This week our focus is on Psalm 2. The big idea is the manner in which we choose to respond to God's anointed King. The Psalm is a Messianic Psalm – it points to Jesus. Peter makes this clear in Acts 4:24 – 27, the "Anointed One" is Jesus Christ. The Psalmist begins by describing those who reject Christ as King and rebel against His Kingship. They are 'delusional,' meditate on rebellion, and reject the Lordship of Christ. God's response to their wickedness is laughter, anger and ultimately judgment. The good news though is that there is hope. The Psalmist concludes with a call for people to serve the Lord with fear, rejoice with trembling and submit to His Lordship. When we respond in such a manner – we will be blessed and find safety and protection in Him.

I identify three take home applications for us as followers of Jesus Christ:

1. Because God does not sweat or worry about those who oppose him – we should not worry about them either. There may be people in our lives who reject us because of Christ, or seek to cause hardship in our lives because we are Christ followers. Remember, if God is for us who can be against us.

2. Be confident in His power. Acts 4:24 – 27 is an amazing passage. Peter uses Psalm 2 to explain the persecution & the opposition the church is facing – his prayer, however, is not for safety or protection – but it is for boldness to speak the Word of God. They were confident, even in the midst of opposition and persecution, in God's power to use them as witnesses to reach the lost.

3. Serve Him with joy. The psalmist concludes with a beatitude "Blessed are all who find refuge in Him." We can serve Him with joy because he is our shield and protector.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to have Christ as Lord in your life?

2. We all want freedom in our lives. Am I free when Christ is Lord of my life? Or, am I free when I reject his Lordship? Explain.

3. Have you ever experienced opposition as a result of your faith in Christ? If yes, what was your attitude towards those causing the opposition?

4. How did this opposition impact your actions?

5. Psalm 2:4 God laughs at them. What does that mean?

6. Psalm 2:5 God rebukes them in His anger. Is an angry God consistent with your picture of who God is? Why or why not?

7. Based on Peter's prayer in Acts 4:24-27 how did the opposition the early church face impact their attitudes and actions?

8. What was the source of their (early church – Acts 4) confidence?

9. What does it mean to serve the Lord with fear? If we lack this fear, how do we go about attaining a healthy fear of the Lord?

10. What is one thing you can put into practice in your life this week as a result of the message we find in Psalm 2.

This week we begin a short series on the Psalms leading up to Advent. We will be start with Psalm 1. This first Psalm serves as an introduction to the Book of Psalms and encourages the reader to pay attention to the Word because by so doing the reader will enjoy the benefits of those who are known by Him. This is a wisdom psalm and as such it contrasts the way of God and the way of man; the way of wisdom and the way of folly.

The Blessed Person disassociates himself from the ways of the wicked and associates with the law of the Lord. The Law is the "Torah" in Hebrew which includes more than the first 5 books of the Old Testament but also includes all of the Word of the Lord both written and revealed by the Holy Spirit. This person who takes delight in the Word of the Lord rather than the ways of the wicked enjoys many benefits because of that association with the Lord. He or she is like a fruitful tree, producing fruit, enjoying God bountiful provision and seeing profitable results from his or her labour.

On the other hand the wicked are just the opposite. They are blown away at every opportunity. They do not stand up under pressure. They will not last. They will have no place with the assembly of the righteous. But the Lord "watches over" the way of the righteous. This word for "watches over" in Hebrew (Yada) means literally "knows." As when Adam "knew" his wife Eve and they bore a son. It refers to intimate, covenantal knowing. The Lord "knows" in that he has an intimate knowledge of the righteous, not for curiosity's sake, but because he is interested in them and loves them and is committed to their care. The same word is used in Exodus 2:25 when the Lord heard the groaning of the Israelites in captivity in Egypt and "was concerned" (NIV) about them. Here again is the word "yada," the Lord "knew" them. When the Lord knows, he cares, and does something about it. Such are the benefits of the righteous.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. While English poetry is characterized by rhyme and meter, do you know of other languages that do not follow that style?

2. Slide 3. Discuss the stories of Joseph and David and their hardships. Keep in mind the Psalmist knows these stories. Also keep in mind the Psalms themselves contain many laments about the tough circumstances of the People of God. Why then does the Psalmist say the righteous are "blessed?"

3. Slide 8-10. Contrast the way the wicked live and the way the righteous think. How does righteous thinking lead to righteous living?

4. Slide 11-12. Discuss the difference between financial prosperity and what the Psalmist means when he writes: "Whatever he does prospers."

5. Slide 13. What difference does hope make in the life of a believer?

6. Slide 14. Why does the Lord "watching over" us give us hope? What does it mean when I suggest that we are most free when we serve the Lord?

