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Easter Series: In the Beginning
The Big Idea: God has a plan and purpose for our world that goes back to the beginning of time.
- March 29—In the Beginning (God’s Eternal Plan)
- April 5—Called It! (The Prophecies About Jesus)
- April 12—Love is Found at the Cross (Easter Sunday)
A Bold Prediction
Question: Have you ever predicted something crazy ahead of time that ended up coming true?
Spencer Shaw predicted that Patrick Mahomes (Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs) would win the Super Bowl… all the way back when they were both in high school. Earlier this year, that prediction came true.
The T.V. Show “The Simpsons” has accurately predicted all sorts of things about our world: Disney’s purchase of Fox, Smart Watches, the name of a Nobel Peace Prize winner, autocorrect on apple devices causing confusion, and even Donald Trump being elected president… all the way back in 2000!
Called It!
Last week: God is Implementing a Perfect Plan that Began Before the World was Ever Formed.
One compelling piece of evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, and has been part of God’s plan since the beginning of time is a series of predictions in the Old Testament called the Messianic Prophecies.
In these prophecies, God predicted key details from the life of Jesus hundreds of years before he was born.
Example: Palm Sunday
Jesus is entering Jerusalem for his final week on this earth. As he enters, he is celebrated as a Savior and King:
21 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” —Matthew 21:1:3 (NIV)
4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:5 “Say to Daughter Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’” 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. —Matthew 21:4-7 (NIV)
8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” —Matthew 21:8-9 (NIV)
Matthew 21:5 is actually a quote from Zechariah 9:9, written 500+ years before Jesus was born!
Prophecies about Jesus’ Life
A Descendent of Abraham and David:
1. Genesis 12:3, 1500-2000 BC
2. 2 Samuel 7:12-13, 10th century
3. Isaiah 11:1-2, 6th century BC
4. Jeremiah 23:5-6, 6th century BC
5. Fulfilled in Matthew 1:1
Virgin Birth: Predicted in Isaiah 7:14. See Luke 1:31-35.
Eternal in Nature, but Born in Bethlehem: Predicted in Micah 5:2. See John 1:1, Matthew 2:2
Called Out of Egypt: Predicted in Hosea 11:1. See Matthew 2:13-15
Jesus Would Heal Many: Predicted in Isaiah 35:4-6. See the Gospels.
Prophecies about Jesus’ Death
Betrayed by a Friend for 30 Pieces of Silver: Predicted in Psalm 55:12, Zechariah 11:2-3. See Matthew 26:14-16.
Psalm 22
1. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
2. Mocked
3. Casting lots for clothes
4. Pierced hands and feet*
5. Poured out like water
Isaiah 53
1. Despited & Rejected
2. Pierced & Crushed for our Sins
3. Peace and Healing
4. Did not Open his Mouth
5. Numbered with Transgressors
6. Interceded for Sinners
7. Among the Rich in his Death
8. Committed no Violence
9. Will See the Light after Suffering
Darkness in Daylight: Predicted in Amos 8:9. See Matthew 27:45.
Prophecies about Jesus’ Victory and Significance
A Child is Born Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)
A Light to the World— Isaiah 9:2, 47:1-7. See John 8:12
The Resurrection:
“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful [holy] one see decay. You make known to me the path of life… ” —Psalm 16:9-11 (NIV)
What Are the Odds?
Professor Peter Stoner: 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 chance that Jesus could match just 8 of the Messianic prophecies in the Bible.
Application: Keep the Faith.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” —Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)
Response
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Questions? Contact Bryan: (609) 356-3147 or bfojtasek@westsidelife.org.
Life Group / Reflection Questions
Today’s Theme: The Predictions about Jesus
Thank everyone for participating and invite everyone to share a little about how their week has gone.
- If you had the ability to see 6 months to a year into the future, what would you use that power to accomplish?
- Think back to your earlier life. What ideas or predictions did you have about what life would be like in 2020? Were there any specific technological achievements you thought we would make by now (e.g. flying cars, robots who do our dishes, etc)? How well did you predict what life would be like this year?
- This morning’s sermon focused on the predictions God made about Jesus coming into our world. In general, what is the significance of all these predictions for us as believers in Jesus?
Have your group read all of Isaiah 53.
This passage was written about 500 years before Jesus was born, but it is an accurate description of Jesus life and sacrifice on the cross. Spend several minutes identifying the connections you see between Isaiah 53 and Jesus’ life.
Here’s some possible questions to ask along the way:
• Verse 3—Was Jesus always despised and rejected? What are the moments in Jesus’ life when people flocked to him, and when did everyone tend to abandon him?
• Verse 5—Crucifixion wasn’t invented for at least another century after these words were written. How does this fact make this prediction even more impresive?
• Verse 6—What did Jesus teach in Luke 15 about God’s heart for sheep who wander off?
• Verse 7—In what way was Jesus a lamb? What connection is there to the Passover?
• Verse 9—How did the predictions about being with the rich and the wicked in death come true for Jesus?
• Verse 11—What does it mean that this servant will see the light of life?
• Verse 12—In the Old Testament, human beings were never offered as sacrifices for sin—only animals. How does Jesus’ life, death and resurrection compare to the sacrifices in the Old Testament?
Hebrews 3:1-3 encourages us to keep our eyes on Jesus, because he went to the cross with joy in his heart. How does keeping our eyes on Jesus help us keep the right attitude in the midst of terrible circumstances?
What are the big takeaways you got from our time together and/or this morning’s sermon?
End your time in prayer.