The Healer Is Born

Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord

Isaiah 9:1-7 (ESV)
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

2 The people who walked in darkness
    have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
    on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
    you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
    as with joy at the harvest,
    as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
    and the staff for his shoulder,
    the rod of his oppressor,
    you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
    and every garment rolled in blood
    will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Sermon Outline
Isaiah looks ahead to the one God sends into the world to turn all things around and begin the healing of the world.  

1. The Way of Our World

  • v2  The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light

  • vv4-5  …yoke of his burden… staff… rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian… boot of the tramping warrior… garment rolled in blood…

  • 8:11-13,17-19, 21-22  conspiracy/fear, inquiry, rage

2. The Way of the Lord

  • v1  but in the latter time…

  • v6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…  the government shall be upon his shoulder

  • v7  to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness

3. The Way of the Lord in the World

  • v7  to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness

  • v6  his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace

  • v7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end… the Lord of hosts will do this

Prayer of Confession
Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace: you have established justice and righteousness.  We all fall short of your standard of righteousness.  We confess our unjust thoughts and actions.  We have neglected what is good.  We have taken hold of what is evil.  Instead of advancing your peace, we have helped multiply the sin of our world.  Forgive us.  We take hold of the mercy granted us in Christ, and claim his righteousness.  Amen.

Questions for Reflection

  1. In what ways is our world unhealthy?  What symptoms do you see that indicate something is wrong?

  2. What examples do you see in public discourse of how people are relating and addressing issues that is making things worse?

  3. Do you discern God at work anywhere within our world now?  Do you see any evidence of God sustaining or advancing good?

  4. What are some ways that Jesus’ entry into the world begins to address our world problems?  What do Christians believe about the “incarnation” (the Son of God becoming human) that points to unique ways God is repairing the world?

  5. How does Jesus deal with sin in a way that no other person can?

  6. How does Jesus establish righteousness and justice?  How does he uphold them?

  7. How are followers of Jesus to uphold righteousness and justice?

  8. What reasonable expectations should you have for going into the world to do good?

  9. What will you need to stay firm in doing good?

  10. What does it look like for God to be at work in the world through you?

Read Ahead

Isaiah Sermon Series