A Savior Was Promised

A SAVIOR WAS PROMISED

An Advent Sermon

Lakeview Baptist Church

Dec 13, 2020

Isaiah 9:1-7 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

INTRODUCTION

One of my favorite resurrection stories centers on Jesus meeting with two disciples traveling away from Jerusalem on the road that leads to Emmaus. They are filled with misery and despair when Jesus casually approaches them and begins to ask questions about their apparent hopelessness. Jesus guides their conversation to teaching of these disciples. At the end of the conversation, Jesus informs them that the Scriptures were written about him. That He could be found in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Book of Psalms, and that the truth concerning the Messiah must be fulfilled.

Today, as in the time of Christ, the plan of Salvation is revealed to man through the work of the Holy Spirit. The Premise has been made, the Prophet has spoken, and the Promise is revealed.

THE PREMISE MADE

Was God’s plan, from the beginning, for Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of mankind?

The simple answer is “yes.” As difficult as that answer may be to understand, before creation, there was a plan of Salvation where Jesus, as the Christ, would become Immanuel, die for mankind, be raised on the third day, and return to the Father.

God spoke through the Apostle Peter to state this important doctrinal statement.

1 Pet 1:19-21 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

God spoke through the Apostle Paul to the timelessness of the plan of Salvation.

Eph 3:9-11 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Throughout the OT, God’s progressive revelation of the plan of salvation is found in the presentation of who Jesus is. The whole of the Old and New Testaments is the revealing of God’s love for His creation and the plan, put into action, which centers on Jesus Christ.

Gen 3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

• The Adamic Covenant declared that an offspring of Adam’s would put an end to the work of the serpent.

• The Mosaic Covenant introduced the sacrifice system, which was a ‘type’ of the work and sacrifice that the Lamb of God, Jesus, would in the future make for the sins of mankind.

• The Abrahamic Covenant stated that the Messiah would come through his lineage: Abraham to Isaac, to Jacob, to Judah.

• The Davidic Covenant promised David in his lineage, a King would sit on the “throne” forever.