The Testimony of the Scriptures

TEXTJohn 20:30-31;  5:39-40

INTRODUCTION:

A.      JOHN BIDS US LOOK AT THE TESTIMONY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

          SCRIPTURES.

B.      MEN CAN'T TELL THE FUTURE.  ONLY GOD CAN.  YET THE OLD

          TESTAMENT TELLS US MUCH ABOUT JESUS IN DETAIL.

I.      THE PROMISE TO EVE AND ABRAHAM.

A.      THE PROMISE MADE TO EVE CONCERNED A GREAT SPIRITUAL

          CONFLICT( Gen. 3:15 ).

          1.       The seed of the Woman would bruise the serpent's head, signifying victory.

          2.       This would also be a victory over the powers of Satan, sin and death

                   ( Gal. 4:4-5;  1 Cor. 15:55-57 ).

B.      THE PROMISE MADE ABRAHAM CONCERNING HIS SEED AND THE

          BLESSING OF ALL( Gen. 12:1-3 ).

          1.       The first part of this two-fold promise concerns the nation of Israel.

          2.       The second part is spiritual and is developed throughout the rest of the Old

                   Testament, then unfolded in Christ( Eph. 3:10-11;  1:9-10;  2 Pet. 1:16-21 ).

II.     THE UNFOLDING OF THESE PROMISES IN CHRIST.

A.      Gen. 49:10          1400 BC              Judah's rule                     Matt. 1:2

B.      Deut. 18:15-19    1400 BC              A prophet                       Acts 3:22-23

C.      Psa. 41:9             1000 BC              Betrayal

D.      Zech. 11:12-13      520 BC              Betrayal                          Matt. 26:14-15

E.      Psa. 22:15-18      1000 BC              Crucifixion                      Mat. 27; John 19

F.      2 Sam. 7:12         1000 BC              Family of David              Matt. 1:6

G.      Isa. 7:14                700 BC              Virgin birth                     Matt. 1:18-25

H.      Isa. 53                   700 BC              Character and

                                                                       destiny of

                                                                       the Christ                    1 Pet. 2:21-24

I.       Micah 5:2              700 BC              Bethlehem                      Matt. 2:1

J.       Mal. 3:1                440 BC              John the Baptist              Matt. 11:10

III.    STRENGTH OF THE TESTIMONY OF THE SCRIPTURES.

A.      THEY TESTIFY OF THE CHRIST( John 5:39 ).

B.      THEY CONTAIN WORDS OF LIFE( 2 Tim. 3:14-15 ).

C.      THIS LIFE IS IN CHRIST( John 5:40 ).

CONCLUSION

A.      THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FULL OF TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS.

B.      DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST