The Glory of the Firstborn, part 1 (Hebrews 1, Jeff Kliewer)

Well, it doesn't need to be said that Christmas in this country has been grotesquely commercialized. That it's been turned into a festival of lights and gifts and activity and for many people the message is forgotten.

In fact, for some the message doesn't matter. The whole idea of Christmas is more about tradition and holiday than it is about the person of Jesus Christ. Nowhere could that be more clearly seen than in the 1989 hit movie Christmas Vacation with Clark Griswold.

Remember how many lights? Even back in 1989 it was completely commercialized. Remember the scene where he brings a tree into his house and the squirrel jumps out at them? It was already commercialized back then.

It hasn't gotten any better. I think it's probably gotten worse since then. But Christmas has become a holiday that's more about us than it is about Jesus. Some people I know have even stopped celebrating Christmas because they're so concerned about the commercialization.

They don't want to get caught up in it, which I understand, but I don't think that's the right answer. I think for us we go back to the Word of God and we recenter around the real person Jesus Christ.

The original Saint Nick, the original Santa Claus, was not about holiday and and the outward show. He was about the Lord Jesus. He was a preacher and he was someone who reached people with the gospel.

But sometimes I think that our inner Santa goes rogue. Rather than doing what Saint Nick did and what we're called to do at Christmastime, we get distracted too. We forget what Christmas is all about and so I think it's appropriate each year to return to the subject of Christmas at this time of year because it's not about lights and it's not about candy and gifts and stockings and all of that.

It is about Jesus and specifically, it's about this. It's about Jesus coming in the flesh. The Son of the Living God who was God from all eternity taking on human flesh. The big word for that is incarnation.

Incarnation. The Son of God taking on flesh. Christmas calls us to worship him because he is God. Now there are many people around the world, the vast majority, that do not worship Jesus. Yet, they'll tip the hat to Jesus.

Muhammad said that Jesus is not the Son of God. In fact, don't say Trinity. Desist. It will go better for you and he enforced that by the edge of the sword. Jehovah Witnesses lowered Jesus from the place of God to a created being that is still worthy of some kind of honor but is not God himself.

Secularists, as we talked about, people who are secular, humanist in their outlook, they celebrate Christmas. They put up Christmas lights very often, but it's not in honor of the Son of God. But the question comes to us personally.

Are we about Jesus in his incarnation at Christmas time? Sometimes we forget to worship him as well. When you open up the Christmas story, the book of Luke has the famous version, right, with the angels that are in the field and the book of Matthew also records the story, it's striking that there's not a lot said about who this baby is.

In fact, listen to the simplicity of Luke 2, 6, and 7. While they were there, the time came for her to give birth and she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the end.

From that narrative you get the idea that Jesus is born, but you don't get the full sweeping picture of who it is that was just born. He was born, put in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes. Luke 1, 35 did tell us as the angel announced, the Holy Spirit will come upon you, Mary, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.

Therefore, the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God, and there is a hint as to who he is. He's more than flesh. He's born of the woman, but not from a man and therefore he has no sin nature inherited.

He's different. He, in fact, is the Son of God, but we still don't get the full orb picture of who this is that was born. Matthew puts it this way, 1st chapter 24th and 25th verse. When Joseph woke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him.

He took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. Pretty simple. He's just born. They gave him a name. Matthew 2, 11, we do have some wise men come and going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother.

They fell down and worshipped him. So there's some who are bowing in worship to the Son of God. Then they opened their treasures and they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. From the narrative stories, we get a glimpse.

We do. We begin to see that this is more than an ordinary boy born and laid in a manger. But where would you go in the Bible for a full orb picture of the glory of Jesus Christ as revealed when he was born into the world?

Where would you go in the scriptures to see that this baby boy who is a man is more than a man? He is God in the flesh. If you're talking to a Jehovah's Witness or to a Mormon or to a Muslim or to any secular person who doesn't believe that Jesus is God, where would you go?

This morning we're going to what I think is the clearest picture of the deity of Christ in the Bible. And it focuses on the incarnation. When the firstborn is brought into the world and that is Hebrews chapter 1.

Go there with me. This is a less familiar Christmas passage. But it says more about the glory of the one who was born than probably any other place in the New Testament. Please turn there with me so you can see it.

