Key Truth: Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus evidences God’s sovereign commitment to our salvation through mercy and grace, justice and judgment, and faithfulness and redemption.

Introduction:

Q: Do you believe that all of Scripture is profitable to us?

“…Matthew’s genealogy is a work of theological craftsmanship more than it is a simple historical list. It is not only genealogy, it is theology; it is not only archive, it is doctrine; it is not only history, it is sermon."

Frederick Dale Bruner, Matthew, A Commentary: Volume 1: The Christbook, Matthew 1-12

From Abraham to David: A Genealogy of God’s Mercy and Grace:

Matthew 1:1-6

“This happened so that Christ could show us how friendly he is to poor sinners, that they could understand a little and say “Ah, Christ is such a man that he is not ashamed of sinners, yes, he even includes them in his family tree.” If the Lord does this, we should not scorn anyone, for otherwise he would have included honorable women such as Sarah…. He did this so that we could see God’s grace to sinners, that we would follow Him and not be ashamed, but weave ourselves with the sinners in order to help them. For that reason these women are listed here...”

Martin Luther, “Sermon on the Birth of Mary”, 8 September 1522

Q: Does your genealogy contain sinners and outcasts? How do you treat them?

From Solomon to Josiah: A Genealogy of God’s Justice and Judgment:

Matthew 1:7-11

“A line of kings of mixed character; not one of them perfect, and some of them as bad as bad could be. Three are left out altogether: even sinners who were only fit to be forgotten were in the line of this succession; and this shows how little can be made of being born of the will of man, or of the will of the flesh. In this special line of descent, salvation was not of blood, nor of birth….Again we say, how near does Jesus come to our fallen race by his genealogy!”

Charles Spurgeon, The Gospel of the Kingdom: An Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew

Q: Do you recognize that God’s justice and judgment helps to preserve the redemption of His people? Do you receive God’s discipline as a severe mercy and grace?

From Jeconiah to Jesus: A Genealogy of God’s Faithfulness and Redemption:

Matthew 1:12-17

“By continuing the genealogy after the deportation, Matthew is showing that God remains faithful to his covenant promises, despite the sins of the people. ‘Great David’s greater Son’ has come at last to establish the greater and everlasting kingdom. Thanks be to God!”

Mark E. Ross, Let’s Study Matthew

Q: How are you contributing to the unfolding genealogy of Christ?

Application:

Matthew 1:1-17 teaches us that God sovereignly keeps His promises through:

-mercy and grace as shown by the inclusion of the four women in Jesus’ genealogy

-justice and judgment that preserves and protects the Davidic lineage

-faithfulness and redemption in Christ alone for the salvation of His children

Communion

Benediction:

Ephesians 1:3-10