Zion; City of God

Service Notes:

Time to explain the Missions Conference

Ask Kyle to introduce main speaker

Psalm 87 (AV)

A Psalm or Song for the sons of Korah.

1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

Introduction

This chapter has two of my kids names in it; Selah and Zion.

“one of the most problematic in the whole Psalter” every Thursday

Psalm 87 is an interesting little psalm that picks up on the imagery of Psalm 86:9 and the inclusion of the nations into the worshiping community of God’s people.

Psalm 86:9 (AV)

9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

The nations normally thought of as being Israel’s enemies are described as having been born in Zion, thus including them in the community of faith.

The psalm is therefore proclaiming that the city of God is glorious and joyful because it is the center of worship for the redeemed of all nations.

City of God

What is Zion?

The word Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible.

It essentially means “fortification” and has the idea of being “raised up” as a “monument.”

Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God. As the Bible progresses, the word Zion expands in scope and takes on an additional, spiritual meaning.

2 Samuel 5:6–7 (AV)

6 And the king and his men went to Jerusalem unto the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land: which spake unto David, saying, Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking, David cannot come in hither. 7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

David promised his men that whoever could discover a means of access to the city would be promoted to commander-in-chief.

1 Chronicles 11:6 (AV)

6 And David said, Whosoever smiteth the Jebusites first shall be chief and captain. So Joab the son of Zeruiah went first up, and was chief.

The account in 1 Chronicles relates that Joab was able to do so, apparently by passing through the water tunnel which connected Jerusalem’s water supply to its interior reservoirs.

2 Samuel 5:8 (AV)

8 And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind, that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.

When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the meaning of Zion expanded further to include the temple area.

Psalm 2:6 (AV)

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

Psalm 48:2 (AV)

2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

Psalm 48:11–12 (AV)

11 Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of thy judgments. 12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.

This is the meaning found in the prophecy of Jeremiah 31

Jeremiah 31:6

6 For there shall be a day, that the watchmen upon the mount Ephraim shall cry, Arise ye, and let us go up to Zion unto the LORD our God.

In the Old Testament Zion is used as a name for the city of Jerusalem (Isaiah 40:9), the land of Judah (Jeremiah 31:12), and the nation of Israel as a whole (Zechariah 9:13).

The word Zion is also used in a theological or spiritual sense in Scripture.

Hymn: Marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion, Glorious Things of these are spoken

In the Old Testament Zion refers figuratively to Israel as the people of God (Isaiah 60:14).

In the New Testament, Zion refers to God’s spiritual kingdom.

Hebrews 12:22 (AV)

22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion:

1 Peter 2:6

6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Mount Zion as a geographical area is currently the center of much dispute. The Bible is clear that, one day, Zion will be the sole possession of the Lord Jesus, and Zion—the nation and the city—will be restored.

Zion is the place on earth where God has chosen to makes his presence

Psalm 9:11 (AV)

11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.

His foundation

Psalm 87:1 AV

1 His foundation is in the holy mountains.

God’s foundation is in Jerusalem, the center of His redemptive work. Since God’s work happens in time and space, it had to happen somewhere, and God chose Jerusalem as the place where much of it happened.

· There Melchezidek, king and priest of God Most High, reigned and served.

· There Abraham was willing to offer Isaac on the mount of the Lord where His perfect sacrifice would be provided.

· There David, Israel’s greatest earthly king, reigned and made it the kingdom’s capital.

· There the tabernacle of God found its fulfillment and permanence in the great temple David designed and Solomon built.

· There the institutions of sacrifice, worship, and priestly service were established for centuries.

· There Jesus recognized and honored the city and observed the feasts and temple rituals.

· There Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.

· There the church was born in a day at Pentecost.

· There the apostles served and sent out the Gospel.

· There God will establish the physical, geographic center of His ultimate kingdom upon earth

Isaiah 11:10 (AV)

10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Ever been at at place in life where you could not go anywhere to find rest? There is coming a day where this will be a place of rest upon this earth.

God loves the gates

Psalm 87:2 (AV)

2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

This was the place of God’s choosing and affection—which is what made the place special.

Let it be said us as well. We love what our Lord loves. Let’s talk more about Zion! Let’s think more about it than our next vacation. Let’s lay up stuff in store for that place not just this current world that will one day burn up.

Glorious things are spoken of thee

Psalm 87:3 (AV)

3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.

The psalmist praised Jerusalem by noting what others said about the city. Many spoke glorious things about the city.

· Glorious faith was exercised in Jerusalem.

· Glorious things happened in Jerusalem.

· Glorious things were taught in Jerusalem.

· Glorious worship was offered in Jerusalem.

· Glorious atonement was made in Jerusalem.

· Glorious anointing was poured out in Jerusalem.

· God’s glorious presence was evident in Jerusalem.

· A glorious future awaits Jerusalem.

The Bible teaches that there is coming a day when the Lord will rule over the nations from his seat in Zion.

Psalm 2:6 (AV)

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

A City of Nations

You will not believe who will be there

Psalm 87:4 (AV)

4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.

God now numbers the two great superpowers that held his people in exile (Egypt prior to the exodus and Babylon following the fall of Jerusalem) as part of his city.

Romans 5:8 (AV)

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Once your enemy now seated at your table.

Citizenship

If a city is regarded as great or important, people enjoy identifying with that city.

You always know when someone is from Michigan. Hand.

When we appreciate the high regard God has for Zion, the city of Jerusalem, we see the value in being regarded as her citizen, the city established by the Most High Himself.

Carsen adoption we could choose what city he was born.

In Jesus Christ, every believer can have the privilege of registration in Zion, of being a citizen of the heavenly City of God.

This does not eliminate the special regard God has for the literal land of Israel and Jerusalem and the Jewish people.

Ephesians 2:12 (AV)

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Citizenship by birth

Psalm 87:6 (AV)

6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.

“Foreign nations are here described not as captives or tributaries, not even as doing voluntary homage to the greatness and glory of Zion, but as actually incorporated and enrolled, by a new birth, among her sons.” - Spurgeon

Members together

Also we are not saved by a crowd or a congregation, but we most assuredly are saved to a crowd and a congregation.

Ephesians 1:5 (AV)

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not only adopted into the family of God; they are born into the family.

We are placed into the position of Sons.

The City of Joy

Psalm 87:7 (AV)

7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.

There will be music.

Singers and instruments from all nations.

Tinsley on the Bassoon, Indian man on a sitar, cousin on a jug, maybe Ill grab wooden peruvian flute

What is substance of their songs? All my springs are in thee

Springs

The springs refer to the spontaneously flowing sources of water and to the life.

James 1:17 (AV)

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

This is a place too long for because we long for His presence.

Psalm 20:2 (AV)

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; How we are to respond—with joy—loving what God loves.

Let’s sing together as we long for Zion.

Isaiah describes it this way in his brief hymn in chapter 12:

What a great way to see ourselves.

Isaiah 12:3–6 (AV)

3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. 5 Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth. 6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.

Closing Prayer

Hebrews 13:14 (AV)

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.