Psalm | The King of Glory (8.18.24)

·34 min·3 clips

Who can possibly ascend to stand before the thrice-holy God when even angels tell mortals 'don't be afraid'?

The episode is a sermon from Christ Church Santa Fe, part of a summer series on the Psalms. The speaker opens with a relatable analogy about the frantic cleaning done before a guest arrives, comparing it to the need to 'get right' for the coming King, God. He introduces Psalm 24 and outlines three aspects of God's kingdom: cosmic, cleansing, and coming. First, he explains that God's kingdom is cosmic, meaning He owns and rules over everything, as stated in verse 1. This sovereignty is contrasted with ancient and modern relativism, where people have their own 'gods' or truths. The speaker cites the Jewish scholar Nahum Sarna on Mesopotamian anxiety stemming from capricious gods, drawing a parallel to modern anxieties over finances, health, and relationships. Second, the sermon addresses the cleansing nature of God's kingdom through the psalm's question in verse 3: 'Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?' The speaker emphasizes the audacity and impossibility of this for sinful humans, noting God's holiness is described as 'holy, holy, holy.' The requirements in verse 4 for clean hands and a pure heart are presented as an absolute standard. The speaker admits his own tendency to settle in a 'mushy middle' of relative righteousness but stresses the text does not diminish this holiness. He references Paul's despair in Romans and John's weeping in Revelation 5 when no one is found worthy, leading to the resolution: Jesus Christ is the only worthy one. Third, the coming kingdom is explored through the celebration of the King of Glory in verses 7-10. The speaker explains the call-and-response structure, noting Jesus enters first alone as the conquering king and then with his people. He connects this to Christ's victory over sin and death, achieved through his death and resurrection. The sermon concludes with an application: life is about trying to open gates to peace and prosperity, but only Jesus opens the gate to God's dwelling. A prayer and invitation to communion follow, framing the table as a gift of grace, not human achievement.

As heard by us

A warm, searching sermon about the King who comes down to people who cannot climb their way to him.

Getting ready for the King of Glory begins with a familiar scramble: cleaning the house before dinner guests arrive. From that domestic comedy, the sermon draws a searching distinction between looking prepared and being right with God.

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Why you'd press play

You want to meet the King who comes near without pretending your spiritual house is already clean.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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