Christ arose! He rose from the dead, the work was complete, the Father fulfilled his promise, the church was redeemed, his seat on the throne was secure, his exaltation as king was declared, and the promised Holy Spirit was poured forth!
Oh what a mighty deliverance indeed! Satan was spoiled, sin was atoned for, death had died, life had won, the bride was redeemed, the world was conquered, peace was accomplished, and all to the praise of God’s glorious grace! Though Christ had to persevere in prayer in the dark hour of the Cross—the Father was faithful to answer him on the third day!
And we’re specifically told that God saved him from death because of his reverent prayers and holy faith:
In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
The King stormed the gates of hell on that tree—and with the fear of God and the love of the church—he set the captives free. With reverent endurance, God set him free, delivered him from the sword, and gave him the light of life once again! The Lion of the Tribe of Judah had conquered—and it was not possible for him to be held by the pangs of death! Eternal life was his reward, and ours in Him! Oh deliverance indeed! And he then ascended into heaven to sit on David’s throne, to rule in his kingdom with all authority in heaven and on earth. He was delivered from death, and he rose to reign with his saints forevermore.
The resurrection crown of Christ came through deliverance! But though he is in heaven now, seated at the right hand of God—he is still with us in worship because of the Holy Spirit. So secondly this morning:
(2) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came in Reverential Worship - v. 22-24
(2) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came in Reverential Worship - v. 22-24
I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
You who fear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of the afflicted,
and he has not hidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he cried to him.
(2) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came in Reverential Worship - v. 22-24
(2) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came in Reverential Worship - v. 22-24
This is one of the most profound passages in the Scripture! The risen Lord Jesus Christ is the true worship leader of God’s people. When we gather together in the midst of the great congregation, he has promised to be with us! He has promised to meet us through His Word and Spirit! He has promised to dwell in our midst, for we are the Body of Christ! And the Scripture says that when we gather together, he is in our midst praising the Father with us! As the Godman, and Mediator, He is leading us in reverential worship to the glory of God the Father! He is leading us in the fear of the Lord! He is calling us to stand in awe of the Father! To trust in His mercies! To hope in His love! To rest in His deliverance! That his face might shine upon us with grace upon grace! Oh blessed King! He leads us on the way! He dwells with us even now! And his presence in the Spirit is the glory cloud that leads us to the promised land!
It’s as if Christ, the Godman, is saying to his church: my brothers and sisters, the Lord has not despised me, he didn’t entirely abandon me … he delivered me, he raised me up from the dead—the Father did not turn his face away from me forever, but he heard my cries and rescued me from the grave! And behold, I am alive forevermore! Hear him speak to us even now:
When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
Do you see him there, seated on the throne, the Lion who has conquered the world, the flesh, and the devil? Do you see him standing there as our King of Glory?
And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Oh how can we not sing with all the saints and angels above, and all the church still on earth below:
saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!”
Oh that we would know the nearness of the Lord Jesus Christ, dwelling in our hearts through faith, filling the temple of God with his presence, and leading us to delight ourselves in the love of our Father—oh that his house would be full of men and women whose chiefest joy is to behold the King in all his beauty! Oh that he would teach us how to truly worship in spirit and truth, as we gather in the great congregation in the fullness of the Holy Spirit—that our worship would be on earth, as it is in heaven! Oh teach us Lord Jesus—to worship the Father in the beauty of holiness.
The resurrection crown of Christ came in reverential worship. But it was also granted to Jesus in order to lavish us with everlasting life:
(3) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came to grant Eternal Life - v. 25-26
(3) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came to grant Eternal Life - v. 25-26
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
May your hearts live forever!
(3) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came to grant Eternal Life - v. 25-26
(3) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came to grant Eternal Life - v. 25-26
Not only does Christ praise the Father in the great congregation, but the Father praises Christ in the great congregation! And the risen Christ fulfills his covenant in our midst—he promises that the afflicted and meek shall eat and be satisfied in the Lord. That those who seek him shall find joy unspeakable and full of glory! That those who seek him and believe with their hearts shall live forever! He lives forevermore, so that we might live forevermore in and through Him!
He is risen from the dead, that we might be satisfied in the Lord our God—in his love, mercy, grace, kindness, compassion, justice, holiness, righteousness, beauty, and glory! Oh you who are weary, you who are weak, you who are burdened, you who are sick, you who are sorrowful, you who are hurting—look unto Jesus, behold your God! Behold your King!
