Sermon Notes | 10.13.24
Struggle | Part 1
Text: Colossians 1:24-2:5
Law: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: Ephesians 2:1-7
Think About It:
What would a pathologist have made of Paul’s body after his death? What sort of story would the Apostle Paul’s corpse tell? -Mark Meynell
Outline: The Apostolic Ministry of Paul
(Colossians 1:24-2:5)
I. Paul’s Suffering & The Plan of God (1:24-29)
II. Paul’s Toil for the Local Churches (2:1-5)
Sermon Notes | 09.29.24
Colossians: The Preeminence of Christ
Title: He Is | Part 2
Text: Colossians 1:15-23
Law: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: Ephesians 2:1-7
Outline: A “Hymn” of Praise (Colossians 1:15-23)
I. The Supremacy of the Son (vv. 15-20)
A. He is the Image of the Invisible God/ The
Firstborn Over All Creation (vv. 15-16)
B. He is Before all Things (v. 17).
C. He is the One Who Holds Everything Together
(v. 17)
D. He is the Head of the Body/ The Church (v.18)
E. He is the Beginning of The New Creation/ The
Firstborn from the Dead (v. 18)
F. He is God (v.19)
G. He is the One Who can Reconcile (v.20)
II. Response to the Work of Christ (vv. 21-23)
A. Believers are reconciled in Christ (vv. 21-22)
B. Believers are to stand firm in the gospel (v. 23)
Think About It: “The things that are don’t exists by virtue of some power intrinsic to themselves. Cars and chairs and baseballs and butter and quarks and quasars- yes, everything, exists and is sustained in its present form by virtue of the constant energy emanating from Jesus. If at any moment, for any reason, he should loosen his providential and preserving grip on any thing, it would disintegrate. It would vaporize and vanish into a vacuum of nothingness. Every heartbeat, every flutter of an eyelid, every rustle of every blade of grass, every breath you breathe is sustained by the Son of God. Truly did Paul say in Acts 17:28 that in him we live and move and have our being.” - Sam Storm
Sermon Notes | 09.22.24
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
Struggle | Part 1
Text: Colossians 1:24-2:5
Law: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: Ephesians 2:1-7
Think About It:
What would a pathologist have made of Paul’s body after his death? What sort of story would the Apostle Paul’s corpse tell? -Mark Meynell
Outline: The Apostolic Ministry of Paul
(Colossians 1:24-2:5)
I. Paul’s Suffering & The Plan of God (1:24-29)
II. Paul’s Toil for the Local Churches (2:1-5)
Sermon Notes | 09.29.24
Colossians: The Preeminence of Christ
Title: He Is | Part 2
Text: Colossians 1:15-23
Law: Exodus 20:1-17
Gospel: Ephesians 2:1-7
Outline: A “Hymn” of Praise (Colossians 1:15-23)
I. The Supremacy of the Son (vv. 15-20)
A. He is the Image of the Invisible God/ The
Firstborn Over All Creation (vv. 15-16)
B. He is Before all Things (v. 17).
C. He is the One Who Holds Everything Together
(v. 17)
D. He is the Head of the Body/ The Church (v.18)
E. He is the Beginning of The New Creation/ The
Firstborn from the Dead (v. 18)
F. He is God (v.19)
G. He is the One Who can Reconcile (v.20)
II. Response to the Work of Christ (vv. 21-23)
A. Believers are reconciled in Christ (vv. 21-22)
B. Believers are to stand firm in the gospel (v. 23)
Think About It: “The things that are don’t exists by virtue of some power intrinsic to themselves. Cars and chairs and baseballs and butter and quarks and quasars- yes, everything, exists and is sustained in its present form by virtue of the constant energy emanating from Jesus. If at any moment, for any reason, he should loosen his providential and preserving grip on any thing, it would disintegrate. It would vaporize and vanish into a vacuum of nothingness. Every heartbeat, every flutter of an eyelid, every rustle of every blade of grass, every breath you breathe is sustained by the Son of God. Truly did Paul say in Acts 17:28 that in him we live and move and have our being.” - Sam Storm
Sermon Notes | 09.22.24
Text: Colossians 1:9-14
"Merely serving the Lord wasn't enough. Joyfulness and gladness of heart were essential for their service to be pleasing to the Lord."
- Sam Storm
Scripture for Review:
•Deut. 28:47-48
•Psalm 5:11
•Psalm 9:2
•Psalm 16:11
•Psalm 17:15
•Psalms 21:1,6
•Psalm 32:11
•Psalm 36:8
•Psalm 37:4
•Psalm 43:4
•Psalm 51:12
•Psalm 68:3
Sermon Notes | 09.15.24
Colossians: The Preeminence of Christ
Intro to Colossians | Colossians 1:1-3
Background & Context
1. The church at Colossae was started by Epaphras (1:7-8, 4:12-13). Epaphras was a faithful servant, pastor, and friend of the Apostle Paul (4:12). It is possible that he became a follower of Christ during Paul’s 3-year ministry stint in Ephesus.
2. Epaphras visited Paul, who was in prison, to report on the church at Colossae. It’s a positive report, but there is one troubling issue, which Paul addresses in this letter. This letter is all about the power and supremacy of Jesus Christ (1:15-20).
3. Colossae belonged to the Roman Empire. Located in the Lycus Valley (Modern day Turkey), Colossae was eleven miles from Laodicea.
4.Colossae does not exist anymore because it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and was never rebuilt. It was destroyed about the same time this letter was penned, approximately AD 60-62.
5. Paul writes to a gentile audience, but we know from historians that there was a large Jewish population also living in the Lycus Valley.
6. The cause for this letter is sometimes referred to as the “Colossian Heresy”. This heresy is difficult to nail down because we hear only one side of the conversation. However, there are some very clear observations we can make regarding these false teachers and their beliefs.
Here are a few to consider…
• False teachers are beginning to trouble this church with teachings that are “according to human tradition instead of according to Christ(2:8).”
• At times, this false teaching seems Jewish in nature (2:11, 16, 20-21). At other times, it seems pagan (2:15, 18, 23). Most commentators argue that the false teaching is a religious syncretism with the Jewish elements providing the controlling framework.
• The false teachers offered a path toward “spiritual fullness” (2:10), a “greater freedom and liberty” (2:8,18,20), and “power and protection” from evil powers. They practiced a rigorous self-denial, and they were critical of ordinary believers. They were also a very divisive group (2:1-5; 3:9-17).
7. Paul counters these false teachers with a steady focus on who Jesus is and what he has done. He focuses on Jesus’ power, authority, and centrality in God’s redemptive plan. Jesus is supreme over all spiritual powers. Paul counters the false teachers’ claims by showing them what is already theirs in Christ (2:8-15) and what they are to seek (1:9-14), which looks nothing like the false teacher’s false promises.
8. The rich theology of this letter moves and motivates the reader into action. There is a powerful call to put sin to death and put on the new self. To live as Christ, and to live that life in obedience and service to our Lord. As Mark Meynell put it, “If Jesus is cosmic Lord, then how can we not dedicate every fiber of our being to his service.”
9. This letter has quite a few literary genres such as thanksgiving and prayer reports, a hymn of praise, vice and virtue lists, household codes, and general exhortations.
10. The major theme of this Letter is “Jesus is Cosmic Lord!” This truth changes everything. Anyone who adheres to a religious practice not centered on this truth is captive to an “empty and deceitful philosophy according to human tradition and not according to Christ (2:8).” This letter remains as important today as when it was first penned.
