Podcasts about his king

Psalm 78 | Asaph urges God's people to stop resisting their Shepherd and trust His gracious rule through His King, fulfilled in Christ.Psalms | Jeremy Hudson

In our most tangent-filled episode yet, Amy and author E.M. Anderson try to stay on-topic while discussing cozy fantasy and exploring darker themes through the genre. E.M. Anderson is the author of The Remarkable Retirement of Edna Fisher, The Keeper of Loney Spirits, and The Lord of the Wood.   Find E.M. Anderson online here: Website  |  Bluesky  | Instagram Books mentioned: The Wolf and His King, by Finn Longman The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, by Sangu Mandanna The Brown Sisters series, by Talia Hibbert (staring with Get A Life, Chloe Brown) The Vera Wong Mystery series, by Jesse Q. Sutanto (starting with Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers) The Teller of Small Fortunes, by Julie Leong The Keeper of Magical Things, by Julie Leong Someone You Can Build A Nest In, by John Wiswell Vampires of El Norte, by Isabel Cañas Midnight Rooms, by Donyae Coles Motheater, by Linda H. Codega

Send us Fan MailThe Psalms often read like someone's personal prayer journal. They give us an honest look at what it means to follow God through seasons of fear, betrayal, discouragement, and hope. Again and again, the psalmists bring their deepest struggles before God, only to return to the unchanging truth of who He is.In this episode, we journey through Psalms 52–62, beginning with the heartbreaking events behind Psalm 52 found in 1 Samuel 22. We contrast the actions of the foolish with the character of the righteous as Psalms 52 and 53 remind us that while people may reject God, He sees every action and will ultimately judge evil.As we continue, we discover a repeated message throughout these psalms: God is still on His throne. Whether David is surrounded by enemies, betrayed by friends, or overwhelmed by fear, he continually returns to God as his refuge, deliverer, and King. We explore beautiful truths such as God recording every tear we shed (Psalm 56), inviting us to cast our burdens on Him (Psalm 55), and surrounding His people with His steadfast covenant love (chesed) even in the darkest moments.Along the way, we revisit one of God's covenant names, "The Lord is My Banner," and see how His kingship and faithfulness echo the themes introduced earlier in the Psalms. We also consider the lasting heritage of those who fear the Lord and the hope of dwelling in God's presence under the reign of His King.These psalms remind us that faith doesn't ignore hardship—it brings every hardship to God. No matter what we face, God remains strong, merciful, and faithful. He sees our tears, knows our circumstances, and calls us to trust Him, praise Him, and find our refuge in His steadfast love.If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website. Our website is The Context and Color of the BibleWe are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | FacebookWe are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebibleWe are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTubeMusic: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Pastor Ricky recaps 1 Samuel and explains how it is about God preparing His King and forming His people.

God accomplishes His kingdom work by making His people like His King God reproduces His King in His people ​ God accomplishes His victory through His people (2 Sam. 23:10, 12)​ God Shares His glory with His people (2 Sam. 21:22)​

Experience Psalm 2 from the King James Version with calming ocean waves in this peaceful Psalms and Tides episode for rest, reflection, prayer, and sleep.Psalm 2 lifts our eyes from the unrest of the nations to the unshaken reign of God. Though the kings of the earth set themselves against the Lord and against His anointed, the Psalm reminds us that God is not troubled, hurried, or uncertain. He has set His King upon His holy hill of Zion, and He calls all people to wisdom, reverence, and trust.In this episode of Psalms and Tides, the steady rhythm of the sea creates a peaceful setting for a Psalm filled with majesty, warning, and hope. As you listen, may your heart find comfort in the closing promise: “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”Whether you are settling down for sleep, pausing for prayer, or seeking quiet reflection, may this reading help you rest in the sovereignty, mercy, and faithfulness of God.Psalm 2, King James Version.Highlighted versesPsalm 2:1 — “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”Psalm 2:6 — “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”Psalm 2:7 — “Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.”Psalm 2:12 — “Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

Send us Fan MailPsalms 1 and 2 serve as the introduction to the entire book of Psalms, giving readers the lens through which the rest of the collection should be understood.In this episode, we explore the two paths presented in Psalm 1. The righteous delight in God's Torah, meditate on it day and night, and become like a fruitful tree planted by streams of water. In contrast, the wicked reject God's instruction and ultimately face judgment. Right from the opening psalm, readers are confronted with a choice: Which path will they follow?Psalm 2 then shifts our attention from individuals to nations and kings. The rulers of the earth rebel against God and His purposes, believing they can throw off His authority. Yet God's response is clear: He has established His King, and no earthly power can overturn His plans. While human kingdoms rise and fall, God's King will ultimately reign overall.Together, Psalms 1 and 2 provide the foundation for the entire book. Parents, this summer we want to challenge you to read through the Psalms with your children. As you read, encourage them to listen for the vivid images and pictures found throughout the poems. Have them draw what they hear and then ask a simple question: "What does this teach us about God?" For an extra challenge, choose one psalm and memorize it together as a family. These ancient songs were meant to be remembered, prayed, and carried in the hearts of God's people.If you want the FREE hand outs that go along with this series, sign up for our newsletter at our website. Our website is The Context and Color of the BibleWe are on Facebook - The Context and Color of the Bible | FacebookWe are on Instagram - @contextandcolorofthebibleWe are on YouTube - The Context and Color of the Bible - YouTubeMusic: Tabuk by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4453-tabukLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

X2M.251 Lisibilité — The Mystery Made Readable Series: CR20 Place De La Concorde Psalm 2 opens with noise: nations raging, rulers plotting, systems conspiring against the Lord and His Anointed. Yet heaven does not panic. Heaven laughs. The Father answers rebellion by installing His King on Zion.¹ This is **Lisibilité**: the restoration of readability. The signal becomes clear again. The mind untangles. The heart remembers the Father. The vessel becomes legible to heaven. The decree is sonship: “You are My Son.” “Today I have become Your Father.” The crisis of the nations is answered by intimacy with the Father. The enemy's strategy is disconnection — to wrap seaweed around the mind until the soul believes it has been cut off from the temple of the Lord. Jonah becomes the inner parable. He runs, descends, is swallowed, and finally remembers: “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” When the mind becomes clear, the fish releases him.² Seaweed is the unreadable mind: confusion, accusation, idolatry, self-protection, false narratives, and the belief that something other than God will save. Colossians 2 becomes the apostolic lens. Paul struggles for the church so their hearts may be knit together in love and brought into the knowledge of the mystery of God — Christ Himself. The mystery hidden for ages is now revealed: **Christ in you, the hope of glory.**³ This is not secret knowledge for an elite class. Not Gnostic ascent through hidden codes. Not self-made narrative. Not religious performance. Not angelic spectacle. Not legalistic control. Christ is the open mystery. Gnosticism says knowledge saves. Christ says union saves. Gnosticism elevates the self. Christ fills the body with the fullness of God. “For in Him all the fullness of deity dwells bodily, and in Him you have been filled.” That is the correction. The body is not trash to escape. It is a temple to be inhabited. The mind is not a theater for counterfeit stories. It is a place to be renewed. The heart is not an idol-factory. It is Zion, the holy hill where the King is installed. Paul warns against anything that pulls the believer out of union: reasonable-sounding arguments, human tradition, elemental spirits, false humility, religious regulations, body-hatred, and fascination with lesser powers.⁴ These things may appear wise, but they create noise. They make the soul unreadable. Lisibilité is the reversal. When Christ is central, the mind settles. Sin-consciousness loses its throne. Social-consciousness loses its grip. Fear loses its script. The Father's voice becomes clear. Love becomes readable again. In **Place De La Concorde** architecture, X2M.251 is the readability event: the old head of confusion is removed, and the true Head restores order in the public square of the heart. The remnant becomes clear. The signal becomes clean. The vessel becomes legible. The King is installed on Zion within. Glorification | The Final Frontier Going boldly where the last man has gone before! Decrease time over target: PayPal or Venmo @clastronaut Cash App $clastronaut X2M.251 Lisibilité is not about secret knowledge. It is about seeing Christ clearly — the Father's decree made readable in the Son, the seaweed removed from the mind, the body filled with glory, and the heart restored to holy agreement. **Footnotes** ¹ Psalm 2: rebellion answered by the installed King. ² Jonah's seaweed images a mind tangled in disconnection. ³ Colossians: Christ in you, the hope of glory. ⁴ Paul warns against systems that sound wise but pull believers out of union. ⁵ Lisibilité means readability: clear perception restored in Christ.

Submit a Question or CommentIn this verse-by-verse study of Psalm 2, Reasoning Through the Bible explores one of the Bible's clearest Messianic Psalms. The psalm begins with a world in chaos — nations raging, rulers conspiring, and people resisting the authority of God and His Anointed One. But the message of Psalm 2 is not that rebellion will win. The message is that God reigns, Christ is His King, and all resistance to Him is ultimately vain. This session explains the narrative flow between Psalm 1 and Psalm 2, the meaning of “Messiah” and “Christ,” why the nations reject God, how Acts 4 connects Psalm 2 to Jesus, and what it means that God has installed His King on Zion. The study also addresses the Father's words, “You are My Son,” the future reign of Christ, and the warning that the Son will one day rule the nations with a rod of iron. The episode closes with one of the psalm's most important truths: the nations rage, but God invites sinners to do more than tremble — He calls them to take refuge in the Son. Psalm 2 is both a warning and an invitation, pointing people away from rebellion and toward safety, blessing, and salvation in Christ. Topics in this episode include: Psalm 2 explained  why the nations rage  the Messiah in the Psalms  God's King on Zion  Christ and Acts 4  the Son and the Father  the rod of iron  God's wrath and refuge  how sinners can take refuge in Christ Reasoning Through the Bible is a verse-by-verse Bible teaching ministry committed to careful exposition, biblical context, and faithful application.Support the showThank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the BiblePlease prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Mike Aquilina and Kris McGregor explore the historical and cultural setting surrounding the birth and early life of St. Joseph, placing him within a small, quiet Nazareth shaped by hope and rooted in the promises to Israel. The post SJ2 – Joseph and His King – St. Joseph and His World with Mike Aquilina – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Psalm 2 presents a profound theological portrait of humanity's rebellion against God's sovereign rule and the ultimate authority of His anointed King, Jesus Christ. The psalm opens with a rhetorical question about the nations' perpetual unrest and the peoples' futile meditation on empty, self-centered pursuits, revealing that global turmoil stems from a collective rejection of divine authority. The rulers of the earth, representing all nations—secular, religious, and even nominally Christian—conspire in unity to break free from God's moral constraints, symbolized by the 'bonds' and 'cords' of His revealed law, which they seek to destroy and discard. In response, the Lord, seated in heaven, laughs at their arrogance, declares His sovereign appointment of His King on Zion, and warns that resistance will result in divine wrath, while only those who take refuge in Him are truly blessed. This passage underscores the Messianic foundation of God's mediatorial kingdom, where Christ reigns as the ultimate King, and calls all people to submit in fear and faith, recognizing that true peace comes only through surrender to His authority.

God has not run out of mercy — not for you, not today.Wednesday, March 4 — Psalm 2.Today's reading is only 12 verses, but it hits like thunder.In this episode, we walk through Psalm 2 using the SOAP method (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) and see something stunning: Psalm 2 reads like a four-voice chorus.David opens by asking why the nations rage.The Father responds with holy laughter — man can't overthrow heaven.The Son declares His decree and His reign.The Spirit closes with a warning and an invitation: be wise… serve the Lord… kiss the Son.If you've been feeling overwhelmed by the world, Psalm 2 re-centers everything: you are small, God is not. His plans won't fail, His King is already set, and the safest place on earth is surrender.Read it with fresh eyes today — and let your “application” be simple: serve the Lord… and run to Jesus.

