Advent 2002 - 1 - Waiting in Hope

Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.   Isaiah 40:5 (NIV)

I.   A word of Comfort

     A.  The time of Punishment is over (vv1-2)

           1.  Isaiah prophesied punishment for Israel

                 a.  The basic theme of chap’s 1-39

                 b.  Israel had become unfaithful to God

                 c.  God couldn’t let it go–it wouldn’t be fair

           2.  We too are chastised.

                 a.  God is gracious enough to punish us too

                 b.  Sometimes we only learn the hard way

                 c.  God chastens whom He loves

           3.  Isaiah announces it’s over (2b)

                 a.  Here the message of hope begins in Is.

                 b.  The hope comes in the form of God

                 c.  Most punishment came after Isaiah

     B.  Make way in the Desert

           1.  Make a way in the desolate place

                 a.  In the desert of punishment–make way

                 b.  Not a place to leave, but to make ready!

           2.  He comes from/passes through the desert

                 a.  He doesn’t avoid, or skip over it

                 b.  He comes to us through it.

                 c.  God often enters our lives thru our desert experiences (right?)

           3.  Smooth out the bumps and pot-holes

                 a.  Get out your shovel and get to work!

                 b.  This was John the Baptizer–repent!

     C.  The Lord is Coming

           1.  He will come down that desert path to us!

                 a.  In the days of Caesar Augustus–in the days of defeat and occupation.

                 b.  The scene doesn’t change b/4 He comes

           2.  God will show us His glory!

                 a.  His glorious presence

                 b.  He will show us Himself

                 c.  His glory came in infant form

           3.  He said it. That settles it.

                 a.  The mouth of the Lord has spoken!

                 b.  Once He sets His mind to something . . .

II.  A word of Need

     A.  We have our Moments

           1.  Cry out. What?

                 a.  That people are like grass (?)

                 b.  That people are like wild flowers (?)

           2.  We have our moments of freshness

                 a.  We have our times of growth/newness

                 b.  We have our seasons of health

           3.  We have our moments of glory

                 a.  We have our beautiful days

                 b.  We have our glorious moments

                 c.  We have times when we flourish

     B.  We Wither

           1.  The moments pass, the freshness goes.

                 a.  The supple grass turns brittle

                 b.  All too quickly the grass turns brown

           2.  The flowers dry and droop

                 a.  Flowers can dazzle for only a short time

                 b.  The petals droop and fall soon after blossoming

           3.  We become fuel for a wildfire.

                 a.  B/c the Lord’s breath–truth blows

                 b.  Soon we’re consumed by the flames of temptation

III. A word of Hope

     A.  Shout the good news!

           1.  Notice the wind-up (v.9)

                 a.  Say to Zion, Jerusalem, towns of Judah

                 b.  Go up, lift up your voice, shout, don’t be afraid, say . . .

           2.  Who will bring the news?

                 a.  The angels bring the good news in Lk 2!

                 b.  God proclaims Jesus His beloved Son

                 c.  But isn’t this message for us to shout?!

           3.  We bring this good news!

                 a.  Get yourself a place to speak

                 b.  Speak to be heard

                 c.  Speak this message fearlessly

     B.  He comes in Power

           1.  Wait. Didn’t he come powerless?

                 a.  Did Isaiah get it wrong?

                 b.  Is the power part for later (?!)

           2.  There is no power greater than His love

                 a.  When He comes in a manger, he comes out of deep/wide love.

                 b.  That love saves the world

                 c.  There is no greater power than that!

           3.  He comes with a reward

                 a.  Not a reward we earned

                 b.  A gift of his grace

     C.  He comes in Gentleness

           1.  He comes to gently tend His flock

                 a.  To pay attention to us

                 b.  To take care of us–care for us

                 c.  The Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep

           2.  He comes to carry the weak/helpless

                 a.  He carries the little ones

                 b.  Even the little ones who think they’re big ones – but still can’t keep up.

           3.  He comes to gently lead the vulnerable

                 a.  None of us are invulnerable.

                 b.  Not just to save–to lead us

                 c.  b/c we’re going places (with Him!)

The Bottom Line:

.