00:00:00.000 - 00:00:27.000

[ Music ] Last night I lay asleep in, there came a dream so fair. I stood in old Jerusalem, beside the temple there. I heard the children singing, and ever as they sang,

00:00:27.000 - 00:01:10.000

Methought the voice of angels from heaven answered rang. Methought the voice of angels from heaven and earth rang Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing Hosanna in the highest Hosanna to your King.

00:01:24.000 - 00:01:49.000

And then methought the scene was changed, the streets no longer rang. Hush were the glad hosannas, the little children sang. The sun grew dark with mystery, the morn was cold and chill, As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill.

00:01:49.000 - 00:02:39.260

As the shadow of a cross arose upon a lonely hill. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, lift up your gates and sing. Hosanna in the highest Hosanna to your king. [MUSIC PLAYING]

00:02:39.260 - 00:02:53.940

♪ And once again the scene was changed ♪ ♪ New Earth there seemed to be ♪ ♪ I saw the holy city ♪ ♪ Beside the tideless sea ♪

00:02:53.940 - 00:03:12.120

♪ The light of God was on its streets ♪ ♪ The gates were opened wide ♪ ♪ And all who would might enter ♪ ♪ And no one was denied ♪

00:03:12.120 - 00:03:36.080

♪ No need of moon or stars by night ♪ ♪ A sun to shine by day ♪ ♪ It was the new Jerusalem ♪ ♪ That would not pass away ♪

00:03:37.020 - 00:04:01.220

♪ It was the new Jerusalem ♪ ♪ That would not pass away ♪ ♪ Jerusalem, Jerusalem ♪ ♪ Sing for the night is o'er ♪

00:04:01.220 - 00:04:24.820

♪ Hosanna in the highest ♪ ♪ Hosanna in the highest ♪ ♪ Hosanna forevermore ♪ ♪ Hosanna in the highest ♪

00:04:24.820 - 00:04:42.300

♪ Hosanna forevermore ♪ ♪ Oh ♪ - Amen. - Amen. The subject of the message,

00:04:42.300 - 00:05:02.700

who is the King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. These words are lifted from the 24th Psalm,

00:05:02.700 - 00:05:24.340

a processional hymn used in the temple services of ancient Israel. Now, when we think about a processional, we think about that part of the service that

00:05:25.860 - 00:05:42.140

has the attention of the audience, all eyes on you, when you are a participant in a processional. In fact, I have been somewhat shy of processionals. I can remember when we were practicing

00:05:42.140 - 00:06:00.340

for our elementary school graduation exercises, the difficulty I had with the processional. The person who was training us had to constantly remind me, you know, start with your left foot,

00:06:00.340 - 00:06:13.940

and left foot, right foot. And I had difficulty keeping in tune with the music. I thought I would have done better when I got to high school, but it hadn't improved

00:06:13.940 - 00:06:24.580

even when I got there. And even when I got to college, I still had difficulty with the processional. And in graduate school, when the graduation exercises came,

00:06:24.580 - 00:06:34.140

I still wasn't any better. And I noticed, even in our worship services here, that some of us have difficulty when we have the processional.

00:06:34.140 - 00:06:46.380

Because all eyes are on you, and you are wondering whether you're doing the right thing, whether you're really prepared, whether you're really in step, whether things are really moving according to plan,

00:06:46.380 - 00:07:04.260

when you are a participant in the processional. Now here is a processional hymn that was designed for use in the worship services as pilgrims come to the temple.

00:07:04.260 - 00:07:21.860

As they ascend the holy hill, call Zion, Mount Zion, and enter into the temple, the processional, the song that they sing. It begins on a rather high plain.

00:07:21.860 - 00:07:35.300

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and they that dwell therein, for he hath founded it upon the seas and established it upon the floods.

00:07:35.300 - 00:08:04.140

You see, it begins by focusing attention upon the Lord. The King of Glory. This really has to do with the presence, the divine presence. That the divine presence, the one on whom the poet focuses his attention is the creator

00:08:04.140 - 00:08:35.000

of the world. that the sun, the moon, the stars, everything in this world is the result of his creative work, the world and all that is in it. That He is at work bringing order out of chaos.

00:08:35.000 - 00:09:08.400

And as one who is at work bringing order out of chaos, that He rules. He rules His creation. Not only does He rule His creation, but He also has power over His creatures. So that the one who is creator is sovereign and he has the whole wide world in his hand.

00:09:08.400 - 00:09:29.760

That's good news. When we think about all of the threats that we hear from day to day concerning our future, what's going to happen to this world, when we think about all of the things that may be done to pollute the environment and we find ourselves dealing with constant threats

00:09:29.760 - 00:09:53.320

to our life not only now but in the future. To hear this word coming forth that the earth is the Lord's and that he not only made it but he controls it, that this is my father's world. Oh, let me never forget.

00:09:53.320 - 00:10:12.200

Although the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. And it seems that it's rather difficult for some to really understand, to really grasp what the poet is talking about.