Jesus will bring justice and equity​ God gives His King victory and the spoil of war (2 Sam. 8:1-14)​ God grants His people justice and equity through His King (8:15-18)

This message confronts us with a powerful truth: authentic love requires the courage to speak reality, not just affirm preferences. Drawing from Psalm 2, we're challenged to examine whether we've embraced cultural decline by redefining truth as personal preference rather than divine reality. The psalm reveals nations raging against God's anointed, believing freedom means bursting free from divine boundaries. Yet God responds not with panic but with laughter from His heavenly throne, having already established His King. The invitation is stunning: kiss the Son, take refuge in Him, and discover true flourishing. This isn't about religious transaction but personal relationship with Jesus, the begotten Son whose resurrection power is historical fact, not myth. We're reminded that when words detach from meaning, our lives detach from purpose. The blessed life we all seek isn't found in self-defined reality but in surrendering to God's vision, even when His shaping feels like shaking. The message calls us beyond treating Jesus as a consultant for our dreams to making Jesus Himself our dream, recognizing that our lives were designed to resemble Him.Connect with First Baptist Starkville: https://bit.ly/3M4mHnkSubscribe to see our latest sermons: https://bit.ly/3DxRyjHSupport this ministry and our work in Starkville, MS: https://bit.ly/44muvW0

Brea and Mallory discuss their most anticipated books for the start of 2026! Plus, they talk to Danika Ellis from Book Riot about their 2026 Read Harder Challenge! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreThe Reading Glasses Book!Sponsors -Apron Notebookswww.apronnotebooks.comCODE: GLASSESGreenChefwww.greenchef.com/GLASSESGRAZACODE: GLASSESGRAZALinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupWish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/join2026 Read HarderThe LesbraryDanika EllisRead Harder Newsletter Books Mentioned -Bright Young Women by Jessica KnollLove in Exile by Shon FayeJoy to the Girls by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson DerrickReally Cute People by Markus Harwood JonesLu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology by Angela HsiehJanuaryCall Me Ishmaelle by Xiaolu GuoLiterary fiction, feminist retelling of Moby DickThe Hitch by Sara LevineMagical realism, funny, woman trying to help nephew who is possessed by a dead corgiIs This a Cry for Help? by Emily AustinLiterary fiction, queer, lesbian, librarians fighting book bannersIf I Ruled the World by Amy DuboisLiterary fiction, late 1990s, hip hop, magazine industryScavengers by Kathleen BolandLiterary fiction, dysfunctional mother-daughter team looking for buried treasureThe Charmed Library by Jennifer MoormanMagical realism, books about books, small town, librarian protagonist, book magicThe Jills by Karen ParkmanThriller, Buffalo Bills cheerleader solving the murder of a fellow cheerleadersThe Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper RossFantasy, magic typewriter, grief, three generations of women, family historyDandelion is Dead by Rosie StoreyContemporary romance, woman sets up a date on her dead sister's dating appThe Future Saints by Ashley WinsteadLiterary fiction, music executive trying to bring band back from the brink, sisters, friendshipLost Lambs by Madeline CashLiterary fiction, humor, family dysfunctionThe Old Fire by Elisa ShuaLiterary fiction, translated, family drama in a crumbling house in the French countrysideSheer by Vanessa LawrenceLiterary fiction, beauty industry, female mogul, secrets, queerHow to Commit a Postcolonial Murder by Nina McConigleyLiterary, historical, 1980s, murder mystery, Indian-American tween protagonist who murders her uncle but she blames it on the BritishThe Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise WilliamsLiterary, multi-generational epic family saga, secretsThe Last of Earth by Deepa AnapparaHistorical, 1800s Tibet, journey, Indian schoolteacher spying for the empire, English lady explorer disguising herself as a manThe Bookbinder's Secret by A.D. BellHistorical fiction, thriller, bookbinder finds confession hidden in a burned book and hunts a story of murder and loveWomen of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna EverhartHistorical fiction, 1940s North Carolina, a young woman subjected to involuntary medical treatment fights backMeet the Newmans by Jennifer NivenHistorical fiction, behind the scenes drama on a 1960s family sitcomNowhere Burning by Catriona WardHorror, Peter Pan inspired, gothic, two fleeing siblings find sanctuary at mysterious ranchDefinitely Maybe Not a Detective by Sarah FoxMystery, romcom, woman's fake detective agency accidentally hired to solve a real murderCross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder MokeMystery, romcom, rich people behaving badlyAll the Little Houses by May CobbThriller, 1980s Texas, mean girls and mean moms, family secretMy Husband's Wife by Alice FeeneyThriller, mind-bending psychological marriage mysteryThe Storm by Rachel HawkinsThriller, Alabama, hurricane, old hotel, gothic, old murderMissing Sam by Thrity UmrigarThriller, queer, lesbian, missing wife, suburban dreadHumboldt Cut by Allison MickHorror, eco-horror, northern California, dark humor, bark monstersHollow by Celina MyersHorror, paranormal romance, romantasy, vampires, found familyOn Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah ScholfieldHorror, southern gothic, Georgia, ghosts, haintsA Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. JamesHorror, siblings returning to childhood home after being called by dead brotherThis House Will Feed by Maria TureaudHistorical horror, 1840s Ireland, haunted house, gothic, suspenseNine Goblins: A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief by T. KingfisherYA fantasy, novella, humor, band of hapless goblins on a questA Midnight Pastry Shop Called Hwawoldang by Lee Onhwa, translated by Slin JungFantasy, Korean, cozy, woman who inherits magical bakeryThe Poet Empress by Shen TaoRomantasy, epic fantasy, historical, hot evil prince, poetry magicThrough Gates of Garnet and Gold by Seanan McQuireNext Wayward Children bookWe Who Have No Gods by Liza AndersonRomantasy, witches, gothic, dark academia, magic academy, secret societiesGraceless Heart by Isabel IbañezRomantasy, historical, renaissance Italy, competition hosted by secret immortal familyThe Wolf and His King by Finn LongmanQueer retelling of Bisclavret the werewolf, historical, 12 century, court intrigueA Vow in Vengeance by Jaclyn RodriquezRomantasy, tarot, magic, dark academia, enemies to lovers, forced proximityThe Book of Blood and Roses by Annie SummerleeRomantasy, sapphic, paranormal, vampires, mysterious universityThe Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotta YambaoCozy fantasy, train that takes you to your life's purposeTwo Left Feet by Kallie EmblidgeQueer romance, MLM, contemporary sports romance, British premier league footballMost Eligible by Isabelle EngelContemporary romance, journalist sneaks onto a reality TV dating showThe Shop on Hidden Lane by Jayne Ann KrentzParanormal romance, romantic suspense, psychic dangers, warring paranormal familiesGreta Gets the Girl by Melissa MarrContemporary sapphic romance, forbidden romance, publishingThe Lust Crusade by Jo SeguraContemporary romance, librarian and archaeologist fake dating, Greek mythologyLast First Kiss by Julian WintersQueer romance, contemporary, MLM, second chance, rom comAin't Nobody's Fool: The Life and Times of Dolly Parton by Martha AckmannNonfictionThe Royal Insider: My Life with the Queen, the King, and Princess Diana by Paul BurrellNonfiction, memoirFly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself, and China by Jung ChangNonfiction, memoir, three generations of womenThe Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza GriffithsNonfiction, memoir, grief, death of a sister, friendship, marriageBlood Bible: An American History by DaMaris HillNonfiction, history, racism, slave trade history, national identity, personal identityWinter: The Story of a Season by Val McDermidCreative nonfiction, history of winter community events, ScotlandWhen Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America's Black Botanical Legacy by Beronda L. MontgomeryNonfiction, history of Black botany through seven treesHalf His Age by Jennette McCurdyLiterary fiction, drama, age gap romance,Catch Her if You Can by Tessa BaileyRomance, contemporary, sports, baseball, marriage of convenienceVigil by George SaundersLiterary fiction, magical realism, eco-drama, dying oil CEOFruit of the Flesh by I.V. OpheliaHistorical fantasy, gothic romance, marriage of convenience, dark appetitesThe Bones Beneath My Skin by T.J. KluneQueer thriller, MLM, 1990s, gay couple helping little girl with powersFootball by Chuck KlostermanNonfiction about footballCry Havoc by Rebecca WaitHistorical mystery, 1980s failing English boarding school, dark academia, funny, strange contagion among studentsHemlock by Melissa FalivenoLiterary, gothic, queer, woman investigating mother's disappearenceFebruaryLaws of Love and Logic by Debra CurtisLiterary fiction, love triangle - first love vs devoted husbandOne of Us by Elizabeth DayLiterary thriller, drama between old friends and wealth, murderEverything Lost Returns by Sarah DometLiterary fiction, historical, twin timelines, 1910s and 1980s, friendshipWhere the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton HarrisLiterary fiction, fugitive hides out at rural Alabama flower farm, found familyBad Asians by Lillian LiLiterary fiction, friend group sagaI Hope You Find What You're Looking For by Bsrat MezghebeLiterary fiction, historical, 1990s Washington DC, Ethiopian immigrant communityThis Book Made Me Think of You by Libby PageLiterary fiction, woman receives books recommended by her dead husbandRoyal Spin by Robin Benway and Omid ScobieLiterary fiction, workplace drama inside Buckingham PalaceSuperfan by Jenny Tinghui ZhangLiterary fiction, popstar and his superfan collide, fandom, lonelinessBelgrave Road: A Love Story by Manish ChauhanLiterary fiction, two young immigrants in a forbidden romanceThis is Not About Us by Allegra GoodmanLiterary fiction, funny, multi generational family drama, griefRebel English Academy by Hanif MohammedLiterary fiction, Pakistan, political power, language, friendshipThe Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk, translated by Alice MenziesLiterary fiction, elderly couple crosses paths with two twentysomethings and discovers surprising shared historyThe Renovation by Kenan OrhanLiterary fiction, woman discovers her bathroom has been remodeled into a prison cellMessenger Cat Cafe by Nagi Shimeno, translated by M. JeanMagical realism, cozy, cat in the afterlife who must deliver 5 messages to people on earth before he can see his beloved owner againA Crown of Stars by Shana AbéHistorical fiction, retelling of the last days of the LusitaniaThe Fourth Princess by Janie ChangHistorical fiction, gothic, 1910s Shanghai, crumbling mansion, secretsCleopatra by Saara El-ArifiHistorical fiction, retelling of Cleopatra's life from her POVBook of Forbidden Words by Louise FeinHistorical fiction, 1500s Paris, 1950s NYC, book banning, inspired by Voynich manuscriptThe Pohaku by Jasmi ‘Iolani HakesHistorical fiction, generations of women tasked with protecting Hawaiian historyA Slow and Secret Poison by Carmella LowkisHistorical Gothic thriller, 1900s England, young gardener at lush manor falls for her mysterious bossMurder Will Out by Jennifer BreedloveMystery, gothic, Maine, heartwarmingI'm Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus CraigMystery, recently released from prison serial killer moves into retirement home when a murder happens and she has to prove she didn't do itDirty Metal by Allison LaMotheHistorical mystery, 1990s NYC, reporter investigating two huge storiesWolf Hour by Jo Nesbø, translated by Robert FergusonThriller, Minnesota, true crime, serial killer, secretsThe Final Problem by Arturo Perez-Reverte, translated by Frances RiddleHistorical mystery, locked room, 1960s Greek island resort, washed up actor turned detectiveHer Last Breath by Taylor AdamsThriller, two friends go on a cave expedition and one gets murdered!!!Murder Mindfully by Karsten Dusse, translated by Florian DuijsensThriller, lawyer finds peace through mindfulness and will do anything to protect it, even murderPinky Swear by Danielle GirardThriller, an expecting mother whose surrogate disappears days before birthThe Girls Before by Kate Alice MarshallThriller, search and rescue expert looking for missing womanPaper Cut by Rachel TaffThriller, woman infamous for escaping a cult as a teen has secrets that come back to haunt herMaria the Wanted by V. CastroHorror, thriller, newly turned vampire in Mexico is on the runDead First by Johnny ComptonHorror, private investigator hired by mysterious billionaire to find out why he can't dieShe Made Herself a Monster by Anna KovatchevaHorror, gothic thriller, 1800s Bulgaria, fake vampire slayer joins forces with teen to make a monsterThe Body by Bethany C MorrowHorror, woman must survive bizarre attacks on her failing marriageDollface by Lindy RyanHorror, serial killer, 1990s, Barbie meets ScreamThe Glowing Hours by Leila SiddiquiHorror, gothic, retelling of the fabled summer Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein, as told by her Indian housemaid, Mehrunissa “Mehr” BegumWeavingshaw by Heba Al-WasityFantasy, gothic, young woman who can see the dead strikes a deal with a mysterious and ruthless merchant to save her brother's lifeAfter the Fall by Edward AshtonSci fi, buddy comedy, alien invasion, humans as petsThe Fox Hunt by Caitlin BreezeFantasy, boarding school, secret society, girl transforms into magical beastOperation Bounce House by Matt DinnimanFantasy, a man must fight for his planet when gamers from Earth attempt to remotely annihilate itSing the Night by Megan Jauregui EcclesFantasy, inspired by Phantom of the Opera, musical magician competitionThe Hospital at the End of the World by Justin C. KeySci fi, near future where AI runs the world, medical student unravels family secretsThe Forest on the Edge of Time by Jasmin KirkbrideSci fi, Future of Another Timeline meets The Bone Clocks, time travel, cli-fiNightshade and Oak by Molly O'NeillFantasy, Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human, historical, magicThe Astral Library by Kate QuinnFantasy, book about books, magic books that are portals to worldsThe Iron Garden Sutra by A.D. SuiSci fi, locked room murder mystery, monk and researchers trapped on a spaceshipThe Obake Code by Makana YamamotoSci fi, caper, hacker forced by gangsters to take down crooked politicianThe Daughter Who Remains by Nnedi OkoraforSci fi, She Who Knows book 3Wicked Onyx by Debbie CassidyRomantasy, magical academy, girl must unravel dark family secrets, make alliances, and get revengeAgnes Auburt's Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather FawcettRomantasy, gentle fantasy, woman running cat rescue in 1920s Montreal and a grouchy charming magician who helps save her shelterHalf City by Kate GoldenRomantasy, young demon hunter enrolls in Harker Academy for Deviant DefenseThe Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina KwanRomantasy, a nine-tailed fox and the hunter who captured her are banished to the underworld togetherThe Lies that Summon the Night by Tessonaja OdetteRomantasy, world where making art is illegal, revenge, sexy monster hunterCrown of War and Shadow by J.R. WardRomantasy, fated mated, magic, hot mercenary, only one bed, touch her and dieThrone of Nightmares by Kerri ManiscaloRomantasy, librarian, dangerous book magic, perilous questThe Ballad of Fallen Dragons by Sarah A. ParkerMoonfall, book 2Dawn of the North by Demi WintersAshen, book 3The Heir and the Spare by Harper L. WoodsA Of Flesh and Bone novellaBrawler by Lauren GroffLiterary fiction, short storiesKin by Tayari JonesLiterary fiction, lifelong female friendship in the American SouthLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah BrohmContemporary romance, academic rivals to lovers, two neuroscientists fake datingInsignificant Others by Sarah JioSci fi romance, woman stuck in time loop of one day relationships with past boyfriendsSkate It Till You Make It by Rufaro Faither MazaruaContemporary sports romance, female hockey player, fake dating, rom-comThe Ex-Perimento by Maria J MorilloContemporary romance, woman enlists her favorite musician to win her ex back, rom-com, VenezuelaTwo Can Play by Ali HazelwoodContemporary romance, novella, enemies to loves, world of video gamesGet Over It, April Evans by Ashely Herring BlakeContemporary romance, sapphic, lake town resortAnd Now, Back to You by B.K. BorisonContemporary romance, competing meteorologists, opposites attractIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingContemporary romance, sapphic, second chance, film industryA Hymn to Life by Gisele PelicotNonfiction, memoirThe Company of Owls by Polly AtkinMemoir, chronic illness, owlsBernie for Burlington: The Rise of the People's Politician by Dan ChiassonNonfiction, biographyStarry and Restless: Three Women Who Changed Work, Writing, and the World by Julia CookeNonfiction, biography of three groundbreaking female journalistsThe Last Kings of Hollywood: Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg—and the Battle for the Soul of American Cinema by Paul FisherBiographyLeaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour by Mark HaddonMemoir of the author who wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night TimeUnread: A Memoir of Learning (and Loving) To Read on TikTok by Oliver JamesMemoir about learning how to read as an adultNonviolent: A Memoir of Resistance, Agitation, and Love by James Lawson Jr & Emily YellinNonfiction, posthumous memoir of Rev. James Lawson Jr, a principal architect of a nonviolent resistance movementWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America by Norah O'DonnellNonfiction, history I Told You So!: Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right by Matt KaplanNonfiction, science, historyA World Appear: A Journey into Consciousness by Michael PollanNonfiction, scienceThe Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender's Search for Justice in America by Emily Galvin AlmanzaNonfictionThe People Can Fly: American Promise, Black Prodigies, and the Greatest Miracle of All Time by Joshua BennettNonfictionCitizenship: Notes on an American Myth by Daisy HernándezNonfictionFear and Fury: Bernie Goetz, the Reagan '80s, and the Rebirth of White Rage by Heather Ann ThompsonNonfictionOn Morrison by Namwali SerpellNonfiction, dive into work of Toni Morrison 

