Movie illustration: The Greatest Promise: John 3:16
Series: Find Joy in the Journey in 2019
Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers. We must put ourselves in the places where experiencing joy is a possibility. We need to go after and find joy in our journey of life. What are you doing to cultivate joy? Remember joy is a choice!
Introduction:
Many get all caught up in our, so called, destinations but in the process, we never enjoy the moments in the journey of life to that destination. But God is more concerned with the journey, than the destination so we need to focus less on the destination and enjoy the journey today – we need to find the joy in the here and now.
Scripture: Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Sermon 13: Find Joy in the Journey through God’s Promises
Scripture Text:
2 Peter 1: 3-4: (NIV)
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4 (The CEV - The Promise)
3 We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.
2 Peter 1:3-4 (The Message)
3 Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! 4 We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust.
Thesis: God has given us promises in the Bible, there are between 5,467-8,810 depending on scholars, which when embraced and put into action help us to participate in the divine nature of God. As we act on His promises in our journey of life we will find joy, because, His promises enable us to escape the corruption of this world.
Introduction:
Question: "What are the promises of God?"
Answer: There are many, many promises of God in Scripture. In each promise, God pledges that something will (or will not) be done or given or come to pass. These are not flippant, casual promises such as we often make; these promises of God are rock-solid, unequivocal commitments made by God Himself. Because God is faithful, the recipients of the divine promises can have full assurance that what God has pledged will indeed be realized (experienced) see (Numbers 23:19). The above quote is from https://www.gotquestions.org/promises-of-God.html
Quote: “There are approximately 8,810 promises in the entire Bible. In the Old Testament there are 7,706 and in the New Testament there are 1,104 wonderful promises. Deuteronomy 28 has 133 promises, which is more than any other chapter in the Bible. “We’re sitting on the premises when we ought to be standing on the promises!” observes Vance Havner. (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #4612).
Problem today: “We today focus on the problems of life rather than the promises from God for the life of the believer!”
William Carey said, “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” (Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author).
I agree with Carey! You a life filled with joy – focus on the promises not the problems!
Sadly today: We live in a world filled with broken promises!
I had someone say to me the other day when I promised to do something for another church and actually did it – that she never expected me to keep my promise, this is a sad perspective on our society today really it is a lack of honor or even integrity in my view!
Words and promises, vows and pledges are broken over and over today - I think over 50% of the time (my made up statistic) – it happens every day – I think it is more common to break promises than keep them:
• Think of marriages?
• Think of places of work which promise a raise that never comes, or a bonus which never materializes, or a promotion that never comes.
• Think of people’s words, pledges or even contracts of I will help you and they never do.
• Think of people’s commitment to organizations, churches but they never keep their promises or covenants or agreements.
• Think of all the people ripped off by repair people or contractors.
• Think of insurance companies not following their promises, people ripping off insurance companies, healthcare issues and fraud, or fake warranty’s!
• Think about the many marketing scams. People promise something but never follow through!
• Do you think I made my point?
o Trivia: The most common broken promise of all time is “I will always love you!”
? Now that is big one right?
• Just look at all the broken and empty promises from politicians (need I say more?) – See the list of Presidents who broke the most promises!
o Woodrow Wilson won re-election in 1916 with the slogan "He kept us out of war," only to enter World War I a year later.
o Lyndon B. Johnson promised in 1964, "We are not about to send American boys 9-10 -thousand miles away from home to do what Asian boys ought to be doing for themselves." During his presidency, the U.S. entered the Vietnam War and Johnson did not seek reelection.
o Richard Nixon in 1968 claimed to "have a secret plan to end the war" and promised to find a way to "peace with honor" in Vietnam, but American troops were not withdrawn until 1973 — a little more than a year before Nixon resigned.
o Gerald Ford was the only president to never be elected, so he never made any campaign promises to keep or break. He gets a pass.
o Jimmy Carter campaigned on solving the energy crisis, but his speeches about conservation and attempts to add solar panels to the roof of the White House weren't good enough. He was unable to get support for a gas tax, and the energy problem only worsened during his presidency, according to The Atlantic.
o Ronald Reagan promised to make a constitutional amendment allowing school prayer during his campaign, and although he proposed the amendment in 1982, it never went anywhere.
o George H. W. Bush famously promised in 1988: "Read my lips: No new taxes," only to sign a bill raising taxes during his first and only term.
o Bill Clinton campaigned on a renovation of the health care system before he took office in 1993. Although he attempted health care reform — "Hillarycare" — it ended in failure.
o George W. Bush promised to "change the tone" in D.C., privatize social security and reduce government spending — none of which he succeeded with.
o Barack Obama: Politifact tracked 533 of Obama's promises, and found that 48% of them he managed to keep while 24% plus he broke. Like the big one “Your healthcare won’t change!”
