Isaiah: Hope in the Holy One
The center of the book of Isaiah is the “Holy One of Israel.” Throughout the book, Isaiah puts Him on display, and calls for faith from His people. The section on which we are focusing in this series of sermons (chapters 40-55) comes on the heels of a prediction of the exile of God’s people in Babylon. As God’s people, we are still in exile (1 Peter 1:1, James 1:1), and still need forgiveness for our sins (Matt 6:12), though we now look back on the revelation of the suffering servant, to which Isaiah’s audience looked forward. Our hope is also in the same sovereign Lord revealed in Isaiah 40-55, who rules over all of history, and in the now-finished work of the suffering servant. So we sing and feast in response while calling the nations to join us (Isaiah 54-55).
This morning we have the esteemed privilege of hearing from our very own Pastor Paul as we close out our journey through the book of Isaiah. Our big idea is simply this: The Holy One is Inviting You. Greater than any invitation you’ve ever received, the Holy One – God Himself – is inviting you to join him. In our passage,
the Holy One is inviting you to…
1. Come, and be satisfied (55:1-5)
2. Return, and be forgiven and transformed (55:6-13)
Resources:
ESV Study Bible
New Bible Commentary
Alec Motyer, Isaiah by the Day: A New Devotional Translation
Ray Ortlund, Isaiah: God Saves Sinners
John Oswalt, Isaiah
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Read sermon transcriptThis week, Pastor Matt brings us through the BIG IDEA behind why we should: Sing for joy! The Lord promises redemptive reversals. True happiness is based on rags to riches and reversals of fortune; redemptive reversals and so we sing for joy because the Lord promises redemptive and eternal reversals. What are these redemptive reversals that the Lord promises, such that we should sing for joy?
1. Barrenness to babies (54:1-3)
2. Momentary desertion to everlasting compassion (54:4-10)
3. Storm-tossed to a secure city (54:11-17)
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptWhy is Jesus the only hope for the guilty? Our passage provides three reasons:
1. Jesus suffered for the guilty (53:1-3)
2. Jesus died for the guilty (53:4-9)
3. Jesus rose for the guilty (52:13-15; 53:10-12).
Resources:
Ray Ortlund -idea for the Pete Rose illustration.
See Gospel-Centered Life, session 2 – https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5172edf9e4b0152c18fe6692/t/5ae8ba0f6d2a73187a2b8d59/1525201424869/2+-+Pretending+and+Performing+-+Participant%27s+Guide.pdf
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Read sermon transcriptAs we continue our journey through the book of Isaiah this morning the big idea of our passage is one of action: Wake up to the good news! No matter what form our spiritual sleepiness takes today, we have received an invitation from God Almighty that is pure grace: Wake up to the good news. Now, to get to the bottom of the big idea, we’re going to take it in two parts:
1. The good news (51:17-2:6)
2. Waking up to it (52:7-12)
Citylight Manayunk | May 7, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptWe all need comfort for what we’re facing and the Lord is the only true and lasting comforter. This week, Pastor Matt illuminates the big idea of our passage: God is able to comfort you.
But how do we receive it? Our passage provides us with three moves in receiving the Lord’s comfort:
1. Look to God’s promises (51:1-6)
2. Cry out for God’s help (51:9-11)
3. Rest in God’s power (51:7-8, 12-16)
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptRely on God, Not Yourself.
How?
- Listen to Jesus (4-6)
- Trust in God’s Help (7-9)
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptThe big idea of our passage: Listen to the Servant, all the ends of the earth.
Listen to the Servant, all the ends of the earth. Now, the Servant is the Lord Jesus Christ who speaks through every syllable of Scripture. We listen to the Servant by listening to the Bible – the word of God – and what it says about everything.
But what is the Servant saying in our passage that we should listen to? Two things:
1. He is a light for the nations (49:1-13).
2. He will not forget you (49:14-50:3).
Citylight Manayunk | April 16, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptWhat the Lord has to say to us this week (through Pastor Matt) in Isaiah 46-47:15, is the big idea of our passage: Stand firm in the one true God. Who of us doesn’t want to have the story of standing firm?!
Ok, how, by the grace of God, do we “stand firm”? Isaiah 46-47 provides three ways:
1. Compare the one true God to his competition (46:1-7).
2. Remember that there is no other God (46:8-13).
3. See the coming judgment (47:1-15).
Citylight Manayunk | April 2, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
Mike Cosper, Rhythms of Grace:
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The Big Idea of our passage this morning is: The Lord restores His people for a purpose. Get on board with it.
Ok – how does the Lord restore us – so that we can get on board with it?
1. He restores in a surprising way (44:24-45:8)
2. He confronts our discontentment (45:9-13)
3. To save the ends of the earth (45:14-25).
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
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Read sermon transcriptBIG IDEA: The Lord revives his people for his glory.
1. Remember who the Lord is (43:22-28)
2. Remember who you are (44:1-5)
3. Return to the Lord (44:6-23)
Citylight Manayunk | March 12, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
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Read sermon transcriptOur very own Pastor Mark Giacobbe brings us the comforting BIG IDEA that The Holy One is Our Redeemer and backs it up with the points:
Redemption
1) Why we need it
2) Why and How God does it
3) How we can respond?
a)Bear witness
b)Sing praise in the desert
Resources:
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Read sermon transcriptAs we continue our way through this section of the book of Isaiah, Pastor Matt encourages us to Sing to the LORD, not idols.
How?
1. Prosecute your idols (41:21-29)
2. Behold the Servant (42:1-9)
3. Sing a new song (42:10-17).
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
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Read sermon transcriptIn one of Pastor Matt’s most encouraging sermons yet, he shows us how Isaiah tells us we can FEAR NOT because
1. He rules (40:1-4)
2. He is with you (40:5-16)
3. He refreshes (40:17-20)
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
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Read sermon transcriptIn week two of our Isaiah series, Pastor Matt unpacks a BIG IDEA we all need remonding of from time to time: Wait for the LORD when it feels like he’s doing nothing.
(1) He is incomparably great (Isaiah 40:12-26)
(2) He will give you what you need (Isaiah 40:27-31)
Citylight Manayunk | February 12, 2023 from Citylight Church on Vimeo.
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-science-school/science/how-much-water-there-earth#:~:text=For%20a%20detailed%20explanation%20of,freshwater%20is%20in%20the%20ground.
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Read sermon transcriptAs we start our adventure through Isaiah 40-55, Pastor Matt brings us the BIG IDEA that The Holy One is Coming. How should we live in light of this encouraging fact?
1. Be comforted (vv. 1-2)
2. Be ready (vv. 3-5)
3. Be bold (vv.9-11).
Resources:
The Prophecy of Isaiah: An Introduction Commentary by Alec Motyer
Isaiah: God Saves Sinners (Preach the Word Commentary) by Ray Ortlund
ESV Study Bible
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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