This week we begin a short series on the Psalms leading up to Advent. We will be start with Psalm 1. This first Psalm serves as an introduction to the Book of Psalms and encourages the reader to pay attention to the Word because by so doing the reader will enjoy the benefits of those who are known by Him. This is a wisdom psalm and as such it contrasts the way of God and the way of man; the way of wisdom and the way of folly.

The Blessed Person disassociates himself from the ways of the wicked and associates with the law of the Lord. The Law is the "Torah" in Hebrew which includes more than the first 5 books of the Old Testament but also includes all of the Word of the Lord both written and revealed by the Holy Spirit. This person who takes delight in the Word of the Lord rather than the ways of the wicked enjoys many benefits because of that association with the Lord. He or she is like a fruitful tree, producing fruit, enjoying God bountiful provision and seeing profitable results from his or her labour.

On the other hand the wicked are just the opposite. They are blown away at every opportunity. They do not stand up under pressure. They will not last. They will have no place with the assembly of the righteous. But the Lord "watches over" the way of the righteous. This word for "watches over" in Hebrew (Yada) means literally "knows." As when Adam "knew" his wife Eve and they bore a son. It refers to intimate, covenantal knowing. The Lord "knows" in that he has an intimate knowledge of the righteous, not for curiosity's sake, but because he is interested in them and loves them and is committed to their care. The same word is used in Exodus 2:25 when the Lord heard the groaning of the Israelites in captivity in Egypt and "was concerned" (NIV) about them. Here again is the word "yada," the Lord "knew" them. When the Lord knows, he cares, and does something about it. Such are the benefits of the righteous.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. While English poetry is characterized by rhyme and meter, do you know of other languages that do not follow that style?

2. Slide 3. Discuss the stories of Joseph and David and their hardships. Keep in mind the Psalmist knows these stories. Also keep in mind the Psalms themselves contain many laments about the tough circumstances of the People of God. Why then does the Psalmist say the righteous are "blessed?"

3. Slide 8-10. Contrast the way the wicked live and the way the righteous think. How does righteous thinking lead to righteous living?

4. Slide 11-12. Discuss the difference between financial prosperity and what the Psalmist means when he writes: "Whatever he does prospers."

5. Slide 13. What difference does hope make in the life of a believer?

6. Slide 14. Why does the Lord "watching over" us give us hope? What does it mean when I suggest that we are most free when we serve the Lord?

Our last Beatitude in this series is somewhat theoretical for North American Christians. We have not really experienced persecution as so many have in different contexts. Worldwide, many followers of Jesus suffer greatly for their faith perhaps more today than at any time in history. In some ways, North American Christianity is somewhat of an anomaly in that it exists in a rather peaceful and friendly environment. Chinese and Middle Eastern Christians would see this Beatitude from a far different perspective.

In our text, verse 10 is the Beatitude, and verses 11 & 12 are the application of the Beatitude to the Disciples' specific context. They would indeed experience insults and false accusations as even a casual reading of the Book of Acts would attest. The New Testament is full of examples of followers of Jesus who suffer. In particular, Mark's Gospel and the books of 1st and 2nd Peter deal the challenge of suffering in the life of a Believer.

Persecution, if we can call it that in our North American context, is less overt and more subtle than the suffering of the earliest believers. Followers of Jesus do experience some forms of prejudice for their faith. There are times when believers are ostracized because of their faith. In certain contexts believers may have to make serious sacrifices in the marketplace because of their convictions. Jesus has three basic things to say about persecution. First, it is part of belonging to His Kingdom. As the Poor in Spirit know, so the Persecuted know that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The blessing of being Kingdom people comes with a price: poverty of spirit and persecutions. Secondly, these persecutions must be "because of Christ" not because of one's own folly, ignorance or arrogance. Some of the opposition to the people of faith is not because of Christ but perhaps because of misplaced zeal or a lack of wisdom in how we live out our faith. Thirdly, persecution because of Christ stands Christians in good stead. It is a longstanding outcome of faithful service. The OT prophets proved this time and time again. Faithfulness is sometimes "rewarded" with negative consequences.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-4. Can you think of examples of when what you first thought might be persecution, was in fact simply due to your own folly?

2. Slide 7. Can you think of other New Testament examples of the Church under persecution?

3. Slide 8. What examples can you think of from your own life of persecution "because of me?" What do you know about persecution of Believers in other parts of the world?

4. Slide 9. Why do you think that most persecution comes from Religious groups? Why at times is the church one of the worst persecutors of those who disagree with its dogma? I am thinking of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation and even the persecution of Anabaptists and to some extent the Methodist movement.

