God’s Plan for the Future

Scripture Text Psalm 2

Intro: There are many religions in the world. How do people know which one is right? Do they all lead to the true God? Who will rule the world? Thousands of years ago God prophesied through King David about the end of time and His plan for the world and its affairs. His plan for the future will come to pass no matter what anyone says or does!

I. God poses a question. Psalms 2:1 (NKJV) Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing?

 a. Why are the nations plotting a vain (useless) thing today?

 b. The useless plot. Psalms 2:2-3 (NKJV) ² The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, ³ "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us."

  The rulers set (place themselves in a particular position) above God. They resolved to be free of the political and spiritual control of God and His king Jesus. Their expression describes their bondage to God and His Son as if they were tied down. This they could not tolerate. They would break asunder the bands of morality, the cords of God's commandments, and the rule of His Son Jesus Christ. Is quoted in Acts 4:25-26 as partially fulfilled in Herod, Pilate and the Jewish leaders for killing Jesus.

II. God’s response to their useless plot. Psalms 2:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. ⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, And distress them in His deep displeasure:

 a. He shall laugh at them. (v:4)

 b. He shall speak to them in His wrath. (v:5) John 3:36

III. God’s plan for the world. Psalms 2:6 (NKJV)  "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."

 a. He will establish His Son as King. When God establishes His king, He also subjugates those who oppose His king. It was true with David; it will also be true at the end of the age with David’s greater Descendant, Jesus Christ.

 b. He affirms Jesus’ right to be King over all. Psalms 2:7 (NKJV) "I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

    By His resurrection from the dead.

    1. According to His decree of the Davidic covenant. (2 Sam. 7:16)

    2 Samuel 7:16 (NKJV) And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever." (Luke 3:22) Jesus was the only  begotten (born) Son of God!  All other sons and daughters of God must be born again.

IV. God speaks of Jesus’ inheritance and rule. Psalms 2:8-9 (NKJV)
⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.  ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "

  a. The scope of Jesus’ inheritance. (V:8) As a son inherits from his father, so the king inherits the kingdom from his “Father” which will cover the entire earth.

  b. The authority and power of His rule. (V:9)

     He will smash (dash... to pieces) all rebellious people as he establishes his reign.

 V. God exhortation to the foolish nations. (V:10-12) Psalms 2:10-12 (NKJV)
¹⁰ Now therefore, be wise, O kings; Be instructed, you judges 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, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.

 a. Be wise and instructed. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to be Ruler over the world. (v:10)

 b. Serve the Lord Jesus. (v:11) Offer assistance, do duty for.

   1. People are to lead lives of submission, not rebellion;  characterized by fear (respect, reverence, and admiration) with trembling or humility, not arrogance; lives filled with the joy of serving, not the gloom of oppression.

  c. God’s exhortation to Kiss the Son. (V:12) It is clear that the psalmist is telling the earth’s kings to submit to the Lord and to His anointed son Jesus, Israel’s king if they are wise.

  d. If they don’t submit to Jesus as King they will perish in His wrath. Complete sovereignty.

Invitation: God has said Jesus will rule over this world and its kingdoms. We are advised to kiss or submit to Him. Have you submitted to Jesus and asked His forgiveness of your sins against God and have you invited Him to take charge of your life? If you have not, now is the right time. Don’t put it off! If Jesus is your Savior and King, you are to serve Him with respect, reverence and humility!

Spiritual Growth

INTRO: When we confessed our sins and asked Jesus Christ to forgive us and save us, we began a spiritual journey that will not end until we leave this earth. Here are a few suggestions to help you progress on the road of spiritual growth. If you do these things you will surely grow spiritually and you gain tremendous strides in your relationship with Jesus.

I. Acknowledge the fact that you are a spirit with a physical body, not a physical body with a spirit. If you can accept this idea, it will change your attitude toward many things in your life. Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. If you have been born again by God’s Spirit, His Spirit also lives in your physical body. 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?                                            

 II. Look inside you, and try to find out what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. The Holy Spirit is the power by which Christians are brought to faith, then baptized into the body of Christ and then helped to understand their walk with God. 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 ⁹ But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." ¹⁰ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

III. Make an effort to think positively. Your life will be guided by what you think. Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Always try to look at the bright side of life. Open the door for the positive and close it for the negative. The word of God is very positive! If you find yourself thinking negatively, immediately direct your mind to thinking on His word. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

IV. The Holy Spirit in you is stronger than your circumstances. 1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Don't let circumstances and situations dictate to you how to feel or think. Let the word of God dictate what you think regardless of how you feel. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

V. Endeavor to focus your attention on things that are of value, instead of letting your attention go wherever it desires. Colossians 3:1-2 ¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

VI. Start learning and practicing meditation on God’s word. Psalms 1:1-3 ¹ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³ He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

VII. Be filled with the Holy Spirit [Eph. 5:18] and live the Spirit filled life. Galatians 5:22-23 ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

VIII. Thank God for everything that you have in and through Him. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.

1 Chronicles 29:10-13 ¹⁰ [a] "Blessed are You, Lord God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory, The victory and the majesty; For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, And You are exalted as head over all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from You, And You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; In Your hand it is to make great And to give strength to all. ¹³ "Now therefore, our God, We thank You And praise Your glorious name.

