Isaiah 49-57: The Suffering Servant

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(49) How is the servant described in v1-5?

What will the servant do in v5-12 (compare with 42:6-7)?  How do we see Jesus doing these very things in the New Testament?

How are we to respond to the servant in v13?

What does the coming of the servant mean for Israel and for us (v13-16)?

(50) In what ways do you see Jesus the servant fulfilling v4-9?

How are we to respond to the servant in v10-11?  How are we not to respond?  What does this mean in practical terms?

(51) How should we respond in v1, 4, & 7?  In v11?  In v12-16?

(52) How should we respond in v7-10?

How is the servant described in v13-15?

(53) Describe his life in v1-4.  What does this description mean for us?

Describe his death in v7-9.

What did his death accomplish for us (v5-6, 10-11)?

Who is responsible for his death (v5-10)?

What evidence do you see of his resurrection in v10-12?

What especially stands out to you in this description of the suffering servant?

(55) How should we respond in v1-3?  In v6-9?

(57) What promise are we given in v15?  How does this challenge you?  Encourage you?

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Unexpected God: How He Meets Us in Disappointment – Brian Tabb (DG)
Unmet expectations. They are the constant thieves of our happiness and contentment. One of the greatest evidences of human falleness and finitude is how quickly we expect the wrong things, or the right things at the wrong time.  But the very heart and center of the Christian faith should remind us daily that our expectations do not typically map onto the grandeur and goodness and wisdom of God. The cross reminds us that God sent us the Messiah we really needed, not the one anyone expected.

Slay Sin by Savoring Christ – Erik Raymond
Too often professing Christians can be lulled to sleep with a false sense of security. Unwittingly they starve themselves of Christ and make provision for the flesh. This is a spiritual suicide mission! Instead of caring for and nurturing the flesh and its desires we are to starve and kill it.

Turn My Eyes from Worthless Things: Curbing Our Infinite Appetite for Distraction – Tony Reinke (DG)
Our endless desire for “the totally irrelevant” has finally been matched by the endless offerings of irrelevance in our smartphones. We love to be fed worthless things.  This onslaught of produced media is a major problem for us all because we can focus our minds only on a limited number of stimuli that come at us. So, how do we discern and navigate the digital age with wise discretion?

10 Prayers to Pray Before Church – Colin Smith
Going to church is not like a trip to the grocery store, visiting a friend, or a Christian task to complete. It is a declaration that worshiping the risen Christ is more important to you than sleeping in, eating brunch, playing sports, or working around the house….  As such, we should not enter church like any other place, but should prepare our hearts in prayer. Let these 10 prayers set your mind on God’s purposes for church and prepare your heart to worship the King.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our Savior with your local church!

Sermon Songs: Revelation 15-16

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Hear the conquerors in Christ sing, To the Lord God Almighty
Amazing and great is our King, To Him all must bend the knee
He is righteous, He is holy
God’s just wrath is coming soon

Sores and blood and fire and darkness; Coming war, earthquake, and hail
Come against all unrighteousness, Satan’s kingdom soon will fail
Repent of sin, Cling to Jesus
God’s just wrath is coming soon

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Isaiah 43-48

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Isaiah reminds the people that there is only one true God who will restore them.

  • One True God – Again and again we read that there is only one true God. Idols are folly.  None can stop God when he acts.  God is the Creator who made us for his glory.  He is with us so we need not fear.  How does the presence of the one true God give you courage?  How are you living for his glory?
  • God Our Savior – God promises to save Israel by raising up a man named Cyrus to bring the people back to the land (44:28-45:1). This prediction is given over 100 years before the Persian king Cyrus is born, and Cyrus does indeed let the people return to the land. Truly God is in control, and he moves for the good of his people.  Praise the Lord!

Reflections on Isaiah 40-42

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Isaiah predicted that Babylon would come back in chapter 39.  Now he begins to speak words of comfort and hope to those who will be taken into captivity.

