The Bible and Jesus – The Messiah in the Old Testament
Pastor Tan Thai · Dec 1, 2022
This sermon explores how the Old Testament prophesies about Jesus as the Messiah through six major promises in the Pentateuch, the Psalms, and the prophetic books. From the promise of the seed of the woman in Genesis 3:15 to the Davidic Covenant and Psalm 110, the entire Old Testament bears witness to Him.
The sermon opens by affirming the authority of Scripture through foundational passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. Jesus Himself declared that He came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-18), and He personally expounded from Moses and all the prophets the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27, 44-45). This establishes the central thesis: the entire Old Testament bears witness to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The sermon presents six major Messianic prophecies in the Pentateuch. First, the promise of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) foretells that the Messiah would come mysteriously through a woman's lineage, defeat Satan, yet also suffer wounding. Second, the promise through the line of Shem (Genesis 9:26-27) shows that the blessing of salvation would be shared with the Gentiles, symbolized by Japheth dwelling in the tents of Shem. Third, the promise to Abraham's descendants (Genesis 12:2-3), repeated six times, extends the scope of blessing to all the families of the earth. Fourth, the promise of a great King from Judah (Genesis 49:10) through the title 'Shiloh,' meaning the one to whom the peoples render obedience. Fifth, the promise of a star from Israel (Numbers 24:17) through Balaam's prophecy. Sixth, the promise of a prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15), fulfilled in Jesus who is far greater than Moses (Hebrews 3:2-3).
The sermon then presents two major prophecies from the era of David: the Song of Hannah (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and the Davidic Covenant (2 Samuel 7:9-16). Hannah's song marks the first time in the Old Testament that the word 'anointed' is connected to a king, prophesying a Messianic King who would rule and judge all the earth. The Davidic Covenant is entirely unconditional: God promises to establish an eternal dynasty from David's line, one that cannot be abolished by death, sin, or the passage of time. The promise of a 'seed' runs continuously from Genesis 3:15 through Abraham to David, pointing forward to its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
The final portion of the sermon focuses on Psalm 110, the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament. This psalm prophesies the Messiah in three roles: King seated at the right hand of the LORD reigning over all kings, eternal High Priest after the order of Melchizedek who offered one perfect sacrifice, and Judge of the world at the last day. Jesus Himself quoted Psalm 110:1 to challenge the Pharisees — if David calls the Messiah 'Lord,' how can He be merely David's son? — thereby demonstrating the eternal divine nature of the Messiah.
The sermon concludes by highlighting that a total of 65 Messianic prophecies are found throughout the Old Testament, spanning the Pentateuch, Job, the Psalms, and the prophetic books. All of them converge and find complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The purpose of the sermon is to build the congregation's faith on the firm foundation of God's Word and to encourage all to believe in and receive Him as Savior and Lord.