Christ Presbyterian Church is a local congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. Visit us for morning or evening worship in Mobile, Alabama, or on the web at cpcmobile.com. Our text this evening is Psalm 17. Before we read our text, let us pray for the Lord's illumination. You reveal your glory, you send to your son and you send to the Holy Spirit. And tonight we would ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit, as we glory in your son, we would have revealed to us tonight the character of your glorious name. As we look at this text, we would ask that we would see Jesus. that we would see you, that we would repent of our sins, and that we would be renewed in obedience. Lord, thank you. Thank you for opening up our hearts and our minds, and for illumining the text to us, for both are things that we cannot do, for we have not power to do it. Send your spirit. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Psalm 17, verses 1-15, the holy, inerrant, and life-giving Word of God. Hear a just cause, O Lord. Attend to my cry. Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit. From your presence let my vindication come. Let your eyes behold the right. You have tried my heart. You have visited me by night. You have tested me, and you will find nothing. I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips, I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped. I call upon you for you will answer me, O God. Incline your ear to me. Hear my words. Wonderously show your steadfast love, O Savior, of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings. From the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. They close their hearts to pity. With their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps. They have set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O Lord. Confront him. Subdue him. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword. From men by your hand, O Lord. From men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure. They are satisfied with children and they leave their abundance to their infants. As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness. When I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness. This is the reading of the word of God for this evening. I am going to try something a little different tonight. I don't know if what I will do technically qualifies as preaching, so we will see. Rather, what I would like to do is I would like to put us into a courtroom in which this whole scene is unfolding. Imagine David in a wooden courtroom. The defendant and his lawyer walk in and sit before the judge's bar on the left. That's your left, not my left. David and his lawyer walk in and sit before the bar on the right. Today, David is taking his opponents to court. He is the accuser, not them. The bailiff sounds, all rise for the Honorable Judge Jehovah. The whole courtroom stands and bows. Judge Jehovah takes his seat behind the bar. David is immediately aware that the judge before him rules with complete honor and equity, justice and purity. And because of his presence, David's mind scans why he's even here in the first place. If his cause is indeed righteous, if he too is guilty of crimes against the man accusing him or against this man, against this man whom he's accusing. Except his lawyer looks over at him and he says, fear not. I will win for you. Where does this lawyer's confidence come from in the presence of such a holy judge? What grounds does he have for such assurance in the presence of Judge Jehovah? The moral purity and the soul-piercing gaze of this judge lays David completely waste, but not this lawyer. The bailiff sounds again. Court is now in session. Judge Jehovah presiding over the case versus David, versus his enemies. What case do you bring against the defendant? Asked the judge. David stood up. Lord of the court, I plead with you to hear a righteous cause. You can find that in verses one and six. The judge's interest peaks. Why should I rule favorably for you? Are you saying that you are of yourself righteous? Of yourself free of any and all violation of my law? David winces again, convicted of his sinfulness by the piercing gaze of this righteous judge. Objection! Your honor, cries the defendant's lawyer, we all know this man. We all know that this man is a notorious sinner. After all, isn't this the one who murdered Uriah? Who committed adultery with Bathsheba? Who neglected the spiritual well-being of his family? What could he possibly bring before the judge to vindicate his character? Judge Jehovah responds, and who are you, oh slanderer, to attack anyone else's character? You who defend the lawbreakers while simultaneously breaking the law. And yet, your point is true. David, upon what grounds can you address this court? David, internally thinking, slanderer's right. David's sin has slayed him right then and there. He knew that if Uriah were here, it would be him who was being defended. And it would be Uriah who had every right to accuse him righteously of what he did. He was dead to making any argument or appeal upon the merits of his own character. So finally, David musters enough strength to say this. Your Honor, Judge Jehovah, you are right. Slanderer, what you say about my sin is true. I have only broken the law. Judge Jehovah, against you and you only have I sinned. But I ask, no, I plead. No, I beg. you to bend your ear to my advocate, to my advocate, not to me, to my advocate. So upon that, every head in the courtroom turns to gaze upon David's lawyer. The room is completely silent. As his advocate stands, the bottom of the chair squealed as the legs were pushed across the wooden floor away from the table. David sat down behind the table and the advocate humbly addresses Judge Jehovah, Lord of the court, I plead with you to hear a righteous case. The judge's interest peaks again. Every eye upon the judge. Why should I rule favorably to you? Are you saying that you are of yourself righteous? That you have never broken any law and have only kept the law? Tension floats back to the advocate. David's advocate gently but firmly says, yes, I have. The crowd breaks out into a dull roar. Crack, crack. The judge slams his gavel onto the podium. Order! The crowd immediately silenced. Seeing as I have never broken your law, in fact, more than that, I have always