Sermon Notes | 09.08.24
"Colossians is about the universe's deep reality, despite appearances to the contrary. It is worldview-shaping, mind-expanding, and game-changing. The stronger our grasp of its message, the greater our astonishment will become. If our first response to the teaching of this letter is not "Wow!" we are missing something. But we can't stay in awe without falling to our knees. For if Jesus really is the the cosmic Lord, then how can we not dedicate ever fibre of our being to him and his service." - Mark Meynell | Colossians for You
Outline | Colossians
I. Opening Greeting (1:1-2)
II. Thanksgiving Section (1:3-23)
A. Thanksgiving (vv. 3-8)
B. Intercession (vv. 9-14)
C. Hymn of Praise (vv. 15-23)
III. Main Body (1:24-4:6)
IV. Closing (4:7-18)
Why is Colossians Important?
"It gives witness to the finality, adequacy and all-sufficiency of the cosmic 'Christ - by whom and for whom all things were made, in whom they cohere, and with whom in God' the life of the Christian and of the church is hidden." - James Stewart & David Garland
Sermon Notes | 08.25.24
Isaiah 39
Title: Blinded By Pride
OT: 2 Chronicles 32:24-31
NT: James 4:6-10
Corporate Scripture Reading: Isa. 30:18
Sermon Notes | 08.25.24
Recovery | Isaiah 38
OT Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:27-31
NT Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 30:18
Think About It:
“A parallel is being drawn between king and nation, Hezekiah and Jerusalem (which is effectively all that is left of Judah). Both are in crisis, and both have been given a reprieve. But there is more than a hint that, just as Hezekiah’s reprieve was temporary (fifteen years), so will Jerusalem’s be. In short, the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC is already beginning to loom up on the horizon of the narrative; it will come into direct view at the end of chapter 39, and dominate the scene from there on.”– Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 38
I. Hezekiah is Deathly Ill (38:1)
II. Hezekiah Prays & Weeps (38:2-3)
III. The Lord Responds (38:4-6 & 21-22)
A. Sign (vv. 7-8)
B. Healing (vv. 4-6)
IV. Hezekiah Responds with Song & Reflection (38:10-20)
Sermon Notes | 08.18.24
OT Scripture Reading: Job 12:10
NT Scripture Reading: Acts 17:26-27
Corporate Reading: Heidelberg Lord’s Day 1
Instruction: Aaron Cavin
Life Community Church | Quincy, MA
Title: Spaces
Text: Acts 17:26,27
Sermon Notes | 08.11.24
Title: I Will Defend This City
Text: Isaiah 36-37
OT Scripture: Isaiah 36-37
NT Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 30:18
Think About It:
“On whom are you depending? (36:5). It is a question which the book of Isaiah forces us to ponder again and again, and with good reason, for our response to it will determine the whole shape of our lives.” – Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 36-37
I. Sennacherib Invades Judah (36:1-22)
II. Hezekiah Seeks Help from Isaiah (37:1-7)
A. Brief Respite (37:8-9)
B. Sennacherib Renews His Treats (37:10-13)
III. Hezekiah Turns to God in Prayer (37:14-20)
IV. Isaiah Predicts Sennacherib’s Defeat (37:21-25)
Sermon Notes | 08.04.24
A Redeemed and Ransomed People
Text: Isaiah 35
OT Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5
NT Scripture: Luke 7:18-23
Think About It:
“We, of course would like to have only one of these realities: blessing without curse, salvation without judgement, heaven without hell. And we are always in danger of rewriting the rules, so to speak, to suit our own inclinations. But the biblical revelation has a stubborn shape to it that resists all manipulation of this kind. It forces us to decisions: we must have it as it is or not at all; accept it or make up our own religion. No quarter is given, either by the biblical writers or by Jesus himself. On the last day, some will go away to eternal punishment, and some to eternal life.” – Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 35
I. God’s Promise (vv.1-2)
II. A Renewed Creation (vv.1-7)
III. God Brings His People Home (vv. 8-10)
Sermon Notes | 07.28.24
God’s Final Judgement
Text: Isaiah 34
OT: Genesis 25:19-26
NT: Romans 1:18-23
Think About It:
“Judgement is the natural corollary of the fact that God is king. A king must rule, or he is no king at all, and that means rebellion must finally be put down. The fact is that God is almost unbelievably patient, but Isaiah is clear that his just anger is a reality to be reckoned with, and we delude ourselves if we think otherwise. Hence the urgent call to listen on verse one. God has put the world on notice that he will not tolerate insurrection forever.” - Barry Webb
Outline:
I.God’s Final Judgement (vv.1-6)
II.What Happened to Edom is a Sign to the World (vv. 5-15)
III.All of God’s Words will Come to Pass ( vv.16-17)
“Jesus did not hide his face, or ours, from it, nor did John make any attempt to camouflage the grip procession to the Lake of Fire. And these are the people we know, sometimes people we love, always people for whom we have a responsibility in the gospel.” -Alec Motyer
Sermon Notes | 07.21.24
OT Reading: 2 Kings 18:13–17
NT Reading: Hebrews 12:22-24
Text: Isaiah 33
•Deut. 28:47-48
•Psalm 5:11
•Psalm 9:2
•Psalm 16:11
•Psalm 17:15
•Psalms 21:1,6
•Psalm 32:11
•Psalm 36:8
•Psalm 37:4
•Psalm 43:4
•Psalm 51:12
•Psalm 68:3
Sermon Notes | 09.15.24
Colossians: The Preeminence of Christ
Intro to Colossians | Colossians 1:1-3
- Law: Psalm 19:7-9
- Gospel: Colossians 1:15-20
- Corporate Reading: Nicene Creed
Background & Context
1. The church at Colossae was started by Epaphras (1:7-8, 4:12-13). Epaphras was a faithful servant, pastor, and friend of the Apostle Paul (4:12). It is possible that he became a follower of Christ during Paul’s 3-year ministry stint in Ephesus.
2. Epaphras visited Paul, who was in prison, to report on the church at Colossae. It’s a positive report, but there is one troubling issue, which Paul addresses in this letter. This letter is all about the power and supremacy of Jesus Christ (1:15-20).
3. Colossae belonged to the Roman Empire. Located in the Lycus Valley (Modern day Turkey), Colossae was eleven miles from Laodicea.
4.Colossae does not exist anymore because it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake and was never rebuilt. It was destroyed about the same time this letter was penned, approximately AD 60-62.
5. Paul writes to a gentile audience, but we know from historians that there was a large Jewish population also living in the Lycus Valley.
6. The cause for this letter is sometimes referred to as the “Colossian Heresy”. This heresy is difficult to nail down because we hear only one side of the conversation. However, there are some very clear observations we can make regarding these false teachers and their beliefs.
Here are a few to consider…
• False teachers are beginning to trouble this church with teachings that are “according to human tradition instead of according to Christ(2:8).”
• At times, this false teaching seems Jewish in nature (2:11, 16, 20-21). At other times, it seems pagan (2:15, 18, 23). Most commentators argue that the false teaching is a religious syncretism with the Jewish elements providing the controlling framework.
• The false teachers offered a path toward “spiritual fullness” (2:10), a “greater freedom and liberty” (2:8,18,20), and “power and protection” from evil powers. They practiced a rigorous self-denial, and they were critical of ordinary believers. They were also a very divisive group (2:1-5; 3:9-17).
7. Paul counters these false teachers with a steady focus on who Jesus is and what he has done. He focuses on Jesus’ power, authority, and centrality in God’s redemptive plan. Jesus is supreme over all spiritual powers. Paul counters the false teachers’ claims by showing them what is already theirs in Christ (2:8-15) and what they are to seek (1:9-14), which looks nothing like the false teacher’s false promises.
8. The rich theology of this letter moves and motivates the reader into action. There is a powerful call to put sin to death and put on the new self. To live as Christ, and to live that life in obedience and service to our Lord. As Mark Meynell put it, “If Jesus is cosmic Lord, then how can we not dedicate every fiber of our being to his service.”
9. This letter has quite a few literary genres such as thanksgiving and prayer reports, a hymn of praise, vice and virtue lists, household codes, and general exhortations.
