Pride Before Babylon's Fall

Isaiah 47

Sermon Notes:

I. God Is Jealous for His Glory and His People, 1-7

II. God Will Crush All of His impersonators, 8-11

III. God Exposes the Emptiness of Alternative Saviors, 1-3, 12-15

Reflection Questions:

1) Why is ancient Babylon’s destruction good news for God’s people? Consider this quote: “Scripture sometimes uses the term ‘Babylon’ to convey everything that is evil and hostile towards God and his people (e.g. Rev. 17:5). But evil will one day be destroyed (Rev. 14:8; 18:2).”

2) Why can Israel take comfort in this passage, despite the fact that God admits that he was “angry” with her? See Is 47:3-6 (the ‘you’ is Babylon); Hebrews 12:5-11.

3) Read Isaiah 47:12-15, and compare it to Psalm 2:10-12. What warnings and/or comforts do you see in each passage?

I Have Spoken

Isaiah 46

Sermon Notes:

I. The God Who Carries Our Burdens, 1-4

II. The God Who Saves us from Our Distress, 5-7

III. The God Who Declares Our Future, 8-11

IV. The God Who Draws Near to His Beloved, 12-13

Reflection Questions:

1. What are vv. 1-7 teaching us about idols? See especially vv. 2, 7. Compare this to the story of Dagon in 1 Samuel 5.

2. People carry idols; God has been carrying (and will continue to carry) His people. What promises and past actions of God would that truth have brought to mind for Israel. See Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 1:31; 32:11; Isaiah 63:9.

3. How has God brought His righteousness and salvation near to us who were far off? See Ephesians 2:11-22, especially vv. 13, 17.

God’s Faithfulness to the Faithful

Psalm 18

Sermon Notes:

I. The Lord, My Rock and My Salvation

II. God’s Faithfulness to the Faithful

III. True Victory, Both Now and Forever

Reflection Questions:

1. To what lengths has God gone to bring you salvation? How have you seen God's great power at work as he breaks into your life to rescue you? If you cannot see God working, take some time to examine your heart and consider, am I crying out to God? Am I resting in God's salvation or the work of my own hands?

2. How does the faithfulness of God radically change your perspective on this Psalm? What rewards are given to the Faithful one? What is the cost of unfaithfulness?

3. Victory can mean deliverance from our present difficulties, but it can also be found while we are burdened by the consequences of sin. How does our foreversalvation give us hope and change the way that we look at our current circumstances?

The Astounding God of Mercy

Psalm 51

Sermon Notes:

1. The Astonishing Problem of Sin

2. An Astonishing Repentance

3. The Astounding God of Mercy

Reflection Questions:

1. It can be difficult to see our sin for what it really is. In what ways have you recently seen how astonishing your sin is, and how much you need to be saved from it? How do you still struggle with seeing your sin as God sees it?

2. David realized all his scheming and lies were worthless, in light of God's perfection. Repentance from sin is costly because we must sacrifice our selfworth. However, it also shows an astonishing truth and hope about what life might be if we are saved. What are some of the joys and hopes you have experienced when you have truly turned from your sin?

3. Are you still surprised by who God is? If so, what have you been surprised by recently? How can meditating on the mercy of God help you grow in wonder and love for Him?