What is your greatest desire for the year ahead (even for the day ahead)? This next verse in the Lord's Prayer covers two requests that strike at the heart of our most fervent and deeply held desires—and state publicly that our desire as God's people aligns with His desire for the world to be ruled rightly by His King! Coming straight after our request that the world know God's name, this is a statement that we desire God to work obedience to His will, in our lives, as we live as the outpost of His kingdom in this world. Within this, there is an inherent tension that NOW, we are citizens of God's kingdom and His King rules in our lives as God's mob; but, NOT YET do we see the full consummation of this in all the universe. The temptation, then, is to either take matters into our own hands and create His kingdom here… or, to throw our hands up and give up, and pursue our own desires. Neither is a right or good expression of what these requests desire. Rather, as God answers our request here, He works the proclamation and practice of His kingdom in our lives, individually and corporately!

I've been shown is that if we find our culture, whether Christian church culture, so-called or the unbeleiving heathen culture that exists around us have very little appetite for God's Word or His authority in their life, to not take this as a big surprise.In 1 Samuel 2 Hannah was praying for a son, being beset by Elkanah's other wife who had all these kids and seemed to use this over Hannah as a sort of backbiting nitpicky mean edge to make Hannah's life miserable. It didn't help that Hannah was also the prettier one and Elkanah would give her lots of favor. So why was Hannah's prayer so full of spiritual triumph and exultation to such a high prophetic degree when she finally got her prayer answered? I think its worth posting the whole prayer here because so few people even know this prayer exists:Hannah prayed, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.2 There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God.3 Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.4 The bows of the mighty are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength.5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children languishes and is forlorn.6 The Lord slays and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He lifts up.8 He raises up the poor out of the dust and lifts up the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with nobles and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and He has set the world upon them.9 He will guard the feet of His godly ones, but the wicked shall be silenced and perish in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them will He thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge [all peoples] to the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His King and exalt the power of His anointed.BUY MY SUPERNATURAL NOVEL!https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Romance-Episode-1-ebook/dp/B07ZRJV6SHDOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.comDON BASHAM MINISTRIES 1,000,000,000 GIVE SEND GO:https://www.givesendgo.com/bashamPAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comBITCOIN:3H4Z2X22DuVUjWPsXKPEsWZmT9c4hDmYvyVENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksZelle:faithbucks@proton.mePATREON:Michael BashamHOME BASE SITE:faithbucks.com

While the world saw a jealous ruler lashing out in rage, Scripture reveals a darker spiritual plot unfolding behind the throne of Herod. The birth of Jesus triggered a counter-strike from the enemy, who would do anything to destroy God's promise before it had barely begun. In the midst of chaos, fear and evil, we discover that God's plan cannot be stopped—and His King cannot be dethroned. Pastor Matthew McNutt shares "The Hunt for the King" from Matthew 2:1-18. Please sign our digital Connection Card Please consider parking on the YMCA side of the parking lot when you attend in person. This allows space for our guest and those with mobility issues. Christmas at Brandywine Choral Concert is on Monday, December 15 at 6:30pm. Learn more. Christmas Eve services at 3pm, 4:30pm and 6pm. Candlelight and communion services. The 3pm service will be online. Learn more. Love in Action is our benevolence fund. It allows us to help people who are experiencing financial emergencies.Give online Thank you for your generosity. Give online Downloaded the Children's Bulletin. License: CSPL066641 Size D #church #Advent #King #Hunt

Main Idea. God's promised King enters the world clothed in humility. Question. Why does God choose humility as the pathway for His King, rather than splendor? 1. Because his promises are rooted in humble means (1–5) Two Humble Means 1. Bethlehem. “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days… He shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord… and he shall be their peace.” (Micah 5:2–5) 2. The Davidic Line. “When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you… and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” (2 Sam. 7:12–13) 2. Because he is humble (6–7) Responses. 1. Rest in the Humble Heart of Your Savior. 2. Imitate His Humility in Everyday Life. 3. Trust God to Exalt You in His Time. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” (1 Pet 5:6).

