Introduction

Welcome, brothers and sisters, to this sacred gathering where we seek to hear from our Heavenly Father, to understand His heart, and to align our lives with His divine will. It is not by mere chance or circumstance that we find ourselves here today, but by the divine orchestration of a loving God who desires to speak to us, shape us, and share with us the depth and breadth of His love.

Today, we find ourselves standing at the foot of a grand mountain of promises, prophecy, and the pinnacle of God's divine plan - the Messiah. We will be visiting the familiar yet profoundly insightful passages of Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10-62:3, Psalms 148, and Galatians 4:4-7. Each of these passages, in their own unique way, invites us into the heart of God and His grand plan for humanity.

Our beloved brother in Christ, Charles Spurgeon, once said, "A promise is only as good as the person who makes it." How much more, then, can we trust in the promises of an unchanging, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God? How much more can we find hope, peace, and joy in the prophecies He has graciously revealed to us? And how much more can we stand in awe and wonder at the pinnacle of His divine plan – the coming of the Messiah, our Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ?

Let's read together from the Holy Scriptures [read texts].

Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we reflect on Your promises, Your prophecies, and the pinnacle of Your divine plan – the Messiah, we pray that You would open our hearts and minds to receive Your truth. May we be transformed by the renewing of our minds and become more like Christ in every thought, word, and deed. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let us walk together on this path of understanding, as we consider the profound truths found in these passages...

Patiently Persevering in Promises

In the book of Luke, we find Joseph and Mary faithfully observing the purification rites required by the Law of Moses. They are seen presenting Jesus to the Lord in the temple. This act of obedience is a testament to their unwavering faith in God's promises. They had been entrusted with the Messiah, the fulfillment of God's promise to His people, and they were committed to raising Him in accordance with God's law.

In a world that often encourages instant gratification and quick fixes, the example of Joseph and Mary challenges us to be patient and persistent in our faith. They remind us that God's promises are worth waiting for, and that His timing is always perfect.

The story of Joseph and Mary also highlights the importance of obedience in our walk with God. They didn't just believe in God's promises; they lived in a way that demonstrated their faith. They observed the Law of Moses, not out of obligation, but out of a deep love and reverence for God. Their obedience was an outward expression of their inward faith.

Our obedience to God is a reflection of our faith in His promises. When we choose to live according to His Word, we are showing our trust in His plan for our lives. We are acknowledging that His ways are higher than our ways, and that His plans are better than our plans.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to the theme of patiently persevering in promises. He expresses his delight in the Lord and rejoices in the salvation and righteousness that God has bestowed upon him. Here, we see a man who is not just waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, but is actively rejoicing in them.

Often, we think of waiting as a passive activity. But Isaiah shows us that waiting on God's promises can be a time of active rejoicing. Even as we wait for the fulfillment of God's promises, we can rejoice in the promises themselves. We can rejoice in the knowledge that our God is faithful, and that His promises are sure.

Finally, the apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, speaks of the fulfillment of God's promise in the coming of Jesus Christ. He writes about how, at the appointed time, God sent His Son to redeem those under the law and to make us His children. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise - the coming of the Messiah! This is the promise that we, as believers, hold on to. This is the promise that gives us hope and joy, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Transition. The theme of patiently persevering in promises is powerful and recurring in the Bible. From the faithful obedience of Joseph and Mary, to the joyful anticipation of Isaiah, to the triumphant fulfillment in the coming of Jesus Christ, we are reminded of the importance of holding on to God's promises, of living in obedience to His Word, and of rejoicing in His faithfulness.

Profound Proclamation of Prophecy

As we turn our gaze to the prophetic utterances found in the sacred texts, we find ourselves standing on holy ground ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO