Prepare Your Heart for October 15
PREPARING FOR THE SERMON
Isaiah 36-37
Context: In 701 BC, during the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib and his Assyrian armies set a siege of Jerusalem. Almost 20 years before these events, Sennacherib defeated the northern kingdom. From a prophetic standpoint, the fall of Judah had already been declared, but it was to be the Babylonians and not the Assyrians who captured Jerusalem.
Structure: The two chapters form an obvious division as they relate a closed narrative at the time of the life of Sennacherib. Chapter 36 sets the stage for Hezekiah’s response by describing not only the historical fact of siege, but also relates much of the taunting and psychological message involved in the invasion. Chapter 37 contains the response of Hezekiah as well as the miraculous deliverance from God.
36:1-3 King Sennacherib attacked the fortified cities (36:1)
36:4-22 “who are you now relying on” (36:5)
37:1-7 Hezekiah went to the Lord’s temple (37:1)
37:8-13 “Did the gods of the nations rescue them?” (37:12)
37:14-20 Hezekiah prayed, “Lord, save us” (37:15, 20)
37:21-38 the angel of the Lord went out (37:36)
Theology: deliverance, prayer, trust
Some things to think about:
- What voices do you listen to in matters relating to faith and how to live?
Call to Worship
I Believe
Prepare your heart for worship by reading the apostles’ creed. Then use this song for worship, declaring who God is and what you believe about him
Holy is the Lord/Holy Holy Holy
Learn this new song with us this Sunday morning. The worship team at Eastwood has worked to write this song together for the church based on Isaiah 6.
Congregational Scripture Reading
Psalm 130:1-4
What He’s Done
Jesus has lived a perfect life and died for your sins. If you have turned to him for salvation, spend this time remembering what he has done for you. May the Lord restore the joy of your salvation to you (Psalm 51).
I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130)
Our response is to put our hope in Jesus. He will not fail you, so he is worth waiting for. Read the remainder of Psalm 130 and commit to living this out.