Sacred Songs - Psalm 2

Series: Sacred Songs

Speaker: Lead Pastor Dustin Aguilar

Scriptures: Psalm 2 | Revelation 2:26-27 | Exodus 34:6-8

What We Believe:

• Conspiracy theories have power because they draw on fear, which often leads to anger. This sermon explores the power of fear in conspiracies, as well as its appropriate and inappropriate applications.

• Psalm 2 is a great passage to combat the fear of overwhelming conspiracies and evil governments.

  • Context: The Psalms are divided into five books and were likely compiled during the Babylonian Exile. The New Testament quotes from it more than any other book in the Old Testament. Each Psalm has a purpose, and often a byline indicating authorship. Psalm 2 has no byline, but the Holy Spirit prophetically gave it.

  • “His Anointed” in verse 2, written 1000 years before Christ, refers to David and prophetically points to Jesus. 400 years later, the Jewish people interpreted themselves as the Anointed, and 600 years later, the Messiah came and fulfilled prophecy.

  • Rulers conspired together against Jesus (vv. 1-3).

  • And Psalm 2 is still true today!

  • Christianity was the change agent that empowered women and freed slaves. It jump-started education, the sciences, and public health. Over time, people became proud and believed they no longer needed God, and so post-Christian nations conspired together to “cast away their cords from us” (v.3). So today, there are true conspiracies that reveal an Enemy darker than we ever imagined.

  • However, the Lord laughs and holds them in derision (v. 4).

  • Psalm 2 gives us power over the fear of overwhelming conspiracies and evil governments.

• God’s King on the throne of Zion is a spiritual reality now and a physical reality in the future.

  • There remains a political state of Israel, but Jesus is largely rejected. We can claim the spiritual truths of Psalm 2 while praying for Christ’s physical Kingdom to come in the future.

  • The potter’s vessel in verse 9 symbolizes the nations and speaks of the sovereignty of God. Since He created the pot, He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission to destroy it. This is an awesome picture of God’s power and authority.

• The authority of believers is a spiritual reality now and a physical reality in the future.

  • The pottery metaphor appears again in Revelation 2:26-27. Jesus says that His authority will be given to the Church in the end: “The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations…as when earthen pots are broken in pieces…” (vv. 26-27). As the Church, we will be given the same earthly authority that Jesus has been given. 

  • We have also already received spiritual authority through Jesus’ blood. This is why we can cast out demons in Jesus’ name. However, we are still waiting to be given earthly physical authority. We live in “the already, but not yet.”

  • God is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” (Exodus 34:6). Nations can rage, plot, and conspire against Him for a very long time, and His anger is slow. But when it is kindled, judgment will come suddenly (Psalm 2:12). We can take comfort in His mercy and justice.

How to Obey:

• Psalm 2:11 calls us to “Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.” He simultaneously inspires fear and joy. We should serve Him in the Spirit and not out of our flesh and pride.

• It also encourages us to “take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12). Though we fear God, who is sovereign over the nations and all conspiracies against Him, we should not run away and hide from Him. Instead, we should run directly to Him and find safety and security in Him.
  

How to Walk Intimately With God:

• The Holy Spirit is like a vast and dangerous ocean. He is not safe, but He is good. It’s time to dive in!

• Let conviction of pride and sin lead you to repentance. Accept forgiveness, forgive others, and allow the Holy Spirit to deeply transform you.