Scripture: Ephesians 3:8-12

C.I.: “Blessed is He Who Reads”

Last week we began a new series of lessons – in which we saw the closest thing to heaven -
is the worship of God by His saints here on earth.
Today we are going to spend our time in the word of God – looking at…!

I. History is truly “HIS”-Story

A. An Introduction:

1. The importance of God’s word in the worship of the church – cannot be over-stated.

a. (Rev. 1:3), “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, - and heed the things which are written in it.”
1) In the early church – there was a person designated to be the “reader.”
2) This was in keeping with God’s command through the Apostle Paul to Timothy - to read scripture – (I Tim. 4:13), “Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture.”

b. The benefits of Scripture Reading – are clearly why God desires for it to be done…
1) It is how we grow in faith – (Rom. 10:17), “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the….”
2) It saves us – (Rom. 1:16), “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God….”
3) It tells us how to conduct our lives – (II Tim. 3:16-17), “All scripture is given by the inspiration of God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in….”
4) It unifies us – (Jn. 17:20-21), “I do not ask on behalf of these [apostles] alone, but for those also who believe on Me through their word; - that they may all be one; even as You Father…”
5) It keeps us saved – (Heb. 2:1), “For this reason we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”
6) It will be our judge – (Jn. 12:48), “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings….”

c. Its how we know what God desires in WORSHIP – (quote John 4:23; Psa. 51:17; John 17:17).
1) (I Cor. 11:23-26), “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered unto you….”

LORD’S SUPPER
B. The Blessed “Seed”

1. Throughout the Bible there are several “Major Themes” which hold God’s word together.

a. Clearly in our first reading today we saw God had an “Eternal Purpose” – (quote Eph. 3:11).
1) Perhaps the most important of these is the “seed” promise.
2) This is the first of the Messianic (concerning the Messiah – Jesus) is found at the beginning.
3) (Genesis 3:15), “And the Lord God said to the serpent…I will put enmity between you &….”
4) Therefore, Satan knew that all he would have to do would be to destroy the “seed-line” in order to avoid is ultimate destruction… “He will crush your head.”
2. Let us now follow the “seed-line” – and watch how God in His word keeps His promise – in spite of hell’s best efforts to destroy it!

a. Read Genesis 6:5-13, 17-18; 9:9-10
1) Satan got busy early – he had brought all of mankind (save one family) – under his dominion.
2) But God promised to make His covenant with Noah & his sons – and God did not forget!

b. Read Genesis 12:1-3
1) The promised blessing (seed) – was going to come through the people of Abraham.
2) Satan by his nature hates all men (Jn. 3:16) – but his special attention is now given direction.

c. Read Genesis 17:15-21
1) Abraham had two sons (Ishmael & Isaac). – He wished for Ishmael to receive God’s covenant.
2) Yet God said, “I will establish My covenant…with his seed after him.”
3) So the seed promise is given to the descendants of Isaac – but not to Ishmael or his seed.

d. Read Genesis 49:1-10
1) Jacob had many sons – yet it was to only one of them (Judah) – who would carry the promise.
2) Satan’s job has just gotten easier – he must destroy the tribe of Judah.

e. Read I Chronicles 17:1-15
1) King David was of the tribe of Judah – God now narrows down the “seed” promise (v. 11) – not just to the tribe of Judah – but now even to the family of David – within that tribe!
2) While this promise finds a physical fulfillment in the Temple Solomon built – it finds its greater spiritual fulfillment later – (v. 14), “I will settle him in My house and in My kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.”

f. Read II Chronicles 22-23:3, 11
1) Satan had almost succeeded – the house of David was down to only 1 person. – Yet God saw to it that this 1 person was spared.
2) There are other times when things looked grim for God’s people (400 years of captivity in Egypt – an Assyrian and then a seventy year captivity in the land of Babylon.
3) Yet in all this – God remembered His promise & brought His people & seed back to the land.

g. Read Matthew 1:1, 15-17; Luke 3:23-24, 31, 34
1) In spite of all that Satan had tried – having centuries in which to accomplish his task – Satan did what Satan always does when confronted with God’s promises – HE FAILED!
2) Remember, God had promised Abraham, “…and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,” (Gen. 12:3).
3) That Jesus truly is the fulfillment of this promise is found in Gal. 3:16, “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. – He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ As referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is CHRIST!”

CONCLUSION:

1. Satan knows his time is short. – You are in danger! Do you have a close, happy, peaceful relationship with
God? – (quote Rev. 12:17).

2. God promised us that His Son would be a blessing to all the nations. – Have you received the blessing of
salvation – (quote Gal. 3:26-29) – DO YOU BELONG TO CHRIST?!