Christ Church Fareham Sermons

In the previous chapter, Isaiah prophesied judgement on the land of Judah, but in chapter 9, he prophesies about light and hope.  He prophesies about a Son who would be born, who would be called “Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”, who would reign over a growing Kingdom of Peace on David’s Throne.

God will execute justice on the land of Judah through his instrument, the King of Assyria. King Ahaz was gearing the wrong thing! We, too, might at this time fear coronavirus, when we should be fearing God and seeking mercy and shelter in Jesus Christ.

“Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel” Isaiah 7:14. We read these words every Christmas and think we know what they mean. but what did they mean when Isaiah prophesied them hundreds of years before Christ was born. How did they comfort Judah at the time? How can we find comfort during this season on coronavirus lockdown?

The Magi come worship Jesus in Matthew 2.  Matthew, the Gospel writer, uses this story to show us that Jesus is the King of the Jews, but also King over all.

A passage which on the surface is about Joseph and his dream is really all about who Jesus is – he is Immanuel, God with us.

Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew’s Christmas story begins with a genealogy of 42 generations.  This genealogy reveals the heart and purposes of God in sending his Son, Jesus Christ.

The moment when God reveals himself to Isaiah and commissions him is a significant moment, just after King Uzziah’s death.  But God shows Isaiah that God himself still sits upon the throne.  In this sermon, find out what the WBG Effect is and consider Isaiah’s unusual commission.

God wants to thrive.  He wants to bless us.  And he wants us to bear good fruit for his kingdom.  In Isaiah 5, Judah demonstrates how she has completely failed to do that and so God brings judgement upon her.  There are 6 “Woes” pronounced against her in this chapter and 4 “therefores” of judgement.  It seems there is no hope, until Jesus arrives in the New Testament, desc...

God is a God of justice and holiness.  In Isaiah 3, Isaiah describes God’s righteous anger and judgement upon Judah’s sin.  The passage is scary to read.  But. what follows in chapter 4 is hope and refuge.  We can take shelter under the beautiful branch of the LORD, Jesus Christ.

Having described the sin of Judah in chapter 1, Isaiah prophecies about the future Jerusalem to come, when the mountain of the LORD will be lifted high above all other mountains and hills in the perfect new heavens and new earth.  That prophecy and future vision inspires us to live in God’s light today and not to put our pride and trust in man’s power.

The book of Isaiah begins with a court room scene – “The Case of the Sin of Judah”. God, the first and only witness, brings his case against Judah, highlighting all the evil and sin they have committed. He uses multiple images to help explain just how sinful they have been. But, as we are convicted of our own sin, there is hope. In verse 18 God promises forgiveness for sin.