Thinking Biblically

Helping renew your mind with God's Word

Category: Devotional (Page 7 of 13)

These posts are from my personal Bible study. Some posts are from my own sermons.

Mark’s Introduction – Mark 1:1-8

February 15, 2023 /

Sermon Video

Who is Jesus? Everyone has an opinion, and everyone wants Jesus in their corner. Many agree that Jesus was a moral teacher. Some would call him a philosopher. Social justice activists claim that Jesus would support their causes. Politicians claim Jesus would support their policies. Recently, Gavin Newsom, governor of California, said that providing abortions is a way to love your neighbor and quoted from Mark 12:31.

But who is Jesus, really? Today, we begin a new sermon series through the Gospel of Mark. If you would, go ahead and turn there. As Christians, we should get our picture of Jesus from the culture. We should not learn of Jesus from liberal churches and pastors who don’t really believe the Bible. Instead, we should go straight to the original sources.

That’s what the Gospels are. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are historically accurate records of the life of Jesus Christ. More specifically, the Gospels are carefully constructed narratives that proclaim the gospel message of Jesus.[1]Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 91. Collectively, the Gospels give us his lineage, his birth narrative, his ministry, and his teachings. They tell us about his death on the cross for sin and his resurrection and that one day he will return in glory to judge the nations.

There is no more important question that you will ever answer than, “Who is Jesus?” Thus, we will spend a little over 50 Sundays answering that very question by walking through the Gospel of Mark.

I’ve provided an overview of Mark in your bulletin. I’m not going to read that to you, but I do want to hit some highlights.

Overview of Book

The Gospel of Mark was written by John Mark. Mark served with Paul and was also a close companion of Peter. In fact, Peter provides the source material for Mark. In Mark, the details of the stories are vivid and there are often more details provided than the other gospel accounts. This is because Peter was the leader of the disciples, and he provided an eyewitness account.

The Gospel of Mark was probably written in Rome and for Gentile Christians in Rome. It seems Mark was writing to Gentiles because he took time to explain Jewish customs in addition to translating Aramaic expressions and using Latin terms and measurements.

Mark does not provide a purpose statement for his gospel like Luke or John but there are at least four purposes for his writing.

  1. To demonstrate to non-Christians that Jesus is the Son of God because of his authority over nature, demons, death, and sickness.
  2. To provide an apologetic that in spite of his crucifixion, which was a death reserved for criminals and slaves, that Romans should follow Jesus even though many Jews had rejected him.
  3. To show that Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Son of God, Savior, and Lord.
  4. To teach Christians about the nature of discipleship.

There are a lot of opinions about what it means to be a Christian. Mark writes for us the words of Jesus so that we can know what it means to follow Jesus as his disciple.

The structure of Mark can be broken down several ways but I want to give you two. One way is to look at the geography of Jesus’s ministry. Another way is to basically cut the book in two halves with the first teaching us about who Jesus is and the second teaching us why Jesus came.

I’m ecstatic to begin Mark today and I hope and pray it will be a blessing to our church. I pray it will help us to know Jesus, to love Jesus, and to follow Jesus in all of life for the rest of life.

Sermon Text: Mark 1:1-8

The Gospel is the Fulfillment of Old Testament Scriptures (1-3)

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,

“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
    who will prepare your way,
3 the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
    make his paths straight,’”

1

At the time of Mark’s writing, Jesus had been crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, and ascended probably about 25 years.

Mark’s very first words: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.”

The rest of the Gospel sets out the facts. Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) and he is the Son of God. The word gospel means “good news.” Thus, Mark has set out to explain the good news about who Jesus is, what he came to do, and what it means to follow Him.

First, who is Jesus?

“Jesus” is the Greek name for the Hebrew Joshua: “Yahweh (God) is salvation.”

“Christ” is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew Messiah: “the anointed one” or “the anointed king.”

Initially a title, “Christ” became part of the name of our Lord. But not only is Jesus the Messiah.[2]Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Mark, 5. Jesus is the very Son of God. He is the eternal Son of God who took on human flesh to save his people from their sins.

Second, what did Jesus do?

Jesus did a number of things during his ministry, but of course the main reason that he came according to Mark was not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Third, what does it mean to follow Jesus?

During Jesus’ ministry, he called people to follow Him. Throughout Mark, we get a picture of what it means to follow Christ as his disciples.

In today’s times, Mark’s message would be something like this: I want you to know and trust that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God and to follow Him.

In today’s times, Mark’s message would be something like this: I want you to know and trust that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and the Son of God and to follow Him.

This is really the aim of this sermon series. During our time in the Gospel of Mark I want you to get to know Jesus more fully so that you will trust and follow him more passionately. If you’re reading this and you’re not a Christian, I want to encourage you to examine the message of the Gospel of Mark and to trust in Jesus Christ and His life, death, and resurrection as the atoning sacrifice for your sins.

2-3

By referencing the Old Testament, Mark is making it clear that Jesus’ coming is a fulfillment of Old Testament promise and a continuation of God’s saving activity. In simple terms, the Old Testament Scriptures point to Jesus (John 5:39).

Mark’s quote in vv. 2-3 combines material from Exodus 23:20, Malachi 3:1, and Isaiah 40:3. Why does Mark only mention Isaiah? In New Testament times, it was customary to refer to the more famous source, which here is Isaiah.

Exodus 23:20 is God’s promise to send his messenger before the Israelites on their exodus through the desert to the Promised Land.

Malachi 3:1 warned that God would send a messenger to prepare the way for the Lord who comes in judgment. The Lord Jesus would judge his people to refine and purify them.

In contrast, Isaiah 40 is a message of hope and comfort. Isaiah 40:3 spoke of a messenger preparing the way for God who was coming to restore his people by bringing them back from Babylon to the Promised Land.

Putting these texts together, John the Baptist is the “messenger”, “the voice calling out in the wilderness” who prepares the way for the Lord who is coming to bring judgment and salvation.[3]Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 122.

Thus, the blended citation to these Old Testament Scriptures is meant to draw attention to the messenger, the Lord, and the wilderness.[4]William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 46.

Remember, there is a 400-year gap between Malachi (the end of the Old Testament) and the early events of the New Testament. The Old Testament anticipated a Messiah and the Israelites were looking for him. Here, these verses signal a new exodus and deliverance, which is exactly what’s needed when you’re suffering like the Roman Christians were.

John the Baptist serves a messenger/forerunner of Jesus (4-8)

4 John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Why does the Gospel of Mark begin with the story of John the Baptist rather than Jesus’ birth? Here are three reasons:

  1. Mark portrays Jesus as a servant.
  2. Mark is writing to a Gentile audience. Genealogies were more important for Jews than Romans.
  3. Mark is writing to a Roman audience. In Roman culture during biblical times, Roman officials were always preceded by a herald. Thus, Roman Christians would have perceived that Jesus was important because he had a messenger who prepared the way.

