The Church of Joy, Williamson Ga
Sunday Morning Sermon by Pastor Vaughn Drawdy
What is a promise?
In this modern day and over the past century, giving ones word has changed. We live in a day where many people say one thing, they say that they are going to do something but don’t follow through with that commitment, with a promise. Our word is no longer our bond, we nearly have to show the commitment in a contract to show our sincerity.
My grand-daughters all about "pinky promising." If you say you are going to do something with them, they will ask, "do you pinky promise?" and hold out their little finger for me to wrap my little finger around.
Promise: to pledge to do, bring about, or provide
We don’t see a pinky promise with God in Genesis 2.
God told Adam not to eat of the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We don’t know what Adams response was… but we do know what was expected of him.
But then it happened…Adam and Eve both ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and sin entered into the Garden of Eden, God’s crowning creation disobeyed His command and was separated from Him. Sin separated man from God. Though God removed Adam and Eve from the garden, there was a glimpse of something, in one statement, we knew that there was something, better still, someone who was going to crush Satans head and deal with sin.
Genesis 3:13-15 NIV
In Gen. 3:15 we see the first hint of someone to come and deal with the serpent, Satan.
God said it, and therefore it will take place. That is good for us. God never breaks His promise, never breaks His Word.
Through the ages God spoke to mankind through what is called Prophets. When God speaks to mankind we call that a prophecy. In ancient days, Prophets would bring a message from God to people whose immediate circumstances revealed a need for correction, hope, or an insight into the future.
Through Prophecies, God spoke about this one to come. God gave His Word on this and because His kept His promise, we can have great peace and confidence.
Let’s look at 8 of these prophecies today and here God’s great plan predicting elements of Jesus’ birth and childhood.
1. The nations will be blessed through Abraham's lineage
Prophecy: Genesis 12:3
Fulfillment: Luke 2:8-12, Acts 3:25-26
Genesis 12:3 NIV
Luke 2:8-12 NIV
Acts 3:25-26 NIV
2. God's covenant with Isaac's ancestors
Prophecy: Genesis 17:19
Fulfillment: Romans 9:7
Genesis 17:19 NIV
Romans 9:7 NIV
3. The nations will be blessed through Jacob's offspring
Prophecy: Genesis 28:14
Fulfillment: (Jacob is part of Jesus’ genealogy.) Luke 3:34
Genesis 28:14 NIV
Luke 3:34 NIV
4. The scepter will come through Judah
Prophecy: Genesis 49:10
Fulfillment: (Judah is part of Jesus'’ genealogy.) Luke 3:33
Genesis 49:10 NIV
Luke 3:33 NIV
5. David’s offspring will have an eternal kingdom
Prophecy: 2 Samuel 7:12-13
Fulfillment: Matthew 1:1-2
2 Samuel 7:12-13 NIV
Matthew 1:1-2 NIV
6. A virgin will give birth, and he will be called Immanuel (God with us)
Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14
Fulfillment: Luke 1:26-36
Isaiah 7:14 NIV
Luke 1:26-36 NIV
7. The Messiah will end up in Egypt
Prophecy: Hosea 11:1
Fulfillment: Matthew 2:14-15
Hosea 11:1 NIV
Matthew 2:14-15 NIV
8. The Christ will be born in Bethlehem
Prophecy: Micah 5:2
Fulfillment: Matthew 2:4-6
Micah 5:2 NIV
Matthew 2:4-6 NIV
God kept His promise. Jesus came to restore our relationship with God. God sent us Jesus, just like He said He would to conquer sin. Jesus did this through paying our debt for sin. We can have confidence in His Word.
We too can have confidence in God's promises:
Jeremiah 31:3
Romans 8:38-39
John 3:16
Isaiah 41:10
Jeremiah 31:3 NIV
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
John 3:16-17 NIV
Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Thank God for the fulfillment of His Word, His promises.