The Privilege Of Worshiping Together
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
WHEN the American hostages came home from Iran on January 20, 1981, the first thing they did when they got off the plane was kiss the ground. No matter what star or achievement they had earned in the armed services, when they hit the ground from Iran, they bowed down. Home sweet home. Putting their clean lips on that dirty tarp, they kissed it. They went down. Because they knew where they had been and they knew where they were now.
Transition to Body- Perspective of the Psalmist in Psalm 122
Transition to Body- Perspective of the Psalmist in Psalm 122
Definition of song of ascent
Any one of 15 psalms in the series Ps 120 to 134 sung by Hebrew pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem or possibly while ascending Mount Zion or the steps of the Temple.
Psalm of Ascent, Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps, songs for going up to worship or Pilgrim Songs.
First 3 Songs of Ascent: (Psalm 120-134)- desire for divine protection & refuge in the midst of a hostile world
Psalm 120- psalmist lamenting his status as a sojourner far from home among the nations
Psalm 121- prayer of a person en route to Jerusalem and in need of Yahweh’s protective care
Psalm 122- joyous celebration of the one that has arrived in Jerusalem
And they did not have a physical brick building at the time.
The House of God was a tent during the time of David- The Tabernacle/Tent
Body: Privilege to worship together- the House of the LORD is a:
Body: Privilege to worship together- the House of the LORD is a:
House Of Joy (vv1-2)
House Of Joy (vv1-2)
1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Joy at being in the presence of the LORD God
Joy at being in the presence of the LORD God
Psalm 122 (Psalms (Int. Comm.)): The anticipation of a spatial and liturgical nearness to the Presence of God makes pilgrimage a way of joy from its very beginning (84:5–7).
Psalm 122:1–2 (TOTC Ps): The psalmist remembers the original decision to make the journey to Jerusalem. The idea did not originate with him, but he joined in with a group of pilgrims to go to the city that hosts the house of the Lord, a phrase which refers to the sanctuary.
Joy in anticipation
Joy at arrival
Joy in remaining
Joy of fellowship
3 As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.
Joy of presence of the LORD
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy of loving one another
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Joy of repentance
10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
House of Praise (City on a Hill) (vv3-5)
House of Praise (City on a Hill) (vv3-5)
3 Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together, 4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
Why Jerusalem is the real symbol of the presence of God in a hostile world?
Why Jerusalem is the real symbol of the presence of God in a hostile world?
Jerusalem built as a city- refuge
Bound firmly together- Sense of unity the pilgrim expects to find in Jerusalem
David was the first king to unify the Kingdom and last until Jesus comes
David is from the tribe of Judah which means “praise”
Jerusalem as a unifying place
Psalm 122:3–5 (TOTC Ps): The Hebrew word translated closely compacted comes from a root (ḥbr) that refers to an alliance or an association. While the word can have negative connotations (Prov. 28:24; Isa. 1:23), here the context suggests a positive association, a finely honed and functioning city.
Unity
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Praise- for Old Jerusalem and New Jerusalem
1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, who stand by night in the house of the Lord! 2 Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!
Justice
8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Thrones of judgement- decisions that to peace for the land- defenseless are protected, the oppressor crushed, and the whole land experiences shalom.
Thrones of the house of David (the King after God’s own heart)
14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The peace of the community depended on the establishment of justice. Pilgrimage is a journey in search of justice.
The peace of the community depended on the establishment of justice. Pilgrimage is a journey in search of justice.
House of Peace (vv6-9)
House of Peace (vv6-9)
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! 7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” 8 For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.
(what Jerusalem ought to be and/or what for Jerusalem (ideal) ought become reality)- peace becomes a reality through prayer
Alluding to the result of Psalm 122:3- tightly knitted city
Peace Involves
Peace Involves
This peace involves those who love Jerusalem (v. 6) enough to make the pilgrimage to seek their peace and its peace (see the comment on Psalm 120:5–7)
It involves the protected space within the walls of the city (v. 7) where security is afforded (see 125; 126; 129).
It involves sisters and brothers, neighbors and friends (v. 8) who come to Jerusalem to find a harmonious unity they have lost in their ordinary life (Psalm 133).
V9.- Now the Psalmist does his or her part!
It involves the very house of the Lord, for unless Jerusalem knows peace, the place of the Presence is set in an environment that ignores and denies the purpose of the Lord
Transition to Close
Transition to Close
Psalm 122:9- For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם shalom; also spelled as sholom, sholem, sholoim, shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.
ALFRED Nobel, a Swedish physicist, created dynamite. His intentions were awesome when he created dynamite. He wanted to create an explosive that could move rock to build roads and get things out of the way to build buildings. He wanted to create a force that was powerful and that would make life better. The problem is that people took his creation and used it for destructive purposes—to kill people and to make war. So depressed was Mr. Nobel that his good invention was being used in a wrong, destructive way, he took nine million dollars, put it in an account, and began to award people for promoting peace. We call it the Nobel Peace Prize. What motivated him was the fact that what he intended for good was being used for wrong. He wanted to award those who were doing what his intentions were. When these people get the award, they become internationally known as Nobel Peace Prize winners. They are called by that name because they make peace instead of making war. God is looking for some Nobel Peace Prize winners—some folks He can bless and award because instead of making war, they’re making peace using His method that includes the blood of Christ.
13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
““Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:9 ESV
Close: The day God made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to seek her good
Close: The day God made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem to seek her good
Note they are not marveling at the buildings
1 Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. 2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
The reality of the church is not just physical it is spiritual
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 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.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 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.