Thank you for taking the time to read the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone is having a very good week.
Yesterday, we had a bad storm where I live. One of the neighbor's trees blew over. I am thankful that there was no damage at my house. Please pray that my neighbor gets his tree cut up with no problems. It didn't hurt his house, it just fell in the yard.
This week has been busy. I am thankful to the Lord for giving me writing work to do. I have an opportunity for an additional job. I am supposed to go in on Monday and find out more about it. Please pray that the Lord's will be done in this situation.
In other matters of prayer, please pray for those in the Houston area who are once again having to deal with flooding. Please pray that all will be well.
Thankfully, the World Cup has been safe so far. Continue to pray for safety for those at this event.
Let us continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Pray for peace in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Ukraine.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in Somalia and Jordan. Pray that many will hear about the love and grace of Jesus.
Over the course of the last few weeks, we have been in a series of messages looking at who Jesus is. This week, we will look at the fact that Jesus is the Messiah.
The idea that God would send a redeemer to deliver people from the power of sin and death is first found in the Bible all the way back in Genesis 3:15. Prior to what is discussed in this verse, Adam and Eve had disobeyed the commandment of the Lord. The Lord told them that they could eat from any tree in the garden except for the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. God told them that the day that they ate of that tree, they would surely die.
Adam and Eve did eat from that tree. Sin entered into the world. As the Bible says, death then passed upon all people for all have sinned.
Adam and Eve were punished by being banished from the Garden of Eden. However, God made a promise to them and to all generations. God said that one who would be born of woman would crush the power of the serpent who had tempted Eve. This is the first mention of a coming redeemer that is found in the Bible.
Several other Messianic prophecies are contained within the Bible. In fact, the entire sacrificial system that was established was a sign that demonstrated what would take place when the ultimate sacrifice of the redeemer was made.
I believe that it is quite clear from the life and the ministry of Jesus that He was the Messiah who God said would come clear back in Genesis. Let's look at some of the ways in which Jesus fulfilled Messianic prophecies.
First of all, Jesus was born in the place that the prophet Micah said the Messiah would be born. In Micah 5:2, Bethlehem was foretold as the place of the Messiah's birth. We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
In the book of Zechariah there are two prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. Zechariah 9:9 says that the Messiah will ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. Jesus did this when He entered the city on what is now called Palm Sunday.
Zechariah also tells us in Zechariah 12:10 that the Messiah would be pierced. Jesus was pierced by the nails that went into His hands and feet on the cross. His side was pierced by the lance of a Roman soldier.
Psalm 22 is a Messianic Psalm. Within this Psalm, we can clearly see some of what happened during the time of Jesus on earth. This Psalm speaks about one's hands and feet being pierced and one's garments being divided. This clearly occurred when Jesus was on the cross. The Roman soldiers cast lots for His cloak. This Psalm also speaks about insults being hurled. Jesus had insults and slanders thrown at Him while He was on the cross. In spite of it all, Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Psalm 22 goes on to speak about the exaltation of the Messiah. Because He has suffered, He will be exalted. The New Testament says the same about Jesus. In Philippians 2 we read that Jesus was willing to suffer death on the cross. Because of this, God has highly exalted Jesus. He has been given the name above every name. Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Isaiah 52 and 53 are also tremendous chapters that tell about the Messiah. In these chapters, the Messiah is referred to as the Servant of the Lord. Isaiah 52 tells us that His appearance will be marred. This happened to Jesus when He was beaten by the soldiers.
Isaiah 53 tells us that He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. Jesus bore our sins in His body while He was on the cross. His death provided the redemption for the world.
Isaiah 53 says that the Servant's death will justify many. Jesus' death has brought life and salvation to men and women across the world.
I believe that if you look at the prophecies concerning the Messiah found in the Old Testament, you will clearly see that these prophecies are fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.
Let us see now what Jesus Himself had to say about the matter. One of the most clear instances when Jesus claimed to be the Messiah is found in Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well found in John 4. During the course of their conversation, the woman says that she knows that the Messiah is coming. Jesus says to her, "I who speak to you am he." I don't think it can be much clearer than that.
Some deny that Jesus is the Messiah. This is based upon the fact that there are prophecies in the Old Testament that speak about the Messiah establishing a kingdom on this earth when He returns. We see this clearly in Isaiah 65.
Jesus said that He will establish this Kingdom that will have no end. This will occur when Jesus returns at His glorious Second Advent. Jesus said that the whole earth would one day see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with power and great glory. Jesus also spoke about the fact that He would return. When He returned, He would judge the living and the dead.
The ultimate fulfillment of the salvation and restoration of the universe awaits the return of Jesus Christ. When He returns, everyone will acknowledge who He is. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. All will be restored to what it was before sin and rebellion entered into the universe.
I hope that you have turned to Jesus the Messiah for your salvation. Jesus came to show you His love. He came to provide hope and forgiveness to anyone who would turn from their sin and turn to Him as Savior and Lord.
Next week, we will continue with our series about Jesus. I will post the verses on Monday. On Wednesday, our reviews will resume. May God bless you all. Amen.
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