"Christ and His Church, Part Two"
Psalm 132:10-18

Introduction: Last week we saw that this Psalm is one of those Psalms that pilgrims sang along the way to Jerusalem. These fifteen Psalms make up a Psalter within the Psalter and were much prized by the people of the Old Testament.

This Psalm is about the restoration of true worship. Those who valued obedience and did not worship God in the groves and high places would have rejoiced at the opportunity go to Jerusalem to worship Him in obedience. The content of the Psalm indicates that it is either about David’s vow to restore the ark to Jerusalem and establish true religion in Jerusalem, his capital city; or that it was written by Solomon at the building of the temple. I think it was written by David, and used by Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. The tabernacle that David built for the ark in Jerusalem became a symbol of the restoration of true religion that would take place when the Lord Jesus came.

It might very way be, that this passage is a pointer to something very important: that when the Lord Jesus established the true faith, it would not be based or descended from the temple at Jerusalem, which Solomon built, but its true origin would be in the tabernacle of David. Jesus came from David, but not from Solomon, for the seed of Solomon was cursed at the time of Coniah. Mary’s lineage is from David, but not through Solomon.

In fact, there are three times where the tabernacle of David is specifically referred to as prophetic of the Lord Jesus Christ and His kingdom. Let us look at these three passages:

I. In Isaiah 16 where it is said that the throne of Christ would be established, sitting upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.

II. Then in Amos 9:11, where God promises to raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, will close up the breaches thereof, raise up the ruins, and build it as in the days of old.

III. Then in Act 15, where James declares to the council at Jerusalem that the calling of the Gentiles is fulfillment of Amos’ prophecy.

The major things that we saw in the first nine verses are these.

1. The writer was passionate for the true faith.
2. “Remember David.” God never forgets, but we pray that His remembering will be revealed to men in the earth. David is praying that God would show the world that He remembered. The establishment of the true faith by the establishing of the faith was connected to David and his seed. Solomon would have prayed this way, too, for the line of authority was in Solomon.
3. The covenant includes afflictions: both in Christ, and in His people. If we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him. Expect tribulations if you would be zealous for the cause of Christ.
4. David had been zealous in terms of settling Ark of the Covenant. We are also to be faithful in the institution of faithful worship. Verses 2-5
5. Oaths are of the essence of the true faith. Our part in the Covenant is to assent; to swear allegiance to Christ and His Kingdom. But vows are to be lawful, and to God alone.

a) We are to vow to keep and defend the articles of our faith. HC. 22, 23.
b) We are to live at peace with God’s people.

6. David was not lazy concerning the true faith, but gave Himself wholly to it. All that He did was in terms of the promises of Jehovah.
7. We must be more faithful in the things of God than we are in our own private concerns. We must not offer to God the halt, the lame, and the blind. He does not get the end of the harvest, but its first fruits.
8. The Ark was a symbol of David’s authority and he rejoiced for it to be settled in Jerusalem—it symbolized God’s presence with them.

10 For thy servant David’s sake turn not away the face of thine anointed.
11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.
15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.
16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish. (Ps 132:10-18 AV)

A. God is said to dwell in His ordinances. If they are maimed, then God’s presence is not so clearly seen.

B. Christ was seen in the ordinances and the ceremonies of the Old Testament. He was there to those who believed.

C. David recognized that all depended upon the presence of Christ: “Turn not away the face….”

D. Not only to David, but to Solomon and all the kings after—their kingdom depended upon the favor and presence of Christ with them. But what the kings did not do, the Lord Jesus did, in restoring the tabernacle of David. This is what Zacharias meant when John the Baptist was born, who would prepare the way of the Lord. Luke 1:

68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

A. He dwells with His people. In the church.

1. He is our anointed priest: The church is the temple of God: The Church in assembly is the habitation of God, and there He finds His rest. See: 1Cor. 3

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

2. He is our anointed prophet: The church is the pillar and ground of the truth.

“14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” (1Ti 3:14-16 AV)

3. He is our anointed king: he has established order in the church through His spirit:

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.” (1Ti 5:17 AV)

B. The presence of Messiah in the church is nothing magical or weird. The church does the work of Christ in His priestly office, his prophetic office, and his kingly office.

