Christmas

Bible Passage: Ge 3:14–15, Ge 12:1–3, Ge 49:8–12, 2 Sa 7:8–17, Mic 5:1–5, Is 7:10–16, Is 9:1–7, Da 9:20–27

Summary: This sermon explores the prophetic declarations found in the Old Testament that foretell the coming of the Messiah, highlighting God's plan of redemption from Genesis to Daniel.

Application: Understanding these prophecies reassures believers of God's faithfulness and providence. In times of uncertainty and struggle, we can find hope in the promises of God's salvation and trust in His ultimate plan for redemption.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that the entire narrative of scripture points to Christ as the fulfillment of God's promises. Each prophecy serves to affirm the hope of a Savior who would come to redeem humanity.

How this passage could point to Christ: These passages reveal Christ as the central figure of redemption—beginning with the curse on the serpent and culminating in His birth and ministry as the expected Messiah, the King who would restore all things.

Big Idea: God has woven a tapestry of prophecies throughout scripture to assure us of His redemptive plan culminating in Jesus Christ, our Savior.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider utilizing Logos to delve into the historical and literary context of these prophecies. Investigate the original Hebrew and Greek terms used and how they might affect the translations, particularly in Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 9:6. Explore the intertextual connections that link these verses to the New Testament fulfillment in Christ.

1. Promise Amidst the Curse

Genesis 3:14–15 ESV

The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 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.”

Perhaps, you could begin by discussing how God's first promise of redemption comes amidst the curse delivered to the serpent in Eden. Even in humanity's fall, God is preparing a way forward through a future offspring—a foretelling of Christ who will bruise the serpent's head. This sermon point connects the chain of promise and hope that God weaves throughout scripture, offering reassurance and inspiring faith during struggles.

2. Promise to Bless Nations

Genesis 12:1–3 ESV

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Maybe, you could illustrate how God's call to Abram inaugurates a promise that blesses all nations, setting a trajectory towards the messianic hope fulfilled in Christ. This section can emphasize the idea of God's faithfulness and how ultimately, we are heirs to this blessing through Jesus. It's a reminder that God's redemptive plan is personal and inclusive, offering peace to those who struggle with feelings of insignificance.

3. Promise of Judah’s Reign

Genesis 49:8–12 ESV

“Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Binding his foal to the vine and his donkey’s colt to the choice vine, he has washed his garments in wine and his vesture in the blood of grapes. His eyes are darker than wine, and his teeth whiter than milk.

You could explain how Judah's blessing is a key link in the Messianic promise—a foreshadowing of Christ, the Lion of Judah, who will bring eternal reign and peace. This passage can encourage believers to trust in God's unfolding plan and kingship of Jesus as a source of strength, especially when feeling overwhelmed by worldly powers, reminding them of the ultimate victory in Christ.

4. Promise of David’s Kingdom

2 Samuel 7:8–17 ESV

Now, therefore, thus you shall say to my servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, that you should be prince over my people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you went and have cut off all your enemies from before you. And I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may dwell in their own place and be disturbed no more. And violent men shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make you a house. When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ” In accordance with all these words, and in accordance with all this vision, Nathan spoke to David.

Perhaps, delve into how the Davidic covenant emphasizes a kingdom established forever through Jesus, the Son of David. God’s promise to David assures believers that Christ's kingdom is unshakeable, providing a solid foundation during personal and global uncertainties.

5. Promise from Bethlehem

Micah 5:1–4 ESV

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

Maybe, explore the prophecy of a humble ruler from Bethlehem, highlighting Christ's dual nature as both humble servant and eternal ruler. This prophecy promotes hope and reassurance that God’s intervention is transformative, coming through unexpected means—inviting us to see beyond immediate struggles.

6. Promise of Immanuel

Isaiah 7:10–16 ESV

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” And he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted.

You could highlight the significance of the sign of Immanuel—'God with us,' prefiguring Christ's incarnation. This passage reminds us that God is present with us in life's trials, offering comfort and reminding us of the promise of redemption made visible in Jesus.

7. Promise of a Child

Isaiah 9:1–7 ESV

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.

Perhaps, focus on the promise of a child born to us, embodying all hope with titles that reveal His divine nature. Highlight how Christ fulfills these role as Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace, inviting believers to lean into God’s amazing purpose during times of adversity.

8. Promise of Perfect Timing

Daniel 9:20–27 ESV

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice. He made me understand, speaking with me and saying, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you insight and understanding. At the beginning of your pleas for mercy a word went out, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore consider the word and understand the vision. “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Know therefore and understand that from the going out of the word to restore and build Jerusalem to the coming of an anointed one, a prince, there shall be seven weeks. Then for sixty-two weeks it shall be built again with squares and moat, but in a troubled time. And after the sixty-two weeks, an anointed one shall be cut off and shall have nothing. And the people of the prince who is to come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. Its end shall come with a flood, and to the end there shall be war. Desolations are decreed. And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.”

Maybe, draw on the vision of the seventy weeks to relate God's intricate and sovereign control pointing forward to Jesus. This prophecy assures that God’s timeline is perfect, encouraging patience and trust through the anticipation of His return when confronting life’s uncertainties.