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.
The Old Testament has around three-hundred prophetic announcements concerning the Messiah/Christ including His human birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection and of His return to set up an everlasting Kingdom.
THE PROPHET HAS SPOKEN
Around 700 BC, God used a prophet by the name of Isaiah to clarify the arrival and work of the “Anointed One.” Isaiah proclaims the “good news” of the arrival of the Messiah in the future.
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.
THE PROMISE FULFILLED
There are so many events that we could turn to, but for today, I would like to turn our attention to just one, the birthplace of Jesus, Bethlehem.
During the time of the patriarchs, “Bethlame” (beth’ la’ me) was the name of an ancient Canaanite city that worshiped the God “Milcom.” This small city, in the Hill Country of Judah, would become known as Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread” in Hebrew. Bethlehem is located about 6 miles South of Jerusalem.
We are familiar with the story of Jesus birth in Bethlehem, however, other events happened here. Bethlehem is mentioned over forty times in the Bible.
• It is the burial place of Jacob’s wife Rachel (Ge 35:19).
• One of the judges, Ibzan, was from Bethlehem (Jg 12:8)
• It is the location where Ruth gathered grain to support her mother-in-law Naomi and where she would need her future husband Boaz in a beautiful story of love, devotion, and faithfulness (Ru 1:22; 2:4; 4:11).
• Samuel searched for the next King over Israel and found a man named Jesse, who lived in Bethlehem. Jesse had a shepherd son named David who would grow to slay the giant Goliath and one day become King of Israel (1 SA 16:4; 17:15).
• David was in the cave of Adullam, besieged by the Philistine armies and said, “Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate” (2 Samuel 23:14-16). We know that three valiant men cut through the enemy lines and brought David the cup. He did not drink it but poured it out in honor of the men and the Lord.
The fulfillment of the Prophet Isaiah is found in the Gospel of Matthew:
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
CONCLUSION
Premise - Salvation through Jesus the Messiah was designed before God said, “Let there be light.” (Gen 1:3)
Prophet – God used many prophets to proclaim the coming of the “Anointed One.”
Promise – God reveals that He has kept His promise with the virgin birth of Jesus.
