Evening Service
February 26, 2006
“The Greatness of God vs. the Mislead Challenges of Men”
Psalm 2

I. The Great rage of ungodly men – Psalm 2:1-3
1. It is called a rage because there is a great fervor about it – Matthew 2:16; John 18:5-6, 14-16; Acts 23:12
2. The Hebrew word translated “rage” refers to an obvious outward agitation, rage never sits in a corner and sulks “rage” throws things, rage “YELLS!”
3. The Greek work that Luke uses to translate “rage” in his quotation of this verse in Acts 4:25 “Phruasso” refers to the snorting, neighing and prancing of war horses
4. Yet, thankfully this rage is a vain thing, because it is thwarted in its purposes – Acts 4:23-28; Esther 3:1-6; 5:9; 7:19

II. The Great Sovereign Control God has over these ungodly men – Psalm 2:4-5
1. Their seeming challenges to Him are laughable / ridiculous – Psalm 2:4
2. Yet, this laughter is no laughing matter for the who oppose God – Psalm 2:5
3. He has His way, Christ will be on the throne – Psalm 2:6

III. God’s great pleasure with and favor to Christ is clearly demonstrated – Psalm 2:6-9
1. He is on the throne – Psalm 2:6; Matthew 19:28; 25:31; Luke 1:32; Acts 2:30; Hebrews 1:8; 8:1; 12:2; Revelation 3:20-21; 7:15-17; 22:1-3; Philippians 2:9-11
2. He owns, saves and rules over the nations – Psalm 2:8; Revelation 5:9-10
3. He will judge the nations – Psalm 2:9; Revelation 17:13-14

IV. Therefore we need to respond appropriately – Psalm 2:10-12
1. With wisdom – Psalm 2:10
2. Service – Psalm 2:11
3. Humble trust and affection – Psalm 2:12

"Psalm 2:1 "A vain thing." A medal was struck by Diocletian, which still remains, bearing the inscription, "The name of Christians being extinguished." And in Spain, two monumental pillars were raised, on which were written: —

I. "Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti, for having extended the Roman Empire in the east and the west, and for having extinguished the name of Christians, who brought the Republic to ruin."

II. "Diocletian Jovian Maximian Herculeus Caesares Augusti, for having adopted Galerius in the east, for having everywhere abolished the superstition of Christ, for having extended the worship of the gods."

As a modern writer has elegantly observed: "We have here a monument raised by Paganism, over the grave of its vanquished foe. But in this `the people imagined a vain thing;' so far from being deceased, Christianity was on the eve of its final and permanent triumph, and the stone guarded a sepulcher empty as the urn which Electra washed with her tears. Neither in Spain, nor elsewhere, can be pointed out the burial place of Christianity; it is not, for the living have no tomb.'"

Joseph Caryl 1647

Pastor Arnold Brevick