Sermon Title: “JESUS CHRIST: KEY TO TRUE JOY!” Sermon Text: Psalm 2

Introduction: GOOD MORNING TO ALL! FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT WITH US LAST SUNDAY, WE ARE NOW IN A SERIES ENTITLED “PONDERING THE PSALMS: FINDING MEANING & PURPOSE IN THE PANDEMIC!” LAST WEEK, WE LOOK AT THE IMPORTANCE OF DELIGHTING OURSELVES IN THE WORD OF THE LORD. THIS IS THE PATH OF TRUE SUCCESS AND HAPPINESS.

TODAY, WE ARE GOING TO STUDY A VERY SPECIAL PSALM, PSALM 2. IT IS A ROYAL PSALM; THAT IS, ONE THAT IS USED FOR THE CORONATION OF DAVIDIC KINGS. BUT LATER, IT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS A MESSIANIC PSALM BECAUSE IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE COMING EXALTED ROYAL SON OF GOD, HIS ANOINTED ONE, THE MESSIAH. AS I HAVE SHARED TO YOU LAST SUNDAY, THE BOOK OF PSALMS WAS HIGHLIGHTED BY OUR LORD JESUS, IN LUKE 24 AS ONE THAT PROPHESIED OR TEACHES ABOUT THE COMING MESSIAH. THUS, THIS BOOK IS A VERY IMPORTANT BOOK IN UNDERSTANDING THE WORK AND MINISTRY OF THE COMING SAVIOR AND MESSIAH EVEN OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. PSALM 2, AS PART OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BOOK OF PSALMS, TOGETHER WITH PSALM 1, TEACHES US TO SUBMIT OUR LIFE TO THE COMING MESSIAH. IF PSALM 1 TEACHES US TO DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD, PSALM 2 TEACHES US TO DELIGHT IN GOD’S SON. WE ARE TO ENTHRONE HIM AS KING IN OUR HEART.

LET US PRAY…LET US READ PSALM 2…

A. THE FATHER REIGNS OVER ALL!

“Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One: “Let’s tear off their chains and throw their ropes off of us.” (vv. 1-3)

THE OPENING VERSES OF PSALM 2 (VV. 1-3) TELL US OF THE REBELLION OF THE NATIONS AGAINST THE LORD. BUT THE LORD, IN SPITE OF MAN’S REBELLION, IS STILL LORD OF THE UNIVERSE. HE REIGNS AS CREATOR AND LORD OF ALL.

1) He scoffs at man’s rebellion (v. 4).

“The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them…”

AS THE SOVEREIGN LORD, HE SCOFFS AT MAN’S REBELLION. TO “SCOFF” IS TO “MOCK” OR TO “LAUGH AT.” INDEED, THIS IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE HOW CAN THE POT REBEL AGAINST THE POTTER? HOW CAN SUCH MERE PUNY CREATURE TELL HIS CREATOR, “I HATE YOU AND DON’T WANT TO OBEY YOU?” THIS IS SCANDALOUS! BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS WHAT MANKIND DID TO GOD. WE REBELLED AND DISOBEY THE LORD AND WE ARE NOW REAPING THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR REBELLION AND SINS.

2) He secures His rule over His creation (vv. 5-6).

Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." (vv. 5-6)

KNOWING THIS REBELLION AND UNGRATEFULNESS, THE LORD SECURES HIS RULERSHIP BY INSTALLING HIS KING. THIS WAS THE PLAN OF THE FATHER TO SEND HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, OUR LORD JESUS TO BE THE MESSIAH, THE ANOINTED ONE, THE MESSIAH WHOM THE FATHER HAS ORDAINED TO BE MAN’S MEDIATOR, SAVIOR AND LORD. IN OTHER WORDS, THE FATHER WILL RULE THIS WORLD THROUGH HIS MESSIAH, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

