Third Sunday of Easter
Notes
Transcript
The Importance of the Psalms
The Importance of the Psalms
In Acts chapter 3 Peter and John are in the temple of Jerusalem and they come across a man who has been lame from birth and is asking for alms, that is begging for change.
Then this is recorded,
But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
The Psalms as a pattern for living
The Psalms as a pattern for living
Acts 3:11-21 give an account of how we can live and offer truth and hope when under trial. This is done by drawing upon the wisdom and experience of the Psalms. 3000 years of wisdom!
If you look at Peter’s speech it is informed and patterned after Ps 4. This is the role of the psalms in our lives. They give us a pattern and way of speaking about God to both God and Man.
While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s. And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Did you notice that Peter does not appeal to His own righteousness- neither does the Psalmist:
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
leave psalm up
There is no quid pro quo- no exchange of goods here. God alone is righteous so the Psalmist, King David in this case, and Peter both appeal to God in His righteousness. They both expect God to act in accordance with His good character.
We too do not appeal to God because we present him with a good work we did. To think that we can change God’s character based upon our actions is at best uninformed and at its worst, manipulative.
The Psalmist ends v. 1 by making us think we will now enter into a prayer. However- we see something different. The psalm turns to a complaint against fellow humans in v. 2-3.
O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
This Psalm gives voice to the experience of David, Peter and all who call themselves followers of Christ.
Further, the words ‘How Long’ can be voiced on their own - like the idiom - ‘REALLY!?!’ Really? You try to shame me? Really! You love vain words and lies.
See how Peter emulates this pattern of talking with men, echoing the harsh reality they preserve:
But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.
Do you hear the complaint? Look at the lie that has been perpetrated!
Christians are people who call the world back to reality.
From Accusation to Advice
From Accusation to Advice
Peter then moves from accusation to advice, just as the psalmist does. In v. 16
And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
He is advising them to follow a different path.
Look at the close of v.3
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.
David advises his hearers and his own heart to follow the Lord.
The Lord hears us when we call to Him! Peter trusted in that! David trusted that. You and I should have this same trust!
ps 4:3b the psalmist breaks out of His imminent frame.
How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor Immanent Frame
Immanent frame A constructed social space that frames our lives entirely within a natural (rather than supernatural) order. It is the circumscribed space of the modern social imaginary that precludes transcendence.
The immanent frame of our world is how we account for what possibilities exist. If there is no transcendence then there is no God nor plan.
The paralytic cannot live in his poorly defined world and have hope. We cannot be enclosed by a perception the precludes the availability and goodness of God.
Acts 3:17 tells us that that the men of Jerusalem didn’t believe God could rise....
It wasn’t a viable part of their frame.
Peter shatters their self image!
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.
The resurrection of Jesus imbues us with hope, with an option that Good news is on the loose- we may be refreshed.
In verse 4 and 5 David offers the correct way for all who killed Jesus to act.
Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
The word for anger here could also be translated- tremble.
Have you ever had to speak up in a high pressure situation? What did you notice? Trembling hands a quiver in your throat.
This Psalm applies to every situation of pressure. Not just anger. This Psalm calls us to trust that God may offer a solution that is something more than what we can conjure up.
That is what a life of repentance looks like. It is a life of trust.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
Jesus is the ultimate and final living sacrifice that we trust. We too must become living sacrifices and yield our views of what is ‘Good’ to the author of life.
What is good?
What is good?
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
See, we have been told and believed a lie. That the good life is a life of wine and rich food. King David - one of the wealthiest kings of Israel knew this.
Dr. Tim Saleska has this profound statement:
Psalms 1–50 Reading the Psalm, Part 1
For the many, the source of their joy is material prosperity. Wealth provides the joy that the many seek. That is why it is so easy to worship the gift rather than the Giver. But here, the speaker claims that Yhwh has given him joy independent of material possessions and a joy deeper than what these provide. The speaker separates joy from material prosperity.
Peter closes his speech in this same way. It falls outside of our pericope- our reading for today but it needs to be said:
God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
God has raised up both the lame man and Jesus. On the last day He will raise you and I up.
This is how the Psalm ends:
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
We lie in safety- we lie in our beds knowing that death, grief and loss will not be our final state but that we, like Christ, like the lame man, will rise again at the name of Jesus.
This is unwavering hope.
Amen.