Barrenness, Nakedness, and Blessedness

Isaiah 19-20

Sermon Notes:

1) Injury – Divided, Confused, and Defeated, 19:1-15

2) Insult – Ashamed and Laid Bare, 20:1-6

3) Infirmary – Striking and Healing, 19:16-25

Reflection questions:

1. Read Psalm 20:7. Why were people back then tempted to trust in chariots and horses? How can we today trust things equivalent to chariots and horses?

2. Is Isaiah 20 the craziest thing that God ever asked a prophet to do? Consider: Hosea 1:1-3; 3:1-5. Now ask, why did God use such drastic tactics then?

3. What good ever comes from being embarrassed and humiliated (cf Is 20:5-6)? Consider Psalm 119:71, as well as vv.65, 68.

Jesus Wins!

Isaiah 18

Sermon Notes:

1) The Lord’s Laughter at the world’s backup plans, 1-2

2) The Lord’s Aloofness when their other gods don’t save, 2-4

3) The Lord’s Last-minute Salvation, 5-6

4) The Lord’s Loot: “to his feet your tribute bring,” 7

Reflection questions:

1.    After reading Isaiah 18, read Psalm 2. How would you characterize the nations of the world in relationship to God? How does God react to them (v4)? How does the story of Psalm 2 end (vv9-12)?

2.    Read Judges 10:6-16. Why do you think God responds the way He does to Israel’s initial cry for help (see vv.11-14)? What difference do you see in Israel’s 2nd cry for help (especially v.16a)?

3.    Read Isaiah 18:3-6. Now read Galatians 4:4 and Romans 5:6. Why is it that God seems to be an “at just the right time” kind of God? Also see Psalm 46:1.

Why Should I Care About Ancient Damascus and Her Destruction?

Isaiah 17

Sermon Notes:

1) The Fleeting Hope of Mighty Nations, 1-6, 12-14

2) The Forgotten God of Our Salvation, 9-11

3) The Forgiving God of Our Creation, 4-8

Reflection questions:

1) Read Isaiah 17:1-4. Why is Ephraim (aka, the Northern Kingdom of Israel) mentioned in the judgment passage as Syria (whose capital was Damascus)? Read Is 7:1-3 for the background.

2) Israel’s attitude seemed to be, “If we form a military alliance with Syria (instead of trusting God to deliver us), then we will be ok.” If _____, then I will be ok. How would you fill in that blank? What does that tell you about _____, and your feelings towards it.

3) How can you ensure that you do not forget the God of your salvation (v.10)? Read Psalm 103 (especially vv.1-2) and Ephesians 1:3-14 (especially v3) for some ideas.

Mercy Amidst War, and a King to End All Wars

Isaiah 15-16

Sermon Notes:

1) God’s Enemies Will One Day Be Weeping, Wailing, and Wasted, 15:1-9; 16:6-14

2) God’s People Shall Be a Shelter for the Sojourner, 16:1-4a

3) God’s King Shall Reign in Steadfast Love and Faithfulness, 16:4b-5

Reflection questions:

1. “Consider how Jerusalem is supposed to treat the refugees (16:1-5). Are there any implications here for the way the Church treats unbelievers who seek mercy? If so, what are they?” (LifeChange, Isaiah, 205.)

2. Read Galatians 6:9-10. Who does v.10 say should be the recipients of our “doing good”? What does it say about when we should do good?

3. Read 2 Samuel 23:3-5. Is David talking about his own reign over Israel? Or someone else’s? Also consider 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and 2 Sam 8:15.

The Ultimate Enemy Will Fall

Isaiah 14

Sermon Notes:

1) The True People of God, 1-11

2) The True Enemy of God’s People, 3-20

3) The True End of the Enemy, 20-23

4) The True Purpose of God, 24-27

5) The True Home for the Wandering, 28-32

Reflection questions:

1. Some think Isaiah 14:1-2 is a preview of Isaiah 40-66. Read Isaiah 40. What themes do you see from Is 14:1-2 that are reflected in this chapter?

2. Who do you think of when you read Is 14:12-15? (Compare and contrast with Revelation 12:8-12) What God-opposing sins do you see in this passage? Can you see the seeds of those sins in your own heart at times? (Robert Murray McCheyne: “The seed of every sin known to man is in my heart.”)

3. Read Isaiah 14:30a, 32. How are these verses comforting? Compare to Revelation 21:3-4; 22:1-5.

Why is the Destruction of Babylon Good News for God’s People?

Isaiah 13

Sermon Notes:

1) The Day of the Lord is Near, no matter who you are or when you live, 1-6, 22b

2) The Day of the Lord displays God’s anger against unrepentant sin, 6-16

3) The Day of the Lord displays God’s Sovereignty over good and evil, 1-3, 17 (cf Is. 10:5- 15; 14:1-2)

4) The Day of the Lord will humble Babylon and all her prideful imitators, 11, 17-22

Reflection questions:

1. Why was it important for Israel to know that a particular foreign nation was going to be defeated? What was the state of Israel’s army at this time? See Isaiah 7:1-2, which may have been several years before Isaiah 13.

2. Why was Israel experiencing such bad fortune in the realm of war and geopolitical struggles? See Isaiah 9:13-14, as well 9:12, 17, 21; 10:4.

3. Was the Day of the Lord good news or bad news? Was it good new for some, not for others?

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Isaiah 12

Sermon Notes:

1) The Song of Salvation, 1-2

2) The Well of Salvation, 3

3) The Heralds of Salvation, 4-6

Reflection questions:

1. What are reasons that you have to trust (v2) in God and not be afraid? Biblical reasons? Personal, experiential reasons?

2. Is your experience of salvation a deep well (v3; Rom. 11:33-36), an overflowing cup (Ps 23:5), or a glass that’s half-empty? Cf. Psalm 51:12.

3. Do you naturally want to tell others about the great deeds of God(vv4-5)? Have you noticed how a motivation to testify, tell, or evangelize is connected to a knowledge of God’s holiness? (See Is 12:4-6 and 1 Peter 3:14-15)

Great David's Greater Son

Isaiah 11:1-16

Sermon Notes:

1) The Righteous Character of the Branch, 1-5

2) The Reign of Peace of the Branch, 6-9

3) The Regathering of the Branch’s people, 10-16

Reflection questions:

1. What do you love about your home? What do you miss about previous homes? How will what you love and miss about all of your homes be fulfilled in your future home? (Read Rev. 21-22, especially 21:1-5)

2. What do the leaders in your life lack that you wish they had? Does the shoot (descendant) of Jesse (King David’s father) lack any of those things? Does he meet or exceed your desires for a leader?

3. Do you ever find yourself longing for the peace of the Branch’s kingdom (vv6- 9) without realizing that it requires the Branch’s kingship? In other words, do you find yourself longing for the blessings that will only fully arrive in heaven? Do you ever have a Holy Dissatisfaction (as the Puritans would say) with the things of this life? (Also see Psalm 120, especially v7.)