❓ What do these grades mean?
🧐 Overview
Sermon Summary: This sermon explores the profound connection between an ancient prophecy in Isaiah and the beginning of Jesus's ministry. It explains how Jesus is the 'great light' promised to a world living in darkness, bringing hope, joy, and peace by fulfilling God's promises.
Big Idea: This morning, let's explore that promise in Isaiah chapter 9. And the fulfillment in Matthew chapter 4. Because in Christ Jesus, the light has shone. God has done exactly what He said He would do. This is indeed the story that we've heard over and over again. Of a promise made and a promise kept. [00:50:15 ▶️ 📄]
Pastoral Analysis: This is a strong, liturgically rich 'Lessons and Carols' service culminating in a faithful expository sermon. The pastor skillfully employs a redemptive-historical hermeneutic, connecting the promise of Isaiah 9 to its fulfillment in Matthew 4. The sermon is Christ-centered, God-glorifying, and pastorally warm, clearly articulating the person and work of Christ as the definitive answer to humanity's spiritual darkness.
Biblical Parallel(Archetype): Philadelphia — The service combines deep, Christ-centered exposition with a high view of liturgical order, reflecting a faithful church holding fast to the Word of God with affection and precision.
🧭 Biblical Alignment Dashboard
Overall Verdict: Biblically Sound
| Category | Status | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Soteriology | ✅ PASS | Salvation is presented as a divine initiative. The sermon emphasizes God's monergistic work, describing the dawning of light as a sovereign act of God breaking into human darkness, independent of human will or merit, consistent with the reading from John 1:13. |
| Bibliology | ✅ PASS | The sermon demonstrates a high view of Scripture as the inspired, authoritative, and coherent Word of God. The entire structure is built on the premise that God makes promises in the Old Testament and faithfully keeps them in the New. |
| Hermeneutic | ✅ PASS | The hermeneutic is exemplary, tracing the trajectory of redemptive history from prophecy to fulfillment. The pastor correctly interprets Isaiah 9 in its historical context and shows how Matthew explicitly applies it to Christ's ministry, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. |
| Theology Proper | ✅ PASS | God is presented as sovereign, faithful, and intensely loving. The concluding point on 'the zeal of the Lord of hosts' correctly grounds the work of salvation in God's own character and passionate commitment to His redemptive plan. |
| Sacramentology | ⚪ N/A | Neither Communion nor Baptism were observed in the provided transcript. |
📖 How they Handle Scripture & Jesus
Primary Text: Matthew 4:12-17 (Expository (Deep))
Scripture Saturation: Verses Read: 79 | Referenced: 5 | Alluded: 3
Passages Read Aloud:
Key References: 1 John 3, Isaiah 9, Matthew 4, Isaiah 8, 2 Corinthians 4:6
Christological Connection: Redemptive Trajectory: The sermon explicitly connects Isaiah 9's prophecy of a 'great light' in Zebulun and Naphtali to Matthew 4's account of Jesus beginning His ministry in that very region, demonstrating Christ as the fulfillment of God's promise to dispel spiritual and physical darkness. It traces God's redemptive plan from prophecy to incarnation.
🧱 Sermon Outline
- Introduction: The Darkness of Confusion [00:48:43 ▶️ 📄] : Using a personal anecdote, the speaker describes how darkness causes confusion and fear, linking it to Isaiah's description of a people living in uncertainty and great darkness.
- Point 1: The Promise in Isaiah 9 – A People in Darkness See a Great Light [00:50:15 ▶️ 📄] : Explores the prophecy in Isaiah 9, detailing the physical and spiritual darkness of Zebulun and Naphtali due to Assyrian invasion and unfaithfulness. Emphasizes that God's promises are sure, and this great light is a divine action breaking through human darkness.
- Point 2: The Fulfillment in Matthew 4 – Jesus Dispels Darkness [00:57:41 ▶️ 📄] : Discusses how Jesus chose the war-torn land of Zebulun and Naphtali to begin His ministry, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy. Explains that Jesus, as the light of the world, dispels the darkness of delusion, depravity, and despondency in the human heart.
