SERMON OUTLINE:
A vision of the saviour (vs 1-5)
A picture of peace (vs 6-9)
A story of power (vs 10-16)
SERMON BODY:
Ill:
• If you google the words, “War & Peace.”
• The suggested pages it brings up relate to the novel by Leo Tolstoy.
• Which is one of the longest and most famous books in history.
• It tells the story of Russian aristocrats during and after the Napoleonic Wars.
• The epic novel features hundreds of characters (559 in total),
• Numerous plot threads,
• And it has a battle sequence that lasts more than 20 chapters,
• The 1300 pages will take about 60 hours for a live reading.
• So, you could say it is the literary equivalent of a marathon.
• TRANSITION: Those words, ‘war and peace’ are sadly the yo-yo history of humanity.
• And in our studies in the book of Isaiah war has been a feature.
• Assyria the super-power of the Middle East was making war on everyone,
• They would get to the gates of Jerusalem and would have easily taken the city,
• But God will send a plague upon the Assyrian army and destroy it.
Quote: Chapter 10 verses 33–34:
“See, the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
will lop off the boughs with great power.
The lofty trees will be felled,
the tall ones will be brought low.
He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax.
Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.”
The picture in those verses is dramatic and destructive.
• What was a huge forest of trees,
• Will look like a field of jagged tree stumps.
• The forest of trees was Assyria chopped down by the axe of God.
• It is a picture of defeat and destruction, a picture of hopelessness.
• The illustration also fits the people of God,
• Israel the Northern Kingdom and Judah the Southern Kingdom,
• Are also like trees that have been felled, conquered territories.
Note:
• Isiah the prophet continues that idea of trees (chapter 10 verse 34),
• And uses the illustration of a branch (vs 1) to bring hope, restoration, and victory.
• Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Messiah as, “a shoot from the stump of Jesse.”
Ill:
• This is a very clever illustration regarding trees.
• Both Assyria and Israel are compared to trees.
• Assyria is compared to a cedar tree.
• Israel to a deciduous tree (e.g., an oak tree. Isaiah chapter 6 verse 11-13)
• Assyria the cedar trees which are forest giants, growing up to 200 feet (61 m.) tall.
• But inside the Cedar tree they what is called, ‘a dead zone’ in the center of the canopy.
• Even if you prune them wrong you end up killing them.
• So, these forest giants are impressive to look at but once felled they stay dead!
• Israel the deciduous tree,
• Its roots can survive being cut down and from that type of deciduous tree,
• A shoot and then a branch and in time another tree will replace the previous one.
• TRANSITION: Isaiah says, a shoot will come from a felled tree trunk.
• But it will come from one particular stump in the forest.
• From the root of Jesse, which is the same stump that King David grew from.
(1). A vision of the saviour (vs 1-5)
• In these verses we are told three great truths about the coming saviour.
• Three prophetic facts concerning The Messiah.
FIRST: HIS ANCESTRY (VS 1).
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
Ill:
• The movie A Knight's Tale, set in medieval England,
• It tells the story of a young would-be knight named Ulrich.
• Who attempts to secure his place in history by winning a famous tournament.
• But there is a problem, in those days, in order to become a knight.
• You had to be descended from noble stock.
• And Ulrich does not have a drop of royal blood in him.
• That does not put Ulrich off, and he makes it through to a tournament,
• But then the problem arises,
• It is traditional for the knight's squire to introduce him at such tournaments,
• Usually delivering a grandiose recitation of the knight's royal lineage.
• In this scene, Ulrich's squire is a young Geoffrey Chaucer (the English poet).
• Chaucer uses all his verbal skills to crank up the hype for his master Ulrich.
• The people in the audience smile as Chaucer makes his speech.
“I cannot look upon my Lord Ulrich, for I weep to see his shining face. My Lord is a gift to your eyes, for we shall never, ever see his life upon this Earth again. I would list his lineage if it served to honor him. Most men here—it's sad, but it's true—they look to their past to prove their worth; they look to the deeds of their fathers.
Now, Sir Ulrich has great ancestors, make no mistake about that. Sir Chirard von Richbach, Duke Guelph of Saxony, Van Misch IV out of Brunswick—but these great, great men pale into insignificance next to him. I do not list them to honor him; I list him to honor them!
That was all hype, of course, but that last line captures the essence of Jesus' genealogies in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. Jesus Christ "has great ancestors—make no mistake about that! But these great men (and women) pale into insignificance next to him. I do not list them to honor him; I list him to honor them!"”
