A Gift for the Discouraged
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Advent/Christmas
Isaiah 42:1-9 (ESV)
1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
I have put my Spirit upon him;
he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
3 a bruised reed he will not break,
and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged
till he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his law.
5 Thus says God, the Lord,
who created the heavens and stretched them out,
who spread out the earth and what comes from it,
who gives breath to the people on it
and spirit to those who walk in it:
6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness;
I will take you by the hand and keep you;
I will give you as a covenant for the people,
a light for the nations,
7 to open the eyes that are blind,
to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon,
from the prison those who sit in darkness.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
9 Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
Sermon Outline
At Christmas, those growing faint and discouraged (v4) can be helped by considering the servant sent into the world to bring light to the nations.
1. A fainting people
v3 “a bruised reed… a faintly burning wick”
v1 “my servant”
“justice” (vv1-4), idolatry (v8), the dungeon (v7)
2. A faithful servant
vv1-4 “Behold my servant”
v3 “he will faithfully bring forth justice”
v6 “I am the Lord” (vv5-9 “I”), “will give you as a covenant”, “to bring out” (v7)
3. A waiting world
v4 “the coastlands wait for his law”
v6 “a light for the nations”
v6 “I have called you… will take you… keep you”
Prayer of Confession
Our mighty God, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: we are a fainting and discouraged people. We are unable, in our own strength, the meet your standard of holiness. Our inability to be consistently and thoroughly good is eroding our desire to continue to strive for it. In our discouragement and folly we have turned to idols and have wandered away from your light into darkness. We are weak and sinful and need forgiveness. Our hope is in your servant, who did not grow faint but instead established justice in the earth. We thank you that he fulfilled what we have failed to do, and that in him we are justified. Put your Spirit in us and keep us so that we walk in the righteousness to which you have called us. Give us strength, and increase the light in us. May it shine brightly through us into the world. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
Are you growing faint or discouraged? If so, why? If not, what would you attribute your health/encouragement/strength to?
What kinds of things cause you to be weary?
How does unjust behavior, idolatry, and straying from God into darkness feed each other? Do you see a downward spiral at work (in you, in the world)?
How does Jesus uniquely fulfill the role of God’s servant sent into the world? What from Isaiah 42 is true of him? What of his life and ministry demonstrates his uniqueness?
How does the suffering of Jesus help sufferers? How is it that Jesus was strong and morally upright and yet is life-giving to those who are failing?
What do people in the world long for that Jesus can provide? Why do people resist coming to Jesus?
What needs to change in your actions or attitudes that would make your spiritual life more sustainable and effective? What is wearying? How can you follow Jesus without burning out or avoiding the hard things? What is needed?
How can the church be better at welcoming and bringing healing to those who are bruised and who feel like they are a “faintly burning wick”? How do we comfort, encourage and strengthen?