Silence – only promises left The promises of Jesus through the Old Testament

The silence of God “Is God saying anything to you through this?” “Is God saying anything to you through this?” Is God silent? Is God silent? On your own On your own

The silence of God How does God speak? How does God speak? –Reading the Bible –Other Christians –Our conscience –Our thoughts after praying about it

The silence of God Why might we not hear God speak? Why might we not hear God speak? –Not reading the Bible –Wilful deafness –“Wax in the ear” – sin –No connection – not yet a Christian –Too much noise

The silence of God And yet… And yet… God has said all that needs to be said God has said all that needs to be said Trust and wait Trust and wait

The silence of God So, if God seems silent So, if God seems silent –He still cares –Keep faithful –Hang on to God and His promises –Get support from other Christians

Promises about Jesus How many? How many?

Promises about Jesus Though many Christians assume that the OT, and especially the prophets, contains mainly predictions of a future messiah, this is far from the case….Even when they do speak about a messianic figure, much remains unclear and mysterious. Martin Selman Martin Selman

Promises about Jesus Prophecy or promise? Prophecy or promise? Foretelling or forthtelling? Foretelling or forthtelling?

Promises about Jesus The prophetic eras The prophetic eras Now Now Later Later Much later - the Day of the Lord Much later - the Day of the Lord

Promises about Jesus Purpose of prophecy Purpose of prophecy Change behaviour now Change behaviour now NOT emphasis on the future NOT emphasis on the future

Promises about Jesus Messiah in the Old Testament Messiah in the Old Testament Jesus Jesus Suffering Servant vs Messiah Suffering Servant vs Messiah Isaiah 9:6-7 Isaiah 9:6-7 The inter-testamental period The inter-testamental period Forgetting Forgetting

Promises about Jesus That was then, this is now That was then, this is now Key event – the Ascension, end of an era Key event – the Ascension, end of an era

Promises about Jesus End of OT prophecy End of an era Promises Messiah Day of the Lord FulfilledUnfulfilled The Ascension End of an era Promises Holy Spirit 2nd Coming Fulfilled Unfulfilled

Promises about Jesus Application Application Walk – daily life, work, witness Walk – daily life, work, witness Talk – about salvation Talk – about salvation