Its the start of a new church year with Advent (Coming).
Advent season: Coming of Christ into our world in a manger, Coming of Christ into our hearts, Coming of Christ on the Last Day to gather His elect.
We start the new year with a new series of texts--this year its the Psalms--uh oh.
Psalm 24:1-5 Revised Standard Version (RSV)
Entrance into the Temple
A Psalm of David.
24 The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein;
2 for he has founded it upon the seas,
and established it upon the rivers.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false,
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord,
and vindication from the God of his salvation.
1. v1&2--God's credentials. The foundation to the Bible and our salvation, God--the creator.
2. There is a war on truth. Truth is, we deserve God's wrath. None among us is pictured in v3&4. We can't earn forgiveness which leads to despair/denial.
3. v3&4--Christ earns our forgiveness. His clean hands and pure heart become ours (alien righteousness). Christ earned our righteousness by leading a perfect life and dying as a perfect sacrifice on the cross. This was validated in His resurrection (acceptable to God as payment/proper sacrifice).
The world denies creation which denies accountability. Christ was held accountable for our sins. God will not sweep sin under the rug or be a good ol' boy and blow it off. Someone has to pay--Christ became sin and suffered hell for us.
Please read Acts 17:24ff.
Where are you from? You were created by a loving decision in the fatherheart of God. Why are you here? To praise God and proclaim His truth. Where are you going? You are going home, to reside with God forever. Thanks be to Christ.