- Point 3: Jesus Brings Great Joy and Peace [01:00:43 ▶️ 📄] : Highlights that Jesus' coming brings great joy because instruments of oppression are broken and He is our peace. Affirms Jesus as fully God and fully man, our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.
- Conclusion: The Zeal of the Lord [01:02:41 ▶️ 📄] : Concludes by stating that this great light shines into darkness because of 'the zeal of the Lord of hosts,' signifying God's intense devotion and love for humanity, which drove Him to send Jesus.
🗝️ Key Topics & Themes
- Light and Darkness : The central theme of the sermon, exploring spiritual and physical darkness and the light of Christ.
- Prophecy and Fulfillment : Focuses on how Old Testament prophecies (Isaiah 9) are fulfilled in the New Testament (Matthew 4) through Jesus Christ.
- Advent : References the Advent season and the anticipation of Christ's first and second comings.
- Hope : Discusses the hope that Christ brings into a world of darkness and despondency.
- Peace : Highlights Jesus as the Prince of Peace who reconciles God with man and brings inner peace.
✅ Commendations
Hermeneutics | Excellent Redemptive-Historical Connection
The sermon's foundation is its clear and compelling connection between the promise of Isaiah 9 and its fulfillment in Matthew 4. This method teaches the congregation how to read the entire Bible as a unified story that points to Christ.
Christology | Robust Definition of Christ's Work
The explanation of Christ's light dispelling the darkness of 'delusion, depravity, and despondency' is pastorally sharp and theologically precise. It moves beyond generic terms to provide a specific diagnosis of the human condition and Christ as the specific remedy.
Worship | Liturgically Rich and Theologically Coherent Service
The entire 'Lessons and Carols' service, from the readings in Genesis to John, beautifully constructs the biblical narrative of salvation. This high view of ordered worship reinforces the sermon's message and catechizes the congregation in the grand story of Scripture.
🧠 Questions for Reflection
Use these questions for personal study or small group discussion:
- The pastor described a spiritual 'darkness' of delusion, depravity, and despondency. Do you see evidence of this kind of darkness in your own life or in the world around you?
- The sermon placed great importance on Jesus fulfilling a specific prophecy made 700 years earlier. Why do you think demonstrating that God keeps His promises is central to the Christian faith?
📜 Full Sermon Transcript (Audit)
Use the 📄 icons next to quotes above to automatically jump to their location in this raw transcript.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
[00:00:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
I want to invite you to join me in standing for our call to worship this morning,
[00:00:59] which is taking place in the Holy Spirit.
[00:00:59] It's taken from 1 John chapter 3.
[00:01:04] Here the Apostle declares,
[00:01:29] Well, let us respond to the love of the Father by singing His praises,
[00:01:38] turning to number 225, once in royal David's city and congregation.
[00:01:44] Please note that we will join in at verse 3.
[00:01:48] Let us sing together.
[00:01:49] Let us sing together.
[00:01:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
Let us sing together.
[00:01:59] Let us sing together.
[00:02:29] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
He came down to earth from heaven, through His God and Lord of all.
[00:02:43] And His shelter was a stable, and His cradle was a stone.
[00:02:55] With the poor and mean,
[00:02:59] with the poor and lonely,
[00:03:01] lived on earth our Savior, holy.
[00:03:09] And through all His wondrous childhood,
[00:03:15] He would honor and obey.
[00:03:21] Love and watch the lowly maiden,
[00:03:26] in whose gentle watch,
[00:03:29] He lay.
[00:03:32] Praise to you, children, all must be,
[00:03:38] I love me, even good as deep.
[00:03:45] And arise, and I shall see Him,
[00:03:50] through His own redeeming love.
[00:03:56] For that child so dear, and so dear,
[00:03:59] And through His own redeeming love. For that child so dear, and so dear,
[00:03:59] And through His own redeeming love. For that child so dear, and so dear,
[00:03:59] And gentle is our Lord in heaven above, and he leads his children on to the place where he is gone.
[00:04:19] Not in land or lowly stable, with the arson standing by, we shall see him birthed in heaven, set at God's right hand on high.
[00:04:42] When life's cause his children crowned,
[00:04:48] all his might shall wait around.
