LAST SUNDAY'S SERMON NOTES
Read Peter's preaching notes....

​“Let Earth Receive Her King”
Psalm 2:1-12
12/1/24
 
Advent time of expectation & hope: how world awaited X’s coming, now for 2nd Coming
common to turn to OT to guide our devotion during this season
     how their longings for One to come now fulfilled for us in One who has come
when look at OT, usually look at prophets, esp Is, who gave us eloquent descriptions
     eg “unto us a child is born,” “a virgin shall conceive,” “wolf will lie down w/ lamb”
this yr, look at different set of OT passages that direct our attn to coming X
     “royal & messianic psalms:” songs about Isr’s king, and great king were expecting
     blessings for king, descriptions of king, hopes for king
some specifically about literal human king who sat on throne in J’lem
     over time, emph shifted from actual king to ideal king: what king should be
     great king to come: Messiah/Anointed One to rule world in justice & rtness
sermons & video devos this Advent to consider what can learn about JX from them
 
Start w/ Ps 2, humdinger: obviously not about human king, but heavenly One to come
not a king who must assert his authority over world: already has that authority/power
reminder that don’t have to make X Lord of creation, Lord of your heart, anything else
     he already is!
God/Father has given him this authority: Philip 2 reminds us why/how
     even though deserved all honor & glory, was willing to humble self
     empty self of everything that gave status & power: starting w/ being born in manger
     emptied self to point of death: most humiliating painful death can imagine
because X willing to offer self in this way, Father has exalted him
     gave him name above all names, authority over all creation: heaven, earth, even hell
     that every knee bow, every tongue confess that he is Lord, ie is our King
 
That’s the great story of X: but Ps 2 picks up where Philip 2 ends
he is Lord over all creation: but apparently not all of creation wants him to be Lord
     nations & peoples conspire against, plot against
     chafe under his authority: don’t want him to be in charge of them
     band together: “Let’s rebel!  Let’s get rid of this Lord that God has put over us”
quite natural, of course: do any of us really want someone telling us what to do?
     want someone in charge over us? would rather be in charge of selves
 
Easy to see selves in this conspiracy against X’s Lordship
     if honest, realize that part of us doesn’t really want Jesus to be our Lord
     may even be just tiny part of self: part that just doesn’t want to do what supposed to
don’t want to live generously, help those in need
     ever feel part of yourself resisting when it’s time to pray?
     would rather relax than step up to mission X has set for you?
     would rather spend on self than contribute to support others?
maybe just a small part of you: can usually overcome w/ bit of willpower
or maybe sizable part of your spirit: knows what God wants, doesn’t want to do

 
     no intention of spending time each day in prayer & Scripture reading
     concept of tithing (giving 10% to Lord’s causes) nowhere near what actually give
     volunteering may be fine for other people, but no room in your schedule
if have ever felt anything similar to this (like I do at times!),
     then you are part of the nations that conspire against X’s authority
     part of you wants to free self from his Lordship: may feel burdensome to you
Calvin “All who do not submit themselves to the authority of Christ make war against God.”
 
What does Lord do?  how does he respond when rebel like this?
maybe not what you’d expect: he laughs! big joke to him
     scoffs: crazy idea that could live life independent from him
only hurting selves: X’s kingdom is a k’dom of peace: wellspring of all blessing
     what God desires for us is fullness of life: more than can imagine
     has no desire to punish & hurt: why came first to open way for us
     so can choose to accept his authority in our lives, freely become citizens of k’dom
     brings grace so that if fail him, as we inevitably will, gathers us back to himself
but if persist stubbornly, will act: our own rebellion is turned back upon us
God we find in Ps 2 not the warm fuzzy God we prefer
     rebellion has its consequences: “rebukes us in his anger, terrifies us in his wrath”
     has established X as ruler over us: doesn’t fool around
maybe you thought we were getting ready to celebrate birth of cute little baby
     not so much: honoring the coming of our king
 
Perhaps need to remember what “Lord” means: not just name, more than title or honor
Lord = authority, control, power, dominion, in command
     I’ve never served in military, but pretty sure I’m right about something
     privates don’t get to pick their generals
     if commanding officer gives order don’t like, don’t have option whether to obey or not
Jesus X is our Lord, whether like it or not
     Xnity not a democracy: life lived under authority of Lord
 
Not a dictatorship either: remember how became Lord, after all
     not by demonstrating stronger than anyone else
     but by willing to become weak, to be defeated & killed
we wp a Lord who willingly lays down his life for us, we who are under his authority
 
His authority over us is not in question
only question: what kind of relationship will we have w/ him?
he prefers for us to have loving, caring relationship
     why psalmist calls for us to “kiss his Son:” share in his affection and love
has no desire to be angry w/ us & terrify us
     would rather be the loving shepherd than the harsh authoritarian
but not for us to take him for granted: point of this psalm
     has an iron rod that can use to strike us down
ie have choice: rather have his rod & staff to comfort us, as in Ps 23
     or iron scepter to smash, as Ps 2 describes?

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