Sermon Theme
It is something that can dramatically change our perceptions of things
eg. TV ad of man furiously banging on car window, his face very animated – woman at steering wheel giving the impression this is road rage – YET panning out, the CONTEXT comes into view Woman and child trapped in car after accident with fire beginning to flare up
In just a couple of weeks it will be Christmas with the focus on that child born – the PEACE child = Christ
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6, NIV84)
This passage takes on even more meaning when we understand it’s context
Sermon outline
- THE CONTEXT IN WHICH HOPE IS ANNOUNCED
- THE LIGHT OF HOPE JUST BEFORE THE JUDGMENT OCCURRED
- LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS COMING
Readings reproduced on this page:
The Holy Bible: New International Version. 1996, 1984. Grand Rapids: Zondervan
Readings
Isaiah 7:18–20 (NIV84)
18In that day the Lord will whistle for flies from the distant streams of Egypt and for bees from the land of Assyria.
19They will all come and settle in the steep ravines and in the crevices in the rocks, on all the thornbushes and at all the water holes.
20In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the River—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to take off your beards also.
Isaiah 8:1–10 (NIV84)
1The Lord said to me, “Take a large scroll and write on it with an ordinary pen: Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
2And I will call in Uriah the priest and Zechariah son of Jeberekiah as reliable witnesses for me.”
3Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the Lord said to me, “Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz.
4Before the boy knows how to say ‘My father’ or ‘My mother,’ the wealth of Damascus and the plunder of Samaria will be carried off by the king of Assyria.”
5The Lord spoke to me again:
6“Because this people has rejected the gently flowing waters of Shiloah and rejoices over Rezin and the son of Remaliah,
7therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the River— the king of Assyria with all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels, run over all its banks
8and sweep on into Judah, swirling over it, passing through it and reaching up to the neck. Its outspread wings will cover the breadth of your land, O Immanuel!”
9Raise the war cry, you nations, and be shattered! Listen, all you distant lands. Prepare for battle, and be shattered! Prepare for battle, and be shattered!
10Devise your strategy, but it will be thwarted; propose your plan, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
Text
Isaiah 9:1–7 (NIV84)
1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.
3You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.
4For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.
5Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
