SERMON TEXT

“On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God. Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— “This one was born there,” they say. And of Zion it shall be said, “This one and that one were born in her”; for the Most High himself will establish her. The LORD records as he registers the peoples, “This one was born there.” Singers and dancers alike say, “All my springs are in you.” (Psalm 87:0-7 ESV)

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Psalm 87 is a Psalm that digs deep into our Bible's past and future where God has made it clear from beginning to end that he intends to rescue a people for himself not simply to rescue them, but to dwell with them forever. He does this through sacrificing his own son for people like us, and we reap every benefit- adoption into his family, belonging in his house, and joy beyond comparison. 

Through Christ, the living God dwells with us and remakes us to find out home with him forever.

God’s dwelling place is glorious (v.1-3)

On the holy mount stands the city he founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion, more than all the dwelling places of Jacob. Glorious things of you are spoken, O city of God.: (Psalm 87:1-3 ESV)

 
“Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!” (Psalm 139:7-8 ESV)

 “Sing praise to the Lord who dwells in Zion.” (Psalm 9:11 ESV)

“The Word was God… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:1b, 14 ESV)

“As you come to [Jesus] a living stone, rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living sones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5 ESV).

We have been born into God’s glorious dwelling place through Christ. (v.4-6)

“Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Cush— ‘This one was born there,’ they say. And of Zion it shall be said, ‘This one and that one were born in her’; for the Most High himself will establish her.         The LORD records as he registers the peoples, ‘This one was born there.’” (Psalm 87:4-6 ESV)

 “Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” (Eph 2:11-13 ESV)

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5 ESV)

“According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 ESV)

Drink in the truth that your life comes from christ. (v.7)

“Singers and dancers alike say, ‘All my springs are in you.’” (Psalm 87:7 ESV)

“You will say in that day: ‘I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away,   that you might comfort me. ‘Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.’ With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: ‘Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. ‘Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.’” (Isaiah 12:1-5 ESV)

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city.” (Rev. 22:1-2 ESV)

“The spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” (Rev. 22:17)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,  ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore for the former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:3-4 ESV)

“Savior, since of Zion’s city
I thro’ grace a member am,
Let the world deride or pity,
I will glory in your name.
Fading are the world’s vain pleasures,
All their boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasures
None but Zion’s children know.” John Newton, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken

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APPLICATION
-Take time to read Revelation 21 and 22. Look at where you're headed. This your future through Jesus Christ and the abundant grace shown to you through him. 

-If God dwells with his people, the church, how should that color how you view the group of people you come together with on Sundays and during the week?  

SONGS TO SING