Title: “Not An Empty Visit” Part 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 FCF: We often struggle identifying true faith in contrast to non-saving faith. Prop: Because only true faith saves, we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Today we will conclude the thought that Paul began with in chapter 2. However, keen observers might have noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap between chapter 1 and what we've discussed in chapter 2 so far. Indeed, if you took it upon yourself to set the two chapters side by side and drew lines or highlighted with different colors themes that are saying the same things with different words – you could illustrate this quite clearly. I won't impose that upon you – but if you are up for the challenge, I'm sure it would be profitable to you. Chapter 2 has largely been put to the Thessalonians in order to prove to them that the mission to their city was one that proved to be fruitless. Paul began by stating that they know it was not in vain because it was God's Gospel at work. He continued by saying that they know it was not in vain because they conducted themselves like a family. Today, Paul will conclude his assurance to them, in that they know it was not in vain because it rendered familiar results both positively and negatively. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy Father, You have revealed Yourself to us Your people through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to us, as God With Us. He has come to us to save us from sin, death, hell, the devil, and the kingdom of darkness. You have freed us from the tyranny of our own wisdom and enabled us to believe in You the giver of life. God give us eyes to behold the truth of Your word this morning as we see what makes true faith and what awaits us if we are without it. May we take the words of hope and warning today in faith, and may it have the effect upon us You desire. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life.” Billy Graham “A man at his wit's end is not at his faith's end.” Matthew Henry “The function of faith is to turn God's promises into facts.” J. Oswald Chambers Let these thoughts wash over you as we embark on the truth of the passage this morning. I.) True faith produces belief in God's Word and suffering for Christ, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (13-14) a. [Slide 3] 13 - And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. i. It takes two sides to make a visit profitable. ii. Paul has, in the first twelve verses, explained how he and his companions did their part to produce a successful and fruitful mission among them. iii. They took God's gospel and gave it to them without unseemly methods or greedy motives. iv. They adopted them as family and loved them accordingly. They cared for them like parents, both supplying what they needed to grow and thrive and teaching them to live a life worthy of God's Kingdom. v. But all of this would have been for nothing if the message was ineffective to produce any kind of spiritual change in them. vi. In fact, without God's empowering the message of His gospel, the Thessalonians would never have heard it as His Word. vii. So Paul gives thanks once again, without ceasing, to God, that the Thessalonians responded to the message the way they did. viii. Going back to chapter 1 verse 4-5, we see that Paul expresses similar thoughts. ix. He is thanking God because he is confident that the Thessalonian believers were elect of God. x. Why? xi. Primarily because of how the gospel came to them. xii. Not in word only (ie words of men only) but in the power of the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. xiii. Paul's thanksgiving here is expressed in more detail. xiv. What does it mean that the gospel came in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction? xv. It means they responded in true faith. Well, how do they know they have true faith? There are two examples in this text. xvi. First, that they believed the content of the message as though it were from God and second, that they received the power of the message. 1. The content of the message, if received in true faith, must be from God. a. The evangelists were demonstrating holy, righteous, and blameless lifestyles and exhorting, encouraging and insisting that the Thessalonians do the same. b. All of this is couched in the idea that a Kingdom is coming where Christ reigns over all, and demands purest devotion and worship. c. The same Lord who died to save them from their sins, will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will restore His people and make them to rule with Him in that Kingdom. d. If someone receives this in true faith – they must conclude it is from God. e. Paul reveals in a later letter that the Word of God is hidden from those who are without God's Spirit. God's Spirit must do a work in an unbeliever in order to enable them to understand and believe what the Word of God teaches. f. So, we say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God… which is true. But hearing the Word of God to the point of understanding that it is from God and even what that message means – all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. g. We call this step in the salvation process – regeneration. And although the bible does not explicitly teach that it precedes faith, the scriptures clearly teach that God must do something to enable a person to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. And He must do this to bring them out of their spiritually dead state. Since this is what regeneration is, it is safe for us to conclude that it must precede faith. h. Paul alludes to this here – in that the Thessalonians did not perceive this as a message from men – but they took what the evangelists said as the very words of God. A conclusion they could not have arrived at without the power of the Holy Spirit – which Paul said in chapter 1, did happen when the gospel came to them. 2. The second way we know they responded in true faith, is by the powerful result of that message being received. a. To those who truly believe, the Word of God produces an effect. b. We should expect the Word of God, preached, taught, read, heard, studied, mediated on, memorized, and illustrated to have a powerful effect upon those who are truly God's people. c. Warnings about sin and falling away, and pursuing righteousness, and loving God and others – should have a distinct influence over the hearts of those who are God's people. d. It is a predictable outcome that if absent calls into question the very legitimacy of our faith. xvii. So how specifically were the Thessalonians powerfully affected by the Word they received from God? b. [Slide 4] 14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, i. Paul calls out their suffering in the same way that the first members of the church suffered. ii. In fact, he uses the word – imitate again. iii. This also goes back to chapter 1 verse 6. iv. They became imitators of Christ and the evangelists by receiving the word with affliction. v. Paul again denotes that Christians are the same no matter where they are. Whether in Judea or Macedonia. They are also the same no matter WHEN they are. Whether at Pentecost in the formation of the church or now. vi. There are general markers that are common among all those who receive true faith. vii. In this example, Paul points to how on the day of Pentecost, believers on Christ suffered great persecution at the hands of fellow countrymen who rejected the gospel. viii. In a similar way, the Thessalonians are being treated quite poorly by their neighbors, family, friends, and others in the city who rejected the gospel message. ix. Being persecuted by unbelievers who are among those closest to you is one way that the legitimacy of your faith is demonstrated. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul's primary point in this chapter so far has been to verify that the mission they had among the Thessalonians only a few months previous, was not an empty and fruitless mission. Countering the claims of their fellow residents of Thessalonica, Paul knows it wasn't fruitless because they spoke God's gospel with confidence and for His approval. He also knows it wasn't fruitless because they felt a familial connection to the Thessalonians. And finally, they know it wasn't a fruitless mission because it produced predictable results in the city. The first result is regarding those who received the gospel message. Because they received this message in true faith, they were convinced it was a message from God and were changed by this message to the extent that they endured suffering for Christ's name. True faith produces belief in God's Word and a willingness, and even a joy to endure suffering for Christ's sake. This would be very encouraging to the Thessalonians, to know that these seasoned believers were confident in their faith. But our application must cautiously approach this. We must begin rather with a need for us to make sure that we have received true faith in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we be assured and take comfort in the apostle's words. Transition: [Slide 6 (blank)] But what other predictable result comes when the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly received by a group of people? In what else does Paul draw confidence that the Thessalonian mission was not fruitless? II.) Without true faith it is impossible to please God or be at peace with Him or mankind, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (15-16) a. [Slide 7] 15 - who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, i. Paul now embarks upon what seems like a rabbit trail. ii. He seeks to expand upon the behavior of the Jewish people who have so opposed the gospel message and have had a history of opposing God's word in general. iii. Here he says that these same Jews who persecuted their own countrymen for believing on Jesus, are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. iv. Paul again uses familial or collective language. Obviously, the same people who killed Jesus could not be the ones who killed all the prophets down through their history. And most likely they are not the same ones who drove Paul or the apostles out of Judea. v. Instead, Paul refers to a branch of Israel that has been cut off. vi. Paul is not being antisemitic here. He is merely pointing out a group of people who although having the racial privilege of being God's portion, have continued to reject Him as their King and Lord. vii. They are following in an unfortunate history of the Jewish people who strayed from Yahweh both in worship and in conduct to kill their own prophets and those God has sent to speak the truth to them. viii. The crown jewel in this ungodly behavior is, of course, the murder of their own Messiah and God – Jesus of Nazareth. ix. They continued their work of unbelief with Paul and his companions. b. [Slide 8] and drove us out, i. This could be referring to several instances where the Jews drove Paul or Christ's other servants out of certain places. ii. The “us” here could simply refer to Jewish believers, or may even refer to the evangelists themselves. iii. In any case – he points to the majority opposition of the Jewish people to receive their own Messiah or any who preach in His name. c. [Slide 9] and do not please God, i. Since Jesus is God's Messiah, His Servant, the Son of Man that the Ancient of Days will lift up to occupy the same throne as Yahweh… ii. You cannot oppose Christ or Christ's followers without also opposing God. iii. It is impossible for any to please God without first believing on Jesus Christ. iv. All the effort put in keeping the law, even if it were successful, would fail to please God if the person did not put their faith in Christ alone. v. And so, these Jews, in spite of being God's portion and part of Abraham's line, cannot please God and oppose His Son or His Son's Bride, at the same time. vi. But not only are they opposed to God… d. [Slide 10] and are hostile to all men, i. In opposing Christ, the Savior of the world, it is also impossible to love others. ii. To reject Christ is to render yourself unable to truly love other human beings. iii. Why? iv. Because Christ is the hope of the nations. Christ is the King of Kings. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. Christ is the Lord of Light. v. As Psalm 2 says, we must kiss the Son lest He be angry. vi. All nations must bow to His rule. All nations have hope only in His rule. vii. All nations who do not hope in Him, will cease to exist. viii. And so, to oppose Christ is to oppose the only hope the nations have. ix. The most hateful thing you can do to humanity is to reject His Messiah and harm His Son's Bride. x. Our culture says the most loving thing you can do is to be tolerant and accepting to all faiths. xi. The truth could not be more opposed to this thought. xii. The exclusivity of Christ as Savior and Lord of all, is the way we establish peace with all men. Peace only comes by the Exclusive rule of Christ alone. xiii. Next, Paul specifically calls out in what way the Jews were hostile to all men… e. [Slide 11] 16 - hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; i. To hinder the gospel message from going out to the nations is to hate the nations. ii. To stop the message of Christ crucified for sinners is to hate sinners and desire their eternal judgment. iii. The salvation of every man's soul rests in the work of Christ, alone. iv. And to prevent this message from going to all men – is to hate all men. v. No, telling people they are sinners and they need a Savior is not hateful, or unkind. It is the most loving thing we could do. But do you know what is truly hateful and hostile? Doing what you can to prevent others hearing the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. vi. Suggesting there are many paths to God through many religions, is the most hateful and hostile thing you could ever tell someone. vii. Since the Jews have opposed God, and man in this way… what is the result? f. [Slide 12] with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. i. Their sins have come to completion. ii. There is a call back here to the ban God put on the Canaanite nations before Israel entered into the promised land. iii. God speaks of the sins of the people who lived in the land as filling up a cup. Or coming to completion. iv. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in a similar way, telling them that they are filling up the cup of their judgment. v. Like when you cook rice on a stove top… vi. The starches in the rice react to the boiling water and produce bubbles. And those bubbles if not kept in check with rise to the top and overflow. vii. Burnt rice water on a glass stove top is one mess you don't want to have to clean up – Not that I know from experience

Title: “Not An Empty Visit” Part 3 Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16 FCF: We often struggle identifying true faith in contrast to non-saving faith. Prop: Because only true faith saves, we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. Scripture Intro: [Slide 1] Turn in your bible to 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. In a moment we'll read from the Legacy Standard Bible starting in verse 1. You can follow along in the pew bible or in whatever version you prefer. Today we will conclude the thought that Paul began with in chapter 2. However, keen observers might have noticed that there is a significant amount of overlap between chapter 1 and what we've discussed in chapter 2 so far. Indeed, if you took it upon yourself to set the two chapters side by side and drew lines or highlighted with different colors themes that are saying the same things with different words – you could illustrate this quite clearly. I won't impose that upon you – but if you are up for the challenge, I'm sure it would be profitable to you. Chapter 2 has largely been put to the Thessalonians in order to prove to them that the mission to their city was one that proved to be fruitless. Paul began by stating that they know it was not in vain because it was God's Gospel at work. He continued by saying that they know it was not in vain because they conducted themselves like a family. Today, Paul will conclude his assurance to them, in that they know it was not in vain because it rendered familiar results both positively and negatively. Please stand with me to give honor to and to focus on the Word of God as it is read. Invocation: Holy Father, You have revealed Yourself to us Your people through the Word, our Lord Jesus Christ. He has come to us, as God With Us. He has come to us to save us from sin, death, hell, the devil, and the kingdom of darkness. You have freed us from the tyranny of our own wisdom and enabled us to believe in You the giver of life. God give us eyes to behold the truth of Your word this morning as we see what makes true faith and what awaits us if we are without it. May we take the words of hope and warning today in faith, and may it have the effect upon us You desire. We pray this in Jesus' name – Amen. Transition: [Slide 2] “Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life.” Billy Graham “A man at his wit's end is not at his faith's end.” Matthew Henry “The function of faith is to turn God's promises into facts.” J. Oswald Chambers Let these thoughts wash over you as we embark on the truth of the passage this morning. I.) True faith produces belief in God's Word and suffering for Christ, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (13-14) a. [Slide 3] 13 - And for this reason we also thank God without ceasing that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. i. It takes two sides to make a visit profitable. ii. Paul has, in the first twelve verses, explained how he and his companions did their part to produce a successful and fruitful mission among them. iii. They took God's gospel and gave it to them without unseemly methods or greedy motives. iv. They adopted them as family and loved them accordingly. They cared for them like parents, both supplying what they needed to grow and thrive and teaching them to live a life worthy of God's Kingdom. v. But all of this would have been for nothing if the message was ineffective to produce any kind of spiritual change in them. vi. In fact, without God's empowering the message of His gospel, the Thessalonians would never have heard it as His Word. vii. So Paul gives thanks once again, without ceasing, to God, that the Thessalonians responded to the message the way they did. viii. Going back to chapter 1 verse 4-5, we see that Paul expresses similar thoughts. ix. He is thanking God because he is confident that the Thessalonian believers were elect of God. x. Why? xi. Primarily because of how the gospel came to them. xii. Not in word only (ie words of men only) but in the power of the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. xiii. Paul's thanksgiving here is expressed in more detail. xiv. What does it mean that the gospel came in power, in the Spirit, and with full conviction? xv. It means they responded in true faith. Well, how do they know they have true faith? There are two examples in this text. xvi. First, that they believed the content of the message as though it were from God and second, that they received the power of the message. 1. The content of the message, if received in true faith, must be from God. a. The evangelists were demonstrating holy, righteous, and blameless lifestyles and exhorting, encouraging and insisting that the Thessalonians do the same. b. All of this is couched in the idea that a Kingdom is coming where Christ reigns over all, and demands purest devotion and worship. c. The same Lord who died to save them from their sins, will one day return to judge the living and the dead. He will restore His people and make them to rule with Him in that Kingdom. d. If someone receives this in true faith – they must conclude it is from God. e. Paul reveals in a later letter that the Word of God is hidden from those who are without God's Spirit. God's Spirit must do a work in an unbeliever in order to enable them to understand and believe what the Word of God teaches. f. So, we say that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God… which is true. But hearing the Word of God to the point of understanding that it is from God and even what that message means – all comes through the power of the Holy Spirit. g. We call this step in the salvation process – regeneration. And although the bible does not explicitly teach that it precedes faith, the scriptures clearly teach that God must do something to enable a person to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. And He must do this to bring them out of their spiritually dead state. Since this is what regeneration is, it is safe for us to conclude that it must precede faith. h. Paul alludes to this here – in that the Thessalonians did not perceive this as a message from men – but they took what the evangelists said as the very words of God. A conclusion they could not have arrived at without the power of the Holy Spirit – which Paul said in chapter 1, did happen when the gospel came to them. 2. The second way we know they responded in true faith, is by the powerful result of that message being received. a. To those who truly believe, the Word of God produces an effect. b. We should expect the Word of God, preached, taught, read, heard, studied, mediated on, memorized, and illustrated to have a powerful effect upon those who are truly God's people. c. Warnings about sin and falling away, and pursuing righteousness, and loving God and others – should have a distinct influence over the hearts of those who are God's people. d. It is a predictable outcome that if absent calls into question the very legitimacy of our faith. xvii. So how specifically were the Thessalonians powerfully affected by the Word they received from God? b. [Slide 4] 14 - For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also suffered the same things at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, i. Paul calls out their suffering in the same way that the first members of the church suffered. ii. In fact, he uses the word – imitate again. iii. This also goes back to chapter 1 verse 6. iv. They became imitators of Christ and the evangelists by receiving the word with affliction. v. Paul again denotes that Christians are the same no matter where they are. Whether in Judea or Macedonia. They are also the same no matter WHEN they are. Whether at Pentecost in the formation of the church or now. vi. There are general markers that are common among all those who receive true faith. vii. In this example, Paul points to how on the day of Pentecost, believers on Christ suffered great persecution at the hands of fellow countrymen who rejected the gospel. viii. In a similar way, the Thessalonians are being treated quite poorly by their neighbors, family, friends, and others in the city who rejected the gospel message. ix. Being persecuted by unbelievers who are among those closest to you is one way that the legitimacy of your faith is demonstrated. c. [Slide 5] Summary of the Point: Paul's primary point in this chapter so far has been to verify that the mission they had among the Thessalonians only a few months previous, was not an empty and fruitless mission. Countering the claims of their fellow residents of Thessalonica, Paul knows it wasn't fruitless because they spoke God's gospel with confidence and for His approval. He also knows it wasn't fruitless because they felt a familial connection to the Thessalonians. And finally, they know it wasn't a fruitless mission because it produced predictable results in the city. The first result is regarding those who received the gospel message. Because they received this message in true faith, they were convinced it was a message from God and were changed by this message to the extent that they endured suffering for Christ's name. True faith produces belief in God's Word and a willingness, and even a joy to endure suffering for Christ's sake. This would be very encouraging to the Thessalonians, to know that these seasoned believers were confident in their faith. But our application must cautiously approach this. We must begin rather with a need for us to make sure that we have received true faith in Jesus Christ. Then and only then can we be assured and take comfort in the apostle's words. Transition: [Slide 6 (blank)] But what other predictable result comes when the gospel of Jesus Christ is truly received by a group of people? In what else does Paul draw confidence that the Thessalonian mission was not fruitless? II.) Without true faith it is impossible to please God or be at peace with Him or mankind, so we must ensure we have received Jesus Christ in true faith. (15-16) a. [Slide 7] 15 - who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, i. Paul now embarks upon what seems like a rabbit trail. ii. He seeks to expand upon the behavior of the Jewish people who have so opposed the gospel message and have had a history of opposing God's word in general. iii. Here he says that these same Jews who persecuted their own countrymen for believing on Jesus, are the ones who killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets. iv. Paul again uses familial or collective language. Obviously, the same people who killed Jesus could not be the ones who killed all the prophets down through their history. And most likely they are not the same ones who drove Paul or the apostles out of Judea. v. Instead, Paul refers to a branch of Israel that has been cut off. vi. Paul is not being antisemitic here. He is merely pointing out a group of people who although having the racial privilege of being God's portion, have continued to reject Him as their King and Lord. vii. They are following in an unfortunate history of the Jewish people who strayed from Yahweh both in worship and in conduct to kill their own prophets and those God has sent to speak the truth to them. viii. The crown jewel in this ungodly behavior is, of course, the murder of their own Messiah and God – Jesus of Nazareth. ix. They continued their work of unbelief with Paul and his companions. b. [Slide 8] and drove us out, i. This could be referring to several instances where the Jews drove Paul or Christ's other servants out of certain places. ii. The “us” here could simply refer to Jewish believers, or may even refer to the evangelists themselves. iii. In any case – he points to the majority opposition of the Jewish people to receive their own Messiah or any who preach in His name. c. [Slide 9] and do not please God, i. Since Jesus is God's Messiah, His Servant, the Son of Man that the Ancient of Days will lift up to occupy the same throne as Yahweh… ii. You cannot oppose Christ or Christ's followers without also opposing God. iii. It is impossible for any to please God without first believing on Jesus Christ. iv. All the effort put in keeping the law, even if it were successful, would fail to please God if the person did not put their faith in Christ alone. v. And so, these Jews, in spite of being God's portion and part of Abraham's line, cannot please God and oppose His Son or His Son's Bride, at the same time. vi. But not only are they opposed to God… d. [Slide 10] and are hostile to all men, i. In opposing Christ, the Savior of the world, it is also impossible to love others. ii. To reject Christ is to render yourself unable to truly love other human beings. iii. Why? iv. Because Christ is the hope of the nations. Christ is the King of Kings. Christ is the Bright and Morning Star. Christ is the Lord of Light. v. As Psalm 2 says, we must kiss the Son lest He be angry. vi. All nations must bow to His rule. All nations have hope only in His rule. vii. All nations who do not hope in Him, will cease to exist. viii. And so, to oppose Christ is to oppose the only hope the nations have. ix. The most hateful thing you can do to humanity is to reject His Messiah and harm His Son's Bride. x. Our culture says the most loving thing you can do is to be tolerant and accepting to all faiths. xi. The truth could not be more opposed to this thought. xii. The exclusivity of Christ as Savior and Lord of all, is the way we establish peace with all men. Peace only comes by the Exclusive rule of Christ alone. xiii. Next, Paul specifically calls out in what way the Jews were hostile to all men… e. [Slide 11] 16 - hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; i. To hinder the gospel message from going out to the nations is to hate the nations. ii. To stop the message of Christ crucified for sinners is to hate sinners and desire their eternal judgment. iii. The salvation of every man's soul rests in the work of Christ, alone. iv. And to prevent this message from going to all men – is to hate all men. v. No, telling people they are sinners and they need a Savior is not hateful, or unkind. It is the most loving thing we could do. But do you know what is truly hateful and hostile? Doing what you can to prevent others hearing the exclusive gospel of Jesus Christ. vi. Suggesting there are many paths to God through many religions, is the most hateful and hostile thing you could ever tell someone. vii. Since the Jews have opposed God, and man in this way… what is the result? f. [Slide 12] with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. i. Their sins have come to completion. ii. There is a call back here to the ban God put on the Canaanite nations before Israel entered into the promised land. iii. God speaks of the sins of the people who lived in the land as filling up a cup. Or coming to completion. iv. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in a similar way, telling them that they are filling up the cup of their judgment. v. Like when you cook rice on a stove top… vi. The starches in the rice react to the boiling water and produce bubbles. And those bubbles if not kept in check with rise to the top and overflow. vii. Burnt rice water on a glass stove top is one mess you don't want to have to clean up – Not that I know from experience

