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At the beginning of the Book of Psalms God gave to the Church a vision of the triumphs of Messiah before that of His sufferings and death. The prospect cheers as we enter the gloom. "My King" was also "My Son." This was determined by the resurrection, as the crowning act of redemption. It was the resurrection which made manifest to the world that Jesus of Nazareth was the Eternal Son of Jehovah.

I. THE RESURRECTION OF THE BLESSED LORD WAS THE FINAL ATTESTATION OF HIS DIVINE MISSION AND IN ONE SENSE THE STRONGEST. Proof after proof was afforded that He was the Son of God; but without the resurrection the chain of evidence was not complete. The life was restored, not through the instrumentality of a prophet, but because He was the Son of God.

II. THE RESURRECTION IS THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH. The disciples were scattered by the storm of the crucifixion. The dispersion would have been final had it not been for the word He had said, "The third day He shall rise again." A new departure was taken at the sight of the living Lord. The commission of the apostles was given in the light of the resurrection. They were to be accompanied by both His power and His presence. There must be the living Christ in the sermon, to make the truth effectual; in the ordinances, to render them spiritual; in the services, to inspire them into life; and in the conduct, to cause its light to shine on a dark world.

III. THE RESURRECTION OF THE BLESSED LORD IS THE CHRISTIAN'S STRENGTH AND HOPE. A very exalted conception of redemption should be entertained. It is the gift of God to the Eternal Son. When the living Saviour is at our side we have power to carry our burdens, and to resist the devil.

(Weekly Pulpit.)

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KJV: I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

WEB: I will tell of the decree. Yahweh said to me, "You are my son. Today I have become your father.