Journey Toward Christmas: Into the Darkness

Preached on 11.30.08 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes

9:1 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 shined.
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. Isaiah 9:1-7.

The Backstory: The Big Story of the Bible.

“the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali” Places of Israelite defeat.
“no gloom for her who was in anguish…In the former time he brought into contempt… in the latter time” Israel was disciplined but there is good news to come.
“has made glorious” This verb is in the past tense, but this is a future event. This shows us that Isaiah was a true prophet and…

P: God is sovereign over all of life and He can be trusted.
“God does whatever He wants, whenever He wants, wherever He wants,
however He wants, with whomever or whatever He wants.”

Am I resting in this truth today?

P: God is good and the final word for His children is always hope.

Great Scripture to Memorize:
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Rom. 8:28 ESV

In the difficulties in my life, can I see that God is at work for His glory and my good?

“darkness…deep darkness” Repeated to underscore its significance.

P: God is not afraid of any darkness.
What is the darkness in your life that you need God to step into?

“multiplied…increased its joy…glad” God’s intervention leads to great joy.
“yoke of his burden…broken as on the day of Midian” Deliverance as in Gideon’s day.
“For every boot…every garment…fuel for the fire.”
 War instruments rendered obsolete.

P: God often works in mysterious ways.
How is God at work in your life, in perhaps a mysterious way?

P: Jesus’ character is beautifully multifaceted—like a diamond.

• Wonderful Counselor—the Divine Source of Eternal Wisdom & Comfort
• Mighty God—God Himself in all of His Power and Glory
• Everlasting Father—the Eternal, Unlimited, Loving Father
• Prince of Peace—His rule is one of justice and peace

Which of these attributes of Jesus do you need the most this holiday season?

P: When God makes a promise, we can count on Him to keep it.

We can have hope in this season because God DID and STILL DOES bring His light into the Darkness.

Works Cited: The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, The John MacArthur Study Bible, Isaiah 1-35, Thru the Bible Commentary with J. Vernon McGee