God Promised to Send Jesus to Earth (2 Peter 1:1-4)
Introduction:
1. Some wonderful information is revealed in these verses. a. We learn from vs.3 that God has "given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness." b. According to vs.4a, God has "given unto us exceeding great and precious promises." c. These promises provide special blessings. 1) We can escape "corruption." 2) We can be "partakers of the divine nature." 2. We recently studied passages that teach us about 2 of God's promises: a. a new name b. a new covenant. 3. In our lesson we are concentrating on the fact that "God promised to send Jesus to earth." 4. Let us begin by establishing how . . . Discussion: I. THE COMING OF CHRIST WAS BASED ON GOD'S PROMISE
A. Even though Christ is a member of the eternal Godhead, He came to earth in the flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). B. His coming in the flesh fulfilled: 1. the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17) 2. God's promise (Acts 13:22-23). II. THE DETAILS OF GOD'S PROMISE TO SEND JESUS DEVELOPED OVER MANY CENTURIES
A. The first mention is in Genesis 3:15 -- God announced that "the seed of the woman" would bruise the head of the serpent. B. He would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 12:3; 26:4; 28:14). C. He would come from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:8, 10; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2). D. He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). E. He would be a descendant of David with great authority, ruling over His kingdom forever (Isaiah 9:6-7; Jeremiah 23:5-6). F. He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). III. GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE TO SEND JESUS
A. When the time was right, God sent His Son Jesus who was "made of a woman" (Galatians 4:4). B. The Lord's genealogy indicates that He is a descendant of David, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham (Matthew 1:1-6). C. Jesus was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:18-25). D. Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6). Conclusion:
1. God promised to send Jesus, and God kept His promise. 2. Because God kept this promise we can be redeemed and be adopted as His children (Galatians 4:4-5).