• Movie clip: A Knight's Tale, DVD Deleted Scenes, "Chaucer's Second Speech."
• YouTube: Message me for movie clip.
• TRANSITION: I love that line Chaucer’s character says,
• “I do not list them to honor him; I list him to honor them!"”
• The ‘shoot’ will be bigger, larger, more significant than the tree before.
• David was the greatest king of ancient Israel.
• The Messiah Jesus will be called, “David’s greater son!” (Psalm 110)
• David recognized that his son would be greater than he was by calling his son “Lord.”
• David ruled an earthly throne, Jesus sits on a heavenly throne.
• David won many earthly battles; Jesus won the battle against sin, death and Satan.
Ill:
• Yet, we know from the Christmas story that at the time of Jesus,
• The kingdom of David was almost nonexistent, it was a fallen dynasty.
• Mary & Joseph came from the family tree of David,
• But neither had any royal claims to the throne.
• TRANSITION: David’s kingdom was like a felled tree.
• Unimpressive to look at but the roots were still alive.
• From this root a shoot and then a branch,
• And in time another tree will replace the previous one.
Ill:
• There is an interesting verse in Matthew’s gospel chapter 2 verse 23,
• That leaves Bible readers puzzled.
“And he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.”
• If you search the Old Testament, you will never find those words spoken by any prophet!
• Or do you?
• The Hebrew word for ‘branch’ is interesting.
• It has the same root word as the word, ‘Nazareth.’
• The city name “Nazareth” is the Greek form of the Hebrew netser, a "shoot" or "sprout."
• Jesus was called a ‘Nazarene’ or the other meaning of the word, ‘a shoot’ or ‘branch.
• This then is another one of the many names and titles for Jesus,
• And if you want further confirmation,
• Zechariah chapter 6 verse :12 also refers to the Messiah as, ‘the branch.’
SECOND: HIS ANOINTING (VS 2).
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord
ill:
• In the story of David (1 Samuel chapter 16).
• King Saul was rejected and David the shepherd boy was anointed as the new king,
• Samuel anointed him by pouring oil on his head.
• And we are told, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
• David was known in Hebrew as the ‘messiah’, meaning ‘anointed one.’
• TRANSITION: Isaiah prophecies that one is coming,
• Who will be ‘The Messiah’ and who will have more of the Holy Spirit than anyone!
• We know from the gospel writers that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
• (Matthew chapter 1 verse 18 & (Luke chapter 1 verse 35)
• The gospel writers also record that Jesus was.
• (Matthew chapter 3 verse 16)
• (Luke chapter 3 verse 22, chapter 4 verse 1&14, chapter 11 verse 2)
Note:
• Six characteristics (vs 2) will mark Jesus the Messiah out,
• The Spirit of wisdom is upon the Messiah.
• The Spirit of…understanding is upon the Messiah.
• The Spirit of counsel is upon the Messiah.
• The Spirit of…might is upon the Messiah.
• The Spirit of knowledge is upon the Messiah.
• The Spirit of…the fear of the LORD is upon the Messiah.
• King David the ‘messiah’, (with a small ‘m’) meaning ‘anointed one.’
• Had many failings in all areas of his life.
• Jesus the Messiah, (with a big ‘M’) will show the world,
• What it truly means to be full of the Spirit’s power.
• He will have these characteristics, and he has them all in fullness and perfection.
THIRD: HIS ABILITY (VS 3-5).
“And he will delight in the fear of the Lord.”
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
or decide by what he hears with his ears.
4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
With justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth.
With the breath of his lips, he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt.
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.”
Ill:
• Our politicians and world leaders rely on outward appearance,
• They have style gurus and social media gurus – image is important!
• Sometimes they are all show and have no substance!
• •Our politicians and world leaders rely on a team of speech writers,
• Because their words are important, they will be analyzed and criticized,
• So, they need to get it right.
• TRANSITION: Jesus the Messiah will not rely on outward appearance,
• Or even on clever words spoken.
• He will be different.
(a). His delight is in the fear of the Lord (vs 3).
• Unlike politicians who are swayed by the polls and public opinion.
• This servant marches to the beat of a different drum.
• His motivation and purpose are to only please one person.
• Jesus could say, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
(b). He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips, he will slay the wicked (vs 4)
• Unlike politicians whose words are often said to be soundbites or full of hot air.
• The words of Jesus have the power to judge the wicked.
• He only has to announce a judgment and it is done.
