THERE ARE 27—AND ONLY 27—BOOKS IN THE

Jesus promised the apostles before He went back to heaven that He would send another Comforter (the Holy Spirit). This Comforter would guide them into all truth; including all of the things He had said to them (see John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-15; Luke 24:44-53; Acts 1:1-11).

The Holy Spirit came to the apostles on Pentecost (Sunday) in Acts 2. From that day unto near the end of that century, the apostles and those who had the apostles’ hands laid on them were able to do many miraculous things. Included in this was the ability to write the word of God. All 27 books were written after the Holy Spirit came on the 12 in Acts 2. All of these 27 books are part of the promises made by Jesus that were cited a moment ago. All of these 27 books are part of the new covenant promised by God through Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:31-34. We must realize that it is as IMPOSSIBLE to please God today with less than the whole New Testament as it is to please Him with any additions to the New Testament.

Anyone who would teach that we are not accountable to learn and obey the truths and commands in Matthew through John or the plan of salvation in Acts is teaching heresy—a self-willed opinion that will cause the teacher of it and the followers of it to be forever lost (II Peter 2:1-3).

It is clear from the Acts and the Epistles that people were hearing the truths of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. It is just as clear that everyone on earth was being told to obey the teachings of such passages as Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:46,47; John 4:24; and Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount). The reason they were being taught such things is simple: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are part of the gospel! Without them, there would be no gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-4). Without them, there could be no reason to believe in Christ (Romans 1:16,17); no reason to repent of all sin (II Peter 3:9,10); no reason to confess Christ unto salvation (Romans 10:9,10); no reason to be immersed in order to have newness of life (Romans 6;3,4); and no reason to be faithful as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1,2).

The second psalm is Messianic. That is, it refers to Jesus Christ. It is a passage that shows that Christ would reign, conquer His foes, be King because of God’s decree, and be a helper to all who serve Him. We can know that the psalm refers to Christ because of Acts 4:24-27.

The author of the psalm is David (Acts 4:24-27).

Psalms 1 and 2 are closely related in that they both contrast right and wrong. Psalm 1 speaks of individuals; Psalm 2 discusses nations. Psalm 1 shows our duty; Psalm 2 shows our Savior.

These twelve verses can be divided into four sections: The Opposers of God (2:1-3); The Purposes of God (2:4-6); The Christ Speaks (2:7-9); and The Psalmist Urges Submission to the Christ (2:10-12).

Verses 1-3 show that much opposition would come against God and His Anointed One. The reason that David asks a question in verse one is because he knew it was vain to fight against God. The picture he draws, however, shows that multitudes would indeed strive to overcome the mighty purposes of divinity. The word "rage" means "to make a noise or tumult." Their opposition to Christ was a violent one. People still oppose Him in this way.

The word "imagine" is the same word that is translated "meditate" in Psalm 1:2. It shows that these people had thought out their course of action. Their failure was in meditating on the wrong things!

Note the five forms of opposition that these sinners made: 1) Raging; 2) Imagining; 3) Setting themselves; 4) Taking counsel together; 5) Saying.

Why allow your thoughts, words, and actions to be used, yes, mis-used, in such manners? Why not recognize the vanity of such and surrender to the King whom you are opposing?

The actions of verses 1-3 culminated in the crucifixion of our Lord (Acts 4:24-27), but only a few hours later He rose victoriously and is now crowned king!

The intentions of these foolish ones to break the authority of Christ (v. 3) were entirely in vain. "The passage before us is just as applicable to the world now as it was to the time when the Saviour personally appeared on the earth" (Barnes, p. 15).

The second portion of this passage (4-6) shows that God 1) Despises the purposes of wicked men; 2) Overcomes all opposition; 3) Accomplishes His purpose through Christ.

God despises the purposes of wicked men (2:4). The picture is revealed with God calmly sitting on His throne, totally undisturbed by the vanity of these foolish ones below.

