Isaiah 61. 1-11 “Declare Christ’s Jubilee”

“Declare Christ’s Jubilee”

God knows the corrupt heart of the citizens of any nation. He understood this about His chosen people and He commanded that every 50th year should be a Year of Jubilee (). Three essential features characterized this Jubilee Year. 1) Liberty was proclaimed to those in bondage to their countryman; 2) Family property lost by bad business decisions, immoral behavior, or theft were returned to allow families to begin again; and 3) Rest for the land - no planting of crops so that the earth could be renewed by God.

I. The Desolations of Many Generations –

A. A nation of lonely, broken-hearted people

1. Why? As a culture, our nation has forgotten the purpose of our lives. To glorify God and enjoy Him forever

2. The Reformation of Christianity resulted in freedom in our nation

3. That freedom is abused in unlimited indulgence to satisfy temporal desires

4. The result is loneliness and a lack of meaningful connection with others

5. This generation is brokenhearted for love, for beauty, and for meaning to one’s life

6. Can we find our full identity in isolation from other people? No wonder so many young people desire a socialistic state. The desire is to know connection with others

7. Athletics has become our nation’s religion.

B. The result is captivity –

1. Our nation’s citizens are enslaved to their own desires

2. The pursuit of happiness is interpreted as a pursuit of desires (lusts) and excess. We have an obsessive, addicted culture enslaved to themselves and others

C. The result is a life of grief and mourning –

1. – There is no one to comfort

2. Why? Because, I have rebelled against God’s “mouth”, His word and His commands –

II. The Hope –

A. The Spirit of the Lord God

1. The Spirit of God created the world –

2. This Holy Spirit anointed Jesus –

3. This Spirit is wisdom and understanding, counsel and power, knowledge and the fear of the Lord –

B. Of the Lord God

1. The Father has anointed Jesus –

2. God the Father has exalted Jesus to His throne –

C. Me –

1. In Jesus –

2. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son –

3. Jesus will not leave you as orphan –

III. Jubilee –

A. Identity is found in the community of Christ’s Church – , ,

1. Joy in Christ alone, not in temporal achievement or material possessions –

2. Out of your innermost being you will find rivers of living water– , ;

B. The earth will be healed

1. The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth among the nations –

2. The religious and political leaders have failed - the social and moral norms recognized by the nation have been shattered

3. The future belongs to us as we return to the Lord in repentance and faith in the Anointed Messiah who declares the Jubilee.

The Jubilee is not a year but a Person. Today is the day of salvation. Do not ignore the opportunities before us in Christ. ;