(c). Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist (vs 5).
• The qualities of righteousness and faithfulness,
• Are so close to Jesus they are like belts around His waist.
• Everything Jesus does is touched by His righteousness and faithfulness.
Ill:
• Many TV shows that deal with antiques,
• From the classic antique Roadshow to Bargain Hunt to Salvage Hunters.
• One thing you soon learn by watching those shows is,
• Whenever a piece of gold or silver jewelry is found, you look for the hallmark!
• The hallmark is a mark stamped on articles of gold, silver, or platinum,
• By the British assay offices, certifying their standard of purity.
• The hallmark of the reign of God's Messiah is captured in three primary words,
• Righteousness, equity, and faithfulness.
(2). A picture of peace (vs 6-9)
“The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling[a] together.
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy.
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.”
To a casual reader of the chapter,
• Isaiah talking about “zoological peace” might seem like a strange detour.
• Assyria destroying all in sight, and the threat of war imminent,
• This detour doesn’t seem like a high priority.
• However, Isaiah’s writing is spot on.
• This is a picture of complete safety.
• The most vulnerable - lambs, calves, and babies - live safely in the kingdom of God.
• There will be no further threats from any source,
• Not from cobras or wolves or enemy nations.
• God will set everything right.
These verses (6-9) talk about future events not just for the Jewish nation of Isaiah’s times but for all Christians as well:
• The Bible contains many prophecies that have been fulfilled in stages.
• e.g., Isaiah chapter 53 one of the best-known prophecies in the Bible.
• , We see the Messiah as both suffering and victorious.
• The Suffering Servant absorbs the sin, pain, and punishment of the world,
• That was fulfilled 2,000 years ago one Friday afternoon at 3.00pm.
• But the rest of the prophecy has yet to be fulfilled,
• Where we read about the Messiah’s reward.
• The image used is of dividing the spoil after a victorious battle,
• We see that the Messiah ultimately triumphs and reigns.
• Note: Isaiah chapter 53, the Sages and all the wise men of Israel,
• Always taught this prophecy about one Messiah who was to come.
• Then about 1,000 years after Jesus came to planet earth,
• They changed their interpretation to say Isaiah was speaking about two Messiahs.
• Two contrasting pictures are in the chapter, suffering servant & triumphant king.
• Both are true, both about One person and not two - after the cross will come the crown.
• But it will be fulfilled in stages and not in one moment of time.
These changes that will occur in the forthcoming reign of Christ.
• What Christians call the Millennium or 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ upon the earth.
• Revelation chapter 20 verses 1-7 speaks of this in more detail.
As you look around at the world today, this is not what God intended.
• Creation is out of whack because of the curse of sin.
• It's all mixed up. It's a mess.
Ill:
• I remember in time calling out the RAC to look at my broken-down car.
• It was chugging along, coughing and spluttering and eventually died on me.
• The RAC mechanic arrived, lifted up bonnet and examined the engine,
• After a few minutes he said, “Start the engine now.”
• When I turned thew engine on it purrrrrred!
• The problem was a loose lead on one of the spark plugs,
• It was firing on three plugs instead of four,
• Hence the chugging, coughing and spluttering.
• TRANSITION: God’s world was made to operate on four plugs,
• But when sin came into the world the Bible says it messed things up,
• It’s as if the world is running on their plugs instead of four!
• That is why it is chugging along, coughing and spluttering!
Now a day is coming when the world will experience the new ecology of the reign of the Messiah.
(a). The wolf will live with the lamb (vs 6a).
• A day is coming when the wolf will live with the lamb,
• Reminds me of the words of the comedian Woody Allen, who said,
• “The wolf and the calf shall lie down together but the calf won't get much sleep.
• But when the Messiah reigns he will take the earth back to Eden
• We see the very nature of the world changed.
• Predators and prey are no longer natural enemies.
• This is an amazing picture of peace.
• Nature reconciled to each other and to man.
• Isaiah talks about it again in chapter 65 of his book,
• And the apostle Paul expands on it in Romans chapter 8 verses 19-22.
• These vivid pictures, speak of peace and safety,
• Two things desperately missing in our world!
(b). And a little child shall lead them (vs 6b).
• When the Messiah reigns,
• Not only will the way animals relate to each other be changed,
• But the way they relate to humans will also be changed.
• A little child will be safe and able to lead a wolf or a leopard or a young lion or a bear.
• Even the danger of predators like cobras and vipers will be gone.
Note: the key to all this is found in verse 9.