4-5

John was baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

John was not teaching salvation through baptism, but rather that his baptism was preparation for the forgiveness of sins that Christ would accomplish through his death and resurrection.[5]Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, 8.

We cannot miss the radicalness of these Jewish people being baptized. While the Jews did practice ceremonial washings, they were not immersed. The only time that immersion was practiced was when a non-Jew converted to Judaism. Therefore, to tell Jewish people that they had to be baptized and to repent like non-Jews would have been offensive. Craig Keener writes, “Most Jewish people thought that if they were born into a Jewish family and did not reject God’s law, they would be saved; John told them instead that they had to come to God the same way that non-Jews did. The point of John’s baptism is that everyone has to come to God on the same terms.”[6]Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary: New Testament, Mark 1:4-5.

The Jews were now being asked to do something they had never done before in their history! The idea of Jews being baptized was unheard of and was a radical departure from Jewish custom! To call all Israel to baptism implies that in some way all Israel is defiled. This was why John was called “The Baptizer.” There had never been anyone like him.

John was baptizing in the Jordan River, the very river where Israel entered the promised land after spending 40 years in the wilderness. All of this was meant to symbolize that a new exodus had arrived. Just as Israel had been delivered from slavery to the Egyptians, Jesus would set his people free from the bondage of slavery to sin.

6-8

I would venture to say that if I had been dressed like John the Baptist I would not have been called by my church to be their pastor! Note the following characteristics about John.

  • John’s residence: in the wilderness
  • John’s wardrobe: clothing made of camel’s hair and a leather belt
  • John’s diet: locusts with honey for dessert

John lived in the wilderness and dressed like Elijah (2 Kings 1:8), a prophet who called his people to repentance. John’s lifestyle contrasted starkly with the religious leaders of the day who lived in luxury and loved positions of authority.

John’s message (7-8)

John’s baptism was preparation for the forgiveness Christ would accomplish by his death and resurrection. It was a washing signifying that the baptized were ready for the coming kingdom of God.

John: “After me comes someone who is much greater than I. I am not even worthy to take his shoes off.” Removing one’s shoes was something done by servants and slaves. It was behavior seen to be beneath a free Jew. And yet, John said he was not worthy to even remove Jesus’ shoes.

John: I have baptized you with water, but he will Baptist you with the Holy Spirit. I don’t have the power to do this, but he does!

John was saying the water he baptized with will clean the outside. It would prepare them for the baptism to come but when Jesus baptized them with the Spirit, he would clean the inside.

You see, when you receive the Holy Spirit, He permeates every part of you.

We need more Christians like John the Baptist. He was not concerned with fame, money, position or looking good. There are a lot of Christians (and pastors) that are more concerned with having a clean appearance than having a clean heart. Churches are should not seek to grow bigger and bigger to pat ourselves on the back.

There are a lot of Christians (and pastors) that are more concerned with having a clean appearance than having a clean heart.

Rather, our focus should be like John – we should humble ourselves and point people to Jesus as we recognize that only he can save us from our sins through His death and resurrection. In turn, our lives will be changed as we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

John had one message (John 3:30) – I am not worthy. Jesus is worthy. Follow him.

John was not a man that was afraid of death but told his audience they were a brood of vipers and called them to bear fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt 3:8). He was beheaded because he challenged King Herod and called him out for his sexual sin with his brother’s wife (Mark 6:14-29).

God, give us more Christians and pastors like John the Baptist

Conclusion

Mark’s message: “Behold, the son of God!”

  • Jesus was anticipated by the OT
  • John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus

We’re told in Matthew’s gospel that the religious leaders argued with John the Baptist. They did this because they were more concerned with appearances than having their hearts cleansed by Jesus.

What about you? Are you more like the religious leaders who cared more about looking spiritual than being spiritually cleansed? I pray that we would like John the Baptist who truly wanted to decrease so that Christ might increase.

Maybe you’re reading this and you have been baptized with water but you’ve never had your heart penetrated and permeated by the Holy Spirit. If so, repent and trust in Jesus.

May we be like John the Baptist. If so, you will know you were completely unworthy of God’s goodness, but because of Jesus you have had your life changed and now you want to point others towards him.

Mark’s words should pierce us this morning. They remind us that Jesus came and obeyed God perfectly because we couldn’t. We should repent of our sins, trust Him in all of life, be baptized, and then point others to Him. This is our mission as a church and our mandate as followers of Jesus!

References

References
↑1 Robin Sydserff, Teaching Mark: From Text to Message, 91.
↑2 Daniel Akin, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Mark, 5.
↑3 Sydserff, Teaching Mark, 122.
↑4 William L. Lane, The Gospel of Mark, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, 46.
↑5 Akin, Exalting Jesus in Mark, 8.
↑6 Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Backgrounds Commentary: New Testament, Mark 1:4-5.

An Overview of Mark

February 15, 2023 /

Author

John Mark (Mark = Roman name, John = Jewish name)

John Mark was a close companion of Peter (Acts 12:12; 1 Pet 5:13) and the son of a wealthy family in Jerusalem (Acts 12:12-14).

Mark served as Peter’s interpreter and used Peter as his primary source of information in writing.

Eusebius’ Historia Ecclesiastica (History of the Church), written in 325:

And the presbyter [likely the apostle John] used to say this, “Mark became Peter’s interpreter and wrote accurately all that he remembered, not indeed, in order, of the things said or done by the Lord. For he had not heard the Lord, nor had he followed him, but later on, as I said, followed Peter, who used to give teaching as necessity demanded but not making, as it were, an arrangement of the Lord’s oracles, so that Mark did nothing wrong in writing down single points as he remembered them. For to one thing he gave attention, to leave out nothing of what he had heard and to make no false statements in them.

Date and Time of Writing

Most likely between A.D. 50 and A.D. 60. It is very likely that Mark is the earliest Gospel.

Mark was probably written in Rome (1 Pet 5:13). Rome is symbolically called Babylon.

Audience

Mark’s audience was most likely comprised of Gentile Christians most likely situated in Rome.

