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.