The Promise Maker is the Promise Keeper
Watch or listen to
the full sermon here.
Preached by Pastor Mike Woodard
Follow The Valley Church
As we begin our December series Man of His Word, we’re focusing on a foundational truth of Scripture: the God who makes promises is the God who keeps them. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is a record of God’s faithfulness. And when we look at the promises fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we find confidence that His promises to us still hold strong today.
God has promised to never leave us, to be near the brokenhearted, to strengthen us, to forgive us, and to work all things together for good. These aren’t ancient sentiments or expired assurances—they are living promises sustained by a living Savior.
The Road to Emmaus: When Hope Feels Lost
In Luke 24, we meet two travelers walking from Jerusalem to the village of Emmaus. The crucifixion of Jesus had shaken them. Their hopes were shattered, and the words they used say everything: “We had hoped…”
Those three words resonate deeply, don’t they?
We had hoped God would show up.
We had hoped the crisis would end.
We had hoped healing would come.
We had hoped life would look different by now.
Their story is our story. When God feels silent or slow, we quietly shift our faith into the past tense.
But Jesus steps into their disappointment—literally—and begins to open the Scriptures to them. Though they don’t recognize Him yet, He walks them through every prophecy that pointed to the Messiah. From Moses to the prophets, He shows that He was never plan B, never a backup, and never a failed hope. He was the fulfillment of every promise.
Jesus didn’t just keep some promises—He fulfilled over 300 prophecies during His life. Mathematician Peter Stoner once calculated the odds of one person fulfilling just eight prophecies:
1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.
He said that it’s the equivalent of covering the entire state of Texas with two feet of quarters, marking one, mixing them all up, blindfolding someone, and expecting them to grab the marked coin on the first try.
If Jesus was who He said He was—and He proved it—then we can trust every word He speaks today.
He:
Rose from the dead
Appeared to many
Opened the Scriptures
Revealed Himself as Savior
Sent the Holy Spirit, just as He promised
Every fulfilled prophecy is proof: Jesus is a man of His word.
From “We Had Hoped” to Hearts Burning Again
When Jesus finally reveals Himself at the dinner table in Emmaus, the travelers suddenly realize the truth—and He disappears. Their hearts explode with life.
They declare, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
Where there was discouragement, Jesus sparked clarity.
Where there was disappointment, He ignited faith.
Where there was coldness, He created warmth.
The Word of God, illuminated by the Spirit of God, awakens our hearts to the promises of God.
And those promises? They are not in the past tense.
God still provides.
God still strengthens.
God still forgives.
God still restores.
God still works all things together for good.
Jesus is still alive—and His promises are still active.
Why This Matters During the Holiday Season
The Christmas season can be beautiful, but for many people it also brings reminders of loss, disappointment, or unanswered prayer. As the year wraps up, it’s easy to look back with the same words as the travelers:
“We had hoped…”
But God’s promises aren’t tied to your circumstances or your calendar. They are rooted in His character. They aren’t sentimental words for a season—they are eternal truths for your life.
When we see Jesus fulfilling His promises throughout Scripture, our confidence in His promises for us today grows.
Stay Anchored in His Word
As you step into the Christmas season, hold tightly to the promises of God:
I will never leave you or forsake you.
My grace is sufficient for you.
I am working all things together for your good.
Nothing can separate you from My love.
I will give you rest.
I am with you always.
The promise maker is the promise keeper.
He is still faithful.
He is still near.
He is still the God who keeps His word.