Sermons
Great Expectations
Great Expectations
Introduction:
1. The Bible is a book that describes God’s activity in human history.
a. Usually when we think of history we think of things in the past, and the Bible
certainly describes God’s activity in the past.
b. But it is more. As we noted last week, as we studied God’s providence, He is
active in our lives in the here and now making provision for us in so many ways.
c. But there is even more. The biblical text is future oriented. While beginning with
the creation and the introduction of sin into history it proceeds to speak of the
coming redeemer.
2. Like putting together, the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle a big picture is slowly revealed.
a. It becomes more and more amazing as it unfolds.
b. It involves predictions of a coming King, a coming kingdom, of God actually
coming to His people, delivering them from death, going away like the ancient
bridegroom did and then returning to take His bride to a magnificent weeding
feast in His father’s house.
c. It is described in various ways as a new creation, a new heaven and a new earth,
and the second coming.
3. Theologians have a big word for it.
a. They call it eschatology.
b. The word is formed from two Greek words, “eschatos” and “logos” meaning “the
word of last things.”
Discussion:
I. In Gen. 3:15, in what might be called “the mother of all promises,” God said to the serpent, later associated with Satan (Rev. 12:9; 20:2): “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.”
A. When you first read that you might say, “What does that even mean?” It is quite
ambiguous when considered by itself.
B. But there is a picture developing.
1. Gen. 3:15 is only a piece of the puzzle.
2. Kind of mysterious by itself.
II. Another piece of the puzzle is Gen. 9:26-27.
A. Shem, the son of Noah is blessed.
B. In Gen. 10 and following we notice we are following a line of descendants from
woman (Eve) to Shem.
III. Gen. 12:1-3 follows the family of Abraham.
A. It is a promise that includes land, nation, and seed (blessing on all the families of
the earth).
B. The biblical text begins to follow the family of Abraham.
1. The record narrows from the seed of woman.
2. To the race of Shem.
3. To the family of Abraham.
IV. Gen. 49:8-12 focuses on the tribe of Judah.
A. It mentions the “sceptor.”
B. “The ruler’s staff.’
C. And “Shiloh,” the one to whom “the obedience of the nations” belongs.
V. The next passage (Num 24) comes from an unlikely source.
A. Balaam was a false prophet hired by Balak, king of Moab, to curse the Israelites
(Num. 23).
B. But God took control of his mouth and instead of cursing Israel Balaam blessed
Israel and cursed Moab (Num. 24:3ff; 24:15ff).
1. He said that a star and scepter would come from Israel that would crush the
forehead of Moab.
2. These prophecies stress that there is a King coming that will be victorious over
the enemies of God’s people.
VI. When Israel appoints Saul as king, we think maybe he is the one, but then he is rejected. David is next and God makes an interesting promise to him. 2 Sam. 7:12-15 narrows the line of the previous promises.
A. God will build a house for David.
B. One of his descendants (seed of woman) will sit on his throne forever.
C. Solomon sat on David’s throne (1 Kings 7:12; 8:20).
D. But in Lk. 1:32 the angel, Gabriel interpreted this to have reference to Jesus.
1. Lk. 3:23ff traces Jesus’ lineage back through David.
2. Through Abraham, Shem (the son of Noah).
3. It ties all these passages together as critical pieces in this big puzzle that is
coming together in one picture.
VII. It is clear, as you come into the N.T., that people were looking for God to make good on His promises about a King.
A. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was expecting God to act (Lk. 1:68-
79).
B. Simeon was expecting it (Lk. 2:25-32).
C. Anna was expecting it (Lk. 2:36-38).
D. Magi from the east were expecting it (Matt. 2:1-2).
E. The chief priests and scribes were expecting it (Matt. 2:4-6; cf. Micah 5:2).
VIII. Now read Acts 2:22-36.
A. Do you hear what Peter is saying?
B. Jesus is the King. He was sent by God.
C. You crucified Him, but God raised Him from the dead.
D. He exalted Him to His own right hand.
E. And not only that but He is the means for your forgiveness (2:38-39).
Conclusion:
1. What are you going to do with this?
2. Some people deny the very existence of God. Some deny the Bible as a revelation from God. Some deny the resurrection.
3. But one thing that cannot be denied, the Bible presents Jesus as God’s King and offers forgiveness of sins for those who accept Him and make Him the King in their lives.
4. The Bible promises that He is coming again, and when He does, He will take those who are His to be with Him in His Father’s house. Those who reject Him will go into eternal punishment (Matt. 25:46).
5. What will you do with Jesus?