We don't know who the author is, but the Apostles approve and that the church recognizes this as scripture as soon as it's given. In Hebrews chapter 1, we have the sending of the firstborn revealing the glory of God that is in the face of Jesus Christ.

In 2nd Corinthians 4, we learn that there's a veil that the devil puts over the minds of people that they cannot see the light of the gospel. But when we with unveiled faces behold his glory, we can see the glory of God in the face of Christ.

This ordinary baby laying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes is more than an ordinary baby. He is God in the flesh. This is where we go to discover that. This morning, I have one goal in mind, and it's not to get you to go and do anything.

My goal this morning is that you would behold his glory. That you would see the glory of the Son of God. That you would appreciate and and value and treasure him. In fact, that your heart would be turned back to worship again.

Because our hearts are prone to go astray. And Christmas is about worshiping Jesus. That's what it's about. The author of Hebrews in this one chapter will say it seven times. Again and again and again and again.

And after saying it seven times, he'll turn around and say it seven times more. All in the first chapter of Hebrews. That the Son of God has come into the world. That he is God in flesh. That he is glorious.

Let's turn now to Hebrews 1. The first three verses have the first seven declarations of the glory of Jesus. He puts it seven different ways. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets.

But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son. Whom he appointed the heir of all things. Through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God. And the exact imprint of his nature.

And he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We'll stop there. In fact, I think the next verse, even though it continues within the sentence.

And it's sometimes marked off as part of that first section. I think that fourth verse is actually a transition into the next thought. But the first three verses are a declaration of the glory of Jesus Christ.

The glory of Christ, the Son. We see that he is himself God in this passage. But we also see that he's distinct from his father. So herein is part of the revelation of the Trinity. God exists as one being forever.

And yet within that one being there are three persons. Three persons in one God. Jesus is distinct from the father in this passage. God speaks and now he speaks by his Son. The Son comes into the world.

But what Jesus does when he comes is not change anything that we were already told. Look at verse two. In the last days he has spoken to us by his Son. That's in comparison to the first verse where God in many ways and at various times has spoken to us through prophets.

In many ways you have a prophet like Ezekiel laying on one side for a long period of time and then flipping over and laying on another side. So that's one way that God spoke to the world. Moses goes on a mountain.

God engraves words on a tablet of stone, on two tablets for Moses to bring down. And so his word is revealed that way. He speaks through angels. His voice audibly comes from heaven in many different ways and in different times.

So that we have 39 books with all of these messages from heaven. But in these last days he's spoken to us by his Son. The point being the prophets spoke and they declared the will of the Lord and the word of the Lord.

But in a disjointed way and spread out over a long period of time with the coming of Jesus Christ. All of those messages from the prophets are integrated and made whole and one in the person of Jesus Christ.

The prophet spoke now in the coming of Jesus when he was born and laid in that manger and God dwelt among us. Everything came together and everything was shown to fit. And now that revelation of Jesus Christ is made bolder.

It's amplified what God was saying in these various ways over such a long period of time. Revealing the glory of Christ. Let us make man in our own image. Or Isaiah chapter 6. Who will go for us? Holy, holy, holy.

The thrice holy God revealed in the Old Testament is now declared with power to be Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In the incarnation we have the declaration that Jesus is God. The Son of God means he's God in flesh.

So look with me now at the fourth verse. He's been declared Son of God. He's been declared God. Having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. If you look back at the previous verses you see that before there ever were angels he was glorious.

What are the seven things that God says about Jesus Christ? We need to hear these to turn our mind off of ourselves and back on him. Number one in verse two it says he's appointed the heir of all things.

This morning we need to be reminded that Jesus is the end. He is the one that all of history is moving toward and finds its consummation in. Jesus is the final revelation from God. He is the one who will be worshipped for all eternity.

When this world fades and goes away Jesus will remain. When everything else is rolled up like a scroll there is Jesus through whom also he created the world. He's not only the end but he's also the beginning.

He's the Alpha and the Omega. Verse three he is the radiance of the glory of God. That word radiance in the Greek is like effulgence. Like this luminescence that comes from God. This beautiful light, this glory, this radiance that shines.

