Hope is Already Ours!
Isaiah 9:1-7
Introduction
- This morning, we concluded Chapter 8 with hope and strength to follow
- Because God has called us; because He stands WITH us; we have victory
- We were challenged to examine who we listened too; whom we followed
- And we examined the problem with following ourselves and our desires
- Tonight, let’s examine the truth of WHY we cannot follow ourselves
- Read Isaiah 9:1-7 / Pray
Point 1 – A great light is given (v1-3)
- NEVERTHELESS!! (Expound)
- Even with all these things going on; even with the rebellion and dishonor
- God still shows His love by giving us hope, a future; promise of tomorrow
- What love is this? (John 15 – Greater love has no man …)
- But it is SO much more than that (remember the order of love): Jesus said in John 15:9, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
- APP: God loved; Jesus loved; and now we are called to obey
- How shall we live then? Are we to continue riding in the driver’s seat?
-- Romans 6:1-3 instructs, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
- Will we continue to sin and disobey God at every turn, or will we surrender
- God has given us a light of hope to follow, to see, to recognize
- The shadow of death (v2) brings gloom; it is not where we need to live
- God calls us to come out, to stop running and ducking; to live rightly
- But with sin in our life, we live in this shadow’s snare; lying to ourselves
- TRANS: With Christ in our lives, we are no longer slaves to sin!
Point 2 – There is no more slavery (v4-5)
- The Jews were delivered from the yoke of many oppressors
-- Exodus 18 talks of their deliverance from Pharaoh
-- Isaiah talks of the freedom to come from following God
-- Disciples taught of the freedom from sin and restoring of Grace
- This shadow’s lifting is the believer's deliverance from the yoke of Satan
- We each have this yoke around our neck until we ask for its removal
- Why is it then, that we continue to ensure it fits so snugly around us?
- APP: It is the Holy Spirit’s fire that removes this yoke of slavery
-- There is nothing else that takes it off, no other force or action can
- Isaiah 8:10 saying, “Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, FOR GOD IS WITH US.”
- So with this thought in place, ask yourself, “Who are you a slave too?”
- APP: Anything that takes focus off of God is a master (hobby, work, etc.)
- We all have this syndrome, it affects us all daily – so what will we do?
- It is done by giving it to the One who already paid it all; Jesus Christ
- TRANS: So what then; if we are to release this guilt/sin – how is it done
Point 3 – Because a child is born (v6-7)
- Isaiah was granted a vision of this child to be born
- Many had been waiting for this child to be born; many had been watching and hoping; and sadly though – many did not realize when He came
- This Child was born for the benefit of all, from the beginning to the end of the world.
- Jesus is to be called Wonderful, for He is both God and man to us; perfect
- He is the perfect Counselor; who has bore all your grief’s and burdens
-- Ever been sold out by a friend? Jesus had Judas Iscariot
-- Ever felt like you had no one to testify for you? Jesus had Simon Peter
-- Ever been left alone and helpless? Jesus had every disciple run and hide
- No one can ever teach you like Christ can; and we need His counsel today
- The outline for living here is simple and yet so much is lost in translation
-- We will be given a mediator, because we cannot earn God’s forgiveness
-- As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us to God; we could never finish it
-- He is the Giver of peace in the heart and conscience; and when his kingdom is fully established, men shall war with God no more.
- The government shall be upon him; he shall bear the burden of it.
-- APP: This means that we are not in charge, never were and could not be
- Can you think of one king or ruler on this Earth that this can apply too?
- Is there anyone living today that could bring such agreement to all
- I submit that there is not, no matter how good the campaign slogan is
- Our faith, our devotion must be in Christ alone – for it is Him that we serve
- If we are following totally; then His agenda becomes ours
- We do not want or seek after the things that do not belong to us
- When God’s will is allowed to enter because we invite it; He reigns
- Turn to Rev 3:20 (so much more than a catch phrase for salvation)
-- Jesus will never force Himself in, but we must open the door and INVITE
-- This invitation brings us into His presence; where He is given control
-- Continue reading in Revelation 3 verse 21
- We are given a right to sit WITH Him; to be a co-heir (Romans 8:17)
- This is where the privilege comes from, and why we must be obedient
- However we must follow this One called counselor …
Conclusion
- We must first see the light for us to stop fumbling in the dark
- Then we need to understand there is no more slavery to sin or anything else
- We can take this command and invitation seriously and let Him guide us
- We can give ourselves over fully and welcome in this child that was born
- The choice is forever ours and something that each of us has to accept
- There is no other way to Heaven; no other way to be reconciled
- Remember if God is for us – the plans of the enemy will NOT succeed
- Pray