? https://www.axios.com/10-big-broken-promises-of-past-presidents-1513301978-5b4fd8ba-a90a-450a-873e-51226c9861c9.html
? The sad thing is people expect our politicians to break their promises and it seems to not be a big deal! But it is a big deal!
• Some Promises in history have been broken and it became deadly:
o Kings of Italy and Bohemia both promised safe transport and safe custody to the great pre-Reformation Bohemian reformer, John Hus. Both, however, broke their promises, leading to Hus’s martyrdom in 1415. Earlier, Thomas Wentworth had carried a document signed by King Charles I which read, “Upon the word of a king you shall not suffer in life, honor, or fortune.” It was not long, however, before Wentworth’s death warrant was signed by the same monarch!
? Another broken promise causes one to lose his life for the Gospel.
The word “Promise” is defined as:
A NOUN - a declaration or assurance that one will do a particular thing or that a particular thing will happen. "what happened to all those firm promises of support?" ·
Synonyms: word of honor · word · assurance · pledge · vow · guarantee · oath · bond · undertaking · agreement · commitment · contract · covenant · compact!
But then comes God’s Promises – spelled out in the Bible – God’s Word – or as one of my Bible translations is called “The Promise:”
They note the following reason for naming their translation and version of the bible as The Promise: From Genesis to Revelation the Scriptures unfold God’s plan – for the world and for you. The Promise – The Bible helps you see what God has in store for you – now and forever. In The Promise Bible they have more than 200 promises which have been highlighted explaining how God has helped people in the past, and how he wants to help you today. You’ll learn about how much God loves you, how God wants to provide for your needs, and how God plans to give you a bright and wonderful future. Here is just a sample of the promises you’ll find discussed in The Promise.
• God has great plans for you (Genesis 41:14-45)
• God hears your cry (Numbers 12:1-15)
• God’s promise is forever (Isaiah 54:10)
• God will not desert you (Hosea 11:6-11)
• God is with you (Matthew 1:18-25)
• God protects you (Matthew 2:12)
• God promises you mercy (Titus 3:4-8)
• God gives you comfort (John 14:15-17)
• God empowers you (Acts 2:1-42)
Whether you have been reading the Bible for years, or you’ve just started to explore the Scriptures. The Promise will bring the people, events, and promises of the Bible to life. And you’ll discover what God wants to say to you personally!
God’s Promises found in the Bible are for all believers – all 5-8 thousand of them are God’s promise and assurance - God’s commitment to do the following for all who believe and follow His Word. God has a plan for this world and all that commit to help Him - He makes promises too! His promises are not changeable – if He says He will do it He will! He never breaks His Word! Listen to me Never!
I. God’s promises are irrevocable (not able to be changed, reversed, or recovered; they are final). God said it then He will do it – He will!