Invitation: Where are you in your spiritual growth? Do you even know God? If not, now is the time to admit that you are a sinner and ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and invite Him to live in your heart. Bow your head and pray right now.

If you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, where are you in your relationship with Him since you have been saved? Are you growing daily in your spiritual walk with Him?

WOULD YOU PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN YOUR LIFE?

Freedom

Scripture Text Galatians 5: 13-14

Intro: Last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. When someone believes in this resurrected Jesus as their Savior and Lord, their whole life is changed. Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection people can be liberated from the bondage and penalty of sin. A believer in Christ comes under the authority of a new law, the spirit of life in Christ Jesus!

I. The believer’s great law of spiritual freedom. Galatians 5:13a (NKJV)  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty;

 a. Romans 8:2 (NKJV)  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. As Christians, we are now under the law of the Spirit of life in Jesus. All of the sins we have committed and will commit in the future have been forgiven by that One sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood on the cross. We have spiritual freedom from sin and death. The believer no longer has to work in order to secure God's approval and acceptance. The believer is accepted by God through the work of Jesus Christ. We are spiritually free from the bondage and penalty of sin through Christ Jesus!

II. Liberty versus license. Galatians 5:13 (NKJV)
^13b only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,

  a. There is the danger of license. If Christ sets us free from the law, does this mean that a person can believe in Christ and then go out and live like he wants, doing his own thing? Can he use his liberty as an occasion to go out and satisfy the flesh knowing that God will forgive him? Can he believe in Christ and still live in worldliness? No! A thousand times no, Scripture declares! A person is condemned that thinks this way. A person who thinks and declares such an idea fails to understand belief—true belief. In the Bible belief does not mean intellectual belief, to just believe something in the mind. Belief means a committed belief, to believe something with one's life. To believe Christ is to commit one's life to Christ. Just think about it for a moment and it becomes perfectly clear: if a person is not willing to commit his life to Christ and live like Him, he does not believe in Christ. He could not have a committed belief, not really; for if he really believed, he would beyond all questions give all he is and has to the Son of God.

 b. There is the restraint of love.  Galatians 5: 13c but through love serve one another.

A person who thinks that belief in Christ frees them and gives them license to sin does not understand what Jesus’ love and forgiveness is. This is the subject of this passage. The true believer is freed from having to secure God's approval by law, but love is the one restraint that is placed upon him. The believer’s only restraint is love. There are at least two reasons for this. 1.) God has loved us, so we truly see and experience the love of God and we are drawn to love God and to love all God's creatures. 2.) Love embraces all the commandments of God. Jesus Himself said so, and the fact is clearly seen in the points of this passage.

III. Love is serving others. (v:13c) – Love is a verb! Love is an action!

 a. As a believer we are free in Christ: we are set free of trying to work to please God Christian freedom is freedom to serve one another in love. Love for others flow outward from God’s Spirit He has placed in each believer’s heart. (John 7:38) Out of believer’s heart. The Greek word for love (agape) refers to selfless, self-giving love. Christian freedom does not leave believers wandering through life without laws, rules, restraints, or guidelines. Instead, they freely live according to God’s standards and glorify God through loving service to others.

   b. God’s law is fulfilled through love. Galatians 5:14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

      If a person cared for everyone else as much as he cared for himself, he would need no law. He would be living and fulfilling the law of God as a Christian should. This is the reason love fulfills all the law. Love does not take advantage of other people. Love will not use other people to fulfill one's own purpose, greed, or lust. Love will not hurt someone else any more than we would want someone to hurt us. Love involves some very practical acts that are clearly spelled out in Scripture  in (1Cor. 13:4-7). Freedom through the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus doesn’t remove responsibility. Instead it turns responsibilities into privileges. Our life is no longer about us, instead we are to act in love, serving one another “because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:5)

Invitation:  Are you using your freedom in Christ to serve others with this love that God poured out in your heart? That’s what you and I were saved to do!

You can’t serve others in love unless you have been set free from the law of sin and death by Jesus Christ. Let God speak to your heart about your relationship with Him! If you need salvation, this is the time to confess your sins against God and ask Jesus to forgive you for those sins. Invite Him into your heart to take charge of your life from this day forward. Then got to church and be baptized to show you are sincere! You will be so glad you did!