Psalm 2 pulls back the curtain on the world we live in. Nations rage, rulers plot, and humanity lifts its fist in rebellion against God, yet heaven is not shaken. God laughs, not out of mockery but out of absolute confidence, because He has already installed His King on Zion. This sermon walks through Psalm 2 as it points us forward to the ultimate Son, Jesus Christ. We see the folly of resisting His rule, the certainty of His victory, and the grace-filled invitation offered to every sinner: “Kiss the Son… take refuge in Him.” Psalm 2 shows us a Christ who is not soft, sentimental, or optional, but a reigning, conquering King—crucified, risen, and returning in judgment. And yet this same King offers salvation to all who bow in faith. In a world filled with chaos and defiance, Psalm 2 calls us to steadiness, confidence, and obedience, because the King reigns, His kingdom cannot fail, and true blessing is found only in surrendering to Him.

Growing In God Podcast Program Number: GIG #275 Title: Christ the King   Web Description: Why are the nations in an uproar? Because God has established Christ as King and has given all the nations to Him. God is not moved by their uproar, and neither should we be as believers in Christ. He is our refuge, He is our focus, and His unshakable Kingdom is the reality of our lives right now.   Show Notes: We read in Psalm 2 that the nations are in an uproar, and today we see how true that is. It is difficult to find a nation where positive things are happening. Every nation is facing negative consequences as people devise a vain thing. Like no other time in history, whole populations all over the globe are embracing vain and ridiculous ideas to believe in. Meanwhile, governments and rulers take their stand against the Lord, His will, His Kingdom, and His people. They counsel together against Israel and against Judaism and Christianity everywhere.   It seems like the world is spinning out of control. And as much as we pray for things to change, they just seem to go from bad to worse. That should come as no surprise to us as Christians. The Scriptures make clear that things will be difficult in the days before the Kingdom of God is established. And we are to be focused as believers on His Kingdom coming. So do not be focused on whatever is happening in the world. Instead, keep looking to the Father, to Christ, and to His Kingdom, knowing that God is in charge.   How is God responding to all the ridiculous ways the nations are acting in their defiance of Him? According to Psalm 2 He is laughing. In other words, He is not bothered. He is not losing control. He is not moved off His throne. God is securely planted as the One who is in charge. And He has installed His King on Zion, His holy mountain. That is where we stand in Christ. We can live today in His Kingdom, taking refuge in Him, seated with Him in the heavenly places, and proclaiming that He is ruling over every situation.   Key Verses:   •       Psalm 2:1–5. "The kings of the earth take their stand … against the LORD and against His Anointed." •       Psalm 2:6–8. "But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain." •       Psalm 2:9–12. "How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!" •       Psalm 24:1. "The earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains." •       Ephesians 2:4–6. "God, being rich in mercy … seated us with Him in the heavenly places."   Quotes:   •       "This is the scream of people who are refusing the Lordship of Christ, the Lordship of the Scriptures, the Word of God in their life: 'The Word of God is not going to be our moral compass. It's not going to rule over our life and how we live it and how we act one towards another.'" •       "There is going to be a moment where God begins to respond to each and every one of these that He's dealing with, each and every one of these ones that think they are bringing about their will on the earth and their kingdom on the earth, including satan himself. They are going to be addressed personally by the Lord, and they are going to be terrified at His response." •       "Whatever you're experiencing, whatever we're going through, whatever will happen around us in this uproar of the nations, take refuge in Him. Keep your focus upon Him. Keep absolutely in the front of your mind and heart that He has installed Christ the King upon Mount Zion."   Takeaways:   1.    The nations are in an uproar. But they are in an uproar because the Father has granted the ownership of those nations to Christ. 2.    God is not shaken, and Christ the King is not shaken by whatever is going on in this world. He is laughing at the plans of the world because they are already thwarted by His Word as the God of all creation. 3.    We tell of the decree of the Lord that He is the King. We take refuge in Him personally. And we are those who proclaim that the nations are His, and He has installed His King upon His Holy Mountain.

Main Idea: God fulfills His promise by giving His King victory that leads to pure worship and true justice.

Great Salvation He Brings to His King (2nd Samuel 1-5)

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He Will Give Strength to His King (1 Samuel 28-31)

Sermon Summary:In our seventh week of Summer in the Psalms, we explored Psalm 2 and its startling relevance to our current moment. David's 3,000-year-old question "Why do the nations rage?" reads like yesterday's headlines, revealing that political upheaval and social chaos aren't new phenomena but recurring patterns throughout human history.Psalm 2 exposes three escalating levels of rebellion: internal agitation (ragash), collaborative plotting, and open defiance. This pattern appears everywhere people resist authority, whether in international relations, workplace dynamics, or our relationship with God. Every act of rebellion ultimately stems from the human heart saying, "I don't want anyone telling me how to live."The psalm reveals God's response to this raging: divine laughter that reflects absolute confidence, not cruelty. Like parents watching a toddler's tantrum, God knows something we don't - that His King has already been installed on the eternal throne. Jesus isn't trying to become king; He already is King.The early church in Acts 4 demonstrates how to live this truth during crisis. When threatened by authorities, they didn't pray for comfort but for boldness to continue their mission. We're called to develop a supernatural perspective on current events, engage politically without political idolatry, and create Kingdom culture rather than just react to broken systems.True freedom isn't the absence of all constraints but being constrained by the right things. The chains we think God puts on us are actually the chains He wants to break off us. As citizens of God's eternal Kingdom, we can engage earthly realities without being controlled by them, finding our refuge in the King whose throne cannot be shaken.URF WEBSITE: ➤ http://www.urfellowship.comSOCIALS: ➤ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urfellowship/➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urfellowshi

In Psalm 2, we're invited into the Throne Room of heaven, a Situation Room unlike any other. We listen in as God responds to a world in rebellion. Whether ancient or modern rulers, pride rages and plots against God's authority.We hear the noise of proud human defiance and then the calm, unshaken voice of God. He has set His King in place. His Messiah is Anointed. His Son is given the nations as His heritage. All who bow the knee to King Jesus, our Rescuer, and God's beloved Son will find refuge.Psalm 2 exposes human rebellion, whether dramatic or “suburban” and calls for full surrender—not just for kings and rulers, but for each of us. The psalm ends where Psalm 1 began: with blessing. Only this time, for all who take refuge in Him.Key Themes:· The World's Rebellion: Nations and rulers resist God's authority and reject His rule. (Psalm 2:1–3)· God's Response: He laughs at human pride and declares His King—Jesus—on Zion's throne. (Psalm 2:4–6)· The Son's Identity: Messiah, King, and the eternally begotten Son who reigns over all. (Psalm 2:7–9)· The Warning and the Invitation: Serve with fear, rejoice with trembling, and take refuge in the Son. (Psalm 2:10–12)Key Texts:· Psalm 2· Acts 4:25–27· Luke 1:30–33· 2 Samuel 7:16· Revelation 2:26–27 Support our mission:Your generosity helps us proclaim Christ as King and equip disciples to make disciples. alloflife.churchcenter.com/givingVisit our website:www.alloflife.church

How do you respond when what you've been praying for finally comes to fruition?Are you someone who naturally moves on and thinks about the next situation or problem? Or are you someone who pauses, reflects, and spends time praising God for how He solved the situation and came through? Most Christians would like to say that we respond with pausing and reflecting … but we'd also admit that there have been tons of times in our lives when we've just moved on, forgetting to pause and thank God for what He's done.Well, this week, we are studying Psalm 21 … which comes immediately after Psalm 20.We wanted to point that out not just because 21 comes after 20, but because there is this tight connection between the two Psalms. In Psalm 20, there are these prayers for deliverance.In Psalm 21, we see that God has provided.God has saved His King. He has answered the prayers of the King and the prayers of the congregation of the righteous. God has shown Himself as strong and mighty to save. The righteous have this incredible victory.Thus, in this week's Psalm, we learn how David praised God for how he was delivered from the hands of his enemies and how his kingdom was established. However, we also know that this song is one that fits in the hymnbook of Israel long after David died. So, we might wonder, how did Israel sing this song after him, like in the exile when things looked bleak? And how does this Psalm point towards King Jesus? And how have Christians sung this song over the last 2,000 years?We will be exploring these things together in our gathering this week.So, here's our ask: before coming to our gathering, spend some time reading Psalm 20 and Psalm 21. See how God answered the prayers of His King and His people. And spend some time reflecting upon the many ways that God has answered your prayers. Then, spend some time praying and thanking God for the ways He has provided in your life as He has responded to your prayers. Take delight in Him as you do so, recognizing His strength and provision.