00:10:12.200 - 00:10:24.840

But he's really talking about that mysterious presence, that mysterious presence in our world, that God has not only made the world, but he is present in the world.

00:10:24.840 - 00:10:49.460

And we think of him as that mysterious presence, what Rudolf Otto calls the mysterium tremendum, that tremendous mystery. A fire mist on a planet, a crystal in a cell, a jellyfish in a sari and in caves where cavemen

00:10:49.460 - 00:11:13.840

dwell and a sense of law and beauty and a face turned toward the cloud. Some call it evolution, others call it God. And we have this fight going on. state education board is dealing with it, the creationists versus the evolutionists.

00:11:13.840 - 00:11:39.200

And even though we may have this going on, the truth of the matter is that there is a certainty that there is a mysterious presence here in our world. And that mysterious presence is responsible for the world coming into being, and not only our world coming into being, that mysterious presence is responsible for our presence in

00:11:39.200 - 00:12:07.300

this world. The King of glory, that divine presence. First of all, the poet recognizes his presence through creation and then he moves on to focus attention on the worshiper who comes to the temple, one who seeks to live in

00:12:07.300 - 00:12:38.380

harmony with that mysterious presence, in harmony with the king of the universe. And he asked the question, "Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord or who shall stand in his holy place? Who is worthy to climb the holy hill on which the temple is situated, who is worthy to ascend the steps of divine worship?

00:12:38.380 - 00:12:58.180

Then he answers the question by saying, "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul into vanity." My, my. that standard then who can worship?

00:12:58.180 - 00:13:13.460

Whose hands are so clean? Whose mind is so pure that we can really say that we are worthy to ascend to the

00:13:13.460 - 00:13:35.640

Holy Hill of Jerusalem and worship the King there? Well, We all know that we fall short. We all know that how difficult it is to have a pure heart, to have a mind that entertains

00:13:35.640 - 00:14:04.620

only clean thoughts. And so God has provided that we would have a mediator because he has sent one outside the gates. Outside the gates of Jerusalem, he has sent one, his only begotten Son, who comes outside the gates, who identifies with us, those who are outside.

00:14:04.620 - 00:14:29.280

He is with us there to prepare us for the worship of the King of Kings. He comes outside and it is through his spirit, it is through his love, it is through his sacrifice that we are permitted to come to the gates of the temple to worship and if we worship at all today it is because we worship in

00:14:29.280 - 00:14:43.620

the spirit of love it is because we worship with purity of heart it is because we worship in the spirit of Jesus Christ he comes outside and he is He is with us. He is with us.

00:14:43.620 - 00:15:02.620

He stands outside that we may cleanse our minds and cleanse our hearts. Who shall do this? Well, who has not lifted up his soul into vanity? We always have to deal with that vanity.

00:15:02.620 - 00:15:29.860

it is not so fair as we see it here when it comes to the qualifications for worship. In fact, when we think about what's going to be popular, Dale Carnegie says, "Well, if you really want to be popular, if you really want to win friends, flatter people. Even though it may not be true, always give them something nice."

00:15:29.860 - 00:15:52.140

And they love that. one young lady said to me, "Sir Reverend, I know that what he's saying isn't true, but I sure like to hear it." That's the way people are. But here when we really come to confront the divine presence, it says here, "Who has not lifted up

00:15:52.140 - 00:16:27.580

his soul unto vanity and are sworn deceitfully." No put on, no make-believe, but being true and pure. So the one who comes outside, we see him on Palm Sunday marching with us toward the Holy City and he doesn't march in arrogance, no he's not in pride, not lifted up with pride, but he walks with us in humility.

00:16:27.820 - 00:16:56.380

Who is this King? He's the King of glory that the one who is with us who is humble who is God with us is the King of glory that his presence really is manifested in such a humble way with the divine presence. That's what we need to face the challenge of this week that is set before us the divine presence in our

00:16:56.380 - 00:17:29.620

lives. An awareness that God is with us and that awareness doesn't come when we are so puffed up and lifted up in ourselves but when we are humbled in his presence. That presence is revealed in radiance that there's a certain radiance in our lives even when we walk through the darkness. Sure all of us have periods

00:17:29.620 - 00:17:57.420

of depression and despair, but when the presence of God rules in our lives, when that divine presence is there, we can walk through the darkness. Aware that we do not walk alone. There's a certain radiance in the midst of all of the conflicts and all of the adversities, all of the reverses that we may have, that

00:17:57.420 - 00:18:34.240

there is this radiance which is a manifestation of his presence. Then that presence is also revealed in holiness, in somewhat being a part, in being not only involved in the situation but also being somewhat apart from the situation so that we can live above it, that we can triumph over disaster.

