Sermons and other recordings pointing to, meditating upon and delighting in Jesus Christ, from Maidenbower Baptist Church.

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What kind of prayers do we pray, individually and collectively? How high and far do they reach? In Psalm 72, we are encouraged to pray for the King: "Prayer also will be made for him continually, and daily he shall be praised." This checks and corrects our own prayers; it elevates and directs them; it expands and intensifies them, directing them away from more restricted and limited spheres to the honour and glory of Christ Jesus, the King of kings.

Prayers for the King (Psalm 73:15)

"If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Ps 11:3). This is no insignificant question in a day when it seems like so many of the foundations are being removed. So we need to remember the foundations which cannot be destroyed, and upon which the righteous rest. We need to recognise the foundations which might be destroyed, and the pressures that brings. And we need to answer the question, "What then can the righteous do in such times as these?"

The righteous in the ruins (Psalm 11:3)

It is right and proper to honour a queen whose reign was remarkable for many good things. It is better and more needful to honour the King who name endures for ever, and in whom all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.

The King and the Queen (Psalm 72:17)

David's love bears the stamp of authenticity: the hallmark of obedience. So it is with every child of God, following in the footsteps of the Lord Christ. So the believer can say, even accused and afflicted, "I keep your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you" (Ps 119:168). Here we see the believer's sincere declaration about the bias of his soul and the course of his life; the underlying conviction, that God looks upon him in a relationship which involves affection, communion, and observation; and, the profitable application, as we consider the instruction, direction, comfort, courage, hope and warning that come from such thoughts as these.

Under God’s eye (Psalm 119:168)

While Judas was plotting Christ's downfall, Christ was planning salvation. With the Passover in view, Christ was obedient and Christ was prepared. The disciples, too, obeyed and prepared...but how much did they grasp? And as we prepare for the Lord's table, are we obedient to God, and are we prepared to commune with Christ and his people?

Preparing Passover (Luke 22:7–13)

Have you ever felt left out? Have you ever pleaded, "Let me in!"?<br />
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The psalmist here recognises the blessings of salvation—the benefit of God's chosen people, the gladness of his nation, the privilege of the Lord's inheritance: the sweetness of salvation. But he doesn't want to be at a distance or on the fringes: he wants to see, to rejoice, to glory, to participate fully. And so he cries to God, "Let me in!" He wants God to remember him and to visit him, pleading not his own worthiness, but God's great grace and mercy.

Have you ever felt left out? Have you ever pleaded, "Let me in!"?

The psalmist here recognises the blessings of salvation—the benefit of God's chosen people, the gladness of his nation, the privilege of the Lord's inheritance: the sweetness of salvation. But he doesn't want to be at a distance or on the fringes: he wants to see, to rejoice, to glory, to participate fully. And so he cries to God, "Let me in!" He wants God to remember him and to visit him, pleading not his own worthiness, but God's great grace and mercy.

Let me in! (Psalm 106:4–5)

"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King" (Ps 149:2). This verse reminds us of the honour of the King's people, that they are children of Zion; it points us toward the glory of the King's person and the benefits of the King's reign as reasons why we should rejoice in our King.

The joy of jubilee (Psalm 149:2)

Asaph was tempted to measure by the wrong line, weigh in the wrong scales, and count with the wrong values. This led to a painful and troubled view of things. This was only corrected when he went into the holy place of God, and there grasped the truth of God over again, and saw his righteousness displayed and eternity shadowed out. Then he understand the end of the wicked; then he grasped that all that makes their life seemingly attractive will be swept away, and there is an 'afterward' which strips them of all that it appeared that they possessed.

The true view (Psalm 73:17)

What does it mean to 'give your testimony'? Considering various scriptural suggestions, and particular our Lord's command to the cleansed Gadarene demoniac, we conclude that it is your story of God's grace in Christ—personal details around a common core, what great things the Lord has done for you and how he has had compassion upon you. It is a story which brings glory to God and demonstrates to God's people that you too, by grace, in Christ, have become one of them.

