Great Spiritual Diamonds from the Son of God
The Gospel of Matthew
Matthew 22:41-46; Psalm 110:1-7
Sermon by Rick Crandall
(Prepared January 21, 2023)
MESSAGE:
*Vance Havner told the story of some little boys in Africa who were playing marbles in the dirt next to a creek. These very poor boys were using rocks for marbles. But it turned out that they were playing marbles with huge diamonds! (1)
*And that's what we have in today's Scripture: -- Spiritual diamonds that could be mistaken for ordinary rocks. On the surface, this seems like a pretty obscure passage. But when we take a closer look, Jesus shows us great things.
1. FIRST, JESUS SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRUTH.
*And the greatest truth is that Jesus Christ is Lord! As Peter said in Acts 10:36, "Jesus . . . is Lord of all!"
*Most of you know that by now, it was only 2 or 3 days before the cross. The evil Herodians, Sadducees, and Pharisees had been trying to trick Jesus into saying something against the Roman Caesar or against God's Law. But the Lord had easily answered their questions, because nobody can fool God!
*Next, Jesus had some questions for the Pharisees. Verses 41-42 tell us that, "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, saying, 'What do you think about the Christ? Whose Son is He?' They said to Him, 'The Son of David.'''
*Those questions from Jesus are the most important questions we will ever have to answer: "What do you think about the Christ? -- Whose Son is He?" The answers to those questions will determine where we will spend all eternity. And the right answer is this: Jesus Christ is the Son of God! Jesus is Lord of all!
*Tragically, those Pharisees got the answer wrong in vs. 42. They believed the Christ was the Son of David, and that is true up to a point. But they rejected Jesus as the Christ, -- because they were never willing to accept that He was also the Son of God.
*The Lord was still trying to reach them in vs. 43-45:
43. He said to them, "How then does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying:
44. 'The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool"'?
45. If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?''
*Here Jesus was quoting from King David in Psalm 110. The Holy Spirit inspired David to write this prophecy about the promised Messiah a thousand years before Jesus was born! John Phillips explained that this Psalm was clearly about the coming Christ. And though it is only seven verses long, we know that it is very important because Psalm 110 shows up seven times in the New Testament, more than any other Psalm. (2)
*There in Psalm 110:1, the Holy Spirit led David to say, "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.'"
*In this Old Testament verse, the Holy Spirit used two different words for "Lord." That's because God wants us to understand that King David was quoting God the Father speaking to God the Son. The first word "LORD" is usually written in all capital letters because it is the translation for "Yahweh," or "Jehovah." This is God's great "I AM" name that He revealed when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush. The other word "Lord" with just a capital "L" is the translation for "Adon," and it means "lord," "master," or "owner."
*So, in Psalm 110:1, David was saying, "The LORD ("Yahweh," "Jehovah," God the Father in this case) said to my Lord ("Adon," -- "my master, my owner") 'Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'
*Again, David was quoting God the Father speaking to God the Son, and the Father told His only begotten Son to "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." Wrapped up in these two different names is the greatest truth in the universe: Jesus Christ is no ordinary man. He is the Almighty God come to earth as a man!
*During in my late teens and early 20s I was a firmly committed atheist. But occasionally I would wonder about the truth. And I remember asking my dad about Jesus one day. I said, "Jesus didn't really claim to be God, did He? -- That's not in the Bible is it?"
*Dad said "yes" and of course he was right, but I wish he had sat me down and gone through God's Word to show me. I wish he would have opened the Bible and said, "Look here son. Here is a place where you can see it clearly. Jesus is the Lord God Almighty."
*Now, my Dad wasn't ready to walk me through God's Word that day. But in countless ways over the years, he lived-out his faith in Jesus Christ. And I will be forever grateful for that! Christians: We've all come up short from time to time. Maybe we were distracted. Maybe we were afraid we would say the wrong thing. Maybe we were just caught off guard. But no doubt, we've all missed opportunities. I know I have.
*But God wants us to be ready, and here are some of the Scriptures I wish Dad had shown me that day:
-Speaking about Jesus, John 1:1-3 says:
1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2. He was in the beginning with God.
3. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
-Then after Jesus miraculously healed a man, John 5:15-18 says:
15. The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
16. For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath.
17. But Jesus answered them, "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.''
18. Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.
-In John 6:37-40, Jesus said:
37. "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.
38. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
39. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
40. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.''
-In John 8:23-24, Jesus also said. "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.''
*"You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." No other man could honestly say that. But Jesus could, because He is the almighty Son of God who was born as a man to save us from our sins.
*More great evidence is in Acts 20. There Paul was speaking to the church elders from Ephesus and in vs. 28, Paul said, "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." How could God purchase the church with His own blood? -- Only if Jesus Christ is God's eternal Son who became a man to die on the cross for our sins.
*Jesus is Lord of all! But can you sincerely say that Jesus is Lord? In 1 Corinthians 12:3, Paul made an amazing statement: "No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." In other words: No one can sincerely say that Jesus is Lord except by the inspiration and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Can you sincerely say that Jesus is Lord?
