GATHERING
RESPONSIVE CALL
James 1:26, 3:5–8
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. […] So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
SILENT MEDITATION or MUSICAL MEDITATION: (listen to this meditation from Psalm 120)
ASSURANCE
John 17:6, 11b [ESV]
I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. […] Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
SING: Gloria Patri
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning
Is now and ever shall be world without end
Amen Amen
WORD
Read” Psalm 2
2nd Reading: Acts 4:23-31
Psalm 2 begins with a question: “why do the nations rage and plot against the Lord’s anointed?” It is a reminder that the two characters found in Psalm 1 (the righteous and the wicked continue to be found in later chapters.) The psalms are not merely personal reflection of a mind set on God. Rather, they are found against the backdrop of human conflict. Often the setting is one in which the psalmist feels like they are being oppressed by their enemies. Rather than ignore this, or stuff those feels in the sock drawer, the psalms assume this setting and show us how to pray to God from that position.
The key point in this psalm is that God is aligned with his people.[1] This means that following God will bring a measure of opposition. But it also means that the opposition that comes because of our commitment to following Jesus is an opposition that he can deal with. After all, God is not intimidated by human enemies. Jesus has been seated at the right hand of God and has been given all rule and authority. Currently, that rule is contested, but one day the absolute power of God will be fully revealed. Until then, Jesus is working through all events for the purpose of establishing and building up his church.
When the early church first began to face opposition from the religious authorities, they gathered together and prayed Psalm 2. (See Acts 4:25-26.) They made the direct connection that Jesus is the Christ, the “anointed one” referenced in verse 2. He is also the “son”[2] who has received the nations as an inheritance (v.8), and before whom all the nations will be broken (v.9.) They will tremble and serve him (v.11.) When we face opposition for our faith, we are reminded that Jesus has all rule and authority and he is able to deal with our problems. We can join the early church in praying for boldness, knowing that “greater is he who is in us, than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)
ABIDING
SING | Psalm 120
- Metrical Psalter [MUSIC] [demo recording]
- Psalm 120 | O God of Love [MUSIC] [recording]
READ | Psalm 120
Spend time understanding and memorizing the outline of Psalm 120, taking special note of the flow or transition points. If you are in a group, discuss the main themes and emphasis together.
SENDING
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever,
Amen.
COMMISSION
As you go into your calling and vocation, take special care to observe the ways you are tempted to join in words of war from those you live with.
[1] This is central to the covenant promise first made to Abraham in Gen 12 & 15. “I will be your God, and you will be my people… I will bless those who bless your and curse those who curse you.” Jesus also repeatedly warned his followers that the opposition he faced would be felt by his followers. “I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (John 15:19.)”
[2] It can be a little confusing when we read that the son was “begotten today.” Does that mean that the eternal son of God was a created being? Well, further examination shows that cannot be the meaning of the passage. The context is one in which a king is given power and authority. It would make no sense, in the original context, for the anointed king of Israel to be addressed by God on the day of his birth. Rather, this refers to the day of receiving power. The phrase “son of God” can be applied to human kings in the Bible, but finds its ultimate significance in Jesus. He is the eternal son of God who became the head of all people, and was given all power and authority (Matt 28:18-20) after his ascension into heaven.