10. The major theme of this Letter is “Jesus is Cosmic Lord!” This truth changes everything. Anyone who adheres to a religious practice not centered on this truth is captive to an “empty and deceitful philosophy according to human tradition and not according to Christ (2:8).” This letter remains as important today as when it was first penned.
Sermon Notes | 09.08.24
"Colossians is about the universe's deep reality, despite appearances to the contrary. It is worldview-shaping, mind-expanding, and game-changing. The stronger our grasp of its message, the greater our astonishment will become. If our first response to the teaching of this letter is not "Wow!" we are missing something. But we can't stay in awe without falling to our knees. For if Jesus really is the the cosmic Lord, then how can we not dedicate ever fibre of our being to him and his service." - Mark Meynell | Colossians for You
Outline | Colossians
I. Opening Greeting (1:1-2)
II. Thanksgiving Section (1:3-23)
A. Thanksgiving (vv. 3-8)
B. Intercession (vv. 9-14)
C. Hymn of Praise (vv. 15-23)
III. Main Body (1:24-4:6)
IV. Closing (4:7-18)
Why is Colossians Important?
"It gives witness to the finality, adequacy and all-sufficiency of the cosmic 'Christ - by whom and for whom all things were made, in whom they cohere, and with whom in God' the life of the Christian and of the church is hidden." - James Stewart & David Garland
Sermon Notes | 08.25.24
Isaiah 39
Title: Blinded By Pride
OT: 2 Chronicles 32:24-31
NT: James 4:6-10
Corporate Scripture Reading: Isa. 30:18
Sermon Notes | 08.25.24
Recovery | Isaiah 38
OT Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:27-31
NT Scripture: Revelation 21:1-4
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 30:18
Think About It:
“A parallel is being drawn between king and nation, Hezekiah and Jerusalem (which is effectively all that is left of Judah). Both are in crisis, and both have been given a reprieve. But there is more than a hint that, just as Hezekiah’s reprieve was temporary (fifteen years), so will Jerusalem’s be. In short, the fall of Jerusalem in 587 BC is already beginning to loom up on the horizon of the narrative; it will come into direct view at the end of chapter 39, and dominate the scene from there on.”– Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 38
I. Hezekiah is Deathly Ill (38:1)
II. Hezekiah Prays & Weeps (38:2-3)
III. The Lord Responds (38:4-6 & 21-22)
A. Sign (vv. 7-8)
B. Healing (vv. 4-6)
IV. Hezekiah Responds with Song & Reflection (38:10-20)
Sermon Notes | 08.18.24
OT Scripture Reading: Job 12:10
NT Scripture Reading: Acts 17:26-27
Corporate Reading: Heidelberg Lord’s Day 1
Instruction: Aaron Cavin
Life Community Church | Quincy, MA
Title: Spaces
Text: Acts 17:26,27
Sermon Notes | 08.11.24
Title: I Will Defend This City
Text: Isaiah 36-37
OT Scripture: Isaiah 36-37
NT Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 30:18
Think About It:
“On whom are you depending? (36:5). It is a question which the book of Isaiah forces us to ponder again and again, and with good reason, for our response to it will determine the whole shape of our lives.” – Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 36-37
I. Sennacherib Invades Judah (36:1-22)
II. Hezekiah Seeks Help from Isaiah (37:1-7)
A. Brief Respite (37:8-9)
B. Sennacherib Renews His Treats (37:10-13)
III. Hezekiah Turns to God in Prayer (37:14-20)
IV. Isaiah Predicts Sennacherib’s Defeat (37:21-25)
Sermon Notes | 08.04.24
A Redeemed and Ransomed People
Text: Isaiah 35
OT Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-5
NT Scripture: Luke 7:18-23
Think About It:
“We, of course would like to have only one of these realities: blessing without curse, salvation without judgement, heaven without hell. And we are always in danger of rewriting the rules, so to speak, to suit our own inclinations. But the biblical revelation has a stubborn shape to it that resists all manipulation of this kind. It forces us to decisions: we must have it as it is or not at all; accept it or make up our own religion. No quarter is given, either by the biblical writers or by Jesus himself. On the last day, some will go away to eternal punishment, and some to eternal life.” – Barry Webb
Outline: Isaiah 35
I. God’s Promise (vv.1-2)
II. A Renewed Creation (vv.1-7)
III. God Brings His People Home (vv. 8-10)
Sermon Notes | 07.28.24
God’s Final Judgement
Text: Isaiah 34
OT: Genesis 25:19-26
NT: Romans 1:18-23
Think About It:
“Judgement is the natural corollary of the fact that God is king. A king must rule, or he is no king at all, and that means rebellion must finally be put down. The fact is that God is almost unbelievably patient, but Isaiah is clear that his just anger is a reality to be reckoned with, and we delude ourselves if we think otherwise. Hence the urgent call to listen on verse one. God has put the world on notice that he will not tolerate insurrection forever.” - Barry Webb
Outline:
I.God’s Final Judgement (vv.1-6)
II.What Happened to Edom is a Sign to the World (vv. 5-15)
III.All of God’s Words will Come to Pass ( vv.16-17)
“Jesus did not hide his face, or ours, from it, nor did John make any attempt to camouflage the grip procession to the Lake of Fire. And these are the people we know, sometimes people we love, always people for whom we have a responsibility in the gospel.” -Alec Motyer
Sermon Notes | 07.21.24
OT Reading: 2 Kings 18:13–17
NT Reading: Hebrews 12:22-24
Text: Isaiah 33
Outline | Isaiah 33
I. Salvation for Zion Because of God's Acts (vv. 1-6)
II. Judgment for all People Because of their Acts (vv. 7-12) III. Obey Zion's King (vv. 13-22)
IV. Conclusion: Helpless but Overcoming (vv. 23-24).
"It is an expression of God's moral government that evil should rebound, sooner or later, on the heads of those who practice it." - Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 07.14.24
Text: Isaiah 32-33
Title: Only God Can Save | Part 1
OT Scripture Reading: Isaiah 33:2, 22
NT Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-13
Two Important Questions:
•Where are you going?
•What are you looking at?
Outline:
I. Look to the King and What He will Bring (vv. 1-8).
II. Look at What Wickedness Brings - Devastating Consequences (vv. 9-14).
III. Look to God, the Only Who can Pour out His Spirit & Bring About This New Society (vv. 15-20).
"The Spirit is associated throughout the Bible with God's Kingly rule either directly, as in creation, or indirectly through his chosen representatives, such as judges and kings. In chapter 11, the Spirit is particularly associated with the rule of the Messiah. The present passage compliments this by showing that the Spirit will not be limited to the Messiah, but will be poured out on the people of God as a whole (us - v. 15). It is this universal bestowal of the Spirit that will make God's rule fully effective in the lives of His people. This new age of the Spirit was inaugurated at Pentecost and will be here in its fullness when Jesus the Messiah -- who is both Spirit-endowed and the one who bestows the Spirit -- returns in power to reign."
- Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 07.07.24
Text: Isaiah 31:1-9
Title: Our Undaunted Warrior God
OT Reading: Deut. 17:16
NT Reading: John 16:33
Corporate Scripture Reading: Isa. 30:18
+ + + +
Sermon Notes | 06.16.24
Series: Spiritual Disciplines
Title: Giving
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
OT Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-14
NT Scripture: Mark 12:41-44
Think About It:
The NT teaches that there are three primary areas where our giving must go.
1. To Meet the Needs of the Saints
· Acts 2:44-45
· 1 John 3:17
· Galatians 6:9-10
2. To Meet the Needs of Christian Workers
· 1 Timothy 5:17-18
· 1 Cor. 9:6-14
· Philippians 4:15-18
3. To Meet the Needs of the Poor
· Luke 12:33-34
· Ephesians 4:28
· James 1:27
Outline:
Three principles on Giving from 2 Corinthians 8
I. Christian giving is an expression of the grace of God (8:1-6).
II. Christian giving is an expression of the gift of the Holy Spirit (8:7).
III. Christian giving is inspired by the cross of Christ (8:8-9).
Sermon Notes | 06.09.24
Spiritual Blindness | Isaiah 29 | Part 2
OT Scripture: Psalm 139:11-12
NT Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Think About It:
“God gives us love without measure, but chastisement in measure… every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy. The measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” -Charles Spurgeon
“False religion is the very worst kind of pride because it attempts to make God our servant instead of recognizing that we are his.”- Barry Webb
How will the Lord overcome his people’s spiritual blindness? How will he overcome their hard-heartedness?