In Psalm 2, we see this picture painted of the world in disarray and in rebellion against God. However, God has a plan and that plan is to establish His King, Jesus, to rule and reign forever.

God will glorify His King. Your glory is secure if you're bound to Him.

This Sunday, co-lead pastor Alex Leyva continued our series in Zechariah with a message from chapters 9–11, reminding us of God's faithfulness to His word. In chapter 9, we see that God promised to judge the proud—and He did. He stands against what is evil and calls us to worship Him alone as our true King. But God also promised to send His King—and He did. Jesus entered not with force, but in humility, riding on a donkey, pouring out His blood to set us free. And God has promised to restore His people—and He will. Chapter 10 points us to a God who does the work of restoration, shaping His people by truth, not falsehood. May we be a people who put away what is empty and cling to the only One who satisfies.

In today's sermon, Pastor Andrew Coleman preaches on Zechariah 9. In this passage, we see that God's coming will secure His land, through His King and for His people. As we study this passage, we learn that just as God has judged His own people, so much more (without mercy) will He judge the wicked. We see the righteous King (Christ Jesus) return! We see that God's covenant from Sinai is ratified with blood. Ultimately, in this passage we see the great salvation, deliverance, and beauty of God! ________________________________________ Links to Sermon Notes & Answers: ➤Sermon Notes (Blank): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_2b101f2c20084401b5904c8a8a27d8fa.pdf ➤Sermon Notes (Answers): https://www.sheridanhills.org/_files/ugd/30fec2_13ed620488e54b35b22845b73abdd8a9.pdf ________________________________________ In this video: Review of previous sermons in series Main Points Application ________________________________________ Subscribe to this channel to catch weekly expositional sermons from the Bible. ________________________________________ Explore more sermons and information: https://www.sheridanhills.org/watch-new ________________________________________ Follow us: ➤Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sheridanhills/ ➤Twitter: https://twitter.com/sheridanhills01 ➤Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheridanhills/

Psalm 18 is a triumphant declaration at a time of great victory. David (and Christ) explode with love for the Lord (v1), who'd manifested His covenant love to them in many ways. They declare 9 Names of God, describing ways they knew God from personal experience thru many trials (v1-2). Many times they'd called on Him and He delivered them from their enemies. In particular, in the face of death they cried to God and He heard them (v3-6). In its fullest sense it applies to Christ who actually suffered, died & went to Sheol (v4-5), but called to God during this whole time (v6), and He answered. In v7-19, it reveals what happened in the Spirit as God manifested His glory & moved in majestic power at His death & resurrection, bringing darkness & shaking the earth (v7-9,11), personally coming down from Heaven (v10) releasing His arrows against His enemies (v12-14), then invading Hades (v15), and reaching down there by His mighty Arm, He pulled Christ out of the Prison of Hades (v16), rescuing Him from the devil & all His enemies, and raised Him from death & exalted Him to a high spacious place (v17-19). The basis for this divine deliverance was His perfect righteousness as a Man (v19-24): "He delivered me because He delighted in me" (v19b). Likewise, in Christ, God delights in us & delivers us. After His Ascension, God reigns over man thru Christ as His executive at His right hand (Ps 110:1-4). He is merciful, gracious & righteous in His rule, saving the humble & humbling the proud (v25-27). At His resurrection, God regenerated & glorified His human nature, lighting up His lamp, His human spirit (v28, Prov 20:27), anointing Him for victory over all His enemies (v29-36), and sharing His anointing & weapons with His people, who trust in Him, and engage in spiritual warfare in His Name (v30-31). Finally, in God's perfect timing He'll release Him to fully manifest His authority, power & glory to pursue & destroy all His enemies, at His 2nd Coming (v37-42). Then having put down all rebellion, He'll establish His Kingdom on earth and reign as Head of all nations (v43). At this time saved Gentiles, who hear of Him & submit to Him (v43-45) will be included in His covenant community (v49): "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among (in fellowship with) the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your Name" - quoted in Rom 15:9 and applied to Christ, proving it's a messianic psalm. Rom 15:7-12 quotes 4 prophecies to prove when Christ comes, He'll bring salvation to the Gentiles, so they'll be included with the Jews in God's People. Though these prophecies originally spoke of the Messianic Kingdom, for the Church Age was a Mystery, not yet revealed, they revealed God's purpose to save Gentiles thru His Coming, so Gentile salvation in the Church Age thru the New Covenant is consistent with the revelation of the prophets, and is an initial fulfilment. So Jews & Gentiles in the Church should receive each other as equals (v7). The prophets saw His Coming to die, rise again & establish the new covenant, and had Israel received Him, He'd have established His Kingdom, with Jews & Gentiles equally saved, in fulfilment of the prophecies. But, when Israel rejected Him, instead of establishing the Kingdom, God brought in the Church Age, in which Jews & Gentiles are equally saved, as in the Kingdom. Thus, though He could not fulfil all the Kingdom prophecies, He did fulfil the prophecies of salvation in the new covenant for all who call on His Name, both Jew & Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 15:13-19, James quoted Amos 9:11-12 to show Gentile salvation in the Church Age is consistent with the prophets, as an initial fulfilment, and so Jewish believers should receive Gentiles into the Church as equals. Psalm 18 concludes with a Doxology of Praise, summarising all the great things God did to manifest His covenant love (v46-50), giving Him glory for being His strength & giving Him victory over all His enemies, especially the violent man (antichrist), and for executing justice and establishing His Kingdom on earth over all nations, with Christ exalted as Head. He also gives thanks for the salvation of Gentiles, now in union with Him (v49). He concludes with a summary statement: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows covenant love to His ANOINTED, to DAVID and his SEED (CHRIST) forevermore" (v50). This confirms Ps 18 was originally fulfilled (in type) to David, but the ultimate fulfilment is to David's SEED, Christ. Just as we are Abraham's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of Abraham, and so inherit his blessing (Gal 3:14,26-29), so we are David's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of David, and so are joint heirs of the covenant blessings (mercies) of David, described in Ps 18. Thus we share in Christ's victory, anointing & reign, thru our union with Him. Thus Ps 18 doesn't just describe God's covenant blessings to David & his Seed (Christ), but also to those in Christ, which we can apply to & appropriate for ourselves.

Psalm 18 is a triumphant declaration at a time of great victory. David (and Christ) explode with love for the Lord (v1), who'd manifested His covenant love to them in many ways. They declare 9 Names of God, describing ways they knew God from personal experience thru many trials (v1-2). Many times they'd called on Him and He delivered them from their enemies. In particular, in the face of death they cried to God and He heard them (v3-6). In its fullest sense it applies to Christ who actually suffered, died & went to Sheol (v4-5), but called to God during this whole time (v6), and He answered. In v7-19, it reveals what happened in the Spirit as God manifested His glory & moved in majestic power at His death & resurrection, bringing darkness & shaking the earth (v7-9,11), personally coming down from Heaven (v10) releasing His arrows against His enemies (v12-14), then invading Hades (v15), and reaching down there by His mighty Arm, He pulled Christ out of the Prison of Hades (v16), rescuing Him from the devil & all His enemies, and raised Him from death & exalted Him to a high spacious place (v17-19). The basis for this divine deliverance was His perfect righteousness as a Man (v19-24): "He delivered me because He delighted in me" (v19b). Likewise, in Christ, God delights in us & delivers us. After His Ascension, God reigns over man thru Christ as His executive at His right hand (Ps 110:1-4). He is merciful, gracious & righteous in His rule, saving the humble & humbling the proud (v25-27). At His resurrection, God regenerated & glorified His human nature, lighting up His lamp, His human spirit (v28, Prov 20:27), anointing Him for victory over all His enemies (v29-36), and sharing His anointing & weapons with His people, who trust in Him, and engage in spiritual warfare in His Name (v30-31). Finally, in God's perfect timing He'll release Him to fully manifest His authority, power & glory to pursue & destroy all His enemies, at His 2nd Coming (v37-42). Then having put down all rebellion, He'll establish His Kingdom on earth and reign as Head of all nations (v43). At this time saved Gentiles, who hear of Him & submit to Him (v43-45) will be included in His covenant community (v49): "Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among (in fellowship with) the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your Name" - quoted in Rom 15:9 and applied to Christ, proving it's a messianic psalm. Rom 15:7-12 quotes 4 prophecies to prove when Christ comes, He'll bring salvation to the Gentiles, so they'll be included with the Jews in God's People. Though these prophecies originally spoke of the Messianic Kingdom, for the Church Age was a Mystery, not yet revealed, they revealed God's purpose to save Gentiles thru His Coming, so Gentile salvation in the Church Age thru the New Covenant is consistent with the revelation of the prophets, and is an initial fulfilment. So Jews & Gentiles in the Church should receive each other as equals (v7). The prophets saw His Coming to die, rise again & establish the new covenant, and had Israel received Him, He'd have established His Kingdom, with Jews & Gentiles equally saved, in fulfilment of the prophecies. But, when Israel rejected Him, instead of establishing the Kingdom, God brought in the Church Age, in which Jews & Gentiles are equally saved, as in the Kingdom. Thus, though He could not fulfil all the Kingdom prophecies, He did fulfil the prophecies of salvation in the new covenant for all who call on His Name, both Jew & Gentile. Similarly, in Acts 15:13-19, James quoted Amos 9:11-12 to show Gentile salvation in the Church Age is consistent with the prophets, as an initial fulfilment, and so Jewish believers should receive Gentiles into the Church as equals. Psalm 18 concludes with a Doxology of Praise, summarising all the great things God did to manifest His covenant love (v46-50), giving Him glory for being His strength & giving Him victory over all His enemies, especially the violent man (antichrist), and for executing justice and establishing His Kingdom on earth over all nations, with Christ exalted as Head. He also gives thanks for the salvation of Gentiles, now in union with Him (v49). He concludes with a summary statement: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows covenant love to His ANOINTED, to DAVID and his SEED (CHRIST) forevermore" (v50). This confirms Ps 18 was originally fulfilled (in type) to David, but the ultimate fulfilment is to David's SEED, Christ. Just as we are Abraham's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of Abraham, and so inherit his blessing (Gal 3:14,26-29), so we are David's Seed, as we're in Christ, the SEED of David, and so are joint heirs of the covenant blessings (mercies) of David, described in Ps 18. Thus we share in Christ's victory, anointing & reign, thru our union with Him. Thus Ps 18 doesn't just describe God's covenant blessings to David & his Seed (Christ), but also to those in Christ, which we can apply to & appropriate for ourselves.

