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PREPARING FOR THE SERMON

Isaiah 48

Context: Isaiah 48 is addressed to the house of Jacob.

Abraham was the original patriarch. He is the man God made the covenant and promised to make a great nation.

His son Isaac is important because he is seen as the child of promise even when Abraham tried to take things into his own hands with Ishmael. The Jewish people however have as a namesake Abraham's grandson. Once again, there was another male child of this generation born to Isaac, but Jacob alone is taken as the chosen nation. Jacob was renamed Israel by God. Israel had twelve sons which became twelve tribes (13 if you count the two ½ tribes of Joseph) that constituted the people. After the reign of Solomon, the kingdom split into two groupings of twelve.

God worked especially through and with the southern kingdom of Judah. The addressing of the prophecy to the house of Jacob points toward a reuniting of the full covenant people.

Structure:

  • 48:1-11 "You have heard, now see all this"
  • 48:12-16 "from the time it came to be I have been there"
  • 48:17-22 "the Lord has redeemed his servant Jacob"

Theology: redemption, divine plan, hearing God

Some things to think about:

  • What message has taken a long time for God to get across to you?
  • How do you keep from being obstinate and stiff necked?
    When has God led you through deserts without thirsting? Been a peace in the storm?

     

     

 

PREPARING FOR WORSHIP

Call to Worship

Psalm 100

Praise You Anywhere

God deserves our praise in every area of our life. In the good times and bad, easy days and hard days, may we choose to praise his name because he is worthy!

In Christ Alone

We also gather as a body of believers to give God praise for what He’s done. He has made the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect example of love and grace. It is in Christ alone that we find our hope. 

Congregational Scripture Reading

Luke 1:46-50

O Come, All You Unfaithful

The Christmas season is here! May we be reminded in all the hustle and bustle that the season brings of the real reason we celebrate. Jesus is born! So come to him, healthy or sick, weak or able, as see Immanuel. 

He Will Hold Me Fast

We’ve sung songs of adoration, praise, salvation, and hope. Now we turn to the theme of assurance. Rest assured that if you have placed your faith in Jesus he will come through on his promises.