Mourning and Rejoicing in New Jerusalem

Isaiah 66

Sermon Notes:

1) The Lord will right every wrong | 1-6

2) The Lord will fulfill every promise | 7-14

3) The Lord will proclaim His Kingdom to every coast | 15-24

Reflection questions:

1. What are some of the most memorable verses from Isaiah for you? What chapter of Isaiah did you underline the most? (Note: Jesus doesn’t love you less if you do/don’t underline your Bible.)

2. How does knowing that God will right every wrong change the way you approach your life? See Matthew 10:22 and John 16:33.

3. What do the following passages show us about God’s good news and His Kingdom, and what role we should play in proclaiming it? Isaiah 66 (especially v15-24); Numbers 6:24-26; Psalm 67; Romans 10:13-17.

Judgement and Salvation in New Jerusalem

Isaiah 65

Sermon Notes:

1) God will definitely repay the rebellious | 1-7

2) God will definitely divide people into two distinct destinies | 8-16

3) God will definitely reward His remnant with delight | 17-25

Reflection questions:

1. Do you ever think that your sins actions will not have eternal consequences, because you’ve been able to avoid really bad consequences so far? Did you know that people in the 1st - century once said that, too? How does Peter, let alone Isaiah 65, respond to that kind of thinking? See 2 Peter 3:1-10, especially vv.3-4, 9-10.

2. Why did Asaph become envious of the arrogant (v2) in Psalm 73? What did he forget about them (v27) and about himself (vv.23-28)?

3. How should our future hope affect our lives as we await that hope? See 2 Peter 3:11-15. (For a negative example, see 2 Thess. 3:6-15 and 1 Thess. 5:1-10.)

Rend the Heavens and Come Down

Isaiah 64

Sermon Notes:

1) The Urgent Need of a Holy God |1-2

2) The Awesome Presence of a Holy God | 3-5

3) The Awful Pollution of an Apathetic People | 5-7

4) The Unanswered Question to a Faithful God | 8-12

Reflection Questions:

1. Why does Isaiah want God to “come down” so urgently? Read vv. 1-3, then read vv.5-7. Couldn’t Isaiah or the others just try harder?

2. What are some of the ways that God has answered Isaiah’s question in v.12? In the century when Isaiah lived? In the days after the exile? Can we still ask those same questions (of v.12) today?

3. Do you ever have passing doubts about the resurrection? Consider what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, especially v8.

4. Why is the resurrection so important? Read what Paul wrote to those who were doubting the resurrection: I Corinthians 15:17-19.

A Prayer of Praise Remembrance

Isaiah 63:7-19

Sermon Notes:

1) The LORD Remains Faithful to His Covenant People in All Their Afflictions | 7-9

2) The LORD Remains Faithful to His Covenant People in All Their Rebellion | 10-14

3) The LORD’s Faithfulness to His Covenant People Leads Them to Cry Out for Tangible Deliverance | 15-19 (cf 11-13)

Reflection Questions:

1. What descriptions of God do you see in vv. 7-9? What sticks out about Isaiah’s prayer to God, about God?

2. Why is Isaiah asking so many questions of God? Do these questions imply that Isaiah does not trust God’s promises?

3. Read the following passages and see what parallels you can find to Isaiah 63:7-19. Consider Exodus 3:7; 4:22; 6:7; 19:4; 33:14; Psalm 78.

Look, There is Flowing a Crimson Tide...

Isaiah 63:1-6

Sermon Notes:

1) The One in Red Brings Vengeance

2) The One in Red Brings Salvation | 1, 4-5

3) The One in Red is the Only One Who Can Accomplish Both | 1, 3-5

Reflection Questions:

1. What type of news headline always makes you want to see someone punished for their actions? Does your reaction show that you believe sin deserves punishment? See Romans 3:23 and 6:23.

2. Do you realize how much you deserve God’s punishment? Do you realize how much you need his salvation? See Romans 6:23 and 7:7-25 (especially vv.19, 24).

3. Can you think of anyone who can accomplish justice and peace in the universe as well as forgiveness and peace in your heart? See Romans 3:26; Revelation 5:1-11; 19:1-6.