Isaiah 29: Outline:
Only the Lord Can Overcome Spiritual Blindness
I. The Lord Disciplines and Delivers (vv. 1-8)
a. Context: God’s Alien Work (Isaiah 28:14-22)
b. Love Without Measure
c. Chastisement Perfectly Measured
II. The Lord Reveals the Problem: Spiritual Blindness (vv. 9-14)
a. Cause (vv. 9-12)
b. Cure (vv. 13-14)
III. Woe to Those Deceived by Human Wisdom (vv. 15-16)
IV. The Lord Gives Hope: Coming Transformation (vv. 17-24)
a. Environmentally (v. 17)
b. Spiritually (vv. 18-19)
c. Socially (vv. 20-21)
d. Results (vv. 22-24)
“While there remains an awareness of God even in fallen human hearts, this is generally accompanied by grossly distorted ideas of what he is like.” - John Mackay
Why We Should Praise:
Sermon Notes | 06.02.24
Spiritual Blindness | Isaiah 29
OT Scripture: Isaiah 30:8-11
NT Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-16
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Think About It:
“God gives us love without measure, but chastisement in measure… every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy. The measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” -Charles Spurgeon
Outline: Isaiah 29
Only the Lord Can Overcome Spiritual Blindness
I. The Lord Disciplines and Delivers (vv. 1-8)
a. Context: God’s Alien Work (Isaiah 28:14-22)
b. Love Without Measure
c. Chastisement Perfectly Measured
II. The Lord’s Reveals the Problem: Spiritual Blindness (vv. 14-22)
a. Cause (vv. 9-12)
b. Cure (vv. 13-14)
III. Woe to Those Deceived by Human Wisdom (vv. 15-16)
IV. The Lord Gives Hope: Coming Transformation (vv. 17-21)
a. God’s Work Brings an Awareness of the Truth
b. God’s Work Brings a Different Level of
Understanding
V. The Lord Keeps His Promises: He Renews His People
(vv. 22-24)
Sermon Notes | 05.26.24
Title: God’s Work | Part 2
Text: Isaiah 28
OT Scripture: 2 Sam. 5:20; Josh. 10:11
NT Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-6
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
"God gives us love without measure, but chastisement 'in measure' ...every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine." - Charles Spurgeon
Outline:
I. The Lord's Work: Judgment on Ephraim (vv. 1-15)
II. The Lord's Work: Judgment on the Leaders of Jerusalem (vv. 14-22
) III. The Lord's Work: The Parable of the Farmer (vv. 23-29)
Think About It:
Isaiah 30:10-11 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right;
speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
Outline: Isaiah 28 | God’s Work
I. Judgment on Ephraim (vv.1-13)
a. Woe (vv.1-4)
b. Future Hope (vv. 5-6)
c. Wickedness (vv.9-10)
d. Consequences (vv.11-13)
Sermon Notes | 05.12.24
New Song of the Vineyard - Barry Webb
First Song (Chapter 5)
Fruit
Rain
Guarded
No Thorns No Briers
Spreads out
Outline: Isaiah 27
God Will Gather His People in Victory
I. Don’t Fear (v.1)
II. Don’t Loose Heart (vv. 2-6)
III. Look to God’s Work (vv. 7-11)
IV. Marvel and Worship (vv.12-13)
Sermon Notes | 05.05.24
Strong & Settled | Isaiah 26
OT Scripture: Exodus 12:21-23
NT Scripture: 1 Cor. 15:12-23
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Outline:
I. God is our Refuge (vv.1-6)
II. Walk the Path & Yearn for God to Vindicate (vv. 7-11)
III. Rest in God's Peace (vv. 12-15)
IV. Know Those who Belong to God shall Live (vv. 16-19)
V. Recognize we are Secure from Wrath (vv. 20-21)
"This victory is the Lord's; His peoples' part in it is only to trample the dust left by the victory." - Alec Motyer
Sermon Notes | 04.28.24
Think About It: How should we respond when the Lord comes to punish the people of earth? Why will we sing and give praise?
Outline: Isaiah 25
I.Isaiah’s Personal Song (vv.1-5)
II.Celebration Banquet (vv. 6-8)
III.Song of All God’s People (vv. 9-12)
(VV. 6-8) The Messianic Banquet- “If the reference to the elders in 24:23 looks back to Exodus 24:11 when the Mosaic covenant was celebrated in a meal with the elders, this was all that could happen within the circumstances of the occasion even though the ‘ideal’ expressed (Exodus 19:13) was that the trumpet would invite all the people. But in the envisaged messianic banquet, every restriction is lifted and universality is stressed: all peoples… peoples are ethnic groups, nations are political entities and faces individuals, and all are his people.” -Alec Motyer
“The onus is on the nations to come there (on this mountain) if they wish to partake. In view of this, his (The Lord’s) people in verse 8 cannot be restricted to faithful Israelites. It includes all who come to the feast, from whatever nation.” -Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 04.21.24
Judgment on the Whole Earth
Text: Isaiah 24
OT Scripture: Genesis 9:16
NT Scripture: Acts 17:30-31
Corporate Reading: Revelation 11:15
Big Idea: God command all people everywhere to repent. Why? Because the final day of judgment is not only coming but is fixed.
Outline:
I.Divine Action: Judgment (vv.1-12)
II.God’s Glory: A Remnant Sings (vv. 13-16)
III.Divine Action: Judgment (vv. 17-22)
IV.God’s Glory: The Lord of Hosts Reigns (vv. 21-23)
Sermon Notes | 04.14.24
Title: History Gives Way
Text: Isaiah 23
OT Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-5
NT Scripture: Matthew 5:5 & 1 John 2:15-17
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 5:16
Context:
Big Idea:
Where will you put your trust? Pride will always drive you towards false saviors, like self-sufficiency and wealth, but God alone deserves our ultimate trust. Make no mistake, history gives way to the Lord’s Day. Wealth hoarded by those who stand against God will one day flow into God’s city, for the benefit of his people, and for his own glory.
Outline: Isaiah 23
I. Tyre’s Fall (23:1-14)
II. Tyre’s Rise and Tyre’s Future (23:15-25)
Sermon Notes | 04.07.24
Review:
Outline: Isaiah 22
I. Judgment on the Nation (22:1-14)
a. Present Joy vs. Coming Calamity (vv. 1-4)
b. The Lord’s Day (vv.5-7)
c. Cause of Judgment (vv. 8-14)
II. Case Studies: Shebna & Eliakim (22:15-25)
a. Shebna the “Self-reliant” (vv. 15-19)
b. Eliakim the Servant Who Fails (vv. 20-25)
Sermon Notes | Resurrection Sunday 03.31.24
Title: Strength and Assurance
Text: 1 John 2:1-2
OT Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:11-12
NT Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
Think About It: There are two errors that die hard…
1. Sin doesn’t cut you off from God.
2. Sin is not real. (Or not that bad)
What is Sin? Sin is anything (whether in thoughts, actions, or attitudes) that does not express or conform to the Holy character of God as expressed in his moral law. (ESV Study Bible)
Outline: (1 John 2:1-2)
I. Sin is Real and Deadly but Not the End BC of Jesus
a. Children Changed
b. Children Covered
II. Salvation and Fellowship with Good the Father is Yours BC of Jesus
a. Jesus Our Advocate
b. Jesus the Righteous
c. Jesus our Propitiation
d. Jesus the Savior of the Whole World
Sermon Notes | 03.24.24
Historical Context: Isaiah 21
Outline: Isaiah 21
I. Oracle Concerning Babylon (21:1-10)
II. Oracle Concerning Dumah (21:11-12)
III. Oracle Concerning Arabia (21:13-16)
Sermon Notes | 03.17.24
Big Idea: The difficulties we face in life will not be answered by looking to the world for answers. Look to God. He has earned your trust. He deserves your trust.