Psalm 18 is a Thanksgiving Psalm of intense emotion giving God the glory for all the victories God gave David and His Son (Christ) in fulfilling His covenant promises to them (v50). It continues the story * typology from Psalm 17. The title is: "A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul." This is clearly an important Psalm, as it is in 2Samuel 22. It's a Messianic Psalm - although it was spoken by David and corresponds to his own circumstances & prayer, it was written in a Spirit of Prophecy, and can only be perfectly fulfilled by the Messiah. This is clear by the magnitude of the language, the claims of perfect righteousness, and the fact Paul quotes v49 in Romans 15:9 and applies it to Christ (see also v2 and Heb 2:13). Moreover, v50 gives a summary: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows mercy to His ANOINTED, to David and his descendants (SEED = Messiah) forevermore." So this indicates it is about God's manifestation of His covenant love to both His anointed ones - David and Messiah, His Seed. The promises & blessings of this Psalm also apply to believers who are in Christ, the Seed of David. As the title indicates, it was sung after David conquered all his enemies, both internal & external. It gives thanks and glory to God for all the deliverances and victories over the years. David, the warrior king, is a type of Christ, and so the stages of his life foreshadow that of Christ: (1) His anointing, mighty feats, suffering & persecution from the governing authority (Saul) before he became king foreshadow Christ's earthly ministry before He was enthroned as King. (2) David's enthronement as King at Hebron corresponds to Christ's enthronement at His resurrection. At this point, most of Israel did not follow Him (only Judah, a remnant), and although there was a 7-year war between him and the house of Saul, he did not try to force His rule on the rest. He was depending on God to establish His throne. David waited for 7 years before all Israel came to him and submitted to him as King. This corresponds to the 7 years on Israel's Clock yet to run as the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27) during which Israel will come to Christ (2Sam 3:1) - the typology jumps over the Church Age, which was a mystery. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved and welcome Christ to be her King (2Sam 5:1-5, Matt 24:37-39). (3) At this point, with Israel now submitted to him, David immediately operated in his kingly anointing to conquer all the surrounding enemy nations, starting with Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6-12), where he established His throne, followed by the rapid defeat and conquest of the Philistines (2Sam 5:17-24, 8:1), Moab, Zobar, Syria, Ammon & Amalek (2Sam 8:2-14). Likewise, when Israel receives Him, Christ will return at Armageddon as King of kings and conquer all the enemy armies from every nation gathered against Israel, and sit on His throne in Jerusalem. (4) Then David reigned over Israel and was also the head of the surrounding nations (2Sam 8:15). Likewise, Christ will reign over Israel and all the nations, as King over all the world in the Millennium. At this point David wrote Psalm 18 to give thanks for the manifestation of God's covenant love and power (v1,50). Likewise, it's also the Psalm Christ will sing when He has defeated all His enemies and established His Kingdom, giving thanks for what God has done. We see the stages of the parallel exaltation of David & Christ reflected in the Psalm. In v1-3, Christ (as typified by David) gives thanks for His strength and protection during His earthly life. Then in v4-24 He thanks God for delivering Him from death and conquering all His enemies in His mighty resurrection. Then in v25-36, He describes His regeneration and anointing by God at His resurrection & ascension (coronation) to reign as Lord administering God's grace and justice in His dealings with mankind, and His empowerment to vanquish His enemies, at the appointed time. In the meantime, God anointed Him and His people to operate with strength and wisdom in the ongoing (spiritual) warfare. Then in v37-42, we see Him in His 2nd Coming destroying all the enemy armies at Armageddon (Rev 19) and judging the whole world, destroying all those who hate (reject) Him, grinding all the kingdoms of the world to fine dust (Daniel 2:35). Then, in v43-49, with Israel and the Gentiles in submission to Him, Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, becoming 'the Head of the nations' (King of kings) - 43. In this Kingdom, the Gentiles as well as the Jews will be saved and in covenant fellowship with Him (v43-45,49). At this time He will exalt the living God over all (v46), for God had delivered him from all His enemies and subdued them under His feet (v47-48).

Psalm 18 is a Thanksgiving Psalm of intense emotion giving God the glory for all the victories God gave David and His Son (Christ) in fulfilling His covenant promises to them (v50). It continues the story * typology from Psalm 17. The title is: "A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul." This is clearly an important Psalm, as it is in 2Samuel 22. It's a Messianic Psalm - although it was spoken by David and corresponds to his own circumstances & prayer, it was written in a Spirit of Prophecy, and can only be perfectly fulfilled by the Messiah. This is clear by the magnitude of the language, the claims of perfect righteousness, and the fact Paul quotes v49 in Romans 15:9 and applies it to Christ (see also v2 and Heb 2:13). Moreover, v50 gives a summary: "Great deliverance He gives to His KING, and shows mercy to His ANOINTED, to David and his descendants (SEED = Messiah) forevermore." So this indicates it is about God's manifestation of His covenant love to both His anointed ones - David and Messiah, His Seed. The promises & blessings of this Psalm also apply to believers who are in Christ, the Seed of David. As the title indicates, it was sung after David conquered all his enemies, both internal & external. It gives thanks and glory to God for all the deliverances and victories over the years. David, the warrior king, is a type of Christ, and so the stages of his life foreshadow that of Christ: (1) His anointing, mighty feats, suffering & persecution from the governing authority (Saul) before he became king foreshadow Christ's earthly ministry before He was enthroned as King. (2) David's enthronement as King at Hebron corresponds to Christ's enthronement at His resurrection. At this point, most of Israel did not follow Him (only Judah, a remnant), and although there was a 7-year war between him and the house of Saul, he did not try to force His rule on the rest. He was depending on God to establish His throne. David waited for 7 years before all Israel came to him and submitted to him as King. This corresponds to the 7 years on Israel's Clock yet to run as the Tribulation (Dan 9:24-27) during which Israel will come to Christ (2Sam 3:1) - the typology jumps over the Church Age, which was a mystery. At the end of the 7 years all Israel will be saved and welcome Christ to be her King (2Sam 5:1-5, Matt 24:37-39). (3) At this point, with Israel now submitted to him, David immediately operated in his kingly anointing to conquer all the surrounding enemy nations, starting with Jerusalem (2Sam 5:6-12), where he established His throne, followed by the rapid defeat and conquest of the Philistines (2Sam 5:17-24, 8:1), Moab, Zobar, Syria, Ammon & Amalek (2Sam 8:2-14). Likewise, when Israel receives Him, Christ will return at Armageddon as King of kings and conquer all the enemy armies from every nation gathered against Israel, and sit on His throne in Jerusalem. (4) Then David reigned over Israel and was also the head of the surrounding nations (2Sam 8:15). Likewise, Christ will reign over Israel and all the nations, as King over all the world in the Millennium. At this point David wrote Psalm 18 to give thanks for the manifestation of God's covenant love and power (v1,50). Likewise, it's also the Psalm Christ will sing when He has defeated all His enemies and established His Kingdom, giving thanks for what God has done. We see the stages of the parallel exaltation of David & Christ reflected in the Psalm. In v1-3, Christ (as typified by David) gives thanks for His strength and protection during His earthly life. Then in v4-24 He thanks God for delivering Him from death and conquering all His enemies in His mighty resurrection. Then in v25-36, He describes His regeneration and anointing by God at His resurrection & ascension (coronation) to reign as Lord administering God's grace and justice in His dealings with mankind, and His empowerment to vanquish His enemies, at the appointed time. In the meantime, God anointed Him and His people to operate with strength and wisdom in the ongoing (spiritual) warfare. Then in v37-42, we see Him in His 2nd Coming destroying all the enemy armies at Armageddon (Rev 19) and judging the whole world, destroying all those who hate (reject) Him, grinding all the kingdoms of the world to fine dust (Daniel 2:35). Then, in v43-49, with Israel and the Gentiles in submission to Him, Christ establishes His Millennial Kingdom, becoming 'the Head of the nations' (King of kings) - 43. In this Kingdom, the Gentiles as well as the Jews will be saved and in covenant fellowship with Him (v43-45,49). At this time He will exalt the living God over all (v46), for God had delivered him from all His enemies and subdued them under His feet (v47-48).

In this sermon, pastor Keith shows us from 1 Samuel 18 that the LORD prospers His King and that there are only two relationships to this king: one of love and the other of hatred. Love and loyalty to David was shown by Jonathan and the people of Israel as they saw David prospering in all his undertaking, because he was with the LORD. On the other hand, Saul only showed jealousy and hositility against David. But because David was with the LORD, Saul greatly feared David. Given the two opposite relationships to God's anointed King, pastor Keith asks whether you love God's prospering King Jesus or hate him.

Psalm 2 is a compelling piece of biblical poetry that is categorized as one of the “royal psalms,” dealing primarily with themes of kingship and the establishment of divine order. It is traditionally understood as a coronation psalm, used in the context of the enthronement of a Judaic king, and is also regarded as messianic, foreshadowing the ultimate kingship of Christ in Christian interpretations. Structure and Themes: Psalm 2 is structured into four distinct stanzas, each containing three verses. The psalm progresses through a sequence of voices and perspectives: 1.Verses 1-3 - The Nations' Rebellion: The psalm opens with a rhetorical question about why the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain against the LORD and His anointed. This reflects a universal rebellion against divine authority. 2.Verses 4-6 - Divine Response: God's reaction to this rebellion is described as one of derision and wrath. The Lord asserts His authority by proclaiming the decree of installing His King on Zion, His holy mountain. 3.Verses 7-9 - The King's Proclamation: The anointed king recounts the decree of the Lord, stating that he has been adopted as God's son and given the nations as his inheritance, signifying a universal dominion. 4.Verses 10-12 - A Warning to Kings: The final stanza serves as a warning to the rulers of the earth to serve the Lord with wisdom and submission, highlighting the peril of opposing God's anointed. Interpretative Insights: The overarching theme of Psalm 2 is the inevitability and supremacy of God's plan over human plans and the futility of resisting His will. This psalm starkly portrays the contrast between the tumult of human kingdoms and the unshakeable order of the divine rule. Messianic Interpretation: In Christianity, Psalm 2 is read as a prophecy concerning Jesus Christ, the “Anointed One,” or Messiah. This interpretation is bolstered by its quotations in the New Testament, particularly in Acts 4:25-26 and Revelation 2:26-27, where the themes of this psalm are applied to Christ's mission and authority. Application and Relevance: The psalm serves as a reminder of the power dynamics between divine authority and earthly power. It encourages believers to reflect on their allegiance, urging fidelity to God's sovereignty above worldly power. The warning at the end (“Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way”) can be viewed metaphorically, calling for reverence and submission to divine authority. In contemporary reflections, Psalm 2 continues to be a rich source for theological and spiritual meditation, offering insights into the nature of God's rule, the folly of human resistance to divine decrees, and the ultimate triumph of God's ordained order over chaotic human ambitions.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sendme-radio--732966/support.

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm of importance, much quoted in the NT, a cosmic Drama describing the present spiritual warfare in the Church Age, especially as it comes to its climax. Along with Ps 1, it's part of the Entrance Hall into the Book of Psalms. Ps 1 reveals the contrast between the righteous & wicked on an individual level, Ps 2 reveals it on a global scale, showing the spiritual conflict between those in God's Kingdom and those in satan's kingdom. Thus they are foundational. In this video, we introduce Ps 2 and see how it fits with our times. It's a Psalm of David (Acts 4:25-26) pointing Messiah's victory & rule over the earth, fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (2Sam7, 1Chr 17). It's parallel to Ps 110, for both speak of Christ as having ascended, having accomplished the work of His 1st Coming & received all authority to rule earth, and both also look forward to His 2nd Coming, when He'll enforce His authority, judge His enemies and establish His Kingdom on earth. Thus they describe the present spiritual war on earth between His 2 Comings. They are prophetic of the spiritual war in the Church Age, with relevance to us, giving a theological perspective for interpreting world events. In Scene 1 the focus is on the unsaved masses of humanity living under darkness & deception, striving with God's Spirit, lovingly yearning for their souls. Speaking thru David, He asks from a heart of love: "Why do they restlessly war against each other, and imagine (meditate) a vain (worthless, empty) thing?” (v1). Why reject God who loves them so much? Why think they can save themselves without God? These souls are the battleground, over which both sides are fighting. In the end each must chose between God & satan. Scene 2 answers the question as we see the forces trying to control them - rebellious angelic & human rulers of earth: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His ANOINTED (Messiah-King)” (v2). This describes purposeful rebellion against God. This describes the battle-lines of the 2 opposing powers. On one side, the Lord & His Anointed One (Christ & all those in Christ), God's anointed weapon in this war (we are in Ps 2), and on the other side all those fighting for the enemy, both demonic & human. This war is over (1) the inheritance of precious souls, and (2) possession of the nations & their land (v1,8). The enemy's desire & message is revealed in v3. They want to throw off God's laws & authority but can't escape His rule & jurisdiction. In Scene 3, the focus moves up higher to God on His Throne and His Anointed One (2:4). What's His reaction to the enemy? He laughs at all their plots & striving. He's in Heaven, far above, seeing all. He has all authority, knows the final outcome and never worries. Heaven is always full of joy. As we live on the battleground, it's vital for us to keep this vision of God before us - that we are on the victory side and He will defeat all His enemies. We can laugh with God that the enemy is defeated and rejoice in His victory. The next step in this drama is that God gets serious. Righteous anger rises up in Him against His rebellious enemies (v5), and He announces He's already made His decisive move, guaranteeing His victory and the certainty of final judgment on His enemies: “Yet have I installed My King on my holy Hill of Zion” (v6) - fulfilled in His 1st Coming. God sent forth His anointed weapon, Jesus, who destroyed the power of the enemy in His life, death & resurrection. He rose victorious, ascended far above all powers and is seated at God's right hand, signifying His completed work (Ps 110:1). So, God's answer to satan is He has already set His King on His Throne in Heaven, in the holy Hill of Mt Zion. The battle is already won and satan defeated. Jesus paid the price to redeem every soul (His inheritance), and purchased the earth (His possession), so He now possess the earth's title-deed (Rev 5), and has the right to rule all nations. He is already God's appointed King, over both sinners & saints - ruling sinners by external power and His saints internally by His grace. At His 2nd Coming, He'll manifest His authority & victory, returning in power to take possession of all the earth and rule over all nations from His earthly throne of David on the holy hill of Zion. In our spiritual war, we must follow God's example in 2:6, and point to Christ's finished work, declaring He has accomplished our salvation, defeated all evil powers, and has risen victorious and ascended on High, far above all principalities, and is Lord over all. Thus we confess Jesus has defeated the evil one, and is enthroned on high, with all enemies underfoot, so now we also have the victory, for we're in Christ and have risen with Him and sit with Him far above (Eph 2:6), so now we operate from a position of victory (Rom 8:37). We're not trying to get the victory, for He is our victory, and we're enforcing His victory on the earth.

