Why The Messiah, anyway?
Scripture: ACTS 2:13-39 Song: ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS NAME
I. INTRODUCTION
A. A long bible discussion with good friend eventually led to a discussion of "The messiah".
B. A theme worth studying, it really is central to an understanding of Bible truth.
C. A cohesiveness between the old and new testaments is seen in the Bible when we understand the Messiah.
D. A brief lesson of introduction in this series of four.
1. Why The Messiah, Anyway?
2. What was the messiah to be like?
3. Who was the messiah?
4. What good was there in sending The Messiah?
E. A lot of lessons for just this one theme? Well, what was Acts 2 about anyway?
F. A good question... Why the Messiah, anyway?
II. BODY
A. WHAT DO WE MEAN....MESSIAH ? John 4:1-26
1. "The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew term that means "anointed one." Its Greek counterpart is Christos, from which the word Christ comes. Messiah was one of the titles used by early Christians to describe who Jesus was." -Nelson's Bible Dictionary
2. The Messiah and the Christ are one! This ties both old and new testaments together.
3. The Messiah mean a political hero to the Jews, something quite different to Christians.
4. The Messiah was the "anointed one", another way of thinking of Him is the appointed one.
"anointed" To authorize, or set apart, a person for a particular work or service <Is. 61:1>. The anointed person belonged to God in a special sense. -Nelson's Bible Dictionary
5. The concept of The Messiah was understood even by the woman at the well, and so should we.
B. GOD HAS DECREED IT IN HIS WORD. Psa 2:1-12
1. If God decides to do something, who are we to second guess God? Would we fight against God? Psa 2
2. If there were another way, (other than the difficult way of the Messiah) wouldn't God have done it?
3. If God said it, that settles it.
4. If would listen to the witness of the scriptures, then perhaps to the testimony of God in the flesh.
C. NECESSARY FOR GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MANKIND. Eph 3:1-11
1. The fulfillment of God's eternal purpose.
2. The final hope for ALL OF MANKIND.
3. The future of mankind is in GRACE, not LAW.
D. A SIGN OF VICTORY OVER SIN. Isa 53:1-12
1. God's problem was sin, His power was Himself, His sign of Victory was (is) the Messiah!
2. God's victory was an unexpected one, a victory in heaven and on earth.
3. God's victory was complete, just as He is perfect.
4. God's victory was His word, His promise, His Messiah!
E. HOPE FOR THOSE STILL IN THIS WORLD OF SIN. 1Pet 1:1-13
1. Hope for those who desire to be pure in a world of sin.
2. Hope that is genuine hope.
3. Hope that will endure beyond this life.
4. Hope because someone did something for us we could not do ourselves.
III. CONCLUSION
A. WHY THE MESSIAH.. BECAUSE GOD NEEDED TO SEND HIM.. WE NEEDED HIM !
B. WHY THE MESSIAH.. BECAUSE IT WAS GOD'S WAY OF OVERCOMING SIN.
C. WHY THE MESSIAH.. BECAUSE IT TOOK A MAN TO TESTIFY TO MEN.
D. WHY THE MESSIAH.. FOR ME? DELAY? BECAUSE NOT OBEYING HIM ENDANGERS YOUR ETERNAL LIFE.