Section
Three: The Son of God in the Old Testament
Text: Hebrews
12:22 'But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the
living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,'
Introduction: Zion the city of God.
Zion is the city of God where Christ
reigns over His people
It is the dwelling place of God and
the people of God dwell in Zion.
The Son of God came to establish His Kingdom where He
reigns among His people.
His people are those who have been called out of the
nations to be citizens of the kingdom.
Citizens of Zion are those who obey the King willingly out
of hearts filled with love. (Psalm
110:3)
Zion is the place where
1)
Christ reigns as
King
2)
The Lord is ‘more
present’ because His throne is there.
3)
The people of God
are citizens of Zion. A people
associated with signs and wonders, Isaiah 8:18.
4)
In Zion there is
everlasting joy.
The evidence of the Kingdom of God is the presence and
power of God. Luke 11:20
Revivals are times when the presence and power of God is
manifested among God’s people.
The result of revival is that many are brought into the
church.
Revivals happen when God’s people desire the presence of
the Lord, and to move in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Revival
is a promise.
James
4:8 ‘Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.’
The
presence of the Lord comes when we draw near to Him.
Introductory
Story: Times of
Revival
Revivals happen when God’s people desire the presence and
power of God.
The 1904 Welsh Revival began when God’s people desired the
presence of God and began seeking after the Holy Spirit.
The 1906 Azusa Street Revival began when God’s people
desired to be led into the baptism with the Holy Spirit.
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is an experience that
God’s people move into when they desire the presence and power of God.
People can wait a lifetime for God to move and it will
never happen.
We must desire the presence of the Lord
Revivals
do not affect everyone.
A person may have a great awareness of the presence of God
when others have no awareness of the anointing.
The Lord makes Himself known to those who have a heart to
seek after Him.
Main
Points:
1.
The eternal plan and purpose of God, 'Yet
have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion'. (Psalm 2:6)
Psalm 2 (Messianic
Psalm)
a)
Christ reigns as King on Zion. Outline
of Psalm 2
i)
Man’s rejection of the Christ. (Psalm
2:1-3).
ii)
The LORD
(Jehovah) has set His King on Zion. Psalm 2:4-6)
iii)
The eternal decree of God – ‘Ask for the
heathen’ (Psalm 2:7-9)
iv)
The Psalmists calls for common sense to serve the Lord (Psalm 2:10-12)
b)
Apostles’ prayer. Fulfilment of Psalm 2.
i)
Rejection of the Christ. (Acts 4:24-28)
ii)
Signs and
wonders. (Acts 4:29-31) The power of the Holy Spirit confirming
the word of the Apostles’
c)
The Lords
Prayer. ‘For Yours is the kingdom, and the power and
the glory forever. Amen.’ (Matthew 6:13b).
i)
The Kingdom – where Christ reigns
ii)
The power –
the evidence of the kingdom is that the power of the Holy Spirit will be seen.
iii)
The glory –
the manifestation of the presence of God.
2.
The Lord is ‘more present’ on Mount Zion.
a)
Mount Zion
i)
David captured the stronghold of Zion
from the Jebusites and it became the place where
David reigned as King
ii)
Zion was called
the City of David.
iii)
David the King
brought the Ark of the Covenant to Zion.
b)
God is ‘more present’.
i)
God was already in Jerusalem
- God is omnipresent. David
wanted the Lord to be ‘more present’ in Jerusalem.
ii)
A
desire for His presence was not enough.
God judged them because they brought the Ark the wrong way. God demands obedience to His Word.
iii)
The
presence of the Lord brought great rejoicing
iv)
David
appoints worshippers on Mount Zion to worship continuously in the presence of
the Lord. (1 Chronicles
16:4-6).
v)
When
Solomon built the temple only the High Priest could go into the Holy of holies
but on Mount Zion everyone could worship in the presence of the Lord.
3.
God’s people are a supernatural people who live and move in
the presence and power of God.
The
writer to Hebrews tells us that we have come to Mount Zion. Hebrews 11:22-24
'But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the
general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and
to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of
Abel.'
a)
The people of God
dwell in Zion in the presence of God.
i)
Joy
should characterise the people of Zion. Mount Zion is associated with
everlasting joy. Psalm 9:11
‘Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion: declare among the people
his doings.’
ii)
Joy in Mount Zion. The evidence of the presence of
the Lord is joy. Psalms 16:11 'You
will show me the path of life: in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand there are
pleasures for evermore.'
iii)
Isaiah
prophesied that the redeemed would return again to Mount Zion with everlasting
joy. Isaiah 51:11 'Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come
with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain
gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.' See also Isaiah 35:10.
b)
The people of God
dwell in Zion in the power of God
i)
A people associated
with signs and wonders, ‘Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me
are for
signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, who dwells in mount
Zion.’ Isaiah 8:18.
ii)
The Kingdom of God is not just words but power. 1 Corinthians 4:20.
c)
The people of God
are kings and priests with Christ.
i)
Reign with Christ – seated in
heavenly places with Him. Far
above principalities and powers.
ii)
Priests unto
God – offering spiritual sacrifices. Life of worship
Summary:
1) The eternal plan and purpose is that
the King, the Son of God, will reign on Mount Zion in the midst of His people.
2) The desire of God's people should
always be for the King to be seen in our midst. We must have a longing for the presence of the Lord.
3) In the presence of the Lord there is
great joy.
4) God’s people are a supernatural
people who reign with Christ and offer up spiritual sacrifices continuously.