B. THE FATHER RULES THROUGH HIS SON.

THIS WAS THE REASON WHY THE BIBLE WAS WRITTEN – TO REVEAL TO MAN GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION AND HOW THE LORD WILL RESTORE GOD’S RELATIONSHIP WITH MAN THAT HAD BEEN SEVERED OR BROKEN BY SIN. THE OT PROPHESIED ABOUT THE COMING OF THIS MESSIAH. MOSES AND THE REST OF THE OT PROPHETS SPOKE ABOUT THE COMING OF THIS ANOINTED ONE OF GOD. THIS INCLUDES THE BOOK OF PSALMS AND THE MOST PROMINENT ONE IS THIS PSALM THAT WE ARE STUDYING TODAY. IN THE NT, THE MESSIAH WAS REVEALED. HE IS THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. JOHN TELLS US THAT HE IS THE ETERNAL WORD WHO BECAME FLESH AND DWELL AMONG US. TO THE DISCIPLES AND PAUL, HE IS THE RISEN LORD JESUS. LISTEN TO WHAT THE WRITER OF HEBREWS:

1In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. 3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs. 5For to which of the angels did God ever say, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father[a]"[b]? Or again, "I will be his Father, and he will be my Son"[c]? 6And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, "Let all God's angels worship him."[d] (Heb. 1:1-6)

1) Jesus is destined to be “KING.”

"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill…" (v. 6)

NOW, OBSERVE THAT DAVID REFERS TO THE COMING ROYAL SON AS THE “ANOINTED ONE” “KING” AND “SON.” REMEMBER THAT WHEN JESUS WAS BORN, THERE WERE WISEMEN LOOKING FOR THE “KING OF THE JEWS” THAT WAS BORN. WHEN JESUS WAS ASKED BY PILATE, “ARE YOU A KING?” JESUS SAID, “I AM BUT MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD…” WHEN JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN FROM THE GRAVE, THE APOSTLE PAUL REFERRED TO HIM AS THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

THEREFORE, DAVID, THE PSALMIST, FORETELLS OF THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHEN HE SPOKE THESE WORDS. IN ACTS 4:25FFG, LUKE SAW THE ARREST OF PETER AND JOHN AND THE PERSECUTION OF THE CHURCH AS THE FULFILLMENT OF THIS PSALM AS THEY PRAYED FOR BOLDNESS AND COURAGE TO PROCLAIM THE NAME OF JESUS AS SAVIOR AND LORD.

2) Jesus is declared as “SON”& “RULER.”

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." (vv. 7-9)

BUT NOT ONLY AS “KING” THE MESSIAH IS ALSO “SON” AND “RULER.” WHEN JESUS WAS BAPTIZED BY JOHN THE BAPTIST, WE READ THAT HEAVEN OPENED AND A VOICE WAS HEARD. “THIS IS MY SON TO WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED…” A LITTLE WHILE HEBREWS REFERS TO JESUS AS THE SON.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT HE IS NOW OUR SAVIOUR AND LORD. HIS FIRST COMING IS A TIME OF GRACE AND SALVATION. HE IS NOW A SAVIOR. BUT HIS COMING AGAIN WILL BE A TIME OF JUDGMENT. HE WILL BE A JUDGE. SO, THE PSALMIST OR DAVID EXHORTS US TO BEHAVE ACCORDINGLY. WE ARE COMMANDED AND EXPECTED BY THE FATHER TO OBEY AND SUBMIT TO JESUS AS OUR LORD.

C. THE FATHER REQUIRES OBEDIENCE TO JESUS.

I SAW TWO IMPORTANT INSIGHTS IN DAVID’S EXHORTATIONS – A WORD OF PRECAUTION AND A WORD OF PROMISE.

1) A Word of Precaution—Be wise!

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment…” (vv. 10-11)

KNOWING WHO REALLY JESUS IS, THEREFORE, WE ARE TO BE WISE. AND TO BE WISE, ACCORDING TO DAVID, IS TO FIRST TO SERVE JESUS. WE ARE TO SERVE JESUS WITH FEAR AND JOY. NOT ONLY TO SERVE BUT TO SUBMIT TO JESUS. AT THIS POINT, LET ME POINT YOU AGAIN TO THE WORDS OF DAVID. “BE WISE….BE WARNED…” DO YOU REMEMBER HOW THE BIBLE DESCRIBED THE BIRTH OF JESUS IN MATT. 2, HOW HEROD AND THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS LEARNED ABOUT THE BIRTH OF THE MESSIAH. THEY EVEN CONFIRMED IT AMONG THEMSELVES AND YET THEY DID NOTHING ABOUT IT. UNLIKE THE WISEMEN WHO SEARCH DILIGENTLY FOR JESUS, THEY DID NOTHING. THEY KNOW BUT IT DID NOT TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES. THEY DID NOT SERVE JESUS NOR SUBMIT TO JESUS AS LORD. BE WARNED BROS. AND SIS. BE WISE!

