A light has dawned- The Hope Messiah Brings
Verses: Isaiah 9:1-7
Questions:
1. Read v1-2. How did God honor Galilee of the nations? How have people seen the
light?
2. Read v3-5. Verse by verse, what will Messiah bring to His people when he comes?
Which aspect impresses you most?
3. Read v6-7. When would the Messiah kingdom start and end? How would the
fulfillment of the prophecy in Jesus bring you hope for the future?
=== Sermon notes ===
Foreword:
1. The desire for peace and fear of war
2. 27 countries and 191 groups are at war, according to wars in the world .com
3. the news of wars bring a thick cloud of darkness in our lives
4. our way of bringing peace: powerful countries believe negotiations of
powers, radical groups believe terror will force the issue
5. The problem is still the presence of evil
6. We who believe in Jesus have hope. The Bible reveals not only God’s
sovereign plan but also describes the world events of our time
7. Isaiah 9 is one of the most significant messages
(slide 1)
In Christmas we celebrate the beginning of the Messiah Age
•
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those
living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” –Isaiah 9:2
1. people are in constant fear and darkness, yearning for light
2. experience in the cave- the guide walk to a surprise place to turn on the tiny
flash light
3. A great light has dawned in Galilee, a small place, 2000 years ago
4. Later on we know who the Light is- Jesus
a. Matthew 4
b. Kingdom of heaven is near
5. The beginning of the Messiah age
(Slide 2)
Messiah brings joy of the completion of harvest
•
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice
before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when
dividing the plunder.” –Isaiah 9:3
1. the nation is the nation of God’s people
2. celebration of the completion of long labor
3. celebration of the end of conflicts
(Slide 3)
Messiah brings victory over enemy’s oppression
•
“For 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. ” –Isaiah 9:4
1. Judges 7:2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver
Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength
has saved me.’
a. 32000 to 10000 free to go if fearful
b. 300 of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs.
2. The oppressor is the devil and all his works
(slide 4)
Messiah brings the end to all wars
•
“Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.” –Isaiah 9:5
1. New heaven and new earth
a. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old
order of things has passed away.” – Revelation 21
2. Hebrew concept of “peace” is more than the absence of war.
a. To Isaiah, peace is a condition in which all things follow their destiny
undisturbed.
b. Elsewhere the prophet will talk of the lion lying down with the lamb,
and children playing at the viper’s nest. This can only occur, of course,
when major changes in nature are made.
(slide 5)
Jesus is the Messiah and He will reign
•
“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
1. Gal 4:4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might
receive adoption to sonship.
2. John 4:25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming.
When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I,
the one speaking to you—I am he.”
3. Jesus brought peace with God through redemption by His death and
resurrection, and will eventually bring total peace through His exalted reign
over all the earth.
(slide 6)
Messiah Kingdom will come and stay forever
•
“Of the greatness 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.” –Isaiah
9:7
1. When he comes, every knee shall bow
2. Justice and righteousnessa. Justice served
b. Righteousness restored
c. everything made right
3. forever
4. His promise is fulfilled, like Mat 4, and will fulfill again
Prayer: Let us celebrate the victory of God. Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom
come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Send laborers, O God. Open a
door for the gospel. Give boldness to your people. Help us bring hope to this world
of darkness in fear. Come Lord Jesus Come. Amen.
Questions:
1. Describe the distress you may have where you walk in darkness? In V3-5, what
kind of joy can the great light bring to people in deep darkness? Describe how the
distress in darkness may be removed when you see the light.
2. Read V6. Who is the great light in V2? How would this child born to us called
Might God and Everlasting Father?
3. In V7, when would the Messiah kingdom start and end? How would the fulfillment
of the prophecy in Jesus bring me hope to my future?