Continuing through Isaiah 14, we see God announce His great sovereignty. How can Judah know that the promises of God shall stand? Because there is no person, nation, or force that can thwart God's decrees. It is this truth that will always comfort God's people!
Returning to the oracle concerning Babylon, God has Isaiah focuses upon the King of Babylon. This King imagines himself to be like the Most High, but God will humble him. In this way, the King of Babylon is a type of the ultimate rebel, who is cast down and awaiting certain judgment.
Returning to the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we see the beginning of a series of messages concerning the nations. Isaiah speaks of the pride of Babylon and how the Lord shall surely bring her low. In this way, Babylon will be a preview of what will come to pass on the Day of the Lord.
Returning to the Psalms, we come to an exposition of Psalm 4. This Psalm of Davis is said to have been written (as was Psalm 3) about David's trouble during the uprising of Absalom. Psalm 4 reminds us that our hope and peace are found in the Lord. Even in a time of crisis, David can sleep for he knows that he rests in God's almighty hand.
Concluding our series in Philemon, we look at Paul's closing words in this letter, as well as the strong presentation of providence that is found throughout the Epistle's twenty-five verses.
Continuing into the heart of Paul's Epistle to Philemon, we see that Paul is requesting that grace be shown to Onesimus. This request calls for Philemon to recognize the goodness and grace of God at work in this situation by the transformative power of the Gospel.
Beginning our short journey through Paul's Letter to Philemon, we want to focus on the background and greeting of this letter of grace. Here, Paul greets a friend and fellow laborer in the Gospel, preparing to ask him to do something fitting in the Lord. It would seem that Paul is confident that Philemon will answer positively based on Philemon's history of gracious acts in service to Christ and his people.
Continuing in the Psalms, we come to Psalm 3, a Psalm of David. David wrote this great Psalm about his time fleeing from Absalom. It laments the dangers that he faces, but demonstrates his belief in the providence of the Lord.
Continuing our series through the Psalms, we arrive at Psalm 2- one of the great Messianic Psalms. Here, we find that in the midst of the rebellion of the nations, God has placed His King upon the throne. This king, His son, shall rule and reign, and the nations are called to recognize the wisdom in submitting to his rule.
Beginning a series on the Psalms, we are going to look at the entry way to the Psalter, Psalm 1. Here is a Psalm of wisdom for the people of God. It is also a Psalm which demonstrates our need of a Redeemer and Mediator, pointing to Christ.
Chapter 12 brings the first major section of the Book of Isaiah to a close. It continues the glorious picture of Ch. 11, offering a day of glory under the Messianic King. Chapter 12 reveals the song that the people of God will sing on that day when we give praise to our God and acknowledge our trust in Him.
Having seen the message of judgment upon Israel and Assyria (ch. 9-10), Isaiah prophesies the glories of what is beyond the Assyrian and Babylonian assaults on Judah. God promises that a remnant shall be preserved, and that the Messianic Son of David shall reign. The promise enlarges to go beyond a vision of a restored United Kingdom of Israel to a glorious vision of the Messianic King reigning over a world-wide kingdom in a new heavens and new earth.
Having seen in the previous section, the judgment of God upon the Northern Kingdom for their pride, the focus now moves back to Assyria. Is Assyria sovereign in their dealings? No, they are the means of God's judgment, a tool in His hand. Once He has achieved His ends, the Lord will discard this tool. Yet this passage also speaks of God graciously preserving a remnant according to His promise, and a great victory over Assyria which typifies the eschatological victory over all the Lord's enemies.
Instructing Judah to believe the promises of God, the example of the near fate of the Northern Kingdom is examined. Soon, because of their pride and disobedience, devastation shall come upon Israel. Will Judah learn from their example? Let the people consider their ways and to whom they will turn in the day of destruction.
Continuing our journey through the Emmanuel prophecy and its surrounding passages, we come to an equally famous text. Here, at the start of chapter 9, Isaiah prophecies about the mission of God to bring the Gospel light to the nations, but how will He accomplish it? In the most extraordinary way!
Continuing through the Emmanuel prophecy and its surrounding message, Isaiah receives a strong word from the Lord. He should not walk the faithless path that the majority of those in Judah are traveling. Instead, trust in the Lord and He will be a sanctuary to the faithful; however, to those who will not believe, He shall be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense. This ultimately reminds us of the great fulfillment of the Emmanuel prophecy, Christ, who is a sanctuary to His people, but a stu...
