The Promise Keeper - Sermon With Worship

The Promise Fulfilled: Finding Salvation in Christ

Promises. We all make them, and we all break them. It's an unfortunate reality of human nature that our words don't always align with our actions. How many times have we heard a child exclaim, "But you promised!" only to be met with disappointment? This checkered history with promises has led to cynical views, like Robert W. Service's quip, "A promise made is a debt unpaid."

But what if there was a promise so extraordinary, so life-changing, that it seemed too good to be true? And what if that promise was actually kept?

This is the heart of the Christian gospel – a promise of salvation so incredible that it challenges our skepticism. As D.L. Moody wisely stated, "God never made a promise that was too good to be true." The story of Jesus Christ is precisely that kind of promise – one that seems almost unbelievable in its generosity and grace.

Consider the magnitude of this promise: complete forgiveness and reconciliation with God, not through our own efforts or penance, but through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It's a promise that flies in the face of our human inclination to earn favor or make amends for our wrongdoings.

The book of Acts, particularly chapter 13, provides a powerful illustration of this promise fulfilled. Here, we see the apostle Paul delivering a sermon that traces God's faithfulness throughout Israel's history, culminating in the arrival of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.

Paul's message is clear: God has been orchestrating history from the very beginning to bring about our salvation. From the Exodus out of Egypt to the reign of King David, every step was part of God's grand design to bring the Savior into the world. This truth offers immense comfort – nothing in our lives is mere coincidence. Even in our darkest moments, we are never outside of God's will or beyond His control.

As Paul recounts Israel's history, he emphasizes how God continually spoke through judges and prophets, pointing to the coming Messiah. This buildup of anticipation finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Paul declares, "Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation."

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus form the cornerstone of this promised salvation. His life demonstrated victory over every temptation we face. His death on the cross broke the power of sin. And His resurrection destroyed the finality of death, bringing life to all who put their trust in Him.

Paul's words ring out with triumphant joy: "But God raised him from the dead." This is the pivotal moment, the fulfillment of centuries of prophecy and expectation. The resurrection is not just a happy ending to a tragic story – it's the very foundation of our hope and the source of our new life in Christ.

Quoting from the Psalms, Paul reinforces the divine nature of Jesus and the permanence of His victory over death: "You are my son. Today I have begotten you," and "You will not let your Holy One see corruption." These ancient words find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, the one whom "God raised up [and] did not see corruption."

But this incredible message of fulfilled promise and freely offered salvation demands a response. As Paul concludes his sermon, he presents his listeners – and us – with a choice. Will we rest in Christ, accepting His offer of forgiveness and new life? Will we proclaim Him, sharing this good news with others? Or will we deny Him, turning away from this gift of grace?

The gravity of this decision is clear in Paul's warning: "Beware therefore, lest what is said in the prophets should come about: 'Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'"

This message challenges us to examine our own response to the gospel. Have we truly embraced the freedom and forgiveness offered in Christ? Are we living in light of this incredible promise fulfilled?

It's easy to become complacent, to take this gift for granted. But the reality of what God has done in Christ should continually astound us. We were dead in our sins, separated from God, with no hope of earning our way back to Him. Yet God, in His infinite love and mercy, provided the way through His Son.

This truth should transform every aspect of our lives. It should fill us with gratitude, fuel our worship, and motivate us to share this good news with others. The promise has been fulfilled – salvation is available to all who believe.

As we reflect on this message, let's consider our own response. Are we resting fully in Christ, trusting in His finished work rather than our own efforts? Are we proclaiming this truth boldly, unafraid of how others might respond? Or are we in danger of denying Him through our words or actions?

The invitation stands: to embrace the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, to experience the freedom and forgiveness He offers, and to live our lives in grateful response to His amazing grace. May we never lose sight of the magnitude of this gift, and may our lives be a testament to the transforming power of a promise kept.