If you think about it, Christmas actually began over 700 years before that first Christmas night–and long before the birth of Jesus, the Holy Scriptures described His coming–as we read in Matthew 1:22; “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet…” Deeply embedded in the preaching of the Old Testament prophets, are countless images that help us understand the One whom God would send and what He would accomplish. Emmanuel; Anointed King; Branch of Jesse; Seed of Abraham; Star of Jacob; Light of the Gentiles–were all words spoken by the prophets–by Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and Micah–long before Jesus was born in that humble stable in Bethlehem. In fact, there are 365 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the coming of the Messiah–and Jesus fulfilled everyone. This series will look at one prophet in particular–Isaiah–who is often called the prophet of Advent–because he, more than any other, foretold the coming of the Messiah.Isaiah, the son of Amos was called to prophetic service by God in 742 BC, the year King Uzziah of Judah died. Isaiah preached at a critical time in the history of God’s people. The nation of Israel had been divided into two kingdoms–Israel in the North and Judah to the South–that were in constant conflict with each other, and with the larger, more powerful nations around them. Isaiah also preached at a time when the people had wandered away from God, choosing to worship the foreign gods and idols of their gentile neighbors. Although he spoke of God’s coming judgement as a consequence of the people’s disobedience, doom and gloom was not Isaiah’s central message, but rather the good news of God’s faithfulness. Isaiah 60:2 reads; “For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you.” Through images and symbols, Isaiah proclaimed, and eagerly awaited, the coming of a great king–a Messiah–whose reign would bring justice, peace, and great joy.
SERMONS
Sermon: Prepare the Way
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date Preached: Sunday, November 29, 2015
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11
Handout: Prepare Way
Sermon: The Shoot From the Stump of Jesse
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date Preached: Sunday, December 7, 2015
Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10
Handout: Shoot
Sermon: He Shall be Named
Preacher: The Rev. Christopher Doering
Date Preached: Sunday, December 13, 2015
Scripture: Isaiah 9:1-7
Handout: Named