Sermon Emojis from the Psalms Psalm 2 The Raging Nations

The Laughing God

What Makes God Laugh? We do

Diocletian had a medal struck with this inscription: “The name of Christianity is extinguished.”

‘Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti for having extended the Roman Empire in the east and the west and for having extinguished the name of Christians who brought the Republic to ruin.’

Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain Psalm 2 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath, and terrify them in his fury, saying, “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree:

The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 2 ESV)

The People Rage- (in vain) v.1-3 God Responds –v.4-6 God’s Promises v.7-9 God’s gracious warning v.10-12

The People Rage- v. 1-3 This is the world in which we live “We can’t understand this Psalm until we understand that it is an expression of the rebellion of the human heart against God, and not a limited revolt of human Near Eastern kings against David or his successors.” – James Boice

The Sovereign God Responds v The Sovereign God Responds v. 4-7 The Sovereignty in which we rest The Bible is multi-cultural, but it is not multi-Royal. There is only one king

God’s Promises- The Anointed Son speaks v God’s Promises- The Anointed Son speaks v. 7-9 -The King for whom we wait This is the king who gives Himself for the protection of his own people.

God’s gracious warning v God’s gracious warning v. 10-12 The Demands before which we stand -Submit to this king -Kiss the son

The extended hands bear the nail scars from the cross.

PRACTICAL POLITICAL APPLICATION: If someone has a view that you can’t imagine holding, then it means that you don’t know something. You don’t know what his/her perspective is; so first be a learner, not a critic.

TWO POINTS OF AGREEMENT - Neither of us knows the candidate personally, so we both get our information through the media, so there is a good chance that what we both hear is spin. - God raises up and puts down governments, and we don’t know what He is up to.

TWO QUESTIONS What lead you to that view TWO QUESTIONS What lead you to that view? Have you always held this view?

THE FINAL PROMISE The Sovereign King is also personal joy and blessing THE FINAL PROMISE The Sovereign King is also personal joy and blessing. There is no refuge from Him, only in Him.