Outline: Isaiah 19-20
I. Judgment of Egypt (19:1-15)
II. Salvation for Egypt (19:16-25)
III. Example of Egypt’s Weakness (20:1-6)
a. Results Given (v. 1)
b. Acted Out Oracle (vv. 2-3)
c. Reveal (v. 4)
d. Lesson (vv. 5-6)
Sermon Notes | 03.10.24
Judgement & Salvation (Part 1)
Text: Isaiah 19-20
OT Scripture: Isaiah 2:2-4
NT Scripture: Romans 1:18-25
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Outline:
I. Judgment for Egypt (19:1-15)
a. Religious collapse: “no-gods” can’t help (vv.1-4)
b. Economic collapse: strength is a vulnerability (vv. 5-10)
c. Political collapse: leaders are fools (vv. 11-15)
II. Salvation for Egypt (19:16-25)
a. “In that day…” Proper Fear (vv. 16-17)
b. “In that day…” Proper Allegiance (v. 18)
c. “In that day…” Proper Worship (vv. 19-22)
d. “In that day…” Proper Peace (v. 23)
e. “In that day…” A New People (vv. 24-25)
III. Egypt an Example of Weakness (20:1-6)
Sermon Notes | 03.03.24
Title: Look to the Holy One of Israel
Text: Isa. 17-18
OT Reading: Isa. 25:6-9
NT Reading: Rom. 12:8-13
Sermon Notes | 02.25.24
Big Idea: God judges perfectly and loves perfectly. Security is found in God alone. Pride will be your greatest enemy in seeing this. Pride will push you to turn to anything but God, be that false gods or self. Judgment Day will come. Like Moab's gods, our culture's gods cannot save because they are worthless. Look to God and his Messiah Jesus as your only hope.
OUTLINE: An Oracle Concerning Moab (Isaiah 15-16)
I. Lament: Moab in a Bad Way (15:1-9)
a. Wailing (vv. 1-4)
b. Flight (vv. 5-8)
c. Death (v. 9)
Key Application: No conflict between God's love and holiness.
II. Appeal: Moab Turns to Zion for Help (16:1-4)
a. Background (vv. 1-2)
b. Appeal (vv. 3-4)
Key Application: Humanities wickedness & weakness
III. Answer: Turn to God (16:4b-5)
a. Crisis Will Pass (v. 4)
b. Throne of David will Endure (v. 5)
Key Application: God & His Son = The answer
IV. Reflection: Moab's Pride Continues (16:6-11)
a. Consequences (vv. 6-8)
b. The Lord's Grief (vv. 9-11)
Key Application: Pride = Death
IV. Summary: Destruction in 3 Years (16:12-14)
a. Lesson (v. 12)
b. Appendix: Immanent Fulfillment (vv. 13-14)
Key Application: Pride = Death False gods = worthless
Sermon Notes | 02.18.24
“Throughout his vision of the Coming King (chapters 7-10), Isaiah has alluded to the worldwide dimension of the kingdom and its unending rule (9:7) and to a time when the whole earth will be the Lord’s Holy Mountain (11:9). He notes how the Lord’s remnant people, the coming worldwide Israel, who will be gathered from Assyria, Egypt, and Philistia, Edom, Moab, and Annon (11:14), will be part of the re-established Kingdom of David.” -Alec Motyer
Big Idea: God has a plan for the whole world. God’s promises and plan are backed by his power, and this is the only reliable foundation for life. Know that it is futile and self-defeating to live in opposition to God. He is a refuge for his people.
Outline: Isaiah 14:24-32
I. An Oracle Concerning Assyria (14:24-27)
a. The Lord has Sworn (vv. 24-25)
b. God’s Plan for the Whole World (vv.26-27)
II. An Oracle Concerning Philistia (14:28-32)
a. First Contrast: Future/ No Future (vv. 29-30)
b. Second Contrast: Refuge/ No Refuge (vv. 31-32)
Sermon Notes | 02.11.24
Think About It:
“People are literally hell-bent on “reaching for the stars”, and yet human glory, status, and success are all so temporary. But you do not need Isaiah to tell you this. You just need to go to any landfill or graveyard. There you will see the future of the stuff you covet and the glory you crave.” - Tim Chester
Babylon had a history of arrogance and pride reaching back to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 10:9-10 & 11:1-9).
The story of Babylon was the story of all nations that defy God. - John N. Oswalt
“Throughout his vision of the Coming King (chapters 7-10), Isaiah has alluded to the worldwide dimension of the kingdom and its unending rule (9:7) and to a time when the whole earth will be the Lord’s Holy Mountain (11:9). He notes how the Lord’s remnant people, the coming worldwide Israel, who will be gathered from Assyria, Egypt, and Philistia, Edom, Moab, and Annon (11:14), will be part of the re-established Kingdom of David.”
- Alec Motyer
Outline:
I. God’s Destruction of Human Pride (Isaiah 13:1-18)
II. The Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13:17-22)
III. The Downfall of the King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:1-23)
a. Promised Deliverance (vv. 1-4a)
b. Taunt Song (vv. 4b-21)
c. Lord’s Promise (vv. 22-23)
Sermon Notes | 02.04.24
Worship is the expression of a relationship in which God the Father reveals himself and his love in Christ and by his Holy Spirit administers grace, to which we respond in faith, gratitude, and obedience.” -Robert N. Schaper
“The Spiritual Disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times.” – Donald Whitney
So What/ Now What?
“People are literally hell-bent on “reaching for the stars”, and yet human glory, status, and success are all so temporary. But you do not need Isaiah to tell you this. You just need to go to any landfill or graveyard. There you will see the future of the stuff you covet and the glory you crave.” -Tim Chester
Sermon Notes | 01.28.24
Practicing Biblical Meditation Study Guide
Title: Delighting in the Word
Text: Ps. 119:9-16
OT Reading: Ps. 119:1-8
NT Reading: Matt. 7:24-27
Corporate Scripture Reading: Ps. 119:33-36
Sermon Notes | 01.21.24
Think About It:
“The Spiritual Disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times.” – Donald Whitney
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like getting hurt. We’re wired to assume that if we are getting hit, something’s going wrong. And so, whenever I tell someone the gospel message, and get hit (metaphorically speaking), there’s a temptation either to stop saying anything, or to change what I’m saying. I know there’s a pain line that needs to be crossed if I tell someone the gospel; but I want to stay the comfortable side of the pain line.” - Rico Tice
Q: What is successful evangelism?
A: A carful and accurate delivery of the gospel message, not the response of the recipient. All biblical evangelism is successful evangelism!
Sermon Notes | 01.14.24
Think About It:
“No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word. Nothing can substitute for it. There simply is no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of Scripture. The reasons for this are obvious. In the Bible God tells us about Himself, and especially about Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. The Bible unfolds the Law of God to us and shows us how we’ve all broken it. There we learn how Christ died as a sinless, willing Substitute for breakers of God’s Law and how we must repent and believe in Him to be right with God. In the Bible we learn the ways and will of the Lord. We find in Scripture how God wants us to live, and what brings the most joy and satisfaction in life."
