Thank you for listening to Servants for Christ. And all that we do and all that we say, we want to give glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you for tuning us in as we get into the wonderful Word of God. For the next few minutes, let's take the beautiful Word of God and share it with each and every one of you as we have a sense of anticipation to take the Word of God and to listen to its truth for each and every one. Hey man, I'm gonna sing this song before I get into my mess. It's Grace For Every Need. Ain't you glad that there's grace for every need? Sing with us if you know it. There is joy divine that is ever mine, since the Lord has forgiven me. And I work and sing for my blessed King, by His grace I have been made free. There is grace for every foe each need, grace for you, grace for me, Keeping true, keeping free, precious saving grace. Yes, indeed. Flowing from the throne above. Grace to cover all my sins. Grace to all who believe. Oh, this grace now receive full forgiveness. All may win, yes there's grace in the Lord's perfect love He will ever keep when the tempest sweep And hath grace for each trying hour So I go in love for this friend above Ever trusting His grace and power There is grace for every fool, each need, grace for you, grace for me, keeping true, keeping free, precious saving grace, yes indeed, flowing from the throne above. Grace to cover all my sin. Grace to all who believe. Oh, this grace thou receive for forgiveness. All, all may win. Yes, there's grace in the Lord's perfect love. Oh, this wondrous grace is for all the race. It is boundless and full and free. And I trust and cling to my blessed King, Who by grace now is keeping me. There is grace for every fool each need, Grace for you, grace for me, Keeping true, keeping free, precious saving grace yes indeed flowing from the throne above grace to cover all my sins grace to all who believe oh this grace now receive For forgiveness all, all may win. Yes, there's grace in the Lord's perfect love. Amen, I'm Darrell Bailey, Service for Christ. Thank you for tuning us in. Take your Bibles over to Psalms chapter 48, verse two. Boy, I love preaching in the Psalms, amen. Psalms 48, verse two. Just for a little while, I wanna talk to you about the beauty of Mount Zion. Here in Psalms, chapter 48, verse two, let's read. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion. On the sides of the north, the city of the great king. Let's pray. Father. As we look at your majesty, we're grateful for the beauty of Mount Zion. It stands as a testimony and a testament to your faithfulness throughout the ages. And as we reflect on the word, we recognize that just as Jerusalem was the joy of the whole earth. Your presence is the greatest joy today. We ask you to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of your word. Help us understand the depth of your love, the significance of being part of your kingdom. Clothe us in your armor as we seek to embody the light of Christ in the world that needs hope and truth. And may our lives reflect the beauty of your grace and the joy of your knowing. the great King of King and Lord of Lords. In Jesus Christ we pray. Amen. You know, imagine a beautiful city where the ancient and the modern collide, a place where every corner whispers stories of faith and a divine promise, a story that tells of a traveler that was amidst the ruins of an old city. He felt an inexplicable sense of peace begin to wash over him. This peace, he later realized, was the echo of centuries of prayers, struggles, and revelations. Just like this traveler, we find ourselves on a journey, seeking the sacred in our lives. But Psalms 48 paints a picture that's in my soul about Jerusalem when I was there. Praise God, a city that stands not just as a geographical location, but as a beacon of hope, of joy, and divine revelation. Beautiful for a situation, the joy of the whole earth, amen. is about Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great king. You know what? When we look around and we see the beautiful for this situation. That's referring to the physical and the spiritual prominence of Mount Zion. It signifies that Zion's location makes it not just a geographical landmark, but a symbol of divine presence and favor. The joy of the whole earth as Mount Zion represents that joy and hope, not just for Israel, but for all nations. It symbolizes the peace and the blessings that come from being in the presence of God and on the sides of the north. Here it emphasizes Zion's geographical position, the north, that symbolizes strength in the biblical word of God. Indicating that Zion stands strong, elevated among the nations and the city of the great king. How that it refers to Jerusalem. where God's presence dwells, highlighting His sovereignty, the great King, God, emphasizing His authority and glory. Psalms 48 celebrates the greatness and the beauty of Jerusalem, Mount Zion, as a dwelling place of God. It emphasizes God's protection over His city, the joy and the strength found in being part of His divine plan. And so, Psalms 48 It encourages me and it ought to encourage you as believers to recognize the importance of Zion as a symbol of God's presence and His promise of salvation. Boy, I thank God when we look at the background of everything, of the word beautiful, amen, of the beauty of Mount Zion, the joy that it talks about as well, amen, and Zion itself. how that each and every one of these things