Psalm 2 is a Messianic Psalm of importance, much quoted in the NT, a cosmic Drama describing the present spiritual warfare in the Church Age, especially as it comes to its climax. Along with Ps 1, it's part of the Entrance Hall into the Book of Psalms. Ps 1 reveals the contrast between the righteous & wicked on an individual level, Ps 2 reveals it on a global scale, showing the spiritual conflict between those in God's Kingdom and those in satan's kingdom. Thus they are foundational. In this video, we introduce Ps 2 and see how it fits with our times. It's a Psalm of David (Acts 4:25-26) pointing Messiah's victory & rule over the earth, fulfilling the Davidic Covenant (2Sam7, 1Chr 17). It's parallel to Ps 110, for both speak of Christ as having ascended, having accomplished the work of His 1st Coming & received all authority to rule earth, and both also look forward to His 2nd Coming, when He'll enforce His authority, judge His enemies and establish His Kingdom on earth. Thus they describe the present spiritual war on earth between His 2 Comings. They are prophetic of the spiritual war in the Church Age, with relevance to us, giving a theological perspective for interpreting world events. In Scene 1 the focus is on the unsaved masses of humanity living under darkness & deception, striving with God's Spirit, lovingly yearning for their souls. Speaking thru David, He asks from a heart of love: "Why do they restlessly war against each other, and imagine (meditate) a vain (worthless, empty) thing?” (v1). Why reject God who loves them so much? Why think they can save themselves without God? These souls are the battleground, over which both sides are fighting. In the end each must chose between God & satan. Scene 2 answers the question as we see the forces trying to control them - rebellious angelic & human rulers of earth: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and against His ANOINTED (Messiah-King)” (v2). This describes purposeful rebellion against God. This describes the battle-lines of the 2 opposing powers. On one side, the Lord & His Anointed One (Christ & all those in Christ), God's anointed weapon in this war (we are in Ps 2), and on the other side all those fighting for the enemy, both demonic & human. This war is over (1) the inheritance of precious souls, and (2) possession of the nations & their land (v1,8). The enemy's desire & message is revealed in v3. They want to throw off God's laws & authority but can't escape His rule & jurisdiction. In Scene 3, the focus moves up higher to God on His Throne and His Anointed One (2:4). What's His reaction to the enemy? He laughs at all their plots & striving. He's in Heaven, far above, seeing all. He has all authority, knows the final outcome and never worries. Heaven is always full of joy. As we live on the battleground, it's vital for us to keep this vision of God before us - that we are on the victory side and He will defeat all His enemies. We can laugh with God that the enemy is defeated and rejoice in His victory. The next step in this drama is that God gets serious. Righteous anger rises up in Him against His rebellious enemies (v5), and He announces He's already made His decisive move, guaranteeing His victory and the certainty of final judgment on His enemies: “Yet have I installed My King on my holy Hill of Zion” (v6) - fulfilled in His 1st Coming. God sent forth His anointed weapon, Jesus, who destroyed the power of the enemy in His life, death & resurrection. He rose victorious, ascended far above all powers and is seated at God's right hand, signifying His completed work (Ps 110:1). So, God's answer to satan is He has already set His King on His Throne in Heaven, in the holy Hill of Mt Zion. The battle is already won and satan defeated. Jesus paid the price to redeem every soul (His inheritance), and purchased the earth (His possession), so He now possess the earth's title-deed (Rev 5), and has the right to rule all nations. He is already God's appointed King, over both sinners & saints - ruling sinners by external power and His saints internally by His grace. At His 2nd Coming, He'll manifest His authority & victory, returning in power to take possession of all the earth and rule over all nations from His earthly throne of David on the holy hill of Zion. In our spiritual war, we must follow God's example in 2:6, and point to Christ's finished work, declaring He has accomplished our salvation, defeated all evil powers, and has risen victorious and ascended on High, far above all principalities, and is Lord over all. Thus we confess Jesus has defeated the evil one, and is enthroned on high, with all enemies underfoot, so now we also have the victory, for we're in Christ and have risen with Him and sit with Him far above (Eph 2:6), so now we operate from a position of victory (Rom 8:37). We're not trying to get the victory, for He is our victory, and we're enforcing His victory on the earth.

David wrote many of the psalms we have in the Scriptures.   In psalm 145 David is offering God praise as His King.  Looking at this psalm reminds the reader that a life spent serving God is not necessarily easy but worth it as we see the hand of God moving throughout our lives and are compelled to worship our King like David did.    

God's King and people face persecution and excile from those who hate God and revile His people. But God loves and sustains His King and His people until the end. So let us entrust ourselves to God as we await the final redemption and restoration of all things!

Godly leadership can be a challenging task. We want to trust God & take action. We want to take risks, but we must be calculated. We want to serve & lead. Godly leadership calls for God's wisdom! Notice God's wisdom at work in Nehemiah's life today as He seeks to serve His King. Consider how his example might influence your leadership for His glory and others good!

In the last teaching, we saw how The Footsteps of Messiah are directly linked to the feasts. More specifically, it is the three “foot festivals,” also known as the chagim: Pesach Shavuot Sukkot A feast is not just a moed or chag, but mikra [convocation]. It is a planned happening. Here is our working text: Your neck is like the tower of David, Built with rows of stones On which are hung a thousand shields, All the round shields of the mighty men. (So 4:4) Prophecies are planned things, but we don't always understand they are guides that inform every generation...prophetically, a thousand generations, thus “a thousand round shields.” Because the neck is a vulnerable spot, the Tower of David is an excellent analogy. It is tall and conspicuous in Jerusalem, yet a thousand shields cover it. Likewise, in the Shabbat Blessing After Meals, every week we acknowledge that Adonai is a tower of salvations to His King, a Shield keeping His promises to 1,000 generations of Israel [1,000 is a symbolic number-don't get out the calculator!] “He is a tower of deliverance to His king, And shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever.” (2 Sa 22:51) In return, the righteous of each generation walk in the Covenant, and they become shields for their generations. The obedient service of Israel protects the earth in their generations from total calamity. It almost makes me wonder if the sealing of the saints in Revelation and the half-hour silence is not just to protect them, but also to silence them from interceding so that the final destructions can be loosed. Like a mikra, or appointed time of the feast, the prophecies of the gathering of the twelve tribes of Israel are already known. The Temple was the focal point of gathering, and the Tower of David thought to represent it. Rather than the modern Tower of David built in the Second Century BC on the ruins of earlier fortifications, the Biblical tower is thought to be the Temple itself: Pesikta Rabbati 33:1 R' Avin the Levi said: “our neck is like the Tower of David, built as a model …” What does talpiyot mean? The hill toward which all turns are directed. [tel-hill; "the holy hill," the Temple Mount] Proverbs 15:6 “The house of the righteous one [i.e., the Temple, built by David] is a tower of strength, but with the entrance of wickedness, it is polluted.” Tosafot on Berakhot 30a:10:1 The Gemara concludes that the verse “as the tower of David”, refers to the Beit Hamikdash [Temple]. ??????? literally means a landmark. The House, or Temple, is a metaphor for Israel, something Paul emphasized. The Temple past, present, and future is the place where it all "happens." It is part of the prophecy of the Greater Exodus to gather a single people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. What could possibly unite that remnant from every nation on earth? The appointed times. On the other hand, isn't Israel still very scattered? Some faithful, like Joshua and Caleb, visit the Land of Israel and attend the feasts anyway, setting steps in the Land, giving a good report, and establishing a claim to their future inheritance. Even if they are prevented from living there now, they will be back at the conclusion of the Greater Exodus! Others cannot afford it or are too feeble. Nevertheless, they continue guarding and serving in the lands of their exile faithfully. They gather for the feasts and understand that they are little temples stationed wherever they are to testify to the Covenant by being "conspicuous," like a tower hung with a thousand shields. These are the shields of their generation, leaving no generation's place with an empty spot. Because the rows of stones graduate higher and higher, each generation builds on some strength or advances a step higher than the previous ones. This allows them to "shield" their generation with obedience and prayer. Scorn for the shortcomings of previous generations c...

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read 2 Samuel 23:3-4. These are the last words of David, King of Israel, passionate worshipper, forgiven transgressor, ancestor of Jesus, warrior, poet, musician, man after God's own heart…he says, “The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.'” David could have compared a Godly reign to anything: a castle with high walls, a splendid temple, a rich city bustling with enterprise, military conquest and vanquished enemies. No, he chose a sunrise. A simple sunrise. Something so mundane that it's happened predictably every single day for ages and will continue for ages. A sunrise. Chances are it happened before you got up. Or if you're an early bird and it's still dark, you'll likely get your morning coffee and go through your routine without hardly giving it a second thought. A sunrise. Predictable. Steady. But that's not even what David focuses on. No it's the beauty of a sunrise on a cloudless morning. Nothing to impede the vision of that gentle golden gleam across the glistening grass. Have you noticed that when you stop to watch a sunrise you wish you did so more often? It's breathtaking and yet it happens every morning. You could set your watch by it. In fact, you have to watch it precisely on its schedule not yours. You can't rush the sunrise. And you won't see it if you don't discipline yourself to get up early, sit still long enough, at just the right time, looking in just the right direction. Otherwise you'll miss it - it'll be too late. Such is the Godly King. And you, if you want the effectiveness of David, the closeness to God of David, the blessing of David, ultimately the Jesus of David, you will imitate David who spent many mornings on a hill watching the sunrise, seeking God, getting to know His King. The invitation is there for you just as surely as the sun will rise.

If you appreciate this work, consider supporting it - https://www.patreon.com/seekgodtogether Today we will read 2 Samuel 23:3-4. These are the last words of David, King of Israel, passionate worshipper, forgiven transgressor, ancestor of Jesus, warrior, poet, musician, man after God's own heart…he says, “The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God, is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning, the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.'” David could have compared a Godly reign to anything: a castle with high walls, a splendid temple, a rich city bustling with enterprise, military conquest and vanquished enemies. No, he chose a sunrise. A simple sunrise. Something so mundane that it's happened predictably every single day for ages and will continue for ages. A sunrise. Chances are it happened before you got up. Or if you're an early bird and it's still dark, you'll likely get your morning coffee and go through your routine without hardly giving it a second thought. A sunrise. Predictable. Steady. But that's not even what David focuses on. No it's the beauty of a sunrise on a cloudless morning. Nothing to impede the vision of that gentle golden gleam across the glistening grass. Have you noticed that when you stop to watch a sunrise you wish you did so more often? It's breathtaking and yet it happens every morning. You could set your watch by it. In fact, you have to watch it precisely on its schedule not yours. You can't rush the sunrise. And you won't see it if you don't discipline yourself to get up early, sit still long enough, at just the right time, looking in just the right direction. Otherwise you'll miss it - it'll be too late. Such is the Godly King. And you, if you want the effectiveness of David, the closeness to God of David, the blessing of David, ultimately the Jesus of David, you will imitate David who spent many mornings on a hill watching the sunrise, seeking God, getting to know His King. The invitation is there for you just as surely as the sun will rise.

Join us as we learn about God sending His King and setting up His Kingdom.

Rev. Dr. Tim Saleska, professor of exegetical theology and Dean of Ministerial Formation at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Psalm 2. Psalm 2 pictures the nations and their rulers assembling together in an attempt to cast off the bonds of the LORD and His Anointed. Yet the LORD is the true King; He sits on His heavenly throne. He laughs, derides them, and speaks to them in wrath by proclaiming that His King, the Anointed One, has been set on Zion. The Anointed speaks concerning the decree that the LORD gave, in which the LORD promised His Anointed that His requests would be granted. The Psalm ends with instruction for all rulers to place themselves in subjection to the authority of the Son, the Anointed. Psalm 2 points us to Christ Jesus as the Son of God who did not ask His Father to be spared from death as He reigned from His cross. By His ascension, Jesus is the true King over all. Join Sharper Iron during the month of July to study several Psalms. In the Psalter, God speaks His Word to us and teaches us how to speak back to Him in prayer. Even in the great variety of the Psalms, each one points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ.