« The promise is fulfilled »
The fulfillment of the promise reveals first and foremost the divinity of God–His being faithful, not changing nor denying the words He has said. The angel Gabriel witnessed about this when he came to tell to Mary the purpose of God: “For no word from God will ever fail” Lk 1:37. In fact, “God’s angels” have been made faithful like Him, so they announce nothing but the message entrusted to them. The same applies to all the servants God sends, so that when they speak, they “must do so as one speaking the very words of God” 1 Pet 4:11a. This was utterly fulfilled by Jesus Christ the Son, who said: « Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father[e] does, the Son does likewise » Jn 5:19-20.. This means that He was totally faithful in delivering the message from His Father; that is why God declared about Him: « This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him! » Mt 17:5b. The messenger has been entrusted a great and important mission; therefore, they should walk with fear and caution (Phil 2:12b). For this reason the Apostle Paul said: « For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished[c] through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed » Rom 15:18. In sum, the messengers of God, whom He considers faithful, should be trusted and their words believed, because they do not speak on their own accord but speak according to what the Spirit of God makes them say (Mat 10:20). « He whom God has sent speaks the words of God » Jn 3:34a. Dear friends, trust in the fulfillment of the promise, « For in him every one of God’s promises is a Yes.For this reason it is through him that we say the Amen » 2 Cor 1:20a. The Promise whose fulfillment we await is Jesus’s visitation, according to the revelation of the Apostle John, « And the Word became flesh and lived among us » Jn 1:14a.
Monday, 30th: God fulfills His promise.
« The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made » Jer 33:14a.
Reading 1: 2 Pet 3:9-10. Reading 2: Jer 33:14-18. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jer 33:14-16.
Introduction: The “Promise” is God’s revelation of His purpose or His plan. Its purpose is twofold: that His glory and righteousness may be revealed, and that men may receive His blessing. This occurs through His Messiah. The promise is reliable because the Lord guarantees its truthfulness. In fact, »God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. Has he promised, and will he not do it? Has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? » Nom 23:19.
Tuesday, 01st : His covenant in order to fulfill His promises.
« The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah » Jer 31:31.
Reading 1: Mt 26:20-29. Reading 2: Jer 31:31-34. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Jer 31:31.
Introduction: God renews God has made with His people a covenant that has been renewed; it has been written down not on the rock but deeply on man’s mind and heart, and sealed by the blood of Christ which has been shed for the forgiveness of the sinners (Heb 9:22). This covenant was established once for all and for all eternity, in order to fulfill what is written: « For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you » Isa 54:10.
Wednesday, 2nd: The Word made flesh, fulfillment of the promise.
« Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing » Lk 4:21.
Reading 1: Isa 9:4-6. Reading 2: Lk 4:16-22. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Lk 4:21.
Introduction: The fulfillment of the promise in “the Word made flesh” reveals its truthfulness―as it came out of from the mouth of God, it is fulfilled by God. As such, He is the very One who ensures its fulfillment according to His word: « So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it » Isa 55:11b.
Thursday, 3rd: Believe in the fulfillment of the promise.
« See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! » 2 Cor 6:2b.
Reading 1: Heb 4:1-7. Reading 2: 2 Cor 6:1-2. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: 2 Cor 6:2b.
Introduction: God neither speaks in vain nor lies (Tit 1:2); thus, He is most trustworthy in His words. In this respect, the Apostle Paul said: « The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance » 1 Tim 1:15a. For it is written: « The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times » Ps 12:6. Jesus said to the centurion: « let it be done for you according to your faith » Mt 8:13a.
Friday, 4th: The promises, prophecies of God.
« Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy » Rev 1:3a.
Reading 1: 2 Pet 1:16-19. Reading 2: Rev 1:1-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rev 1:3.
Introduction: God gives the promises to those who believe in Him, and whom He has made witnesses of His righteousness: « The one who is righteous will live by faith » Rom 1:17. This is a working of the Spirit of God’s righteousness, as « men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God » 2 Pet 1:21b.
Saturday, 5th: Jesus Christ, pledge of the fulfillment of the promises.
« Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord » Mt 23:39b.
Reading 1: Ps 113:1-9. Reading 2: Mt 23:29-39. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 23:37-39.
Introduction: It is written: « For the testimony of Jesus[g] is the spirit of prophecy » Rev 19:10d, that is, the revelation the righteousness of God through Jesus, the Messiah of God, Savior of the world. He is the foundation on which all the Holy Scripture is focused. « that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms…(Lk 24:44), as well as the working of the Holy Spirit; Jesus said indeed: « he will testify on my behalf » Jn 15:26b.
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