Crossroads Church - Plymouth, IN
Pain with the Promise - Matthew 2:16-18
Worship Gathering
Locations & Times
Crossroads Church
1650 N Oak Dr, Plymouth, IN 46563, USA
Sunday 8:21 AM
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https://crossroadsefc.churchcenter.com/people/forms/478788Prophecy – Great sorrow would accompany the birth of Jesus.
Matthew 2:16–18 (ESV) - Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Psalm 2:2, 10-12 (ESV) - The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed…10Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss 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.
Jeremiah 31:15 (ESV) 15Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
Matthew 2:16–18 (ESV) - Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 18“A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
Psalm 2:2, 10-12 (ESV) - The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed…10Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12Kiss 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.
Jeremiah 31:15 (ESV) 15Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.”
Jeremiah 31:16–17 (ESV) - Thus says the Lord: “Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. 17There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country.
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 15:4 (ESV) - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
The promise didn’t end in pain.
The promise didn’t end in pain.
What does fulfilled prophecy teach us about God?
Our suffering does not mean God can’t.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Our hope means God does and God will!
Romans 15:13 (ESV) - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Our suffering does not mean God can’t.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) - Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Our hope means God does and God will!
Romans 15:13 (ESV) - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever made a promise you knew you couldn’t keep? What’s the difference between someone saying they will do something and actually being able to do it?
2. Do you ever find yourself wondering if God can do what He says He’ll do? Describe your journey with this.
3. Great sorrow accompanied the birth of Jesus. Why? Does Matthew 2:16-18 unsettle you? Why or why not?
4. Read Romans 15:13 and discuss what God is telling us. What words or phrase stands out to you most and why?
5. How does truth discussed today strengthen you in your daily life?
1. Have you ever made a promise you knew you couldn’t keep? What’s the difference between someone saying they will do something and actually being able to do it?
2. Do you ever find yourself wondering if God can do what He says He’ll do? Describe your journey with this.
3. Great sorrow accompanied the birth of Jesus. Why? Does Matthew 2:16-18 unsettle you? Why or why not?
4. Read Romans 15:13 and discuss what God is telling us. What words or phrase stands out to you most and why?
5. How does truth discussed today strengthen you in your daily life?