Joy From Jesus

INTRODUCTION

We are in the Christmas season!

This season should be a time for joy, but many struggle with the concept of joy because their lives lay in ruin.

Sometimes, the ruin is self-inflicted; other times, the ruin is inflicted upon us.

There is hope!

I want to draw your attention to a powerful message of hope and joy found in the book of Isaiah, specifically in Isaiah chapter 40, verses 1 to 5.

In this passage, we encounter words of comfort and assurance, reminding us that true joy can be found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah, inspired by the Holy Spirit, delivers a message to the people of Israel who were facing a time of great turmoil and despair.

They were a nation in exile, longing for freedom and restoration.

Yet, amid their darkness, Isaiah reveals a glimmer of divine light—a promise of comfort and redemption.

As we dig into these verses, we will discover that in a world filled with uncertainty, fear, and brokenness, we need the joy that can only be found in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah's prophecy reminds us that Jesus is the source of true comfort.

He comes to us in our weariness, gently speaking words of solace to our troubled hearts.

We find rest and assurance in His presence, knowing He understands our pain and offers us His unfailing love.

Furthermore, Jesus possesses the power to transform our lives.

He brings hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, and strength to the weary.

His grace is sufficient, and His mercy knows no bounds.

When we surrender our burdens to Him, He breathes new life into our souls and empowers us to rise above our circumstances.

Lastly, Isaiah directs our gaze towards the glory of our Lord.

Jesus, the King of kings, reveals His majesty and splendor, captivating our hearts with His unmatched greatness.

When we fix our eyes on Him, our perspective shifts and the trials of this world dim in comparison to His eternal glory.

So, let us open our hearts to receive the message of joy from Jesus found in Isaiah 40:1-5.

May we embrace His comforting presence, experience His transformative power, and be amazed by His divine glory.

As we do so, let our lives be filled with an abiding joy that transcends circumstances and points others to the hope we have in Christ.

Big Idea of the Series: We describe the Christmas season as being full of comfort and joy—and Isaiah 40:1–5 has a lot to say about that.

This series unpacks the passage and reminds us that God, through Jesus, has brought comfort in our pain and joy through salvation; because of this, we can prepare our lives for redemption and proclaim Jesus to the world.

Big Idea of the Message: Christmas is a time to experience comfort and joy from what God has done in Jesus.

Let's begin with Isaiah 40:1-2.

Isaiah 40:1–2 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the Lord has made her pay double for all her sins.”

SERMON

I. Understanding the context.

The nation would endure captivity later by the Babylonians and eventually the Persian empires.

I cannot imagine and hope I never have to experience living in a country ruled by another.

Other nations were constantly ruling the nation because of their disobedience to God.

Today, as we turn our attention to Isaiah 40:1-2, we are transported back to a significant moment in the history of the people of Israel.

It is essential to understand the historical context in which Isaiah's prophecy was given to fully grasp the depth of the message and its impact on the hearts of the people.

Isaiah's prophet ministry takes place from about 740 B.C. to 698 B.C.

At the time of this prophecy, the people of Israel were in a state of exile.

The northern kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians, and now the southern kingdom of Judah found itself oppressed and dispersed.

The people were taken away from their homeland, separated from their families, and stripped of their identity.

During their exile, the Israelites experienced deep distress and longing for salvation.

They were burdened with the weight of captivity, living in a foreign land far away from the land that God had promised to their ancestors.

Their hearts were filled with grief, their spirits were weary, and their hope seemed to wane with each passing day.

But it is precisely in this place of despair and longing that Isaiah's words bring a glimmer of hope.

The prophet begins by proclaiming, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God."

These words of comfort are like a balm to their wounded souls.

It is a reminder that God has not forgotten them, that He sees their pain, and that He is present with them even amid their exile.

The people of Israel yearned for deliverance, a restoration of their homeland, and the fulfillment of God's" promises.

They longed for a Savior who would come and set them free from their captivity.

Their distress and longing were a cry for salvation, a plea for God to intervene and rescue them from their circumstances.

As we reflect on this passage, let us remember that just as the people of Israel found themselves in distress and longing, we, too, may experience similar emotions at different points in our lives.

We may find ourselves in overwhelming situations, burdened by the weight of our struggles and longing for a breakthrough.

But let us take heart, for in our distress, we have a Savior who hears our cries and understands our deepest longings.

Jesus Christ, the ultimate deliverer, offers us comfort and hope. He is the one who brings true freedom and restoration to our lives.

Let us hold on to the promise of comfort and salvation found in Isaiah's prophecy.

Let us trust in the faithfulness of our God, who sees us in our distress and longs to bring us into a place of peace and restoration.

May we find solace in knowing that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is near, ready to lift us and carry us through every trial we face.

We cannot let the past burden us, we cannot let past failures make us feel unworthy.

The nation of Israel was starting to be burdened with guilt.

They would have to learn to forgive themselves as we sometimes need to.

The Voice of Comfort.

The assurance of God's compassion and forgiveness:

In verse 1, we hear the voice of comfort resonating from God Himself.

The Almighty, who knows the depths of our pain and anguish, extends His compassion and forgiveness to His people.

Despite their disobedience and the consequences they faced, God's love remains steadfast.

He assures them that His mercy is not exhausted, and His forgiveness is available to those who turn to Him with repentant hearts.

This assurance brings immense comfort, reminding us that no matter how far we may have strayed,

God's arms are always open wide, ready to embrace us with His unfailing love.

God's desire for reconciliation and restoration:

The voice of comfort in Isaiah 40:1 also reflects God's desire for reconciliation and restoration.

