A Losing Servant? (LD 16; Isa. 52:13-53:12)

We might wonder why the disciples seemed to consistently miss Christ's message. We can read Luke 24 and desire to give a very harsh rebuke to the disciples who doubt Christ's resurrection. However, Christ tells these struggling disciples that the scriptures spoke of the Christ's suffering, and death. If we walk through the servant songs there are three servant songs that make us think we are on the winning side. We see a picture of the Lord's servant that we like. The fourth servant song is not an image of the servant that we fully comprehend. However, this final servant song communicates how the servant is going to be victorious. We cannot be ashamed of Christ's suffering, but we must embrace it. We must not end with Christ's suffering, because he lives to make intercession. We serve a Lord who has suffered in our place, but is also raised the Lord of life.

(Preached on November 13, 2022 in the evening)

#expositorypreaching #sufferingservant #christisenough #isaiah

God’s Goodness (Job 42:10-17)

This is the conclusion to the story of Job.  This is a book that has a lot of twists and turns, and we are left in the story a bit curious about the Lord’s plan for this man.  Is this man just going to suffer?  Is this man going to be made whole?  What can such suffering teach us about the Gospel?

Knowing God’s Goodness (Job 42:1-9)

Job heard of the Lord, but now he sees the Lord.  How is this different and what is significant about this transition?

Job’s Wish Granted (2) (Job 40:6-42:6)

Job has not repented in a true Godly sorrow, but instead continues to hold to his innocence.  So, now the Lord is the one who continues with his speech to Job.  Job is invited to hear that the Lord is good, gracious, merciful, and the Lord is perfectly just.  We are invited to witness this speech, Job is invited to hear this speech, but will Job finally listen and concede the righteousness of the Lord?

Struggling with God's Injustice (Job 31:1-40)

Job is one who has suffered, but he is not someone that we would say is a champion.  He is a man who continually rests in his righteousness while wondering how God can make such a righteous man suffer.  We can chuckle and Job, judge Job, and point out Job’s problems.  However, we still have not asked the deeper question: why is this book in our canon?  What can Job’s suffering and self righteous speech teach us about our Christian walk, our bent, and our failure to see the gospel?

My Indictments (Job 30:1-31)

Job is not happy with how the Lord has treated him.  You would think that Job would be rather content considering that the Lord has blessed him, and allowed him to enjoy a great life.  However, now we hear why Job is so upset as he even uses the counselors own words to describe his suffering.  Why would Job be so upset if he is merely using the counselors own words to describe his suffering?

Wounded for OUR Transgressions (Isaiah 52:13-53:12)

The servant is the one who secured us by His work.  So, how is the servant going to remove the offense of exile from His people?

The Christmas Servant (Isaiah 50:4-51:16)

The servant is the one who lives out the promises of the Lord.  This is great, it is encouraging, and it is very significant for his mission.  However, why would we appeal to this text for Christmas rather than Isaiah 9 or Isaiah 7 if we were going to use a passage from Isaiah?  What does this servant teach us about the significance of Christmas?

A Weak Warrior (Isaiah 42:1-9)

We can talk about the Advent of Christ, but do we really understand the nature of his mission?  Do we really understand the state of His people?  We can claim that this is only a problem for Israel, but are they the only broken people in the Lord’s Word?  How does this old prophet relate to us today?

Repent! (Job 18:1-21)

Job has made a passionate speech about someone taking his case to the heavenly courts.  He is done with the counselors for they are not taking his case seriously.  Bildad has heard these words and he responds to Job.  Will this man, who is most likely a grandson of Abraham, respond with the promises of the Gospel?  Will they come together and realize that maybe the Lord’s purpose is bigger than their understanding?

Finish This! (Job 6:1-7:21)

Job’s friends, the counselors, are now beginning to interact with Job.  They grieved with Job, they failed to recognize their friend, and Eliphaz has interacted with Job’s speech or attitude.  Job questioned the wisdom of God, and Eliphaz questioned whether Job really understands God.  How will Job respond?  We noted that the counselor was not consistent with the Lord’s wisdom.  Will Job finally see through this trial and clearly see the Lord?

A Wholly Righteous Servant? (Job 2:1-13)

The Adversary, or Satan, had his chance to remove Job’s hedge that sheltered him from the heat of life under the sun.  Satan is not happy with the result because Job did not, “curse God to His face.”  Is Satan going to drop his accusation against God at this point?  Will the Lord allow further testing to show Satan that the new humanity does love God because of God?

The Servant of the Lord (Isaiah 42)

Please be edified by this sermon from Rev. Casey Freswick on the Servant of the Lord.

Suffering Servant:Suffering Warrior (Isa. 52:13-53:12)

When Isaiah speaks of the suffering servant we think that this is a champion who will prevail and will not falter.  You would hope that a warrior would be one who would show up with armor, and adorned in such a way that the nations would tremble to be in his midst.  However, this is not how the Lord conducts this war.  What does this servant look like?  What kind of servant and warrior do we see?