The Forgotten Psalm (10)

Week 10 – The King’s Justice Through His People

Date: December 15, 2025 – Third Sunday of Advent Texts: Isaiah 42:1–4; Matthew 28:18–20 Big Idea: Not by the sword—but not by silence.

1. Recap of the Series

This is Week 10 of our 13-week series through The Forgotten Psalm: Recovering the Reigning Christ of Psalm 110. So far, we’ve seen:

In Week 1, Jesus confounded the Pharisees with Psalm 110, showing the Messiah is David’s Lord.

In Week 2, He declared before the Sanhedrin that from now on He would be seated at the right hand of power.

In Week 3, we saw the Ascension fulfill Psalm 110:1, placing Christ on the throne.

In Week 4, Peter preached this truth with fire at Pentecost—God has made Him both Lord and Christ.

In Week 5, we saw Christ exalted in Hebrews as the one seated above angels.

In Week 6, Paul made it clear that Christ must reign until all enemies are subdued.

In Week 7, we lamented the Church’s silence, her loss of the anthem of the early church—Psalm 110.

And in Week 8, we rejected the idea of a postponed kingdom and heard the charge to do business under the already-present reign of Christ.

Then in Week 9, we were reminded that in the day of His power, His people volunteer freely (Psalm 110:3)—we are willing participants in His reign.

2. Context and Background

This morning we turn to Isaiah 42 and Matthew 28, but our foundation remains Psalm 110. We are in the Advent season—awaiting the Lord not like those who have no King, but as a people living under His present rule. We don’t wait for Him to become King. We wait for the day when every eye sees what is already true.

Isaiah 42 is a servant song—a promise of the Messiah who would bring justice to the nations. But this justice would not come through military conquest or worldly power. It would come through righteousness, meekness, and an unbreakable resolve to establish justice without compromise.

Jesus is that Servant.

Matthew 28 picks up after the resurrection. Jesus has conquered death. And what does He declare? “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me…”

This is Psalm 110 again. The King has been seated. The enemies are being subdued. And now He commissions His people—not with a sword, but with the Gospel.

But let us be very clear this morning:

This is not a passive reign.

This is not a hypothetical authority.

This is not a symbolic kingdom.

This is real justice. Real dominion. Real marching orders.

3. Scripture Reading

Isaiah 42:1–4 (LSB) “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul is well-pleased. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry out or raise His voice, Nor make His voice heard in the street. A crushed reed He will not break, And a faintly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will bring forth justice in truth. He will not be faint or crushed Until He has established justice in the earth, And the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.”

Matthew 28:18–20 (LSB) “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”

4. Exposition

A. Isaiah 42:1 – The Servant King with the Spirit

This is not a weak Messiah. This is the One whom the Father upholds, the One filled with the Spirit, the One chosen to bring justice—not to Israel only, but to the nations.

Psalm 110 says: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” Isaiah 42 shows how He does it—not by domination but by Spirit-filled power.

Jesus rules differently than earthly kings. He builds, heals, restores, and never wavers.

B. Isaiah 42:2–3 – Gentle but Unstoppable

The crushed reed? He won’t break it. The faint wick? He won’t snuff it out. He is gentle with the broken—but unyielding in His mission.

Psalm 110 pictures the Messiah shattering kings. Isaiah 42 shows the same Messiah stooping to the lowly. This is not contradiction—it’s covenant justice.

He conquers the arrogant and lifts the humble.

C. Isaiah 42:4 – The Relentless March of Justice

“He will not be faint or crushed until He has established justice in the earth.” This is where Psalm 110 and Isaiah 42 lock arms. The King is seated, yes. But He is also advancing.

Psalm 110: “Until I make Your enemies a footstool…” Isaiah 42: “Until He establishes justice in the earth…”

Not instant. But inevitable.

D. Matthew 28:18 – All Authority Now

This is not a future promise—it’s a present reality. Jesus has all authority. In Heaven and on Earth.

This is Psalm 110:1 fulfilled—He is seated at God’s right hand. He reigns now.

And what follows that declaration?

E. Matthew 28:19–20 – The Great Commission Is the King’s Justice

The Church is not sent out with feelings. We are sent with authority.

We are not ambassadors of tolerance—we are heralds of a King.

Make disciples of all nations → that’s Psalm 110’s dominion in action.

Teach them to obey → that’s King Jesus subduing hearts.

I am with you always → that’s the priest-king walking among His people (Psalm 110:4).

And how does the justice go forth?

Not by the sword—but not by silence.

🔨 5. Application Points

1. Proclaim Christ’s Authority Publicly Don't hide your allegiance to Jesus—He’s not hiding His reign. Speak boldly. The world needs to hear that there’s a King on the throne.

2. Live Like You're Under Orders The Great Commission is not a suggestion—it’s the marching orders of a reigning King. Obey it like your life depends on it—because others’ lives do.

3. Speak Truth Even When It Costs You Justice without truth is compromise. Don’t blend in. Don’t go quiet. The world doesn’t need your silence—it needs your Savior.

4. Show Mercy Without Losing Resolve Be like Christ: tender with the broken, but unflinching in righteousness. A soft heart and a steel spine.

5. Look for Justice That Obeys Scripture Not all justice is biblical. Measure every cause by the Word, not the world.

6. Don’t Retreat from Culture—Redeem It Jesus sent you into the world with authority. You’re not here to escape, but to subdue. Through truth. Through love. Through fearless obedience.

✝️ 6. Gospel Call

The King has come. He has been enthroned. And He is not asking for your vote—He is commanding your surrender.

But this King is also gentle.

He won’t break the bruised reed.

He won’t snuff out the dim wick.

He won’t cast away the broken sinner who cries out.

He rules in mercy. He reigns in righteousness.

And He offers forgiveness to all who bow.

Repent—metanoeō—change your mind, turn your allegiance, and surrender to the One who sits at the right hand of the Father.

Today is the day of His power.

Will you be a willing people?