Psalms 1 & 2 - Traditional

In one paragraph

This message moved through Psalm 1 and Psalm 2 together as a pair, with Pastor John explaining that Psalm 2 is the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament and forms a foundation for the book of Hebrews, which the church begins studying next week. The two psalms set up a sharp contrast between the righteous and the wicked, and together make the case that Jesus is the only king whose...

Read together

1. Psalm 1 Primary text, walked through verse by verse as the first of a one-two punch with Psalm 2
2. Psalm 2 Primary text, walked through verse by verse as the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament
3. 2 Peter 3:9 Quoted to show God is patient, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance
4. Acts 1:8 Referenced to connect the nations as Christ's inheritance with the Great Commission to the uttermost parts
5. John 1:12 Quoted to explain how believers receive the right to become children of God
6. Mark 14:36 Jesus crying Abba Father in the garden, sweating drops of blood before the cross
7. Galatians 4:6 Paul citing the Holy Spirit crying Abba Father in the hearts of sons and daughters
8. Romans 8:15 Paul on the spirit of adoption by which believers cry out Abba Father

Talk about it

1. Pastor Jonathan walked through the ABBA structure of Psalm 1, showing a contrast between the righteous man who delights in God's instruction and the wicked who are like chaff blown away. Where do you find yourself most tempted to seek counsel from those around you rather than from God's instruction?
2. Psalm 1 describes the blessed man as a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and prospering in everything he does. Pastor Jonathan pointed out that this prosperity is not just temporal but looks forward through all eternity. How does that eternal perspective change the way you think about what it means to live a fruitful life right now?
3. Psalm 2 pictures the nations and their rulers plotting to throw off God's authority, and God responding from heaven with laughter at their schemes. What are some ways you see people, or even yourself, trying to cast off God's authority in everyday life, and what does it mean to you that God's plans cannot be frustrated by any of it?
4. Pastor Jonathan described Psalm 2 as a split-range prophecy, with Christ fulfilling part of it at his first coming and the rest at his return. He also noted that Jesus used the word Abba at his lowest and most vulnerable moment in the garden. What does it mean to you personally that the same Jesus who will one day rule with a rod of iron also sweated drops of blood and called out 'Abba, Father'?
5. The sermon closed with the invitation from both Psalms to take refuge in God now, while there is still time, and with the reminder from 2 Peter that God is patient because He does not want anyone to perish. Who in your life do you think of when you hear that God is still being patient, and what might it look like for you to be a bearer of that good news to them?