[00:04:55] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Let's pray together.
[00:04:58] Lord our God, we are gathered here this morning at your appointment, at your invitation to worship and to glorify you.
[00:05:06] Because you are the Father who has shown such love to us that we should be called children of God.
[00:05:14] Indeed, we who are sinners, who rebelled in our first parents,
[00:05:18] Adam and Eve, and rejected you and your ways, you have not abandoned us in our sin and misery.
[00:05:24] But instead, you have sought us out. You have pursued a people for yourself.
[00:05:29] And you have done this ultimately through our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth, whose incarnation we remember and we celebrate in this season.
[00:05:38] And we remember that he came to die and be raised to new life, so that we too, through faith in him, might be raised to new life as well.
[00:05:48] And so we find ourselves this morning sandwiched between his two advents,
[00:05:53] knowing that he has already come and has already accomplished redemption, and even now is applying it to hearts and lives.
[00:06:00] But we also eagerly await his return, his second advent, when we will see him as he is.
[00:06:07] And we will live with you forevermore.
[00:06:10] And so we thank you this morning in worship. We have a foretaste of our eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
[00:06:17] And so we thank you this morning in worship. We have a foretaste of our eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
[00:06:18] And so we thank you this morning in worship. We have a foretaste of our eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
[00:06:19] As we are gathered together as your people, worshiping you, our Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
[00:06:25] So be pleased with what we offer you this morning, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
[00:06:32] You may be seated. And our children can make their way forward for the lighting of our Advent candle.
[00:06:48] Good morning, everybody. How are y'all doing? Good. Are you so excited about Christmas in
[00:07:08] a few days? Oh, I know you have to be. I'm getting excited as well. Absolutely. Just
[00:07:13] four days, right? Four more days. That is great. And we've been sort of counting down
[00:07:18] to Christmas with our Advent wreath, right? Every week we've been lighting a new candle.
[00:07:23] Can you remember the names of some of the candles that we've lit already? What were
[00:07:28] some of the names? Yes? Hope was one. What else? Peace. And how about last week? What
[00:07:33] was this one? Joy. That's exactly right. That is really good. You remember those very well.
[00:07:38] We started with the peace candle and then we lit the hope candle. Last week we lit the
[00:07:42] joy candle. And this morning we're going to light this last colored candle. Does anybody
[00:07:46] have a guess what that one might be?
[00:07:48] Yes, ma'am? Love. That's exactly right. The love candle. And we've already kind of talked
[00:07:55] about God's love this morning. Our call to worship says, see what kind of love the Father
[00:08:00] has given to us. How has God shown his love to us? Yes, sir? Sending Jesus. That's exactly
[00:08:10] right. See, love is more than something we say. It's more than something even we feel.
[00:08:17] Love is very often what we do. It's how we love people. And God has loved us by not sparing
[00:08:25] Jesus, but by sending him to be our Savior so that we can have peace and we can have
[00:08:33] hope and we can have joy. And so as we light this fourth candle this morning, the love
[00:08:39] candle, we're reminded that God has so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son,
[00:08:45] Jesus Christ.
[00:08:47] That is the greatest gift of all, isn't it? That God has loved us that way. So we are
[00:08:56] going to light our candles. Anderson, I wonder, would you like to come help me light these
[00:08:59] candles this morning? All right. One of these years. All right. So we are going to start
[00:09:06] off in order. We're going to light that very first candle, the peace candle, and then over
[00:09:11] here to hope. And then we'll make our way around to joy.
[00:09:17] And then we'll come back around. That's right. And we're going to light love. Absolutely.
[00:09:27] Will you all pray with me too? Let's pray together.
[00:09:30] Dear God, we thank you for your great love. Thank you for sending Jesus to save us, to
[00:09:44] rescue us, and give us hope.
[00:09:45] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:46] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:47] Amen.
[00:09:49] Help us to love you as you have loved us. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you. You may
[00:10:01] return to your seats.
[00:10:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
For our first lesson, we begin at the beginning, a promise of salvation in the Garden of Eden,
[00:10:26] Genesis chapter 3, select verses.
[00:10:32] And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day.
