Sermon Notes:

“THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS CHRIST”
Matthew 1:1-17.  December 10, 2006

Introduction.
Most people glance through the genealogies in Scripture and pass over them.  But the genealogies in Matthew and Luke teach us a great deal about our God’s gracious provision for His People and for our salvation.  Matthew, in writing to the Hebrew people, is attempting in His Gospel to establish the fact that Jesus Christ is Israel’s rightful, long-awaited Messiah. 

I.  JESUS, THE HEIR TO THE ROYAL THRONE.
Matthew begins his Gospel by demonstrating that Jesus is the legitimate heir to the Throne of David, and, therefore, Israel’s rightful King.  Matthew and Luke demonstrate that Jesus is the blood descendant of David through Mary, and the legal descendant of David through Joseph. 

II.  JESUS , SENT TO BE THE KING OF GRACE.
The Lord Jesus is sent by the God of Grace, to be the King of Grace.  The people He chose to be His ancestors reveal the wonder of grace, giving hope to all sinners.  God’s Grace is demonstrated in:
   A) The Blessed Virgin Mary.
   B) The descendents of 2 men: Abraham and David.
   C) The 3 historical eras:
          1)     Abraham to David,
          2)     David to the Babylonian Captivity,
          3)     Babylonian Captivity to the birth of Jesus
   D) The inclusion of 4 outcast women (the Gentile connection):
          1)            Tamar
          2)            Rahab
          3)            Ruth
          4)            Bathsheba
The genealogy is designed to emphasize the grace of God in the lives of all sinners.

 

 

Some of the sources used in this study:
James Montgomery Boice on Matthew’s Gospel.  Terry L. Johnson on Matthew’s Gospel; John MacArthur on Matthew’s Gospel; Hendrickson’s New Testament Commentary on Matthew’s Gospel; Bishop J.C. Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on Matthew’s Gospel; John Calvin on Matthew’s Gospel; Matthew Henry on Matthew’s Gospel; Matthew Poole on Matthew’s Gospel.