DOCTRINE: Christ is the happiest man in existence and Christians are the happiest people on earth.
I. WHY CHRIST IS THE HAPPIEST MAN IN EXISTENCE
I) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he waited patiently for the LORD (Psalm 40:1a).
II) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he had His prayers heard (Psalm 40:1b)
III) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he went willingly into the pit of destruction and was then drawn up (Psalm 40:2a)
IV) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he was raised up from the dead, never to die again (Psalm 40:2b).
V) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he possesses the joy of paying the price of the world’s redemption (Psalm 40:3a)
VI) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he will save many people from their sins (Psalm 40:3b)
VII) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he trusted in the LORD and did not go astray after a lie (Psalm 40:4)
VIII) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he calls to remembrance the abundance of deeds and plans of God (Psalm 40:5a)
IX) Christ is the happiest man in existence because he proclaims to others the abundance of deeds and plans of God (Psalm 40:5b)
II. WHY CHRISTIANS ARE THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON EARTH
I) In Christ, you can wait patiently for the Lord, never fearing He has forgotten you (Psalm 40:1a)
II) If you are united to Christ by faith, you can be sure God bends down and hears your prayers with a smile (Psalm 40:1b)
III) If you belong to Christ, God has already drawn you up from the pit of destruction for sin, and you can be sure he will draw you up from the pit of destruction of sin and suffering (Psalm 40:2a).
There are three ways to apply this part of verse 2:
(I) If you belong to Christ, God has already drawn you up from the pit of destruction for sin. “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). Has God saved you from the pit of destruction by forgiving you of your sins for Christ’s sake? If not, go to Jesus Christ now by repentance and faith. Turn from the fleeting pleasures of sin, cast yourself on Christ, trusting in him alone to save you now and forever, then come let us know so you can be baptized in water because He commands you to be (Matthew 28:19). Then you can confidently say, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog,” If you are not yet a Christian, you need to be brought up out of the pit of destruction for your sin. Jesus can save you. Go to him. Turn from trusting in and seeking after your sin. Trust in him and seek after him, and be baptized. If you have been saved from this pit of destruction for sin, praise the Lord and sing with both David and Christ, “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog.”
(II) Christian, you can also be sure God will draw you from the pit of destruction of your indwelling sin. Though Christians are delivered from the penalty of sin and from its enslaving power, we are not yet delivered from sins presence. Peter says our sins “wage war against your soul.” David sings in the second part of Psalm 40:12, “my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.” Is that you, believer? Have your sins overtaken you so that you cannot see? Are they more than the hairs of your head? Is your heart failing because of your indwelling sin? Do not despair. There is more sanctifying mercy is Christ Jesus than there is corrupting sin in you. “Cry” out to God and “wait patiently for the Lord.” He will “draw you up from the pit of destruction.”
(III) If you belong to Jesus, you can be sure God will draw you from the pit of suffering. David sings in the first part of Psalm 40:12, “For evils have encompassed me beyond number.” Is that you, Christian? Have evils encompassed you beyond number? Is your heart failing because of suffering? Then cry out Psalm 40:13 with David: “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!” Edmund Calamy said, “God has put us into the fire of affliction to refine us, and make us a vessel fit for His use.” He will bring you out of the pit of suffering, believer, after he has done what he wills with you in that furnace. Christians are the happiest people on earth because God has drawn, is drawing, and will draw them up from the pit of destruction.
IV) If you are a believer, God has made your salvation as solid and secure as possible, planting your feet upon a rock and making your steps secure (Psalm 40:2b).
V) In Christ, you have a reason to sing and praise the Lord (Psalm 40:3a).
VI) If you are united to Christ by faith, it is because the promises of Christ’s accomplishments have come true for you (Psalm 40:3b).
VII) If you belong to Christ and do not go astray after a lie, you are plugged into the source of happiness, God Himself (Psalm 40:4).
VIII) If you are a believer, the sovereign God of the heaven and earth is continually working by His providence for your good and His glory (Psalm 40:5a).
IX) In Christ, you get to proclaim of the amazing works and purposes of God (Psalm 40:5b).