a. He is absolutely trustworthy Nu 23:19 See also Tit 1:2; Heb 6:13-18
b. He is unchanging Ps 110:4; Mal 3:6-7; Jas 1:17-18
c. He has the power and will to fulfill his promises Isa 55:11 See also Ro 4:21
d. He is faithful in keeping all his promises Jos 21:45; Jos 23:14-15; 1Ki 8:56; Ps 145:13; Heb 10:23
e. His promises stem from his goodness and glory 2Pe 1:3-4
f. God may confirm his promises with an oath Ge 22:15-18 See also Ge 26:3; Isa 45:23; Am 6:8; Am 8:7
i. Examples of God’s promises through covenant relationships:
1. Ge 9:8-17 with Noah
2. With Abraham: Ge 15:9-21; Ge 17:1-22; Heb 11:8-9,17-19
3. Ge 26:3-4 with Isaac
4. With Jacob: Ge 28:13-15; Ge 46:2-4
5. With Moses and the Israelites: Ex 19:1-6; Ex 24:1-8
6. Nu 25:10-12 with Phinehas
7. With David: 2Sa 7:5-16 pp 1Ch 17:4-14; 1Ki 8:15,24
8. Jer 31:31-34 with Jeremiah
a. The points above from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/5467-promises-divine
g. We need to follow the lead of the Lord and not break our promises:
i. Story: Bill McCartney retired as the head coach of the Colorado football team several years ago. His reason for retirement was not because he was unsuccessful as a coach. His teams had won the national championship. They had been in the top 10 many times. McCartney said that he was retiring because he wanted to reevaluate his priorities. He said, “I’m leaving coaching, and I’m going to take a whole year to re-evaluate my priorities. Is God first? Is my family second? Is my work third?” And when that year was over, Bill McCartney had dedicated his life and talents to Christ, and threw his efforts into founding the great men’s renewal gatherings that we know today as “Promise Keepers.” (Lou Nicholes - Missionary/Author).
ii. The illustration of the pain of not breaking a promise – it may be hard but we need to not break our promises:
1. Story: C.S. Lewis in his biography tells of the suffering he endured because he kept a promise he had made to a buddy during World War I. This friend was worried about the care of his wife and small daughter if he should be killed in battle, so Lewis assured him that if that were to happen he would look after them. As the war dragged on, the man was killed. True to his word, Lewis took care of his friend’s family. Yet no matter how helpful he tried to be, the woman was ungrateful, rude, arrogant, and domineering. Through it all, Lewis kept forgiving her. He refused to let her actions become an excuse to renege on his promise. (Source Unknown).
2. Story: It Could Happen to You is a 1994 American romantic comedy-drama film starring Nicolas Cage and Bridget Fonda. It is the story of New York City police officer (Cage) who wins the lottery and splits his winnings with a waitress (Fonda). This basic premise was inspired by a real-life incident.
a. In 1984, Phyllis Penzo was a waitress at a pizzeria commonly frequented by Yonkers, New York police officers. In March of that year, Officer Robert Cunningham, a regular patron and longtime friend of Penzo, suggested that the two split a lottery ticket, each of them choosing three of the six numbers, in lieu of his leaving her a tip. Penzo agreed, and though she subsequently forgot about it, when Cunningham discovered that the ticket had won a $6 million prize, he honored their verbal agreement and split the money evenly with Penzo.
i. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Could_Happen_to_You_(1994_film)
II. God’s promises and Jesus Christ:
a. God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus Christ 2Co 1:18-20 See also Mt 5:17; Lk 4:16-21; Ac 2:29-31; Ac 3:21-26; Ac 7:37; Dt 18:15-18; Ac 13:23,32-34; Ac 26:6-7; Ro 1:2-3; Ro 15:8; Heb 9:15
i. Jesus Christ brings superior promises through the new covenant Heb 8:6-8
ii. Jesus Christ mediates a covenant of inner transformation, willing obedience, intimate relationship with God and forgiveness of sins forever. See also Eph 1:13-14; Heb 7:22; Heb 11:13,39-40; 2Pe 1:1-4
b. Particular promises of God in Christ
i. The gift of the Holy Spirit Lk 24:49; Ac 1:4; Ac 2:33; Eph 1:13
ii. The fulness of life and eternal life 2Ti 1:1; Heb 12:26-28; Jas 1:12; Jas 2:5; 1Jn 2:25
iii. Resurrection Jn 5:29; Jn 11:25-26; 1Co 15:48-57; 2Co 4:14; 1Th 4:16
iv. The forgiveness of sins 1Jn 1:9
v. The presence of God Ex 3:12; Ex 33:14; Jos 1:9; Isa 58:9; Mt 28:20; Heb 13:5
vi. The peace of God 1Ch 22:9; Ps 85:8; Isa 9:6-7; Ro 5:1; Php 4:4-9
vii. Joy in God Ps 16:11; Ps 132:16; Jn 16:20-24
1. Out theme this year has been a promise of God!
viii. The knowledge of God Jer. 31:33-34; Jn 17:25-26; 1Jn 5:20
1. The points above from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/5467-promises-divine
c. The Promise of the power of Christ:
i. Philippians 4:13 is a verse to recite frequently and even memorize. “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Promise!
