121805 Advent 4 Sermon

Advent 4, December 18, 2005

Praise David’s Son

Text: 2 Samuel 7:(1–7) 8–11, 16

Other Lessons: Psalm 98; Romans 16:25–27; Luke 1:26–38

Theme: Praise David’s Son.

Goal:   That hearers remember that Jesus, a descendant of David, entered our earthly existence and knows what we go through so that as members of Christ’s kingdom we enjoy wonderful blessings.

          In our text, God is giving to David, who was king of Israel at the time, new news—good news. Through the prophet Nathan, God makes a wonderful promise to David. This promise involves one of David’s descendants, one of his distant grandsons. This descendant is known in Scripture as a “son of David.” So what is it about this prophesied descendent that brings to mind a response like “Praise David’s Son” from people like us?

Praise David’s Son.

Why?

I.

          First, we praise David’s Son when we know the rest of the story and find out who he is. The rest of the story begins as we hear God giving this promise to David: Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. I know we think of brick and mortar when we think of “House”. But here does not mean a structure of wood and stone but rather a “dynasty”, a family and royalty of kings. Regarding this royal family, God promises that He will make that kingship, that kingdom, stay forever associated with David’s family line. God says, “ ‘your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” So, what was this promise all about?

            It’s about this promised son of David’s not being an ordinary ruler. God is telling David that from his own family line the Messiah, the promised Deliverer of God’s people would reign forever. Quoting the Psalmist, the writer of Hebrews says of the Jesus, the Son of God: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.”

          So, we praise this special Son of David because he is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, who became man. He, Jesus Christ, according to his human nature, was an actual descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David, through the Virgin Mary.

          This action on God’s part does so much more than present us with the birth of a child. He is so much more than a human baby. He is God taking on the form of flesh and blood to bring all flesh and blood into God’s Holy presence, not as sinners, but as God’s own children. This is why we Praise David’s Son!

II.

          Second, it is not only because of who he is, the Messiah, but also because of what he has done. This descendant of David never once sinned or did anything against God’s will and Word. Yet, He took the sins of all people upon himself to suffer God’s punishment on sin as an obedient servant, a spotless sacrificial lamb.

          What this meant for Jesus’ ancestor David is that his guilt and sins, including adultery and murder, were no more. That is Good News for someone, anyone who sins. That would include all of us, wouldn’t it? It is certainly Good News to me. Not because sin doesn’t matter anymore. As a sinner, I know that God knows about every violation of his holy will I have ever committed with my mind, and tongue, and actions. But David’s ancestor releases me from the dictatorial condemnation sin brings. His act of pure grace allows me to be called a child of God because in Great David’s greater Son, I bear His righteousness. It is the same for you, and for all people who receive Him. John says: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God," (John 1:12, ESV) This is why we Praise David’s Son!

Praise David’s Son!

III.

          Third, besides praising the Son of David for whom he is and what he has accomplished, we praise him for his present and future activity. This descendant of David is reigning, right now, just as God foretold. The existence of true believers in Jesus Christ here on earth bears witness to the truth that His Kingdom exists and that He is reigning in His Kingdom. Our text, from 2 Samuel 7, is the background for a number of well-known Scripture passages, all of which Christ is fulfilling with his Kingship. For example, the prophet Isaiah wrote in ch 9, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (v 6), and then he went on to predict, “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David” (v 7 ESV). And today’s Gospel speaks the angelic promise to the Virgin Mary concerning this Son, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David” (Lk 1:32 ESV). Jesus is the One promised.

          So, if He is reigning today, what blessings do we currently enjoy as members of Christ’s kingdom? What gifts does our King bestow on us because of his grace, his undeserved kindness? Consider this. We live and exist, not under the Law, but under grace. St Paul makes it clear: "… if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:18, ESV) So, what does this means? It means that you have been redeemed from the law because Jesus fulfilled it in your place. It means that the presence of God’s Spirit in you allows you to want to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. It means that you can move forward in life, not locked in suspended animation by the law. You can serve God with your life. It has been purified by the touch of God’s grace in baptism. This is all according to the reign of Christ now, today.

          Sadly, some people today just will not be lead by the Holy Spirit. They devise rules for righteousness that God never intended. Witness, the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. Witness the legalists of Paul’s day. This is nothing less than a rejection of Christ and His lordship. No wonder, St Paul warns the Christians at Galatia: "You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." (Galatians 5:4, ESV) It is a terrible thing to fall away from grace.

          Nevertheless, His grace never ends! Because of that, we remain ever confident that our time with him is also everlasting. As God indicated to David, his Son, the Messiah, our Savior, will reign forever. That means the Christian Church, Christ’s kingdom, will never end. On Judgment Day, when every other kingdom will vanish, Christ’s kingdom—made up of you, me, and all believers—will endure. It will continue forever in the glorious new creation which he will bring about on the Last Day. We will enjoy this new creation, in our resurrection bodies, which our King will give to us. How blessed we are to be members of Christ’s kingdom!

          The point is this: God’s wonderful promise to David is also good news for us. David’s Son is King, forever! Since we know who this Son of David is, what he has accomplished, and what he is doing and will do for us, we can only respond with praise for David’s Son—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.