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Embracing the King of Glory: Hope and Mission
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:
- The sovereignty of God over all creation is a comforting truth that brings order to the chaos of our lives. When we face tumultuous circumstances, we can trust in the Creator who established peace out of chaos and continues to govern the world with wisdom and care. [51:24]
- Palm Sunday serves as a reminder that our deepest questions of the heart are answered in Christ. The longing to ascend the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place is fulfilled in Jesus, who alone has clean hands and a pure heart. He is the one who saves us and grants us the victory we cannot achieve on our own. [53:45]
- The act of lifting our heads to welcome the King of Glory symbolizes a shift from despair to hope. Regardless of life's circumstances, our focus should be on the triumphant King who has overcome the world. This perspective lifts our spirits and aligns our emotions with the truth of God's victory. [01:02:30]
- Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was a historical event that fulfilled the prophecies of old. It was a moment that demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promises and His plan to dwell among His people. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the certainty of God's word and His redemptive work through Christ. [45:40]
- Our mission as believers is to live out the hope of the gospel in every aspect of our lives. By being ambassadors for Christ, we extend the ministry of reconciliation to a world in need. Our actions and service, like those exemplified by Hope House, are a reflection of God's love and a means to bring others into the joy of His kingdom. [01:07:28]
#### Observation Questions 1. 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]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. What historical event does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday fulfill, and how is this connected to Psalm 24? ([45:40])
#### Interpretation Questions 1. How does recognizing God's sovereignty over all creation bring comfort and order to our lives, especially during tumultuous circumstances? ([51:24]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. 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 1. 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]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. 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]) 5. 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]) 6. 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]) 7. 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])
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?
Quotes
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]( | | )
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:
- The sovereignty of God over all creation is a comforting truth that brings order to the chaos of our lives. When we face tumultuous circumstances, we can trust in the Creator who established peace out of chaos and continues to govern the world with wisdom and care. [51:24]
- Palm Sunday serves as a reminder that our deepest questions of the heart are answered in Christ. The longing to ascend the hill of the Lord and to stand in His holy place is fulfilled in Jesus, who alone has clean hands and a pure heart. He is the one who saves us and grants us the victory we cannot achieve on our own. [53:45]
- The act of lifting our heads to welcome the King of Glory symbolizes a shift from despair to hope. Regardless of life's circumstances, our focus should be on the triumphant King who has overcome the world. This perspective lifts our spirits and aligns our emotions with the truth of God's victory. [01:02:30]
- Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was a historical event that fulfilled the prophecies of old. It was a moment that demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promises and His plan to dwell among His people. As we celebrate Palm Sunday, we are reminded of the certainty of God's word and His redemptive work through Christ. [45:40]
- Our mission as believers is to live out the hope of the gospel in every aspect of our lives. By being ambassadors for Christ, we extend the ministry of reconciliation to a world in need. Our actions and service, like those exemplified by Hope House, are a reflection of God's love and a means to bring others into the joy of His kingdom. [01:07:28]
#### Observation Questions 1. 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]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. What historical event does Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday fulfill, and how is this connected to Psalm 24? ([45:40])
#### Interpretation Questions 1. How does recognizing God's sovereignty over all creation bring comfort and order to our lives, especially during tumultuous circumstances? ([51:24]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. 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 1. 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]) 2. 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]) 3. 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]) 4. 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]) 5. 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]) 6. 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]) 7. 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])
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?
Only admins of of Westover Church can edit their 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]( | | )
Good morning! My name is Maryan Minck, and I serve with the Ashing Team. Today's scripture reading is from Psalm 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.
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.
He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them 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, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in.
Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of hosts; he is the King of Glory.
This is the word of God, speaking for the people of God. Glory to God!
Well, it is good to see you this morning. Happy Palm Sunday! My name is Kevin. If you are visiting with us today, you are a splendid guest of ours. We hope that you find people who are in love with Jesus and his word. Thank you for coming. If you are joining us online as well, we invite you to this place, but thank you for joining us online.
A couple of things to be thinking about: this Friday is Good Friday. As we enter into Holy Week, one of the things that we've done in the past is have a Good Friday service. What I mean by that is a worship service with singing, praying, and some sort of homily, which would be a sermon of sorts to prepare us for Easter morning. This time, it's going to be more of a prayer experience, so invite your friends. It's going to be from 6 to 8 in our theater. There will be worship the entire time, so you can come and just sing, or you can go and you can pray. It's going to be a great experience. I would love to see everybody out as we get ready for Easter Sunday.