*Years ago, there was a new college freshman at Morehouse University. His name was Alvin Jackson. Alvin walked in to his first day of philosophy class and sat down. The professor passed out some notes and explained what would be expected.
*Then, suddenly, he changed his tone and said, "When we cover the subject of Jesus you must know this; what you may have heard in Sunday School or at your church concerning Jesus is wrong. Jesus was a great teacher. He was a wise man. He did many good things. He influenced many people during his day and even unto this day. But he was not the Son of God."
*There was a long pause, as the atmosphere grew tense. Then, that new freshman lifted his hand to speak. And when he was called on, Alvin Jackson simply said, "Yes, He is!"
*The professor responded to Alvin by saying, "Now I know you've probably been told other things back home from your pastor or Sunday School teacher. But you need to know young man that Jesus was not the Son of God. He was merely a great thinker. -- Class dismissed."
*Alvin's friends fussed at him after class: "Alvin, what are you doing? Don't ruin this class for the rest of us. Just shut-up and do your work." Alvin replied, "This man may know a lot about philosophy. But I can tell already that he doesn't know anything about Jesus. I can't just sit back in class and let him try and convince everyone that Jesus was something less than He really is. I'm going to speak up!"
*The next time the class met, the professor started his tirade all over again. He said that the Bible was written by biased people who believed in Jesus, that there were other people in history, who were reported to have been born of a virgin, and that Jesus could not have risen from the grave. Then he said, "Jesus was not the Son of God."
*Alvin's hand immediately shot-up in the air again. The professor tried to ignore him as he went on with his anti-Jesus message. But Alvin persisted. Finally, the professor called on Alvin with these sarcastic words, "Yes Mr. Jackson, do you have another sermon for us this morning?" Alvin just responded with the same faith inspired words: "Yes, He is!" The professor then turned his attack from Jesus to Alvin. But Alvin continued to stand up for Jesus, the whole semester.
*Years later, Pastor Alvin Jackson preached at the annual meeting for his denomination. After his sermon, some of the people came up to speak to Alvin. And after the crowd left, one more elderly man came up. It was Alvin's old college professor. He walked up to Alvin and hugged him. Then the old professor looked Alvin in the eyes, and said the same words he heard so often from his former student: "Yes, He is!" (3)
*Alvin's old professor had finally opened up to the truth, and he was saved! Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God! He is Lord of all!
2. THIS IS THE GREATEST TRUTH. BUT IN TODAY'S SCRIPTURE, JESUS ALSO SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRIUMPH.
*And the greatest triumph is on the way, because God the Father is fighting for His only begotten Son! Again in vs. 44, God the Father said to God the Son, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
*Jesus Christ has enemies, and we are still in the struggle that has brought destruction and death ever since Satan rebelled against God. It may not seem like it when we are eating donuts in Sunday School, but we face opposition that is dangerous and determined, so we must not be surprised by growing hostility against Christians.
*In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul revealed our true enemies, and there he said:
10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
*The devil and the other fallen angels are our true enemies, but in these days they have a massive and growing influence in the world. Many people follow the devil willingly, and many more follow him unwittingly, because of their spiritual blindness. Paul spoke of this truth in 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 where he said, "If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them."
*Since these people have been spiritually blinded by the devil, many of them hate Christians with murderous passion. And why do they hate us? Jesus told us in John 15:18-21, and there the Lord said:
18. "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
19. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
20. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."
*Jesus Christ has enemies. But God the Father has already said to God the Son, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." And God the Father will surely fight for His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. John 8:29 helps explain why, because there Jesus said, "He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."
*No wonder God the Father will fight and win the final victory for His Son Jesus Christ. And because His victory is guaranteed, Christians: Our victory is also guaranteed. Praise the Lord!
*God's Word confirms our sure victory in many places. For example, in John 16:33, on the night before the cross, Jesus told His disciples: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD.'' This was still before the cross, but the Lord's victory through His death on the cross, and His resurrection were so sure that Jesus could say, "I HAVE overcome the world."
*Now we can overcome, because Jesus has already overcome! This victory is absolutely sure for anyone who puts their trust in Jesus Christ. Our victory is so sure that in Romans 8:31-37 Paul could write these words to all Christians:
31. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
32. He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
33. Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.
34. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36. As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.''
37. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
*Because of the love of Jesus Christ, we aren't just conquerors. We are MORE THAN CONQUERORS! We have the super victory over anything and everything the world can throw at us! We have victory in Jesus! We have super victory "through Him who loved us."
*The Allies winning World War II was one of the greatest military, political and moral victories of all time. Millions of people were set free, and one of those people was Mrs. Anna Ozdoba. I had the privilege of getting to know Anna after my first mission trip to Ukraine in 1994. I needed someone to translate the letters I had received from Ukraine, and Anna was a close neighbor to one of our church members.
