Getting Ready for Jesus (2)

TEXT: Psalm 2

TOPIC: GETTING READY FOR JESUS

Pastor Bobby Earls, Northgate Baptist Church, Florence, SC

Sunday morning, November 29, 2020

(This sermon was adapted several years ago from Dr. James Merritt, as best as I recall. Dr. Merritt is a prince of an expositor and has been a great resource for me over the years.)

Well Thanksgiving is over and I have to ask, “Are you ready for Christmas?” When our children were younger and still at home each year we would set the Friday after Thanksgiving as the day we would get ready for Christmas. We would take a trip to pick out the perfect Christmas tree then bring it home, decorate it and the house for Christmas. Over the years as we collected more and more Christmas decorations we discovered we needed more and more time to decorate and get ready for Christmas.

Getting ready for Christmas is a happy time, but I think, is also a sad time, because even though people may be getting ready for Christmas, I’m not sure they getting ready for Jesus.

To illustrate this, listen to this parody of the Christmas story found in the gospel of Luke:

And there were in the same country, children keeping watch over their stockings

by the fireplace. And, lo! Santa Claus came upon them; and they were sore afraid. And Santa said unto them: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people who can afford them. For unto you will be given great feasts of turkey, dressing, and cake; and many presents; and this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the presents, wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a tree adorned with tinsel, colored balls and lights. And suddenly, there will be with you a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, 'Thank you so much, it was just what I wanted.' And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone away into their own homes, the parents shall say to one another, 'Look at this mess to clean up! I'm tired, let's go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank good-ness, Christmas only comes once a year!' And they go with haste to their cold bed and find their desired rest."[1]

For most people that pretty much summarizes the beginning and ending of Christmas. Against that backdrop I do not know of a more appropriate passage in the Bible than Psalm 2. Because we see here at one and the same time, a hate of the world for God, and the hope for the world from God.

In vv. 1-3 we see a clear picture of this world and its attitude toward God today, and you can sum it all up in one word--rebellion.

First, there is planned rebellion. Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?" (v.1) The word rage literally means to "be assembled in a mob." The word plot is the same word used for meditate in Psalm 1. So here is a world pictured as one mob united in one cause: thinking up ways they can get rid of God.

Public schools can no longer sing Christmas carols if they mention Jesus. City Halls no longer can post The Ten Commandments in a hallway. United States postal workers can no longer say "Merry Christmas." They can only say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings." Because to say Merry Christmas might favor Christianity over some other religion. You may not like it, but this is the spirit of the world in which we live today.

It is also a political rebellion. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed. (v.2) This is a resolution “of the United Nations" voteing unanimously and without abstention or veto. The word set literally means "to take a stand." Today we would say, "dig in your heels." In other words, the principalities and powers of this world take a fixed position against God.

It is also a popular rebellion. It is not just the kings and the rulers, but we are told it is also the "nations and the peoples."

But notice also it is a pointed rebellion. Who are they rebelling against? Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us." (vv 2b-3) The word Anointed is the Hebrew word for Messiah. This is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.

You see, throughout history, the world has rejected three things: Israel as the people of God, the Bible as the Word of God, and Jesus as the Son of God.

Now what is God's response to all of this? Well, actually the entire Trinity has a response. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit weigh in on the matter here in Psalm 2. Each person in the Godhead has basically one message: "Get ready for Jesus!" Listen carefully to these three voices:

I. THE CONFRONTING VOICE OF GOD THE SOVEREIGN

Contrast the scene on earth and the situation in heaven. On earth you have pandemonium; in heaven you have peace. And how does God the Sovereign respond to these threats?

A. Derision, v. 4

He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision, v.4

When the world united against God's Son at His first coming, heaven wept. But when the world unites against God's Son at His second coming, heaven laughs. This is the only place in the Bible where we read that God laughs. But this is not the laugh of delight. This is the laugh of disdain.

