Promised Life
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Introduction - Read Isa 44:1-6
But hear now...
Listen/pay attention
What we listen to while we wait matters deeply
Negativity breeds negativity
Untethered positivity breed naivete that can lead to disillusion
Reality alone can lead to coldness - that’s just how it is
reality with promise breed hope
Example: If I say it’s going to snow for the next three days - run through each example
Here’s the reality for Israel
Your first father sinned, and your mediators transgressed against me. Therefore I will profane the princes of the sanctuary, and deliver Jacob to utter destruction and Israel to reviling.
And Babylon is on your door step.
And so God says but now listen
Maybe we find ourselves there this morning
Things are not what we wanted them to be or what they should be
Maybe God is say to us now listen....
Not much had changed when Jesus came
Despite Jerusalem and the temple being rebuilt they were far from God
But Jesus came… Now Listen
I. He Came Knowing
I. He Came Knowing
A. Jesus knew who they were to be vs 1,2
Individually - as he know each one of us
As a Nation
“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.
B. Jesus Knew Who They Were
Ch 43
C. Jesus Chose and called Israel to what he knew they would become vs 2b
Jeshurun - upright/straight
“But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked; you grew fat, stout, and sleek; then he forsook God who made him and scoffed at the Rock of his salvation.
They did not live out who God knew they were to be
in his love he calls us to become who we are to be - to true life
What really brings life?
Lady called looking for help to make a good Christmas
Culturally we say Christmas is good when we’re with family, have food and presents
Is this true?
Israel had a history of seeking life in Idols
When Jesus came it was through religion and law
But they found themselves not where they should be as God’s people
II. He Came to Bring Life vs 3-5
II. He Came to Bring Life vs 3-5
Here’s God’s description of life
vs 3 - just as I will pour water - thirsty soil/dry ground
sprout like grass, willows by watercourses
We get the imagery
Great sandhills( around Swift) - not overly hospitable to life
A few summers back really dry - 2021
The Spirit - is life
offspring/posterity - future
pour out Spirit like water on thirsty soil
Despite all the things we look to for life we are thirsty
John 4 - woman at the well
broken life
Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
vs 14 - the water I will give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life
worship in Spirit and truth
fulfilled in Acts 2
We see the Spirit brought life
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
If we want to experience forgiveness, freedom from shame and guilt, pressure to perform.
Only could come once Jesus came, died, rose and ascended
Spirit is the mark of God’s guarantee on our life vs 5
It’s the mark of belonging
III. He Came
III. He Came
Here’s their assurance
Thus said....
King of Israel - ruler - King Herod is threatened by the birth of Jesus
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.
Redeemer - saviour
This is the servant to bring justice - set things right in Ch 42
Lord of hosts - conquerer
ruler not just of Israel but of the heavenly host
We tend to have a negative view of rulers/leaders today
But the heavenly host before the shepherds sing
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
First/last - start and finish
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
no other god - no one can compare - no one can be worshipped - no one can bring life - has brought life
And so he came
repent for the kingdom of God is near
Now listen...
turn from other kingdoms to God’s
turn from empty saviours to Jesus
turn from death to life
Just listen
Conclusion
