Advent: The Divine Arrival and Fulfillment of Prophecy
Summary
The sermon explores the concept of Advent, the arrival of Jesus Christ, and the fulfillment of ancient prophecies. The speaker begins by asserting that God's plan for redemption through Christ was established before the creation of the world and was revealed in the last times for humanity's sake. The speaker references biblical verses to support the idea that God's timing is perfect, and Jesus arrived at the historical moment when conditions were ripe for his coming.
The speaker then delves into the meaning of Advent, likening it to the grand celebrations of a Caesar's arrival in ancient times, paralleling the heavenly celebration at Jesus' birth. The significance of Jesus' arrival is likened to the anticipation of a long-awaited hero, surpassing fictional characters like Luke Skywalker or Neo, as Jesus embodies the roles of prophet, priest, and king.
A significant portion of the sermon is dedicated to the prophecies that Jesus fulfilled. The speaker compares discovering a letter from Abraham Lincoln that accurately predicts one's life to the amazement of Jesus fulfilling around 300 prophecies. These include the prophecy of the offspring of the woman crushing the serpent's head, the virgin birth foretold by Isaiah, and Micah's pinpointing of Bethlehem as the birthplace of the Messiah.
The speaker also addresses the statistical improbability of one person fulfilling multiple prophecies, as calculated by Dr. Peter Stoner. The odds of Jesus fulfilling just eight of the prophecies are likened to finding a single gold dollar in a state covered two feet deep with silver dollars, emphasizing the miraculous nature of these events.
Furthermore, the sermon discusses the perfect timing of God's plan, with historical figures like Alexander the Great and Caesar Augustus setting the stage for the spread of the Gospel. The Greek language became widespread, and the Pax Romana ensured safer travel, facilitating the dissemination of Jesus' story and message from Jerusalem, a strategic crossroads of continents.
The speaker also addresses the question of why Jesus did not come in a more technologically advanced era, explaining the importance of the temple in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of prophecies and the perfect timing of Jesus' arrival in history.
Lastly, the speaker shares a personal story from their childhood about the excitement of counting down to Christmas with an Advent calendar, drawing a parallel to the anticipation of Jesus' arrival.
Key Takeaways:
- The concept of Advent is rooted in the idea of a grand arrival, much like a Caesar's entry into a city, but the arrival of Jesus Christ is a divine event that was celebrated by the heavens and had been anticipated throughout history. This arrival was not just a momentous occasion but the fulfillment of a divine plan set in motion before the world began.
- The fulfillment of ancient prophecies by Jesus is not a matter of coincidence but a testament to the divine nature of his mission. The statistical improbability of one person fulfilling even a handful of these prophecies, as illustrated by Dr. Stoner's calculations, underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' life and works.
- The timing of Jesus' arrival was orchestrated by God to coincide with a period when cultural and political conditions favored the rapid spread of the Gospel. The widespread use of Greek and the relative peace of the Pax Romana were instrumental in the dissemination of Jesus' teachings.
- The prophecies concerning Jesus' lineage, birthplace, and life events are so specific and numerous that they serve as a "fingerprint" identifying him as the anointed savior. This level of detail in the prophecies eliminates the possibility of a random fulfillment and points to a divine orchestration.
- The anticipation of Jesus' arrival can be likened to the eager waiting for Christmas as experienced by a child. The Advent season is a time of reflection on the joy and excitement of awaiting something wonderful, which in the Christian tradition, is the celebration of the birth of Christ and the salvation he brings.
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 1:20-23 (NIV)
> "But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 'Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."
2. Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
> "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."
3. Galatians 4:4-5 (NIV)
> "But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the term "Advent" mean, and how was it used in the first century? ([28:15])
2. How does the sermon describe the celebration of Jesus' birth in the heavenly realm? ([29:32])
3. What are the three roles that the Messiah fulfills according to the sermon? ([30:54])
4. How does the sermon illustrate the statistical improbability of Jesus fulfilling multiple prophecies? ([45:47])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What is the significance of the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 about the virgin birth, and how does it relate to the concept of Advent? ([32:21])
2. How does the sermon explain the "fullness of time" in relation to Jesus' arrival? ([50:45])
3. Why is the fulfillment of prophecies by Jesus considered a "miracle" rather than a coincidence or conspiracy? ([47:10])
4. How does the sermon connect the historical context of Alexander the Great and Caesar Augustus to the spread of the Gospel? ([51:23])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the concept of Advent as a grand arrival. How can you prepare your heart to celebrate the arrival of Jesus Christ this season? ([28:15])
2. The sermon compares the anticipation of Jesus' arrival to the excitement of a child waiting for Christmas. How can you cultivate a sense of anticipation and joy in your spiritual life? ([56:24])
3. Considering the statistical improbability of Jesus fulfilling multiple prophecies, how does this strengthen your faith in the divine nature of His mission? ([45:47])
4. The sermon mentions the perfect timing of Jesus' arrival. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust God's timing? How can you grow in patience and trust? ([50:45])
5. How can you use the historical context provided in the sermon to better understand and share the story of Jesus' birth and mission with others? ([51:23])
6. The sermon discusses the importance of the temple in Jerusalem for the fulfillment of prophecies. How does understanding the historical and cultural context of the Bible enhance your reading and application of Scripture? ([54:31])
7. Reflect on the personal story shared by the speaker about the Advent calendar. How can you create meaningful traditions that help you and your family focus on the true meaning of Christmas? ([56:24])
Devotional
Day 1: Divine Arrival, Earthly Celebration
The arrival of Jesus Christ is a divine event that was celebrated by the heavens and had been anticipated throughout history. This grand arrival, akin to a Caesar's entry, signifies the beginning of a new era of redemption and hope for all of humanity. The Advent season is a time to remember and rejoice in the divine plan that was set in motion before the world began. [07:40]
Luke 2:13-14 - "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'"
Reflection: How can you celebrate the divine arrival of Jesus in your daily life during this Advent season?