Your testimony to God’s grace (Mark 5:19–20)

This is Christ's counterstrike against those who have contended with him: simply and pointedly, he challenges them with a divine riddle. If the Messiah is David's son, how can he also be David's Lord? The answer, of course, stands before them, in the God-man, Jesus of Nazareth, from eternity the Son of God, in history the Son of David, the only Saviour of sinners, and the one who will suffer, die and rise again, ascending to the right hand of God.

David’s son and Lord (Luke 20:41–44)

We might wonder in what kind of world we are living, and what will be the world in which our children grow up?<br />
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It is good for us to remember what Nebuchadnezzar learned: that there is a King in heaven who rules over all, worthy of praise and honour, able to bring down the proud. So here we listen to the mighty king of the ancient world, who was brought low by the King of heaven, and found truth and justice, with mercy, in being cast down.

We might wonder in what kind of world we are living, and what will be the world in which our children grow up?

It is good for us to remember what Nebuchadnezzar learned: that there is a King in heaven who rules over all, worthy of praise and honour, able to bring down the proud. So here we listen to the mighty king of the ancient world, who was brought low by the King of heaven, and found truth and justice, with mercy, in being cast down.

The eternal King (Daniel 4:34–37)

The great question of peace with God ought to exercise every soul in every age. When he contemplated the answer to the question, Jeremiah the weeping prophet rejoiced. It was God's answer: a king who would stand for his people in his presence. Here we consider the man he is, the work he does, the heart he has, and the good we gain.

Our Prince (Jeremiah 30:21–22)

Jacob’s confession of God (Genesis 48:15–16)

"Do good in your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem" (Ps 51:18). Out of humiliation, confusion, contrition and gracious restoration, David prays. We trace the people for whom he is concerned, the purpose he desires, and the pleasure of God he seeks.

God's good (Psalm 51:18)

The opening of the eyes is a beautiful description of spiritual illumination. In order to grasp its significance, we should take note of our natural blindness, consider the Lord's gracious operation, and then think about our opened eyes—the things we begin to see what God gives light and sight.

Eyes to see (Psalm 146:8)

David speaks in this psalm of a faithful God and his beloved people, encouraging himself and others with the reminder of God's goodness and grace. He gives a specific description of people who have something to say: they seek God and love his salvation. He identifies the particular experience that they enjoy: they are joyful and glad because of their communion with God. Then he talks about the continual testimony that such people bear: "Let God be magnifed!" Joy and gladness in God's salvation breaks forth in praise to the God who saves.

Speaking of salvation (Psalm 70:4)

Prayer is among the believer's sweetest privileges. But what ought to be our concern in prayer? According to Psalm 122:6–7, Jerusalem—the kingdom of God among us—ought to be our great concern, Jerusalem's peace our particular regard, and prayer one of the great ways in which we express it.

Praying for Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6–7)

The same face which brings comfort to a father's child can bring terror to that child's bullying foe. So with God: his eye is toward his children, and his ear open to their cry, but his face is toward those who do evil. Here we simply consider God's favour toward the righteous—his affectionate regard and care for them—and his face against the wicked—the judgement that rests upon the unrepentant rebel.

A point of contrast (Psalm 34:15–16)

David shifts from a hymn to a sermon as he teaches those around him the wisdom of fearing God. He issues an invitation, to come and listen; he asks a question, as to how we can enjoy life and its blessings; and, he issues his instructions, to cultivate pure speech, good works, and real peace, walking in all things before God.

A teacher of truth (Psalm 34:11–14)

Christ crucified is the core of God's good news. Despite its beauties and glories, the gospel is despised by the world. Nevertheless, the gospel is ascendant. Because of grace, the gospel is embraced by those who are called. And, to those who have been given eyes to see, that same gospel is greatly esteemed as God's power and wisdom.

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