Calvary Road Baptist Church

“THE HOUSE OF THE LORD OUR GOD”

Psalm 122.9 

My text is the 122nd Psalm: 

<<A Song Of Degrees Of David.>>

1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.

3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:

4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.

5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. 

This psalm is one of those that was sung by Jewish pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Jerusalem is about 2700 feet above sea level, and fourteen different so-called Psalms of Degrees would be sung at various places along their approach to the city. Though this psalm was almost certainly written by King David, it was not sung by pilgrims approaching Jerusalem until after the Babylonian captivity, down to and including the time of the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly ministry.

At best, only an estimated guess can pinpoint the time David wrote this psalm, but there are two likely events that it might celebrate. It could have been written following the capture of the city from the Jebusites when David made Jerusalem his capital city. Or it could have been written following David’s return to Jerusalem following the rebellion of his son, Absalom. I think the second of these events is the occasion for this psalm.

I would like to explain the meanings of the nine verses that comprise the psalm and then make application to our present situation. 

Picture David mourning the death of his son, Absalom, and shaming those who risked their lives to save his life. Picture, also Joab, David’s commanding general, rebuking his uncle King David for his misplaced sorrow and confused and disheartening loyalties. Add to this David’s great love and longing for this city he had been forced to flee from, and you can understand his delight “when they said” to him, “Let us go unto the house of the LORD.”

“The house of the LORD” could not be the Temple. Remember, David did not construct the Temple, which was reserved by God for Solomon, his son, to build. David could only have been referring to the Tabernacle in this psalm, the dwelling place of God’s glory.

May I suggest to you that our New Testament counterpart to “the house of the LORD” is Calvary Road Baptist Church? To be sure, some would argue that the temple of the Holy Spirit is the individual believer, which is true. But Paul reveals to us that the “temple of God” during this dispensation is our congregation. In First Corinthians 3.16, Paul reminds the Corinthian congregation, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?” And does not the child of God delight in the gathering of the saints? Is he not glad to be in the Lord’s house on our occasions of gathering? 

David looks forward to his return to Jerusalem with yearning anticipation. The word picture he constructs implies present and joyous standing within the walls of the city of peace, which is what Jerusalem means.

If you give me the liberty to liken Calvary Road Baptist Church to the house of the LORD, then perhaps you will also give me the liberty to liken the company of the redeemed to the city of Jerusalem. After all, we who have been justified by faith do have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. As well, as the house of the LORD and Jerusalem are identified with each other in the mind and heart of David, likewise are Christians and our congregation identified in our minds. 

Though this certainly was not the case during David’s lifetime, Jerusalem did become a tightly compacted city. Far different than a village or a town, with houses spread apart, Jerusalem came to be, and is to this day, a city of tightly packed stone and brick residences, one next to another after another.

In his celebrated “The Treasury Of David” commentary on the Psalms, Spurgeon wrote about this verse, 

“A church should be one in creed and one in heart, one in testimony and one in service, one in aspiration and one in sympathy. They greatly injure our Jerusalem who would build dividing walls within her; she needs compacting, not dividing. There is no joy in going up to a church which is rent with internal dissension: the gladness of holy men is aroused by the adhesiveness of love, the unity of life: it would be their sadness if they saw the church to be a house divided against itself.”[1] 

In David’s day, of course, the twelve tribes of Israel were segregated into the various allotments assigned during the lifetime of Joshua. And it was during David’s lifetime, more than any time before, that the tribes would come to the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle, described here as “the testimony of Israel.”

When there is unity within the congregation, verse 3, there will be gatherings from without. Unity is a crucial factor in the evangelistic thrust of any Church. When souls come to Christ through the ministry of a united congregation, there will be a great giving of thanks unto the name of the LORD. 

Remember that Absalom curried the favor of the ordinary folks of Israel by sitting in the gate of the city, actually sitting on a throne of judgment.[2] Perfectly legal and entirely appropriate for a prince to do. But Absalom had used such a throne to foment rebellion. Now that the uprising has been crushed and Absalom has been slain and his body buried, David asserts that people can once again bring their hard matters to the thrones of the house of David for just rulings.

And what about our congregation? Cannot a sinner come into our midst and be brought before the throne of God, to see God reigning in His Son Jesus Christ, to see that the throne of justice has not been set aside, but that the throne of grace has been set before it, and to see God justly punish His Son in place of sinners? 

Of course, Jerusalem means city of peace, and it has always been God’s will that His Own pray for the peace of Jerusalem. The same is true for any congregation. We want peace from internal dissension. We want peace from external trouble and persecution. And do not people prosper spiritually who love this Church, who love Christ’s Church? Of course, they do. Let us be reminded that we ought always to pray for civil peace and tranquility: 

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth, 

Paul urged in First Timothy 2.1-4. 

War is a terrible thing, and David knew better than most men, the price and cost of war. For this reason, he prayed for peace within Jerusalem’s walls and prosperity within her palaces. He asked for that which was beneficial to him, as well as that which was beneficial to his people.

