Acts 13:34

DISCOURSE: 1778
THE SURE MERCIES OF DAVID

Acts 13:34. As concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.

IT is of the nature of prophecy to be dark. It was doubtless given in order to raise in men an expectation of future events; but it was not designed to declare them so fully, as to induce men to exert themselves either for the effectuating or counteracting of the things foretold. Its true use was, to shew, that God had both foreseen and fore-ordained all that should come to pass; and to convince us, that nothing can occur, but according to his determinate counsel and will. The passage cited in my text is strongly illustrative of this truth. One would not readily have imagined that so sublime a mystery as that of our Saviour’s resurrection had been contained in these words: but, now that we see them accomplished, we can have no doubt but that they were intended to predict that great event; since an inspired Apostle so explains them, and builds upon his explanation the most important of all truths, the resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus.
To place the text in its true light, I will consider,

I. The fact asserted—

[This was, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; the most important of all events; since, without it, neither the incarnation nor death of Christ would have been of any avail [Note: 1 Corinthians 15:14.]. To this our blessed Lord continually referred, as the most convincing proof of his Messiahship [Note: John 2:19; Matthew 12:38; Matthew 20:19.] — — — For the more full discovery of this, he abode on earth forty days after his resurrection; “shewing, by many infallible proofs,” that he was indeed “risen, according to the Scriptures [Note: Acts 1:3.].” And to this event all his Apostles bare witness, as establishing, beyond all doubt or question, his divine mission. This was the point to be settled for the conviction of all, whether Jews or Gentiles: and this once clearly established, all the rest followed as a matter of course, that could not be questioned by any child of man [Note: Romans 1:4.]

But let me direct your attention to,

II.

The prophecy appealed to in confirmation of it—

This, we have said, was dark: but, when duly explained, it carries full conviction along with it.
To this event, beyond all doubt, the prophecy referred—
[With his people God entered into covenant, to “give them the sure mercies of David.” What these were, the Psalmist fully informs us. They were, in the first place, to establish on his throne his Promised Seed, the Messiah; and then to give to all the subjects of the Messiah’s kingdom the full blessings of salvation [Note: Cite, at full length, Psalms 89:19.] — — — But Messiah was to suffer [Note: Isaiah 53:1.] — — — How, then, could this prophecy be fulfilled? — — —]

By this event, the prophecy was fulfilled — — —
[Christ, being raised from the dead, was empowered to carry on his work; as the high-priest did, when, after offering his sacrifice, he entered into the holy of holies. Now, too, he was seated on his throne [Note: Psalms 2:6.]; and all which had been engaged in covenant both to him and to his people, was put into a train of progressive and ultimate accomplishment. Thus were the mercies, which David had long since contemplated as “sure [Note: 2 Samuel 23:5.],” rendered “sure” to Christ and to all his believing people — — — Not only was God’s word verified by this; but a pledge was given, that it should be fulfilled in every the minutest particular, to all who should rely upon it in deed and in truth.]

And now let me call your attention to,

III.

The conclusion drawn—

The same train of argument had been followed both by St. Peter and St. Paul. And from it their inferences were,

1. That Christ was indeed the true Messiah—

[See the argument as stated by St. Peter on the day of Pentecost [Note: Acts 2:22.] — — — Then mark his conclusion drawn: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ [Note: Acts 2:36.].” Know ye then this, my beloved brethren: there is a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: and there is no other than He. He has died for you; and his sacrifice has been accepted of the Father in your behalf. And of this you have a certain pledge, in his resurrection from the dead. I call upon you, then, to renounce every other hope; and to look unto Him, as “all your salvation and all your desire” — — —]

2. That all who believe in him shall most assuredly be saved—

[This is the conclusion, as drawn by the Apostle Paul. Having further prosecuted the line of argument which we have already noticed [Note: ver. 35–37.], he adds, “Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses [Note: ver. 38, 39.].” Yes; to every one of you do I this day preach the forgiveness of sins. Who amongst you does not need it? Who amongst you can obtain remission in any other way? Who amongst you would not account the pardon of all his sins as the richest blessing that could he conferred upon him? Behold, then, I this day offer it to every one amongst you; yea, I offer it simply by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Under the Mosaic law there were many sins for which no sacrifice was appointed. But not so under the Christian dispensation. There is no sin, whatever, nor any accumulation of sins, which may not be washed away by the Redeemer’s blood: for “the blood of Jesus Christ,” we are told, “cleanseth from all sin [Note: 1 John 1:7.].” To every one of you, therefore, do I offer, in his name, a free and full remission, in perfect accordance with God’s covenant, ratified as it has been by the Redeemer’s blood, and confirmed as it is by his predicted resurrection and his glorious ascension.]

Behold, then, how certain are God’s promises to those who rely upon them!

[If any promise could have failed, methinks it was that which related to the exaltation of the Messiah. See him dying on the cross, and sealed up in the grave: what is now become of all God’s promised mercies? Wait but a little, and they shall be acknowledged to be sure and certain. So your case, brethren, may appear as desperate as his: yet, in the appointed hour, shall you surmount your every difficulty, and be glorified with your Messiah at the right hand of God — — —]