upheld your law and that I represent David, I too would pray, no, plead with you to hear my righteous case. And why should he revile the slanderer? The advocate answered warmly, because Judge Jehovah, being righteous, loves righteousness. And I, the righteous one, bring a righteous cause to him. All David wants is for his transgressions and the slanderer and the crowd to not drown out his plea. That's what he wants. The judge looks over at David struggling, his eyes again piercing David as though he immediately knew every nook and cranny of his heart were open. Every sin, every evil desire, every unforeseen consequence of his actions completely open to him, though completely clothed David entirely naked. His guilt being open before the Lord of the court. But still, he craves the judge would hear his advocate. His advocate continued, because righteousness in the kingdom is precisely the desire of this court. And were it not for the graciousness of Judge Jehovah to bend his ear to hear, the state of all the world would be most terrible and frightful. David assented internally. Amen. And who could ever deceive the all-seeing Judge Jehovah, the Advocate says. So all eyes go back and now are fixed on the Lord of the court. A righteous case you say you bring, than a righteous case this court will happily hear. Hear the right. The righteous will never, ever be wronged, the judge declared. The advocate looked over at David and gave him a nod of encouragement. David rested totally in the work of his advocate, but now also in the righteousness of the court. Lord of the court, the advocate announced. More clearly than the dull roar of hatred from this crowd, may the voice and pleading and prayer of the righteous fill your ears today. We ask that you and you alone might give sentence to this case. We plead with you this day, your vindication come to David from this very court against his enemies. We ask for swift execution of justice, verse two. at that the defendant and the slander nearly growled at the advocate. The judge gave the advocate his full attention. What proof do you bring? Who will you be calling as your first witness? The advocate announced, Judge Jehovah, in light of the fact that neither I nor David, whom I represent, desire to escape personal inquiry, I call David. the son of Jesse, to the stand. You see that in verses three through five. The crowd erupts in chaos. Order, commanded the judge. As quickly as the crowd boiled down or boiled over with chaos, it simmered down in response to him. David quietly walked over and sat down at the stand. If he felt naked earlier, he certainly felt naked now. But a thought came to David. If the judge of the court is convinced, then both the advocate and the judge will defend me against the slanderer and against my enemies. And with that, David readied himself. The bailiff came alongside David. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? So help you God. Similarly, David said, I do. David asked the advocate, are you a sinner? Yes, I am a terrible sinner. So you admit that according to this court, that you in and of yourself are liable for judgment and are even unworthy of being heard here. Objection, your honor, awkwardly cried the slanderer. The advocate is arguing the defense's case. Right? Overruled, responded the lord of the court. Why would you have a problem with that? I guess I don't, replied the slanderer. Proceed, ordered the judge. We proceed with this line of questioning precisely to establish that David in and of himself is not in favor of the court. And we do so in order to establish the sincerity with which David brings his case against the defendants. David, are you in any way deserving of a different ruling than the defendants? No, David said. I deserve what they deserve. Then why have you come here? Because as was stated before, Judge Jehovah is righteous and knows all men's hearts, and is the only one fit to execute a just judgment. In fact, precisely because I know he doesn't use false weights with me, I know that he will not use false weights with others. I do not desire escape, nor secrecy, nor favoritism. I desire to be transparent so that wrongs can be righted. Do you hold any malice in your heart towards this man? Do you wish to see him executed? Asked the advocate. No. I do not desire anyone to have that which I deserve due to my sin. Then what do you wish the court to do? It is my desire that he be stopped, that his schemes would be overthrown permanently, said David. Is the man who has wronged you here in the court today? Asked the advocate. Yes. And pointing across the court, he pointed at a slanderous defendant. Do you know him? Asked the advocate. Yes, I know him well. The judge knows full well the integrity with which we had our relationship, that I only thought well of him, that I only ever sought his good. But I have never cultivated sin in my heart, nor have I transgressed against him. You know, Lord of the court, I know you see into my heart. If I have done wrong against him, I'd want to know where. And I'd ask you, if I'm lying, if I'm being a hypocrite, execute on me right now the very justice I'm asking you to execute upon him. That is not a card you want to play if indeed you have sinned against someone. The judge, staring at David, approved. and ordered the advocate to continue. So you admit that though, while you are a sinner, you did not sin against this man. You did nothing to earn this man's hatred against you. No, answered David. No further questions, your honor. Defense, called the judge, your witness, The slanderer stayed seated. Since the advocate stole my argument, I have only one question. Finally stands up, coming nose to nose with David at the bar. How can you, a sinner, make a charge against another sinner? David's heart was racing. He didn't understand what it was that could allow him to admit to being a sinner on the one hand, but admit to not committing sin against this man on the other. He looked over at his advocate. No. No, no, no. It's the advocate. It was his advocate. He alone allowed him to make this charge before God. I have no rights in and of myself, said David. I close my mouth. It's only by the merits of my advocate, my representative alone, who allows me to come into this court. Because he is righteous, I may come and make my plea before the judge. And it's only by the