  • Explanation of Jewish customs (7:3-5; 14:12; 15:42)
  • Translation of Aramaic expressions (3:17, 5:41, 7:34, 14:36, 15:22, 34)
  • Use of Latin terms and measurements (5:9, 6:27,48, 12:15,42, 13:35, 15:16,39)
  • The reference to Rufus (15:21; cf. Rom 16:13)
  • The fact that Mark was probably in Rome with Peter (1 Pet 5:13)
  • Few Old Testament references (63, compared with 128 in Matthew and 90-100 in Luke)

Purposes for Writing

  1. To demonstrate to non-Christians that Jesus is the Son of God because of his authority over nature, demons, death, and sickness.
  2. To provide an apologetic that in spite of his crucifixion, which was a death reserved for criminals and slaves, that Romans should follow Jesus even though many Jews had rejected him.
  3. To show that Jesus, not Caesar, is the true Son of God, Savior, and Lord.
  4. To teach Christians about the nature of discipleship.

Two Structures

1:1-13 // Jesus in the wilderness
1:14-9:50 // Jesus’ ministry in and around Galilee
10:1-52 // Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem through Judea
11:1-16:8 // Jesus’ final week and passion (6 of 16 chapters)

1:1-8:26 // Jesus the Son of God is the powerful Messiah (who Jesus is)
8:27-16:8 // Jesus the Son of God is the suffering Servant (why Jesus came)

Downloadable PDF

The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown was the main resource that helped me put together this overview.

In Times of Distress – Psalm 4

February 6, 2023 /
The Psalms

Sermon Video

There are many things in this life that we cannot control. This past week where I live we were reminded that we cannot control the weather. Meteorologists can somewhat predict the weather, but we cannot change it. In a farming community, we are well aware of our need for rain. Farmers prepare the soil and sow the seed, but ultimately God causes the growth.

In life, there are many circumstances beyond our control. In Psalm 4, King David was being maligned and attacked. It seems that the nation of Israel was experiencing a time of famine and drought and some people began to question God’s ability to provide for his people. They wanted to seek out other gods of the pagan peoples around them.

In times of distress, how do you respond? Psalm 4 gives us a model for how to respond during these times. In this Psalm, David appeals to God and gives counsel to those who would seek relief outside of God.

Sermon Text: Psalm 4

In times of distress, call out to God (1)

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

In v. 1, David gives general instructions of what to do when you’re in distress. Call out to God! David says that we should call out to God because:

  • God will act righteously.
  • God will give you relief.

David remembered how God had delivered him in the past (“You have given me relief when I was in distress.”).

How has God helped you in troubled times? Cling to the remembrance of God’s deliverance. As you remember the past, you’ll have strength for the present.

“Hear my prayer.” – When no one else is listening, when everyone else is asleep, when you’re alone, God hears you when you cry out to him.

In times of distress, find your worth in the Lord (2-3)

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies?
3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
    the Lord hears when I call to him.

In v. 1, David is addressing God. In vv. 2-3, David is addressing the men who are defaming him. Verse 2 explains the reason for David’s distress–men were lying about David to defame him and they were questioning his leadership.

David was leading the people to turn to God and to stay focused on him during a time of distress (v. 7). Meanwhile, these men were looking for answers in other places. The NIV says in v. 2 that these men were seeking after false gods (“How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?”).

That’s what people during times of distress. They get mad at God and look for relief elsewhere. They seek comfort in sex, alcohol, drugs, or money. Like David, maybe the people you work with poke fun at your Christian faith. Maybe there are people in your life that seek to shame you and defame you. Maybe someone at work has lied about you to get a promotion.

I wonder, how are you handling that? Friends, you cannot control what others are saying about you. You can, however, control how you respond. Look at verse three. David knows that no matter what others are saying about him, the Lord knows David’s heart.

David doesn’t have to defend himself to these men because he isn’t living for their approval.

Matt 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

If others are defaming you, lying about you, shaming you, you have a choice.

Will you be controlled by their words and actions, or will you find your worth in knowing that you are a child of God? I’ve heard it said that if you live for the approval of others, you will die by their rejection.

If you live for the approval of others, you will die by their rejection.

Ever so often we hear about presidential approval ratings. These approval ratings are supposed to reflect how the American people think the president is doing. Though a king and not a president, David wasn’t concerned about his approval ratings. He was concerned about being faithful to the Lord.

That is what should concern us as well. Do not worry about the approval of others more than the approval of God. You will not stand before them on judgment day. You will stand before God almighty.

In times of distress, point your enemies to Christ (4-5)

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.
5 Offer right sacrifices,
and put your trust in the Lord.

In vv. 4-5, David gives further instructions to these men who are lying about David and tearing him down. This is not our usual response. Usually, we do not point our enemies to Christ but rather tear those people down in return.

David essentially says to his enemies in vv. 4-5: “You need to get right with God.” What does it look like to point your enemies to Christ in times of distress?

David told his enemies to not sin in their anger. He was saying, “You may not like your circumstances but doesn’t mean you should rebel against God.” Instead of getting angry, David encourages them (and us) to have the right perspective.

  • Be silent and thank about your situation in silence with God. (“ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent”).
  • Worship God (“offer right sacrifices”). To offer right sacrifices means to recognize that God is worthy of our worship. For us, this would mean that even in tough times we will attend church and worship with God’s people rather than hating our enemies.
  • Put your trust in the Lord.

In times of distress, look to the Lord for joy (6-7)

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?
    Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!”
7 You have put more joy in my heart
    than they have when their grain and wine abound.

You can sense the desperation of the people. David had heard many people say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord.” They had cried out to the Lord and yet wondered why the Lord had not blessed them.

We are so often like these people. We only think God is present or cares if things are going well. We think that if God isn’t “shining his face upon us” then he doesn’t care or worse that he is mad at us. Then we conclude that God is distant and we end up seeking alternative means of comfort such as money, sex, drugs, etc.

The truth is that many people treat God like a genie in a bottle. They want God’s gifts more than they want God himself. It seems from v. 7 that there might have been a drought, resulting in the loss of crops. And because of this, many people were questioning God’s goodness.

Some things never change. We still have people like this today. There are many people that think if things aren’t going well then God is ignoring them but if they are healthy, wealthy, and well-liked, then God has blessed them. These men didn’t care about a relationship with God. They just wanted to have grain and wine.

We are not promised good health, material wealth, or that we will be liked. God is more concerned about our holiness than our happiness. He will use every experience and relationship in our lives to make us more like Christ (Rom 8:28-29).

Jesus says it this way:

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matt 5:6)

Yes, we need food and drink to live. But as Christians we should be even more concerned about hungering and thirsting for righteousness. When tough times come, we should seek the Lord even more.

Look how David responds to those who have a fickle faith. David says that knowing God is more satisfying than his blessings of material abundance (v. 7; Ps 16:11).

David was the king! David had more grain and wine than these men and yet he said that true joy is found in a relationship with God (v. 7). As Christians, we too should find our joy in our relationship with God. Even when things are hard. Even when others seem to prosper more than us, we should have more joy because we know the one who gives abundant joy. True and lasting joy is not found in food, drink, or material prosperity. True and lasting joy is found in knowing God through his son, Jesus Christ.

