In week 2 of our “Songs of Salvation” series, Pastor Smith reflects upon the powerful Advent song “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” We take a journey through the history of God’s people as they have waited for God to redeem and restore His broken world. We learn about God’s promises kept in the first coming of Jesus…and we continue to wait in hopeful expectation of Jesus’s second coming.
Genesis 3:15 “He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Genesis 12:3 “...and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Exodus 2:24 “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.”
Exodus 14:7 “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers–it is to him you shall listen.”
2 Samuel 7:13 “He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
Isaiah 40:1-2a “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned.”
Isaiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 61:1 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.
Romans 8:23 “...We ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Sermon Discussion Questions – 12/4/22 - Pastor Jeffery Smith
What do you think it would have been like to be part of God’s Old Testament people, waiting for the Messiah to come? What would have been the most difficult time of Old Testament history to be waiting on the Lord?
Which Scripture passage that we looked at today is most comforting and strengthening to you as you wait for Jesus?
What is it like to be in between the two comings of Jesus today? What is the biggest challenge you face as you wait for Jesus to return?
What would make you pray “Come, Lord Jesus” with extra passion and urgency?