• soothing balm for the fortification of the saints
• first of two “gateway” psalms
• crucial matter of belonging to the congregation of the righteous

• delight determines direction
• what he shuns: the chronically “belittling” culture
• what he savors: the torah of Yahweh
• beyond mere compliance

• linking 1-2 with 3
• like a tree: stability, vitality, productivity, durability and prosperity
• stark contrast with the wicked: Like chaff
• rooted, not blown away

• the identity of the wicked and a contrasting depiction: no justification, no communion, no hope (Matt. 7:13-14; 21-23)
• personal and intimate concern for every step you take
• first and last words: blessed and perish

• Because nothing matters as much as being rightly related to God, rely on Jesus and relish His word.
• View Jesus as the example and enabler of this psalm.
• “Gordon J. Wenham died in clear hope that dusty lives, entrusted to Christ, the man of heaven, will be raised in glory.”

• context of 3:1-10 and the day of the Lord
• a biblical perspective and posture (3:11-13)
• Considering the Lord’s certain word about your future, prepare for it actively in your present.
• four commands for those who wait

• marked by purity and peace

• connection between long-suffering and salvation

• heeding the warning about deception that leads to destabilization

• progressing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus for His glory

• What you really believe about the future is indicated by the way you live presently.
• “Ethics and eschatology are connected inextricably.” (MacGorman)
• Aim to live by faith in the Lord’s future grace.
• “O God of promise, strong and true, Your Word endures, makes all things new. You came, You died and rose again, to bring us life that knows no end. Now, heaven waits, its promise firm—we lift our eyes to Your return.”

• connection to 1:1-11
• issue being addressed: return of Christ and the response of believers to it
• question of authority: reliability of revelation

• intent while in this “tent”: to stir up
• impending “exodus” and last testament

• not cleverly contrived fables
• witnesses of His majesty at the Transfiguration (Matt. 17:1-13, Psa. 2:7)

• the prophetic word: Old Testament
• light shining in a dark place (Num. 24:17, Rev. 22:16, 2 Tim. 4:8)
• common source of revelation and interpretation

• Because of the Lord’s trustworthy communication, continue to pursue conformity to Christ and to long for His appearing.
• Soak yourself in the Lord’s promises. (Psa. 119:9, 11, 105)
• To what extent do you presently long for the Lord’s return? (Matt. 9:15)
• “O’er all those wide, extended plains shines one eternal day; There God the Son forever reigns, and scatters night away. When I shall reach that happy place, I’ll be forever blest, for I shall see my Father’s face, and in His bosom rest.” (S. Stennett, “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”)

• connection between 2 Peter and Jude (2 Pet. 3:1-3)
• the faith “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)
• Knowing that you are kept by God permanently, keep yourself in the love of God presently.

• words having been spoken beforehand
• scoffers in the last time
• following ungodly passions, causing divisions, not having the Holy Spirit

• building on your holy faith
• praying in the Holy Spirit
• waiting for Christ’s mercy

• the doubting, the dangling and the defiled

• awareness of protective custody and ascription of ceaseless honor

• “Admonition is love’s authentic expression in time of danger.” (MacGorman)
• The foundation for finishing well is a riveted focus on the faithful love of God.
• “Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine, had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they would all be Thine.” (S. Stennett, “Majestic Sweetness Sits Enthroned”)

• inspired insights for believers living amid persecution and cultural confusion
• foundation for Christian living: God’s power and promises (3-4)
• Sustained by the Lord’s power and promises, passionately pursue conformity to Christ.

• practicing biblical “choreography”
• power of favor that precedes labor
• sevenfold application of faith
• possession and progression
• production and perspective

• confirmation of calling and election
• no falling beyond recovery
• no hindered entrance
• confirmation by continuation

• Remember: “Grace is opposed to earning, not to effort.” (D. Willard)
• Affirm divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
• Assess life biblically: “Three things are called precious in the Scripture: the blood of Christ is called ‘precious blood,’ 1 Peter 1:19; and faith is called ‘precious faith,’ 2 Peter 1:1; and the promises are called ‘precious promises,’ 2 Peter 1:4.” (T. Brooks)

• context of suffering (4:12-19)
• continuance of subjection concept (5:1-5a)
• Secure under God’s mighty hand, cultivate humility and transfer anxieties.

• Humble Yourself (5b-7) (Prov.3:34, Psa. 55:22)
• Stay Alert (8)
• Resist Satan (9)

• sustaining grace (10)
• sovereign superintendence (11)

• Don’t miss the contrast: set face and lavished grace.
• See the connection between clothing and casting.
• “If dependence is the objective, weakness is an advantage.” (Begg)
• “The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, I will not, I will not desert to its foes; that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” (Keen, “How Firm a Foundation”)

• addressing doubters, deniers and disputers
• specific connection to 20-25 and 42-49
• Assured of future transformation, focus on present continuation.

• fundamental inability (50)
• the mystery (51)
• moment, twinkling and trumpet (52)
• absolute necessity (53)
• the engulfer engulfed (54-56) (Isa. 25:8, Hos. 13:14)
• victory through Christ (57) (Gen. 3:19)

• greatly loved
• steadfast/immovable
• abounding and knowing

• Look and live! (Num. 21:4-9, John 3:14)
• “Soar we now where Christ has led, alleluia! Following our exalted Head, alleluia! Made like Him, like Him we rise, alleluia! Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, alleluia!” (C. Wesley, “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”)
• Keep on!

• expansion of 3:18-22
• Because of Christ’s suffering, arm yourself with an intent to suffer.

• military orientation
• connection between suffering and cessation
• the purpose, process and perspective

• fulfilling God’s will rather than man’s lust

• list of vices
• response of unbelievers

• accountability for unbelievers
• destiny of believers

• “Let us stand fast for what is right and prepare our souls for trial. Let us neither be dogs that do not bark or silent onlookers, nor paid servants who run away before the wolf. Instead, where the battle rages, let us find ourselves. Run towards the roar of the battle! That is where Christ’s most glorious victories shall be won.” (Boniface)
• “He reigns! Ye saints, exalt your strains; your God is King, your Father reigns; and He is at the Father’s side, the Man of Love, the Crucified.” (J. Conder, “The Lord is King”)
• You don’t need the last word. God has it.
• being mindful of ultimate accountability
• “Jesus is all the world to me and true to Him I’ll be. O how could I this Friend deny when He’s so true to me?” (W. Thompson, “Jesus Is All the World to Me”)

• between two “calls” to suffer
• Considering Christ’s substitutionary death and triumphant resurrection, magnify His worth when you suffer.
• two key commands: Don’t Fear and Do Honor

• once for sins, for the unrighteous, to bring us to God

• proclamation to spirits
• days of Noah

• correspondence to baptism

• current location
• comprehensive submission

• “No wound? No scar? Yet as the Master shall the servant be, and pierced are the feet that follow Me. But thine are whole. Can he have followed far who hast no wound or scar?” (A. Carmichael, “Hast Thou No Scar?”)
• Expect and embrace suffering.
• “Worthy of Worship” (T. York)

• submission and substitution (2:13-25)
• this morning: specific applications and summary regarding submission
• Considering your identity and destiny, honor the Lord presently.

• being subject: the humble recognition of the divine ordering of society
• prioritizing inward character over outward cosmetics
• confident expectation enables courageous compliance

• active sensitivity
• assigning specific honor
• acknowledging spiritual consequences

• displaying the character of Jesus
• being mindful of ultimate accountability
• “Jesus is all the world to me and true to Him I’ll be. O how could I this Friend deny when He’s so true to me?” (W. Thompson, “Jesus Is All the World to Me”)