Kevin Dibbley - August 18, 2024
"The King at Rest" | Psalm 132
This sermon is taken from Psalm 132 and it is a glorious picture of Jesus’ love for us, His bride, the church. The message is called “The King at Rest.” It’s a picture of the King and his Bride finally living together in unity and love and peace for all eternity. This past week was our nephew and niece’s 13th wedding anniversary. They shared a picture of the wedding ceremony which was outdoors in Michigan. In the middle of the wedding, a huge rain shower broke out. The pictures are classic because they show not frowns but smiles on the drenched couple. It didn’t matter to them because they were in love. They were getting married that day and they turned rainclouds into a big joyous wedding party. Where they focused made all the difference, not just on their wedding day but on the next 13 years to come. I think that is helpful to us. We often focus on the problems with the church. We can begin to take on the perpetual cynicism of the culture rather than the perpetual love and grace of Christ towards his bride. This Sunday, I am going to ask you to commit yourself to pray for our church, Waterbrooke Church. However, I am going to ask you to pray like the pilgrims in Psalm 132 who journeyed towards Jerusalem. Pray for the church with the perspective of Jesus for His bride. It will radically transform who you see, pray, and love the church.
Scripture References: Psalms 132:1-18
From Series: "Sing to the King"
We are going to study the Psalms in a series called “Sing to the King.” The psalms are a collection of songs and prayers meant to guide Israel through the long struggle with their own sin and their experience of exile without a King to guide and to shepherd them. The Psalms invoke an eager expectation that God is sending a righteous King who will faithfully lead and shepherd His people. These deep hopes and longings are realized in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Much like Israel, we still struggle with personal sin and a world of injustice. We still groan in what sometimes seems like a long season of silence from God. But as New Testament Christians, we have a King who has come, has conquered and who now reigns. That King is also coming soon to make all things new. The psalms are meant to make us look to Jesus as the King who fulfills all the longings and needs of his people. Jesus is the King who saves us from our sins and leads us in triumphal procession. He is coming to reign over all the earth. Come and celebrate and “Sing to the King” with us this summer. It is going to be a blessing to be together and to encourage one another in the Lord.
