Embracing the King of Glory: Hope and Mission

Devotional

Day 1: Sovereignty Brings Order to Chaos

In the midst of life's turmoil, it is the sovereignty of God that brings a sense of order and peace. The Creator's authority over all the earth is a comforting truth that reassures believers in times of uncertainty. This sovereignty is not a distant concept but a present reality that undergirds every aspect of existence. The earth and its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein, are all within the scope of God's wise and caring governance. When chaos seems to reign, one can find solace in the knowledge that the same God who brought order out of the primordial chaos continues to rule with wisdom and care. This understanding allows believers to face tumultuous circumstances with a steadfast heart, trusting in the Creator's unchanging nature. [51:24]

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers." - Psalm 24:1-2 (ESV)

Reflection: How can recognizing God's sovereignty over your current challenges change your perspective and response to them?

Day 2: Christ, the Answer to Our Deepest Questions

The longing of every human heart to ascend the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place finds its answer in Jesus Christ. He is the one with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false. Through Christ, believers are granted access to the victory that they could never achieve on their own. This Palm Sunday, the reminder is clear: the deepest questions of the heart are not left unanswered. In Jesus, the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, the path to righteousness and reconciliation with God is made manifest. The anticipation of Easter joy is rooted in the reality of Christ's saving work, a truth that offers hope and a future to all who believe. [53:45]

"Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully." - Psalm 24:3-4 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the victory of Jesus in your life, especially in areas where you feel you cannot triumph on your own?

Day 3: From Despair to Hope in the King of Glory

The act of lifting our heads to welcome the King of Glory is a powerful symbol of shifting from despair to hope. It is an invitation to focus on the triumphant King who has overcome the world, rather than on the overwhelming circumstances of life. This perspective is not about ignoring reality but about aligning one's emotions and focus with the truth of God's victory. The King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty in battle, is the source of enduring hope and joy. As believers lift their gaze to Him, their spirits are lifted, and they are empowered to live in the light of His triumph. [01:02:30]

"Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in." - Psalm 24:7 (ESV)

Reflection: What are the 'gates' in your life that you need to lift up to allow the King of Glory to enter and transform your despair into hope?

Day 4: God's Faithfulness Demonstrated on Palm Sunday

The historical event of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is a testament to God's faithfulness to His promises. This momentous occasion fulfilled ancient prophecies and showcased God's plan to dwell among His people. As believers celebrate Palm Sunday, they are reminded of the certainty of God's word and the unfolding of His redemptive work through Christ. The entry of Jesus into the city was not just a moment in history; it was a declaration of God's love and commitment to humanity, a prelude to the ultimate sacrifice that would bring salvation to all. [45:40]

"This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it. I thank you that you have answered me and have become my salvation." - Psalm 118:20-21 (ESV)

Reflection: How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' entry into Jerusalem strengthen your trust in God's faithfulness in your own life?

Day 5: Living Out the Gospel Mission

The call to live out the hope of the gospel is a mission for every believer. As ambassadors for Christ, believers are tasked with extending the ministry of reconciliation to a world in need. This is not a passive calling but an active engagement in reflecting God's love through service and action. The example set by Hope House is a tangible expression of living out the gospel, where the church community demonstrates the ministry of reconciliation. By being Christ's representatives on earth, believers can bring others into the joy of His kingdom and share the hope that is found in the King of Glory. [01:07:28]

"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can be an ambassador for Christ in your community this week, reflecting His love and hope to those around you?

Sermon Summary

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths of Psalm 24 and its relevance to Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. We delved into the sovereignty of God, the condition of the human heart, and the anticipation of Easter's joy.

We began by acknowledging the beauty of God's creation, the world that He has founded and established. We recognized that everything belongs to the Lord, including the earth and all its inhabitants. This truth sets the stage for understanding our place in God's grand design and the rightful ownership of all things by our Creator.

We then addressed the human predicament of sin and the tendency to make sin palatable instead of running to Jesus. We often try to normalize our sins or excuse them as part of our nature, but this only makes righteousness seem strange. We discussed how the kingdom of the world often opposes Christ's word and ways, contrasting it with the kingdom of God.

As we moved into the heart of the message, we focused on the anticipation of Easter joy that Palm Sunday invites us to embrace. We reflected on the reality that not everyone is guaranteed to see the next week, making this anticipation all the more poignant. We considered the image of the ancient gates lifting to welcome the King of Glory, a metaphor for the openness of our hearts to receive Christ.

We contemplated the significance of Jesus as the King of Glory, the Lord strong and mighty, who is mighty in battle. We were reminded that once we recognize God as King, we become ambitious for the spread of His kingdom and righteousness.