[00:10:39] And the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
[00:10:46] But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, Where are you?
[00:10:51] And he said, I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.
[00:10:58] He said, Who told you that you were naked?
[00:11:00] Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?
[00:11:06] The man said, The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me the fruit of the tree, and I ate.
[00:11:13] Then the Lord God said to the woman, What is this that you have done?
[00:11:18] The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate.
[00:11:22] The Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock,
[00:11:27] and above all beasts of the field.
[00:11:30] On your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life.
[00:11:37] I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring.
[00:11:44] And he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.
[00:11:52] And to Adam he said, Because you have listened to the voice of your wife,
[00:11:55] and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, you shall not eat of it.
[00:12:00] On the ground, because of you, in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.
[00:12:06] Thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.
[00:12:13] By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground,
[00:12:17] for out of it you were taken.
[00:12:19] For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.
[00:12:23] Amen.
[00:12:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
This is the truth sent from above,
[00:12:50] the truth of God, the God of love.
[00:12:57] Therefore don't turn,
[00:13:00] therefore don't turn,
[00:13:00] therefore don't turn,
[00:13:00] from your door,
[00:13:02] the dark and all of the earth, rich and poor.
[00:13:10] The first thing which I do relate,
[00:13:17] is that God did man create.
[00:13:23] The next thing which to you I'll tell,
[00:13:30] is that I'm the one who created.
[00:13:37] The second thing I'll tell you is what you've heard me say,
[00:13:40] my intention was to say,
[00:13:42] I'm the one,
[00:13:44] the one who created you all.
[00:13:46] I'm the only one.
[00:13:47] So I'll tell you one thing,
[00:13:49] the second thing that I didn't do for you,
[00:13:53] I did this for you,
[00:13:54] I didn't do anything for you,
[00:13:56] I didn't do anything for you,
[00:13:58] I haven't done anything for you,
[00:14:00] But they did eat, which was a sin, and thus their ruin did begin, ruin that settled you and me, and all of our posterity.
[00:14:30] Thus we were heirs to endless woes, till God at first did interpose,
[00:14:44] and so a promise soon did run, that he'd redeem us by his Son.
[00:15:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
And the angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said,
[00:15:10] By myself I have sworn, declares the Lord, because you have done this, and have not withheld your Son, your only Son,
[00:15:20] I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and as the sand that is on the seashore.
[00:15:30] And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,
[00:15:40] because you have obeyed my voice.
[00:15:43] So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba, and Abraham lived at Beersheba.
[00:16:00] And whenят c hacer multitudes of people all over the land, and were laid free and saved, because they had in the land dripping with a thoune of death.
[00:16:09] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
In his stead Peter the King, the King of the earth, was wallowed with completelydomain, so that he who loved his God could come forth given him His own living Son.
[00:16:14] Thou, of all things, which art before me, thou art the Lord of my servants.
[00:16:18] To thee too shall that man be willingly redeemed—wherefore I will Gott the Lord, and to him who I adore.
[00:16:25] And on my body cheese your name, which is in thee.
[00:16:28] Amen.
[00:16:29] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Amen.
[00:16:30] Today it's come to human birth
[00:16:35] Gloria, gloria
[00:16:39] In excelsis Deo
[00:16:44] O heart, can ye who long for peace
[00:16:48] Your troubled, searching family cease
[00:16:53] Gloria, gloria
[00:16:56] In excelsis Deo
[00:17:01] For at this cradle you shall find
[00:17:06] God's healing grace for all mankind
[00:17:10] Gloria, gloria
[00:17:13] In excelsis Deo
[00:17:18] O heart, can ye who long for love
[00:17:23] And turn your hearts to God
[00:17:26] O heart, can ye who long for love
[00:17:26] Gloria, gloria
[00:17:31] In excelsis Deo
[00:17:35] The angels sung the wonder-tales
[00:17:40] Now love incarnate with us dwells
[00:17:44] Gloria, gloria
[00:17:48] In excelsis Deo
[00:17:56] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_01]:
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light
[00:18:03] Those who dwell in a land of deep darkness
[00:18:07] On them have light shone
[00:18:10] For to us a child is born
[00:18:13] To us a son is given
[00:18:16] And the government shall be upon his shoulder
[00:18:20] And his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor
[00:18:23] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
[00:18:25] Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God
[00:18:26] Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
[00:18:30] Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
[00:18:30] Of the increase of his government and of peace
[00:18:34] Of the increase of his government and of peace
[00:18:34] There will be no end
[00:18:36] On the throne of David and over his kingdom
[00:18:40] To establish it and to uphold it with justice
[00:18:43] And with righteousness from this time forth
[00:18:47] And forevermore
[00:18:49] The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this
[00:18:50] The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this
[00:18:54] The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this
[00:18:56] Together.
