Text: Psalm 2:1-12, Title: Ragin’ Nations, Date/Place: NRBC, 11/23/08, AM
A. Opening illustration: We want, in fact, not so much a Father in heaven as a grandfather in heaven--a senile benevolence who, as they say, "liked to see young people enjoying themselves" and whose plan for the universe was simply that it might be truly said at the end of each day, "a good time was had by all."
B. Background to passage: some indications are that Psalm 2 was actually a continuation of Psalm 1. If so it is the response of the divine to the global choosing of the path of the wicked. At any rate the psalm describes the relationship between the bulk of humanity and the God rules over the all.
C. Main thought: we will see four sections of the text that set forth different aspects of the divine reality.
A. Human self-determination (v. 1-3)
1. The picture in these three verses is of many kings and leaders of nations coming together in a concerted effort to buck the rulership of God and His Messiah. They want to break off the rule of God that is over them. This is the core sin of all humanity and all humans. They do not want to be told what to do. No one likes submission, self-denial, or Lordship. People desire to have the final say in what they do. In fact, the most supreme offense in our nation, and maybe our world is a violation of civil rights.
2. John 15:23, Rom 1:30,
3. Illustration: tell about Kaitlann the other night telling Mackenzie over and over what was about to happen to her, then Mackenzie said that “God is the boss.” Eamon De Valera was an Irish statesman who served three times as prime minister of Ireland and subsequently as her president. After the Easter rebellion of 1916, De Valera was sentenced to penal servitude. While traveling to prison, he took out his pipe and was about to light it when he stopped suddenly and said, “I will not let them deprive me of this pleasure in jail!” He immediately threw away the pipe and from that day on he never smoked again. According to sociologist Robert Bellah, 81 percent of the American people also say they agree that “an individual should arrive at his or her own religious belief independent of any church or synagogue.” Thus the key to the paradox is the fact that those who claim to be Christians are arriving at faith on their own terms, In the summer of 1986, two ships collided in the Black Sea off the coast of Russia. Hundreds of passengers died as they were hurled into the icy waters below. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident. It wasn’t a technology problem like radar malfunction—or even thick fog. The cause was human stubbornness. Each captain was aware of the other ship’s presence nearby. Both could have steered clear, but according to news reports, neither captain wanted to give way to the other. Each was too proud to yield. By the time they came to their senses, it was too late.
4. Most of us relish our own autonomy. We like being the boss. We do not like to be forced to do anything. First, we must realize that to be forced to do something is not the worse thing in the world. Any time you rebel against authority you are rebelling against God. Any time that we say, “I know what the bible says, but…” we are taking up arms against God and His Christ. It is at the very core of our being to rebel against God. Our hearts are not unlike the hearts of these earthly kings. We hate God, we hate His rules, His standards, His word, His church, and His saints. And sometimes we don’t even inquire of His will. This is a reason that good strong preaching and good strong leadership is usually rejected. We also see many national and international leaders to shake their fists in God’s face and dare Him to act.
B. Divine laughter and scorn (v. 4-6)
1. In the next three verses God responds to the nations attempts to break the cords of God’s authority. This is the only time in scripture that God is said to laugh. But this is not a good laugh. He scoffs, or chides the people to their faces with ridicule. He is angry, intimidating, and displeased. And speaks to these puny little creatures about His King that He has set up in His city.
2. Ps 46:6, Deut 7:10, Ps 115:3, 135:6,
3. Illustration: “Of thirty Roman emperors, governors of provinces and others in high office, who distinguished themselves by their zeal and bitterness in persecuting the early Christians, one became speedily deranged after some atrocious cruelty, one was slain by his own son, one became blind, the eyes of one started out of his head, one was drowned, one was strangled, one died in a miserable captivity, one fell dead in a manner that will not bear recital, one died of so loathsome a disease that several of his physicians were put to death because they could not abide the stench that filled his room, two committed suicide, a third attempted it but had to call for help to finish the work, five were assassinated by their own people or servants, five others died the most miserable and excruciating deaths, several of them having an untold complication of diseases, and eight were killed in battles, or after being taken prisoners. Among these was Julian the Apostate. In the days of his prosperity he is said to have pointed his dagger to heaven, defying the Son of God whom he commonly called the Galilean. But when he was wounded in battle, he saw that all was over with him, and he gathered up his clotted blood and threw it into the air, exclaiming, thou has conquered, O thou Galilean.” –Spurgeon, “This is what human attempts to throw off the rule of God deserve.” –Boice,
4. God is not worried. He is completely convinced of His own sovereignty. And it is laughable that anyone would even think about challenging God. God is the highest, the greatest, and the best; and does whatever, whenever, however, whenever, to whoever He pleases. And it does make God displeased, even angry to attempt to usurp His authority. God probably laughs every time a state Supreme Court rules that gays can get married. He laughs every time a Muslim cleric harms a Christian. He probably laughs at atheists who want to take “one nation under God” out of the pledge. And how many times to we disregard God’s will for our lives or our church and thumb our noses at God, as if!