True and lasting joy is not found in food, drink, or material prosperity. True and lasting joy is found in knowing God through his son, Jesus Christ.

Psalm 16:11

You make known to me the path of life;
    in your presence there is fullness of joy;
    at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In times of distress, you can experience peace in the Lord (8)

In peace I will both lie down and sleep;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

You will never have true peace until you have been reconciled (or made right with God) through Christ. David could sleep peacefully, knowing that the Lord would keep him safe. How was David able to experience peace in the Lord during a time of distress?

  1. By calling out to the Lord in his distress.
  2. By finding his worth in the Lord and not his reputation.
  3. By pointing his enemies to God rather than focusing on his circumstances.
  4. By finding joy in God’s presence, not material blessings.

Friends, when you’ve spent time with the Lord and you know that you have peace with him, there is nothing more for you to do than to lie down and sleep. Our enemies may attack us, but the Lord remains on our side. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31).

Facing Betrayal – Psalm 3

January 31, 2023 /
The Psalms

Sermon Video

Betrayal. Betrayal is a not a word we like. Perhaps for you it conjures up bad memories. Maybe you’ve been betrayed by your spouse, your children, or a close friend. Perhaps you were betrayed by a pastor or someone in the church. Because we live in a sin-sick world, we all will face betrayal at some time or another in our life. Today’s sermon/blog post is about how we can face betrayal as believers in Christ.

The historical context for Psalm 3 is found mainly in 2 Sam 15 where David is fleeing from his son, Absalom. The full narrative of David and Absalom is found in 2 Sam 13-19. The following is a summary of 2 Sam 13-14.

  • David had multiple wives and concubines.
  • Amnon, David’s firstborn son, raped his half-sister, Tamar.
  • David, along with Absalom (Tamar’s brother), was furious. The biblical record does not indicate that David ever took any action against Amnon.
  • After two full years, Absalom kills his half-brother Amnon to avenge Tamar and then fled from Jerusalem.
  • David never corrected Absalom for this or held his son accountable for his actions.
  • Absalom stayed away for three years and then is brought back to Jerusalem. However, he was not allowed to live in the king’s palace or see the king for two years.
  • After two years, Absalom and his father, David, the king, were reunited.

More context: 2 Sam 15:1-14

Absalom, perhaps out of ambition as well as resentment towards his father David begins to build relationships with the men of Israel. He does this by going to the city gate and listening to those who needed to speak with the king. He told these travelers that the king was too busy but that if he was in charge he would uphold justice. By doing this, the text says that he “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Sam 15:6).

After some time, Absalom stages a coup. He convinces people to follow him. He betrays his father David. David and his trusted friends and advisors had to leave the city.

So that’s what’s going on in Psalm 3. David is already out of the city and Absalom’s armies are closing in.

Sermon Text: Psalm 3

In Psalm 3, we see how David responded to betrayal and how we can look to God when we face betrayal.

When facing betrayal, many people lack faith in God’s power to save (1-2)

1 Lord, how many are my foes!
    How many rise up against me!
2 Many are saying of me,
    “God will not deliver him.”

One of the first things we see in this text is that even though David was God’s anointed king he was not free from the pain of attacks, even from within his own family. Today’s TV preachers proclaim that if you have enough faith that God will make and keep you happy, healthy, and wealthy. David was a man after God’s own heart and yet he faced a painful betrayal by his own son.

When betrayal comes, many people say “God’s not going to do anything. You have to take matters in your own hands.” We see this in verse two.

When you’re facing betrayal, it is okay to acknowledge that you don’t have the strength to deal with your problems. When David was leaving Jerusalem, he said, “I know not where [I am going]” (2 Sam 15:20). David didn’t know where he was going but he knew he had to leave or he would be killed.

It’s also normal to weep concerning evil and betrayal (2 Sam 15:30). David and those with him wept as they left Jerusalem. Betrayal brings confusion and sadness. This is a normal response. It is during these times that we need godly friends to help us.

Like David, we need friends who will pray for and support us. David had friends like this. Ittai was willing to face death with David (2 Sam 15:21). Hushai, Zadok, and Abiathar were friends of David that would communicate Absalom’s plans to David and his military advisors (2 Sam 15:32-37). Ziba brought supplies to David and his men (2 Sam 16:1-4). Truly, we need friends that will be with us during times of adversity (Prov 17:17).

We need friends that will be with us during times of adversity (Prov 17:17).

We also need friends that will speak truth to us (2 Sam 18:1-5). David was ready to go to battle but his military advisors told him to stay away from the battle. David evidently trusted these men because he told them, “Whatever seems best to you I will do” (v. 4). Have people that will tell you the truth and receive their words with humility. David was willing to listen and it probably saved his life.

This is why the church is so important. On Sunday mornings, your pastor will preach the truth of God’s Word. In Sunday school, you discuss God’s Word with other believers who will pray for you. Your relationships with mature believers in Christ will help you in times of adversity (Prov 17:17).

Do you have close relationships with strong Christians who will pray for you and speak the truth to you? I hope you do!

When facing betrayal, place your confidence in God and his strength (3-6)

3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4 I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

5 I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6 I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

David was concerned for his life (2 Sam 15:14).

David, as he was heading into the wilderness outside of Jerusalem, said these words:

“Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. But if he says, ‘I have no pleasure in you,’ behold, here I am, let him do to me what seems good to him.” (2 Sam 15:25-26)

David trusted in God’s sovereignty. He knew that if he had God’s favor then he would eventually return to the king’s palace in Jerusalem. In the meantime, David placed his confidence in God by meditating on the goodness of God. When you face a betrayal, remember these truths.

First, God is your shield (v. 3). As you look to God as your shield, you will be able to withstand the attacks of your enemies. We should look to God, who is the lifter of our heads.

Second, God answers prayer (v. 4). When we cry out to God, we are acknowledging that we need his help. We can be confident that he cares for us, and that he will answer us. A simple prayer is to pray Prov 3:5-6: “God, help me to trust you with all my heart and to not lean on my own understanding. I acknowledge your goodness in all things and trust you to make my path straight again in your time.”

Third, God sustains us (v. 5). Once we give our burden to the Lord, we can lay down and sleep peacefully, knowing that the Lord will hear us and sustain us through the troubles of life. David’s didn’t focus on his circumstances even though he was surrounded by enemies. Similarly, we should focus not on our circumstances, but instead meditate on our confidence in God’s protection.

David had learned this lesson in his youth. When he fought Goliath, he knew that he was just a kid with a slingshot. Israel’s army was looking at the size of the giant rather than placing their faith in God as David did.