His longing to bring His people back into a right relationship with Him echoes throughout the pages of Scripture.

God's heart yearns for the reconciliation of His children, to see them restored to their rightful place as His beloved.

It is not merely about relieving their physical distress but a deep spiritual healing that only He can provide.

God desires to restore the brokenness and division caused by sin, to mend the wounds, and to bring wholeness to His people.

His voice of comfort reminds us of His relentless pursuit of restoration, inviting us to experience the fullness of His love and grace.

Here is something to ponder.

The context of the message of Isaiah in verses 1-5 is not much different than the context of our lives!

Let's turn to verses 3-4.

Isaiah 40:3–4 (NET 2nd ed.)

3 A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; build a level road through the rift valley for our God.

4 Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley.

II. Preparing the way for joy.

In Isaiah 40:3-4, we encounter a powerful prophecy that speaks of preparing the way for the coming of the Lord.

These verses reveal to us the significance of making room for God in our lives and removing any obstacles that hinder His work within us.

As we await the Lord's coming, let us understand the importance of preparation.

The voice of one crying out:

Isaiah proclaims the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord.

This prophecy finds its fulfillment in the person of John the Baptist, as Matthew 3:3 tells us.

John was sent as a forerunner, announcing the imminent arrival of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

We will talk about that more in a later message in this series.

His role was to prepare the people's hearts and prepare them for the Lord's coming.

Similarly, we are called to be that voice in our own lives and the lives of those around us, heralding the arrival of Christ in our hearts.

The call to prepare the way for the Lord's coming is an invitation for us to examine our lives and make the necessary adjustments.

We are called to create an environment that welcomes the presence of God and allows Him to work mightily within us.

The importance of preparation:

Acknowledging our need for repentance and renewal:

Preparing the way for the Lord begins with acknowledging our need for repentance and renewal.

We must humbly recognize our sinfulness and turn away from our old ways.

Repentance opens the door for God's transformative work in our lives, allowing Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and restore us to a right relationship with Him.

Removing obstacles in our hearts and lives:

This is what verses three and four speak of when Isaiah speaks of building a level road through the rift of the valley, and verse four speaks of leveling every valley and mountain and hill.

Preparation also involves identifying and removing obstacles hindering our walk with God.

These obstacles can take the form of unhealthy habits, sinful patterns, or worldly distractions that draw us away from God's purposes.

As we seek to prepare the way, we must be willing to surrender these hindrances to Him, allowing Him to guide us toward a life that is aligned with His will.

Preparation entails making room for the Lord to work in and through us.

This requires a deliberate intention to create space for God in our hearts, minds, and schedules.

We must prioritize praying with Him, studying His Word, and seeking His guidance.

CORE 52 plug!

By doing so, we open ourselves up to His leading, allowing Him to work in and through us to accomplish His purposes.

As we reflect on these truths, we must embrace the call to prepare the way for the Lord's coming.

We must actively engage in the process of repentance, removing obstacles, and making room for God to work in our lives.

As we do so, we will experience His transformative power, and our lives will become a testimony of His grace and love.

Let us be that voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord's coming.

Our lives should reflect the beauty of His presence as we walk in repentance, remove obstacles, and make room for Him to work in and through us.

Our preparation will draw us closer to Him and shine His light into the world around us.

Let's finish with verse five!

Isaiah 40:5 (NET 2nd ed.)

5 The splendor of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the Lord has decreed it.”

III. The glory of the Lord revealed.

In verse five, we are reminded of the promise of God's presence.

This verse speaks of the revelation of God's glory to all people and its transformative effect on our lives.

Isaiah's prophecy declares that the glory of the Lord will be revealed to all people.

It promises that God's presence and majesty will be made known and experienced by every nation, tribe, and tongue.

This revelation of His glory is not limited to a select few but extends to all willing to seek Him with open hearts.

It is an invitation for us to encounter the magnificence and power of our Heavenly Father.

In the revelation of God's glory, we witness His power and majesty displayed in all their splendor.

The glory of God encompasses His attributes of holiness, righteousness, and love.

It is a demonstration of His infinite wisdom, sovereignty, and authority.

As we encounter His glory, we are awe-struck by His greatness and humbled by His presence.

The revelation of His glory reminds us that we serve a God who is mighty, and nothing is impossible for Him.

The glory of the Lord has a profound transformative effect on our lives.

It brings healing and restoration to our brokenness.

In the presence of God's glory, our wounds are bound up, our hearts are mended, and our spirits are uplifted.

His glory has the power to transform our pain into purpose and our ashes into beauty.

As we encounter His glory, we are filled with hope and assurance that He is able to bring wholeness to every area of our lives.

The revelation of God's glory brings hope, joy, and comfort to our weary souls.

In His presence, we find solace and strength.

The glory of the Lord reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles, for He is with us.

It reassures us that He is faithful to His promises and that His love for us is unchanging.

In the midst of life's challenges, His glory becomes a beacon of hope, guiding us through the darkest valleys and leading us to green pastures.

The transformative effect of God's glory in our lives compels us to share this hope with others.

We become ambassadors of His glory as we experience His healing, hope, and comfort.

We are called to reflect His love and grace to those around us, pointing them to the source of true joy and restoration.

Our lives become living testimonies of the transformative power of His glory, inviting others to encounter the same life-changing presence of God.

CONCLUSION

Our Application Point for today is: We will experience God's redemption and the joy and comfort that are available through Jesus if we give Him our life.

True joy is found in the presence of God through Jesus!

The greatest gift ever given is salvation through Jesus.

Are you ready to accept that gift today?