e have been studying major themes and characters in God's Word the past few weeks at Hillside. We have looked at God and His nature and many of the early "Heroes of our Faith". We have also examined the Ten Commandments and other laws God gave His people to help them with life and their relationship with Him. This past Sunday we studied some of God's promises to His people. These promises indicate that God had a plan to save anyone who would listen to His plea and accept the Promised One when He came.

The study of prophesies concerning the coming of the Messiah and how Jesus fulfilled them is fascinating and powerful. God's plan was stated and carried out over hundreds of years by people who didn't know each other. The detail and specific nature of the prophecies show how thorough God is and how He made sure that all could know whom Jesus was if they cared to know. We have many, many instances where faithful witnesses such as the New Testament writers knew the prophecies personally and saw them fulfilled in the life of Christ. They often quoted the ancient words and then applied them to things Jesus did and said while He was in their presence. Their writings, especially in the gospels, show how keenly aware they were of what was happening in their lifetime. What a powerful testament it must have been to their conviction that Jesus really was the "One". No wonder many of them were willing to be martyred for their belief. Jesus' life was amazing just for what He did and taught. Imagine adding to that His fulfillment of prophesies that were widely known in the Jewish faith.

It takes an awesome, powerful, faithful God to have such a plan and then be able to carry it out. It also shows how God has extended Himself and been totally faithful in every detail to those who accept His message. God doesn't miss anything and can't be stopped. That is the kind of God mankind needs. His passion and love for His creation is clearly demonstrated in His long-term precisely executed plan to save through Christ. Only the God of the Bible loves enough to do what He's done and continues to do. Only the God of the Bible humbly put Himself on the cross to pay the price for the world's sin. He is above all in every way. He is worthy of our love and praise.

This coming Sunday we will be studying "Jesus, the Answer to God's Promise". The Bible tells the amazing truth about Who Jesus is and how He will be when He returns to claim His church. We invite you to worship with us and encounter the real Jesus God sent to save.

The background to our Sunday messages is taught in our Wednesday night study at 7:00 pm and in Bible classes Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. If you want to really grow in your faith and knowledge you are encouraged to attend. You can come at 6:00 pm Wednesday evenings for a great meal in the fellowship hall before the study. It's the best deal in town.