Because God is our shield, because God answers prayer, and because God sustains us, we should not fear (v. 6).

Because God is our shield, because God answers prayer, and because God sustains us, we should not fear.

When facing betrayal, trust in God for salvation from your enemies (7-8)

7 Arise, Lord!
    Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
    break the teeth of the wicked.

8 From the Lord comes deliverance.
    May your blessing be on your people.

David not only trusted in God to protect him, but he trusted that God would fight for him (v. 7). In 2 Sam 17:14, it says this:

And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring harm upon Absalom.

Ahithophel had given his counsel to Absalom that probably would’ve worked wonderfully had God not thwarted his plans. Even before Absalom’s coup, God had ordained that David would be restored to the throne. Trust in the Lord. He knows about your battles before they even begin!

Conclusion

How do you fight your battles? Rather than seeking vengeance on your enemy, ask God to fight your battles for you as you trust him to establish justice.

David fought his battle in the strength of the Lord, with the help of trusted friends, while trusting in God’s sovereignty.

The entire time, David wanted to be reconciled with Absalom. David was Absalom’s enemy, but Absalom was not David’s enemy. As you trust in God for deliverance, are seek reconciliation with those who have hurt you. David even pardoned the men of Israel that had followed Absalom and betrayed him (2 Sam 19:16-43).

David was able to proclaim v. 8, that the Lord brings deliverance. When facing betrayal, trust in God for salvation. Put your confidence in him and look to him rather than being crippled by your circumstances.

When David left Jerusalem, he went up to the Mount of Olives weeping (2 Sam 15:30). About a thousand years later, a man went to the Mount of Olives. He wept, knowing that he would be betrayed by one of his closest friends. That man was Jesus. He willingly went to the cross to die for our sins.

The next time you are betrayed, remember that God will fight for you. He can bring evil out of good. He’s already done it through his perfect Son.

Kiss the Son – Psalm 2

January 23, 2023 /
The Psalms

Sermon Video

Psalm 2 is a psalm of David (see Acts 4:25-26).

Ever since the fall in Genesis 3, God’s people have looked for the promised deliverer. As the OT unfolds, we are given a fuller picture of this Savior.[1]J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1–50, 12..

  • Genesis 3 – the seed of the woman will crush the head of the serpent (Gen 3:15).
  • Genesis 12 – he will come from Abraham (Gen 12:1–3).
  • Genesis 49 – he will be of the tribe of Judah (Gen 49:8–12).
  • Deuteronomy – he will be a prophet greater than Moses (Deut 18:15).
  • 2 Samuel 7 – he will be a Son of David and that his throne and kingdom will be established forever (2 Sam 7:5–16).

Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16)

12 “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’”

Psalm 2 gives us further insight of the glory and greatness of the coming Messiah-King.

Psalm 2 is a royal (or kingship) psalm. It’s also a messianic psalm. This psalm likely functioned as a song that accompanied the inauguration of Solomon, who was David’s heir to the throne in Jerusalem.[2]Tremper Longman III, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, 59–60. However, this psalm not only speaks to the rule of Solomon or any future heir of David. It finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ and is one of the most quoted psalms in the New Testament.[3]J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, 13.

It seems that in the original historical context of this psalm that Gentile kingdoms were seeking to be free of Israelite rule. This psalm unveils the coming Messiah-King and makes it clear that Gentiles will only find lasting joy as subjects of this future anointed king.

Last week we looked at Psalm 1, which drew a contrast between the righteous and the wicked. This week in Psalm 2 we see the Psalmist draw a contrast between those who seek to rebel against God’s authority and those who submit to God’s rule and reign by embracing his anointed king and taking their refuge in him.

The Psalm breaks down into four parts. The first section is found in vv. 1-3.

Like worldly rulers, we naturally rebel against God’s authority as our rightful king (1-3)

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.”

In verse 1, a question is raised – “Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?” Verses 2-3 are the answer.

  • “The kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and his anointed.”
  • “The rulers take counsel together against the Lord and his anointed.”
  • They want to “burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.”

The rulers of nations plot to build their own kingdom and dominion. They seek worldly power and influence. They don’t recognize or submit to God’s sovereign rule over his creation. They don’t just reject God’s authority, but the word picture here is that they throw it off (“cast away their cords from us”).

Verse 2 explains that the kings and rulers of the earth set themselves against God’s rule on the earth. They have no desire to be ruled by God or his anointed king of Israel (whether David, Solomon, or Jesus himself).

“Anointed” – The Psalms often express the messianic ideals attached to the Davidic line by using the phrase “the Lord’s anointed” (see Ps 18:50). In 1 Sam 24:6, David refused to harm Saul because Saul was “the Lord’s anointed.”

So, here in Ps 2, David is saying that the kings and rulers of the earth have set themselves against God and his anointed king and the royal line from which his true Son, Jesus Christ will come.

Like worldly rulers, we naturally rebel against God’s authority as our rightful king. We rebel against God when we don’t bring every area of our lives into submission to God’s Word.

When we rebel against God, we are provoking his wrath (4-6)

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

God laughs at the idea of kings and rulers setting themselves against him and his anointed king. Today’s kings and rulers think that God’s Word is antiquated and outdates. They mock and ridicule God’s Word and those who adhere to it. Today’s rulers think they can define truth.

The reality is that when rulers of the earth think they can define truth, God laughs.

  • When they try to redefine marriage, God laughs.
  • When they seek to redefine gender and homosexuality, God laughs.
  • When they lie about abortion and when life begins, God laughs.
  • When they tell you that all life is a cosmic accident (macroevolution), God laughs.

We are sometimes afraid to speak of God because of fear of ridicule or anger, but God is not intimidated by the world’s powers and we shouldn’t be eitehr. We have God’s Word in our hearts and the Holy Spirit living in us. Remember in the Great Commission, Jesus said that “all authority has been given to me” and “I will be with you always” (Matt 28:18, 20).

In v. 5, it says that God will speak to them in his wrath and terrify them in his fury. God’s wrath comes from his holiness. God will not tolerate sin. Consider Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). God poured out his wrath on those cities because of their unrighteousness and he will pour out his wrath on anyone that doesn’t kiss the Son (v. 12).

God’s response to human pride and power is to install his “king” on Zion (v. 6). This points beyond Israel’s king to Jesus, God’s true Son. One day he will put everything right; but he will do this by going first to Zion—to Jerusalem—to die for our sins. The people that appear to rule the world are all under his lordship and one day they will know it. Worldly rulers have some influence, but they are on borrowed time. One day, every knee will bow before Jesus.