Excerpt from: "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney
“Here then is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.” -R.C. Sproul
2 Timothy 3:14-17
“The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” -Wayne Grudem
I. Salvation for Zion Because of God's Acts (vv. 1-6)
II. Judgment for all People Because of their Acts (vv. 7-12) III. Obey Zion's King (vv. 13-22)
IV. Conclusion: Helpless but Overcoming (vv. 23-24).
"It is an expression of God's moral government that evil should rebound, sooner or later, on the heads of those who practice it." - Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 07.14.24
Text: Isaiah 32-33
Title: Only God Can Save | Part 1
OT Scripture Reading: Isaiah 33:2, 22
NT Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:9-13
Two Important Questions:
•Where are you going?
•What are you looking at?
Outline:
I. Look to the King and What He will Bring (vv. 1-8).
II. Look at What Wickedness Brings - Devastating Consequences (vv. 9-14).
III. Look to God, the Only Who can Pour out His Spirit & Bring About This New Society (vv. 15-20).
"The Spirit is associated throughout the Bible with God's Kingly rule either directly, as in creation, or indirectly through his chosen representatives, such as judges and kings. In chapter 11, the Spirit is particularly associated with the rule of the Messiah. The present passage compliments this by showing that the Spirit will not be limited to the Messiah, but will be poured out on the people of God as a whole (us - v. 15). It is this universal bestowal of the Spirit that will make God's rule fully effective in the lives of His people. This new age of the Spirit was inaugurated at Pentecost and will be here in its fullness when Jesus the Messiah -- who is both Spirit-endowed and the one who bestows the Spirit -- returns in power to reign."
- Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 07.07.24
Text: Isaiah 31:1-9
Title: Our Undaunted Warrior God
OT Reading: Deut. 17:16
NT Reading: John 16:33
Corporate Scripture Reading: Isa. 30:18
+ + + +
Sermon Notes | 06.16.24
Series: Spiritual Disciplines
Title: Giving
Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9
OT Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:11-14
NT Scripture: Mark 12:41-44
Think About It:
The NT teaches that there are three primary areas where our giving must go.
1. To Meet the Needs of the Saints
· Acts 2:44-45
· 1 John 3:17
· Galatians 6:9-10
2. To Meet the Needs of Christian Workers
· 1 Timothy 5:17-18
· 1 Cor. 9:6-14
· Philippians 4:15-18
3. To Meet the Needs of the Poor
· Luke 12:33-34
· Ephesians 4:28
· James 1:27
Outline:
Three principles on Giving from 2 Corinthians 8
I. Christian giving is an expression of the grace of God (8:1-6).
II. Christian giving is an expression of the gift of the Holy Spirit (8:7).
III. Christian giving is inspired by the cross of Christ (8:8-9).
Sermon Notes | 06.09.24
Spiritual Blindness | Isaiah 29 | Part 2
OT Scripture: Psalm 139:11-12
NT Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
Think About It:
“God gives us love without measure, but chastisement in measure… every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy. The measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” -Charles Spurgeon
“False religion is the very worst kind of pride because it attempts to make God our servant instead of recognizing that we are his.”- Barry Webb
How will the Lord overcome his people’s spiritual blindness? How will he overcome their hard-heartedness?
Isaiah 29: Outline:
Only the Lord Can Overcome Spiritual Blindness
I. The Lord Disciplines and Delivers (vv. 1-8)
a. Context: God’s Alien Work (Isaiah 28:14-22)
b. Love Without Measure
c. Chastisement Perfectly Measured
II. The Lord Reveals the Problem: Spiritual Blindness (vv. 9-14)
a. Cause (vv. 9-12)
b. Cure (vv. 13-14)
III. Woe to Those Deceived by Human Wisdom (vv. 15-16)
IV. The Lord Gives Hope: Coming Transformation (vv. 17-24)
a. Environmentally (v. 17)
b. Spiritually (vv. 18-19)
c. Socially (vv. 20-21)
d. Results (vv. 22-24)
“While there remains an awareness of God even in fallen human hearts, this is generally accompanied by grossly distorted ideas of what he is like.” - John Mackay
Why We Should Praise:
- God will overcome our spiritual blindness and hard-heartedness (29:17-24).
- This promise is fulfilled every time someone is converted, every time God opens someone’s eyes to see the glory of Jesus, his identity, his work, his love, his salvation.
Sermon Notes | 06.02.24
Spiritual Blindness | Isaiah 29
OT Scripture: Isaiah 30:8-11
NT Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:14-16
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Think About It:
“God gives us love without measure, but chastisement in measure… every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy. The measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine.” -Charles Spurgeon
- How will the Lord overcome his people’s spiritual blindness?
- How will he overcome their hard-heartedness?
Outline: Isaiah 29
Only the Lord Can Overcome Spiritual Blindness
I. The Lord Disciplines and Delivers (vv. 1-8)
a. Context: God’s Alien Work (Isaiah 28:14-22)
b. Love Without Measure
c. Chastisement Perfectly Measured
II. The Lord’s Reveals the Problem: Spiritual Blindness (vv. 14-22)
a. Cause (vv. 9-12)
b. Cure (vv. 13-14)
III. Woe to Those Deceived by Human Wisdom (vv. 15-16)
IV. The Lord Gives Hope: Coming Transformation (vv. 17-21)
a. God’s Work Brings an Awareness of the Truth
b. God’s Work Brings a Different Level of
Understanding
V. The Lord Keeps His Promises: He Renews His People
(vv. 22-24)
Sermon Notes | 05.26.24
Title: God’s Work | Part 2
Text: Isaiah 28
OT Scripture: 2 Sam. 5:20; Josh. 10:11
NT Scripture: 1 Peter 2:4-6
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
"God gives us love without measure, but chastisement 'in measure' ...every stroke is counted. It is the measure of wisdom, the measure of sympathy, the measure of love, by which our discipline is regulated. Far be it from us to rebel against appointments so divine." - Charles Spurgeon
Outline:
I. The Lord's Work: Judgment on Ephraim (vv. 1-15)
II. The Lord's Work: Judgment on the Leaders of Jerusalem (vv. 14-22
) III. The Lord's Work: The Parable of the Farmer (vv. 23-29)
- People who are cynical about spiritual truths (Psalm 1:1).
- People who are self-assured (Proverbs 1:22).
- People who are beyond correction (Proverbs 13:1).
- People who are arrogant (Proverbs 21:24).
Think About It:
Isaiah 30:10-11 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right;
speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
Outline: Isaiah 28 | God’s Work
I. Judgment on Ephraim (vv.1-13)
a. Woe (vv.1-4)
b. Future Hope (vv. 5-6)
c. Wickedness (vv.9-10)
d. Consequences (vv.11-13)
Sermon Notes | 05.12.24
New Song of the Vineyard - Barry Webb
First Song (Chapter 5)
- No Fruit
- No Rain
- Abandoned (wall removed)
- Thorns and briers
- Overrun
Fruit
Rain
Guarded
No Thorns No Briers
Spreads out
Outline: Isaiah 27
God Will Gather His People in Victory
I. Don’t Fear (v.1)
II. Don’t Loose Heart (vv. 2-6)
III. Look to God’s Work (vv. 7-11)
IV. Marvel and Worship (vv.12-13)
Sermon Notes | 05.05.24
Strong & Settled | Isaiah 26
OT Scripture: Exodus 12:21-23
NT Scripture: 1 Cor. 15:12-23
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Outline:
I. God is our Refuge (vv.1-6)
II. Walk the Path & Yearn for God to Vindicate (vv. 7-11)
III. Rest in God's Peace (vv. 12-15)
IV. Know Those who Belong to God shall Live (vv. 16-19)
V. Recognize we are Secure from Wrath (vv. 20-21)
"This victory is the Lord's; His peoples' part in it is only to trample the dust left by the victory." - Alec Motyer
Sermon Notes | 04.28.24
Think About It: How should we respond when the Lord comes to punish the people of earth? Why will we sing and give praise?
