Sermon Tone Analysis

God HAS kept His promise

God’s People were under siege - 2 Kings 24:13

In we read how that Nebuchadnezzar had conquered Judah.

Jehoiachin surrendered and was taken captive.

Nebuchadnezzar made Jehoicachin’s uncle, Mattaniah king over the now vassal state of Judah and changed his name to Zedekiah, which means Yahweh is Righteous.

ends by saying 2 things about Zedekiah:

2 kings 24:

He did evil in the Lord’s sight

He rebelled against the king of Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar thus ordered a seige of Jerusalem to bring it to utter destruction.

Jeremiah was imprisoned for prophesying against Zedekiah.

This is the context of the prophecy.

God had made a promise - Jeremiah 29:10

His promise included a time of suffering and exile.

70 years was a prophetic way of saying a lifetime.

Even though we read in Ezra and Nehemiah about the rebuilding and restoration (God moved King Cyrus to begin it) the Jewish Rabbinic literature shows that even in 1st century, known as 2nd Temple Judaism, there was still the sense that the people were still in exile awaiting deliverance and to be gathered by God’s Messiah

God kept His Promise - Jeremiah 33:15

The fulfillment of that promise is wholly connected to the promised Davidic Messiah, and was certain:

We often overlook that Jesus is the Messiah promised to the Jews

The prophet Simeon:

The nation of Israel failed as a people.

The kings of both Israel and Judah failed to be the righteous rulers and protectors of the people.

The temple priests failed to preserve the worship or the people.

In the midst of constant and continuing failure, God kept His promise by sending Jesus, the Righteous Branch of David.

In the midst of constant and continuing failure, God kept His promise by sending Jesus, the Righteous Branch of David who will reign forever.

Truly the government will be upon His shoulders

This is what I have come to love about Christmas: The Christmas Story as we call it is the beginning of the gospel of Jesus.

He us and will save

God IS keeping His promise

In those days Judah will be saved

Jesus did not rescue earthly Israel - Matthew 24:1-2

Jesus did not rescue earthly Israel - Matthew 24:1-2

Jesus plainly said that He did not come to reign as the earthly King of the Jews:

In fact, Jesus avoided this throughout His life:

Jesus dissuaded His disciples from thinking in earthly terms

Israel/Judah were under Roman rule when Jesus was born, continued to be so after His death, and 40 years later Jerusalem was completely destroyed

"It [Jerusalem] was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was nothing left to make those that came thither believe it [Jerusalem] had ever been inhabited."

- Josephus

it was so thoroughly laid even with the ground by those that dug it up to the foundation, that there was left nothing to make those that came thither believe it had ever been inhabited.

Josephus, Flavius, and William Whiston.

The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged.

Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987.

Print.

How then is God keeping His promise? - Romans 11:25-27

rom 11:25-27

Remember that just paragraphs earlier Paul already stated:

Here he says all Israel, true Israel, God’s Israel is both Jews and Gentiles whose sins are taken away.

The restoration of Israel is not an earthly, national fulfillment, but rather the continuing advancement of the Kingdom of Christ!

Jesus is the everlasting King and Priest promised

God IS keeping His promise in saving sinners through the Gospel.

This is what I have come to love about Christmas: The Christmas Story is the beginning of the gospel.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus was purposed for the saving of Judah, the rescuing of hopeless sinners just like you and me.

God is keeping His promise in that the gospel of the kingdom, is still being sent today.

The question is NOT if God will keep His promise, but rather are you a part of the rescued?

Are you one who has joined the restoration?

Is your soul secure in Christ? or will you remain a part of the rebellion against the God who said of His enemies:

God HAS kept His promise in sending Jesus.

God IS keeping His promise in saving sinners through the Gospel.

God WILL keep His promise - Jeremiah 33:16

Jerusalem will dwell securely

Why are we secure in Christ?

Because our standing with God is based on the righteousness of Jesus

And this is the name by which it will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’

It is the righteousness of Jesus, His active obedience from birth to death; being tempted yet without sin that is accepted by the Father on our behalf.

It was the perfect sacrifice that satisfied the Holy and Just wrath of God on our sin.

Jesus; His life, death, and resurrection are sufficient!

What about future attacks?

We are protected in Christ.

rom 8:33-

Father, Son, and Spirit are all unified in the keeping of God’s elect.

There is no force in the universe that can penetrate that defense.

What about future failure?

Once God begins the saving work, namely at our conversion, He continues it.

God does not awaken sinners to their need apart from intent to save.

God does not save apart from intent to keep.

Since it is God’s work in us that prepares us for glory, and the Righteousness of Christ that is credited to us, our right standing with God is not ours to lose.

It matters not what transpires between coming to Christ and the last day.

All who come to Christ WILL be raised on the last day.

It matters not what transpires between coming to Christ and

We dwell securely who are in Christ!

The Righteousness of Christ in judgment

The Righteousness of Christ in judgment

The Righteousness of Christ in judgment

Unlike Zedekiah, Jesus is the true Righteousness of God.

Righteousness goes hand in hand with justice.

The same Justice of God that required and demanded Calvary to rescue us demands Hell for all who have not had the Righteousness of Christ imputed.

This is right.

This is just.

What will you have to offer to satisfy God’s Righteous demands?

Or perhaps you are like the Rich Young Ruler of who claimed to have been righteous, (I’m fine.

I’m better than some others I know.

I’m good enough.) to have kept the commandments.

And maybe like him, when you hear of the perfection and righteousness of Jesus Christ it cuts to your heart and you feel the weight and guilt of your sin, so you just go away sorrowful.

And this is the name by which it will be called: The Lord is our righteousness.

God HAS kept His promise in sending Jesus, Messiah.

God HAS kept His promise in sending Jesus, Messiah.God IS keeping His promise in saving all who believe the gospel.

God WILL keep His promise in that the Righteousness of Christ Jesus will impact every man, woman, and child.