TILL HE APPEARED
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: TILL HE APPEARED
One of my favorite Christmas carols is O Holy Night…I love the hopeful words: O holy night! the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!” This song resonates well with Isaiah’s prophetic words spoken 700 years before the birth of Jesus in Isaiah 9:1-7.
Main Scripture: ISAIAH 9:1-7
NOTES:
Isaiah 9:1-7 NLT and Context
The people of God were going through a dark season, unfortunately self-inflicted. The people had completely turned their backs on God and their humbling consequences were about to commence with the invasion of the Assyrian army. God’s people were guilty of idolatry and seeking out mediums and psychics for guidance instead of God (8:19). They were proud, arrogant, and did not fear and follow God’s instructions (8:20; 9:8-9; 9:17). The leaders and the prophets were misleading and lying (9:15-16). The judges were issuing unfair laws, denying the poor and needy justice, preying on widows, and taking advantage of orphans (10:1-2). You could say they probably deserved the consequences. But in the same prophetic proclamation of this judgment and its consequences, God gives them hope of a better future. We know this hopeful future as one of the most used Christmas scriptures in the Bible. Let’s read Isaiah 9:1-7
V. 1-2 Darkness to light
The previous verses of Isaiah 8:20-22 say, Look to God’s instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in the dark. 21 They will go from one place to another, weary and hungry. And because they are hungry, they will rage and curse their king and their God. They will look up to heaven 22 and down at the earth, but wherever they look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will be thrown out into the darkness.
The towns and places of Galilee, northern Israel, were doormats for invading enemies and they often took the brunt end of every invasion.
“For those who live in a land of deep darkness…” figurately, physically, and spiritually will see a great light. The darkness and despair will not go on forever. In the future, a great and glorious light will shine. What does hope look like in a dark and troubling world? Light. Jesus is the light.
Isaiah 9:2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
Luke 1:78-79 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Jesus said “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)
V. 3-5 When the light of the world comes everything will change.
God’s people and kingdom will increase. Oppression and tyranny will end. This war and conflict will cease. Why?
V. 6 The Son of God would be born
Approximately 700 years later this prophetic word comes true. First, Elizabeth, older and barren is pregnant with John the Baptist and her cousin Mary is pregnant, conceived through the Spirit. Both miracle pregnancies, pregnant with hope. But Mary gives birth to the hope of the world, Jesus Christ.
The will and government of God rest on His fair and righteous shoulders. He will rule and reign with fairness and justice. Verse 6 describes the type of ruler and king He will be. One so great He is given multiple titles which also express His character…Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“As the Wonderful Counselor, he has the best ideas and strategies. Let’s follow him. As the Mighty God, he defeats his enemies easily. Let’s hide behind him. As the Everlasting Father, he loves us endlessly. Let’s enjoy him. As the Prince of Peace, he reconciles us while we are still his enemies. Let’s welcome his dominion.” Ray Ortlund
Jesus is and embodies these characteristics and more. This is the Lord and Savior we are encouraged to trust in for salvation from sin, evil, and death. We're in good hands!
V. 7 He brings eternal peace…
There’s also a future hope, the blessed hope of Christ’s return and this is what verse 7 is eluding to. So this scripture wasn’t just referring to the birth of Christ but also the distant future of the second coming (mountains in eschatology) when God will make a new heaven and new earth…the eternal peace we all truly long for…
If things haven't gone well now, God still promises eternal peace and that means you still have a future and a reason for hope.
Application: Christmas reveals…
Jesus is the mercy of God to a world in sin and error pining.
“O holy night the stars are brightly shining. It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth. Long lay the world in sin and error pining…”
In sin and error-pining means humanity's propensity to sin and be lost in it. Jesus came into a world where we long erred on the side of sinning and that’s the very reason he needed to come…The world was utterly lost in sin and error pining…till he appeared.
Jesus shined a light on humanity's sin but He shined the way to mercy and forgiveness at the same time. He reveals what is wrong but also reveals the radical love of the Father. Jesus didn’t come to shame us for our sins but to save us from our sins. Jesus shines the truth on our sins so we’ll see the cliff ahead the destiny we don’t have to inherit and provide a bridge so we can cross into eternal peace and life.
We don't truly see the error of our sin until we see the perfect, Holy God who still graciously pursues us.
So in His appearing, the heart that errs on sinning can have a new affection for what is righteous and holy.
Jesus redeems and reclaims the unworthy
O Holy Night continues… “till he appeared and the soul felt its worth…”
Jesus didn’t avoid the most shameful corners of society He purposely went to them to show mercy and grace.
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
1 Timothy 2:6 He (Jesus) gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.
Galatians 1:4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 20 God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but now in these last days he has been revealed for your sake.
The gift of God’s Son redeems the worth of our souls
The very point that Christ came to save us shows us how valuable and loved we are by God. The enemy came to steal and kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give life more abundantly. Our sin makes us deserving of death but God is merciful and gracious, not wanting anyone to perish but have eternal life.
In the glory of Christ’s presence, the heart and soul bent on sinning is now awakened to a new affection for what is righteous and holy.
Jesus is the living hope to a weary world
“A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn! Fall on your knees!”
Hope for forgiveness, hope for miracles, hope for reconciliation, hope for the weary is alive because Jesus is alive. Rejoice!
For yonder breaks, Jesus breaks through the darkness to give a new and glorious life..He doesn’t just redeem and save us he gives us a new beginning as a new creation.
Fall on your knees! In His appearing, the suitable response is to fall on our knees in humble worship and gratitude for our dear savior’s birth.
Salvation call
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. -Titus 2:11
The birth of Christ revealed our need for salvation from sin and the grace and mercy for salvation at the same time. The manger of God humbles us to our knees but also raises us to new life.
Salvation is not earned it is a gift, received by faith and trust in Jesus Christ. May we all turn towards the light of heaven, Jesus Christ, and humbly admit and trust in Him for salvation.
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What scripture stuck out to you and why?
What should we ask God for in our prayer time to help us apply this message?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!