Isaiah 59: 1 – 4
“People of Israel, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you. His ears aren’t too deaf to hear your cry for help. But your sins have separated you from your God. They have caused him to turn his face away from you. So he won’t listen to you. Your hands and fingers are stained with blood. You are guilty of committing murder. Your mouth has told lies. Your tongue says evil things. People aren’t fair when they present cases in court. They aren’t honest when they state their case. They depend on weak arguments. They tell lies. They plan to make trouble. Then they carry it out.
Isaiah 59: 14 – 17
“So people stop others from doing what is fair. They keep them from doing what is right. No one tells the truth in court anymore. No one is honest there. In fact, truth can’t be found anywhere. Those who refuse to do evil are attacked. The Lord sees that people aren’t treating others fairly. That makes him unhappy. He sees that there is no one who helps his people. He is shocked that no one stands up for them. So he will use his own powerful arm to save them. He has the strength to do it because he is holy. He will put the armor of holiness on his chest. He’ll put the helmet of salvation on his head. He’ll pay people back for the wrong things they do. He’ll wrap himself in anger as if it were a coat.
Isaiah 60: 1 – 4
““People of Jerusalem, get up. Shine, because your light has come. The glory of the Lord will shine on you. Darkness covers the earth. Thick darkness spreads over the nations. But I will rise and shine on you. My glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your new day.
“Look up. Look all around you. All your people are getting together to come back to you. Your sons will come from far away. Your daughters will be carried on the hip like little children.
Isaiah 60: 5– 7
Then your face will glow with joy. Your heart will beat fast because you are so happy. Wealth from across the ocean will be brought to you. The riches of the nations will come to you. Herds of young camels will cover your land. They will come from Midian and Ephah. They will also come from Sheba. They’ll carry gold and incense. And people will shout praises to me. All of Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve as your sacrifices. I will accept them as offerings on my altar. That is how I will bring honor to my glorious temple.
Isaiah 60: 20 – 22 NIRV
Your sun will never set again. Your moon will never lose its light. I will be your light forever. Your days of sorrow will come to an end. Then all your people will do what is right. The land will belong to them forever. They will be like a young tree I have planted. My hands have created them. They will show how glorious I am. The smallest family among you will become a tribe. The smallest tribe will become a mighty nation. I am the Lord. When it is the right time, I will act quickly.””
Three key points for discussion;
1. the state of man before Jesus 59:1-14
2. The coming of Jesus. 59:15-21
3. The time to express the victorious life in Christ. Isaiah 60
Discussion
What was the spiritual condition of humanity before Jesus came to earth?
Can you share any personal experiences from your life before you gave your heart to Christ?
1. the state of man before Jesus 59:1-13
"God desires to save, but man's sin and rebellion can stand in the way of experiencing His saving power, because He is a just God."
“People of Israel, the Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you. His ears aren’t too deaf to hear your cry for help. But your sins have separated you from your God. …. Your mouth has told lies. Your tongue says evil things. People aren’t fair when they present cases in court. They aren’t honest when they state their case…. Their acts are evil….. 13We’ve refused to obey the Lord. We’ve made evil plans against him. We’ve turned our backs on our God. We’ve stirred up conflict and refused to follow him.” Isaiah 59: 1 – 13
"People were living in rebellion, and the state of the human heart was marked by evil."
The beauty of humanity- the will of man.
Discussion 2
"What difference did the coming of Jesus make?
Have you had any personal experiences since you gave your life to Christ?"
2. The coming of Jesus. 59:15-21
u Since no one could stand for the Lord, to represent His righteousness to men, God decided to do that Himself.
u Jesus is the third person of the God head. He is the word of God that put on the body of humanity.
u “In fact, truth can’t be found anywhere. Those who refuse to do evil are attacked. The Lord sees that people aren’t treating others fairly. That makes him unhappy. He sees that there is no one who helps his people. He is shocked that no one stands up for them. So he will use his own powerful arm to save them. He has the strength to do it because he is holy.… People in the west will show respect for the Lord’s name. People in the east will worship him because of his glory. The Lord will come like a rushing river that was held back. His breath will drive it along. “I set my people free. I will come to Mount Zion.
u “Here is the covenant I will make with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit is on you and will not leave you. I have put my words in your mouth. They will never leave your mouth. And they will never leave the mouths of your children or their children after them. That will be true for all time to come,” says the Lord.” Isaiah 59: 15 – 21 NIRV
u By the coming of Jesus, we are set free from sin, we have the Holy Spirit and His word lives in us!
u This means that all the promises of God’s word is now our heritage.
3. The time to express the victorious life in Christ Isaiah 60
Some people might ask; if Christ has done this for me, how do I express this victorious life?
“People of Jerusalem, get up. Shine, because your light has come. The glory of the Lord will shine on you. Darkness covers the earth. Thick darkness spreads over the nations. But I will rise and shine on you. My glory will appear over you.
Nations will come to your light. Kings will come to the brightness of your new day. “Look up. Look all around you. All your people are getting together to come back to you. Your sons will come from far away. Your daughters will be carried on the hip like little children. Then your face will glow with joy. Your heart will beat fast because you are so happy.
Wealth from across the ocean will be brought to you. The riches of the nations will come to you. Herds of young camels will cover your land. They will come from Midian and Ephah. They will also come from Sheba. They’ll carry gold and incense. And people will shout praises to me. All of Kedar’s flocks will be gathered to you. The rams of Nebaioth will serve as your sacrifices. I will accept them as offerings on my altar. That is how I will bring honor to my glorious temple. Isaiah 60: 1 – 7 NIRV
"It is now your responsibility to accept what Jesus has done by faith and to walk in that reality.
It’s like a police officer who has been empowered by the state—he or she must actively exercise the authority and privilege that has been given."
Discussion 3
What difference would you want to make in your life, family or society?
u Do you want children
u What about your health
u Finance
u Children and family
Believe what Jesus has done for you and arise and shine-
Confess His word over your life, proclaim it continuously, refuse to fear or doubt, praise Him for it!
“…I have honored you. People from other lands will rebuild your walls. Their kings will serve you. …Your gates will always stand open. They will never be shut, day or night. Then people can bring you the wealth of the nations. Their kings will come along with them. The nation or kingdom that will not serve you will be destroyed. It will be completely wiped out. ” Isaiah 60: 8 – 13 NIRV
u Do not be a migrant; be a child of God. A migrant is just looking for greener pastures, a child of God is looking to bless people, change lives!
u Some religions believe their doctrines, why don’t you believe God?
u Make a difference because you are in Christ