Phil 2:10-11

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When we rebel against God, we are provoking his wrath. One day, God’s Son will deliver judgment to those who refuse to bow the knee.

God’s Son will deliver judgment to rebellious sinners (7-9)

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

In verses 7-9, we see how the Messiah responds to the nations who reject him. The anointed king (Jesus) shares of the decree that the Lord spoke to him.

The word begotten describes a relationship between two beings of the same essential nature and being. Jesus is not a created being. A created thing has a different essential being and nature than the one who created it. A man creates a statue but begets a child.[4]https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-2/.

We know this refers to Christ because v. 8 speaks of a worldwide rule that demands a king with infinitely greater power than David. Remember, God promised to David an eternal and worldwide kingdom established by his descendant (2 Sam. 7:12–14).

In v. 7, the Lord says, “You are my Son.” At both the baptism of Jesus and his transfiguration, the Father spoke of Jesus as his son (Mark 1:11, 9:7).

Look at how Revelation 2:26-27 speaks of Christ from Ps 2:8-9.

Revelation 2:26-27

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father.

The apostles preached the gospel from this psalm (Ps 2:7; Acts 13:32-33). The author of Hebrews explained that Christ was this “Son” whom God sent into the world—the only Son who could truly fulfill the promises to David (Heb. 1:5).

There is judgment coming to the nations. There is judgment coming to those who reject Jesus Christ. Brothers and sisters, we are to share the gospel with those that surround us—our neighbors, family, friends, and coworkers. We are to warn them of God’s coming judgment, while declaring the message of his saving grace.

The way to escape the wrath of Jesus is to submit to His lordship (10-12)

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 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.

Verses 10-12 serve as a warning to earthly kings and rulers. In v. 10, the kings are to be wise because they have been warned. They are called to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling (v. 11). Finally, they are to kiss the son (v. 12). To kiss the son is to rest in and live for him. It is a sign of allegiance. You must pay homage to Jesus. You must be willing to bow the knee and declare your allegiance to him.

If you refuse to bow to God’s son, know this: the son will be angry and you will perish under his wrath (v. 12). In America, we tend to think of meek and gentle Jesus rather than a judging and wrathful Jesus. But here is what God’s Word says:

Revelation 19:11-16

11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[b] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule[c] them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The good news is this: if you do bow to God’s son, you can take refuge in him (v. 12). The only way to escape God’s wrath is to submit to the lordship of Christ. Each one of us is born with a sin nature. We all act on that nature. We rebel against God. We deserve his wrath. But thanks be to God that even while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8). Our response to Jesus’ atoning work on the cross is to repent (turn from sin) and believe in Christ (Mark 1:15). For a fuller explanation of the gospel, click here.

References

References
↑1 J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1–50, 12.
↑2 Tremper Longman III, Psalms: An Introduction and Commentary, 59–60.
↑3 J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, 13.
↑4 https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-2/.

The Righteous and the Wicked – Psalm 1

January 17, 2023 /
The Psalms

Sermon Video

Introduction to Psalms

The book of Psalms (or the Psalter) is both the hymnal for Israelite worship and a book of personal devotions and prayers. The psalms were written by several authors over a period of hundreds of years.

Psalms is divided into five sections or “books.”

  1. Book One – Psalms 1-41
  2. Book Two – Psalms 42-72
  3. Book Three – Psalms 73-89
  4. Book Four – Psalms 90-106
  5. Book Five – Psalms 107-150

There are several different kinds of Psalms:[1]Tremper Longman, How to Read the Psalms.

  • Hymn psalms
  • Psalms of lament
  • Psalms of thanksgiving
  • Psalms of confidence
  • Psalms of remembrance
  • Wisdom psalms
  • Kingship psalms

The Psalms show us the full range of human emotions. When you read the Psalms, you sense that the authors are pouring themselves out before God. In the Psalms, we see human need and God’s providential care. [2]Gould, Dana. Shepherd’s Notes: Psalms 1-50, 23. B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

The Psalms are important to us today because they help us understand God and our relationship with him. The Psalms picture God as our Creator who is capable of rescuing his people. We also see in the Psalms that God is a just judge who rewards the righteous and opposes the wicked.[3]Gould, Shepherd’s Notes: Psalms 1-50, 22.

And that is exactly what we see in Psalm 1, which is our text for today. Psalm 1 is a wisdom psalm. It contrasts the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. It is an introduction to the whole Psalter. From the opening psalm, we are confronted with a decision. Will we be righteous people who seek to live fruitful lives for God or will we go our own way, the way of the wicked? That is the subject of today’s message.

Will we be righteous people who seek to live fruitful lives for God or will we go our own way, the way of the wicked?

Sermon Text: Psalm 1

A happy, righteous person delights in God’s Word, while the wicked keeps bad company (1-2)

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

In verse 1, we see that the man that doesn’t keep company with the wicked is blessed (happy). Implied in the text is that the wicked keep bad company. The wicked walk in the counsel of other wicked people and thus think like the wicked. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.“

Not only do the wicked think like the wicked, but they live liked the wicked (“stand in the way of sinners”) and associate with the wicked (“sit at the seat of scoffers”).

With these words in mind, I want you to consider:

Who are you getting advice from?

Who are your closest friends?

Are they encouraging you in your walk with Christ?

No friend that you have is neutral. Your friends are either encouraging you to become more like Christ or to live contrary to his ways.

No friend that you have is neutral. Your friends are either encouraging you to become more like Christ or to live contrary to his ways.

Wise people live godly lives. If you want to be wise and godly, spend time with wise and godly people. If you want to suffer harm, then spend time with wicked and foolish people.

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

In contrast to keep company with wicked people, the happy, righteous person delights in God’s Word. The way to frustration and foolishness is to try to live life apart from the truth of God’s Word. If you try to live in God’s world apart from his wisdom you’ll be constantly be frustrated.

The real way to happiness and wisdom is to live a life that delights in God’s Word. As you delight in God’s Word, the Spirit of God changes you. God’s Spirit uses his word to do his work (Josh 1:8; John 17:17; Rom 12:2).

God’s Spirit uses His Word to do His work.

Are you delighting in God’s Word? Are you exposing yourself to God’s Word?

  • Are you delighting in God’s Word?
  • Are you exposing yourself to God’s Word?
  • Are you reading the Bible regularly?
  • Are you memorizing any Scripture?
  • Are you meditating on Scripture?
  • Are you consistently attending Sunday worship where the Word is faithfully preached?
  • Are you in a small group where the Word is discussed in community with other Christians?

In verses 1-2, we see that a happy, righteous person delights in God’s Word, while the wicked keeps bad company. In verses 3-4, the Psalmist further contrasts the righteous and the wicked.