This is him. He is the radiance of the glory of God. The exact imprint of his nature. Here in the flesh we have one walking among us. Who's an exact representation of the Father. Like a signet ring of a king stamping into wax.

He is the imprint of the Father. The exact picture of what God is like. He upholds the universe by the word of his power. He's the one holding everything together. Keeping your heart beating. Giving your mind attentiveness this morning.

Holding you here in your seat so you don't run away. He is the one who upholds the universe. Two more things. After making purification for sins, what does that mean? He's the one who came as a priest to purify a people for himself.

To make purification by dying on the cross and being that sacrifice. Not just the priest, but the very lamb of sacrifice that takes away sin. After accomplishing that, we're told he sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high.

He is enthroned in glory at the very right hand of the Father. So the author of Hebrews reminds us seven times of the glory of Jesus Christ. Proclaims his glory to us. And in the fourth verse, as Jesus is seated then at the Father's right hand.

Having come and humbled himself for a little while. Lower than the angels. Now accomplishing the work of purification for sins. Seated at the right hand of God. It is declared in his enthronement that he is greater.

And his name is more excellent. More excellent than that of the angels. So in the fourth verse, there's a comparison to angels. So that we would understand who it is we're dealing with. Who is this Christ?

Who is this king of glory? Compare him to angels and think about it. Now the Jehovah's Witnesses will compare Jesus to angels and conclude that Jesus is Michael. That's their teaching. They equate the two.

One is the other. According to the book of Hebrews, Jesus is far more excellent than any angel. He said it seven times. Now he'll say it seven more. Let's read. I want you to notice. Seven quotations from the Old Testament.

Remember the prophet spoke at various times and in various ways. Here, the author will pick out seven examples of prophecy that declares that Jesus is more than a man. He is the son of God. He's the glorious God in flesh.

Verses five and following. For to which of the angels did God ever say, You are my son. Today I have begotten you. Or again, I will be to him a father. And he shall be to me a son. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, Let all God's angels worship him.

Of the angels, he says, he makes his angels winds and his ministers a flame of fire. But of the son, he says, your throne, oh God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore, God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions. And you, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning.

And the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain. They will all wear out like a garment. Like a robe, you will roll them up. Like a garment, they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.

And to which of the angels has he ever said, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet? Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who will inherit eternal life?

So looking there at verse 14, what is the purpose of an angel? Why are angels created by God? They're ministering spirits sent to serve those who inherit salvation. They are created beings made to serve people.

Those of us who are, particularly, being saved. That's the purpose of angels. But the author in Hebrews is using them for another reason here. Back to verse 4, to compare the glory of Jesus to the splendor of angels.

Now recognize that the power of an angel is overwhelming to a man. Remember when men would come into the presence of angels? Often they would fall down to worship, and the angel would have to say, No, don't worship me.

I'm only a servant of God, just like you. Their splendor was amazing. Their power was unmatched by anything human. One night when God wanted to fight on behalf of his people, back in the Old Testament, he sent out an angel.

And that angel killed 185 ,000 Assyrians in one night. He wiped out an army by himself. This is the power of an angel. And anybody who encountered an angel understood that this was a glorious being. And yet, in verse 4, we're told to consider angels in order to recognize how much greater Jesus is.

And these seven quotations use angels as a measuring stick, as a standard to set our minds on something that's that much greater. So we do that. We follow along in the text. And you say, well, do we really need to hear it seven times?

Do we need to hear seven? Wouldn't one verse do? Brother, wouldn't one be enough? I don't know. Maybe it is for you. Maybe it is for somebody here. But for me, I need to hear it seven times. Remember that old song?

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Take my heart, Lord, and seal it. Seal it for your courts above. I did find a way to butcher that a little bit, too. Guys, our hearts are prone to wander.

And this Christmas, if you would just take a moment right now and think about your own heart, the condition of your soul, are you truly in a worshiping posture this morning? Is your heart really humble before the King of Kings?

Do you really lift him up in your mind's eye right now and consider it? You need to consider it, and you need to consider it seven times this morning. So let's do it, each one quickly. When we see the background of what these scriptures were saying about God, and then apply that to Jesus and recognize who he is, from this moment on, let nobody ever doubt that Jesus is God in the flesh.