merits of his counsel that I've been able to keep my heart from sinning against the defendant. My advocate is the son of the judge, and the judge loves his righteous son. As we have just heard, he is perfect according to the law, and he is teaching me. I wish to only be heard by the judge through him." To which the judge nodded in approval. The slanderer slunk back to his table. What is it that you so often say, O Lord of the court? It is you who justify. I cannot bring any charge against God's elect. I cannot condemn a man whose condemnation is admitted and taken care of. Try as I might, I cannot separate him from the favor of this court or from his advocate. No further questions, Your Honor. The judge looked at David and said, you may go. David steps down from the stand. His advocate starts again with the judge. Your honor, we plead with you. Since David is properly represented in this court, and since David has found favor with the judge, not through himself, but through another, and since you are a righteous judge, we would therefore ask that the court protect David from his enemies. Look at verses seven and eight. May the grace that has been shown him through the advocate be the same grace that rescues him from his enemies today. Lord of the court, show to David the favor and love this court has for those accounted righteous in the land. Show it to his intellect, show it to his heart, to his faith, and to his experiences moving forward. Show him all the different forms and manifestations of the favor of this court Judge Jehovah, salvation is in your hands. And we would ask you that you would put forth your best and most glorious strength to rescue him. Keep David as the apple of your eye. Treat him as the son of the court. May the court shield him as a mother would. I, his advocate, keeper of the law, ask it on his behalf. The gravel, the gavel, again cracked on the wood. And the judge warmly said, so ordered. Next, I call the defendant to the stand as my second witness, declared the advocate. The defendant didn't exactly look like a criminal. In fact, he looked a lot like David. In fact, one could probably not discern any differences between David and the man, just looking at the two guys. He took the stand. The bailiff returned, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Yes, replied the defendant. Sir, the advocate asked, are you a sinner? I'm certainly not perfect, he said, but I'm better than David. I'm a lot better than David. Will the judge please note the defendant did not answer the question. asked the advocate. With authority, the judge said, answer the question. Do you recognize yourself to be a sinner? Clenching his teeth and trying to burn a hole through the head of the advocate with his eyes, the defendant reluctantly said, yes. The advocate continued. Have you ever committed any sin against David? No. Came the reply quickly. The law says you shall not murder. As you can see, David is alive, unfortunately. Who is the giver and executor of the law, asked the advocate. The Lord of the court alone. The advocate replied, do you hate David? Verses nine through 14. Oh, you bet I do. I'd love to see this sorry sack of skin wiped off the face of the earth. The crowd claps in approval. His attorney laughed. David only felt pity for the defendant. Have you plotted his death? Asked the advocate. Absolutely. He isn't worth the air he breathes, nor anyone's compassion. So I gathered a few others and we sought to do David violence. There have been many times we attempted to put him to death. So many traps and near death experiences. So many times I would have wanted to pounce on him myself, sword in hand. The advocate reply, sir, do you not understand that in your attempts to execute your hatred upon David that you have indeed sinned? The defendant puzzled. How so? Because you have effectively declared the judge of this court completely unnecessary and unqualified to judge and execute justice. You've taken the law, you've taken his law into your own hands and ripped it out of his. You've declared his majestic function worthless and have hoisted yourself up as a better judge than this one. Well, maybe if he'd help, He wouldn't be such a horrible judge, cried the defendant. You would sully the honor of the court by making the judge himself an accomplice to your schemes of murder? The advocate responded, if it meant getting rid of David, absolutely. I'd do anything, pull any string to see him in the grave. Would you repent of this hardness toward the Lord of the court and toward David? Never. Your honor, Lord of the court, I believe we've heard enough. Arise, oh Lord, confront him for his sin and subdue this man, verse 13. The gavel crashed down again on the podium, so ordered. Bailiff, take him away and lock him up. And that was the end. Suddenly it was over. The slanderer had nothing to say. He just threw up his hands and David stood there amazed. His advocate walked back to the table. They communed it together as His advocate encouraged him. They went to leave the court, but David turned back to see the judge leaving. Your honor, may I approach the bench? The judge, in all his regal majesty, said, you may. David respectfully approached, bowed, and said, tomorrow, when I wake up, my soul shall be satisfied, not merely because of what you did, but because of you. And every day I want to wake up to pursuing your holy likeness. And when that day comes, when I die, and the day after, when I am resurrected from my death, I pray that your beautiful righteousness will satisfy my soul for eternity." The judge smiled at him and said, is a life worthy of the grace of the court. And David and his advocate left the courtroom, and the Lord of the courtroom was glorified. Amen. Let's pray. Father, Lord of the heavenly court, We would ask that you would hear the cry of our hearts tonight to enjoy your presence, not just today, but even greater tomorrow. And in that day, when we are resurrected, that we might enjoy your presence totally. And we do thank you for our advocate. We thank you for the way in which he honorably argues. And we do thank you that you protect us in your great court of heaven, that you execute righteousness and justice for your glory and for our good. And tonight, may we indeed revel and marvel in your beautiful character. We praise you. We pray this in Christ's name. Amen.