5. Slide 10-12. What words of comfort does Jesus give to those who are persecuted? List at least 3 reasons for hope in the midst of persecution.

6. Slide 13. Discuss why North American Christianity is relatively free from persecution.

Our last Beatitude in this series is somewhat theoretical for North American Christians. We have not really experienced persecution as so many have in different contexts. Worldwide, many followers of Jesus suffer greatly for their faith perhaps more today than at any time in history. In some ways, North American Christianity is somewhat of an anomaly in that it exists in a rather peaceful and friendly environment. Chinese and Middle Eastern Christians would see this Beatitude from a far different perspective.

In our text, verse 10 is the Beatitude, and verses 11 & 12 are the application of the Beatitude to the Disciples' specific context. They would indeed experience insults and false accusations as even a casual reading of the Book of Acts would attest. The New Testament is full of examples of followers of Jesus who suffer. In particular, Mark's Gospel and the books of 1st and 2nd Peter deal the challenge of suffering in the life of a Believer.

Persecution, if we can call it that in our North American context, is less overt and more subtle than the suffering of the earliest believers. Followers of Jesus do experience some forms of prejudice for their faith. There are times when believers are ostracized because of their faith. In certain contexts believers may have to make serious sacrifices in the marketplace because of their convictions. Jesus has three basic things to say about persecution. First, it is part of belonging to His Kingdom. As the Poor in Spirit know, so the Persecuted know that "theirs is the kingdom of heaven." The blessing of being Kingdom people comes with a price: poverty of spirit and persecutions. Secondly, these persecutions must be "because of Christ" not because of one's own folly, ignorance or arrogance. Some of the opposition to the people of faith is not because of Christ but perhaps because of misplaced zeal or a lack of wisdom in how we live out our faith. Thirdly, persecution because of Christ stands Christians in good stead. It is a longstanding outcome of faithful service. The OT prophets proved this time and time again. Faithfulness is sometimes "rewarded" with negative consequences.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-4. Can you think of examples of when what you first thought might be persecution, was in fact simply due to your own folly?

2. Slide 7. Can you think of other New Testament examples of the Church under persecution?

3. Slide 8. What examples can you think of from your own life of persecution "because of me?" What do you know about persecution of Believers in other parts of the world?

4. Slide 9. Why do you think that most persecution comes from Religious groups? Why at times is the church one of the worst persecutors of those who disagree with its dogma? I am thinking of the Reformation and Counter-Reformation and even the persecution of Anabaptists and to some extent the Methodist movement.

5. Slide 10-12. What words of comfort does Jesus give to those who are persecuted? List at least 3 reasons for hope in the midst of persecution.

6. Slide 13. Discuss why North American Christianity is relatively free from persecution.

Last week we talked about the difference between the Hebrew understanding of Heart and our North American view of Heart as the seat of emotions. We noted that, in the Hebrew mind, one's heart was his or her entire inner being not just the emotional aspect. It incorporated both emotion and intellect. This week we are looking at another Hebrew concept when we talk about peacemakers. For the Hebrew, peace was far more than the absence of war or a truce after conflict. While North Americans have a fairly restricted view of peace, one that is often defined by the absence of something, Hebrew people saw peace as the presence of something good. As one commentator puts it, the Hebrew word "Shalom," translated as "peace," means "Wholeness, righteousness and subsequent blessing for the individual or community who live in humble obedience in the presence of God." (James Shelton in the Full Life Commentary, Zondervan 156).

So peacemakers are not simply those who work at ending strife. They are people who work toward bringing wholeness and blessing in the context of God's Kingdom and his reign in our lives and the world. We can love peace and not be peacemakers. Sometimes peace lovers avoid trouble in order to enjoy peace. This may be a short term solution to conflict but often the way to peace involves difficulties and the resolution of long standing problems. Jesus as the Prince of Peace is our example in what it means to be a peacemaker. He brought peace but at a great cost to himself. He endured a lot of strife in order to bring peace.

Peace makers will be called sons of God. This means they will be seen as doing God's work in the world. Since the fall of mankind, God has been at work reconciling the world to himself and bringing peace. When we are peacemakers we are doing his work. Peacemaking can involve making the world a better place to live, settling our own hearts and establishing peace in our inner persons, and bringing peace in relationships with others and with God.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. Why would a firearm be called a peacemaker. What does that say about the manufacturer's definition of peace?