That's the teaching of the scripture. So the first one is a messianic prophecy from Psalm chapter 2. This is a sword drill. You need to have your Bible with you so you can get there quickly. Turn to Psalm chapter 2.

We're going to be in seven different scriptures this morning. We won't spend long in any one of them, but I want to give you a little background of what's happening, point out how the author of Hebrews applies that to Jesus, and so direct our hearts to worship him the way we're supposed to.

In Hebrews 1 -5 we're told, To which of the angels did God ever say, You are my son, today I have begotten you. King David wrote the second Psalm, and he begins by asking the question, Why do the nations rage?

So many enemies are turning up their noses against Israel, against the king David, when he's just freshly brought into his kingdom, and they want to overthrow him. But he points out what God said to him, in counsel and secret, the Lord said to him in verse 7, You are my son, today I have begotten you.

This Psalm is an enthronement Psalm, where David has received a kingdom, and been enthroned on his place to reign and rule over Israel. But what David writes of himself, and what God said to him, is only applicable in a near sense, in a superficial way.

David begins to speak of himself in this Psalm, and he writes of one who is greater than him, the son of David. This song was always considered by Israel as messianic, pointing not just to David himself, but to the coming son of David, who was in fact, the son of God.

And we learn now in the New Testament, comparing to angels, God did call angels sons of God, remember that? Very often in the Old Testament, the sons of God are referenced. Some think that Genesis 6, the sons of God saw the daughters of men were beautiful, consider that angels.

He used that terminology, but in Hebrews 1 .5 we're told, God would never say that to an angel, in the way he's saying it to his son, in Psalm chapter 2. This is a unique sonship. We are sons and daughters of God, by adoption, through the blood of Christ.

But there is only one son of God, eternally reigning with his father, and with the Holy Spirit. A unique sonship. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage, the ends of the earth your possession.

An eternal kingdom given to him. And all of these warring nations, that are opposed to him, their hearts hate the king of Israel, and the God of Israel. There's a warning given to them in verse 12. Kiss the son, lest he be angry and you perish in the way.

For his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. This is a call to salvation. Psalm 2 is a call to submission, to kiss the king, to recognize and to make the good confession, that Jesus himself made in front of Pontius Pilate, that he is Lord.

You say that I am. Jesus is Lord. This is the confession of allegiance, no longer to Caesar, no longer to any earthly king, to declare Jesus is Lord. This is the point of Psalm 2. Back to Hebrews chapter 1.

You want to always keep a marker there in Hebrews 1, because that's what's driving us to each scripture. We'll keep coming back to that, and then we'll launch out to wherever the author is taking us. The first place we go is Psalm chapter 2.

I don't know if you would have gone there, but now you know to go there. Now you know that's a messianic psalm, that declares that Jesus is more than an angel. The prophet who was speaking long ago, was pointing out that the coming Messiah, is uniquely God's son.

The second one, I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. The author reiterates again, from another point in scripture, that this is a unique relationship of father and son, but where does he draw it from?

The answer is 2 Samuel chapter 7 verse 14. Go with me to 2 Samuel chapter 7 verse 14. The first place we went, David was newly established as king. His enemies were raging, but now he's been on the throne for a good while, and now his enemies are subdued, and there's no more threat from any of the surrounding peoples.

He's firmly established as king, so what does he do with that kind of power? What does he do with that place of position? His heart turns to God and he says, why do I live in a house of cedar, whereas God you live in a tent, in a tabernacle.

This isn't right, and his heart is turned to God, and he talks to Nathan, and Nathan says yes, do what's in your heart to do, to build a house for God, but then God sends Nathan back to David to say, wait a minute, you are not the one to build it, but your son will.

Solomon will build the temple, and in that exchange with Nathan, God speaking through the prophet, look at chapter 7, verse 13 first of all, David's told he'll have an offspring, and in verse 13, he shall build a house for my name, and hear this, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

Bible students, mark that. That's the Davidic covenant, that's where David is promised, that unlike Saul, whose reign only lasted for a little while, and then he was dethroned, the throne of David is being established forever.

David has the right to the throne forever, his descendant followed by his descendant, for all time, but you say, how is that possible? This world itself is going to be rolled up like a scroll, and destroyed, how can there always be a king to sit, because there's coming a descendant of David, who will himself reign forever, and never die.

