MUCH OF THIS RESOURCE IS DRAWN DIRECTLY WITH PERMISSION FROM THE HUNTER BIBLE CHURCH RESOURCE ON ISAIAH.

Transcription

1 VOL 2

2 MUCH OF THIS RESOURCE IS DRAWN DIRECTLY WITH PERMISSION FROM THE HUNTER BIBLE CHURCH RESOURCE ON ISAIAH. You can download their full guide at Additionally, some of the questions have been drawn from EV Church s resource, available upon request and St Helen s Bishopsgate s resource, available at 2

3 MEET BRAD When I came to Australia, I had to utterly and completely lean on God. So, for about 3 years now, I ve had a consistent Bible-reading pattern. When I read the Bible, God speaks to me through this Word. It s the first thing I do at the start of each day. I sit on my couch and drink a coffee. I read the passage and then delve into the reading guide. It all takes about minutes, and then I pray. That gives me inspiration to go the gym. When I skip my time with the Bible, I feel incomplete like a piece of my day is missing. If you re new to this, stick with it. Keep going. You won t get all of the answers immediately, but I feel God speaks to you in His time. 3

4 INFLUENCED Many of us want to become influencers and people of influence. In the Instagram age, we have even recently invented a new term: Instagram influencer. This has even given rise to a new form of marketing - influencer marketing - in which brands pay large sums to those with a large number of followers to promote their product. Many of us desire to influence the world around us (and sometimes the people around us). This is seen no more clearly than the best-seller book lists, which are full of titles about increasing your influence. Robert Cialdini s Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion and Dale Carnegie s How to Win Friends and Influence People are great examples. By having more influence we can potentially earn better salaries, increase in the esteem of others and have a seat at the table of major decisions. When we sit down to read the Bible, however, we invert the influence paradigm. Instead of asking God to make us influencers, we ask to be influenced by him. We ask God to affect us and change us to think the way he thinks and act the way he acts. Part of our aim in Bible-reading is to become increasingly influenced by God. 4

5 DATE WHAT S ON? 9 DEC SUNDAY Isaiah DEC SUNDAY Isaiah DEC SUNDAY Isaiah Normal times (9am and 11am) 24 DEC MONDAY 5pm Carols Service Special Christmas message from lead pastor Tim Clemens 30 DEC SUNDAY Isaiah 61 Normal times (9am and 11am) 6 JAN SUNDAY New Series! The Problem of God 5

6 ALTERNATIVE Read Isaiah 43:22-28 and divide it into subsections. Give each sub-section a title. WEEK 4 MONDAY ISAIAH 43: Looking closely at v25, why does God promise to forgive their sin? 2. Who is the first father in v27? Do you think this person is also your first father? 3. A key truth which undergirds this passage and the entire Christian life is the sinfulness of humanity. Where do you see this theme in this passage? Our prayers can be varied: from praise to requests to thanks. Another (often forgotten) category of prayer is repentance. This passage leads naturally to selfexamination and repentance before God. Once this is done, the reminder of forgiveness (which we ultimately receive because of Jesus) in v25 is even sweeter. 6

7 them to a Christian friend. TUESDAY ISAIAH 44: COLOSSSIANS 3:15 1. Why is the worship of idols so silly, according to this passage? 2. What application does the New Testament (e.g. Colossians 3:15) make of idolatry? 3. God s people have been redeemed from idolatry to worship the true God. What is the natural response to what God has done for his people in v23? ALTERNATIVE Write down at least 3 questions about this section of the Bible and ask Listen to Amazing Grace (Citizens and Saints have a good version on youtube) or another song of praise. This is a natural way to respond to God s goodness to his people. Praise God for sending Jesus, who accepted the just anger of God and will one day bring perfect justice at his second coming! 7

8 WEDNESDAY ISAIAH 44:24-45:13 1. Given that yesterday s passage was a condemnation of idolatry, today s passage is very interesting. In this passage, God explains his plan to raise up King Cyrus (a pagan idolater) as an instrument of God s will. What two surprising titles is Cyrus given in 44:28 and 45:1? 2. Read this background: Nebuchadnezzar (of the Babylonians) eventually conquered God s people Judah in 587 BC). Cyrus eventually conquered Babylon (in 539 BC). In 537 BC Cyrus allowed God s people to return to their land and rebuild their temple. How does this information explain today s passage? 3. Think hard: what is the big point God is making in this passage? ALTERNATIVE If this section was missing from the Bible, what would we not know? How are we richer as a result of this treasure? Praise God for his sovereignty. Praise God that he is in control and active even through pagan rulers. Praise God that he is in control of what will happen to you today. 8

9 ALTERNATIVE Can you see the link between Isaiah 46:12-13 and Romans 1:16-17? THURSDAY ISAIAH 46: Romans 1:16-17 Background to Isaiah 46:1: Bel and Nebo were pagan Gods. 1. What did God promise around 700 BC in vv12-13? 2. How was this ultimately fulfilled around 0-33 BC, as indicated in Romans 1:16-17? Praise God for sending Jesus, who is the revelation of God s righteousness and who makes it possible for us to stand righteous before a holy God. 9

10 ALTERNATIVE Read the WEEKLY REFLECTIONS section for this week. FRIDAY ISAIAH 49: MATTHEW 28: What is the servant like? Describe him. 2. What is the servant s mission? 3. Can you see how Matthew 28:18-20 is the fulfilment of Isaiah 49:6 and 49:12? Listen to Lord of the Nations (Available on Spotify or itunes on the album Nite EV Vol 1) to reflect on the servant s mission that we now participate in. Jesus is the fulfilment of Isaiah 49 and therefore he commanded Matthew 28: Pray by name for 2-3 people who do not yet believe in Jesus. Ask God to save them. 10

11 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS MONDAY God promises to forgive their sin for his own sake. Just when we think it s all about us, it s actually all about God! To determine who the first father referenced in v27 is, we need to remember who Isaiah is originally written to. The first father could be Adam (the father of humanity), Abraham (the father of the Jewish nation), Jacob (the immediate father of the twelve-tribe nation) or perhaps Aaron (founder of the priestly order). The point being made is that God s people who are hearing this message are not simply sinful themselves, they also come from a line of sinners. Sin runs deep. In today s passage, we see sin in almost every verse. Against that background, the one exception is v25 in which God promises to blot out their transgressions (the image is of old paper and ink-wells, in which you could dab extra ink over a section of writing to render it illegible) and remember their sins no more. Our sins are different from those described in vv23-24 but no less significant. Forgiveness is sweeter when we realise the depth of our rebellion. TUESDAY The worship of idols is silly because of the materials from which an idol is made. Some of the material is used as fuel (v15) and yet the rest of it is used to create an object of worship. In Colossians 3:15, and other places, we realise that idolatry is not only an Old Testament problem, but persists today. People today are still subject to worshipping and devoting themselves to that which is not God. In v23 we see the natural reaction to what God has done for his people (in v22): song. This is not the only way to respond, but it is one natural expression of praise. 11

12 WEDNESDAY Cyrus is given the titles of shepherd and anointed. This is surprising because Cyrus is not part of God s people! God may disapprove of idolatry but use an idolater for some good purpose His use of Cyrus to shepherd his people home was a stunning demonstration of that sovereignty (Webb in his commentary on Isaiah: Bible Speaks Today). The big point that God is making here seems to be about his sovereignty. He is behind all events. THURSDAY In Isaiah 46:12-13 God promised that his righteousness was on the way. In Romans 1:16-17 Paul explains that, in Jesus, God s righteousness has now been revealed. FRIDAY The servant is described in vv1-4 (as well as other sections). We see the servant s mission particularly clearly in vv5-6. His mission is to gather Jacob and Israel back to God and additionally to extend that salvation beyond the Jewish nation. Since Jesus is the fulfilment of Isaiah 49, it makes sense that he instructs his followers (including us today) to make disciples of ALL nations. This is our big mission today. 12

13 SUNDAY SERMON NOTES 13

14 ALTERNATIVE Write down at least 3 questions about this section of the Bible and ask them to a Christian friend. WEEK 5 MONDAY ISAIAH 49:1-6 + ACTS 13: Who is the original speaker in 49:6? 2. In Acts 13:44-48 how do Paul and Barnabas apply the words of Isaiah 49:6? Pray that God s salvation will extend further and further. Pray that people from all nations of the earth will come to know him. Pray for any specific countries that you passionate about. 14

15 own words. TUESDAY ISAIAH 49: HEBREWS 13:5 1. What is the complaint in v14? 2. What is God s response to the complaint? What images are used? 3. God s faithfulness to his people is a consistent theme throughout the Old and the New Testaments. Read Hebrews 13:5. A similar sentiment is expressed between Isaiah and Hebrew, but a very specific application is given in Hebrews. What is it? ALTERNATIVE Put Hebrews 13:5 in your Because he will never leave us or forsake us, ask God to free us from the love of money and to be content financially. 15

16 know? How are we richer as a result of this treasure? WEDNESDAY ISAIAH 50: What makes the servant different from Israel in vv4-5? 2. Why, therefore, is v6 jarring? 3. What specifically in this passage reminds you of Jesus? ALTERNATIVE If this section was missing from the Bible, what would we not Pray something like this: Jesus I praise you for being sinless, pure and perfect. I praise you for enduring the shame of the cross so that you could save a sinful, impure and imperfect person like me. 16

17 THURSDAY ISAIAH 51:7-16 Background: Remember that these words were delivered to a militarily weak nation being consistently threatened by the military superpowers of the day. 1. What should God s people not do in v7? 2. What two reasons are given why they should not do so (v8, 12-13)? 3. What comfort could we derive from these words today? ALTERNATIVE Divide Isaiah 51:7-16 into sections and give each section a title. Ask God to comfort us. Ask him to fix our eyes on him rather than those who make us afraid so that we would be freed from constant terror. 17

18 ALTERNATIVE Read the WEEKLY REFLECTIONS section for this week. FRIDAY ACTS 8: ISAIAH 52:13-53:12 1. Read Acts 8: What follows in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is a landmark passage in the Bible. 2. Now read Isaiah 52:13-53:12. Read it slowly, remembering that this is one of most directly and clearly fulfilled prophecies of Jesus in the whole Old Testament. 3. Look through each verse does it match anything you know of Jesus? Listen to The Incarnation (spoken word) by Odd Thomas and reflect on Christmas. Look out for the references to today s Isaiah passage scattered throughout. Praise God for so clearly foretelling what the servant (Jesus) would do. Praise Jesus for forgiving our sin as described in this passage. 18

19 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS MONDAY In Isaiah 49:6 God is speaking to his servant (who we now know to be Jesus). God explains that salvation will not be limited to the Jewish people, but will extend to the ends of the earth. In Acts 13:44-48 Paul and Barnabas go first to the Jews, but then continue to spread the message to the Gentiles. By way of application, it is helpful to consistently remember that (most of us) are Gentiles and privileged to be participants in salvation. Additionally, we can now clearly situate ourselves in a particular era of human history the era in between the first and second coming of the servant during which God is saving people from all nations. This frames our expectations and our longings. More than we long for promotions, relationships, holidays, friendship, co-operative children or anything else we long for people from all nations to come to faith in God and the servant Jesus. TUESDAY God s people complain that God has forsaken and forgotten them. In response, God compares their relationship to a mother-child relationship. He gives other images of how closely attached he is to them, and how he will never forsake or forget them (e.g. you are engraved on the palms of my hands). These words are written originally to God s Old Testament people, but we can see a very similar sentiment applied in Hebrews 13:5. In a moment of unexpected specificity, the author of Hebrews then applies the truth that God will never leave or forsake us. Because God will not leave or forsake us we don t need to cling to money. The idea here may be that clinging to financial security makes sense when we are uncertain about our relationship with God, but when we realise that God is permanently committed to his people we are freed from being attached to financial security. 19

20 WEDNESDAY In vv4-5 the servant is described as sinless, pure and perfect. Despite that, the fate the servant suffers in v6 is violent and mocking. Aside from vv4-6, we are specifically reminded of Jesus who set his face towards the cross (v7) and who was vindicated at the resurrection (v8), among other things. THURSDAY In v7 God instructs them not to fear mortal people. In v8 he explains that mortal people (even those who cause harm) are temporary, in contrast to God who is eternal. In v12-13 God explains that He is even more powerful since he created everything. These words are bold, especially given that the threats God s people faced were tangible and severe; genuine threats to their livelihood and survival. To a fearful people, God offers comfort (v12). It is common today to live in constant terror (v12). While being a Christian doesn t guarantee a painless life, it does offer a measure of comfort and the knowledge that at the end God will set everything right. FRIDAY You will find references to Jesus throughout this passage! Slow down, look deeper and you may see even more on your second reading through. 20

21 SUNDAY SERMON NOTES 21

22 22

23 ALTERNATIVE Read Isaiah 55 and divide it into sub-sections. Give each subsection a title. WEEK 6 MONDAY ISAIAH 55 Think about today s passage with the idea of new year s resolutions in mind. 1. Explain vv8-9 in your own words. What point is being made about the difference between us and God? 2. Explain vv10-11 in your own words. What point is being made about the effectiveness of God s word? 3. Today is Christmas Eve. It is a time of reflection, in which you may be re-considering your priorities and plans for Against that background, what offer does God make to his people in vv1-2? Pray that God would help many unbelieving people to have a great experience of churches around the Christmas period. Pray for people who are coming to the carols service at Grace City tonight. 23

24 TUESDAY CHRISTMAS DAY Let s mix it up for Christmas day. Watch the Look at the Book episode from desiringgod.org/labs/why-christmas. It s a 9 minute episode in which Hebrews 2 is explained in detail as an explanation of Christmas. Pray that today your conversations would point people beyond a nice day of tradition to the deeper realities of Jesus birth and death. 24

25 result of this treasure? WEDNESDAY ISAIAH 57:14-21 Think about today s passage with the idea of new year s resolutions in mind. 1. According to v15, what are the two places God lives? 2. What two categories of people are used in this passage? 3. If you made a new year s resolution to be like the people in v15 and unlike the people in v21, what would change in your life? ALTERNATIVE If this section was missing from the Bible, what would we not know? How are we richer as a Ask God to give you a great year in 2019, full of Godly habits and humility. 25

