Judgment Has Been Scheduled Series

Judgment Has Been Scheduled

(Psalm 75)

1. This week, I emailed Janie to remind her to purchase a new giant calendar for 2017. Even though the new year is more than 6 months away, we will soon be scheduling events for 2017.

2. Sometimes, when event are scheduled even further in advance — like weddings, for instance — I have to use sticky notes on my December page so that I remember to get them written on the new calendar — when I get it.

3. With all the benefits of electronic calendars, for church purposes, there is nothing like a real paper, large calendar that everyone can see in a jiffy.

4. God does not use calendars — digital or paper. He never forgets an appointment. He is never too early or too late. He does not rethink a situation, cancel, rush, or procrastinate.

Main Idea: Whether judging a nation in the course of history or all mankind in the end times, God is completely organized and on schedule.

I. God Has Set An Appointed Time to JUDGE (2-8)

A. God speaks and tells us that judgment in on His CALENDAR (2-3)

1. Near fulfillment: His judgment on Assyria

2. Far fulfillment: End-time judgment

B. His judgments may seem shake the earth, but He holds things TOGETHER (3)

• This is true of your life and mine

• This is why we faithfully serve the Lord, even more so in chaotic times

C. God warns the wicked to REPENT while there is time (4-5)

• The “horn” is the symbol of status, honor, strength, ability to assert self.

• Like a wild animal, the horn is what makes it fearful and thus respected.

1. Boastful

2. Wicked

3. Carelessly arrogant

• An example of careless arrogance: “Today, I overheard my mother and sister talking, so I stopped to eavesdrop. I recently enlisted in the Marines, and they were talking about what they would do with the money if I died.” This is arrogant because it looks down on the young man as worthless, below them.

• Many Christians, who sometimes have leaders that encourage this by example, think God gives a free pass to Christians to be arrogant and haughty. Snobbery, looking down on others, keeping up with the Joneses, perfectionism, feeling superior because of our doctrinal position — these things blight God’s Kingdom. Humility is always in style in the Kingdom of God, and is a quality we should value.

• The best members of God’s Kingdom are ordinary, faithful disciples.

• Arrogance checked in speech, how we present ourselves, & controlling the arrogant thoughts we are prone to think; must check ourselves.

D. ALLIES cannot judge Israel’s enemies, but God will (6-7)

E. Application to New Covenant BELIEVERS

1. God will judge through JESUS

Acts 17:30-31, “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

John 5:22, “The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son…”

2. He will judge with EQUITY

• No mistakes, no oversights, no moodiness

• Judgment seat of Christ, Goats and Sheep, and Great White Throne

3. Though we may think He is tardy, He will judge at the right TIME

2 Peter 3:9, The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

II. The ALTERNATIVE to Judgment is Allying With God (1, 8-10)

A. His own perennially THANK and reflect upon God; judgment is not something they fear (1)

• As I mentioned in a recent sermon, Thanksgiving is at the heart of true worship; the more thankful we are, the more sincerely we worship.

• That is why all the mechanical attempts to create an atmosphere of worship are only image, not substance; if we are not overflowing with thankfulness.

B. The unrighteous will drink the CUP of God’s wrath (8)

Matthew 26:39, “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

Revelation 14:10, “…he also will drink the wine of God's wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.”

C. The righteous overflow with PRAISE to God and before others (9)

D. The righteous have their horns EXALTED by God Himself (10)