Part 6-Generosity In HIStory

This morning I want to direct our attention to the generosity of our God in the history of humanity. There are some who view history in much the same way as Forest Gump viewed history; it is very much like a feather floating along in the wind with no real rhyme or reason. The Bible shows us a very different story and much more robust and meaningful lens by which to view human history.

The Promise to Abraham

History is the story of our creative God providing redemption for His creation. History is the story of our generous God making a way for the fallen to be restored. History is the story of our God sovereignly directing the affairs of all mankind. We see this directive sovereignty throughout Scripture and we will follow God’s work in the affairs of His People, namely Israel, the Church and the Redeemed.

• Generosity to His People: ISRAEL– Genesis 12:1-3

God’s Generosity in HIS Story

God’s Generosity in

HIS Story

• Generosity to His People: ISRAEL– Genesis 12:1-3– The Evidence of Esther– The Evidence of History

God’s Generosity in HIS Story

• c. 4000 BC—Genesis 1:1 “In the Beginning God created…”

• c. 4000 BC—Man sins and God promises a deliverer for humanity—ADAMIC COVENANT (Gen. 3:15b, Rom. 16:20)

• c. 1812-1637 BC—Abraham’s life –ABRAHAMIC COVENANT (Gen. 12:1-3)

• c. 1440 BC—Moses records the first five books of the Old Testament

• c. 722 BC—Northern Tribes go into Assyrian Captivity• c. 586 BC—Southern Tribes go into Babylonian

Captivity

God’s Story

• c. 470-465 BC—God saves the Jews from annihilation through Esther

• 174-135 BC Maccabean Revolt– Antiochus IV Ephiphenes (the type of the anti-

Christ) tried to eradicate Judaism and replace with Hellenistic religions. Led by Judas Maccabeaus the Jews won freedom from Greek rule.

• 32 AD Jesus Christ dies as fulfillment of the Old Testament law and salvation is offered as a gift to all. (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9)

• 32 AD The Church begins on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

God’s Story

• 64 BC Roman Rule Begins-led by Gen. Pompei

• 70 AD Rome puts down a Jewish uprising and destroys much of Jerusalem (including the house of records which contained the official geneology of Jews) and the much of the temple.

• 131 AD- Jews were banned from entering Jerusalem.

• 324 AD Christianity adopted as official Roman religion. Jews are allowed to visit Jerusalem; Western wall of the temple became sacred.

God’s Story

• 614 AD Persians (with Jewish help) captured Jerusalem. For 3 years Jews governed Jerusalem.

• 617 AD Byzantine rule was regained in Jerusalem and Jews were forced out of Jerusalem again

• 636-1096 Arab Rule• 1099-1200s Crusader Rule• 1200s-1517 Egyptian Mamluk dynasty

rules• 1516-1917 Ottoman Turkish Rule

God’s Story

• 1896 Zionism Founded-1896 by Theodor Herzl-establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine.

• 1939-1945 World War II and Holocaust• May 14, 1948 Israeli state created in

Palestine after nearly 2,000 years of dispersia!

• June 5-10, 1967 6 Day War demonstrates again God’s sovereignty in the affairs of Israel!

God’s Story

• Population of Jews in Israel– 19507% 1.4 million– 1960 2.1 million– 197020% 3 million– 198025% 3.9 million– 199030% 4.8 million– 200039% 6 million– 201042% 7.5 million

Population of Jews in Israel

• Generosity to His People: ISRAEL• Generosity to His People: THE

CHURCH– The Proclamation of Jesus: Matthew

16:18– The Spread of the Church: Book of Acts– The Staying Power of the Gospel: China

God’s Generosity in HIS Story

• United States: 95.5 Million that claim the title Born-Again, Evangelical Christian

• China: 50-80 million protestant Christians in China today!– The gospel came to China approximately

1,000 years ago and it flourished even under persecution!

Believers in US and China

• Generosity to His People: ISRAEL• Generosity to His People: THE

CHURCH• Generosity to His People: THE

REDEEMED– Revelation 21:9-23; 22:16-17

God’s Generosity in HIS Story

• “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:16–17