A happy, righteous person is marked by a fruitful, steady life, while the wicked live empty, shaky lives (3-4)

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.

The first thing we notice is that the righteous person is a fruitful person. In the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples that they are to be spiritually fruitful (John 15:8) and that bearing fruit is one mark of a true disciple of Christ. True followers of Jesus don’t just speak about God but their life bears fruit that is pleasing to God. They bear the fruits of the Spirit.

Like a tree planted by streams of water, a person that is delighting in God’s Word (v. 2) is not moved by the storms of life (Matt 7:24-27). So, when the storms of life (job loss, a bad diagnosis, prodigal children, the loss of a loved one, or betrayal by a loved one) are pounding them, they have an unshakable faith in God and his sovereignty (Job 1:20-22).

Just as the fruitful tree draws in v. 3 draws strength from the water, we as Christians draw our strength from a continual relationship with Christ.

John 4:13-14

Jesus said to the Samaritan woman, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

In lands without abundant rainfall, vegetation flourished only where there were natural streams or man-made canals.[4]Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 880. Similarly, even if we live in a place that is spiritually dry, we can flourish if we delight in God’s Word and have a deep abiding relationship with Christ (John 15:1-11), the true living water.

The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

In contrast to the righteous, who are like rooted and fruitful trees, the wicked are like chaff that is blown away by the wind.

To understand the analogy, you need to understand a little about chaff. Chaff is the inedible part of the grain. Farmers would break the seeds free from chaff and the husk and the straw by threshing. Then, they would take a winnowing fork and throw all of the mixture in the air. The straw and husk would blow away, but the heavier grains would fall to the ground. Thus, chaff is a description of all that is passing and useless. The psalmist here says that the wicked are living lives of chaff. The contrast between a fruitful tree and useless chaff is clear. The tree is one of well-watered stability. The chaff is one of dry, dusty, impermanence.

Their lives are marked by a rejection of God and His ways. They have built their lives on sand. A wicked person is driven by his or her selfish desires. They love the things of the world rather than experiencing the love of God through Christ. They love the things that are passing away (1 John 2:17).

A happy, righteous person is known by God, while the wicked will perish (5-6)

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

In verse 6, it says “the Lord knows the way of the righteous.” Of course, God knows the way of the wicked as well, for he will judge them. This verse means that God knows the way of the righteous in an affectionate way [5]The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 943. and he approves of them because of the imputed righteousness from Christ (2 Cor 5:21).

Verse 5 says that “the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.” The wicked won’t be able to stand in the judgment because they have nothing to stand on. Their works are wicked and they have not trusted in Christ. Christians can’t stand on their own merits but are righteous because of Christ (Rom 8:1; 2 Cor 5:21). The wicked, however, will be punished for their unrighteous deeds. They will not be allowed to be in the presence of the righteous.

I’m reminded of Proverbs 14:12. Many people think they will be able to get away with their sin. They may be able to fool their spouse, their boss, or even other church members. However, no one can fool God. He sees all. The way of a sinner is hard and it ultimately leads to spiritual death (1 Cor 15:22; Rom 6:23).

Psalm 1 reminds that there are only two ways – the way of the righteous and the way of the wicked. Jesus teaches the same. Consider his words in Matthew 7:13-14.

Matt 7:13-14

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

John the Baptist said this of Jesus:

Matt 3:12

“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”

The only way to avoid God’s judgment is to cast yourself on the perfect Son of God. Turn from your wicked ways. Delight in God’s Word. Repent of your sin and believe in Jesus Christ. Then you will be able to stand in the judgment – not on your own works but on the perfect atoning work of Christ.

How about you? Who are you in Psalm 1? Are you a righteous person that delights in God and his word or do you love your sin and spend time with people that love the world instead of the Father?

References

References
↑1 Tremper Longman, How to Read the Psalms.
↑2 Gould, Dana. Shepherd’s Notes: Psalms 1-50, 23. B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
↑3 Gould, Shepherd’s Notes: Psalms 1-50, 22.
↑4 Craig S. Keener and John H. Walton, eds., NIV Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016), 880.
↑5 The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 943.

A Redeemer Changes Everything – Ruth 4

December 30, 2022 /

Sermon Video

Overview of Ruth

Previous chapters:

Ruth 1 – Turning to God in Your Pain

Ruth 2 – God’s Care in Your Despair

Ruth 3 – A Promise of Redemption

Sermon Text: Ruth 4

To see a summary of chapters 1-3, see the posts linked above. There are three key pieces of information from chapter 3:

  1. Boaz promised Ruth that he will act as her redeemer (Ruth 3:13).
  2. There is a closer relative to Elimelech and Naomi than him (Ruth 3:12).
  3. He will settle the matter today (Ruth 3:13, 18).

BIG IDEA: Through the work of a redeemer, God changes our past failures into a promising future according to his plan and for his glory.

Through the work of a redeemer, we have an inheritance (1-12)

The city gate (v. 1) was the place of activity in the town. Here, business transactions and legal proceedings took place. Today, we might think of the city gate as the chamber of commerce, the courthouse, and the supermarket rolled into one. Here, people of status could be found. We would find the mayor, the city council, local judges, and businessmen.

Archaeologists have found benches near the city gates in ancient towns. To sit was the position of authority or doing business. Boaz has 10 elders to sit down and conduct business (v. 2). These elders were men that were not those of a certain age but were the men that administrated the affairs of the community. They had significant life experience and could help guide the community.

In v. 3, Boaz reveals to the man why he wants to talk. Naomi has returned from Moab and is selling the land that belonged to Elimelech.

Ruth 4:3-4

“Naomi, who has come back from the country of Moab, is selling the parcel of land that belonged to our relative Elimelech. 4 So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” And he said, “I will redeem it.”

We might wonder, is Naomi a landowner? Not technically. Numbers 27 speaks to this issue.

Numbers 27:8-11

8 And you shall speak to the people of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies and has no son, then you shall transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9 And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 And if he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to the nearest kinsman of his clan, and he shall possess it. And it shall be for the people of Israel a statute and rule, as the Lord commanded Moses.’”

Here, Boaz is saying that the land is to be transferred to the nearest kinsman, the kinsman-redeemer, and then used to provide for Naomi.

Three Qualifications of a Kinsman-Redeemer

  1. He must be a blood relative.
  2. He must have sufficient resources to buy the property and care for the widow and her family.
  3. He must be willing to buy.

At first, the nearer redeemer is salivating at the prospects of adding land to his estate. He says in front of the elders, “I will redeem it” (v. 4). At this point, the redeemer is thinking this is a good business transaction. He would get free land and in return he would simply have to provide for Naomi, who is past childbearing age until she dies. Then the land would become part of the inheritance for his children.