*Miss Anna wound up living in West Monroe for many years after the war, but she was born and raised in Ukraine. When Anna was just 15 years old, she was kidnapped by the Nazis and taken to Germany to work as a slave laborer on a farm. Things were so bad, that Anna prayed to die. But one day as Anna prayed, she drifted off to sleep, and in a dream, she saw Jesus sitting next to her. When Anna thought about Jesus and all the suffering He went through for us, she decided that she would never again ask God to take her life.
*Then came the victory! From the prison-farm, Anna could see the building that served as the local Nazi headquarters, with the Swastika flag flying above. Then one day the flag was different. Anna didn't know what it meant, but a friend of hers said, "Don't you know what that is? It's a British flag."
*The war had been won! That day Anna left the farm as a free woman. She walked all the way to Italy. Then somehow, she made her way up to England. I think she met her husband there, and eventually they moved to West Monroe.
*But it made all the difference when Anna realized that the victory had already been won. And Jesus won our eternal victory when He died on the cross for our sins! Then He proved it when He rose again from the dead! Now Christians: God wants us to realize that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us! We even have victory over death through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
3. HERE JESUS SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRIUMPH. BUT HE ALSO SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRAGEDY.
*The greatest tragedy is to be an enemy of the Lord God Almighty. You will never win a fight with the Lord! Again in vs. 44, God the Father said this to His Son, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
*Remember that these religious rulers had been trying to trick and trap Jesus. But vs. 46 tells us, "No one was able to answer Him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore."
*You will never win an argument with the Lord. You will never win a fight with God. The wicked people of Noah's day found it out under the waters of a flood that covered the whole world. The wicked people of Sodom found it out when fire and brimstone turned their city into a barren wasteland. The armies of Pharaoh found it out under the waters of the Red Sea.
*And one day, every enemy of Jesus Christ will forever learn the truth: The most futile and tragic thing you can ever do in life is trying to fight against God. You are bound to lose and suffer horrible consequences, for God the Father has said to God the Son, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool."
4. HERE JESUS SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRAGEDY, AND HE SHOWS US THE GREATEST TRUST.
*King David had this kind of trust, and we can see it in one little word David said in vs. 44: "The Lord said to MY Lord." David had trusted in the Lord, so he could say this about the coming Messiah, the Son of God, "He is not just the Lord God Almighty of the whole universe, -- He is MY Lord!"
*This reminds me of what David said in the first verse of the 23rd Psalm: "The Lord is MY Shepherd." In other words: "I belong to Him, and He belongs to me." David didn't just know about the Lord. He knew the Lord in a personal way. And that's what Jesus Christ wants for all of us. By turning to our crucified and risen Savior, by trusting in Him, by receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we get a relationship with God that lasts forever.
*Many years ago in England, a Christian man was walking through the countryside, when he came across a boy taking care of his sheep. The sight made the man think of the 23rd Psalm, so he asked the boy if he knew it.
*When the boy said, "No," the man began to explain who the Good Shepherd is. He talked about the cross of Jesus Christ, and how Jesus the Good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep. Then he used his fingers to help the boy remember the first line of the Psalm. He pointed as he spoke each word: "The Lord is my shepherd."
*Then the Christian said, "When you come to that word "my," grip your fourth finger tightly with your other hand. And never forget that the Lord is not only a Shepherd, but YOUR Shepherd."
*That night the little boy told his parents about the lesson he learned on the road. The following winter there was a terrible snowstorm. Sadly, the boy and his sheep got lost in the blizzard, and they were not found until it was too late. But when the search party uncovered the boy's body, he was holding on tight, just like the man said. (4)
*That little boy knew the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. He had trusted in Jesus. He had received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. And that is the kind of relationship God wants all of us to have with Him.
CONCLUSION:
*Jesus Christ the Lord God Almighty. But is He your Lord? Can you honestly say, "The Lord is MY Shepherd"? Can you honestly say, "Jesus Christ is MY Lord"?
*He wants to be. Jesus loves us! He proved that when He died on the cross for our sins. And now the Risen Lord will save you, if you will trust in Him. Call on the Lord Jesus to save you, as we go back to God in prayer. This is the only way to avoid the greatest tragedy in life.
*And if you have already trusted in Jesus Christ, praise God! You are saved! Praise the Lord for the everlasting victory we have in Jesus Christ!
(1) PLAYING MARBLES WITH DIAMONDS AND OTHER MESSAGES FOR AMERICA by Vance Havner - Baker Publishing Group - 1985-10-01
(2) Adapted from EXPLORING PSALMS VOLUME 2 by John Phillips, Kregal Publications, Grand Rapids - "The Melchizedek Psalm" - Psalm 110:1-7 - Downloaded to "Bible Study 6" from Olive Tree Bible Software, Inc.
(3) SermonCentral sermon "Jesus Is" by Mike Hays - Colossians 1:15
(4) Adapted from THE BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR by Joseph S. Exell - "Jesus as 'My' Shepherd" - Psalm 23 - https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/tbi/psalms-23.html