that talks about it, the letter of Hud symbolizing divine intervention and presence, the shin that represents the divine name of Shaddai, often associated with God's protection and power, and tzitzit, which is signifying the righteousness, justice, and reflecting upon God's reign. And I'm glad that when we look at Mount Zion, the deep roots in the history, not only of the location, but a symbol of hope and redemption. When King David established Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, he brought the Ark of the Covenant there, making Zion the center of worship. And over centuries, Zion became a place of refuge, a place of promise for the Jewish people, particularly during times of exile and persecution. And so the connection of Zion to joy is celebrated during the Jewish festivals such as Passover and Sukkot where the community gathers to remember God's deliverance and presence and the longing for Zion during the dysphoria that incapacitated that with prayers and songs and underscoring its importance as the heart of Jewish identity and faith. I'm glad when we look at this, one of the first things when I look at the beauty of Mount Zion is first of all I see the unveiling of divine truths. The historical context of revelation that God's truths unfold gradually, not all at once. The symbols in the shadows reveal a deeper meaning. The writer of Hebrews says, for the law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things. And so not only the historical context of revelation, but a purpose of secrecy in God's revelation. to safeguard his redemptive plan for opposition. The life of the Messiah was a mystery that confounded the very wise. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2, which none of the princes of this world knew, for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. And so John Piper said God is most glorified in us when we're most satisfied in Him. And that reflects how the beauty of Mount Zion represents our fulfillment in God. And so, the unveiling of divine truths the historical context of revelation, the purpose of secrecy in God's revelation, but also the progressive understanding of scripture itself. According to James 1-5, our understanding deepens as we begin to seek God, because the word of God says, if any of you lack wisdom, let him, master of God, that giveth to all men liberally and unbraideth not, and it shall be given him. You see, the mysteries of faith are revealed over time, urging us to explore further and further and further. In a small village there was a towering mountain that all of a sudden locals believed to be sacred. It was said that anyone who climbed to its peak would find clarity and peace. One young man troubled by life's challenges decided to make the journey. After a grueling hike he reached the summit and he was overwhelmed by the breathtaking view of his village below. In that moment, he realized that the beauty of his home, much like Mount Zion, was not just in its elevation, but in the community and hope that it represented. It mirrors how Jerusalem stands as a beacon of hope, reminding all of us of God's promises. Just as that young man found hope in that mountain that he climbed, we can seek the beauty of God's presence in our communities today, currently, right now. We can engage in local service, support one another, celebrate the joy that comes from unity in our Christ and our Lord. And so we see the unveiling of divine truths, amen. But secondly, Jerusalem is the heart of redemption because through it is the significance of Mount Zion considered the center of God's plan for all creation. It's the foundation stone. It's the pivotal to key biblical events all through the Bible. In Genesis chapter 22 verse 2, the Bible says, and he said, take now thy son, thy only son, Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into a land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains, which I will tell thee of. And so there's a significance of Mount Zion. But secondly, the historical events at Jerusalem, because Jerusalem is the heart of redemption. In that historical event at Jerusalem, we see creation. Abraham's offering Jacob's dream in Genesis chapter 28, verse 12. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven. And behold, the angels of God ascended and descended on it. And I'm glad that it was the ark of the covenant, praise God. And the Yom Kippur sacrifices of Leviticus chapter 16, verse 14. And he shall take of the blood of the bullock and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward and before the mercy sea shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. C.S. Lewis said one time, you come to know God not by thinking about him, but by being with him. And so we see the significance of Mount Zion, the historical events at Jerusalem, but also Jerusalem as God's chosen city. It was a place of communion, connecting us back to the Garden of Eden. Genesis chapter 3 verse 8, it tells us, and they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day. Moses' vision of that heavenly temple that foreshadows our relationship with God according to Exodus chapter 25 verse 40. And look thou that thou make them after their pattern which was shewed thee in the mount. And so A famous artist once painted a landscape of this valley that was surrounded by mountains. Many people began to praise the painting for its vibrant colors, but one critic pointed out that the mountains were hardly