The place of His throne is in the heavens. Thus, on the one hand are multitudes of men and their leaders, raging and fighting, and on the other hand the calm Almighty One sits observing it in all of the majesty the mind can imagine. A picture of the weak and the strong! "In our eyes, these fighters against God seem to have great power, in the eyes of God they are despicable" (M. Henry).

This Powerful Potentate is pictured as laughing at the weak ones below. His laugh first of all condemns their feeble efforts, secondly indicates His power to overcome, and thirdly assures His people of the victory of truth and right. "If heaven and hell be the combatants, it is easy to foretell which will be the conqueror" (M. Henry). "But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased" (Psalm 115:3).

God will overcome all opposition (2:5). But God will not sit and laugh at His enemies forever! He will trample them in their folly and accomplish His purpose! He reigns and none can overcome Him! It is said that God and one man are a majority. True, but also true and even more stunning is the fact that GOD IS A MAJORITY! He does not need any help in overturning the wickedness of vain men. The ultimate proof of this was seen in the resurrection of our Lord. All the earthly power of the first century worked to destroy Him, and all the while they were only accomplishing things that had to be done anyway. And when they were through, God made the whole plot and murder vain by bringing Christ forth and leaving the tomb empty!

"Christ does rule; Christ does reign, he sits as king in heaven, and is acknowledged as a king upon earth. In vain was all the opposition of the Jews, in vain persecution after persecution of the Gentiles. God has established His Church, and ‘the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’" (Pulpit Commentary, p. 11).

This fifth verse shows us that God treats the ways of evil men with contempt, He treats the men with wrath. Let’s not be found fighting against God!

God would accomplish His purpose through Christ (2:6).

These are the words of God Himself. They had their plans, and He had His.

YET: In spite of all your plans.

HAVE I SET:

Thy walls are strength, and at thy gates

A guard of heavenly warriors awaits;

Nor shall thy deep foundations move,

Fixed on his counsels and his love.

Thy foes in vain designs engage;

Against his throne in vain they rage,

Like rising waves, with angry roar,

That dash and die upon the shore.

MY: Not the leader of their evil design, but the ruler determined by His holy counsel.

KING: The office of God’s Anointed is one of power and splendor; power to overcome; splendor and majesty to encourage the submission of all.

UPON MY HOLY HILL OF ZION: God had determined to make Christ King of the Kingdom—head of the church—and He did it!

Those wicked people of the first century who tried to thwart the purposes of God only assisted Him in providing a way of salvation for all who come to Him!

In verses 7-9, the words of the Anointed One are recorded for our learning. These verses record the decree of God in three parts. Note: A Unique Son (2:7); A Unique Offer (2:8); A Unique Power (2:9).

It must be remembered that it was the purpose of God to establish the Anointed One as King in Zion. A study of Old Testament prophecy and New Testament facts shows that this was accomplished on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. Making Christ King came after He was "my Son: this day have I begotten thee." This leads us to verse 7.

A Unique Son (2:7). Open your Bible and read the following verse: Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Romans 1:4; Acts 13:33. This shows that the "official appointment" of Christ as the Unique Son of God came when He conquered death by coming forth from the grave.

Now notice verse seven: 1) Thou art: the decree—"an authentic, inviolable appointment." 2) My: singular, possessive. He is the only one of His kind and He "belongs" to God. 3) Son: He is not adopted; He is of the same nature as His Father (divine). See Hebrews 1:1-14.

A Unique Offer (2:8). God’s offer to Christ was one of universal government. All He had to do was ask and he would receive this inheritance. Proof that this has happened is abundant. For example, note Ephesians 1:19-23. The reason that there is sin and violence in the world in spite of Christ’s universal rule is that not all have submitted to Him. Rebellious sinners will not have Him as their Lord. But all will someday bow the knee when He returns to judge the world (See Romans 14:11; Acts 17:30,31)!

