Sermon Notes

January 3, 2016

To Be Continued…

Rev. Dr. Dirk Rodgers

Executive Pastor

Bethany Church

Sermon Notes: To Be Continued… Psalm 2

QUESTION: How does the mystery end?

1. An Ancient King

“Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, 'Let us break their ______ and throw off their ______.'” Psalm 2:1-3*

(*Note: All scriptures are taken from the New International Version, 2011)

We are later told that this Psalm is written by King David, some 1000 years before the birth of Jesus. (Acts 4:25-26)

Compare God’s Promise to David in 2 Samuel 7:8-11a

“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 'I have installed my king on Zion, my holy ______.'” Psalm 2:4-6

“I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, 'You are my ______; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’” Psalm 2:7-9

“The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” Genesis 13:14-17

To Moses: “Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” (Exodus 32:10)

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. ______ his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.” Psalm 2:10-12a

2. A New King

“This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well ______.” (Matthew 3:17)

“Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the ______!" (Matthew 21:9)

“We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by ______ up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my son; today I have become your father.’ God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’" Acts 13:32-34

3. A Heavenly King

“Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” Revelation 5:2

“Do not weep! See, the ______ of the tribe of ______, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:5

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a ______ and ______ to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

“Blessed are all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 2:12b

In Conclusion: Remember the monkey!

Connect Group Discussion Guide - To Be Continued… Psalm 2

OPENING

What was the last suspense movie that you watched? How did it end? Did the ending surprise you?

GOING DEEPER

  • How would you feel if you lived in a land that was ruled by a foreign king?
  • In Psalm 2, we read of God’s decision to give King David power over other nations. Why do you think God made this decision at this point in history?
  • What happened to the promises of God during the years between King David and the birth of Jesus?
  • How is the kingship of Jesus different than that of King David?

CHALLENGE

  • If we really believe that we are subject to the One enthroned in heaven, how would we change our decisions and our actions?
  • How can we better fulfill our role as “priests” in the new kingdom of God? (Revelation 5:10)