Now why does God laugh? What does He find so amusing and so funny?

Psalm 37:12- 13 gives the answer:

The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.

I am reminded of the story of the two boys who were talking, and one boy said to the other one, "My father has a list of fifty men in this neighborhood he can whip, and your dad is first on the list." Well, the little boy went home and told his daddy about it, and this dad exploded in anger.

He got into his car, drove up to his neighbor's house, pounded on the door. When the man answered the door, he said, "Your son told my son that you have a list of fifty men in this neighborhood you can whip, and my name's first on the list. Is that right?" The man said, "Yes, it is."

The man got right in his face and said, "Well, I don't think you can whip me. Now what are you are going to do about it?" The man said, "I'm going to take your name off the list."

This world has a list of things they think they can whip, and God is at the top of the list. They refuse to take God's name off the list, but God is going to do it for them.

Do you know what God thinks of all of these united nations? Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the balance; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing. (Isaiah 40:15)

B. Displeasure v.5

Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.

The smile is replaced by a scowl. Amusement turns into anger. The word distress is really rather weak. Because the word literally means "fiery anger."

This is referring to the great tribulation. There is a beautiful verse in the Scripture that says, eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, what God has prepared for those who love

Him. Well, I want to tell you, that eye has not seen, and ear has not heard what God has prepared for those who do not love Him.

C. Determination v.6

Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. No wonder God laughs! The word Zion in the Bible refers to the City of Jerusalem. God really does have a sense of humor. Think about it. The same place where Jesus was crucified is the same place where He is going to be crowned. Right now he is seated at the Father's right hand. But one day He will sit on David's throne to rule the entire universe.

Notice this is in the past tense. God says, I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. This is the voice of determination. As far as God is concerned, it's a done-deal.

Even though it hasn't yet happened, it is going to happen, and therefore, in a real sense, it has happened.

I read about an agent with the IRS who came to a church one time to see a pastor. He said, "Pastor, one of your church members has reported on his income tax return that he contributed one million dollars to your church." He said, "Can you verify that he has?" The pastor replied, "I can verify he will."

II. THE CONFIDENT VOICE OF GOD THE SON

God the Son says that man's devices cannot change God's decrees. God the Son, knowing that God the Father has decreed and declared the end from the beginning, speaks with confidence about three things:

A. His Exalted Position

I will declare the decree; the Lord has said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten You. v.7 Now when did God the Father say this to God the Son? Well, I know you are probably thinking it was at His birth, but it was not. In fact, the New Testament sheds light on this statement, and it tells us when and how God the Father said this to God the Son, and what it reveals about the Lord Jesus is literally breathtaking. This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament.

In Acts 13:33, this statement refers to His physical resurrection: God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’

In Hebrews 5:5, this statement refers to His priestly rule: So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: 'You are my Son, Today I have begotten You.'

In Hebrews 1:5, this statement refers to His powerful reign: For to which of the angels did He ever say: 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You'? And again: 'I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to Me a Son'?

Now in the first reference we see Jesus as prophet, because He prophesied His resurrection. In the second reference we see Jesus as Priest, and in the third reference we see Jesus as King.

In other words, we see in these references, His past, His present, and His future. In the past He came as a prophet; in the present He continues as a Priest; in the future He's coming as a King. Now buckle your pew belts and hang on to this thought:

In the Old Testament there were prophets who were also priests, like Jeremiah. There were kings who were also prophets, like David. There was, in one instance, a priest who was also a king. His name was Melchizedek. But in all of the Bible there is only one who was Prophet, Priest, and King, and his name is Jesus. That is his exalted position.

B. His Expected Possession

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. v.8

Every now and then I hear someone say, "What is this world coming to?" I can tell you, it's coming to Jesus. When He comes, he's not coming to take sides, He's coming to take over. He's not coming this time as just another tenant, He's coming as the rightful landlord that He is. He's not coming this time as just a laborer in the vineyard, He's coming as the owner of the plantation!

