Worship Preparation Guide for Sunday, November 13

Sermon Text: Isaiah 40:1-11

Worship Songs include: Our Great God, O Great God, Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us, Lord I Need You

Go on up to a high mountain,

O Zion, herald of good news; 

lift up your voice with strength,

O Jerusalem, herald of good news, lift it up, fear not;

say to the cities of Judah, 

“Behold your God!”

Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might, 

and his arm rules for him;

behold, his reward is with him, 

and his recompense before him.

He will tend his flock like a shepherd; 

he will gather the lambs in his arms;

he will carry them in his bosom, 

and gently lead those that are with young.   

(Isaiah 40:9-11)

Isaiah says, “God sits above the circle of the earth” (Is 40:23).  King Solomon said, "But will God indeed dwell on the earth?  Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house which I have built! (I KI 8:27)  The Bible reveals God as a transcendent being.  This means He is separate from His creation and not dependent on the created order in any way.  He lies outside our sensory experience, is unlimited in knowledge and power, and he is not subject to the confines of space and time. “Man cannot reach up to investigate God and would not understand even if he could.”  (Millard Erickson –Systematic Theology) 

But God’s transcendence does not mean he is unable to enter his creation or communicate with it.  So Scripture also reveals the immanence of God.  God has come to us!  This is a central message in the Bible.  It is the central message of Isaiah 40.  The Prophet declares, “prepare the way”; ‘soon you will see Him’ (the glory of the Lord shall be revealed); “Behold, the Lord comes….”! 

Think about this for a moment; don’t move past this truth too quickly.  How can it be that the transcendent holy God can also be present and active in this broken, sin-filled temporal world?  Throughout history men have struggled to get their heads around these two seemingly contradictory truths.  

Isaiah foretells the answer that the New Testament will fully reveal.  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23)

“In Jesus Christ the linking of the transcendent God with the immanent God has come to its climax….. even though he is outside of time and space, he is not limited by them. He is aware of our distress and our captivity, our joy and our accomplishments, and he is able to come to us, sharing the joy and delivering us from our distress. He is great enough to be able to help, and he is near enough to want to help.

(John Oswalt, Isaiah, The NIV Application Commentary)

This Sunday we will gather together to come into the presence of the God who has first come to us.  He took the initiative.  He has made a way.  How can we not come?  How can we not draw near to him – even if we come burdened, struggling, disappointed or afraid.   He stands ready to bring an end to your hardship, to forgive your sin, and heal your heart.  His strong arms can lift you up out of any circumstance and his loving arms will hold you close. 

You need to be reminded of this truth.  And you have friends and family members who also need to hear it.  John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Isaiah 40:2 as he pointed others to Christ, making much of Jesus and nothing of himself (John 1:19-23, 3:27-20).  You and I have the same opportunity and responsibility.  “,,lift up your voice with strength….lift it up, fear not…say to the cities….”Behold your God!” (Is 40:9)

Who do you know that is struggling?  What friend is burdened or grieving or disappointed or afraid?  Say to them “come with me and behold my God”.  Isaiah 40:1-11 is a word of comfort for their hurting hearts. 

Invite them to come with you.  Pray for them as you do. 

I look forward to worshipping with you this Sunday!