The Kingly Lineage of Christ
December 22, 2024 • Pastor Joe Dickinson • Matthew 1:1–17
In this sermon on the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew 1:1-17, Pastor emphasizes that Jesus is the perfect King for imperfect people. The sermon begins by highlighting the destructive power of sin, which separated humanity from God and caused suffering and death. Israel, called to be a blessing to the world, also succumbed to sin, losing its prominence as a nation. Despite this, God had a remedy for sin in the form of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Judah, and David. Jesus meets the divine requirements for the Messiah by being the rightful descendant of these key figures, fulfilling God's plan to restore blessing, dominion, and peace to the world.
The sermon further explores how Jesus' genealogy demonstrates God's sovereignty and grace, showing that God's plan was not thwarted by human sin and frailty. Despite the imperfections in Israel’s history, including the inclusion of women like Rahab and Ruth and the mention of sinful kings, Jesus' lineage reveals God’s ability to work through flawed individuals to accomplish His purposes. Jesus came to do what Israel could not—fulfill God’s plan and offer salvation. This sermon calls listeners to recognize their own sinfulness and the sufficiency of Christ as the perfect answer to their need for salvation. Christians are encouraged to depend on Jesus daily, acknowledging His sovereignty and submitting to His kingship in their lives.
