sermon 11/30/25

Advent 2025- WK1-Hope

Isaiah 2:1–5 NIV

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Text: Isaiah 2:1-5 Theme: God’s promised future gives us hope to walk in His light.

Sermon Outline

I. Setting the Scene – Hope in Dark Days

Isaiah speaks during national anxiety; Assyria looms.

Yet the prophet “sees” God’s future — “in days to come.”

Hope begins not in circumstances, but in revelation.

II. The Vision of God’s Kingdom (vv 2-3)

Isaiah 2:2–3 ESV

It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established.

Nations stream upward (a reversal of human tendency).

God’s Word becomes the world’s magnet.

III. The Transformation of the Nations (v 4)

Isaiah 2:4 NIV

He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

Swords → plowshares, spears → pruning hooks.

A picture of divine justice replacing human violence.

The hope of Advent: God’s peace is not wishful thinking — it’s promised reality.

IV. The Call to Walk in the Light (v 5)

Isaiah 2:5 NIV

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Hope leads to obedience: “Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.”

Hope is not passive waiting; it’s active trust.

V. Application – Walking in Hope Today

What “swords” in our lives need reshaping? (fear, cynicism, resentment)

How can our church be a “mountain of light” for our community?

Conclusion:

Hope sees God’s tomorrow and lives it today. Light the candle of hope — and take the first step up the mountain.