Theological term
Christocentric Hermeneutic
2 sermons · All terms
The Expectation of the Righteous One
Psalm 17 is approached as primarily the prayer of the Lord Jesus Christ according to his human nature — a perfectly righteous man crying to his Father for vindication, protection, and ultimate glorification. The sermon works through three movements: the psalmist's petition grounded in his righteousness, prayerfulness, and defenselessness (vv. 1–9); the character and violence of his enemies (vv. 10–12); and the psalmist's expectation of judgment on the wicked and resurrection presence with God (vv. 13–15). Because Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers by faith alone, the psalm becomes the church's prayer — a call to earnest, importunate intercession, patient endurance in a hostile age, and fixed hope in the resurrection rather than in temporal prosperity.
The Council at Jerusalem, Part 3
James closes the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13–21) by grounding the inclusion of Gentiles in the covenant people of God not in human experience alone but in the prophetic word of Amos 9:11–12 and in the eternal decree of God. The rebuilding of David's tabernacle is the spiritual kingdom of Christ, which was purposed in eternity, announced through the prophets, and executed in the crosswork and exaltation of the Son. From this doctrinal foundation James renders a definitive verdict against Judaizing — that justification is by faith alone, apart from circumcision or the ceremonies of Moses — and then offers practical accommodations to facilitate communion between Jewish and Gentile believers in the one new humanity Christ has made.