Truth Has Stumbled
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord
Isaiah 59:14-21 (ESV)
14 Justice is turned back,
and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
and uprightness cannot enter.
15 Truth is lacking,
and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
and his righteousness upheld him.
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, so will he repay,
wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;
to the coastlands he will render repayment.
19 So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west,
and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
which the wind of the Lord drives.
20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.
21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”
Sermon Outline
The Bible presents Jesus as the answer to the deep and complex questions of life.
1. The Truth
v14 “truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter”
v15 “he who departs from evil makes himself a prey”
2. The Intercessor
v15 “The Lord saw it, and it displeased him”
v16 “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede”
3. The Redeemer
v16 then his own arm brought him salvation
v17 He put on…
v20 “a Redeemer will come… turn from transgression”
v21 “this is my covenant… My Spirit that is upon you, and my words… shall not depart…”
Prayer of Confession
Our holy God, we have all sinned and there are none who are righteous. Truth has stumbled in the public squares. We admit that we have fallen, believing what is false, and attempting to deceive others. We have failed to seek justice and have not always stood with courage against injustice. We have doubted your word. We have not fully surrendered to Jesus, whom you sent. Our thoughts and actions reveal we need a redeemer. We thank you that Jesus came to intercede for us, clothed with righteousness, offering himself for us. We turn from our transgressions to you, asking for forgiveness, with thankful acknowledgement of your mercy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Where do you see “truth stumbling” today?
Do you find it hard to be honest? Are you straightforward with the truth? When are you tempted to conceal or spin things?
Is God’s anger with human sin justified? What is your response to the Bible’s portrayal of God who is angry with the sin and injustice of our world?
What error are you more likely to make when there is injustice: jumping in hastily and making things worse, or failing to do or say something? Why?
What are some qualities of a faithful intercessor? What are some things you should be prepared to do as a Christian in our corrupt world?
What qualifies Jesus to be the only intercessor between God and humanity? How does he intercede?
What does it say about God that He comes Himself to redeem us?
What can we learn from the fact that God redeems those who had turned from Him at such cost to Himself? How does this help us as we go through life?
Do you believe Jesus is the truth, the way and the life? What questions do you have as you navigate this next stretch of life? What good are you seeking, what troubles are you struggling to deal with, and what are you learning?
How are you making use of God’s Spirit and Word? What role do they play in your life?
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