Introduction

Please stand with me as we sing the hymn "Standing on the Promises." Sing along with me:

"Standing on the promises that cannot fail

When doubts and fears assail,

By the living Word of God, I shall prevail

Standing on the promises of God."

Explanation

As humans, we often struggle to keep our promises. We forget, get busy, or get distracted. But God is different. He is immortal, divine, and never forgets. When God makes a promise, He keeps it. In Isaiah 46:11b, God declares that what He has said, He will bring about. His promises have been thoroughly tested and proven true (Psalm 119:140). The Old Testament saints relied on these promises and prayed based on them.

However, in the New Testament, Jesus offers us even better promises. These promises are foundational to our faith and set us apart from other religions. Let's explore these three promises:

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In Acts 1:4, Jesus tells His disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise was prophesied in Joel 2:28-29, where God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people. The Holy Spirit is God's presence inside us, marking us as belonging to Him. It is a gift that guarantees our inheritance and never leaves us (Ephesians 1:13-14).

The Promise of Power

Jesus also promised His disciples power through the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8. This power was displayed on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles with signs and wonders. The power of God's Spirit inside us strengthens us, enables us to live holy lives, and produces fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Ephesians 3:16, Galatians 5:22-23).

The Promise of Jesus' Return

The final promise Jesus made is that He will return for us. In Acts 1:11, the angels assure the disciples that Jesus will come back in the same way He ascended to heaven. In John 14:1-3, Jesus tells His disciples that He is going to prepare a place for them and will come back to take them with Him. This promise gives us hope beyond this life and the assurance of eternal life with Him.

Conclusion

Jesus' promises of the Holy Spirit, power, and His return are better than any other promises found in Scripture. They provide us with everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3-4). The Holy Spirit's presence inside us assures us that we will never be forsaken. The power of God's Spirit enables us to live transformed lives and reflect His character. And the promise of Jesus' return gives us hope and the assurance of eternal life.

Just as Samuel dug through the rubble to rescue his son, Jesus will come back for His children. On that final day, millions will rise from their tombs, rescued from death because Jesus kept His promise. Let us hold onto these promises, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and eagerly await Jesus' return.

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