1. It testifies that Christ is not now on the earth, but rules from heaven by his Word and Spirit.
2. The word is perfected and finished; the Holy Spirit has been given.
3. We seek Christ in heaven through the gifts that He has given us.
4. It is only by faith that you will see the presence of Christ in His Church.
5. His work is not confined to the church, for He was with David even when David was in exile and the temple and its priest were corrupted by Saul; But Christ restores His church, though every man is a liar.

C. The presence of Christ is most of all seen in the order of the church.

1. The order is chiefly known by the preaching of the Holy Scriptures. It is the first duty of those who preach the gospel to make this order known. This is the first key: the Gospel

2. The order is made visible through the holy sacraments: baptism and the Lord Supper: these are a visible preaching of the Gospel

a) Baptism emphasizes that the order is the work of the Holy Spirit.

(1) In regeneration and faith: to prepare a spiritual people for the Lord

(2) In sanctification: that we be like Christ, renews in His image.

(3) In perserverance: in tribulations and trials.

b) Lord’s Supper emphasizes the centrality of the Cross of Christ as the source and sustainer of our very life.

c) The Officers of the church, and every member must pray and make possible the right administration of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

3. The order is made known by the government of the church and the exercise of the key of discipline. Things are to be done decently and in order.

A. God chooses those who will do His work and He decides how.

B. We do not follow Christ if we do not follow those who are diligent to preach the word faithfully. We must find those men and be teachable and patient.

C. We do not follow Christ if we disregard the Holy Supper and the public worship of God.

D. We do not follow Christ if we rebel against the authority that He has placed in the church.

E. Faithful men rejoice when the true ordinances of God are restored to the church and discipline in the church is observed, for there freedom lives and the righteous rejoice.

F. But we do not worship the footstool; at church we must lift our minds to the invisible God. We worship Him at his footstool, the church. The church is the Lord’s footstool.

G. The church is to expect God’s presence with them in His ordinances, which all point to Jesus Christ, as visible preachings of the Gospel.

A. What is legalism: an over dependence upon the letter and the ceremony rather than the heart and spirit of the commandment. We are to love one another and not do anything to harm one another in his life, property, reputation, or family. Yet, we all do harmful things to one another, but we forbear one another if there be a spirit of good will and love. Legalism, does not see the spirit and the good will, but only the offense. Legalism wears a chip on its shoulder and will always seek quarrels over niceties in the form of the ceremony. There seem to be many such occasions for quarrels: hats, pray shawls, wine or grape juice, music [there’s a quagmire, and you can add your own. These things have nothing directly to do with the love of God and love of neighbor.

B. What is license: an over dependence upon good intentions, so that the behavior becomes without rule or consistence and great harm is done to the people of God, because all order and consistency is overthrown and small things become major and divide the people of God. The joy and peace of the church is overthrown.

C. We are to flee both of these; in a thousand ways showing that we love and care for the good of the people of God; and protecting them in their life, their property, family and reputation. We want the forms preserved, knowing that they are necessary for the instruction and restraint of the Lord’s people; we also know that nobody can be pressed into any form and fit it exactly, we all have gifts and callings according to the will of God.

A. All depends upon the Covenant of Grace in Jesus Christ. We must believe the certain promise of God which He has given us in Jesus Christ.

B. David’s seed is Jesus Christ. Good government in church and state is the gift of Christ, who is Lord both of church and state.

C. The promise of Christ was immutable and not conditional; but the blessings of it are conditioned upon faith and obedience. The church will not fail, but we may fail, and be deprived of the blessings promised. Vs. 11,12.

D. Just as the Ark rested in Jerusalem, so God finds His rest in the Sabbath of Rest, the grace given to the Church. God rests His sword because of the sacrifice of Christ, who is our Sabbath. Vs. 13, 14. Because God rests, the church can rest. His curse is removed and there is peace with God.

E. Because the justice of God rests, great blessings are poured out upon the elect. Food and clothing. All things necessary for body and soul are provided in Him. Vs. 15,16.