Genesis 3:15
Introduction:
1. With our religious neighbors focused this time of year on the birth of Jesus, we will spend all four December Sunday mornings addressing the significance of the event.
2. Today will focus on humanity’s desperate need for Immanuel, God with us.
3. This first part will ponder the first gospel amid the first sin, focusing on the great warnings and blessings it contains.
Discussion:
I. The Fall of Humanity
A. It is not hyperbole to say Genesis 3 records the darkest day in human history.
B. From the blissful state God gave them (1:31-2:25) came shame, suspicion, separation, sorrow, and death (2:17; 3:1-24; Romans 5:12; 8:20-22).
II. The Promised Redemption
A. Amid such darkness and gloom, God gave a shimmer of light.
B. Known as the first gospel, Genesis 3:15 provides the “seed promise” from which fallen humanity’s redemption would come.
C. There would be two “seeds,” leading to two very distinct people groups.
1. The serpent’s seed, descendants of Satan (cf. John 8:39-44; 1 John 3:8, 12; Matthew 13:38).
2. The seed of woman, uniquely with no mention of man (cf. Isaiah 7:14).
D. Through harsh conflict, the seed of woman would destroy the serpent in the end (Genesis 3:15).
E. How can we know this is so?
III. The Refinement of the Promise
A. Though initially vague, the seed promise would undergo several refinements.
B. The generic “seed of woman” was narrowed to Abraham’s descent (Genesis 12:1-3; 22:17-18).
C. Through Isaac and Jacob, the messianic hope would narrow further to Judah (Genesis 49:10).
D. Out of Judah, the kingly lineage would find focus in David and his descendants (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
E. By the time of the New Testament, the phrase “Son of David” was synonymous with Messiah.
F. From Genesis 3 through Revelation 22, every piece of the Bible points to this redemption.
IV. The Fulfillment of the Promise
A. The culmination of these seed promises unfolded just as the many prophets foretold (Luke 24:44-45).
B. Matthew and Gabriel collectively proclaimed that Isaiah’s prophecy of one born of a virgin had come (Matthew 1:22-23; Luke 1:30-35).
C. Jesus began His ministry saying, “The time is fulfilled…” (Mark 1:14).
D. Paul confirmed the seed of woman was fulfilled in Jesus’ coming, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman…” (Galatians 4:4-5).
E. The Hebrews writer proclaimed the seed of woman did precisely what God said, destroying the evil one (Hebrews 2:14-15; Romans 16:20).
Conclusion:
1. Jesus’ birth, whenever that occurred, signaled God’s faithfulness to His promise.
2. Despite the evil one’s best efforts, he was helpless to thwart God’s plans.
3. This reality is the anchor to our souls (Hebrews 6:17-20).
Further Food for Thought
1. How does being able to see the panorama of salvation history affect you?
2. How can we use it to build one another up? How about pulling others in?
3. Can you think of other passages that speak to this reality missing from this discussion?