In vv. 5-6, Boaz lets the man know about Ruth.

Ruth 4:5-6

5 Then Boaz said, “The day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” 6 Then the redeemer said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.”

Three Responsibilities of a Kinsman Redeemer

  1. Marry the widow and provide for her (Deut 25:5-10).
  2. Take the land (Lev 25:25-28; Num 27:8-11).
  3. Protect the family line by providing an heir for the estate (Deut 25:5-10).

Levirate Marriage

Deut 25:5-6

5 “If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead man shall not be married outside the family to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her and take her as his wife and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 And the first son whom she bears shall succeed to the name of his dead brother, that his name may not be blotted out of Israel.

Now the game has changed. The redeemer will have to marry Ruth, who is a Moabite. The redeemer has a responsibility to raise up an heir for Elimelech through Ruth. The oldest son will then inherit the estate. Additionally, any additional children that Ruth had would have had to be provided for and would cut into the inheritance of the unnamed redeemer’s own children.

The unnamed redeemer sees that the redemption is now too costly for him. He says, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance. Take my right of redemption yourself, for I cannot redeem it.” I think we’re all tempted to think like Mr. So-and-So. It’s so easy for us to think only about what is best for us instead of thinking about how to love our neighbors well.

In verses 7-10, Boaz takes on the responsibility to be a redeemer for Naomi and Ruth. Boaz is willing to take on the responsibility to perpetuate not his own name, but the names of Elimelech and Mahlon. The elders then pronounce a blessing on Boaz (vv. 11-12).

11 Then all the people who were at the gate and the elders said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you act worthily in Ephrathah and be renowned in Bethlehem, 12 and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the Lord will give you by this young woman.”

Perez was an ancestor of Boaz (vv. 18–22) who was born to Judah and Tamar through circumstances related to the practice of levirate marriage (Gen 38).

Through the work of a redeemer, we have an inheritance. But not only do we have an inheritance, we also have a family.

Through the work of a redeemer, we have a family (13-17)

Boaz and Ruth consummate their new marriage and in one verse (4:13), every problem in chapter one meets a solution:

  • Ruth, who is without a husband, now has one.
  • Ruth, who was likely barren is granted immediate conception.
  • Naomi, who was without a son to take care of her in the future now has one to continue her family’s line.

The child born of Boaz and Ruth actually continued two family lines – those of Boaz and Elimelech.

Only twice is the Lord explicitly said to be the cause of actions in the book. In Ruth 1:6 the Lord provided food. Here in Ruth 4:13 God grants conception to Boaz and Ruth. Perhaps Boaz’s ability to father a child was in doubt, as certainly Ruth’s ability to bear one was since she had not conceived with her previous husband.

In v. 14 the word “redeemer” is not talking about Boaz, but about the son that has been born. When the story begins, Bethlehem is a place of famine, but it becomes a place of fruitfulness because of God’s faithfulness.

A young guardian-redeemer is born for Naomi who will grow and protect her family and inheritance (v. 15). The image of Naomi holding the child on her lap is very beautiful. This formerly bitter woman now has a grandson to play with and this boy will continue the family line of her late husband (v. 16). The son born in these unlikely circumstances (Obed) became the grandfather to Israel’s greatest king.

Burying a child is arguably the hardest thing to do in this life. On the flipside, the birth of a child brings more joy than anything else. The book of Ruth begins with the death of a man and his two sons. It ends with the joy of new birth. The book of Ruth takes us from death to life, from devastation to joy, and from despair to hope.[1]Christopher Ash, Teaching Ruth & Esther: From text to message, 127.

The book of Ruth takes us from death to life, from devastation to joy, and from despair to hope.

Christopher Ash

Through the work of a redeemer, we have a future (18-22)

During a period when many people did what was right in their own eyes, there were at least three who did what was right in God’s eyes.

God worked through Boaz to redeem not just Ruth and Naomi, but to bring about David, the greatest king of Israel. The same godliness that drove Boaz would guide David to bless his nation and redeem their lives from the moral chaos of the judges.

God was doing far more than Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz could have realized during their lifetimes.

Conclusion

God worked through Boaz to redeem not just Ruth and Naomi, but to bring about the great redeemer Jesus Christ (see the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1).

Remember how the book of Ruth started:

  • moral chaos
  • famine
  • funerals
  • incredible pain
  • desperation

Naomi and Ruth experienced incredible pain and hardships. Naomi wanted to be called bitter (Ruth 1:20-21). But God, in his goodness which shone through the kindness of a redeemer, gave Naomi and Ruth:

  • provision
  • protection
  • an inheritance
  • a family
  • joy
  • future

How did that happen?

  • For Ruth, it meant turning to the one true God.
  • For Naomi, it meant returning to the one true God.
  • Together, they went to God’s place (Bethlehem) to be with God’s people and to experience God’s presence.
  • But things really changed when they approached their redeemer in faith.

Things change when we approach our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, in faith.

During our lives, God lets us go through trials in order to expose the depths of our need and to show us the fullness of his provision.

This morning, whatever you’re going through – the pain of loss, the pain of a bad diagnosis, the pain of strained relationships, or perhaps sadness over your sinful past and past failures, here is what I want you to know this morning.

BIG IDEA: Through the work of a redeemer, God changes our past failures into a promising future according to his plan and for his glory.

Matt 1:1-6, 16-17

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations.

Boaz, the kinsman redeemer of Naomi and Ruth, points to our great redeemer Jesus Christ.

Remember the Three Qualifications of a Kinsman-Redeemer

  1. Blood relative (Gal 4:4-5)
  2. Sufficient resources (1 Pet 1:18-19)
  3. Willingness to buy (Mark 10:45)

(1) Jesus is our blood relative.

The eternal Son of God was born of a woman and become a man.

Galatians 4:4-5

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

(2) He has the sufficient resources to buy.

He obeyed God’s law perfectly and was thus an acceptable offering for our sin.

1 Peter 1:18-19

knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

(3) Jesus was willing to buy.

He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross for our sins.

Mark 10:45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Through Jesus, God’s own son, not only do we have the forgiveness but we also have a spiritual inheritance – we inherit the righteousness of Christ and spiritual blessings. We have a family – the church. We have a future with God forever (Ruth 1:16; Rev 21:3-4).

The story of Ruth is the story of the Bible. We are sin-sick Moabites who are hopeless without a redeemer. But, when we throw ourselves at the feet of our Redeemer, we have an inheritance that never fades. We have a family that never leaves. And we have a promising future. All of this is because of the work of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins in our place so that we can be reconciled with God.

References

References
↑1 Christopher Ash, Teaching Ruth & Esther: From text to message, 127.
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