No Church has real walls since Churches are not buildings, but congregations of born again people who have been Scripturally baptized and joined together in common cause to serve Christ and advance the Gospel. The New Testament does, however, describe a Church as a spiritual building, a temple of God, which is better than any palace. How wretched, on the other hand, is the finest of cathedrals which is utterly devoid of real worship and absent any true believers. 

It was beneficial to the entire Jewish nation for peace to reign in Jerusalem. How does Monrovia and the San Gabriel Valley, and the whole county of Los Angeles benefit, then, when there is peace in this congregation, and not just our fellow Church members and our families? One could make a list. 

Think well on David’s comment here, because this is a most profound statement. He loves Jerusalem, according to verse 6. But he will labor for Jerusalem’s good “because of the house of the LORD our God.” In other words, because the Tabernacle is there, because the Ark of the Covenant is there because the glory of God dwells there, David will seek Jerusalem’s good.

If the parallel continues, this would be equivalent to seeking the welfare of Christians because of the Church, because it is the temple of God. After all, God dwells here. But this is backward from the way most people think. Most people think the blessings of the Church should be sought because of the people. But this verse suggests that a parallel would be for you to seek the blessing of the people because of the Church. Why is this so? That is the subject of my sermon.

I want to speak to you about Calvary Road Baptist Church. Please understand that I do not believe that Calvary Road Baptist Church is the only Gospel-preaching Church, or the only Church a spiritual Christian should be a part of. I only believe that our Calvary Road Baptist Church is among those congregations that are blessed of God. With this in mind, let me take for my text Psalm 122.9 and apply it to this Church: 

“Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.” 

Please understand that because of this Church, I will seek your good. Why? Four important considerations concerning this Church will, I think, answer that question: 

First, THIS CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS CHRIST 

Calvary Road Baptist Church belongs to Jesus Christ for several reasons:

First, because Jesus Christ founded the Church.

Matthew 16.18: 

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” 

There is disagreement in the Christian community concerning the founding of the Church of Jesus Christ. Most Christians are persuaded that the Church of Jesus Christ was brought into existence on the Day of Pentecost at the time or on the occasion of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I am persuaded, and I spend an entire chapter explaining my position in my book, The Church of Jesus Christ: 28 Truths Every Christian Ought To Learn, that the Lord Jesus Christ established His Church during His earthly ministry, with the Day of Pentecost being the day John the Baptist’s prediction of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.[3]

Regardless of your view of the Church, whether the Church is the universal, invisible body of all Christians of this era, or the Church is the local congregation arising from the little flock brought into existence by the Savior before His crucifixion, there is no question about whose the Church is, and Who founded it. The Lord Jesus Christ brought the Church into existence, and it is His.

Second, because Jesus Christ purchased this Church. 

Acts 20.28:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” 

There is no dispute concerning the establishment of the Church, which was in the city of Ephesus. It was a congregation that was established by the Apostle Paul on one of his missionary journeys. This verse records a warning the Apostle Paul issued to the leaders of that congregation the last time he saw them while traveling to Jerusalem. It is the last phrase that is of particular significance to us at this time since it is a clear statement that the Lord Jesus Christ purchased His Church with His blood. Thus, the Church of Jesus Christ is His by right of creation and also by right of redemption.

Third, because Jesus Christ rules this Church. In Colossians 1.18, we are informed that the Lord Jesus Christ is the head of the body, the Church. It is the head that rules the body. Decision-making authority resides in the head, not the body. Thus, as the Head of the Church, the Lord Jesus Christ is the ruler of the Church. 

Revelation 2.5: 

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” 

It is clear from the symbolism of the first three chapters of the book of the Revelation that the word “candlestick” is a symbolic representation of a Church congregation. Thus, while Colossians 1.18 declares the Lord Jesus Christ to be the head of the Church, the head of the body, Revelation 2.5 puts on display His sovereignty, with the warning that He will eliminate the congregation if they do not repent. By virtue of His authority to either preserve the congregation or eliminate the congregation the Lord Jesus Christ’s sovereignty, which is to say His right to rule, is demonstrated. 

Second, THIS CHURCH IS THE CONSIDERATION OF CHRISTIAN REWARDS 

Two items for you to ponder:

First, all Christians will appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is declared in Romans 14.10: 

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” 

In this verse, the Christians in Rome are warned against sitting in judgment of their brothers in Christ, since both the readers and they who are judged by the readers shall stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. In First Corinthians 4.1-5, the Apostle Paul makes mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ with regard to two considerations. First, only a believer’s Lord Jesus Christ has the right to sit in judgment of him. Second, only the Lord Jesus Christ has enough information to render a just judgment: 

1  Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3  But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

4  For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

5  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 

Second Corinthians 5.9-11, the second place Paul mentions the Judgment Seat of Christ to the Corinthian congregation: 

9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences. 