00:18:34.240 - 00:18:56.800

So that's what it means to have the king of glory in our lives. Who is this king of glory? He is the God of Jacob. That this Jacob who was a supplant, this Jacob who was a trickster, this Jacob who was given

00:18:56.800 - 00:19:37.000

so much to treachery that when Jacob comes face to face with God and God rules in his life, he becomes known as one who has power with God, who has power with the eternal goodness. God of Jacob. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty. The Lord mighty in battle. So really whether God rules in our lives is manifested by how

00:19:37.000 - 00:20:09.240

we confront the battles in this life. If God rules we don't throw up our arms in despair because we know that he is the king that he is able to lead us through the difficulties. Who is this king? He is the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord Lord mighty in battle.

00:20:09.240 - 00:20:33.480

So my brothers and sisters, when we encounter conflicts and when we have a great battle to fight in our personal lives, don't try to run away and hide. It's the opportunity for God to manifest his power in our lives. Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors.

00:20:33.480 - 00:20:54.880

Well, that's really a picture of pilgrims coming to the temple and the gates are closed and those who are outside the gates are saying, "Lift up your heads, O ye gates!" And there are those who are answering on the inside, "Who is the King of Glory?" The answer is given, "The Lord of hosts.

00:20:54.880 - 00:21:14.480

He is the King of Glory." Well that's a rather dramatic scene as we think of the worship of ancient Israel. But what about ourselves? In order for it really to be meaningful in our lives, it means that we must lift up the

00:21:14.480 - 00:21:48.040

gates of our hearts and let the King of glory come in. king of righteousness, the king of purity, the king of love, to let him come into our life. Lift him up and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors, and the king of glory shall come in. He'll come in. He will rule. He will lead us on the way that is

00:21:48.040 - 00:22:22.240

upward. It means that one has a human and divine encounter and this human and divine encounter has to do with the creature meeting the Creator. It has to do with God coming in contact with the human in our everyday lives and as one person has put it, our God has a human face. He's concerned about us. He's

00:22:22.240 - 00:22:47.480

involved in our everyday happenings. So lift up your heads. Open your hearts to Him. And the most wonderful thing that can happen is to have that encounter with Him and to have that sense of the divine presence in our lives so that we know that it is that presence that rules in our lives. No

00:22:47.480 - 00:23:26.520

matter what happens, to be able to say in the language of the poet, "I met God one morning when my day was at its best and his presence came like sunrise, like a a glory in my breast. All day long that presence lingered, all day long he stayed with me and we sailed with perfect calmness or a very fretful sea. Other

00:23:26.520 - 00:24:01.080

ships were blown and battered, other ships were so distressed, but the wind that seemed to drive them brought to us a peace and rest. So I think I know the secret learned from many a troubled way. You must seek him in the morning if you want him through the day. It's morning now. It's morning for every one of us.

00:24:01.080 - 00:24:35.220

this morning that we might somehow link our hands to his hands and say that this presence is with us as we begin a new day and a new week and that this presence walks with us Not only in the morning, but at noonday and even at night, the midnight hour, that presence is with us.

00:24:35.220 - 00:24:39.220

Who is? Who is it? The Lord of hosts. The Lord of hosts.

00:24:39.220 - 00:25:18.420

With all of the armies, with all of the hostility, with everything that may happen to the country, contrary it is the Lord of hosts who is the King of glory. That's good news. God rules not only in creation but the best news for each one of us is that he rules in our hearts. So we come to a time of dedication and recommitment.

00:25:18.420 - 00:25:43.620

Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way. To say in our heart of hearts that I'm going to be open to God, to let Him rule, to let Him determine my steps. as I participate in this grand processional as one of the pilgrims of the kingdom.

00:25:43.620 - 00:26:17.260

I invite you to come. [ Music ] ♪ Am I your cradle ♪ ♪ Am I your grave ♪

00:26:17.260 - 00:26:42.160

♪ How are your hearts, dear ♪ ♪ I am your grave ♪ ♪ Mold me, I'm begging ♪ ♪ After thy will ♪

00:26:42.160 - 00:27:07.080

♪ While I am waiting ♪ ♪ Give me thy seal ♪ ♪ Have I your way, Lord ♪ ♪ Have I your way ♪

00:27:07.080 - 00:27:40.700

♪ Search me, I'm trying ♪ ♪ Ask me to bear ♪ ♪ Harder than snow, Lord ♪ Wash me just now, as in thy presence only I know.

00:27:43.200 - 00:28:06.200

♪ Rabbi of Israel ♪ ♪ As the day of grace ♪ ♪ Who did and did ♪ ♪ Help me, I pray ♪

00:28:06.200 - 00:28:30.200

♪ For your power ♪ Surely is mine. Touch me and you'll be Savior divine.

00:28:30.200 - 00:28:52.800

Have thy own way, Lord. ♪ Have thine own way ♪ ♪ Hold o'er my need ♪ ♪ Absolute stay ♪

00:28:52.800 - 00:29:13.780

♪ Fill with the Spirit ♪ ♪ Till oceans stay ♪ ♪ Christ, you make all the nations ♪ ♪ Live within me ♪

00:29:13.780 - 00:29:27.780

[Music] [BLANK_AUDIO]