2. Slide 3-5. Discuss the difference between the way we might use the word "peace" and the Hebrew idea of "Shalom."

3. Slide 6. In what way is the peace that Jesus brings different from the world's idea of peace? What did Jesus mean in Matthew 10:34-35? Can you have peace in the midst of difficulty?

4. Slide 7-8. What is the danger of loving peace the wrong way? What examples have you experienced in loving peace but not making peace?

5. Slide 9-10. In what ways is God the great peacemaker? In what way is Christ the epitome of peacemaking?

6. Slide 11. Discuss Matt. 5:43-47 and 5:38-39 as examples of peacemaking. How might these examples be applied to your life?

We often talk about purity in terms or moral or ethical purity. We understand that scripture sometimes uses purity in this sense. As when we talk about righteousness we often use purity as a synonym. Psalm 24 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false." This refers to outward and inward moral purity. But the word for pure in our text (Katharos in Greek) means something different though similar. It means undiluted, unadulterated or unmixed. Now we know that’s what moral purity is also about, but it is somewhat different. Our beatitude is not saying "Blessed are the morally pure" but rather, "Blessed are those with unmixed motives in their devotion to God."

In this way, the Pure in Heart are those who serve the Lord with utter sincerity, without hypocrisy, and without ulterior motives. It is difficult to determine someone else's motives. It is even difficult to determine our own motives. Sometimes we second guess ourselves and wonder if we are truly being sincere when just about everything we do for God and others could be seen as having an ulterior motive. When we pray we wonder if we are sounding mature to others. When we serve others in need we wonder how they might think of us. When we tithe we wonder if perhaps God will give back to us abundantly. Sometimes we have to stop all those fears regarding ulterior motives and just serve God as best we can, asking the Lord to help us have unselfish motives.

Our text is a challenge and a promise. Those with pure hearts see God. Remember, this is not just about the future. The beatitudes are here and now. The pure in heart see God everywhere.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. Compare the early disciples to the civil rights movement of the 60's. In what ways were they similar? How was Jesus' sermon like King's "I have a dream" speech?

2. Slide 3-4. In your own words describe the difference between being pure in a moral sense and pure in an unadulterated sense.

3. Slide 5. Describe the difference in the way we use the word "heart" and the way the Hebrews thought of "heart?"

4. Slide 6-7. Why is sincerity so important to Jesus and his disciples? Were there other religious leaders around who missed this important point?

5. Slide 8-10. Can you give other examples of how what goes on inside you determines what you see on the outside of you? Do you know people who only see the evil in others or the world? Why is that? If I said: "the greatest battleground for the Christian is his or her own mind" would I be right? (Matt. 15:16-20)

6. Slide 11. Discuss experiences of where you have seen God.

7. Slide 12-13. When you examine your motives and find there may be ulterior motives lurking in the background, how do you handle that? In what way is your heart God's most important: asset, battleground, and domain.

We often talk about purity in terms or moral or ethical purity. We understand that scripture sometimes uses purity in this sense. As when we talk about righteousness we often use purity as a synonym. Psalm 24 "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false." This refers to outward and inward moral purity. But the word for pure in our text (Katharos in Greek) means something different though similar. It means undiluted, unadulterated or unmixed. Now we know that’s what moral purity is also about, but it is somewhat different. Our beatitude is not saying "Blessed are the morally pure" but rather, "Blessed are those with unmixed motives in their devotion to God."

In this way, the Pure in Heart are those who serve the Lord with utter sincerity, without hypocrisy, and without ulterior motives. It is difficult to determine someone else's motives. It is even difficult to determine our own motives. Sometimes we second guess ourselves and wonder if we are truly being sincere when just about everything we do for God and others could be seen as having an ulterior motive. When we pray we wonder if we are sounding mature to others. When we serve others in need we wonder how they might think of us. When we tithe we wonder if perhaps God will give back to us abundantly. Sometimes we have to stop all those fears regarding ulterior motives and just serve God as best we can, asking the Lord to help us have unselfish motives.

Our text is a challenge and a promise. Those with pure hearts see God. Remember, this is not just about the future. The beatitudes are here and now. The pure in heart see God everywhere.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. Compare the early disciples to the civil rights movement of the 60's. In what ways were they similar? How was Jesus' sermon like King's "I have a dream" speech?

2. Slide 3-4. In your own words describe the difference between being pure in a moral sense and pure in an unadulterated sense.

3. Slide 5. Describe the difference in the way we use the word "heart" and the way the Hebrews thought of "heart?"

4. Slide 6-7. Why is sincerity so important to Jesus and his disciples? Were there other religious leaders around who missed this important point?

