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King Jesus in a Post-9/11 World Daniel Patz, Lead Pastor Grace Church, Sunday Worship Psalm 2 September 11th, 2011
Psalms 2:1-12 ESV Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, (3) "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." (4) He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (5) Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, (6) "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." (7) I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. (8) Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. (9) You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." (10) Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. (11) Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 I was newly married (64 days) on that late summer/early fall day. It was a Tuesday morning and I was an associate pastor at Bethlehem Baptist in downtown Minneapolis. I got toe church office and notice the staff watching television in a classroom—something very strange. Then I began to see images on the screen that told me that things have changed. I watched as they showed fire and smoke poured out of a large skyscraper. I watched as a plane slammed into the other tower and several minutes later – the horror of the building collapsing. There was also news of an attack on the Pentagon and other planes that were out there. There was a stunned feeling—a sense that everything is different now. At this time America was united. We saw flags, the president, the NY mayor. It was ok to pray in public and everyone was saying “God bless America.” Everything shut down for a while – public transportation, sporting events, etc. All this was a reminder that all is not well in the world. What happened? Security (personal security) was shaken. What is the future of America? We ask that today with the economy. Thinking Christianly (biblically) in a post-911 world. I want to help you thinking right about the implications of Christ’s Kingdom today. I want to challenge you to look at the big story and not let go of it as you watch the news and think about current events. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (5) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, Today in this world we feel the instability of leaders: Obama Putin Chavez Ahmadinejad Kim Jong-il China president Men who do not bow the knee to King Jesus. I want to look a this Hebrew song written by King David and rightfully apply to Christ and our day. 4 DIVISIONS IN THIS TEXT The ESV Study Bible marks them like this:
Here we see four big picture realities that relate to our day today. These realities relate to politics, military interventionism, economy, end times…etc.
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? (2) The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, (3) "Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us." Psalm 2: In this Psalm King David speaks of the pagan nations that are tributaries of his kingdom (subservient and paying taxes) are rebelling. It was God’s plan (since Abraham) that through Israel all the nations would be blessed. David was the anointed king – chosen by God to be over Israel and these other nations. They hate being ruled and they are seeking to throw off restraint. Jesus’ Time: This is going on in Jesus’ time and in the NT. It describes the people that are rebelling against God’s anointed and the disciples. (Acts 4:25-26) Today: Since the fall of man in Jesus’ three people and nations have tried to throw off the bonds and cords of God’s authority. The Lord sets up Kings and leaders to rule in righteousness to fear and serve Him but they rebel. September 11 is a reminder of this reality. When rebellion to God is a reality, chaos will ensue.
(4) He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. (5) Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, (6) "As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill." Here we get the perspective of the Creator-God to the rebellion of leaders. God is not being thwarted. He is not twiddling His divine thumbs wondering what to do next in this rebellion. He laughs He holds them in derision (act of ridiculing) He will terrify them through His wrath in the time to come if they do not repent. Isaiah 40:22-23 ESV It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; (23) who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. God’s message to Nebuchadnezzar: Daniel 4:25 ESV that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. Be assured today that God does not look down at the affairs of this world and with surprise of frustration. He is not thwarted. He is not mistaken. He is a brinkman.
(7) I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, "You are my Son; today I have begotten you. (8) Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. (9) You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel." Psalm 2: Here it refers to David who has been appointed (anointed) king over the land of Israel and was given great promises. In JESUS: But this passage is more clearly pointing to the prophetic fulfillment of the Messiah. Jesus is the fulfillment of this passage. Acts 13:33 Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 Psalms 110:1-2 ESV A Psalm of David. The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool." (2) The LORD sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Acts 2:32-36 ESV This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. (33) Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. (34) For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, "'The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, (35) until I make your enemies your footstool.' (36) Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." 1 Corinthians 15:25-26 ESV (25) For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (26) The last enemy to be destroyed is death. Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Psalms 22:27-28 ESV All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before you. (28) For kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations. Matthew 28:18-20 ESV And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (19) Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (20) teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." PREACHING THE GOSPEL And, since the gospel is the heraldic proclamation of Jesus as Lord, it is not first and foremost a suggestion that one might like to enjoy a new religious experience. Nor is it even the take-it-or-leave-it offer of a way to salvation. It is a royal summons to submission, to obedience, to allegiance; and the form that this submission and obedient allegiance takes is of course faith. That is what Paul means by ‘the obedience of faith’. Faith itself, defined conveniently by Paul as belief that Jesus is Lord and that God raised him from the dead, is the work of the Spirit, accomplished through the proclamation. ‘No-one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.’” (New Perspective on Paul) When the herald marched through a city proclaiming that Nero is emperor, he did not mean that “if you want to know what it is like to experience life under the emperor, you might want to try Nero.” No, it was an authoritative summons to obedience. This is the New Testament Gospel referring to Jesus Christ. Christ is ruler and Lord over all! And by the death and resurrection He is the victor over all! Good news to those who obey in faith, but bad news to those who rebel. There is not true separation of Christ and State. This is not God’s will. Christ is the Lord over the U.S. and we must acknowledge it as so.
(10) Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. (11) Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. (12) Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Here is a call of GRACE. Here is a call of WARNING. Here is a call to REPENTANCE. Here is a call of JUDGMENT. Taking the Example from the Book of Daniel Kings meat – Daniel 1 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – Daniel 3 Lion’s den – Daniel 6
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