Hallelujah, What A Saviour!

SERMON OUTLINE:

A Surprising Saviour (52:13-15)

A Rejected Saviour (53:1-3)

A Representative Saviour (53:4-6)

A Suffering Saviour (53:7-9)

A Sovereign Saviour (53:10-12)

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• Now if I were to ask you to give me some of the names and titles of Jesus,

• What immediately comes to mind?

• Don’t be shy,

• You have about 200 names and titles to choose from!

• Here are a few:

• i.e. Jesus/Saviour, Christ/Messiah, Lord,

• i.e. Jesus the Nazarene, Chief Cornerstone, Head of the Church, Light of the World,

• i.e. Firstborn over all creation, Word of God, Holy One, Judge,

• i.e. King of kings and Lord of lords, Beginning and End…

• Your homework is to find the other 185!

• TRANSITION: Whenever you ask people to call out names for Jesus,

• One name/title that often gets overlooked is ‘Man of sorrows.

• And that is a title or name given here in Isaiah chapter 53.

• Jesus was given that title by Isaiah the prophet;

• Some 700 years before his incarnation and birth into the world.

Ill:

• The word ‘sorrows’ means:

• ‘Distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret.

• a cause or occasion of grief or regret, as an affliction, a misfortune, or trouble’

ill:

• The Hebrew phrase (’ish makh’ovot) translated into English:

• Literally means, “man of pains,”:

• And refers to both physical and emotional suffering.

• God’s Servant who we know as Jesus Christ would not be immune from difficulties.

• In fact, he would be “acquainted with deepest grief.”

As you read the gospels that will become evident again and again:

• Sorrow was a word you could write over the life of Jesus:

• He faced hardships, he faced opposition, he faced ridicule, he faced unbelief,

• And not just from his enemies, but also from his family, friends!

• He was “acquainted with deepest grief.”

• It is ironic that:

• The one who said he was and is the source of lasting joy and life,

• Experienced for himself sorrow and hardship. Both physical and emotional.

Note:

• Isaiah chapter 53 is very much a picture of someone suffering,

• But more than that, suffering by being crucified.

• Quote: A couple of German scholars writing in 1866 said,

• “It looks as if it had been written beneath the cross of Golgotha.

• What makes this chapter unique is this;

• Crucifixion would not be known in this part of the world for another 700 years.

• It was the invasion of the Roman army, that brought crucifixion to Israel.

• Yet Isaiah looks through the lens of prophecy;

• And describes for us the crucifixion scene of the New Testament.

• Isaiah 53 is quoted or referred to at least 85 times in the New Testament.

• The writers make it perfectly clear that this chapter is about the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

(1). A Surprising Saviour (52:13-15):

“See, my servant will act wisely;[b]

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him[c] –

his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being

and his form marred beyond human likeness –

15 so he will sprinkle many nations,[d]

and kings will shut their mouths because of him.

For what they were not told, they will see,

and what they have not heard, they will understand.”

In chapter 52 verses 13: God the Father calls his Son the Messiah/Christ “His servant”.

“See, my servant will act wisely;[b]

he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.”

• In ancient times servants and slaves were regarded as living tools:

• You used them, you wore them out and then you replaced them.

• But this servant will not be replaced, in fact the opposite, he will be honoured.

• God himself says that he will greatly honour him.

• In fact, this servant will have a glory like God's own glory!

• Isaiah has already used that word, ‘exalted’ to describe God the Father,

• (Chapter 6 verse 1, chapter 5 verse 16, chapter 6 verse 5).

• Now he uses it in connection with the Son.

Question: What is the job of a servant?

Answer: Is simple, to obey, to serve!

Ill:

• Twice in the life of Jesus, heaven was torn open, and God spoke:

• (Matthew chapter 3 verse 17 & Matthew chapter 17 verse 5):

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”

“While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’”