C. Rule and Centrality of the Son (v. 7-9)
1. Here Jesus speaks, quoting what God the father says to him. God the Father says to Jesus, he has become a son, today. This “today” is probably speaking of the resurrection from the dead, by which he became the firstborn of creation. And He said that God told Jesus to ask of the Father the nations as an inheritance, and the Father would give them. Then Jesus says that God said that Christ would rule or break them with a rod of iron and shatter them like pottery. The image of pottery reflects the fragility of earthly kingdoms compared to the authority and power of Jesus Christ.
2. Matt 28:18, Dan 7:13-14, Ps 110:1, John 3:35, 5:22-23, Col 1:18,
3. Illustration: Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” I. Diotrephes was opposing the Lord’s apostle because he wanted the preeminence [supremacy, superiority]! J. He actively resisted the Lord’s appointed representative because of his desire for control and superiority, and in so doing, became the enemy of God and the opponent of what He was trying to accomplish through his representative to that church. K. So then, strife, active opposition to God’s people and God’s work, is a clear marker identifying the carnal Christian. The present position of Christ in the gospel churches may be likened to that of a king in a limited constitutional monarchy. The king (sometimes depersonalized by the term "the Crown") is in such a country no more than a traditional rallying point, a pleasant symbol of unity and loyalty much like a flag or a national anthem. He is lauded, feted, and supported, but his real authority is small. Nominally he is head over all, but in every crisis someone else makes the decisions. On formal occasions he appears in his royal attire to deliver the tame, colorless speech put into his mouth by the real rulers of the country. The whole thing may be no more than good-natured make-believe, but it is rooted in antiquity, it is a lot of fun, and no one wants to give it up. There is not one square inch over which…
4. God wants the fame of Christ and the rule of Christ to be spread to all the nations. Jesus Christ is the center of the universe. The scriptures foretell and expound upon Him. Time is marked by His comings and goings. And all history is being led to a culmination/coronation with/for Him. He is the living Word who came and lived and died for the sins of the whole world. He does rule. He does reign. And one day every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and declare it. And He has seen fit to call out a church as a bride and display of His glory and commission them to listen to His voice and take the gospel to the nations. To reject His leading is tantamount to rejecting His authority in life and in the church. And sooner or later He will reveal the fragility of your kingdom, and bring destruction to it.
D. Warning to the recalcitrant (v. 10-12)
1. The writer of the psalm speaks to all those that now find themselves in defiance of God and His Messiah. Specifically to the kings and judges, but more generally to all those that oppose God and His rule in the world and over our lives. He says, “Wise up, and learn.” Then he gives three instructions. First, he says to serve, which means to work or labor for the Lord. And he says to do that with fear or reverence. This word is a positive word that means to have a good realization of the weightiness of holy things. Then he says to rejoice (celebrate, worship) with fear. This word for fear means to be afraid in the presence of God—to know that He should rightfully not tolerate your presence because of His holiness, and expect judgment. Finally, he says to kiss the Son—to show loyalty, respect, submission, and homage.
2. John 4:34, Isaiah doesn’t flee—afraid yet drawn,
3. Illustration: the lady at the bank with the sign in her office that said, “Ask me about God, I work for Him.” In this story, Lewis chose a Lion to represent Jesus. At times the children in the story felt comfortable to run their fingers through his mane, take rides on his back and enjoy being in his presence. But his roar was ferocious enough to introduce an element of fear. It prompted 1 of the children to ask, “Is Aslan safe?” The thoughtful answer was, “No, He’s not safe, but He is good.” Next day when the worshipers came to Sunday services, they found the bishop sprawled face down on the crimson carpet. When they turned him over, they discovered he was dead. Lines of horror were etched upon his face. What H. G. Wells was saying in that story is simply this: there are folks who talk a lot about God who would be scared to death if they saw him face to face. When Luther became a priest and celebrated his first Mass, in 1507, he trembled so much he nearly dropped the bread and cup. He became so terrified of the presence of Christ in the sacrament that he tried to run from the altar.
4. Many of us need to hear the same reminders. Do you really work for the Lord? The common rule is the 80/20 rule that says that in the average church, 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. How many of you serve in no ministry, you just come to Sunday morning church? How many of you never think about service to Christ except on Sunday mornings? Are you ever afraid to do something for no other reason that God will recompense you for it? Do we ever mix the emotions of joy and fear in worship? Bow before Christ the King! Cling to Him as your only hope! Repent and believe, and swear eternal allegiance to the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world! Sell the farm to buy the treasure! Surrender every autonomous thought, every goal, every dream to Him! Embrace the cross, come and die, for if we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him!
A. Closing illustration:
B. Recap
C. Invitation to commitment
Additional Notes
• Is Christ Exalted, Magnified, Honored, and Glorified?
