We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Psalm 2:1-12
*
INTRODUCTION
What in the world is going on? And how in the world do we fix this? Psalm 2 has the answer.

It’s the coronation of a King. Psalm 2 says that we must know where history is going; we must see the whole show; we must understand that the world has been promised to the Messiah – God’s Anointed One. Today, we look at the great drama of an ongoing cosmic conflict. Nested in all this violence is a qualified and loving King who died for the people aligned against him but who will ultimately hold all co-conspirators responsible for rejecting His terms of peace with the world. Don’t underestimate this lowly king riding into Jerusalem on a donkey.
*
While there are different types of psalms, all of the Psalms are generally Messianic, that is, they speak to a coming Messiah-King who will transform our broken world into an age of blessing. Psalm 2 (Acts 13:33) is one of the most frequently quoted Psalms in the New Testament – quoted 18 times. David, the author of the psalm (Acts 4:25), exhorted the pagan nations surrounding Israel to forsake their efforts to oppose the Lord and His anointed king. David urged them to submit to the authority of the King whom God has ordained to rule them (cf. 2 Sam. 10). David knew that God had a plan - that a Promised King was coming through Israel and that no matter how Dark the Age would become, God would be faithful to preserve this lineage until this King arrived. All those nations who try to destroy God’s plan and all those nations that are yet to come should take note of this Psalm.
*
David wrote this Psalm about 900 years before Christ was born as a coronation Psalm. His voice is part of the prophetic song that was sung over the ages – A King is Coming. So, when I say a Psalm is Messianic, it has two referents – King David, who reigned at the time the Psalm was written and who was coronated, and King Jesus the Messiah who is to come. He’s a greater David, a greater warrior, a greater servant – the ultimate fulfillment of a Davidic king. The things that are said about this King, this Anointed One, are far too great to be confined to any earthly king. In multiple NT places, the writers demonstrate how Jesus is the Greater King.
*
So here in Jerusalem the king has been installed, but all the foreign, hostile kings are conspiring against this king. In view of the inevitability of judgment for rebellion, the leaders of these nations would be wise to bow in submission not only to David, but, what is more important, to the King behind him in heaven. This psalm begins abruptly with a scene of profound turbulence and turmoil. The nations of the earth and their kings are pictured as raging against persons in authority. They meet together to plot the overthrow.
*
MESSAGE OUTLINE
This psalm presents FOUR VOICES (if you reflect on the entire scope of the Bible). Moody Church pastor, the late Harry Ironside – also one of the founders of the seminary I attended - Ironside speaks of four voices in this psalm. In each section there is a different speaker, so that in this second Psalm you listen to four different voices. Whose voices are they? In each of its four sections: the voice of the world, the voice of the Father, the voice of the Son, and the voice of the Holy Spirit. Let’s listen to each of these voices in turn.
*
We have to understand our world: We hate the King and plot against Him (1-3). We hear the Voice of the world in these verses; the voice of defiance; a blind irrational rage; a conspiracy against God’s authority. The Kings and the rulers and the prime ministers and the presidents and the premiers of this world have something to say.
*
We have to understand God’s plan: We have a true King. (4-6). We hear the Voice of the Father in these verses. We have a king above all kings; a king behind all the kings. He laughs, but there is mercy in that. He doesn’t immediately lash out in fury.
*
We have to understand our history: We are alienated from the King (7-9). We hear the Voice of the Son in these verses. There’s One true King installed by God but we’re alienated from Him. We must love the one whom we’ve hated.
*
We have to understand our opportunity: We need the King (10-12). We hear the Voice of the Spirit in these verses. The Spirit-inspired narrator: “Come to your king without delay.”
*
APPLICATION
The World About Us: The world rages and conspires and throws off God’s restraints. Are you raging against God?
*
The God Above Us: God is Sovereign over all creation. Is there an area of your life that’s not surrendered?
*
The Savior Before Us: He is God’s chosen ruler. Have you come to grips with Jesus and His work?
*
The Spirit In Us: He is at work to bring you into a right relationship with the King. He is the voice of resolve.
*
CONCLUSION
Invitation: In Philippians 2:9–11 Paul speaks of God’s exalted Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. The language is drawn from Isaiah 45:23, but the imagery is from Psalm 2. Philippians 2:10 says, “Every knee will bow.” Psalm 2:12 says, “Kiss the Son” (ESV). What better place to begin than at his feet, in great gratitude for his salvation and sovereignty, his redemption and his reign. Kiss the Son and trust him. Kiss the Son and serve him. Kiss the Son and adore him. Bow the knee and kiss the Son.