Outline: Isaiah 25
I.Isaiah’s Personal Song (vv.1-5)
II.Celebration Banquet (vv. 6-8)
III.Song of All God’s People (vv. 9-12)
(VV. 6-8) The Messianic Banquet- “If the reference to the elders in 24:23 looks back to Exodus 24:11 when the Mosaic covenant was celebrated in a meal with the elders, this was all that could happen within the circumstances of the occasion even though the ‘ideal’ expressed (Exodus 19:13) was that the trumpet would invite all the people. But in the envisaged messianic banquet, every restriction is lifted and universality is stressed: all peoples… peoples are ethnic groups, nations are political entities and faces individuals, and all are his people.” -Alec Motyer
“The onus is on the nations to come there (on this mountain) if they wish to partake. In view of this, his (The Lord’s) people in verse 8 cannot be restricted to faithful Israelites. It includes all who come to the feast, from whatever nation.” -Barry Webb
Sermon Notes | 04.21.24
Judgment on the Whole Earth
Text: Isaiah 24
OT Scripture: Genesis 9:16
NT Scripture: Acts 17:30-31
Corporate Reading: Revelation 11:15
Big Idea: God command all people everywhere to repent. Why? Because the final day of judgment is not only coming but is fixed.
Outline:
I.Divine Action: Judgment (vv.1-12)
II.God’s Glory: A Remnant Sings (vv. 13-16)
III.Divine Action: Judgment (vv. 17-22)
IV.God’s Glory: The Lord of Hosts Reigns (vv. 21-23)
Sermon Notes | 04.14.24
Title: History Gives Way
Text: Isaiah 23
OT Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-5
NT Scripture: Matthew 5:5 & 1 John 2:15-17
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 5:16
Context:
- Phoenicia lay north of Israel. It was roughly 15 miles wide and 140 miles long.
- Tyre and Sidon were the leading cites of Phoenicia.
- Tyre was famous for its ships and commercial trade.
- This oracle concerning Tyre closes a block of teaching (Chapters 13-23) for the same reason that Babylon opened it.
- Babylon was famous for its cultural and military might. Tyre was famous for its commercial trade and wealth. Both Tyre and Babylon stood for all that is tempting, alluring, and impressive in the world.
Big Idea:
Where will you put your trust? Pride will always drive you towards false saviors, like self-sufficiency and wealth, but God alone deserves our ultimate trust. Make no mistake, history gives way to the Lord’s Day. Wealth hoarded by those who stand against God will one day flow into God’s city, for the benefit of his people, and for his own glory.
Outline: Isaiah 23
I. Tyre’s Fall (23:1-14)
II. Tyre’s Rise and Tyre’s Future (23:15-25)
Sermon Notes | 04.07.24
Review:
- 739 BC: King Uzziah Dies
- 734 BC: Israel and Aram threaten Judah (Under King Ahaz)
- 701 BC: Sennacherib besieges Jerusalem (Under King Hezekiah)
- 587 BC: Exile into Babylon
Outline: Isaiah 22
I. Judgment on the Nation (22:1-14)
a. Present Joy vs. Coming Calamity (vv. 1-4)
b. The Lord’s Day (vv.5-7)
c. Cause of Judgment (vv. 8-14)
II. Case Studies: Shebna & Eliakim (22:15-25)
a. Shebna the “Self-reliant” (vv. 15-19)
b. Eliakim the Servant Who Fails (vv. 20-25)
Sermon Notes | Resurrection Sunday 03.31.24
Title: Strength and Assurance
Text: 1 John 2:1-2
OT Scripture Reading: Isaiah 53:11-12
NT Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:1-10
Think About It: There are two errors that die hard…
1. Sin doesn’t cut you off from God.
2. Sin is not real. (Or not that bad)
What is Sin? Sin is anything (whether in thoughts, actions, or attitudes) that does not express or conform to the Holy character of God as expressed in his moral law. (ESV Study Bible)
Outline: (1 John 2:1-2)
I. Sin is Real and Deadly but Not the End BC of Jesus
a. Children Changed
b. Children Covered
II. Salvation and Fellowship with Good the Father is Yours BC of Jesus
a. Jesus Our Advocate
b. Jesus the Righteous
c. Jesus our Propitiation
d. Jesus the Savior of the Whole World
Sermon Notes | 03.24.24
Historical Context: Isaiah 21
- 721-689 BC) Babylon was constantly rebelling against Assyria. They were the only nation, at the time, that could match the power of Assyria.
- As the 8th century drew to a close, Judah’s attention began to swing away from Egypt and towards Babylon as a perspective ally against Assyria. Notice the warm reception given to the ambassadors by Hezekiah (Is. 39:1-4).
- Babylonian envoys likely solicited not only Judah but the Bedouin tribes of Dumah and Arabia as well.
Outline: Isaiah 21
I. Oracle Concerning Babylon (21:1-10)
II. Oracle Concerning Dumah (21:11-12)
III. Oracle Concerning Arabia (21:13-16)
Sermon Notes | 03.17.24
Big Idea: The difficulties we face in life will not be answered by looking to the world for answers. Look to God. He has earned your trust. He deserves your trust.
Outline: Isaiah 19-20
I. Judgment of Egypt (19:1-15)
II. Salvation for Egypt (19:16-25)
III. Example of Egypt’s Weakness (20:1-6)
a. Results Given (v. 1)
b. Acted Out Oracle (vv. 2-3)
c. Reveal (v. 4)
d. Lesson (vv. 5-6)
Sermon Notes | 03.10.24
Judgement & Salvation (Part 1)
Text: Isaiah 19-20
OT Scripture: Isaiah 2:2-4
NT Scripture: Romans 1:18-25
Corporate Reading: Isaiah 48:11
Outline:
I. Judgment for Egypt (19:1-15)
a. Religious collapse: “no-gods” can’t help (vv.1-4)
b. Economic collapse: strength is a vulnerability (vv. 5-10)
c. Political collapse: leaders are fools (vv. 11-15)
II. Salvation for Egypt (19:16-25)
a. “In that day…” Proper Fear (vv. 16-17)
b. “In that day…” Proper Allegiance (v. 18)
c. “In that day…” Proper Worship (vv. 19-22)
d. “In that day…” Proper Peace (v. 23)
e. “In that day…” A New People (vv. 24-25)
III. Egypt an Example of Weakness (20:1-6)
Sermon Notes | 03.03.24
Title: Look to the Holy One of Israel
Text: Isa. 17-18
OT Reading: Isa. 25:6-9
NT Reading: Rom. 12:8-13
Sermon Notes | 02.25.24
Big Idea: God judges perfectly and loves perfectly. Security is found in God alone. Pride will be your greatest enemy in seeing this. Pride will push you to turn to anything but God, be that false gods or self. Judgment Day will come. Like Moab's gods, our culture's gods cannot save because they are worthless. Look to God and his Messiah Jesus as your only hope.
OUTLINE: An Oracle Concerning Moab (Isaiah 15-16)
I. Lament: Moab in a Bad Way (15:1-9)
a. Wailing (vv. 1-4)
b. Flight (vv. 5-8)
c. Death (v. 9)
Key Application: No conflict between God's love and holiness.
II. Appeal: Moab Turns to Zion for Help (16:1-4)
a. Background (vv. 1-2)
b. Appeal (vv. 3-4)
Key Application: Humanities wickedness & weakness
III. Answer: Turn to God (16:4b-5)
a. Crisis Will Pass (v. 4)
b. Throne of David will Endure (v. 5)
Key Application: God & His Son = The answer
IV. Reflection: Moab's Pride Continues (16:6-11)
a. Consequences (vv. 6-8)
b. The Lord's Grief (vv. 9-11)
Key Application: Pride = Death
IV. Summary: Destruction in 3 Years (16:12-14)
a. Lesson (v. 12)
b. Appendix: Immanent Fulfillment (vv. 13-14)
Key Application: Pride = Death False gods = worthless
Sermon Notes | 02.18.24
“Throughout his vision of the Coming King (chapters 7-10), Isaiah has alluded to the worldwide dimension of the kingdom and its unending rule (9:7) and to a time when the whole earth will be the Lord’s Holy Mountain (11:9). He notes how the Lord’s remnant people, the coming worldwide Israel, who will be gathered from Assyria, Egypt, and Philistia, Edom, Moab, and Annon (11:14), will be part of the re-established Kingdom of David.” -Alec Motyer
Big Idea: God has a plan for the whole world. God’s promises and plan are backed by his power, and this is the only reliable foundation for life. Know that it is futile and self-defeating to live in opposition to God. He is a refuge for his people.