[00:18:57] Together.
[00:18:57] Together.
[00:18:59] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Oh little town of Bethlehem
[00:19:19] First till we see thee nigh
[00:19:23] Above thy days of glory
[00:19:25] Above thy days of glory
[00:19:25] Above thy days of glory
[00:19:25] Above thy days of glory
[00:19:26] And dreamless sleep the silent stars provide
[00:19:32] Yet in thy dark streets shine
[00:19:36] The everlasting light
[00:19:40] The hopes and fears of all the years
[00:19:45] Are met in thee tonight
[00:19:48] For Christ is born of Mary
[00:19:53] And gathered all above
[00:19:57] While mortals sleep the angels keep
[00:20:02] Their watch of wandering love
[00:20:06] O morning stars together
[00:20:10] Proclaim the holy birth
[00:20:14] And praises sing to God the King
[00:20:18] And peace to men on earth
[00:20:23] Amen
[00:20:23] How silently, how silently
[00:20:27] The wondrous gift is given
[00:20:31] So God informs the human hearts
[00:20:36] The blessings of His heaven
[00:20:39] Though here they hear His calling
[00:20:44] But in this world of sin
[00:20:48] Where weak souls will receive Him still
[00:20:52] The deep will hear His call
[00:20:53] And Christ enters in
[00:20:57] O holy child of Bethlehem
[00:21:01] Descend to us we pray
[00:21:05] Cast out our sin and enter in
[00:21:10] Be born in us today
[00:21:13] We hear the Christmas angels
[00:21:18] The great glad tidings tell
[00:21:22] O come, O come, O come
[00:21:23] O come, O come, O come
[00:21:23] To us, abide with us
[00:21:26] Our Lord Emmanuel
[00:21:30] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_08]:
There shall come forth a shoot
[00:21:39] From the stump of Jesse
[00:21:40] And a branch from his roots
[00:21:42] Shall bear fruit
[00:21:43] And the Spirit of the Lord
[00:21:44] Shall rest upon him
[00:21:46] The Spirit of wisdom and understanding
[00:21:48] The Spirit of counsel and might
[00:21:51] The Spirit of knowledge
[00:21:52] And the fear of the Lord
[00:21:53] And his delight shall be
[00:21:56] In the fear of the Lord
[00:21:57] He shall not judge by what his eyes see
[00:22:00] Or decide disputes by what his ears hear
[00:22:03] But with righteousness
[00:22:04] He shall judge the poor
[00:22:06] And decide with equity
[00:22:12] For the meek of the earth
[00:22:13] And he shall strike the earth
[00:22:14] With the rod of his mouth
[00:22:16] And with the breath of his lips
[00:22:18] He shall kill the wicked
[00:22:19] Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist
[00:22:22] And faithfulness the belt of his loins
[00:22:25] The wolf shall dwell with the lamb
[00:22:27] And the leopard shall lie down
[00:22:32] With the young goat
[00:22:33] And the calf and the lion
[00:22:35] And the fattened calf together
[00:22:37] And the little
[00:22:38] Excuse me
[00:22:42] And the little child
[00:22:44] Shall play over the hole of the cobra
[00:22:48] And the weaned child
[00:22:50] Shall put his hand on the adder's den
[00:22:52] They shall not be able to see
[00:22:52] They shall not be able to see
[00:22:52] They shall not hurt or destroy
[00:22:54] In all my holy mountain
[00:22:55] For the earth shall be full
[00:23:01] Of the knowledge of the Lord
[00:23:02] As the waters cover the sea
[00:23:04] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_07]:
Amen
[00:23:22] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Of the Father's love begotten
[00:23:38] Ere the world began to be
[00:23:42] He is Alpha and Omega
[00:23:46] He the source, the ending, he
[00:23:51] Of the world's beginning to be
[00:23:52] Of the things that are, that have been
[00:23:58] And that future years shall see
[00:24:02] Evermore and evermore
[00:24:08] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_10]:
O that earth forever blessed
[00:24:12] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
When the Virgin full of grace
[00:24:17] By the Holy Ghost conceiving
[00:24:22] For the Savior of our race
[00:24:26] And the Babe, the world's Redeemer
[00:24:32] First revealed his sacred face
[00:24:37] Evermore and evermore
[00:24:43] This is he whom heaven taught singers
[00:24:48] Sang of old with one accord
