Our Need for a Righteous King

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Good Morning Faith Church, I am Pastor Brent Aucoin overseer of Seminary and Soul Care Ministries here at Faith.

Normally on Sundays I am over at Faith Church West

This morning they are experiencing the Christmas Musical which comes to you next week.

Let’s spend just a moment as we start today in prayer for them and all of our Christmas ministries.

This year our theme has been…

Loving our World

It has been a marvelous year as God has challenged us from the Scriptures on this topic….

And you folks, as His people have responded.

The Stewardship Celebration two Sunday’s ago was so sweet in seeing a year’s worth of fruit being celebrated.

I really hope you were able to experience that celebration and if not make it a point to celebrate with us next year.

Our stewardship celebration reminds me a bit of the OT feast of Tabernacles that occurred in the Fall of each year after the harvest.

The purposes of the celebration was to rejoice in the ingathering of the harvest and give thanks for God’s provision. It was an 8 day celebration called “A season of Joy”

An 8 day party how would you like that? We have a lot to learn about partying Biblically. Don’t you think!

As we turn our attention to the final installment of this year’s preaching series our thoughts at this time of the year always turn to the celebration of our God’s incarnation.

That is God becoming flesh to dwell with His people and save them.

A say that sentence and we don’t even bat an eye…

That sentence is astounding “God becoming one of us…in order to save us.”

Try to get your head around that and be amazed again this Christmas season.

In the passage today there will be a very definite merging of God with man. I will show you that at the end of our time together.

This year we have chosen to look at passages in the OT that speak prophetically to…

A Messiah for the Nations

And today

Our Need for a Righteous King

And not stating this because of America’s recent election!

We actually selected these passages to speak on one year ago before we knew anything about the democrat and republican candidates for president.

But since we are on this the topic of America’s election

I think this election more than ever highlighted people’s yearning for “something better.”

Whether it was Madam Secretaries seemingly corruption or President Elect Trump’s crudeness.

We seemingly all had a collective “Really?” This is what we have to choose from.

And lest we get too self-righteous, the candidates were the people’s choice.

That means they are both reflective of who? Us!

Isn’t there someone among us that is “BETTER”

Well that is a loaded question but spiritually speaking, at the core, the answer is no.

There are no rigtheous no not one and who could withstand the withering scrutiny of having every one of your emails or private conversations opened up to the public.

It is totally ironic that we are concerned about morals of the other

We need Psalm 72 today.

Turn in your Bibles to Psalm 72.

That is on page 422 in the front section, the OT, of the bible in the chair in front of you. Or Just look at your notes. I have the text printed there.

The Psalms are God’s people hymn book that expressed the theology of the people in song and prayer.

King David, Israel’s greatest king, wrote many of the Psalms.

The Psalms capture the tension of living by faith in a rebellious world as David and the people of God wait for the Kingdom of God to arrive. The Psalms capture how David and the people learn to meditate on the promises of God and trust in God’s Sovereign Kingship over the world as they hope for “Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

Because the Psalms form “patterns” of theology for the Davidic King and his people, many point forward prophetically to the Messiah and His people. That is why Christ applies so many psalms to Himself and the church has found great comfort in the Psalms.

Psalm 72’s title says, “A Song of Solomon.”

Solomon was the Son of David—Israel’s first God chosen King.

Solomon succeed David.

This Psalm may have been a Psalm for Solomon, not a Psalm of Solomon.

What I mean by that is that is the Psalm may have been written by David for His Son, Solomon as Solomon made the transition of Power to the throne of David.

That little preposition “of” in “Psalm of Solomon” could be easily legitimately translated “for”

I also say that because the closing line of this Psalm in verse 20 states…

“The prayers of David, the son of Jesse are ended.” –with this Psalm as the conclusion.

This Psalm is actually a prayer for a king.

In your notes I actually have the text highlighted with different colors Each color reflects a different theme for the prayed for king. Notice however that the colors in vv. 2-10 are simply repeated in vv. 12-17. There are primarily 4 themes in this prayer for the king.

The psalmist reveals in His prayer for the king what God’s People need—Divine Righteousness. In Psalm 72 we find four characteristics of God’s righteousness.

II. God’s Righteousness is Our Greatest Need

What does the psalmist pray for in a king?

What have you prayed for in a king?

• A king that will give them what they want?
• A king that will dispense out beneficial tax incentives, welfare, healthcare?
• A king that will make my life easy?

The psalmists prayer unveils what he believes is the greatest value in a king—Righteousness, God’s Righteousness.

So that I am not talking above anybody’s head with Christian terms that several do not understand, let me define rightouesness simply.

Righteousness: Doing what is right based upon God’s values and not what will benefit me.

Notice that the definintion is not just thinking what is right but actually doing something.