2) A Word of Promise—Be blessed!

“Blessed are all who take refuge in Him…” (v. 12)

THERE IS ALSO A WORD OF PROMISE HERE. ONE COULD ALMOST MISS IT IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL IN YOUR READING. AGAIN, DAVID GIVES A DEFINITION OF A TRULY HAPPY MAN. HE IS NOT ONLY THE PERSON WHO DELIGHT IN GOD’S WORD, BUT HE IS ALSO THE ONE WHO DELIGHTS IN GOD’S SON. IN OTHER WORDS, WE MUST PLACE OUR HOPE, OUR TRUST, OUR CONFIDENCE IN JESUS CHRIST, OUR MESSIAH...AND BE BLESSED!

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS:

(1) BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A DIFFICULT & UNCERTAIN TIMES, LET US STAY SPIRITUALLY SAFE & HEALTHY BY STAYING “H.O.M.E.” IN JESUS CHRIST!

NOW, WHAT DO I MEAN BY “H.O.M.E.”? THIS ACRONYN STANDS FOR THE FOLLOWING:

o LET US HONOR JESUS AS KING & LORD OF OUR LIFE!

"I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill…" (Psalm 2: 6)

“In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.” (1 Tim. 6: 13-16)

“These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Rev. 17: 14)

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT JESUS CHRIST IS KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS! THIS MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE HIM THE HONOR & REVERENCE THAT HE DESERVES IN OUR LIFE. THE QUESTION IS – IS JESUS TRULY KING & LORD OF OUR LIFE?

o LET US OBEY JESUS’S COMMANDS! IT PROVES OUR LOVE FOR HIM!

“IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WILL OBEY MY COMMANDS!” (JN. 14: 15)

THIS IS RELATED TO THE NEXT RESPOND THAT WE NEED TO MAKE TO THE PERSON OF JESUS-- WE ARE TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS! THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF TAUGHT US THIS. HE SAID “IF YOU LOVE ME YOU WILL OBEY MY COMMANDS!” (JN. 14: 15). IF JESUS IS INDEED KING OF OUR LIFE THEN, WE ARE TO OBEY HIS COMMANDS. BUT IT’S IRONIC THAT IT IS ONLY THE LORD WHO IS THE KING THAT CAN BE IGNORED OR TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY HIS SUBJECTS. WE SAW THIS IN THE LIFE OF ISRAEL. IN FACT, THE BOOK OF FIRST SAMUEL TELLS US THE REJECTION OF THE LORD AS KING OF ISRAEL BECAUSE THEY WANTED A KING THAT THEY SEE AND COULD SEE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE NATIONS. BUT THEY REAP WHAT THEY SOW!

I OBSERVE MANY PROFESSING BELIEVERS TODAY LIVE AS IF THEY DON’T KNOW THE LORD JESUS. THERE IS NO SEMBLANCE OF FEAR OF HIM OR HONORING JESUS IN THEIR LIVES. WHY DID I SAY THIS? BECAUSE THEY GIVE HIM THE LEFTOVERS OF THEIR TIME, THEIR MONEY, & AND THEIR ENERGY. MANY TODAY ARE FULFILLING WHAT PAUL WROTE TO TIMOTHY, “WE ARE LOVERS OF PLEASURES RATHER THAN LOVERS OF GOD!”

CHURCH, TAKE NOTE THAT JESUS HAS NOT CHANGED! HE IS STILL THE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS AND WE ARE GOING TO GIVE AN ACCOUNTING OF WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH OUR LIFE ON THIS EARTH. o LET US MAKE SURE THAT JESUS IS THE SAVIOR & LORD OF OUR LIFE!

“M” STANDS FOR MAKE SURE JESUS IS INDEED OUR SAVIOR & LORD! THE LORD JESUS AGAIN HIMSELF CLARIFIED THIS TRUTH IN ONE OF HIS TEACHINGS IN THE GOSPEL. MANY PEOPLE FOLLOWING HIM AT THAT TIME BECAUSE OF THE MANY SIGNS & WONDERS THAT HE WAS DOING. SO THE LORD TOLD THE PEOPLE.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’ (Matt. 7: 21-23)

WHAT IS THE POINT OF THE LORD JESUS? IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY THAT WE SAY ‘JESUS IS MY KING & LORD’! WE HAVE TO PROVE IT BY OUR OBEDIENCE TO THE FATHER’S WILL! NOW, WHAT IS THE FATHER’S WILL? FOR US TO BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE MESSIAH & SAVIOR & TO MAKE HIM LORD OF OUR LIFE! AND FOR US TO SUBMIT TO JESUS AS OUR KING & LORD! ACCORDING TO DAVID, WE ARE TO SERVE THE SON. WE ARE TO KISS HIM! THAT IS, LOVE HIM & BE DEVOTED TO HIM!

“Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment…” (vv. 10-11)

THIS LEADS ME TO MY LAST LETTER “E” FOR H.O.M.E. ---

o LET US EXALT JESUS AS KING & LORD OF OUR LIFE! LET US MAKE JESUS NUMBER ONE IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIFE.

THE WORD OF GOD TEACHES US THAT THE FATHER EXALTED JESUS & GAVE HIM THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES & MADE HIM KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS…

“For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil. 2: 9-11)

THEREFORE, CHURCH/FRIENDS, IF THE FATHER EXALTED THE LORD JESUS, HIS SON, THEN WE TOO ARE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EXALT JESUS IN OUR LIFE. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY “EXALT”?

• TO EXALT IS TO RAISE TO THE HIGHEST OF HEIGHTS. TO EXALT CHRIST IS TO RAISE CHRIST TO THE HIGHEST PLACE IN OUR LIVES. IT IS TO MAKE JESUS NUMBER ONE OR GIVE HIM THE FIRST PLACE IN EVERY THOUGHT IN OUR MIND, EVERY WORD SPOKEN, & EVERY DEED DONE.

THE NEXT QUESTION IS – “HOW DO WE EXALT JESUS IN OUR LIFE IN OUR PRACTICAL, DAY-TO-DAY LIVING?”

(1) WE EXALT JESUS BY KNOWING HIM MORE THROUGH GOD’S WORD!

“Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.” (2 Peter 3: 17-18)

THEREFORE, EVERYTIME WE OPEN OUR BIBLE WITH THE DESIRE TO KNOW CHRIST MORE & OBEY HIM, WE EXALT HIM!

(2) WE EXALT JESUS BY TALKING/PRAYING OUR HEAVENLY FATHER! JESUS GAVE US ACCESS TO THE FATHER’S THRONE OF GRACE!

NOW, WE KNOW THAT JESUS GAVE US ACCESS TO THE FATHER’S THRONE OF GRACE! IN OTHER WORDS, HE OPEN OUR ACCESS TO THE FATHER’S THRONE!

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5: 1-2)

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.” (Heb. 4: 14-16)

THEREFORE, EVERY TIME WE PRAY & TALK TO THE FATHER SINCE, WE EXALT THE LORD JESUS BECAUSE WE ARE APPROPRIATING OR USING THIS MEANS OF GRACE THAT HE OPENED FOR US!

(3) WE EXALT JESUS BY FELLOWSHIPPING WITH THE BRETHEN!

WE KNOW THAT JESUS IS THE LORD OF THE LORD. IN FACT, HE IS THE BUILDER OF THE CHURCH. IN FACT, JESUS WANTS US NOT ONLY TO BELIEVE IN HIM BUT TO BELONG OR BE PART OF HIS LOCAL CHURCH.

“So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” (Acts 2: 41-42)

“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” (Heb. 10: 24-25)

THE WRITER OF HEBREW IS CLEAR IN TEACHING US HERE THAT OUR CHURCH LIFE IS VERY IMPORTANT & CRUCIAL TO THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER. NO BELIEVER CAN GROW & DO THE LORD’S WORK ALONE. IN FACT, THE CHURCH IS CALLED TO PURSUE UNITY IN TERMS OF PURSUING THE LORD’S WILL FOR THE CHURCH ESP. The GREAT COMMISSION. THE WORD OF GOD IS ADMONISHING US NOT TO NEGLECT AS SOME ARE BEGINNING TO DO. CHURCH/FRIENDS, I HOPE THAT WE ARE NOT USING THIS COVID CRISIS AS AN EXCUSE NOT TO OBEY THIS COMMAND BUT YOU CAN BE SEEN THRU FACEBOOK FELLOWSHIPPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE ON THE LORD’S DAY. MAY THE LORD HAVE MERCY ON US!

