The Greatest Story Ever Told
Introduction
(Hebrews 1:1–2):
God once spoke through the prophets, but now speaks to us by His
Son. The greatest story ever told is Scripture’s story of Jesus—from
promise to birth, from cross to crown—and it calls each heart to
respond.
God’s Promise
and the Coming Kingdom
God announced a new covenant written on minds and hearts, with sins
remembered no more (Hebrews 8:8–12). He promised a kingdom that
would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44). Isaiah foresaw the Lord’s
house exalted, the nations streaming to His teaching from Jerusalem,
and a Highway of Holiness for the redeemed (Isaiah 2:2–4; 35:1–10).
The Spirit described a righteous Branch from Jesse who would judge
with equity (Isaiah 11:1–6). Moses foretold a Prophet who would
speak all God commands (Deuteronomy 18:18). Isaiah revealed the
Servant who would be despised, wounded for our transgressions, and
bear the iniquity of us all, yet triumph by God’s will (Isaiah
53:2–12). These promises converge in Jesus Christ.
The Birth
of Jesus—God With Us
In the fullness of time, a virgin conceived, and His name was called
Immanuel—“God with us” (Matthew 1:23). He was born in Bethlehem just
as foretold, Ruler from everlasting (Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6–7).
Angels announced “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord,” and shepherds
glorified God for all they saw and heard (Luke 2:10–20). Wise men
came to worship, gifts in hand (Matthew 2:1–12). He was called a
Nazarene and grew in wisdom and favor with God and men (Matthew
2:23; Luke 2:52). Heaven’s plan had entered earth’s history.
The
Teaching and Identity of Jesus
Jesus declared the blessed life for the poor in spirit, the
merciful, the pure in heart, and the persecuted (Matthew 5:3–12). He
called us to treasure heaven, trust the Father’s care, and seek
first the kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:19–33). He
commanded us to ask, seek, and knock; to walk the narrow way; and to
do the Father’s will by doing His words (Matthew 7:7–14, 21, 24–27).
He revealed Himself as the bread of life, the door, and the good
Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep (John 6:35; 10:9–16).
He promised a prepared place and affirmed, “I am the way, the truth,
and the life,” calling us to loving obedience (John 14:1–6, 15, 21).
His works testified: the blind saw, the lame walked, lepers were
cleansed, the deaf heard, the dead were raised, and the poor heard
the gospel (Matthew 11:2–6). On the mountain of transfiguration the
Father declared, “This is My beloved Son…hear Him” (Matthew 17:1–5).
Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,”
and Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:13–18).
The Cross
and the Empty Tomb
Jesus foretold His suffering, death, and resurrection (Matthew
16:21). Delivered to Pilate, rejected by the crowd, He was scourged
and crucified at Golgotha under the title, “This is Jesus the King
of the Jews” (Matthew 27:22–23, 33, 37). From the cross He prayed,
“Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). The centurion confessed, “Truly
this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). Joseph of Arimathea laid
Him in a new tomb sealed and guarded (Matthew 27:57–66). At dawn on
the first day, the stone was rolled away: “He is risen; He is not
here” (Mark 16:2–7). Jesus met His disciples, saying, “Rejoice…Do
not be afraid” (Matthew 28:9–10). He showed Himself alive to chosen
witnesses, even to more than five hundred at once (Acts 10:40–41; 1
Corinthians 15:5–6). Death was defeated and hope secured.
The
Commission and Ascension
With all authority in heaven and on earth, Jesus charged His
disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and
teaching them to obey all He commanded, promising His presence to
the end of the age (Matthew 28:16–20). He was received into heaven
and sat down at the right hand of God as the word went forth in
power (Mark 16:19–20).
The Lord’s
Gracious Invitation
The risen Lord still calls: “Come to Me…and I will give you rest”
(Matthew 11:28–30). God so loved the world that He gave His Son that
believers might have everlasting life (John 3:16). Jesus heralded
the gospel of the kingdom, commanding all to repent and believe
(Mark 1:15; Luke 13:3), to confess Him (Matthew 10:32–33), to
believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16), to abide in Him
and keep His commandments (John 15:4–6, 10; 14:23–24). He promises
the crown of life to the faithful and freely offers the water of
life to all who desire (Revelation 2:10; 22:17).