A Unique Power (2:9). Many men through the ages of this earth have attempted to reign over all, but how many had the ASSURANCE OF VICTORY BEFORE THEY BEGAN?!? Verse 9 is God’s assurance that Christ’s reign would be victorious (see Revelation 19:6). Christ’s way has been winning victories over evil since this reign began (note Acts 2:37-47). The ultimate victory is on its way (I Corinthians 15:24-28; 54-58)! God assures His Son that His rod (instrument of correction and punishment) would win, and that His strength to dash (destroy so completely that mending is impossible) could not be conquered.

The last section of the Psalm is an encouragement to turn to Christ through a plea (2:10), a method (2:11), and a result (2:12).

The Plea of Christ (v. 10). This verse is addressed to the rulers. This is to be expected, for it was the rulers who instigated the crucifixion. Hence, they hear the plea for wisdom. It matters not that these were rulers, all men of the earth need the gospel. If rulers need to be wise and submit, how much more you and I need it! A sign of wisdom is the willingness to be instructed (Proverbs 1:7). Christ wants all of us to learn His way. But it is up to us to desire it. It is our decision.

Only a small percentage of first century leaders ever obeyed the gospel. The lesson is clear. Worldly wisdom and pride are useless. Only the gospel will suffice.

The Method of Obedience (v. 11). Fear is often used in the Bible. When it refers to man’s fear of God, it primarily means reverence. It carries the significance of "deep apprehensions of the consequences of not serving him and obeying him" (see Psalm 111:10). Knowing what God will do to the disobedient is one of the most basic steps to heaven.

Being the servant of God Almighty should cause man to "rejoice." This is meant "in the sense of rapturous manifestation of joy at the happiness and honor of being permitted to be servants of such a God." Yet this rejoicing should be with "trembling." That is, "with the trembling of reverence and self-control, for God is a consuming fire, Hebrews 12:29."

"Fear, without joy, is torment; and joy, without holy fear, would be presumption" (Spurgeon).

Two Results (v. 12). In this last verse, David shows what happens to both groups: obedient and disobedient. he does it in four ways: summons, warning, doom, and promise.

He first summons everyone to "kiss the son..." "Kiss," in the Bible, is used several ways:

A token of affection (Luke 7:38,47).

Allegiance (I Samuel 10:1).

Agreement and reconciliation (Romans 16:16).

Adoration and worship (Psalm 45:11).

Betrayal (Matthew 26:49).

The first four apply here.

One writer says, "the omission of a customary token of respect is an insult which naturally angers the object of it; Esther 3:5."

He then warns of the consequences when Christ is refused. The anger of God is in his future.

Third, he pronounces doom upon the disobedient. They would perish. "It needs not that His anger should be heated 7 times hotter; let the fuel kindle but a little, and we are consumed" (Spurgeon).

Finally, David promises blessings to the obedient. See Psalm 1; 34:8; 40:4; 84:12.

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SICK LIST: Donna Fields continues to need our prayers as she undergoes chemotherapy. Tracie Lanier, Karen Clark, and Jewell Graves have not been feeling well. Let’s remember those who are ill and their families in our prayers.

COVERED DISH DINNER: Everyone is invited to stay for our fellowship meal following morning services. Group 1 will host.

PLANTATION SOUTH: Group 4 is in charge of the services at 1:30 Sunday at Plantation South.

CHILDREN’S CLASS: Class at 5:30.

SING: Come and sing at 5:30.

VISITATION: Group 4 is asked to meet up front following evening services to pick up assignments.

FRANKLIN WORK: Those who are involved (or would like to be) in the work in Franklin, Georgia, are asked to meet Sunday evening following services.

LADIES’ CLASS: Ladies’ class will meet Tuesday at 10:00.

PANTRY ITEM: Canned chicken. If you know someone who needs items from our pantry or clothing room, see John Williams.

FOR THE RECORD:

Sunday Bible Class 102

Sunday AM Worship 111

Sunday PM Worship 116

Wednesday Bible Class 88

Children’s Class 13

Ladies’ Evening Class 15

Ladies’ Tuesday Class 10

Contribution $4698

Budget $4600