[00:24:51] Whom the scriptures of the prophets
[00:24:56] Promised in their faithful word
[00:25:01] Now he shines the long-expected
[00:25:06] Let creation praise its Lord
[00:25:11] Evermore and evermore
[00:25:16] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
Holy heights of heaven adored
[00:25:21] Him
[00:25:22] Angels, hosts, his praises sing
[00:25:27] All dominions bow before him
[00:25:31] Extol our God and King
[00:25:36] Let no tongue on earth be silent
[00:25:42] Every voice and concert ring
[00:25:46] Evermore and evermore
[00:25:51] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Christ to thee with God the Father
[00:25:56] And the Holy Ghost to thee
[00:26:00] Give enchant and high thanksgiving
[00:26:04] And unwearied praises be
[00:26:09] Honor, glory, and dominion
[00:26:15] And eternal victory
[00:26:19] Evermore and evermore
[00:26:20] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_04]:
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to the city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary.
[00:26:49] He came to her and said,
[00:26:51] Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you.
[00:26:55] But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
[00:27:02] And the angel said to her,
[00:27:04] Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
[00:27:08] And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.
[00:27:16] He will be great and will be called Jesus.
[00:27:18] And will be called the Son of the Most High.
[00:27:21] And the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
[00:27:26] He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.
[00:27:33] And Mary said to the angel,
[00:27:35] How will this be, since I am a virgin?
[00:27:39] The angel said to her,
[00:27:41] The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
[00:27:46] Therefore the child to be born will be called Holy, the Son of God.
[00:27:55] And Mary said,
[00:27:57] Behold, I am the servant of the Lord.
[00:28:00] Let it be to me according as to your word.
[00:28:05] And the angel departed from her.
[00:28:16] And Jesus said to her,
[00:28:19] He is Jesus, the Son of God.
[00:28:22] Now the
[00:28:32] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Call His Name Jesus
[00:28:38] The Child will bring salvation
[00:28:42] A gift to every nation
[00:28:45] A promise soon to be fulfilled for God has willed it
[00:28:54] Call his name Jesus, call his name Jesus
[00:29:01] An angel from the message, call his name Jesus
[00:29:11] O God of love, come down to fallen men
[00:29:20] Now make us whole, as when life first began
[00:29:26] Reveal thyself in thy eternal plan
[00:29:34] Call his name Jesus, call his name Jesus
[00:29:41] Call his name Jesus
[00:29:42] Our way is dark, for life divine we plead
[00:29:51] We wait for him, whose hand can safely lead
[00:30:00] Send down thy Son, to meet our deepest need
[00:30:07] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:10] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:11] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:15] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:20] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:24] For he will come to save us
[00:30:30] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:34] Call his name Jesus
[00:30:41] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_06]:
In those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.
[00:30:53] This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria,
[00:30:58] and all went to be registered, each to his own town.
[00:31:02] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David,
[00:31:08] which is called Bethlehem,
[00:31:10] because he went up from Galilee to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
[00:31:11] because he was of the house and lineage of David,
[00:31:14] to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
[00:31:18] And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth,
[00:31:22] and she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling cloths,
[00:31:26] and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
[00:31:41] The Lord gave her the best, that she might have a mother.
