Group Leader Notes: November 14–21

Group Leader Notes: November 14–21

Know:  There is a spiritual war opposing God’s will

Do:  Don’t fear, and walk in authority

Feel:  God knows your situation and has empowered you to stand

Question to answer/Problem to solve:

How can we have Certainty in Uncertain times? How can we have HOPE in the CHAOS!!!!! 

Jesus quoted Psalm 22 – “My God My God why have you abandoned me?”

• If you are going to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus, there WILL be a time (not maybe, but definitely), you feel abandoned, “God where are you”.

• We can feel that way in our nation. Heard a stat this week, that in 5-7 years there will be more Christians in communist China than the USA.

• Jesus other words, “Let this cup pass from me” ; When we feel overwhelmed or backed into a corner or afraid or in a tough spot, God has granted us the outlet of praise, have you ever noted that music changes things?

Psalms – Compilation of Hebrew songs and hymns! 

• When we leverage Biblical praise, we have the opportunity to: “Invite” the presence of God into our situations (we actually realize that He’s already there and find the comfort and direction we need to discern, diagnose, and defeat overwhelming attacks from without and from within

• They demonstrate a WIDE range of human emotion, and glory and honor to God

• They communicate theology and the culture of the time

Psalm 2 is a “Royal/Messianic Psalm”

• Messianic – relating and pointing to Jesus

• Describes the rebellion of “nations” that oppose God and His Anointed as King

Verses 1-3 THE PROBLEM

“Nations” and “Rulers” rebelling against God’s rule and will

• In the NT the phrase “rulers” is intrinsically connected to the terms “authorities, principalities, thrones, and dominions” These terms are almost always associated with the activity, role, or presence of spiritual beings (angels/demons) that have influence on, or are directly connected with, earthly “rulers” and “authorities”

• Satan the “Ruler of this Age”: John 12:21, 14:30, 16:11; Rom. 8:38; Eph. 3:10; 1 Cor. 2:6, 8; Col. 1:16, 2:15 – cf. Eph. 1:20-21, 2:2; 1 Cor. 15:24

• Any nation that is not open to the rule and reign of God is open to demonic rule .

• Ephesians 6:12 NLT

• In the OT there are 3 very distinct passages that further emphasize the reality that something more than earthly “kings and rulers” are being discuss – Ezekiel 28:1-19, Isaiah 14:9-15, and Daniel 10:10-14

• 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “the god of this age (satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers…”

• Satan “masquerades” as an “angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14), he operates in the shadows, leveraging

Verses 4-6 GOD'S RESPONSE

• One of the greatest things about psalms as worship is that they remind us that God is still with us and has a great plan for our future!

• He “laughs,” “holds them in derision (scorns/scoffs),” speaks to them in HIS fury,” and “terrifies them in HIS wrath.” This shows supreme confidence and superiority

Verses 7-9 OUR RESPONSE

We have a responsibility and a “role” to play in bringing peace into an “out of control, anti-God” world . God has “anointed” us to accomplish a task in the earth (cf. Rom. 8:19)

• Speaking what God has spoken has power in spiritual matters

• What brings Hope, Peace, and Confidence? We are “sons and daughters” of the Father in Heaven.

• The particular decree here has to do with our position as “sons” by virtue of being “in” the Messianic King, Jesus

• Verse 7 - We are Sons and Daughters

• Verse 8 - We have authority

• Verse 9 - We have authority to break curses and demolish strongholds (II Corinthians 10:3-5)

• The first century Church quoted this psalm when they initially faced persecution (Acts 4:23-25)

Verses 10-12 THE EPILOGUE

The “summation” and ultimate end of the matter; God gets the final word – His will has final say

• The Psalm that started with concern over events transpiring on the world-stage ends with the believer cautioning the rebellious forces and sharing the Gospel

• The psalmist is encouraging those rebelling against the Son/King to honor Him, and put their trust in Him

• Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people.

In times of uncertainty focus on what is clear. 

• Politically – God is in control

• Financially – God got this

• Hurt/offended – God will get me through

• Want to hide and isolate, - run to others and get help

We don’t fight for victory, we fight from the place OF victory.

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