Day 2: The Miraculous Fulfillment of Prophecy
The fulfillment of ancient prophecies by Jesus is a testament to the divine nature of his mission. The statistical improbability of one person fulfilling even a handful of these prophecies, as illustrated by Dr. Stoner's calculations, underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus' life and works. These prophecies serve as a divine fingerprint, confirming Jesus as the anointed savior. [07:40]
Isaiah 53:3-5 - "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: Reflect on the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. How does this strengthen your faith in the divine nature of his mission?
Day 3: The Strategic Timing of the Gospel
The timing of Jesus' arrival was orchestrated by God to coincide with a period when cultural and political conditions favored the rapid spread of the Gospel. The widespread use of Greek and the relative peace of the Pax Romana were instrumental in the dissemination of Jesus' teachings. This strategic timing underscores God's sovereignty and perfect planning. [07:40]
Galatians 4:4-5 - "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
Reflection: How can you recognize and trust in God's perfect timing in your own life, especially during times of waiting or uncertainty?
Day 4: Prophecies as Divine Fingerprints
The prophecies concerning Jesus' lineage, birthplace, and life events are so specific and numerous that they serve as a "fingerprint" identifying him as the anointed savior. This level of detail in the prophecies eliminates the possibility of a random fulfillment and points to a divine orchestration. [07:40]
Micah 5:2 - "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."
Reflection: How do the detailed prophecies about Jesus' life impact your understanding of God's plan for salvation?
Day 5: Anticipating the Savior's Arrival
The anticipation of Jesus' arrival can be likened to the eager waiting for Christmas as experienced by a child. The Advent season is a time of reflection on the joy and excitement of awaiting something wonderful, which in the Christian tradition, is the celebration of the birth of Christ and the salvation he brings. [07:40]
Titus 2:11-13 - "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a sense of anticipation and joy for the coming of Jesus in your daily spiritual practices?
Quotes
"God has always had a plan and a promise. Before he created a single star in the universe, God already knew the story of history." [48:38] (Download)
"The Advent of Jesus shows God had the perfect plan from the very beginning to fulfill his promise and make a way that you and I might be able to live with him in his kingdom forever and ever in his joy." [55:45] (Download)
"The chance of Jesus fulfilling just eight of the 70 major prophecies about his life is one in a hundred quadrillion. In mathematical terms, we call that statistically impossible; in the church, we call that a miracle." [47:10] (Download)
"Of those 333 prophecies about the coming chosen Messiah, there are 70 unique prophecies and then there's a couple of hundred that are kind of variations and details of those 70. These 70 prophecies are kind of like a fingerprint; they give us a meticulous identification of who this anointed and appointed savior will be." [34:11] (Download)
"In the fullness of time, planet Earth was ripe, it was ready, it was waiting to be set on fire by the gospel." [53:57] (Download)
"Many of the prophecies concerning the Messiah could not be fulfilled without the temple standing in Jerusalem, and much of Jesus's Ministry and preaching, both symbolically and literally, revolved around the temple." [55:07] (Download)
"Every day we'd go and you'd hang up the ornament and then you would count every single day. You'd be like one, two, three, four, and you try to figure out how many days till Christmas." [56:52] (Download)
"So also when Jesus was born in that lonely manger, it says there was a huge celebration in the heavenly realm that spilled out into the earth." [29:32] (Download)
"The Messiah is all of these three things rolled into one: the perfect version of a prophet, a priest, and a king, and so much more. The chosen one, the hero of Israel, the final and perfect King." [31:41] (Download)
"Friends, there is no way this is coincidence, there's no way this is dumb luck or random chance. Jesus is the chosen one; in fact, this is what God has been trying to tell us." [47:10] (Download)
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