The King Of Glory Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

(1). The Creator God (vs 1-2)

(2). The Holy God (vs 3-6)

(3). The Sovereign God (vs 7-10)

SERMON BODY:

• Psalms 22, 23, and 24 are a group of psalms written by King David.

• It has often been pointed out that these three Psalms (22, 23 & 24) form a trilogy;

• The cross (Psalm 22), the crook (Psalm 23), and the crown (Psalm 24),

Quote:

Someone has said; “These three psalms are like a sandwich,

though people tend to lick the jam out and leave the bread”

• In other words too many people extract the jam, that is dwell on Psalm 23;

• But reject the bread – i.e. miss the lessons of the other two Psalms on either side of it.

• Yet these three Psalms (22, 23 & 24) form a trilogy;

• They fit together and complement one another because;

• They cover the past, the present, and the future.

• They speak of Christ as the Sufferer in Psalm 22,

• Christ as the Shepherd in Psalm 23, and Christ as the Sovereign in Psalm 24.

• They fit together each and work together as a threesome;

• To know Christ as Shepherd, we must first meet him first at the cross as our saviour.

• And to know his continued care & guidance in our lives;

• We must make him sovereign, the king, the ruler of our lives!

Note: Psalm 24 has traditionally been interpreted in a threefold way:

(A). HISTORICALLY.

• Jewish tradition says that this psalm was written;

• To commemorate David bringing back the ark of covenant to Jerusalem,

• The ark had a temporary resting place in the house of Obed-Edon the Gittite;

• But now it would have a permanent resting place in Jerusalem.

• (see 2 Samuel chapter 6 & 1 Chronicles chapters 13 to 15),

• Don’t miss the excitement of this occasion;

• The pageantry must have been overwhelming;

• ill: Far greater than any Olympic opening ceremony!

• Ever since it had been built soon after the Exodus;

• It had been in temporary quarters.

• Now in Jerusalem it would have a permanent home.

• So when the ark was taken to Jerusalem;

• It would have been appropriate to have composed a hymn like this one.

• And it may well be that David wrote it for that occasion.

Sometime later (we don’t know when);

• Pilgrims (visitors/people) coming to worship in Jerusalem;

• Latched onto this psalm and took it to heart;

• They would sing the opening verses of this psalm as they approached Jerusalem.

(B). TYPICALLY.

• Traditionally the Christian Church have interpreted this Psalm as;

• The ascension of the Lord Jesus back to the Father’s right hand.

Ill:

• I like the story about the little girl in Sunday School who was telling the story of Enoch.

• She said, "Well, one day God & Enoch were just walking along together,

• And it came close to the end of the day.

• And God turned to Enoch & said,

• “We’re closer to my house than to yours. So why don’t you just go home with me?"

The ascension of course marks the day when Jesus Christ went back home to heaven:

• And for years, the church has assigned this psalm to be read on Ascension Day,

• The fortieth day after Easter.

• Quote: Spurgeon calls it "the song of the ascension."

• ill: George Handel, in his oratorio, The Messiah, also applies it in this way.

Note: Normally a Messianic Psalm is one that is quoted in the New Testament:

• That is the ultimate test of whether a psalm is Messianic or not;

• But this psalm is an exception.

• As far as I am aware this psalm is not quoted in the New Testament:

• But it is Messianic because only the Messiah can meet the description contained in this psalm.

The Messiah Jesus meets all four qualifications mentioned in verse 4 of this psalm:

• Clean hands

• Pure heart

• Worships only God

• Is honest with others

• i.e. David did not have clean hands, for he murdered a man;

• Nor did he have a pure heart, for he lusted and committed adultery.

• He lifted up his soul to vanity and pride when he numbered the people.

• i.e. Solomon could not qualify, for he was an idolater.

• i.e. Even great King Hezekiah fell because of pride.

• No, the only king who can qualify is Jesus Christ.

• He had clean hands

• He had a pure heart

• He worshiped only God

• He was totally honest with others

• This psalm remind us of Revelation chapter 5 verses 1-14 when the question is asked,