REMEMBER THAT WE EXALT JESUS WHEN WE FAITHFULLY FELLOWSHIP WITH THE BRETHEN IN SPITE OF PERSONAL & OTHER DIFFICLUTIES OR CRISIS.

(4) WE EXALT JESUS BY MAKING DISCIPLES OF THE NATIONS! HE GAVE US THE GREAT COMMISSION TO FULFILL BEFORE HE RETURNS!

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20)

REMEMBER THAT THE REASON JESUS TARRIES IN RETURNING OR COMING BACK IS BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF GOD’S PEOPLE OR ELECT IS NOT YET COMPLETE. IN OTHER WORDS, THE GOSPEL IS NOT PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT ALL THE WORLD. THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE LORD JESUS WANTS US TO BE FAITHFUL IN DOING THE GREAT COMMISSION.

“This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14)

REMEMBER THAT WE EXALT THE LORD JESUS WHEN WE FAITHFULLY DO OUR PART IN FULFILLING IT! I WAS REMINDED AS I WAS PREPARING THIS MESSAGE THAT THE BEST TIME TO SHARE THE GOSPEL OR JESUS IS DURING A CRISIS.

“On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria…Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison. So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.” (Acts 2: 1-4)

CLOSING WORDS & CHALLENGE:

CHURCH/FRIENDS, JESUS CHRIST IS NOT ONLY OUR MESSIAH & SAVIOR FROM OUR SIN, HE IS ALSO THE ONE AN ANOINTED TO BE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS! THE WORD OF GOD ALSO TEACHES & COMMANDS US THAT WE ARE TO CONFESS JESUS NOT ONLY AS OUR SAVIOR BUT ALSO OUR LORD & KING! THIS MEANS AS EVERYONE WHO ACKNOWLEDGES HIM AS SAVIOR & LORD MUST LIVE IN GRATITUDE & HUMILITY FOR HIS MERCY & GRACE & ALL HIS BLESSINGS. THEY ALSO MUST SUBMIT TO HIS KINGSHIP & LORDSHIP OVER THEIR LIVES! AS THAT APT SAYING GOES, “JESUS IS EITHER LORD OF ALL OR NOT AT ALL!” GOD BLESS!

CLOSING PRAYER:

“OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR YOU WORD REMINDING US TO DELIGHT IN THE SON OF GOD, OUR SAVIOR & LORD, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! IN DEED, HE IS OUR LIFE, OUR TRUE TREASURE & TRUE JOY. HE IS OUR ETERNAL LIFE! FATHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US THAT HE IS ALSO OUR KING & LORD & MASTER AND THAT WE ARE TO LIVE A LIFE OF HUMILITY, SUBMISSION, & REVERENCE FOR HIM. FATHER GOD, TEACH US TO FULLY SUBMIT & SURRENDER TO THE LORD JESUS OUR LIFE EVEN EVERY ASPECT OF IT.

FATHER GOD, EMPOWER US TO HONOR HIM, TO OBEY HIM, TO MAKE HIM THE KIN. LORD, TEACH US TO EXALT JESUS; THAT IS, TO GET TO KNOW HIM MORE THRU YOUR WORD, TO EXALT HIM BY PRAYING TO YOU TO EXALT HIM BY FAIHTFULLY FELLOWSHIPPING WITH OTHER BELIEVERS AND TO EXALT JESUS BY FULFILLING THE GREST COMMISSION, BY MAKING DISCIPLES FOR HIM & HASTEN HIS RETRURN!

FATHER GOD, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENCE OF YOUR PEOPLE TODAY WHO GREATLY ENCOURAGE US, FOR THEIR FELLOWSHIP & COMMITMENT TO YOU. I PRAY THST YOU TOUCH THEM IN A SPECIAL WAY TODAY. MAY YOU GRANT THE PRAYERS OF THEIR HEARTS. MAY YOU HEAL THE NEED THAT THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW IN THEIR LIVES. FATHER GOD, MAY YOU BE GRACIOUS TO US TODAY. LORD, I ALSO ENTRUST TO YOU THIS BRAND NEW WEEK AHEAD OF US. MAY We CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCE YOUR SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR US & OUR FAMILY. MAY YOUR MANIFOLD BLESSINGS OF PEACE, JOY, PROVISIONS, & PROTECTION BE WITH US. AND ALL THIS I PRAY IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS! AMEN!!!