“They will neither harm nor destroy.
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.”
• When the Messiah reigns, the knowledge of the Lord,
• In a relational sense, as well as an intellectual sense!
Ill:
• Mankind has gained vast knowledge and created all kinds of new technologies,
• But none of them have led to world peace.
• Sadly. many human inventions only make it easier to kill and destroy.
• TRANSITION:
• Isaiah informs us that knowledge of the Lord is the only true way to peace.
• Peace with God and peace with others.
Ill:
• You may have seen the Christian poster or mems that says,
• “(K)no(w) Christ (K)no(w) peace.”
• TRANSITION:
• The emphasis in the Bible is we must know peace with God to know peace with others.
(3). A story of power (vs 10-16)
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious.”
• When Israel's earthly kingdom hung by a thread, almost extinct.
• Isaiah paints this glorious picture of all nations coming to the messiah.
Ill:
• Author Tim Chester describes his evangelism,
• Like the end of a tube of toothpaste.
• You carefully role up the tube to squeeze out that last bit of toothpaste.
• He says,
“That’s how his evangelism so often feels.
I wrap myself in guilt until a tiny bit of Jesus squeezes out!”
• TRANSITION: In contrast to Tim’s honest admission,
• These final verses in chapter 11,
• Are more like a champagne bottle which has just gone off with a bang,
• The champagne is pouring out, down the bottle, up someone’s arm, into a glass,
• Onto the floor – fizzing and bubbling out!
Note: this picture of evangelism.
• Isaiah says that this "root of Jesse" will stand as a signal or banner.
• To all nations, which is successful evangelism! All nations are welcomed and reached.
• Now, just as banners and flags today,
• Identify nations and groups and those who belong to them,
• God’s banner identifies those who belong to Him,
(a). Isaiah identifies who will enjoy this glorious reign (vs 10-16).
“In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
15 The Lord will dry up.
the gulf of the Egyptian sea.
with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand
over the Euphrates River.
He will break it up into seven streams.
so that anyone can cross over in sandals.
16 There will be a highway for the remnant of his people.
that is left from Assyria,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from Egypt.”
• And one day all the nations of the world will be drawn to him,
• Not just Jews but Gentiles as well.
• We will all desire to live under his kingship & reign.
Ill:
Jesus, too, spoke of this moment (Luke chapter 13 verse 29).
"And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God."
Ill:
• The apostle Paul quoted this verse (Romans chapter 15 verse 12).
• As the reason for his own ministry to the Gentiles,
"The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles.
in him will the Gentiles hope"
(b). Isaiah describes a new exodus (vs 15-16).
15 The Lord will dry up.
the gulf of the Egyptian sea.
with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand
over the Euphrates River.
He will break it up into seven streams.
so that anyone can cross over in sandals.
16 There will be a highway for the remnant of his people.
that is left from Assyria,
as there was for Israel
when they came up from Egypt.”
• There will be a highway for the remnant of His people:
• Any obstacle to the gathering of those dispersed among the nations will be taken away.
Ill:
• Remember the first exodus when the Israelites left the slavery of Egypt,
• It would take ten horrible plagues before Pharaoh would let the Israelites go free,
• And then he changed his mind and sent his army after them.
• The Israelites were trapped between an army and the Red Sea,
• Then God sent a wind to part the sea and he made a highway for them to escape.
• TRANSITION: In this second exodus,
• God will again make a clear route for his people.
• This time the highway will go through both the Red Sera and the Euphrates River.
• Those two great bodies of water to the south and to the north of Israel (vs 11),
• Would prevent God’s people coming from every direction (vs 12).
• So, God will prepare a way, a highway for them to travel on!
Note:
• The “Resting place” mentioned does not mean grave as we often use the word,
• “He or she has gone to their final resting place.”
• Here the word means, “Gone home!” – the place where you relax.
Ill:
• If you have to travel away for work or go visit distant family for a few days,
• It is a nice feeling to be heading home and even nicer when you arrive.
• That is the idea here.
• TRANSITION: The return home will, “be glorious.” (vs 10).
• What makes home, home is more than your possessions, your decoration etc.
• Ultimately it is the people there!
• We are h going home, to rally under the banner of “the Root of Jesse.”
• Jesus our Messiah is the banner for the peoples.
• So, make sure he is your banner now!
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=Iu2l1GKSoWA6OZr8KwGL4pwKFUrQRk1H
SERMON VIDEO:
https://youtu.be/Ssy2OSEOSBA