Continuing our exposition of the Immanuel prophecy, God now calls upon Isaiah to prophecy again concerning the sign of Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. Through this Word, God not only assures Judah that the Syro-Ephraim coalition will fail, but also calls Judah to respond in faith. If they turn to Assyria in place of God, Assyria will be like a wild river which they will not be able to control, bringing destruction upon them.
Continuing the exposition of the Immanuel prophecy, we find a word of judgment against Ahaz, Jerusalem, and Judah. Refuge has been sought in Assyria, instead of the promises of God. Now, Assyria will be your oppressor. In fact, the calamity to come will be remembered on par with the days when the United Kingdom split in two. The message is that there is great folly in unbelief, a folly which is self-destructive.
In preparation for the evening Lessons and Carols service, we want to look at the culminating text, John 1:1-14. Here, John reveals the mystery of the incarnation.
Continuing through Isaiah's prophecy, we come to the 7th chapter and the promise of the advent of Christ. Here, we see King Ahaz, and the nation of Judah, in a time of crisis as they fear an invasion from Israel and Syria. To whom will they turn? Will they trust in the Lord or in Assyria? God offers King Ahaz a sign, but he refuses it. So God gives a sign to the House of David that a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son and shall call His name Immanuel.
Continuing through the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we come to one of the most important passages in the Scriptures- Isaiah's vision, calling, and mission. Here, we see the holiness of our God and that His reign is without comparison. We also see the need for justification if we are to stand before our holy God. Finally, we will consider the mission which is given to this great prophet and that it comports with the revelation of the first five chapters of this Book.
Continuing the warning of the disappointing vineyard, Isaiah explains the types of sour grapes which the vineyard has brought forth. He finds the fruit of greed, self-indulgence, wickedness, perversion, foolishness, and corruption. Such a harvest is ripe for judgment, thus there is offered here a word of woe to the grapes of wrath.
Isaiah addresses Judah and Jerusalem through a parable and song, singing of His Beloved and His Beloved's Vineyard. This incredible song calls upon the people of Jerusalem to assess judgment upon the vineyard detailed in the song. In doing so, they ultimately pass judgment on themselves.
After speaking of a great judgment about to befall Jerusalem and Judah, there is a word of hope. God promises a future day pictured in a holy Jerusalem, wherein all the people there are declared righteous by the grace of God. This is to be a word of comfort in the face of judgment, for God's promises will not fail to stand!
Continuing through the early chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we see the consequences for Judah's sin. God is sending judgment against the nation, and against the city of Jerusalem. What will this judgment look like? This question is critical if we are to discern the signs of a nation under judgment. Join us as we look at this great chapter of Scripture, which explains God's means of judging a nation.
Having contrasted the Jerusalem that now is from the Jerusalem that one day shall be, the prophet Isaiah continues to lay charges against Judah. Though set-apart, they have desired to be like the nations. Though called to worship the Lord, they have dishonored Him. Now judgment shall befall them. Isaiah speaks of this judgment as a near and coming reality for the people of Judah, and as a foretaste of that great day of judgment that awaits all who are not found in Christ!
Approaching the end of chapter 1, we more charges levied against Jerusalem. God has found His people to be unjust, violent, and engaged in harlotry. Therefore the Lord shall come against them in judgment. Still, there is found great grace. God promises to use the judgment according to the promise, restoring His people. Further, at the beginning of the 2nd chapter, God reveals a vision for the Jerusalem that will be. It is a glorious picture of a Kingdom which draws the nations to the worship of ...
Entering the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we immediately see an indictment leveled against Judah and Jerusalem. It is a message of Covenant unfaithfulness on the part of God's people and sets the stage for this great letter. In the midst of stern consequences for a rebellious people, God holds out the hope of grace.
Coming to the end of our letter, we look into the post-script of the Letter to the Hebrews. Here is an encouragement to bear with the message of this letter. We will also see a longing for Christian fellowship. Finally, as we prepare to come to the Lord's Table, we see that there is a note of grace in this text.
As we near the end of the final chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews, we notice that our author speaks of the Everlasting Covenant. It is important that we consider this important phrase, and see that it is revealing the wondrous and gracious covenant in the blood of Jesus.