5. Slide 8-10. Can you give other examples of how what goes on inside you determines what you see on the outside of you? Do you know people who only see the evil in others or the world? Why is that? If I said: "the greatest battleground for the Christian is his or her own mind" would I be right? (Matt. 15:16-20)

6. Slide 11. Discuss experiences of where you have seen God.

7. Slide 12-13. When you examine your motives and find there may be ulterior motives lurking in the background, how do you handle that? In what way is your heart God's most important: asset, battleground, and domain.

Right after Jesus talks about hungering and thirsting for righteousness he mentions mercy. It may seem at first that hunger and thirst for righteousness and mercy are polar opposites. Shouldn't we be intolerant of unrighteousness if we are hungering and thirsting for righteousness? Shouldn't we deal swiftly and firmly with any unrighteousness we encounter if we are really hungry and thirsty for it? Unfortunately this seems to be the attitude of many in the Church down through the ages. They burned heretics!

But actually that hunger and thirst is intended to be an inward longing, not a call to purge the world of sin. The 4th Beatitude dispossesses us of any thought that we should be the righteousness police. We are to be merciful. This mercy is to be applied liberally to all who need it, both inside and outside the Kingdom Community. It is one of the key characteristics demonstrated in the life of Christ but it is one of the most glaringly absent attributes of his church. This is why many outsiders are attracted to Jesus but just can't seem to understand or accept that the Church is his ongoing manifestation here on earth. We sometimes don't look much like Jesus, or sound like Jesus when we encounter what we call sin.

On the other hand there is real joy and satisfaction from following the Jesus way and exercising mercy. Mercy begets mercy. It is the currency of the Kingdom. When in circulation, the Kingdom grows. When hoarded; the Kingdom shrinks.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-6. Try your hand at turning the Beatitudes into negative statements. How would you express them? Why do you think Jesus explained these principles in positive ways?

2. Slide 7-8. When you consider the Beatitudes and the opposite attitudes. Can you place yourself on the continuum? Are you closer to Mercy or to Intolerance and Resentment?

3. Slide 9. Remember the stories of Mercy in scripture? What lessons speak to you?

4. Slide 10. Talk about the difference between sympathy and mercy. How is mercy more active?

5. Slide 11. Discuss how Forgiveness and Mercy are similar. Why does Jesus say that we must forgive in order to be forgiven?

6. Slide 12-13. Discuss how we can be overwhelmed with the needs we see around us.

7. Slide 14-16. Discuss why everyone needs mercy.

8. Slide 17-19. Discuss what I refer to as the Church's double standard and the cost of mercy. Where does this apply to your life?

Right after Jesus talks about hungering and thirsting for righteousness he mentions mercy. It may seem at first that hunger and thirst for righteousness and mercy are polar opposites. Shouldn't we be intolerant of unrighteousness if we are hungering and thirsting for righteousness? Shouldn't we deal swiftly and firmly with any unrighteousness we encounter if we are really hungry and thirsty for it? Unfortunately this seems to be the attitude of many in the Church down through the ages. They burned heretics!

But actually that hunger and thirst is intended to be an inward longing, not a call to purge the world of sin. The 4th Beatitude dispossesses us of any thought that we should be the righteousness police. We are to be merciful. This mercy is to be applied liberally to all who need it, both inside and outside the Kingdom Community. It is one of the key characteristics demonstrated in the life of Christ but it is one of the most glaringly absent attributes of his church. This is why many outsiders are attracted to Jesus but just can't seem to understand or accept that the Church is his ongoing manifestation here on earth. We sometimes don't look much like Jesus, or sound like Jesus when we encounter what we call sin.

On the other hand there is real joy and satisfaction from following the Jesus way and exercising mercy. Mercy begets mercy. It is the currency of the Kingdom. When in circulation, the Kingdom grows. When hoarded; the Kingdom shrinks.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-6. Try your hand at turning the Beatitudes into negative statements. How would you express them? Why do you think Jesus explained these principles in positive ways?

2. Slide 7-8. When you consider the Beatitudes and the opposite attitudes. Can you place yourself on the continuum? Are you closer to Mercy or to Intolerance and Resentment?

3. Slide 9. Remember the stories of Mercy in scripture? What lessons speak to you?

4. Slide 10. Talk about the difference between sympathy and mercy. How is mercy more active?

5. Slide 11. Discuss how Forgiveness and Mercy are similar. Why does Jesus say that we must forgive in order to be forgiven?

6. Slide 12-13. Discuss how we can be overwhelmed with the needs we see around us.

7. Slide 14-16. Discuss why everyone needs mercy.

8. Slide 17-19. Discuss what I refer to as the Church's double standard and the cost of mercy. Where does this apply to your life?