An Expositional Sermon
Big Idea/Theme: God’s Word is an expression of His love for His people.
Application/Aim: Embrace the love of God for His people by trusting in Jesus Christ.
Outline:
(1) God’s Word Points Us to His Love for Us in Jesus Christ (Daniel 9:20-23)
(2) God’s Promises Are Fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Daniel 9:24)
- (A) First description of the 70 weeks in v. 24: 6 promises to be accomplished
- (B) Second description of the 70 weeks in vv. 25-27: Historical things that will happen.
(3) History Points to Jesus Christ (Daniel 25-27)
- (A) 70 Weeks, Part 1: 7 Weeks – rebuilding of Jerusalem & coming of anointed one
- (B) 70 Weeks, Part 2: 62 Weeks – continued rebuilding of Jerusalem in “troubled time”
- (C) 70 Weeks, Part 3: 1 Week – anointed one cut off forging a covenant, a prince’s people will destroy Jerusalem. – Last week is described twice.
Conclusion: Jesus is the fulfillment of this text. He fulfills both what was to be accomplished in the 70 weeks, and he fulfills the historical contours of what would happen in the 70 weeks. The way that God answers Daniel’s prayers for the forgiveness of the sins of God’s people is by helping him to forward to the good news of a covenant that would be forged in a “messiah” that would be cut of – namely, Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 10:1-14).
Questions for Further Reflection:
(1) Do you feel like God loves you? Why or why not?
(2) With all the trouble in your life and in this world, does this make you question whether or not God loves His people? Why or why not?
(3) As we sit here each week, and as we read His Word every day do you know that as He points us to Jesus Christ that it is an expression of God’s love to you?
(4) Ask a non-Christian friend if they understand God’s love for His people in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
(5) How is the Word of God that Gabriel is revealing to Daniel an expression of God’s love?
(6) When you see your sin, and the sin of God’s people do you pray that God would forgive?
(7) Does the good news that God has finally and fully atoned for the sins of His people in Jesus Christ who was cut off and had nothing encourage you? How?
(8) Again, today, trust in the Son of God, the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ who alone can make atonement for our sin, satisfy the eternal wrath of God we deserve, and reconcile us to God. What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
(9) How is the coming of Jesus Christ the answer to Daniel’s prayers in Daniel 9:1-19? Is forgiveness in Jesus Christ what you long for in your prayers?
Psalm 2:12: “Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”