Redemption and Restoration Story Gods work of redemption

…Redemption and Restoration Story • God’s work of redemption through the nations • Israel • The nations • The redeemer Ris ing Act ion n tio Ac Creation Expositio n Redemption ling Fal • The conflict plays out • Cain and Abel • The flood Climax Restoration Resolutio n • The Villain and the conflict introduced The Fall

“Live in Light of God’s Future Promises” Exodus 19: 1 -6 What God has… Ø Done Ø Is doing Ø Will do

I. God confirms His present work in the lives of His people through the fulfillment of His promises A. God’s confirming work confirms His promises have no expiration (Verses 3 -4)

“And I will establish my covenant between me and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God” Genesis 17: 7 -8

I. God confirms His present work in the lives of His people through the fulfillment of His promises A. God’s confirming work confirms His promises have no expiration (Verses 3 -4) 1. This work of bringing His people to Himself is done with the utmost tenderness of care B. God’s confirming work that confirms His promises knows no delays (Verses 1 -2) “On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt —on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai” (verse 1, NIV)

II. God’s present work should move the faithful to live in light of His future promises A. “If you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples” (verse 5)

“Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. ‘They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him” Malachi 3: 16 -18

II. God’s present work should move the faithful to live in light of His future promises A. Obey, keep covenant, treasured possession B. “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (verse 6) 1. This promise has not failed; it is reserved for the faithful (Romans 9: 6 -8)

“But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. ’ This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring” Romans 9: 6 -8

II. God’s present work should move the faithful to live in light of His future promises A. Obey, keep covenant, treasured possession B. “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (verse 6) 1. This promise has not failed; it is reserved for the faithful (Romans 9: 6 -8) 2. This promise will be realized by a faithful remnant (Isaiah 20: 20 -23)

“In that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on him who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in the midst of all the earth” Isaiah 20: 20 -23

III. Live in light of God’s future promises! A. Honor God’s chosen people “But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you” Romans 11: 17 -18

III. Live in light of God’s future promises! A. Honor God’s chosen people B. Serve the Lord as a royal priesthood and a holy nation Ø Live as an example of God’s character Ø Proclaim and invite Ø Intercede for others through prayer Ø Preserve/honor/exalt His word