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The Voice of the Rebels 2

Ps 1:1 opens with “Blessed is the man” and Ps 2:12 closes with “Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.”

Ps 1:1, blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 4

We hear voices everyday. Some are good voices that guide us. Some are voices of the wicked people, sinners and mockers. 5

walk, stand and sit is a progression. “walk” is making decision, “stand” is taking a stand with someone, and “sit” is the attitude of our hearts walk, stand and sit is a progression. If we decide to listen to the voice of the wicked and take a stand with the sinners and sit in agreement with the mockers who rebel against God, we will progressively go from bad to worse. 6

What are the voices of the wicked? In Judges 21:25, “everyone did as he saw fit.” Today, “Me first” “Cut corners” “Get it now” 7

Ps 1:6b, the way of the wicked will perish. If you listen to the voices of the wicked people and do what they tell you to do, God said you would perish. 8

Ps 1:1a, 2, 3b, blessed is the man … his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his law he meditates day and night … whatever he does prosper. However, if you listen to the voice of God and daily follow his absolute moral standard, you will not perish, you will prosper. 9

Ps 2 is also about voices. The voice of the rebels, the voice of the Father, the voice of the Son, and the voice of the Holy Spirit. The voice of the rebels (wicked, sinners & mockers) is countered by the voice of the Trinity (Father, Son & Spirit). 10

V1-3, Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain V1-3, Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters.” 11

The voice of the rebels. They say forget the standards set by God - they are too strict and stop you from having fun & making money - Just do whatever you want with your lives. There are individuals who think they are kings of their little hills and they can do whatever they want without any consideration for other people. 12

Jesus quoted Isa 56:7, “my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations (ethnic groups)” … Mt 21:13b, “but you are making it a den of robbers.” The Gentile court is the only place in the temple where the Greeks & Romans could go to pray but the noise made by the moneychangers and animal sellers made it hard for them to pray. 14

Every library has this rule Every library has this rule. Suppose you were researching for your paper and people are talking next to you, would you like it? Talking, playing games, listening to music, drinking coffee are not sinful activities but they are wrong when they become tumbling blocks to other worshipers. 16

1 Cor 10:23, Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Cor 8:9, Be careful that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 17

Are you going to listen to the voice of God and seek the good of others? Or listen to the voice of the rebels and seek your own fun and happiness? 18

V4-6, The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them V4-6, The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” The voice of the Father. 19

Therefore, Jesus is the Lord of every Christian now and He comes first in our lives. When the early Christians were told to say “Caesar is Lord,” they said, “No, Jesus is Lord!” When the Christians in China were told to deny Christ, they said, “No, Jesus is Lord! not Chairman Mao.”

V7, I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. The voice of the Son. 21

The voice of the Son, “Put Christ & His kingdom first …Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy…” But the voice of America said, “Look out for your own interest first” “Greed is good” “You earned it so indulge yourself.”

The tense is future “I will make the nations your inheritance.” V8, Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. The tense is future “I will make the nations your inheritance.” This is why we do missions – this is why we cross cultures to find his sheep and bring them into his sheep pen. 23

The American government has profaned the absolute standard of God. V9, You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.“ The American government has profaned the absolute standard of God. The Communist government has tried to extinguish Christianity in China for years. 24

Are you going to listen to the voice of God or the rebels? V10-11, Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. The voice of the Spirit. Are you going to listen to the voice of God or the rebels? 25

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