Introduction

Good morning, cherished family in Christ. It's a joy to be with you all today, to share in the fellowship of faith, to bask in the warmth of our shared belief, and to stand together on the solid rock of our Savior's love. I am thrilled to be here with you, as we gather under the sheltering wings of our Heavenly Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are here today to open our hearts and minds to the wisdom of the Word, to be led by the Spirit, and to grow in our understanding of the divine. Today, we will be turning our attention to the profound prophecies of Scripture, the dangers of a surface-level faith, and the essence of genuine worship. In the words of the great preacher Charles Spurgeon, "A Bible that's falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn't." So, let's open those well-loved Bibles of ours and turn to Zech 9:9, Matt 21:1-11, Dan 7:13, and Rev 19:11-16.

Let us pray. Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you with open hearts and minds, ready to receive your Word. We pray that you would guide us in our understanding, inspire us in our faith, and lead us in our worship. Help us to see the prophecies of Scripture not as mere words on a page, but as your living and active revelation. Protect us from the dangers of a superficial faith and guide us into a deep and meaningful relationship with you. As we prepare to worship you today, may our praises be pleasing to your ears and our hearts be aligned with your will. We ask all this in the precious name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Transition. So, let's begin, shall we? Are we ready to see what the Lord has in store for us today? Are we prepared to be challenged, to be changed, to be charged with the truth of God's Word? Then let's press on, dear friends, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

Perception of Prophecy

When we look at the Scriptures, we find a wealth of prophecies. These are not just predictions or forecasts, but divine revelations given by God to His prophets. They are messages from the heart of God, intended to guide, warn, encourage, and prepare His people. They are like signposts on the road of life, pointing us in the right direction and helping us to avoid pitfalls and dangers.

In the Old Testament, we find the prophecy of Zechariah, who spoke of a king coming to Jerusalem, righteous and victorious, yet humble, riding on a donkey. This was not the image of a king that the people of that time would have expected. Kings were supposed to be powerful and imposing, riding on chariots or horses, not on a lowly donkey. Yet, this was the king that God promised to send.

In the New Testament, we see this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. As He entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, He did so riding on a donkey, just as Zechariah had prophesied. The people recognized Him as their king and shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" They saw in Jesus the fulfillment of the prophecies and their hopes for a Messiah.

However, not everyone recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Despite the clear fulfillment of prophecy, there were many who did not see or understand. They had their own ideas and expectations of what the Messiah should be like, and Jesus did not fit into their preconceived notions. They failed to perceive the prophecy and its fulfillment in Jesus.

This brings us to the first aspect of our discussion: the perception of prophecy is not just about understanding the words of the prophecy, but also recognizing its fulfillment. It requires an open mind and heart, a willingness to let go of our own ideas and expectations, and a readiness to accept God's plan as it unfolds.

The second aspect is the importance of context in understanding prophecy. Prophecies are not isolated messages, but are part of a larger narrative. They are connected to the historical, cultural, and religious context in which they were given. To fully understand a prophecy, we need to understand the context in which it was given and the context in which it is fulfilled.

The third aspect is the role of faith in perceiving prophecy. Faith is not just about believing in God, but also trusting in His Word. It is about believing that God's promises are true, even when they seem impossible or unlikely.

The fourth aspect is the transformative power of prophecy. Prophecies are not just messages for us to understand, but also catalysts for change. They challenge us to rethink our beliefs and attitudes, to change our ways, and to align ourselves with God's will. They call us to repentance, to faith, and to obedience. They are not just words to be heard, but also actions to be taken.

Transition. The perception of prophecy is a complex and multifaceted issue. It involves understanding, recognition, faith, and transformation. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, to delve deeper into the Word of God, and to align ourselves with His will. It is a journey of discovery, growth, and change, guided by the Spirit and grounded in the Word. It is a journey that we are all invited to embark on, as we seek to know God more deeply, to follow Him more closely, and to live out His Word more fully in our lives.

Pitfalls of Superficial Christianity

As we continue to navigate the spiritual landscape, we find ourselves at the doorstep of a topic that is as challenging as it is crucial ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO