Out of the Wilderness and into the Promises of God
The Promise of God with Us! The Intention of Creation; The Incarnation of Christmas
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 2 Timothy 1:9,10
The intention of this grace, is gloriously pictured by the book ends of the Scripture -- God with us, His creation. (Gen. 3:8; Rev. 21:3)
The majesty of Christmas is the fulfillment of the promise of an intimate God who is near—our joy!
For this is what the high and lofty One says—He Who lives forever, Whose name is holy: I live in a high and holy place, but I also live with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)
Let the truth of the nearness of God heal your heart, lift your head, and bring joy to your next steps...
1. The Presence of God with us (Gen. 3:8; Lev. 26:12; Deut. 23:14; 31:17; 2 Sam 7:6-7; Ezek. 8:12; 9:9)
Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool
of the day,... (Gen. 3:8)
PARADISE LOST (Gen. 3:23-24)
From intimacy to idols, the sin that sent man into hiding.
But, the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and the obedient (Lev. 26:3,11-12; Ps. 34:18).
2. The Promise of God with us (Gen. 3:15; Is. 7:14; 9:6; Matt. 1:22-23; Lk. 1:31)
Therefore the LORD, Himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. (Is. 7:14)
PARADISE PROMISED (Lk. 23:43)
“Became flesh and dwelt among us”; the goal was the cross. (Jn 1:14; Gal. 4:4-5; Phil 2:6-11)
Christ’s incarnational sinlessness and sacrifice are the only grounds of our justification—from idols to intimacy; God IN us! (Jn. 14:17; Rom. 5:12-19; Acts 2:38-39)
Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call. (Acts 2:38-39)
He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him... I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (Jn. 14:21; 15:11)
3. The Promise of us with God (Rev. 21:3; 1 Thes. 4:17)
So, we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thes. 4:17)
PARADISE RESTORED (Rev. 21:1-5)
Blessed are those who wash their robes (7:14; cf. 1 Jn 1:7), that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. (Rev. 22:14)
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Rev. 22:20-21)
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