1. Beliefnet states: ”God will never lead you astray and there will always be a deeper reasoning. He is your ally. It’s only when Christians give and believe in the power of Christ that He will have the opportunity to guide and deliver His glory.”
ii. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:12)
1. Read more at https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/5-promises-of-god-that-he-wants-you-to-remember.aspx#XJBDDeCePGOtihz1.99
III. God’s promises must be received by believers – to get the promise when you believe – have faith - we have to believe in the promises to get the promises!
a. They are received by faith Gal 3:22 See also Jn 1:12; Ro 4:13-16
b. They are received by perseverance and obedience Heb 10:36 See also Ro 4:19-24; 2Co 7:1; Heb 6:12
i. But disaster awaits those who reject God’s promises Jos 23:12-16; Jn 3:18-20,36; 2Ti 2:11-13; Heb 6:4-12; 2Pe 3:3-10
1. The points above from https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/5467-promises-divine
ii. Believe – receive:
1. We need to believe that God’s love is unconditional – it’s the big promise of Scripture – He really loves us!
2. Quote: “Let’s be totally honest – we are not perfect. Every day we commit sins and make mistakes. Despite our inconsistencies and flaws, God still loves us. In fact, there is nothing you could do that He wouldn’t forgive. There are no other relationships, in your life, like that. No one else will give you that unconditional love. We all have a God shaped hole in our heart because he is the only one who has the power to fill it.”
3. The love is claimed by your faith by your belief in the Lord:
a. Romans 8:38-39 emphasizes this and states, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
i. No matter what season you are walking through, no matter how much you believe you messed up, and no matter how unaware you are God has unconditional love for you.
ii. His promises are for you! This is the big promise you have to remember!
3 The above from quoted from - Read more at https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/5-promises-of-god-that-he-wants-you-to-remember.aspx#XJBDDeCePGOtihz1.99
iii. Our identity is found in Christ a promise from Jesus and so is our destiny another promise.
1. Quote: ”When we’re feeling down, it’s easy to fall into a sorrowful pit. It’s important to reflect and remember, during these times, that God created you with intention and has a special plan for your life. During your time on earth, God knows what you can achieve and depends on that – everyone relies on that. Do not lose sight of that promise He made to you. God has a purpose for you. When you are struggling with your self-worth or feeling alone, find reassurance in Psalm 139 by knowing that God keeps His promises. Everyone is built with intention and authenticity.”
a. Read more at https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/5-promises-of-god-that-he-wants-you-to-remember.aspx#XJBDDeCePGOtihz1.99
b. Psalm 103: Of David.
i. 1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel: 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. 15 The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; 16 the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. 17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—18 with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. 19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. 20 Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. 22 Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the Lord, my soul.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know?
Answer:
Promises, Promises 1,000 of them — Yes all of them are true and God will see that they are all fulfilled in the life of the faithful believer and in time!
“Once you make Jesus Lord of your life (Your Savior), “All the promises of God in Him are “Yes,” and in Him “Amen” (2 Cor. 1:20). In His grand design, He has purposed you will never face any negative situation without a promise powerful enough to push you through the problem to sure victory.
Regardless of the problem, there’s going to be a promise in the Bible to cancel it, conquer it, and carry you above it—one way or the other. So find the promise that matches your problem, believe it, confess it, then praise God in advance for the manifestation.
Power proclamation: I proclaim that I will never face anything in life without a promise from God sufficient to give me total victory, one way or the other.”
The above from https://my.bible.com/reading-plans/12002-25-powerful-promises-from-god/day/1
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: If you don’t know the promises of God then you don’t know who you are – or what He would and will do for you!
What do we need to do?
Answer: Claim the promises of God and believe that He will honor His word and what He says!
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: So we know who we are in Jesus – that He has a destiny planned for us and He will help us fulfill it with His promises and backing – His divine nature is behind His promises! And most important when you see and hear and understand His many promises you see God wants a personal relationship with you – yes you! When you have that the world cannot get you!