Having died, he'll rise from the dead, with an indestructible life, he will reign forever. The Davidic kingdom is only possible, through Jesus Christ. So Jesus is the son of David, he fulfills this, and in verse 14, we find the quote from Hebrews, I will be to him a father.

It's true of Solomon, Solomon is a son of David, and God is his father, but David had wandered from God, at times, and then came back, and Solomon will wander farther than David, and yet we're told, when he commits iniquity, I will discipline him, with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the sons of men.

Solomon will be brought back through discipline, and that's how we are as well. Solomon is in view in this prophecy, but it speaks in a far way, to the coming Christ. Prophecies very often have a near fulfillment, and a far fulfillment.

As the psalmist, in one case, or here as Samuel is recording, he has in view David and Solomon, but there's a far fulfillment, that points to Jesus Christ, to set our minds, I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me.

So the second place we go, is to the Davidic covenant, 2 Samuel chapter 7. Now let's look at the third one. And again, here's the Christmas story, when he brings the firstborn into the world, the incarnation, he says, let all God's angels, worship him.

Let all God's angels, worship him. This comes from Deuteronomy chapter 32, the 43rd verse. So turn back to Deuteronomy 32. Here in Hebrews, God is saying, through the incarnation, that it's right to worship Jesus.

Let the angels worship him. We just talked about what happens, when people try to worship angels. What does the angel do? He throws up a stiff arm, and says no, don't worship me, worship God alone. Satan, who's a fallen angel, tried to get Jesus to worship him.

And Jesus' answer was, no, but worship the Lord your God alone. Time and again, we're told that God alone, is worthy of worship. And yet, the author of Hebrews tells us, let all God's angels, worship him.

Now if you want to know, that Jesus is God. Deuteronomy 32, is a sure fire proof of the fact. Because if you go back in Deuteronomy, and read the context, in the 28th chapter, you have blessings and cursings.

The 29th chapter, you have the return, when they would wander. But before Moses died, this is what God said to him. After you go Moses, the hearts of the people will wander. They'll stop worshiping the Lord God, and they will turn away to other gods.

They will worship the false gods of the nations. And it's very interesting, how God dealt with this problem ahead of time. You know what he did? He said, Moses, write down a song. And this is not the kind of song, that you'd want to sing to your kids, at night night.

The song, tells the story, of Israel, being unfaithful, and turning away, to worship other gods. And in the song, we're told that, when the people learn this song, and the thing has happened, they've drifted away from God, they will remember the words to that song, and they'll be convicted.

And some will come back, to worship the true God. What I'm trying to tell you is that, the whole point of Deuteronomy 32, the song of Moses, is to say, that the Israelites would worship other gods. But there's only one God, worthy of worship.

And in that 43rd verse, they're told to rejoice, and to praise, and all God's holy ones, his angels do that. And the author of Hebrews, turns around, and applies that song of Moses, to Jesus. The song that says, that there's no other God, but God.

He applies that to Jesus. It's a proof positive, that Jesus is God. God in the flesh. Because the context of the psalm, the song that Moses was taught, was one of worship of the true God alone. He follows that up in verse 7.

Look at Hebrews chapter 1 verse 7. Of the angels he says, he makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire. That's found in Psalm 104. So turn with me to the fourth verse, of Psalm 104. This psalm begins and ends the same way.

And it's what I want you to do, with this message by the way. Bless the Lord, oh my soul. Oh Lord my God, you are very great. In the 35th verse, bless the Lord, oh my soul. Praise the Lord. This is a psalm of praise, to God for who he is.

And the theme that runs through it, is that God upholds all things. And all things look to him. We hear about Leviathan. This great beast of the sea, that eats all the food that it can. And God satisfies his belly.

But he looks to God, and when his time is up he dies. Even Leviathan must look to God. I like the 18th verse, if you look quickly. The high mountains are for the wild goats. The rocks are a refuge for the rock badgers.

Another word for the rock badger, is the coney. It's a little rabbit. Looking kind of, I think from the rabbit family. But he's kind of a squirrely looking rabbit guy. And what he does, is he hides in the rocks.

Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel says, the coney knowing his weakness, has enough sense to make his home in the rocks. This guy is defenseless. He's not like Leviathan, that nobody can tame. The book of Job tells us that.

