The Promise of a King

Introduction:

When you think of the Christmas story, it usually begins with the angel Gabriel appearing the virgin Mary to tell of the coming Messiah. But, this is not the beginning of the Christmas story at all. The Story of Christmas begins in Matthew chapter one after 430 years of the Lord being silent with the genealogy of a King. It's the promise of an everlasting throne and the King that will bring healing to the nations as he rules with righteousness, justice, mercy, and grace. As I observe the leaders today, I don't see much righteousness, justice, mercy, or grace displayed.

Israel was looking for "The Promise of a King,” (which is the title of the message) that would rule with a rod of iron and subdue all kingdoms bringing peace, love, and joy to the world.

This morning we start a series entitled "Behold Your King." I desire for you to see once again the awe and wonder of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords.

So let's start in

Matthew 1:1 ESV

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

When you skip this genealogy, you miss the main point of the Christmas story. Jesus is the promised seed of Abraham and the promised King of David. There are 14 generations from Abraham to David and 14 generations from David to Jesus, which means the story of Jesus has been the story of the entire Bible as God called Abraham out from his country and kin in Genesis chapter twelve.

"If a man suddenly appears and claims to be a king, the public immediately asks for proof. What is his background? Who pays homage to him? What credentials can he present? Anticipating these important questions, Matthew opened his book with a careful account of the birth of Jesus Christ and the events that accompanied it. He presented four facts about the King." (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 13). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

The Genealogy of David

Let's take a closer look at the genealogy through David as it establishes the grace of God.

Matthew 1:2–6 ESV

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king. And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah,

David is from the tribe of Judah.

There are four women listed in the genealogy, which was uncommon to do in those days.

Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law that bore him twins Perez and Zerah. (Gen 38)

Rahab was a harlot saved out of Jericho who gave birth to Boaz.

Ruth was a Moabite widow who gave birth to Obed, the father of Jesse.

David sinned with the wife of Uriah the Hittite then took her for his wife after he had Uriah killed. Bathsheba bore Solomon that established the everlasting throne of David and built the temple of God.

All of which established the pattern of a God working through the brokenness of humanity to bring forth the Savior.

Jesus understands a jacked up family.

It was said of Jesus, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth.”

God has the ability to work through your jacked up family to bring salvation to you and your home.

The Throne of David established forever.

2 Samuel 7:12–13 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

This scripture speaks directly of Solomon that would build the temple.

The throne of David and Solomon is the establishment of the everlasting throne.

Bible Student Bonus

David is a picture of Jesus Christ

David established the blessedness of forgiveness called the “sure mercies of David.”

David should have died for his adultery and murder against Uriah, but God spared his life and throne.

Solomon is a picture of the Church

The wises man to live in his day. We posses the completed Word of God.

Solomon’s heart was turned by the marriage to the world just as the Church will marry the world in the last days (that’s now by the way).

The question we all have to ask ourselves is, “Am I staying true to the throne, or compromising with the world.”

The Kingship of Jesus Christ

Isaiah 11:1–5 ESV

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

Matthew 1:16 ESV

16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

Jesus is the righteous Branch that brings forth fruit.

Both Joseph and Mary were from the line of David.

Mary’s linage is given in Luke 3:23-38

Jesus is hailed King of the Jews

Jesus is the King and hope of the Gentiles

Romans 15:12 ESV

12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”

Jesus is the Lion of Judah

Jesus is both the Lamb of God and the Lion of Judah

Revelation 5:5–6 ESV

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Jesus is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world

Jesus proclaims himself to be the Lion of Judah

Revelation 22:16 ESV

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

The Blessedness of King Jesus

Jesus is the King of Salvation.

Colossians 2:13–14 ESV

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Jesus is the King of power and might.

Psalm 2:6–12 ESV

6 “As for me, I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Jesus is the King of compassion and grace.

Isaiah 55:3–7 KJV 1900

3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, Even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, A leader and commander to the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, And nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee Because of the Lord thy God, And for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, Call ye upon him while he is near: 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Practical Application:

It’s one thing to receive Jesus as the Lamb of God, but something all together different to receive him has the Lion of Judah.

The Lamb is our sacrifice. The Lion is our King.

You can’t receive one without the other.

Salvation is not about the forgiveness of sin but the the acceptance of the King.

Forgiveness is grated to those who receive Jesus for who he is: The King of kings and Lord of lords.

Psalm 2:11–12 ESV

11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.