Also notice that the definition involves your motive…not for selfish gain but because you are placing God’s values and others ahead of your own….

The test of divine righteousness is very clear.

How you treat those who cannot benefit you.

Look at the highlighted yellow portions of the Scriptures.

2 May he judge Your people with righteousness

And Your afflicted with justice.

4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,

Save the children of the needy

And crush the oppressor.

12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,

The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.

13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy,

And the lives of the needy he will save.

14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,

And their blood will be precious in his sight;

Once the scripture identifies the value that he prays for in the King, his mind goes straight for how that is played out…and it is played out among those who could not benefit the king in anyway…the afflicted, the poor, the need,

• Those who could not fill his coffers with revenue
• Those who could not staff his cabinet with powerful, influential people
• Those who would not have the skills to build his empire.

The King would look at those who have been mistreated and downcast and do what is right by them without regard to the benefit that he would gain for himself.

If the king would do that…you would know that all of his other dealings would be right as well..

Righteousness: Doing what is right based upon God’s values and not my based upon what will benefit me.

Why is this the prayer of the Psalmist that a King would function this way?

Because nobody functions this way.

This is the primary need for human beings: to Do what is right based upon God’s values and not my own gain.

We need to look no further than our own personal choices for candidates for the US president.

• Donald Trump: I simply used the tax laws available for my personal wealth.
• Hillary Clinton: I set up my server for my personal convenience

Why do we have presidential nominees that look out for their own interests before others?

Because they come from the stock of people that look out for their own interest before others. Us.

Folks what did you pray for in a king, a president, in yourself?

Did you prayer for the divine characteristic of righteousness-doing what is right based upon God’s values and not my own benefit.

This is our greatest need in our society—citizens who do what is right by God with one another without regard for personal benefit

This is our greatest need in our marriages—spouses who simply do what is right with their spouse withour regard for their own benefit in the arrangement

This is our greatest need in our parenting—doing what is right by our children without regard to our convenience

This is our greatest need in our church—doing what is right by one another without regard to how it may look on me…

If you haven’t come to the realization that Divine righteousness is our greatest need, obviously Psalm 72 would not have been your prayer.

And I submit to you that you are most likely so blinded by your focus on your own interest that you can not see outside of your little sphere to the true problems of this world.

Seeing that this divine characteristic of righteousness is our greatest need requires a divine act of opening our eyes….

The second characteristic of Divine Righteousness is

II. God’s Righteousness Brings Wholeness

Please look again at the green highlights on the text.

3 Let the mountains bring peace (shalom) to the people,

And the hills, in righteousness.

…

6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,

Like showers that water the earth.

7 In his days may the righteous flourish,

And abundance of peace (shalom) till the moon is no more.

16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains;

Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;

And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth.

Someone might think the following about what I have said in regard to “doing the right thing”

“If I do the right thing” I am destined for a life of poverty, want, need.

Righteousness and Abundant life cannot go together.

Please notice that in the Righteous King’s Reign—the mountains bring “wholeness” (Shalom) to the people.

The Righteous king’s reign fosters abundance—I did not say greed…but abundance.

In the Righteous King’s reign there is abundant life and wholeness—not lack, want, and need.

There is a natural logical reason for this that may seem counter intuitive

Think with me for just a moment what is required for harnessing the earth’s resources, production, and commerce.

Let’s imagine what has to happen on Cyber Monday for 3.5 billion dollars worth of goods exchanges hands.

On Cyber Monday,

You have to trust that what you see on your screen is what you are going to get (What is that doing what is right and honest)

You have to trust that when you type your credit card number in to the web site that the owners are not going to use your credit card to go to Hawaii (what is that –doing what is right)

You have to trust that when you credit card number is entered the bank represented by your credit will indeed offer the funds (what is that—doing what is right)

You have to trust that when the transaction is done, the online company will send you the advertised product. (what is that doing what is right).

Furthermore, the products that were sold on Cyber Monday had to come from a warehouse where they were stored and not stolen. (What is that…doing what is right)

They had to come from manufacturers who produce them correctly (what is that doing what is right).

The manufactures had to get the raw materials from someone who was able gathered them from the resources of the earth in a way that does not cause lasting damage (what is that doing the right thing)

The online company has to trust that you the consumer or the bank issuing the credit will indeed pay (what is that? Doing what is right).

You have to trust that what you have in the bank represented by those numbers after the dollar sign represents the amount you truly have in the bank to pay (what is that—doing the right thing

So my Faith Friends,

What is commerce built on?

Trust

What is trust built on?

Doing what is right..

Oh that our experts in economic theory knew this principle from God

Oh that our politicians knew this wisdom from God.

To further illustration, every online vender now has a review section right?

What are the reviews for?