C. His Exhibited Power

You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. v.9 This world, in one final battle, is going to array all of its military might, manpower, and missiles against the Lord Jesus Christ. But those kingdoms are going to crumble like a clay pot struck by an iron rod. When He came the first time He came as the Lamb of God. But when He comes the second time He's coming as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, to take His rightful place on the throne as King of this universe, and nothing, or no one, not principalities, not powers, not even the devil himself, can keep this from happening.

III. THE CONFIRMING VOICE OF GOD THE SPIRIT

I believe you hear in verse 10, the voice of God's dear Holy Spirit: Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. You see, the Holy Spirit is called in Isaiah 11:2, "the Spirit of wisdom." In this verse, he gives one of his favorite messages.

In effect, what the Holy Spirit says is this: "Wise up, Jesus is the King of King; the King is coming, therefore you had better get ready for Jesus."

The Holy Spirit graciously, compassionately, lovingly, reveals to us those things that are necessary to be right with God, and to be ready for His dear Son.

A. Fear Of The Lord

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. v.11 The spirit of wisdom tells us that the beginning of wisdom is fear. Psalm 111:10 says, The fear of the Lord is

the beginning of wisdom." I have a message today for the pleasure- hungry people in Hollywood; the prosperity-hungry people on Wall Street; and the power-hungry people in

Washington. You had better wise up and fear the Lord.

B. Fellowship With The Lord

Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. v.12 That is one of the sweetest invitations in all the Bible, "Kiss the Son." In days of antiquity, there was a practice of paying homage to the king by kissing his hand, and even kissing his feet. When you did that, you were simply telling the king of your love, your submission, your obedience, and your total commitment to him. I would invite you this very moment, all over again, to kiss the feet of the dear Lord Jesus in surrender and submission.

C. Faith In The Lord

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. v.12b

The only way you can be ready for Jesus is to put your trust in Him. This world may scorn Jesus, scoff at Jesus, refuse, rebuff, and reject Jesus. But one thing you can count on, this world has not seen the last of Jesus.

If you have ever been to a symphony to hear an orchestra, it's quite an event. If you go to a symphony early, the musicians will begin to drift out from the stage sides. They'll be in shirt sleeves for the most part. Each man or woman will go up to his instrument and begin to tune it. Quite frankly, it sounds pretty pitiful

The folk with the fiddles too big to put under their chins, will saw back and forth, and it sounds horrible. Then those with the little violins, they'll put them under their chins and squeak the thing up and down, and it sounds like nails scratching a blackboard. Then you've got those that I call the ones with a lot of brass; the ones with the horns. They'll come out and blow on those things and nothing will be in harmony. It's just a bunch of confusion.

But then they will disappear out through the wings, and all of a sudden the lights come on, the platform lights ignite, the musicians walk out. This time they have on their coats, their ties, their dresses. Each one comes out and sits at his particular instrument. There's a hush in the auditorium, a spotlight is focused on the wings, and the conductor steps out.

When he does, there is thunderous applause. Usually he bows, then he comes to the podium, picks up a thin little stick. He turns around again to the audience and bows, turns his back to the audience; he lifts that little stick and he brings that little stick down, and when he does, you will feel the goose pimples begin to march like an army up your arms. Because you have never heard such music, such harmony, such melody, in all of your life.

We are living in a world today where every man is tooting his own horn. Every group wants to be heard. Everybody wants to tell you what he thinks. Everybody is playing his own little fiddle, and it is a medley of discord. Everything is out of tune.

But one of these days the spotlight is going to come on. The mighty conductor, the Lord Jesus, is going to come. He's going to lift his scepter and everything that is out of tune with Him is going to be removed; and when He comes down with that scepter, oh the harmony that is going to be in this universe. I am so grateful that my life is in tune with Him, that He is my Savior and Lord. I'm ready for Jesus. I hope you are too.