The Promise of the Lord's Delight

Isaiah 62

Sermon Notes:

1) No Rest for the Savior | 1-6

2) New Names for the Forsaken | 2, 4, 10-12

3) No Rest for the Sought Out | 1, 6-9

Reflection Questions:

1. Read Romans 7:7ff where Paul talks about remaining sin in the life of a Christian. Read also Philippians 1:6 where God says he will finish the good work in us which He has begun. How do you see evidence of the first passage in your life, and how does the second passage comfort you in light of that?

2. How would you describe your identity and image of yourself? What words or names would you use? Would you tend to use negative, hopeless terms like Forsaken or Desolate? What new names does God promise to His people? See vv. 2, 4, 10-12.

3. Read Isaiah 62:1-9. How would you describe the attitude and prayer life of God’s people? Compare it to Luke 18:1-8

The Year of the Lord's Favor

Isaiah 61

Sermon Notes:

1) The Year of Redemption that Has Dawned | 1-3

2) The People of Restoration who Restore Others | 3-4

3) The Reaping of Abundance that Brings Joy | 5-7

4) The Double Recompense that Warns and Comforts | 7-9

5) The Robe of Righteousness that Covers Our Shame | 3, 6-7, 10-11

Reflection Questions:

1. What part of God’s salvation has already happened and will never change? See Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11; see also 2 Cor. 5:17.

2. What part of God’s salvation is still in progress in your life? See Romans 7:7-25; Philippians 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23-24

3. How does God want His people (who are already saved and still being sanctified) to interact with our fellow image bearers as we await our full inheritance? See Isaiah 61:3-4; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9- 10; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Psalm 67, especially vv.1-4.

Solid Joys and Lasting Treasures

Isaiah 60

Sermon Notes:

1) Light has come | 1-3

2) Wealth of the nations shall come | 3-7

3) Glory and Beauty shall come | 7-17

4) Peace shall come | 14-19

5) In its time, it shall come | 19-22

Reflection Questions:

1. How can the hope of God’s promises sustain us in dark times? Read Is 60:1-3; Ps 42-43.

2. Imagine the overseers and taskmasters and the authorities in your life. Imagine that they were replaced with peace. What does that make you think of?

3. What do these words make you think of? “Savior, if of Zion’s city I, through grace, a member am, Let the world deride or pity—I will glory in Thy name. Fading is the worldling’s pleasure, All his boasted pomp and show; Solid joys and lasting treasure None but Zion’s members know.”

Reveling in Redemption

Isaiah 59

Sermon Notes:

1) The LORD Can Save … Can’t He? | 1

2) Sin Can Separate | 2-8

3) Truth Has Stumbled | 9-15

4) The LORD Saw and … | 15-21

Reflection questions:

1. Is it wrong to ask God questions when His promises haven’t seemed to come true yet? Compare Isaiah 59:1 (and 58:3) and Psalm 13.

2. Read Isaiah 58:2-8. What are some of the negative effects of sin, in addition to separation from God?

3. Is it ever appropriate to pray for the sins of others, in addition to your own? Read Isaiah 59:9-13.

4. Read Exodus 2:23-25 – What did God see? What did God know or remember? Compare to Isaiah 59:15ff.

True Worship

Isaiah 58

Sermon Notes:

1) How Hypocrisy Hinders Divine Hearing | 1-3

2) How to be Selfish on the Sabbath | 3-5, 9, 13

3) How to be Selfless on the Sabbath | 5-14

4) How God Satisfies the Selfless | 6-14

Reflection questions:

1. Based on Isaiah 58, which of the following best reflects the attitude God desires on the Sabbath: a day for “me time,” a day to rest in God’s goodness, a day to bless others in light of His goodness?

2. Is God simply promising to bless us if we do the right things? Do the promises God offers negate the fact that salvation is by grace alone? See Eph 2:1-9, but also read v.10, and Eph 6:1-3.

3. Read the promises of God (in vv8-14) to those who keep His Sabbaths and fast days in the way He desires. Are any of these blessings that you need right now?