Session1

Psalm 22 is David’s inspired prophecy of the cross of Jesus Christ hundreds of years before crucifixion was invented!

“The Song of the Willing Sacrifice” Psalm 22

I. Cry of Abandonment (vv.1-2, 9-10, 19-22ff)

• As He absorbs in Himself the sins of the world, He bears our curse, &, as a result, our separation from God wrought by sin.

• It’s the fact of His God-forsakenness & that God was the source of the suffering that brought our Lord His deepest pain.

II. Cry of Aloneness (vv.6-8)

This speaks to the emotional suffering Christ endured from those who watched the events of Calvary.

A. Their Appearance

From God’s perspective, those who mock & abuse the Sufferer are not men at all, but wild animals!•“strong bulls” (v.12)•“roaring lions” (v.13)•“dogs” (v.16)

B. Their Actions

"It seemed to say, this garment is more valuable than its owner... how cheaply Christ was held!"

C. Their Attitude

• Once again David uses graphic words to display this hateful attitude—“scorned,” “despised” (v.6), “gape” (v.13), “gaze” (v.17).

• It simultaneously shows grace at its fullest & purest because it was for that very crowd that the willing Sacrifice was suffering alone—abandoned by the Father, & rejected by the crowd!

III. Cry of Anguish (vv.11-18)

• David turns his attention to the physical suffering that was the Cross of Jesus Christ.

• Four key phrases turn our minds to the horrible nature of the anguish of the cross:“Poured out like water”“Bones out of joint”“Heart turned to wax”“Pierced my hands and feet”

IV. Cry of Acceptance (vv.22-31)

• The amazing thing about all these levels of anguish is that they could not have happened had He Himself, the Willing Sacrifice, not allowed it!

• He accepted the sufferings that we deserved, that He might bring to Himself, & to the Father, a redeemed people from all the nations—cleansed, forgiven, & glorified forever.

Session2

“The Song of the Gentle Shepherd” Psalm 23

This “Song of the Gentle Shepherd” stands as the centerpiece of a trilogy of psalms on the role of Messiah.•Psalm 22- Christ’s role as Savior, picturing His death on the Cross•Psalm 23- Christ’s role as Shepherd, picturing His care for His flock•Psalm 24- Christ’s role as Sovereign, picturing His millennial reign on the throne of His father, David

Some see in this psalm two great metaphors...•The Lord as Shepherd (vv.1-4)•The Lord as Host (vv.5-6)

I. His Full Provision (vv.1-3)

• In the ancient world, the shepherd lived with the flock and was everything to it- guide, physician, protector, provider.

• It also shows a sense of mutual possession and identification, for I am His sheep, but He is my Shepherd. It exposes a two-way pledged relationship.

A. “Green Pastures”

Grassy meadows, for as a good shepherd, He seeks to provide for and meet the needs of His flock.

B. “Quiet Waters”

Sheep are frightened by turbulent or stagnant water, but can draw rest from the still, quiet waters of the resting place.

C. “Spiritual Restoration”

A couple of possible thoughts:•A straying sheep brought back•The personal renewal of a man’s heart and life

D. “Paths of Righteousness”

The paths that lead to right living, and our conduct as a flock reflects on Him as our Shepherd.

II. His Full Protection (vv.4-5)

We are desperately inadequate to handle the dangers of life- just like those helpless sheep.

A. Causes for Fear (v.4a)

• What do we fear?• The valley of the shadow of death: If

He can protect us from death, He can protect us from everything else, too!

• Evil: We can have confidence in the face of evil- or even the Evil One- because “greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world!”

B. Causes for Courage (v.4b)

1) The Presence of God: The Shepherd is no longer out in front, but has come alongside to help, escort, comfort, care, and protect.

2) The Comfort of God: His love and care is not only in protecting us from outward dangers, but also from ourselves!

C. Cause for Celebration (v.5)

• A Prepared Table: the picture of cool assurance under pressure.

• Anointing Oil: refreshing and soothing, it brought relief to the weary.

• Overflowing Cup: an overflowing supply, the abundance of the Lord’s provision can never be exhausted!

III. His Full Promise (v.6)

In the OT world, to eat and drink at someone’s table was to establish a bond of mutual loyalty (cp. Exodus 24:8-12).

A. For Here and Now

• “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.”

• His mercy and goodness don’t just tail after us, they pursue us as expressions of His love!

B. For Then and There

• “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

• The care of the Gentle Shepherd is not limited to today—it is eternal and limitless!

Conclusion:

He is the Good Shepherd, even laying down His life for the sheep! We can trust Him to care for us as He has promised.

Session3

“The Song of the Sovereign King” Psalm 24

The flavor of the psalm seems to describe the processional to the heights of the summit of the city. It pictures the King’s arrival to possess the city He has conquered. In this, His glory and majesty are declared in worship.

“The Song of the Sovereign King” Psalm 24

I. Sovereign in Creation (vv.1-2)

A. The Possessor (v.1)

• The earth and all it contains: It was placed here for God’s glory, not for man’s exploitation!

• The world and those who dwell in it: As Creator, the King is the ultimate authority and all are ultimately accountable to Him.

B. The Founder (v.2)

As with the earth, the seas are the Lord’s, and He rules that as well as the dry land.

II. Sovereign over the Heart (vv.3-6)

A. Who May Worship? (v.3)

It is the adventure of climbing the heights in worship and standing before Him

B. How Do We Worship? (v.4)

• He is always most concerned with personal purity in four areas, and those four areas never change.

• His concerns? Purity of life, motive, worship, speech

C. What Are the Results of Worship? (v.5)

• Blessing from the Lord• Righteousness from the God of

Salvation

D. Who Is the Object of our Worship? (v.6)

• Seek Him - through the testimony of His Word

• Seek Your Face - through true, spiritual worship to the King of Glory!

III. Sovereign in Glory (vv.7-10)

A. Entrance of the King (vv.7,9)

This speaks not only of the Shekinah glory, but of the inherent glory that is His as He enters the Golden Gate and assumes His rightful place on the thrones of His father, David.

B. Celebrating the King (vv.8,10)

What an amazing picture, as the celebration goes forth for the king who has won the victory, and now takes His rightful place of rule!

Conclusion:

• The key for us is this, when did that victory occur?

• Here it is: Colossians 2:13-15