Praise Him with joy and gladness! He is your all in all, His love endures forever, and his mercies know no end! Praise the Lord! For his lovingkindness is better than life! Praise Him! For your hearts shall live forever! He came that we might have life and have it abundantly, that we might have joy and that to the full! Oh hear the promise of the life that is in Jesus Christ and His Church:
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
You who belong to Jesus, will not be abandoned to Sheol, for Christ already defeated the grave. You who belong to Jesus, will not see corruption, for he lives with the power of an indestructible life. You who belong to Jesus will know the path of life, for he has already has entered his glory. You who belong to Jesus will taste fullness of joy, for he has secured eternal pleasures in the presence of God for you, beloved. Therefore we can be glad, and rejoice! Christ is Risen—and Death is a powerless foe. Hallelujah! Your eternal destiny is the City of Life. You who believe, see what Christ is preparing for you even know in the City of God, with the Tree of Eternal Life:
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
The resurrection crown of Christ came to grant eternal life for all who believe. So trust in Him today! But how many will believe through the ages? A small remnant? No—every nation, tribe, and tongue. And is this Kingdom purely future when Jesus returns? No—it will fill the world as He reigns from the Right Hand of God. So fourthly:
(4) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came unto Global Conquest - v. 27-28
(4) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came unto Global Conquest - v. 27-28
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
(4) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came unto Global Conquest - v. 27-28
(4) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came unto Global Conquest - v. 27-28
The Risen Christ is also the Risen King—He is seated as the Lord of lords, the Head of the Church, at the right hand of all power, with all authority, who is riding forth conquering and to conquer, saving sinners by grace, saving the world, judging his enemies, and advancing his rule, dominion, and kingdom in the Globe. Jesus didn’t come to save a bare remnant of Jews or a remnant of Gentiles—he came to save all the ends of the earth, all his elect in all families of the nations, every nation, tribe, and tongue has been redeemed by his precious blood, and will stream to the church and kingdom of Jesus Christ. That means that there is a bright future for the church—that the world will be converted as it is prophesied:
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
The Kingdom belongs to Christ the Lord, and his kingdom will grow to fill the earth, with victory over all his enemies, tearing down the Kingdom of satan, and bringing redemption for all the nations. Just hear and bathe in the promises of the future triumph of Christianity in the latter-days—see the golden thread throughout all the Scriptures, that King Jesus and His Spiritual Kingdom through the Church will conquer, subdue, and fill the earth in the power of the Holy Spirit:
God promises to Abraham:
I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
And again with Isaac God adds:
I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”
And again through Jacob:
The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
And hear the plentiful promises of God about Christ and His Crown through the Church in the Psalms:
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
In your majesty ride out victoriously
for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
Your arrows are sharp
in the heart of the king’s enemies;
the peoples fall under you.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
All the nations you have made shall come
and worship before you, O Lord,
and shall glorify your name.
The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.”
The Lord sends forth from Zion
your mighty scepter.
Rule in the midst of your enemies!
And this is a Rule, a Dominion, and a Kingdom of Grace that gradually grows and increases in the world.
Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
And it’s in this context, of the covenant promises of God to Christ and His Church—that the Lord in his Resurrection Crown, right before his Ascension into Heaven, sends his Church on mission—with the Power of the Spirit to the ends of the earth:
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
And so beloved, take heart, King Jesus is Risen! He is on His throne! And He must reign, until he has put all his enemies under his feet—either through salvation or judgment—and he must ride forth conquering by His Word and Spirit until the mission is complete! The resurrection crown of Christ came for Global Conquest. So lets put our hand to the plow through evangelism and discipleship—unto obedience in all spheres of life! That the Crown Rights of the King would be submitted to in all of life! That the Lordship of Jesus Christ would be bowed to in all the world.
If we believe the promises, and live in valiant faith—seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness—His dominion shall extend to the ends of the earth (Ps. 81:11-16).
And remember, Christ won’t rest satisfied until complete victory! So fifthly:
(5) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came for Ultimate Victory - v. 29-31
(5) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came for Ultimate Victory - v. 29-31
All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not keep himself alive.
Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
(5) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came for Ultimate Victory - v. 29-31
(5) The Resurrection Crown of Christ came for Ultimate Victory - v. 29-31
There is coming a day where the prosperous all the way to the perishing will feast at the Table and Worship the Risen King! At the table will be the young and the old, the rich and the poor, men and women, boys and girls! There is coming a day when Christ will have subdued his enemies! When he will spiritually rule over the nations with a rod of iron, and spiritually rule in the hearts of his people with a rod of grace—as he is sitting on the throne above!
Spurgeon: “As an obedient Son the dying Redeemer rejoiced to know that his Father’s interests would prosper through his pains. He has set up a kingdom of grace, and by the conquering power of the cross that kingdom will grow until all people shall own its sway and proclaim that ‘he is the King among the nations’. Great Shepherd, let thy glorious kingdom come”
There is coming a day in history—when every tongue will confess that He is Lord, to the glory of God the Father—and in that day, in that day of victory, in that day of triumph, in that day of majesty—what will our song be? What will our message be? What will our anthem be?
We will sing, and proclaim to the coming generations, to a people yet unborn, that he has done it! IT IS FINISHED! All the promises of God were yes and amen in Jesus Christ! Not only will the work on the Cross be complete—but the work of the Crown will be complete. Redemption will have not only been accomplished, but applied to every nation, tribe, and tongue!
That means that people groups in China, Korea, Japan, India, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, Indonesia, Australia, North & South America, Greenland and more—they will remember and turn to the Lord to worship Christ the King.
That means that the idols and false religions of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Atheism, Sikhism, Christ-rejecting-Judaism, and more—they will be torn down as the Kingdom of Christ prevails in the earth. Tyrants will fall—and Kings shall kiss the Son of God, all glorious above (Isa. 49:6-7).
That means that we cannot live by sight. We can’t let our hopes be based on how bad the world is TODAY, because Christ has promised that ONE DAY there will be triumph. We don’t live by the Newspaper, we live by the Promises of God which cannot fail.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
This means that through faith—the conquest & kingdom goes on. Onward Christian Soldiers! Marching on to War! With the Cross of Jesus, going on before! Oh let us not be like the folks in the Gospels where it is said of Jesus that he couldn’t do any mighty work in their town because of their unbelief (Mark 6:5). Lord give us mighty faith! the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). Let us look to the promises:
When the fullness of the Gentiles are saved, the fullness of the Jews are saved, and the Lordship of Christ is extolled (Rom. 11)—then spiritual riches will fill the world, as the Kingdom of grace has filled the earth (Matt. 13)—on that day we will only ever be able to say—HE HAS DONE IT! To God alone be the glory, great things he hath done! HE HAS DONE IT!
Because Christ is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). HE HAS DONE IT! We were but his hands and feet. His Word and Spirit did all the work—we just get to be the instruments and servants of so great a salvation. HE HAS DONE IT! He has conquered death, he has vanquished our sin, he has defeated our foes, he has redeemed our souls, he has reconciled us to God, he has renewed a right spirit within us, he has clothed us in righteousness, he is advancing his kingdom, until all things are subjected to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, when God shall be all in all on that last day:
Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
And on that last day, a trumpet will sound, the dead in Christ shall be raised first, unto an imperishable resurrection body—like unto the glorious body of Christ. The last enemy will be defeated. And we shall sign with all the strength we can muster together:
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Resurrection Crown of Christ came for ultimate victory—over the world, the flesh, and the devil—until that day when God is all in all. Oh trust in Him, turn to Him—worship the Risen King.
May the Cross be your salvation—and the Crown your hope. He is alive forevermore! And He saves all who come to Him in faith and repentance. Oh come to our Lord Jesus Christ! Share in His eternal riches of grace through faith—and find living hope in his resurrection crown! Hear now our conclusion for this Resurrection Sunday:
(C) Christ Rose with a Crown so we could be Freed from Death—so serve Him in the Victorious Advancement of His Kingdom.
(C) Christ Rose with a Crown so we could be Freed from Death—so serve Him in the Victorious Advancement of His Kingdom.
Oh we long for that day when the word of prophecy will be fulfilled, when the knowledge of the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 3:14).
Because, from tree to tree, from Adam to Christ, we were lost, and now are saved. And from rule to rule, from Adam to Christ, we were conquered, but now we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!
Mathison: The first section of this psalm was fulfilled to the letter by Christ on the cross. The second section of the psalm will just as certainly be fulfilled by Christ at the right hand of God. As surely as the hands and feet of Christ were pierced, all the families of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord and worship Him!
Oh let us fall at the feet of the Risen Jesus, the Ruler of Kings on earth, and let us sing together:
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
(C) Christ Rose with a Crown so we could be Freed from Death—so serve Him in the Victorious Advancement of His Kingdom.
(C) Christ Rose with a Crown so we could be Freed from Death—so serve Him in the Victorious Advancement of His Kingdom.
Amen? Amen, let’s pray.
Discussion Questions:
(1) What did you learn through Psalm 22 about the Cross & Crown of Christ that you hadn’t realized before?
(2) Where is the Resurrection of Christ found in Psalm 22? Why is this Good News?
(3) What does Jesus do in celebration of his Resurrection in Psalm 22? And how is Jesus present with us in worship?
(4) Where is the Crown of Christ in Psalm 22? And what is the promised victory for the Kingdom of Christ?
(5) How can Psalm 22 help you to strengthen your faith in suffering, and share your faith on mission?
