The loveliness of Christ, Pt4

Scripture: Psalm 45:5-6

Sermon notes 

The loveliness of Christ, Pt4

The heart-warming theme that has stirred the Psalmist to write vigorously about Christ, continues here. He develops the thoughts recorded in v3-4: what it means for King Jesus, the lovely sovereign of His people, to come in power and glory to advance His cause.

These are sobering words, and a reminder that what is beautiful to the eye of the believing redeemed, is the visage of terror to the ungodly. Cp Rev 6:16.

The people of God have always looked for Divine intervention in this way. While the focus here is on the final revelation of the Messiah to claim His bride, He has shown His power in precursors of that event down through time as He acts against His enemies in support of His people. Cp Ps 78:65. There is a present application of these truths that ought to warm our hearts today. We can pray for the Saviour to intervene in power in our circumstances.

I  THE LETHAL FORCE FACED BY THE ENEMIES OF CHRIST IN THE DAY OF HIS POWER.

1. The King’s enemies, v5. There is a specific class of men in view here. They are described as enemies > ‘to hate’. They are haters of Christ! This is a description of the rebellious sinner. Their hatred of the Saviour is specifically directed at His claim to be King. Cp Luke 19:14, Ps 2:3. His law and rule over them is what is detested.
2. A deadly blow is in store for the enemies of Christ. Cp Luke 19:27, Matt 22:7, Rev 19:15-16. King Jesus will not miss! His arrows are sharp and to the heart. This is a fatal blow. Cp Deut 32:41, Ps 7:12.
3. The people will fall under Him. There is no other outcome! A fall is inevitable. He rises triumphant over the wicked in conquering power. It is absolutely fatal to the sinner to refuse to submit to Christ. He will overcome. Cp Phil 2:9-10, Is 63:3-6.

The people of God can anticipate the complete rout of the wicked in this world. The ultimate triumph of Christ over sin and rebellion against Him is a part of His beauty.

II  REASONS WHY REBELLION AGAINST CHRIST ENDS IN DESTRUCTION.

1. He is God! He is God and not man to be trifled with or resisted. Defiance of God is utterly futile. All the power of the God we are accountable to by creation is ranged against the defiant sinner in the day of wrath. Cp 50:21-22, Matt 10:28.
2. The eternity of His throne. His rule cannot be thwarted! All through the ages the wicked have attempted to dethrone Christ in alliance with the devil. The eternity of the throne of God, occupied by Christ at present, established by Him as the Messiah King on the earth at His return means conflict with Him must end in defeat. The eternal purpose of God is for Christ to reign, Jer 23:5-6.
3. The righteous nature of His rule as King. The sceptre is a symbol of office and royal power. The power of Christ is not limited to vain symbolism. The inflexible rule of His kingdom is righteousness and justice. Cp Ps 2:9, (Same Heb as sceptre, 45:6), Rev 19:15. The law of God demands the sentence of death in the case of every sinner not in submission to Christ.
4. What He loves and hates. Here is the inclination of the Saviour’s heart.
5. Christ is said to love righteousness. It is striking to see that love is behind the execution of Divine wrath on wicked men! The unwavering, complete and perfect love of righteousness means that rebellious sinners will perish at Christ’s coming as King.
6. He hates wickedness. A conclusion demanded by an understanding of what it means to truly love righteousness. Again the verb here (different to v5) also indicates an enemy. The Saviour detests sin and is the enemy of the wicked.

III    CHRIST’S ANOINTING.

1. It is for these stated reasons that He is anointed to be King. The Father’s approval of the character and mission of His Son, the God-man, is in view. He has determined that this is the course of redemption and justice. This is where the anointing of Christ will climax: on the throne having destroyed His enemies, ruling in righteousness.
2. A uniquely joyful anointing. The Saviour’s role as the Messiah is unique. Many prophets, priests and kings in Israel were anointed before Him, but He alone is the Messiah, John 1:41, 45. The Saviour’s joy to undertake all that is involved in the work of the Messiah, and the Father’s delight in that work, is set forth here. The Saviour happily undertook the work of redemption; happily became the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Cp Ps 40:8, Acts 2:28.
3. The delight of Christ’s people in His anointing. There is an exquisite fragrance about the Saviour’s person to the spiritual senses of the believer. It is, in their estimation, something that goes beyond anything from ivory palaces! They reciprocate with an anointing of their own which delights the heart of the King. This is just to say that they make Him their prophet, priest and King. They align themselves completely with the Divine choice.

Two points in the Saviour’s life are marked by this fragrance. Cp Matt 2:11, John 12:3, 7, Mark 16:1. From first to last, the incarnate God who sacrificed Himself as our Redeemer, is fragrant to the Christian. This fragrance is especially manifested as He appears as the Heavenly bridegroom.