WHY CHRISTIANS ARE THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON EARTH: Psalm 40:1-5
Psalm 40:1-5
July 3, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 40:1–5
THE HAPPINESS OF SAINTS AND THE MISERY OF SINNERS: Psalm 1
May 30, 2021 • Brett Baggett
OUTLINE I. THE HAPPINESS OF SAINTS (vv. 1-3) I) Would you be happy? Then do not walk in the counsel of the wicked (v. 1a) II) Would you be happy? Then do not stand in the way of sinners (v. 1b) III) Would you be happy? Then do not sit in the seat of scoffers (v. 1c) IV) Would you be happy? Then get a delight in the Scriptures (v. 2a) V) Would you be happy? Then meditate on the Scriptures day and night (v. 2b) VI) What are the happy saints like? (v. 3) II. THE MISERY OF SINNERS (vv. 4-6) I) What are the wicked like? (v. 4) II) Those who stand in the way of sinners will not stand in the judgement (v. 5a) III) Those who walk in the counsel of the wicked will not be in the congregation of the righteous in heaven (v. 5b) IV) The great difference between saints and sinners (v. 6) DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Q1. What does it mean to “walk in the counsel of the wicked”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “walking in the counsel of the wicked”? Q2. What does it mean to “stand in the way of sinners”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “standing in the way of sinners”? Q3. What does it mean to “sit in the seat of scoffers”? Can you think of a time in your life when you did this? What was the outcome? What is the opposite of “sitting in the seat of scoffers”? Q4. What does the happy man do according to verse 2? How can you apply this to your daily life? What do you need to change so you can both delight in and meditate on God’s word? Q5. What is the happy righteous person like according to verse 3? What does David mean? Q6. What is the miserable wicked person like according to verse 4? What does David mean and how does Matthew 3:12 help? Q7. What is the outcome for the wicked according to verse 5? What does David mean by each phrase? How should this wake you up out of your sins and propel you toward Christ? Q8. How does David finish this Psalm in verse 6?
KISS THE SON: Psalm 2
July 31, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 2
DOCTRINE: Rebels to the crown will be utterly defeated one way or another by the exalted King, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will defeat them by conversion or condemnation. I. WHAT DO REBELS DO? (Psalm 2:1-2) I) Rebels rage against the LORD (Psalm 2:1a) II) Rebels plot against the LORD (Psalm 2:1b) By the way, the raging and plotting of rebels is vain and pointless—because they will not defeat the King of Heaven (Psalm 2:1c). III) Rebels set themselves against the LORD and against His anointed (Psalm 2:2a) V) Rebels take counsel together against the LORD and against His anointed (Psalm 2:2b) II. WHAT DO REBELS SAY? (Psalm 2:3) I) Rebels lie about the Law of God and say it should be overthrown (Psalm 2:3) People who do not love Jesus also do not love his Law. Sinners who refuse to turn to Christ and be saved will lie to you about God’s Law. But you need to know that the Law of the LORD is perfect and righteous altogether! I) The Law reveals who God is in his holiness. II) The Law also reveals how society should be governed, so that the wicked do not trample of the innocent. III) The Law reveals that we are sinners that need to be saved by Jesus. IV) The Law reveals how we as Christians should live so that we can please and glorify our merciful King. III. WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN RESPONSE TO REBELS? (Psalm 2:4-6) I) The LORD laughs and mocks the rage and vain plots of rebels (Psalm 2:4) II) The LORD speaks wrathfully against rebels (Psalm 2:5). III) The LORD mocks and terrifies rebels by pointing to his Anointed King (Psalm 2:6). IV. WHAT DOES THE LORD DO IN RESPONSE TO REBELS? (Psalm 2:7-9) I) The LORD gives solid evidence that his Son is the King (Psalm 2:7). II) The LORD gives the nations to the King as his heritage and the ends of the earth as His possession (Psalm 2:8) III) The LORD promises the King will utterly defeat His enemies (Psalm 2:9) V. WHAT DOES THE LORD DEMAND OF REBELS? (Psalm 2:10-12) I) The LORD demands all to be wise, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:10a) II) The LORD demands all to be warned, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:10b) III) The LORD demands that all serve him with fear, the highest to the lowest (Psalm 2:11a) IV) The LORD demands that all rejoice in Him with trembling (Psalm 2:11b) V) The LORD demands that all rebels Kiss His Son (Psalm 2:12a) We are to kiss the Son’s feet in repentance, kiss his hand in faith and obedience, and kiss His face in love and affection. VI. WHAT DOES THE LORD PROMISE REBELS? (Psalm 2:12b-d) I) For those who will not kiss the Son, the LORD promises anger (Psalm 2:12b) II) To those who will not kiss the Son, the LORD promises perishing which will come upon them suddenly, without warning (Psalm 2:12c) III) The LORD promises blessing and happiness to all rebels who do lay down their arms and Kiss the Son, taking refuge in him (Psalm 2:12d) I. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR INSTRUCTION I) The Lord Jesus Christ is King, and there is not a thing anyone can do about it—everyone will give an account to him (Ps. 2:6; Heb. 4:13). II) If you turn from your sin and embrace Christ by faith, he will receive you, protect you, and make you happy (Ps. 2:12d). II. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR WARNING I) Christ will have glory from everyone either in salvation or damnation. You will either “perish in the way” with Christ’s rod of iron or you will be “blessed” with Christ’s scepter of mercy by taking “refuge in him.” III. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR TESTING I) Do you happily submit to Christ’s rule or do you treat his commands like they are chains? IV. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR COMFORT I) Look at the raging and vain plots of rebels who hate Christ and hate you for his sake. Now see the LORD laughing at them. In Psalm 110:2, God the Father says to his Son, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” and because we belong to this King Christ by his grace, we can say with David in Psalm 23, “You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.” We can say with David, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Because Christ is ruling in the midst of his enemies we can feast in the presence of their hatred and scoffing. Because Christ mockingly laughs at his enemies, we who are united to him can joyfully laugh even when they surround us. V. USE THESE TRUTHS FOR EXHORTATION I) Since Christ is King, believers, preach the gospel and tell everyone to repent and believe (Ps. 2:12). Oh that we believers would pity those still in rebellion to God. We were all there, were we not? but God rescued us, not because of our works but because of his mercy. Therefore pray to God for rebels, proclaim the Law and the Gospel to them, plead with them to Kiss the Son, and promise them that if they bend the knee to Christ he will make them happy and holy. Promise them also that if they do not they will perish in the way. II) Since Christ is King, believers, press his crown rights into every square inch of existence (Ps. 2:11). Press Christ’s crown rights into: (i) Yourself. (ii) Your home. (iii) The church. (iv) Your vocation. (v) The public square. (vi) The civil government. (vii) The nations.
I WILL RECOUNT ALL OF YOUR WONDERFUL DEEDS: Psalm 9:1-10
June 19, 2022 • Brett Baggett • Psalm 9:1–10
DOCTRINE: The Lord’s people praise His name by recounting his wonderful deeds of terror to persistent sinners and deeds of protection to His saints. I. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL DEEDS (Psalm 9:1-2) The LORD’s people praise Him: I) By giving thanks to Him for His wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:1a). II) In Gladness for His wonderful deeds (Psalm 9:2a). III) Through song for His glory (Psalm 9:2b). II. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL TERRORS TO PERSISTENT SINNERS (Psalm 9:3-6) The LORD is a terror to persistent sinners because: I) He is holy and they are not (Psalm 9:3). II) He is a righteous judge and they are guilty (Psalm 9:4). Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.” III) They have tried to steal God’s glory, and He will share it with no one (Psalm 9:5-6). Isaiah 42:8 “I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other,” III. THE LORD’S PEOPLE PRAISE HIM BY RECOUNTING HIS WONDERFUL PROTECTION OF HIS SAINTS (Psalm 9:7-10) The LORD protects His saints: I) Because He is our just King (Psalm 9:7-8). II) Like a stronghold for wear Christian soldiers (Psalm 9:9). Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” 2 Tim 1:12 “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.” Psalm 119:114: “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” III) Because their faith is in Him (Psalm 9:10). IV) He will never forsake them (Psalm 9:10b). Hebrews 13:5 “He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”