But on what basis will Christians be judged? First Corinthians 3.10-15: 

10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Notice what we have in each of these six verses. Verse 10 contains a reference to the effort of building. Verse 11 contains a reference to laying a foundation. Verse 12 contains a reference to building. Verse 13 makes two references to every man’s work. Verse 14 refers to any man’s work. And verse 15 refers to any man’s work. It is very clear that this future judgment, which I and others take to be the Judgment Seat of Christ, is a judgment of the believer’s works. It will be an evaluation of the service and ministry of the believer in Jesus Christ from the time of conversion until the time of home-going.

That understood, what two considerations should we keep in mind? First, there is the context, which I believe to be ministry within the context of local church ministry. Paul is writing to a congregation. That is to say, the efforts of a Church member in contributing to the spiritual and numerical growth of the congregation. Next, there is reference made to quality. On the one hand, you have gold, silver, and precious stones.

On the other hand, you have wood, hay, and stubble. This speaks to the quality of the effort put forth to build, a temple, on the one hand, or a hovel, on the other hand. With regard to this, the Lord Jesus Christ will judge each Church member’s work. 

Third, THIS CHURCH IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR PASTOR’S MINISTRY 

First, the call of your pastor. 

Acts 20.28:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” 

Read the context of this verse when you have an opportunity, and you will see that the Apostle Paul is addressing the spiritual leaders of the Ephesian congregation, the pastors. Please take note of the word “overseers,” which translates the Greek word that is elsewhere translated bishop. Take note also of the word “feed,” which is the verb form of the Greek word that is elsewhere translated pastor.

Thus, it is quite clear and is elsewhere seen, that the spiritual leaders of congregations are men referred to as elders, who perform the function of pastors (which is shepherding), while occupying the office of a bishop (which is overseeing).

Next, the qualifications of your pastor. 

First Timothy 3.1-7: 

1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 

May I point out just two things?

It is very clear that the only occupants of the office of a bishop, which is to say, overseer, are those who are men. The adjective “he” is masculine, and the substantive is “man” as opposed to a woman. The notion that a woman can occupy the office of a bishop, qualify to be the pastor of a Church, is an innovation that is so recent that it is not known to have existed before the 20th century, and is certainly not Scriptural.

Next, note that in verses 4 and 5, references are made to his rule. Yet, at the same time, the spiritual leader must have a good relationship with his children and with others. Thus, a pastor must be a leader of a congregation who can lead without compromising his personality and reputation with others.

Third, the compensation of your pastor. First Corinthians 9.1-14. We do not have time to read this passage, but I would encourage you to read the entire chapter when you have the opportunity. This chapter is the Apostle Paul’s argument on behalf of the material, the financial support of those who serve Churches as pastors.[4] Though the Apostle Paul never took a salary from any congregation where he served, so as to avoid even the possibility that someone might question his motives, this chapter sets forth Paul’s justification for paying the preacher.

Fourth, the conversation of your pastor. Hebrews 13.7, 17: 

7   Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation. 

17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. 

Note:   In The MacArthur Study Bible, John MacArthur, who I disagree with on some very important matters, has this excellent note for Hebrews 13.7: “The pastors/elders of the church exercise the very authority of Christ when they preach, teach, and apply Scripture.” 

Finally, THIS CHURCH IS THE INSTITUTION ORDAINED OF GOD AND COMMISSIONED BY JESUS CHRIST TO CARRY THE GOSPEL MESSAGE 

Our imperative is the Great Commission. Matthew 28.18-20: 

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

Our empowerment is the Holy Spirit of God. John 16.7-9; Acts 1.8: 

7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 

1.8   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

Our insistence is that a holy God (Habakkuk 1.13) will send His terrible wrath (Hebrews 12.29) upon guilty sinners (Romans 3.10, 18) who have refused His offer of salvation through His Son (Isaiah 53.2-4; First Thessalonians 5.19). 

Though salvation is found only through faith in Jesus Christ, plus nothing and minus nothing, this Church is an important aspect of God’s plan for the lost as well as the saved.

You lost folks reject the Gospel ministry of this Church at your peril. I urge you, don’t run away from this Church in the hopes of finding another Gospel somewhere else, as some have done. Some have done that but have no convincing testimony of conversion for having done so.

The Gospel that I preach is the Gospel. There is no other Gospel. Besides, God doesn’t work that way. So, since there is only one Savior, and since you don’t know the span of your own life or what other opportunities you’ll have to be saved, come to Jesus Christ now.

__________

[1] Charles H. Spurgeon, The Treasury Of David, Volume 3, (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers), Psalm 122, pages 27-28.

[2] 2 Samuel 15.1-6

[3] John S. Waldrip, The Church of Jesus Christ: 28 Truths Every Christian Ought To Learn, (Monrovia, CA: Classical Baptist Press, 2019), pages 23-31.

[4] See, also, First Timothy 5.17-18

Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Please contact him by clicking on the link below. Please do not change the subject within your email message. Thank you.

Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church