Who is This King of Glory?

Psalm 24, Colossians 1, Revelation 3:20

Who has the right of access?

Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark.

WW2 Nazi’s are seeking the Ark. Why?

Because there is mythical power related to the Ark. In the Bible the when the Israelites follow the Ark they win miraculous victories!

ANYONE NEED A MIRACULOUS VICTORY TODAY?

The Nazi’s make the same mistake as many in the Bible made… They thought the MIRACULOUS VICTORY associated with the Ark, had something to the with the Ark.

Thus in mishandling it, claiming it’s power for there own, melts their faces off.

The Ark of the Covenant represents the presence (the nearness) of God.

Who is this God then?

Psalm 24:1–2 ESV

The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.

Let’s get an understanding of who’s presence we are in.

The God who founded this world

Brought forth life out of chaos.

The God who gives us a firm place to stand.

Provides all that we need.

WHO WOULDN’T WANT TO POSSESS THAT KIND OF POWER!

Think what you could do if you possessed that kind of power and authority.

But Scripture reminds;

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR, THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY GOD WILL MELT YOUR FACE OFF WITHOUT RELATIONAL ACCESS.

Psalm 24:3 ESV

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place?

Who can enter HOLY SPACE, the PRESENCE OF GOD?

CLEAN HANDS, PURE HEARTS, CAN’T LOSE!

Psalm 24:4 ESV

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

WHO CAN APPROACH THE PRESENCE OF GOD? WHO CAN STAND AND NOT HAVE THEIR FACE MELTED OFF?

Clean hands: My actions are clean.

Pure Heart: My Intentions are pure.

Faultlessly loyal to God:

Not Deceitful: I don’t hold double standards!!!

THAT’S NOT ME! THAT’S NOT YOU.

THIS IS OVERWHELMING STUFF… REMIND ME AGAIN, IF IT CAN MELT MY FACE OFF… IF, I CAN’T LIVE UP TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF GOD’S PRESENCE (CLEAN HANDS, PURE HEART), WHY WOULD I EVEN TRY?

Psalm 24:5–6 ESV

He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

WANT GOD MORE THAN GOD’S BLESSINGS.

GOD PROVIDES THE RIGHTNESS, THE SALVATION I NEED, WHEN I WANT HIM MORE THAN HIS STUFF.

Many of us are NAZI’s, like in Indiana Jones. We want to build an Empire. An Empire that looks like us! Where we harness the power of God for our own desires.

WE WANT THE BLESS OF GOD MORE THAN GOD!

SELAH! WHAT’S THAT? STOP…. DON’T JUST BARREL ON. REFLECT ON THIS…

WHAT’S YOU POSTURE WHEN YOU REFLECT ON THIS?

Humbled.

Brought Low.

Discouraged.

Convicted.

IN HUMILITY, FIX YOUR ATTENTION ON JESUS. GOD’S PRESENCE COME TO US. GOD’S PROVISION FOR US.

WHO IS THIS KING OF GLORY?

Psalm 24:7–10 ESV

Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah

APPLICATION:

INVITE THE KING OF GLORY IN.

TAKE THE PRESENCE AND PROVISION OF GOD INTO YOUR BATTLE AND CHAOS.

WANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD MORE THAN GOD’S BLESSINGS.

REFLECT (SELAH) ON THE WORTH-SHIP (WORSHIP) OF JESUS.

PRAYER:

1. I am not worthy.

2. Jesus, King of Glory, come in.

3. God, I want you more than your blessings.

4. Give me Clean Hands and a Pure Heart.

5. Here are my battles fight them for me.