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  THE BIBLE'S FIRST PROMISE
  by C.H. Spurgeon
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Summary: The first promise to fallen man, contained in Genesis 3:15,
holds the whole gospel and the essence of the covenant of grace.

Topics: "Victory in Christ", "Promise of Redemption"
Scripture References: Genesis 3:15, John 16:33, Romans 16:20, 1 Corinthians 15:57, 2 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 6:12, Philippians 4:13, Hebrews 2:14, 1 John 5:4, Revelation 20:10

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DESCRIPTION
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C.H. Spurgeon expounds on Genesis 3:15, highlighting it as the Bible's
first promise to humanity, encapsulating the entire gospel and the
essence of God's grace. He explains how this promise has been partially
fulfilled through Jesus Christ, who was bruised but ultimately triumphed
over sin and death, with a complete victory awaiting at His second
coming. Spurgeon encourages believers to recognize that while they may
face afflictions and temptations from evil, they can find hope and
victory in Christ, who will ultimately crush the serpent's head. He
emphasizes the importance of faith in overcoming the trials that bruise
us, assuring that we will reign with Christ despite our struggles.

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CONTENT
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And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
(Genesis 3:15)

This is the first promise to fallen man. It contains the whole gospel
and the essence of the covenant of grace. It has been in great measure
fulfilled. The seed of the woman, even our Lord Jesus, was bruised in
His heel, and a terrible bruising it was. How terrible will be the final
bruising of the serpent's head! This was virtually done when Jesus took
away sin, vanquished death, and broke the power of Satan; but it awaits
a still fuller accomplishment at our Lord's second advent and in the Day
of Judgment.

To us the promise stands as a prophecy that we shall be afflicted by the
powers of evil in our lower nature, and thus bruised in our heel; but we
shall triumph in Christ, who sets His foot on the old serpent's head.
Throughout this year we may have to learn the first part of this promise
by experience, through the temptations of the devil and the unkindness
of the ungodly, who are his seed. They may so bruise us that we may limp
with our sore heel; but let us grasp the second part of the text, and we
shall not be dismayed. By faith let us rejoice that we shall still reign
in Christ Jesus, the woman's seed.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ch-spurgeon/the-bibles-first-promise/
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