We have two services here, and I'm really excited for that. It's a great opportunity for us to live our life on mission, as we have been studying for the past five weeks. I pray that you enjoy that. This is a great opportunity for people in our communities to be open to coming and experiencing a worship service here and experiencing Jesus Christ. So, I encourage you to do that. I can't wait until next week as we walk into Easter together.
I believe that the world is beautiful. Now, I've only lived in one place, of course, but I mean it is gorgeous, isn't it? It's absolutely gorgeous. If you think about it, the different seasons, even all the different cities I've ever been to, it's absolutely gorgeous—the beach or the mountains. Sometimes we just need to slow down and look at God's beautiful world that he's created for us to live in and to inhabit.
I've been to some beautiful places. I mean, some gorgeous places. I was able to visit some of our missionaries last summer, and I had the privilege of standing on a shoreline and looking at the same sunset over the same body of water that Paul would have seen when he wrote the epistle to the Romans. Gorgeous! I mean, beautiful, breathtaking. I grew up outside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spent some time in Virginia in the Blue Ridge—absolutely gorgeous.
Even this spring, if you look at a cherry tree in bloom, or as we go into the fall and watch the leaves all of a sudden brighten up over a couple of weeks and then lose their leaves leading into winter, and to see the snow that sometimes comes on the ground. I mean, this world is absolutely gorgeous.
I've been to a lot of beautiful places. We got to work with a church planter in B. Canada. I don't know if you've ever been to B. Canada. I didn't even know it existed! Gorgeous! I mean, driving through those mountains, it's almost dangerous because you're looking at everything around you, and it's amazing.
As humanity, we've taken the Earth and divided it into acres, and we sell those acres off, and we put fences on them. Maybe we have cattle out in the country, and we say, "This is my land." Have you ever heard someone say, "This land's been in my family for generations?" If we're not careful, we look at this world and believe that it's ours, when in fact, the very truth of it is today is what Psalm 24 says: the whole earth and the inhabitants within belong to the Lord.
On Palm Sunday, as we get ready to go into Easter Holy Week, what does Psalm 24 teach us about Palm Sunday? What are some things that we understand once we understand that the Lord that we serve and that we sing about, that we come and read about, that we pray to—once we understand and it is clear in our mind that God is King over everything, our worship experience can be enlightened even more.
I love what John Stott says in his message on the Sermon on the Mount, talking about the sovereignty of the Lord over all things. This Lord who owns and rules everything and everywhere, he says, "Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with glory and honor." That's a catalyst—the realization that he is King. That's a catalyst for how you actually engage him. He says we long to see him crowned with glory and honor and accorded his true place, which is the supreme place.
We become ambitious for the spread of the kingdom and the righteousness everywhere because we know he's a good God—a good God who's a good Creator who loves us in good ways.
When we think of Palm Sunday, maybe you're like Jen, if you were here earlier when we were talking earlier in the service, and you think of Palm Sunday as, of course, the palm leaves. Many of our children who are in Westover Kids will receive those today. I saw them handing them out as I walked the halls today. It's absolutely gorgeous! Or maybe you think about this humble King, Jesus, riding into Jerusalem not on a war horse but on a donkey.
At this time, maybe you think of that, and of course, that's a real historical event. Maybe you're checking out Christianity for the first time, or you've just come to church today and you're wondering, "Did that really happen?" Yes, it did really happen. There were eyewitness accounts that we see in the four gospels. When I say "the gospel," it means the good news. I'm also referencing the first four books that are in the New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, which are eyewitness accounts of what we celebrate today on Palm Sunday.
Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, and John 12:12-19 all give us a glimpse of the historical significance of Palm Sunday. I could go to any of those passages and teach today through the leading of the Holy Spirit, and we could grasp what happened on that day.
But what does Palm Sunday remind us about today as we look forward to Easter? We're going to land in Psalm 24 because not only is the Lord the Earth and all of us within it, but all of the scriptures point to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Everything from Genesis to Revelation gives us an unfolding of who Jesus Christ is.
So I will come as I will teach. I am a Christian. I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I am a disciple of his. As we look at this passage, we're going to look at it in the light of the gospel, because wherever it is in the scriptures, Old Testament or New Testament, it points to the glory of Christ.
If you have your weekly notes that are found within, we're going to walk through this text together as we look at Psalm 24. Three things I want to walk us through. Here's the first one: Palm Sunday reminds us of what we already talked about—everything belongs to the Lord.