26 WE ALL HAVE PROBLEMS, DOUBTS & QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD. THIS SERIES IS SEEKING TO ENGAGE A SKEPTIC S CHALLENGES TO CHRISTIANITY WEDNESDAY DISCUSSION NIGHTS 7PM-9PM meet people, food, drinks and an open discussion 16/1 23/1 IS THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH? DOES GOD EXIST? SPECIAL THURSDAY NIGHT PRESENTATION 7PM-9PM presentation followed by Q&A 31/1 THE PROBLEM OF SEX With Sexologist Patricia Weerakoon SUNDAY TALKS 9AM+11AM co ee, food, talk followed by Q&A 13/1 20/1 HYPOCRISY HELL 27/1 GOD S EXISTENCE 3/2 SEX 10/2 EVIL AND SUFFERING 17/2 THE BIBLE 24/2 JESUS 26

27 ALTERNATIVE Put Isaiah 58:1-9 into your own words. THURSDAY ISAIAH 58: What is wrong with their fasting? 2. What would correct fasting look like for God s Old Testament people? What groups of people does God prioritise here? 3. On the surface, the actions listed in v6 are distinct from fasting. How are these actions kinds of fasting? Ask God to increasingly give you a heart for the hungry, the wanderers and the naked (v7). Ask him to show you ways you could practically prioritise these people. 27

28 ALTERNATIVE Read the WEEKLY REFLECTIONS section for this week. FRIDAY ISAIAH 61:1-9 + LUKE 4: JOHN 3:17 + JOHN 5:22 1. Read Isaiah 61:1-9. Now read Luke 4: After reading both passages, who is Isaiah 61 referring to? 2. In Luke, Jesus does not quote the whole of Isaiah 61. Noticeably, he stops short of the vengeance sentence in Isaiah 61:2. Why is that? 3. Read John 3:17 and John 5:22. They seem to say almost opposite things about whether Jesus is involved in judgment. Think hard: how can this be? Praise Jesus that has already brought salvation. Ask Jesus that when he comes in judgment you would be saved (by trusting in his finished work on the cross) and that many of your friends and family would be saved too. 28

29 WEEKLY REFLECTIONS MONDAY Vv8-9 focus on the difference between us and God. Our thoughts lower and his are higher. This means that sometimes we don't understand what he is doing or why he is doing it, but that we can trust that he sees a bigger picture than we do. In the specific context of Isaiah, where God s people were struggling to understand what God was doing and why they were having such a hard time, this message would have carried great weight. For us today, it makes a big difference to remember that God has a bigger and better perspective than we do. Vv10-11 declare that God's word is effective. In the specific context of Isaiah, these words are a stamp, a guarantee, on all the bold expectations that God is setting up for his people. For us today, vv10-11 influence our perspective on God s word. There is inherent power in God s word. God s word has purposes and will not return to him without achieving those purposes. This frames our expectation when we come to Bible reading, sermons, community groups and other forms of engagement with his word. Vv1-2 lay out the offer of satisfaction and joy which comes from connection to God. The key is that these things come by listening to God (v2). TUESDAY Merry Christmas. 29

30 WEDNESDAY God lives in a high and holy place, but also with the one who is contrite and lowly in spirit (v15). The two categories which this passage uses are contrite and lowly in spirit (humble) (v15) and the wicked (v20-21). You may be aware of something in your life that needs to be cut out in You may also be able to identify some steps towards becoming humble, contrite and lowly in spirit. Perhaps part of your new year s resolution is to pursue humility before God. THURSDAY Their fasting is accompanied by many ungodly actions such as exploitation (v3), quarrelling (v4) and fights (v4). While the fasting may be positive, it does not cover over their other areas of ungodliness. Instead, they are called to care about the downtrodden and oppressed as a complement to their fasting, but also as a form of fasting itself. How can caring for the downtrodden in society be classified as a form of fasting? True fasting is not simply to go without food on the set fast days, but to adopt a lifestyle in which self-indulgence and greed are totally given up and replaced by generosity to the poor. 1 FRIDAY Jesus claims that Isaiah 61 is written about him. The key to understanding why he stops short of applying the vengeance aspect to himself is to distinguish between his first and second comings. It seems that at his first coming (e.g. John 3:17) he brought salvation by dying on the cross. Jesus will come again and at that time he will come as the judge too (John 5:22). So Jesus will fulfil the whole of Isaiah 61:2 but in two stages. We currently live between his two comings. We live in the last days. 1 Quote from Barry Webb s commentary on Isaiah. 30

31 SUNDAY SERMON NOTES 31

32 32