THE FINAL WORLD LEADER

(Psalm 72)

...Today, we as a country, stand in the final days of a presidential election. Much rhetoric and many promises

    have been made by the candidates in the hopes of making a __better___ America.

...Psalm 72 is a prayer written by __Solomon__ at the beginning of his reign.  In this Psalm Solomon not only

    points to his own rule, but more, he tells of the coming of the _Lord__  _Jesus__, the One who will rule

    this world forever.  He is the ideal King.  He is the One “greater than Solomon.”

...Solomon’s description of the Lord Jesus’ kingdom is _not__ political “pie-in-the-sky.”  Rather it paints a

    picture of the perfect government leader.

FIVE QUALITIES OF CHRIST’S COMING KINGDOM

OF WHICH WE AS CHRISTIANS ARE TO PRAY.

... “Your __kingdom___ come, your will be done...”

I.    THE CHARACTER OF THE LORD’S GOVERNMENT WILL BE  _RIGHTEOUSNESS_.  (vv 1-4)

       ...How unlike most human governments.

            A. The word “righteousness” occurs __three__ times in verses 1-3.

            B. “Righteousness” means doing all things rightly or justly.

                        1. Solomon possessed this in his _early__ years. (I King 3:5-28)

                            Unfortunately, Solomon did not live up to this high standard.

                        2. Human rulers __always__ let us down.

            C. Only Jesus, “will judge your people in righteousness.” 

                 ...He far exceeds anything Solomon could have done.

II.   THE DURATION OF HIS KINGDOM WILL BE WITHOUT  _END__. (vv 5-8) It is eternal!

       ...No new elections every 4 years!

            A. It is a _kingdom__ that will never end.

                        1. King David ruled for 40 years, then he _died__.

                        2. Solomon ruled for ___40___ years and died.

                            ...So it is with all the rulers of this world. It matters not how powerful, how just, how good.

                                In the end, death!

            B. One day, all will bow the knee and confess Jesus Christ as Lord. (Phil 2:9-11)  He will rule

                 _forever__ by His sovereign power.  He is the world’s final ruler.

                             1. “He will endure as long as the sun” (v 5)

                        2. “He will be like rain falling on a mown field.” (v 6)

III.  THE  _SIZE__  OF HIS GOVERNMENT WILL BE GLOBAL...UNIVERSAL. (v 8-11)

            A. He will rule from, “sea to sea.” (v 8)

                  ...not just Solomon’s territory.

            B. These verses speak of all lands.  Two “all’s” tell us of the scope: (v 11)

                        1. “All __kings___” will bow down.

                        2. “All nations” will serve Him.

            C. Jesus’ rule embraces all people everywhere. No pockets of resistance anywhere.

                 ...Sounds like: Rev 11:15 “The kingdom of the world...”

IV.   THE _NATURE__ OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM WILL BE COMPASSION. (VV 12-14)

            A. Notice, the needy, the afflicted, and the weak will be cared for. (vv 12-13)

            B. Even those who are endangered at death are rescued.

                 ...He will not permit the abortion of unborn babes.

            C. Jesus’ kindness is evident as people are treated gently for His sake.

V.    THE BLESSING OF HIS KINGDOM WILL BRING  _PROSPERITY_  FOR ALL. (vv 15-17)

            A. The _material__ blessing, gold, _grain__ and fruit will flow in abundance.

                  ...prosperity of every conceivable kind, like our world has never seen.

            B. The spiritual blessings (17b) echoes the promise made to Abraham (Gen 12:3), that God would

                  justify the gentiles by faith. Salvation. (Gal 3:8-9) This is _real__ prosperity.

                  ...This is a kingdom for which the world _still__ waits.

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. You and I need to pray and vote with an informed vote for our leaders.

2. You and I are designed by God to be salt and light for our nation today.

3. One day God’s final Kingdom will come. It will come when our Lord Jesus, the King arrives.

4. Come and be a part of this Kingdom.