The psalm starts 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."
Now, how in the world would Palm Sunday remind us that everything belongs to the Lord? Where do we get this from? Isn't that something we talk about before we give? We give a reminder. Now, in case you're thinking that God is not a generous God, he has given you everything—your land, your breath, all those things. But actually, throughout the scriptures, we see this theme running in it: the sovereignty of God. This is the Lord's Earth; everything within it belongs to the Lord.
When we look at the historical grammatical concepts in this—and when I say historical grammatical, I mean that this psalm was written in a time in history, and there's certain grammar that was used to write this psalm out of a language and out of communication—when we look behind this passage, I pray that the Spirit will not only look at these words but that they'll jump off the page to you.
When we really think about the implications it has for the church to understand this word, and then also the implications of the gospel coming out of this word. What I mean by the gospel is the story of Jesus Christ, who was given for us a ransom for many.
The background of this psalm and why it was written and how it was used is that it was considered when the ark returned from war or the entry of the ark into the city and definitely to the temple. Let me give you a little brief history: anytime the people of God would go out to war, they were different. One of the distinctions from Israel in the Old Testament and all other nations was that their might was not found in the strength of the warriors or the strength of their chariots or the strength of their spears or the strength of their training. No, their victory was found in the presence of God in the battle.
That was signified by the Ark of the Lord. The Ark of the Lord would go before the people in battle. Within that ark, we saw the Mercy Seat. You can read all this to where the Spirit of God dwelt with them, and they would keep that with them all throughout the time, and they would follow it. They would give this ark, this box in a sense that had the commandments in it, and that God's presence would be with them. It would signify that there was victory that was there.
So when they would march it back in, this is one of the psalms that would be read or understood or written about. As the ark would proceed into Jerusalem, the people would understand everything belongs to God. Everything that we see around here belongs to the Lord.
In Psalms 132, which is also a song of ascent—what do I mean by that? It means that these psalms, these 150, were read. Some of them were geared towards going to Jerusalem in the ascent, seeing the holy city. Here's what it says in Psalms 132: "For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling, saying, 'This is my resting place forever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it. I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.'"
Now here it is: "I will make a horn for David." What in the world does that mean? This horn for David, as we look here in the psalms, says this: "And set up a lamp for my anointed one." Who is this anointed one? "I will clothe his enemies with shame, and his head will be adorned with a radiant crown."
So when you look at the people of God, they would look at God's living room. It wasn't in the temple; it wasn't like he was kicked back and you went and saw God. No, but what it meant was that there was one coming. There was one coming that would be in the lineage of the kings that would make all things right, that justice would flow down. But he would be the conquering King, the one promised of old. Isaiah talks about him—the anointed one who would put his hand on heaven and put his hand on Earth.
That's what this psalm is pointing to—that one day, one day, God would walk through those gates. God, strong and mighty, would walk through those gates of Jerusalem. Just one day, he would do it—the one who owns everything. He would dwell with us, and we would dwell with him.
This is what it's pointing to—the reality of this Creator God who created all things, whether great and small. The psalm reminds us that God, as a creator, has manifested his wisdom and created a world that is orderly and that we can inhabit. That is governed by the objects in the sky, whether it's the moon or the sun, that there are days in order that are set.
When we think of that, maybe we don't lean into that. It's not like I had to get up this morning and yell to the sun to appear. God just ordained it to appear. This is the created order of God, and we long to understand and to know this creator for him to come in—the one who has established it.
For the Lord has created the heavens; he is God. He formed the Earth; he made it and established it. He didn't create it in vain; he is the Lord. He formed it. In order to escape that reality, you have to form another worldview.
You see, that's a worldview. We have a worldview that believes that God is the creator, that he has created all things for his majesty and for his splendor and for his beauty. Now, there are other worldviews out there. Spring break—maybe some of you have come from universities and different places, and if you've noticed, there are different worldviews that would look at this and go, "This is unintelligible. This is archaic to believe that a God would create everything and leave it here."
Well, of course, there's not. How in the world could that come? But you see, even those who may have a different worldview than a Christian worldview, there's something that still longs within them when they look at creation.
This is a quote by one of those in our world that inhabits the world and has a different understanding than a Christian worldview. His name is Richard Dawkins. He's a famous atheist in our times. Listen to what he writes just about the world. Now, he would not believe in the created order like Christians would believe, but just listen to his writings here:
"After
Embracing the King of Glory: Hope and Mission
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on Mar 26, 2024
