The Hour of Tragedy and Triumph
Galatians 4:1-7 & John 2:4
Pastor Jerry Stepp
Introduction:
In John 2:4 we see the first reference to a moment of mystery yet to come in Christ¡¦s earthly ministry. It is a moment in the future, frozen in the mind of Christ. An hour appointed when destiny will finally meet reality, and fulfilling the purpose of God here on earth. It was a hour designed and carefully orchestrated by the sovereign mind of God.
From this moment on, Jesus would speak often of this appointed time
John 7:6-8 ¡V his unbelieving brothers tried to prod him to do something openly before the people and he said¡K¡¨ My time is not yet come¡¨¡K¡¨ My time is not yet full come¡¨
John 7:30 & 8:20 - while he was teaching in the temple the Bible says; ¡§ no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come¡¨
John 12:23 says¡K
¡§The hour is come that the son of man should be glorified¡¨
John 12:27 says
¡§Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour: but for this cause I came unto this hour¡¨
John 13:1 says¡K
¡§Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father¡¨
John 17:1 ¡V now in the upper room, John records for the last time this same phrase from Christ as he prays- ¡§Father the hour is come¡¨
~This hour would be an hour of gruesome tragedy but also an hour of glorious triumph.
It would be here that the King of Heaven would square off with the prince of the host of Hell.
~This hour is the hour when the Lord Jesus Christ will taste death for all of humanity.
~At the cross, Satan and the entire evil host thought they would have an eternal party.
~But 3 days later the party was canceled. OOOPS!
~Darkness gave way to light. Wrong lost out to right. Death gave way to life. Sin lost to righteousness. Hell lost its hold, and we became heirs with Christ Jesus
~Jesus stamped out the works of Satan by the power of the resurrection in order that you and I might have eternal life.
Here in Galatians 4:4 we will see that God is a God of order and design. Jesus¡¦ task on earth was planned out in eternity past.
Knowing that God is a God of order, we need to realize that he has a set schedule and time in reference to the Rapture ¡V The Resurrection of the saints ¡V His Coming again:
~Do to his schedule to delay him could make it to late for you!!!
1. Let¡¦s look at the Prophetic Announcement of the Hour. Isaiah. 52
A. The foreknowledge of the Servant verse 13 ¡V
¡§He shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled¡¨
> Prudently: (saw-kal ) to act in a prosperous manner, to act with the knowing the outcome of something.
> Exalted & Extolled = high & lofted up; like in Isaiah. 6:1
His Exaltation will be¡K
Internationally-
Philippians 2:9 says¡K
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Universally-
Ephesians 1:21-23 says¡K
¡§Far above all principality, and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things under his feet and given him to be the head over all things to the church. Which is his body, the fullness of him, that filleth all in all.¡¨
Verse 14 & 15 are to be compared.
In 14 they were astonished by his humiliation; (visage)
In 15 his exaltation will astonish all!
„« The great end of all this was to redeem those that were under the law. He was sent to redeem us that we might receive the adoption of sons- that we no longer will be accounted as servants, but sons.
„« And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his son into our hearts, crying Abba, Father.
B. Let¡¦s look at the position of the Servant. Isaiah. 53:3-7
Smitten of God ¡V verse 4
As Christ hung on the cross the nation ridiculed and said ¡§He is being struck down by God because of his sin?¡¨ The Prophet says NO¡K ¡§Surely hath borne our grief¡K our sorrow our transgression¡K our iniquities¡K the price of our peace was upon him¡K and by his stripes we are healed.
Submissive to God ¡V verse 7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as
a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not
his mouth.
>John McAuther writes;
This section contains unarguable proof that God is the author of scripture and Jesus the fulfillment of the Messianic prophesy. The details are so minute that no human could have predicted them by accident and could fulfill them by cunning devices.
Because of his position we see now:
C. The Portion of the Servant ¡V Isaiah. 53:12 read
2. The Person Assigned to the Hour
A. The Servants Name.
Matthew 1:21 says¡K
And she shall bring forth a son, and though shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
>Jesus is the N.T. equivalent of the Hebrew name ¡§Joshua¡¨
>Joshua saved his people from their enemies.
>Jesus saves his people from the adversary within their soul: THEMSELVES
B. The Servants Nature ¡V John 1:1, 14
C. the Servants news ¡V Luke 4:18-19, 21 & 19:10
3. The Purpose Achieved by the Hour
John 12:23-24 read
A. 1. Crucified 2. Glorified 3. Multiplied
Thanks to Pastor Dave Sampson for his input in this outline
Pastor Stepp
