Why Do the Heathen Rage?
Notes
Transcript
Winter Weather Storm Watch in affect, for our area, beginning 7 AM on Saturday morning and going through 1 PM on Monday afternoon.
“Total snow and sleet accumulations between 1 and 6 inches and ice accumulations between four tenths and one inch possible.”
Based on this forecast, there is a good probability that we will not have services this coming Sunday. But, we will communicate with our church family.
Lookout for one another leading up to and through this winter storm.
Text: Psalm 2
Before we get to Psalm 2 this evening…
Question: How should we respond to a nationally recognized sports star when they “give thanks” or “give all the glory” to God?
Completely dismiss them?
Fully endorse them?
Cautiously investigate? Be cautiously optimistic?
Fernando Mendoza - 2026 Heisman trophy winner and quarterback for 2026 college football champions, the Indiana Hoosiers
Fernando Mendoza - 2026 Heisman trophy winner and quarterback for 2026 college football champions, the Indiana Hoosiers
An article, which I read on Tuesday morning, said…
Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza had God in his heart and faith on his mind as he helped the team to its first college football national championship on Monday night.
Through it all, he gave "glory to God" in his postgame interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
How should we respond to that?
I have heard many athletes through the years who have given “all glory to God” during post game interviews.
I have seen, at different times, athletes gather together with one another for prayer before or after a ball game.
How should we respond to that?
Many times I’ve had individuals, in commenting about these types of situations say something like this, “Isn’t that great?!?!?”
Well, in the case of Fernando Mendoza, his interview filled in some of the blanks to help us know how to respond.
The article stated:
Mendoza had the outstanding performance in front of two pastors from the campus of Indiana University. Father Patrick Hyde and Father Ben Keller of Saint Paul Church were among the thousands of Hoosiers fans in attendance.
Saint Paul Church is a Catholic parish located on the campus of Indiana University.
Mendoza was quoted as saying:
"The only reason I’ve gotten to this point is because there’s so many different people helping me in my journey, and [the Saint Paul priests] have been one,"
"They’ve done so much to help me, whether it’s confession or just to be able to talk or just Mass every Sunday. So I really give a lot that I have accomplished this season to the Lord, and we give thanks to God."
Note: Catholics
While this is not a popular response, from these quotes, I would have to call into question Fernando Mendoza’s “faith” and ask, “What is his ‘faith’ in?”
But without being able to personally speak with Fernando Mendoza, it is impossible for me to render an opinion as to his “faith.”
It does concern me, though, that when individuals do this, without being completely clear in regards to Biblical truth, they are “muddying” the theological waters and giving support to the false belief that it doesn’t really matter what you believe just so long as you are “sincere” in that belief.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
This also highlights why we must be crystal clear on Biblical truth and the Biblical way of salvation. If we are not it is too easy to be deceived and led off the right path.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Blessed
Blessed
Turn to and read Psalm 2:1-3.
Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing?
Rage:
Violent anger accompanied with furious words, gestures or agitation; anger excited to fury
Fury; extreme violence
Restless
Uneasy; unquiet; not satisfied to be at rest or in peace
Uneasy; turbulent
Unsettled; disposed to wander or to change place or condition
I believe that all of those words describe the condition in which we find our world today; especially as we look at the events taking place in Minneapolis.
Minneapolis 1
Minneapolis 1
Minneapolis 2
Minneapolis 2
God’s Word can help us make sense of what is going on…
There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked.
But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.
The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.
The “kings of the earth” oppose God; the world hates Jesus Christ!
Minneapolis 3
Minneapolis 3
A riot broke out in a church in St. Paul on Sunday.
Don Lemon, a “journalist,” labeled the church goers as “entitled” and blamed them for “white supremacy.”
In an interview, Don Lemon stated:
I think people who are in religious groups like that — it’s not the type of Christianity that I practice — but I think they’re entitled, and that entitlement comes from white supremacy.
About these first three verses, Charles Spurgeon wrote:
The Treasury of David, Volume 1: Psalms 1–26 Exposition
We have, in these first three verses, a description of the hatred of human nature against the Christ of God.
The Treasury of David, Volume 1: Psalms 1–26 Exposition
Where there is much rage there is generally some folly, and in this case there is an excess of it.
I believe that we can accurately say that what is happening in Minneapolis of late can be considered to be folly and foolishness.
Turn to and read Psalm 2:4-9.
I wish we had the time to really look at this Psalm. I would encourage you to dig into this Psalm. It is a Messianic Psalm.
It has its ultimate fulfillment in the Revelation.
But, after seeing pictures of what is happening in Minneapolis, I can’t even imagine what things are going to look like/be like during the Tribulation period!!!
But, look at verse 4…
He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: The Lord shall have them in derision.
Have you ever watched a little child or a teenager throw a fit or a tantrum because they didn’t get what they wanted and you just laughed because you realized just how ridiculous they were being?!?!?
I can only imagine that is what God is doing as He looks down upon and views the wicked in our world today!
The Lord shall laugh at him: For he seeth that his day is coming.
Turn to and read Psalm 2:10-12
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: Be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, And rejoice with trembling.
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, And ye perish from the way, When his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
How should we respond/How should we seek to live during these perilous times?
Be wise (vs. 10)
Be wise (vs. 10)
Wisdom is the
accumulation
assimilation
application
of Biblical truth
Continue serving the Lord (vs. 11)
Continue serving the Lord (vs. 11)
There is still a great work to do for the Lord Jesus Christ.
We must continue to work and serve Him until the day that He calls us home!
Continue to rejoice in the Lord (vs. 11)
Continue to rejoice in the Lord (vs. 11)
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Continue to worship the Lord. (vs. 12)
Continue to worship the Lord. (vs. 12)
Worship relates to “worth” ship. Just how much do we value the Lord Jesus Christ?
We must continue to live our lives in a way which visibly demonstrates to the world just how much we value Jesus Christ!
Continue to trust the Lord. (vs. 12)
Continue to trust the Lord. (vs. 12)
While it very well seems as though the world is “out of control” we must continually hold to the truth that God is sovereign; He is omnipotent.
Nothing is ever out of His control.
In the end, Jesus Christ will restore peace and order to our universe.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.
…Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
