The Certainty of All the Promises of God
The certainty of God's promises is based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, who guarantees the fulfillment of all His promises.
Bob Hoekstra preaches about the certainty and fulfillment of all the promises of God through Jesus Christ. The promises of God can be both encouraging and challenging, but they are all guaranteed realities. Jesus Christ is the faithful and sure foundation of these promises, ensuring that every word spoken by God will come to pass. The key difference between those who experience the blessings of God's promises and those who do not is faith versus unbelief.
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For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. (2 Corinthians 1:19-20)
As we have seen, some of the promises of God are "exceedingly great and precious." Others are very "unpopular." The former category of promises brings encouragement, strength, hope, comfort. For example, "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me" (Psalm 138:8). The latter category warns, awakens, humbles, prepares. For example, "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12). Yet, whether we gladly embrace a "precious" promise or struggle with an "unpopular" promise, there is the absolute certainty of all the promises of God being fulfilled. Our present verses explain the basis of this certainty. The assurance is related to the very nature of Jesus Christ.
When Paul and his missionary team preached about the Lord Jesus, it was not a "yes-and-no" message. "For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us . . . was not Yes and No." The character and message of Jesus is not characterized by uncertainty. He is faithful and sure. The message concerning Him, as well as the messages He proclaimed, is "Yes." They are all guaranteed realities. It is not that Jesus could be the Son of God. He is certainly such. It is not that Jesus might save all who call upon Him. Such is totally assured. It is not that some of His promises could possibly be fulfilled. Rather, all of them will absolutely be fulfilled. Ezekiel declared this truth concerning all of the Godhead. "For I am the LORD. I speak, and the word which I speak will come to pass . . . the word which I speak will be done" (Ezekiel 12:25, 28). Later, John added a particular word concerning our reliable Savior: "Jesus Christ, the faithful witness" (Revelation 1:5). No wonder then that "all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us." Our God is going to faithfully do everything that He has ever stated in every one of His promises. The result will be great glory to Him, as He fulfills His promises in and through our lives.
Day by day throughout the family of God, some Christians live in the blessed certainty of God's promises, while others do not. The determining difference is faith versus unbelief. Joshua and Caleb of old entered into the promised land. The rest of that generation "could not enter in because of unbelief" (Hebrews 3:19).
Dear Lord, I long to be a promise believer, living by faith in Your promises to me. Thank You for making it so simple and so available. You want to make promises to me, and You want me to count on You to fulfill them. I rejoice that all Your promises are Yes and Amen in Jesus Christ, my Lord!
Sermon Outline
- I. The Certainty of God's Promises
- A. The character of Jesus Christ is not characterized by uncertainty
- B. The message of Jesus is 'Yes', guaranteed realities
- II. The Basis of Certainty
- A. Related to the nature of Jesus Christ
- B. Jesus is faithful and sure
- III. The Fulfillment of Promises
- A. All of God's promises will be fulfilled
- B. The result will be great glory to God
- IV. The Difference Between Promise Believers and Unbelievers
- A. Faith versus unbelief
- B. Unbelief prevents entrance into the promised land
Key Quotes
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” — Bob Hoekstra
“Jesus Christ, the faithful witness.” — Bob Hoekstra
“The word which I speak will come to pass . . . the word which I speak will be done.” — Bob Hoekstra
Application Points
- As a Christian, you can live in the blessed certainty of God's promises by living by faith in His promises to you.
- God wants to make promises to you and wants you to count on Him to fulfill them.
- Unbelief can prevent you from entering into the promised land, but faith can bring you into the fullness of God's blessings.