For you to see if the vendor “does what is right”

What if every person, every individual had an online review

Imagine….

Rob—60% of the time does what is right..

Brent—40% of the time does what is right

Let’s move this from only commerce to every other aspect of life

City planning—doing what is right

Community need meeting—doing what is right

Family relationships—doing what is right

Managing the earth—doing what is right

Church relationships—doing what is right.

IF all of that was in place there would be an economic boom like you have never ever seen.

Divine righteousness lived out harnesses all the earth’s physical resources and all human resources and then directs them to their proper end of blessed increase for the Glory of God. Society would be amazingly livable. It would be a return to what Eden was supposed to be.

The irony—doing what is right not for your own benefit ultimately results in the abundant benefit for you and all.

Folks, the church above all else is supposed to be a place where unrighteous people who were consumed with their own interest are converted from that self-interest and are not with transformed hearts growing to be righteous under the righteous King so that this hear and now is to be a small taste of Heaven on Earth…..

Let me illustrate this negatively for a moment as well.

This week, Fidel Castro died. I don’t know what you think about him. But a picture speaks 1000 words.

When Pastor Viars came back with pictures from Cuba and ministering to the saints of God there, the poverty of the country under Castor’s rule was breathtaking. Those praising Castro today do not have an understanding of righteousness nor how a righteous leader will result in

Psalm 72:16

May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains;

Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;

And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth

In nations and cities where you find much poverty you will often find unrighteous leaders.

Oh we need divine righteousness and the wholeness of life that it brings!

Thirdly,

III. God’s Righteousness Draws and Conquers Forever

Notice the blue text now.

8 May he also rule from sea to sea

And from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 Let the nomads of the desert bow before him,

And his enemies lick the dust.

10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents;

The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.

11 And let all kings bow down before him,

All nations serve him.

15 So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;

And let them pray for him continually;

Let them bless him all day long.

The Psalmist prays for the righteous king to live for ever and rule over all.

Either by kings coming to him because they are drawn or because righteousness will conquer unrighteousness eventually.

True righteousness and its resulting wholeness can draw those far from righteousness

In this text, the kings of Tarshish, and the kings of Sheba are seeing something better than they have….and they brings gifts to the righteous king as a sign of submission to the righteous king.

That’s the king of King the Psalmist prays for….that the nations would be drawn to this King.

But if not, somehow some way, all will bow down before him.

Let’s park on this principle for just a moment

True righteousness and its resulting wholeness can draw those far from righteousness

Husbands may I ask you why you are not more attractive to your spouse. (I’m not talking about physically)

Employees may I ask you why you are not more attractive to your boss

Bosses....same…

Friends may I ask you why you are not more attractive to your group of friends….

You don’t do what is right for the benefit of the other….It is really that simple.

Now, Faith family, let’s talk a bit about Christmas in our last point.

IV. God’s Righteousness Merges with His Chosen King —Who is Our Greatest Gift of Divine Righteousness

There is something very peculiar in this Psalm.

Not to mention that David’s Son Solomon never achieved this kind of Kingdom—even though for a brief period of time, Solomon had one of the greatest Kingdom on Earth.

This kind of king was a son of David, but not Solomon….

This son of David would be a unique son.

I want you to notice something in the text.

Look at verse 17

17 May his name endure forever;

May his name increase as long as the sun shines;

And let men bless themselves by him;

Let all nations call him blessed.

And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen, and Amen.

Question: Who is this? The righteous King

But then read verse 18-19

18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders.

19And blessed be His glorious name forever;

Whose names is to be revered the King’s or God’s?

Did the text of Scripture get it wrong, we are supposed to bless the name of this righteous human king and his glory fill the earth?

Or are we supposed to bless the name of God and see God’s glory fill the earth?

Which is it?

Both my friends!

Oh my Faith Friends don’t miss Christmas in Psalm 72.

There was not a man among the son’s of Adam who was had God’s righteousness.

So God came down Himself. God’s divine righteousness came down for us. Christmas..

The King is none other than God Himself

• Matthew 1:1, 20-22
• Rom 3:21-22
• Luke 6:38
• Phil 2:4-11

Matthew: 1:1 The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David…20… behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

Romans 3:21 But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Now tell me my friends..

When Jesus started his earthly ministry to whom did he reach out to first? What types of people?

Matthew 4: 13 and leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. 14 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—16 “The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great Light, And those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, Upon them a Light dawned.”… 23 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. 24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.

What does this show you about Jesus? He is divinely righteous! Caring for those who could not do anything for him in return…

Notice also Jesus’ principles of righteousness and “mountains overflowing”

Luke 6:38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

Finally, notice what God ordained in Jesus’ ultimate act of righteousness as he did what was right without regard for his own interests

Phil 2:4-11 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Gospel appeal.