visible under the clouds. And so the artist replied, the beauty of the mountains is not just what you see. It's also in the strength they provide to the valley below. This begins to echo the sentiment of Psalms chapter 48, verse two. Mount Zion's beauty lies not only in its elevation, but also in its stability and joy that it brings to the world. In our lives, we often overlook the unseen strengths that are around us today. Right now, there's somebody that's not really paying attention to what I'm trying to talk about. Recognize we need to appreciate the quiet support of our friends and family that are around us, that are a strength to us and to others. And so as we continue on with the beauty of Mount Zion of Psalms 48 verse two, we see the third point. First of all, it was the unveiling of divine truth. Secondly, Jerusalem, the heart of redemption. But thirdly, David's legacy and the future promise. When we first see this, We see David's establishment of Jerusalem. You see, David recognized the beauty and the significance of this wonderful city. Amen. I'm glad that when we look at it, we begin to realize that it's beautiful in elevation. The joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion on the sides of the north and the city of the great king. And so through this, David moved the capital, envisioning a place for God's presence in 2 Samuel 5, verse 7. But nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion. The same is the city of David. And so when we look at David's legacy and the future promise, we see David's establishment of Jerusalem. Amen. And we look and we see that the prophetic nature of Psalms 48 verse 2. Amen. Because each and every one of us as we look and realize the declaration of Jerusalem's everlasting beauty and its importance. Amen. I'm glad that we can notice, amen, the echoes, the hope that are found in Christ, who fulfills God's promise. Matthew 5, verse 14, year of the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. A.W. Tozer said, what comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us, unquote. You see, our perception of God's beauty directly affects our spiritual journey currently, here, right now. And so, we see David's establishment of Jerusalem. The prophetic nature of Psalms 48 too. But thirdly, the return of Christ in our role because just as David prepared a place for God, we are called to prepare our hearts for it. In Revelation 21 too. The Bible says, and I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. You see, there is an anticipation of Christ's return that should inspire every one of us every day to live in faith and obedience. Woo, Jesus is coming today. Oh, he doesn't come today? Well, the next day. Jesus is coming today. Oh, he didn't come today? Well, he might come tomorrow. Well, next day, well, Jesus is coming today, and so on and so on, amen. The anticipation of Christ's return should inspire us to live in faith and obedience. According to Paul's writing in 1 Thessalonians 5, verse 6, it says, therefore, let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober. Boy, I thank God. A woman shared how she felt lost after moving to a new city. And one day, while she was wandering around, she stumbled upon a little old beady small church out in the country. And as she entered in, she was greeted with some warmth and love. In that moment, she felt the presence of God. Much like the beauty of Mount Zion described in Psalms 48 too, the church became her new family. And she discovered that the city, despite its challenges, was filled with the joy of community and faith. We need to seek out our own Mount Zion in our community where we are right now. We need to find a church. We need to find a Bible study group where we can connect with others and experience the joy of belonging. Remember that God's presence is often found in fellowship with others. And as we reflect on the beauty of Mount Zion, we recognize it as a symbol of God's unfolding plan for redemption, a promise of hope, and a joy that extends to all today. Each revelation draws us closer to the understanding, his purpose for our lives, and the world that is around us today. Listen, in a world filled with isolation, Prioritize building a relationship within your church and your neighborhood. Join in with a Bible study group. Share your values. Participate in community. Amen. And just as Mount Zion stands tall despite challenges, we too can find beauty in our own struggles. Share our testimonies of how God has brought us through some tough times to encourage others. Amen. And so we can do these things because Mount Zion is a reflection of God's greatness. We need to let our life reflect his love and his joy and serve those around us and share the hope of Christ that we have, amen. Father, as we close our time together, we thank you for the revelations found in your words. Psalms 48 too reminds us that your city, Zion, is beautiful and significant, both in the Old Testament and in our lives today. I'm so grateful that through Christ that we're made citizens of your kingdom. Help us to carry the joy of your presence into our daily lives, sharing the hope of salvation with others. May we live as beacons of your love and your grace, reflecting the beauty of Mount Zion to a world that is around us wherever we go, and empower us to walk in faith. Share the good news as we await Christ's glorious return. In the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. so so