Christmas Prophecy: The Gift that Keeps on Giving
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
1. PROMISES OF A ROYAL LINEAGE
Seed of Woman – Gen 3:15 “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” (Gal 4:4)
Seed of Abraham – Gen 22:18 “And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice” (Heb 2:16)
Through Isaac – Gen 26:3-4 “And I will establish the oath that I swore to Abraham your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Luke 3:34)
Through Jacob – Num 24:17 “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel” (Luke 1:33)
Tribe of Judah – Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem in Ephrata, who are smallest 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” (Luke 3:33)
Family of Jesse – Is 11:1-2 “There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.” (Luke 3:32)
House of David the King – Jer 23:5-6 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’”
(Rom 15:8,12)
2. PROMISES OF A MIRACULOUS BIRTH
Born of a Virgin – Is 7:14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” (Mt 1:23)
Born in Bethlehem – Micah 5:2 (Luke 2:4-7, Mt 2:6)
Worshipped by Shepherds – Ps 72:9 “May desert dwellers bow down before Him” (Luke 2:9-15)
Worshipped and Presented gifts by Kings – Psalm 72:10-11 “May the kings render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!”(Mt 2:11)
Weeping for the Children – Jer 31:15 “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” (Mt 2:18)
Flight to Egypt – Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son” (Mt 2:13-14)
3. PROMISES OF A MIGHTY GOD
He will be called Lord – Psalm 110:1-2 YHWH says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” YHWH sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! (Luke 2:11)
He is the Son of God – Isaiah 9:6-7 “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.” (Luke 3:22)
He brings Salvation in Zion – Isaiah 46:12-13 “Listen to me, you stubborn of heart, you who are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it is not far off, and my salvation will not delay; I will put salvation in Zion, for Israel my glory.” (Luke 2:30-31)
He is a Light to the World – Isaiah 9:2 “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” (Luke 2:32)