Wordsurfers
  • Home
    • About
  • Sermons
    • The Beatitudes
    • Parables
    • Fruits of the Spirit
    • The Seven Churches in Revelation
    • Living in Christ
    • The Gospel according to John
    • Daniel
    • Other Sermons
  • Publications
  • Thoughts
  • Key Readings
  • Prayers
  • "Quotes"
  • Gallery
  • Video

Cause for Celebration

13/12/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
These were our lunchtime readings in College this week.

Isaiah 9 v 2-7
Bitterly disappointed by the cruel, depraved leadership of King Ahaz seven centuries BC, Old Testament preacher Isaiah is inspired to predict hardship in the short-term but restoration in the future thanks to God’s faithful love and grace.  Ultimately Isaiah’s words point to the coming of the greatest King, given by God, Who initiates a kingdom of justice (treating each other fairly and well) and righteousness (revering and seeking to please God with our life-choices).
 
Matthew 4 v 12-25
Gospel writer Matthew quotes this passage from Isaiah and relates how he has witnessed it being fulfilled in the ministry of Jesus.  Starting right where the prophets predicted, Jesus announces God’s promised kingdom is at hand, demonstrating His authority over sin and its consequences by healing illness and driving out evil.  He urges people to change their ways for the better and invites them to follow Him, the King promised by God.
 
John 1 v 1-14
Another eye-witness John reflects on what he, Matthew and many others saw and heard, concluding that this carpenter from Nazareth was not just royal but somehow divine, God the Son entering His own creation in the flesh to bring us light, life, grace and truth!  The introduction to this Gospel contains both a tragic missed opportunity - ‘his own did not receive Him’, and an amazing promise - ‘to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God’.
 
Revelation 19 v 11-16
Borrowing imagery from Old Testament prophets like Isaiah, the Apostle describes his series of late 1st century AD visions.  Against a backdrop of harsh persecution he sees God’s Kingdom continue to grow and spread, culminating in the return of the righteous King in glory to bring a final end to all evil and reward His faithful subjects.
 
We may have reasons for sorrow in the short-term, but the ‘King of kings’ once laid in a humble manger assures believers of a secure and peaceful future which is cause for celebration!

 

0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.