Outline: Isaiah 14:24-32
I. An Oracle Concerning Assyria (14:24-27)
a. The Lord has Sworn (vv. 24-25)
b. God’s Plan for the Whole World (vv.26-27)
II. An Oracle Concerning Philistia (14:28-32)
a. First Contrast: Future/ No Future (vv. 29-30)
b. Second Contrast: Refuge/ No Refuge (vv. 31-32)
Sermon Notes | 02.11.24
Think About It:
“People are literally hell-bent on “reaching for the stars”, and yet human glory, status, and success are all so temporary. But you do not need Isaiah to tell you this. You just need to go to any landfill or graveyard. There you will see the future of the stuff you covet and the glory you crave.” - Tim Chester
Babylon had a history of arrogance and pride reaching back to the Tower of Babel (Genesis 10:9-10 & 11:1-9).
The story of Babylon was the story of all nations that defy God. - John N. Oswalt
“Throughout his vision of the Coming King (chapters 7-10), Isaiah has alluded to the worldwide dimension of the kingdom and its unending rule (9:7) and to a time when the whole earth will be the Lord’s Holy Mountain (11:9). He notes how the Lord’s remnant people, the coming worldwide Israel, who will be gathered from Assyria, Egypt, and Philistia, Edom, Moab, and Annon (11:14), will be part of the re-established Kingdom of David.”
- Alec Motyer
Outline:
I. God’s Destruction of Human Pride (Isaiah 13:1-18)
II. The Destruction of Babylon (Isaiah 13:17-22)
III. The Downfall of the King of Babylon (Isaiah 14:1-23)
a. Promised Deliverance (vv. 1-4a)
b. Taunt Song (vv. 4b-21)
c. Lord’s Promise (vv. 22-23)
Sermon Notes | 02.04.24
Worship is the expression of a relationship in which God the Father reveals himself and his love in Christ and by his Holy Spirit administers grace, to which we respond in faith, gratitude, and obedience.” -Robert N. Schaper
“The Spiritual Disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times.” – Donald Whitney
- Psalm 27:4
- Psalm 16:11
- Psalm 73:25
- Psalm 84:1-2, 4, 10
- 1 John 2:17
So What/ Now What?
“People are literally hell-bent on “reaching for the stars”, and yet human glory, status, and success are all so temporary. But you do not need Isaiah to tell you this. You just need to go to any landfill or graveyard. There you will see the future of the stuff you covet and the glory you crave.” -Tim Chester
Sermon Notes | 01.28.24
Practicing Biblical Meditation Study Guide
Title: Delighting in the Word
Text: Ps. 119:9-16
OT Reading: Ps. 119:1-8
NT Reading: Matt. 7:24-27
Corporate Scripture Reading: Ps. 119:33-36
Sermon Notes | 01.21.24
Think About It:
“The Spiritual Disciplines are those practices found in Scripture that promote spiritual growth among believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. They are habits of devotion and experiential Christianity that have been practiced by the people of God since biblical times.” – Donald Whitney
2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2
- The gospel is the answer to our greatest problem, sin.
- The gospel is the work of God.
- The heart of the gospel is the perfect life, sacrificial death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ as the salvation to mankind's sin.
- The. gospel is the call to respond in faith by believing.
“I don’t know about you, but I don’t particularly like getting hurt. We’re wired to assume that if we are getting hit, something’s going wrong. And so, whenever I tell someone the gospel message, and get hit (metaphorically speaking), there’s a temptation either to stop saying anything, or to change what I’m saying. I know there’s a pain line that needs to be crossed if I tell someone the gospel; but I want to stay the comfortable side of the pain line.” - Rico Tice
Q: What is successful evangelism?
A: A carful and accurate delivery of the gospel message, not the response of the recipient. All biblical evangelism is successful evangelism!
Sermon Notes | 01.14.24
Think About It:
“No Spiritual Discipline is more important than the intake of God’s Word. Nothing can substitute for it. There simply is no healthy Christian life apart from a diet of the milk and meat of Scripture. The reasons for this are obvious. In the Bible God tells us about Himself, and especially about Jesus Christ, the incarnation of God. The Bible unfolds the Law of God to us and shows us how we’ve all broken it. There we learn how Christ died as a sinless, willing Substitute for breakers of God’s Law and how we must repent and believe in Him to be right with God. In the Bible we learn the ways and will of the Lord. We find in Scripture how God wants us to live, and what brings the most joy and satisfaction in life."
Excerpt from: "Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life" by Donald S. Whitney
“Here then is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or lack of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy.” -R.C. Sproul
2 Timothy 3:14-17
“The authority of Scripture means that all the words in Scripture are God’s words in such a way that to disbelieve or disobey any word of Scripture is to disbelieve or disobey God.” -Wayne Grudem
Notes from Today's Sermon
Sermon Notes | 01.07.24
Think About It:
God is actively seeking fellowship with persons whose hearts are like His? We see this in 2 Chronicles 16:9 & 1 Peter 3:12.
[9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Question: What do we do with Jesus' extravagant promises about prayer? - Paul Miller
John 14:13–14; John 15:7
"Asking in Jesus' name" isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect. - Paul Miller
Luther's Garland of 4 Strands:
•Instruction
•Thanksgiving
•Confession
•Prayer
"Here lies the basic premise of all God's actions to us, it is from the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Robert Lethem -- "The grounds of the church's worship and our prayer life are... by the Holy Spirit, through Christ, to the Father." - Robert Lethem
Sermon Notes | 12.31.23
“Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when, upon his knees, he comes face to face with God.” - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should loose a great deal of the fire of faith.” - Martin Luther
“Even as a father and his child enjoy being together, so I must have this intimate fellowship with God each day.” - Andrew Murray
Big Idea: Sincere prayer brings glory and honor to God and joy and peace to the believer.
Why God want us to pray?
1.Prayer increases our faith, trust, and dependence of God.
2.Prayer brings us into deeper fellowship with God.
3.Prayer allows us to be involved in God’s activities that are eternally important.
Think About It:
God is actively seeking fellowship with persons whose hearts are like His? We see this in 2 Chronicles 16:9 & 1 Peter 3:12.
[9] For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
[12] For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Question: What do we do with Jesus' extravagant promises about prayer? - Paul Miller
John 14:13–14; John 15:7
"Asking in Jesus' name" isn't another thing I have to get right so my prayers are perfect. It is one more gift of God because my prayers are so imperfect. - Paul Miller
Luther's Garland of 4 Strands:
•Instruction
•Thanksgiving
•Confession
•Prayer
"Here lies the basic premise of all God's actions to us, it is from the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit." - Robert Lethem -- "The grounds of the church's worship and our prayer life are... by the Holy Spirit, through Christ, to the Father." - Robert Lethem
Sermon Notes | 12.31.23
“Prayer is beyond any question the highest activity of the human soul. Man is at his greatest and highest when, upon his knees, he comes face to face with God.” - Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
“If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should loose a great deal of the fire of faith.” - Martin Luther
“Even as a father and his child enjoy being together, so I must have this intimate fellowship with God each day.” - Andrew Murray
Big Idea: Sincere prayer brings glory and honor to God and joy and peace to the believer.
Why God want us to pray?
1.Prayer increases our faith, trust, and dependence of God.
2.Prayer brings us into deeper fellowship with God.
3.Prayer allows us to be involved in God’s activities that are eternally important.