[The
Greatest Story Ever Told] Sermon Outline:
Call to
Action
Enter this story by faith today. Come to Jesus for rest. Believe the
good news, repent of sin, confess Christ before men, and be baptized
into His death and resurrection to walk in newness of life. Continue
in His word, abide in His love, and remain faithful unto the crown
of life.
Key
Takeaways
-
God promised
a new covenant and an indestructible kingdom fulfilled in Christ
(Hebrews 8:8–12; Daniel 2:44).
-
Jesus’
birth, life, and mission precisely match prophetic expectation
(Micah 5:2; Isaiah 9:6–7; Isaiah 53:2–12).
-
His teaching
defines the blessed life and calls for obedient faith (Matthew
5–7; John 14:15).
-
The cross
and resurrection secure forgiveness and living hope (Luke 23:34;
Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:5–6).
-
The Great
Commission extends salvation to all who obey the gospel (Matthew
28:18–20; Mark 16:16).
-
The Lord
invites every soul to come, abide, and endure to life (Matthew
11:28–30; John 15:4–6; Revelation 22:17).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Hebrews
1:1–2 — God now speaks through His Son.
-
Hebrews
8:8–12 — New covenant promised; sins remembered no more.
-
Daniel 2:44
— Everlasting kingdom set up by God.
-
Isaiah 2:2–4
— Zion exalted; word from Jerusalem to all nations.
-
Isaiah
35:1–10 — Healing signs; Highway of Holiness; the redeemed
return.
-
Isaiah
11:1–6 — Righteous Branch from Jesse judges with equity.
-
Deuteronomy
18:18 — The Prophet who speaks God’s words.
-
Isaiah
53:2–12 — The Servant suffers for our iniquities and prevails.
-
Matthew
1:23; Isaiah 9:6–7; Micah 5:2 — Immanuel; Prince of Peace;
Bethlehem prophecy.
-
Luke 2:1–20
— Birth narrative; angelic announcement; shepherds’ praise.
-
Matthew
2:1–12, 23 — Wise men worship; He is called a Nazarene.
-
Luke 2:52 —
Jesus grows in wisdom and favor.
-
Matthew
5:3–12; 6:19–33; 7:7–14, 21, 24–27 — Beatitudes; kingdom
priorities; obedient foundation.
-
John 6:35;
10:9–16 — Bread of life; door and good Shepherd.
-
John 14:1–6,
15, 21 — Prepared place; the way; loving obedience.
-
Matthew
11:2–6 — Works testify to the Messiah.
-
Matthew
17:1–5 — Transfiguration; the Father says, “Hear Him.”
-
Matthew
16:13–18, 21 — Peter’s confession; Jesus’ church; foretelling
the cross.
-
Matthew
27:1–2, 22–23, 33, 37, 54, 57–66 — Trial, crucifixion,
confession of the centurion, burial and sealed tomb.
-
Luke 23:34 —
Prayer of forgiveness from the cross.
-
Mark 16:2–7
— Empty tomb; “He is risen.”
-
Matthew
28:9–10 — The risen Lord meets and comforts.
-
Acts
10:40–41; 1 Corinthians 15:5–6 — Appearances to chosen witnesses
and over five hundred.
-
Matthew
28:16–20 — Great Commission and abiding presence.
-
Mark
16:19–20 — Ascension; word confirmed as they preached.
-
Matthew
11:28–30 — Invitation to rest in Christ.
-
John 3:16 —
God’s love and everlasting life.
-
Mark 1:15;
Luke 13:3 — Repent and believe the gospel.
-
Matthew
10:32–33 — Confess Christ before men.
-
Mark 16:16 —
Believe and be baptized to be saved.
-
John 15:4–6,
10; John 14:23–24 — Abide in Christ; keep His commandments.
-
Revelation
2:10 — Be faithful unto death; crown of life.
-
Revelation
22:17 — “Come”…the water of life freely offered.
Prepared by David Hersey
|
The
church of Christ