We also revisited the historical context of Psalm 24, which was associated with the return of the Ark of the Covenant from battle and its entry into the city. This imagery of victory and God's presence among His people was paralleled with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Finally, we were encouraged to live on mission, to be ambassadors for Christ, and to extend hope to those who have not yet encountered the King of Glory. We were inspired by the story of Hope House and the tangible ways our church community is living out the ministry of reconciliation.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Psalm 24, who is described as the rightful owner of the earth and its inhabitants? How does this set the stage for understanding our place in God's creation? ([36:28])
What are the characteristics of the person who can ascend the hill of the Lord and stand in His holy place as described in Psalm 24? ([53:45])
How does the imagery of ancient gates lifting to welcome the King of Glory relate to the anticipation of Easter joy discussed in the sermon? ([59:49])
What historical event does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday fulfill, and how is this connected to Psalm 24? ([45:40])

Interpretation Questions

How does recognizing God's sovereignty over all creation bring comfort and order to our lives, especially during tumultuous circumstances? ([51:24])
In what ways does Palm Sunday answer the deepest questions of the human heart, according to the sermon? How does Jesus fulfill the longing to ascend the hill of the Lord? ([53:45])
What does the act of lifting our heads to welcome the King of Glory symbolize, and how can this shift our perspective from despair to hope? ([01:02:30])
How does the historical context of Psalm 24, associated with the return of the Ark of the Covenant, enhance our understanding of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem? ([45:40])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced a chaotic situation. How did recognizing God's sovereignty help you find peace? How can you apply this truth to a current challenge in your life? ([51:24])
Palm Sunday reminds us that our deepest questions are answered in Christ. What are some of the deep questions you have about life or faith? How does Jesus provide answers to these questions? ([53:45])
The sermon mentioned the tendency to make sin palatable instead of running to Jesus. Are there specific sins in your life that you have normalized? How can you take steps to confront and overcome them? ([58:29])
The image of ancient gates lifting to welcome the King of Glory symbolizes a shift from despair to hope. What are some practical ways you can lift your head and focus on the hope found in Christ, especially during difficult times? ([01:02:30])
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a fulfillment of prophecy and a demonstration of God's faithfulness. How does this historical event strengthen your faith in God's promises? ([45:40])
The sermon encouraged us to live on mission and be ambassadors for Christ. What are some specific actions you can take this week to extend the hope of the gospel to those around you? ([01:07:28])
Reflect on the story of Hope House shared in the sermon. How can you get involved in similar acts of service and reconciliation within your community? ([01:07:28])

Sermon Clips

1) "We need to answer to the deepest questions of our heart and often when we look about the we look to our beliefs and our actions what happens often instead of running to Jesus the one who has has our hearts often we'll just take the sins that we have and we just make them just feel a little bit more palatable." [58:29]( | | )

2) "Palm Sunday invites one to anticipate the joy of Easter in a week if the Lord gives us this Holy Week. Here is the startling reality of life: maybe not even everyone in this room gets to next week. But it invites us as we look forward to next week to the joy of Easter." [59:49]( | | )

3) "Lift up your heads oh Gates and be lifted up o ancient doors that the king of Glory may come in. Who is this king of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord Mighty in battle. Lift up your heads oh Gates and lift them up oh ancient doors that the king of glory may come in." [01:00:34]( | | )

4) "Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with Glory and Honor. We become ambitious for the spread of the kingdom and the righteousness everywhere because we know he's a good god, a good Creator who loves us in good ways." [37:58]( | | )

5) "The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. For he has founded it upon the Seas and established it upon the rivers. This is the created order of God and we." [41:14]( | | )

6) "The Creator God can take those things and establish amazing things even on the Seas and the chaotic places in the world because he owns everything. That gives me great comfort as I think about this." [51:24]( | | )

7) "The king of glory bloodied, bruised, scarred carried his own cross outside those ancient Gates and those ancient walls and he was crucified on a Hill Called Golgotha. And death thought it had the last word, that evil had won. But we know this and we celebrate it next week that he is the resurrection and the life." [01:06:06]( | | )

8) "Everything Belongs to the Lord. The psalm is going to start like this: The Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein. For he has founded it upon the Seas and established it upon the rivers." [41:14]( | | )

9) "We have this hope within us each and every day with everything we do, whether it's local missions, whether it's global missions, whether it's sharing Christ with a neighbor, whether it's living on Mission. We do it so that there could be hope with people who have their heads down and they have not come into contact with this king of glory." [01:07:28]( | | )

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