No one can tame Leviathan with a hook, or reel him in. But this little coney is helpless, and yet he has enough sense, to make his home in the rocks. God is the rock. Over and over again, pictured in the Psalms.

As the one that the righteous run into, and they're safe. He's a fortress in the rocks. Another name for the coney, by the way, is the pika. And a lot of people think, Pikachu came from that. The pika, the coney, this little rabbit, puts his trust in God alone.

And God upholds his life. God sustains him. In Hebrews chapter one, we're told all the angels are this way. They look to God. He makes his angels winds, his servants flames of fire. Angels are glorious and powerful beings.

God uses them as messengers, to deliver a message like fire, and like wind. And yet we're told in this Psalm, that they themselves look to God. And apart from God, they're nothing. Their flame dies out, their wind blows still.

These angels, these glorious beings, themselves look to God. And this, we're told, according to Hebrews, is how the angels look to Jesus. Let all God's angels worship him. Now the eighth verse. But of the son he says, your throne, oh God, is forever and ever.

The scepter of uprightness, is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, with the oil of gladness. Turn with me to Psalm 45.

Okay, let's, a little moment of honesty here. Who's tired of looking? Who's tired of looking, to see Jesus, in the Old Testament? Don't raise your hand. But that's an indication of our desire, is our mind wandering, to what we really want to do.

Do you really want to see him again? Do you really want to see him, in the 45th Psalm? Here's what it says, in verse six and seven. Your throne, oh God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom, is the scepter of uprightness.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, with the oil of gladness, beyond your companions. In verse six, God there, refers to the king. In the near sense, the author of Psalms, is speaking about David.

And showing him to be glorious. But it doesn't fully fit David, in the near sense. There's something prophetic happening here. Something larger, that can only be fulfilled, in the person of Jesus Christ.

This is a psalm of delight. From redeemed people, who love their king. Written by the sons of Korah. Who are the sons of Korah? Korah was a rebel in Israel. When Moses was king, and duly appointed, to lead the people.

Korah rose up and said, why do you think you're above the people? God's with all of us. Just as much as with you. And Moses fell on his face, before God. And he knew that judgment was coming. The next day they gathered at Korah's tent.

And Korah spoke out again. And God consumed him, with some kind of earthquake, that split the earth open. And Korah fell in, and was consumed, in a very unusual way. His children were killed with him, but not all.

Because some of the sons of Korah, survived to descend from him. And I tell you this, that when you read those 11 chapters, in the book of Psalms, written by sons of Korah, there is a passion, for the king.

There is a love, that matches the heart of a redeemed person. Look at the first verse of Psalm 45. Is this your heart? My heart overflows, with a pleasing theme. I address my verses to the king. My tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.

When you come here on Sunday morning, how ready is your tongue? The sons of Korah, were delighting, that they are part of Israel. They are redeemed. They are the singers, the Kohathites, the singers in Israel, from that Levitical tribe.

Their job is to praise Yahweh, in the assembly. And they come with a heart, that wants to worship. And they have David, the killer of Goliath, the conqueror of enemies, seated on the throne. Look how they lift him up.

They call him handsome in verse 2, which I find a little weird. But verse 3 and following, they gird their sword on their thigh, oh mighty one. You're mighty in splendor and majesty. In your majesty, ride out victoriously.

They're in love with their king. They love him. They exalt him. Brother and sister, how much love do you have for your king? The greater David, the son of David, who not in just a symbolic way, can be called God.

He is God in flesh. Our king is named Jesus. How does your tongue worship him? Does your heart overflow with praise? Where's the joy of your heart to worship him? The sons of Korah call us to praise our king.

Look at verse 1. My heart overflows with a pleasing theme. That's what I want this Christmas. I don't want to miss it again. Putting up more lights and just focusing on the things we have to do. I want to spend that time in this psalm.

Come back to this psalm again when I'm alone. And let my heart overflow with praise. That's what Hebrews is calling us to. Let all God's angels worship him. The sons of Korah did it. Verse 8 and 9. We have two left.

We needed to hear it seven times, didn't we? Cited from Isaiah 61. There's a quote there. But if you look at verse 10 through 12, this comes from Psalm 102. You can turn there or you can listen through Hebrews.