  • Great God – None can compare to God. The nations and rulers are as nothing before him.  Idols are foolish.  This great God can help us, strengthen us, and uphold us (41:10).  Look to him in your trouble.  And praise your great God.
  • Chosen Servant – Isaiah 42 is the first of four servant songs. God will raise up his chosen servant, and the Spirit will rest upon him (v1).  This servant will bring forth justice (v2, 3, 4).  He will be gentle (v2-3) and will bring healing and restoration (v6-7).  Rejoice, for this servant has come and is coming again – his name is Jesus!

Isaiah 40-48: Behold Your God

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(44-45) Israel is going to be taken captive by the Babylonians.  Who is God going to raise up, and for what purpose (44:28-45:6)?

God predicted this over 170 years before it happened.  How would this encourage the people of Israel?  How does it encourage you as you think of other predictions from God?

(40-41) To what things is God compared in 40:15-26?  How does God measure up in the comparison?

In what ways can God help us (40:29-31, 41:10)?

How would God’s help comfort Israel in captivity?  Comfort us in our trials?  How should we respond (40:31, 41:10)?

(43-46) What idea is repeated in these verses: 43:10-11; 44:6-7, 24; 45:5-6, 18, 21-22; 46:9?  Why is this important for Israel to grasp in their captivity?  For us to grasp in our daily lives?

(47) What does Babylon claim for itself (v8, 10)?  In what ways are we tempted to act like this?

(41-46) How does God compare to the idols of the nations (41:21-29, 44:9-21, 45:16-20, 46:1-7)?

How does Isaiah’s description of idols in his day also describe the idols of our day?

(43-48) In what ways is God for Israel (43:1-7; 44:21-26; 46:3-4; 48:17-18)?

How would God’s actions for Israel comfort them in their captivity?  Comfort us in our current situations?

(42-45) Who is this servant (42:1-7 Matthew 12:18-21)?  What will he do?  How should we respond (45:22-23, Philippians 2:10-11)?

(40) Who is the one preparing the way of the Lord (v3-9, Matthew 3:1-3)?  Who is this Lord in Isaiah 40?  In Matthew?  Ponder the connection being made!

 

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

What Is It Like to Enjoy God? – John Piper (DG)
The enjoyment of God is the enjoyment of a Person — not just the enjoyment of a thing, or an idea, or a pattern of actions, or a mysterious force. The ultimate joy of God’s creatures is joy in a Person — joy in God.

10 Things You Should Know about the Resurrection – Adrian Warnock (Crossway)
…every Sunday should be Resurrection Sunday. The reason why the early church began to meet on the first day of the week was to celebrate Jesus’s defeat of death. Imagine what church would be like if we consciously gathered every week to celebrate the resurrection?

You Can Forget to Be Irritated – Scotty Smith (DG)
The more I remember God’s lavish, unwavering, inexhaustible love for us in Jesus, the more I forget to be irritated with others.

Worship as a Feast – Dustin Rouse (FTC)
As worshipers who come to church (this is also true, if not more so, for worship leaders), we need to come hungry. You can go to the nicest restaurant with the best reviews, but if you’re not hungry, you will not want to eat. It doesn’t matter what the meal smells or looks like, if you’re full, you won’t want to partake.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Reflections on II Kings 18-20 & II Chronicles 29-32

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Hezekiah becomes king of Judah.  Observe:

  • Hold Fast to the Lord – Hezekiah was a rare king who not only did what was right in God’s eyes, but even did it to the extent of David. He tore down all the places of idolatry.  He trusted God and turned to him in trouble.  He followed God and kept his commands.  He walked faithfully before the Lord with his whole heart.  How well does this describe you?
  • Revival – After years of apostasy, Hezekiah led the people back to God. They cleansed the temple, restored the sacrifices and singing, and worshipped the Lord together.  Many people humbled themselves and set their heart to seek the Lord.  How do you need to return to the Lord?