[00:31:48] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Because she came from the house of David, the son of the king of Israel,
[00:31:53] the son of the king of Israel,
[00:31:55] the son of the king of Israel,
[00:31:57] there was nothing that she could do.
[00:31:59] They said to him,
[00:32:01] he gave birth to a son,
[00:32:03] that could be known as Joseph,
[00:32:05] so he gave birth to a son,
[00:32:07] He gave birth to a son,
[00:32:09] that was a man,
[00:32:11] My heart with joy I fill
[00:32:17] Sleep, sleep, sleep
[00:32:30] With the oxen and the sheep
[00:32:34] The shepherds come to see thy glory
[00:32:40] Angels play low to tell thy story
[00:32:44] Sleep, sleep, sleep
[00:32:48] With the oxen and the sheep
[00:32:53] Still, still, still
[00:33:04] Within thy holy will
[00:33:09] Do not fear
[00:33:09] Do not fear
[00:33:10] To thee, great God, my voice I praise
[00:33:14] With awe and wonder sing thy praise
[00:33:18] Still, still, still
[00:33:22] Within thy holy will
[00:33:40] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_02]:
And in the same region
[00:33:51] There were shepherds out in the field
[00:33:52] Keeping watch over their flock by night
[00:33:55] And the angel of the Lord appeared to them
[00:33:57] And the glory of the Lord shone all around them
[00:34:00] And they were filled with great fear
[00:34:02] And the angel said to them
[00:34:04] Fear not, for behold
[00:34:06] I bring you good news of great joy
[00:34:09] That will be for all the people
[00:34:11] For unto you is born this day
[00:34:14] In the city of David
[00:34:15] A Savior, who is Christ the Lord
[00:34:18] And this will be a sign for you
[00:34:21] You will find a baby
[00:34:23] Wrapped in swaddling cloths
[00:34:25] And lying in a manger
[00:34:26] And suddenly there was with the angel
[00:34:30] A multitude of the heavenly host
[00:34:32] Praising God and saying
[00:34:34] Glory to God in the highest
[00:34:36] And on earth peace among those
[00:34:39] With whom he is the Lord
[00:34:39] And who is pleased
[00:34:42] When the angels went away from them into heaven
[00:34:45] The shepherds said to one another
[00:34:47] Let us go over to Bethlehem
[00:34:49] And see this thing that has happened
[00:34:51] Which the Lord has made known to us
[00:34:55] And they went with haste
[00:34:56] And found Mary and Joseph
[00:34:59] And the baby lying in a manger
[00:35:09] And they wept and wept
[00:35:16] And they would cry out
[00:35:18] Then like a thousand cries
[00:35:20] Now they cried and they wept
[00:35:22] And then lôn and the crowned
[00:35:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
And they wept like donkeys
[00:35:26] Now they wait until then
[00:35:28] They grow near before the angel
[00:35:31] Because he made him sing
[00:35:33] Why would he curse him
[00:35:34] Who gutted the sun
[00:35:35] And benched him how to light
[00:35:36] Like the sweet water
[00:35:38] Who turned a time
[00:35:39] were gone astray
[00:35:54] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_09]:
oh god our heavenly father a blessed angel came and unto certain
[00:36:03] shepherds
[00:36:14] oh
[00:36:19] comfort and joy
[00:36:33] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
is
[00:36:49] comfort and joy
[00:37:01] is
[00:37:03] comfort and joy
[00:37:33] is
[00:38:00] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_03]:
now after jesus was born in bethlehem of judea
[00:38:03] now after jesus was born in bethlehem of judea in the days of herod the king
[00:38:05] in the days of herod the king
[00:38:05] in the days of herod the king behold wise men from the east came to
[00:38:07] behold wise men from the east came to
[00:38:07] behold wise men from the east came to jerusalem saying
[00:38:09] jerusalem saying
[00:38:09] jerusalem saying where is he who has been born king of
[00:38:11] where is he who has been born king of
[00:38:11] where is he who has been born king of the jews
[00:38:12] the jews
[00:38:12] the jews for we saw his star when it rose and have
[00:38:15] for we saw his star when it rose and have
[00:38:15] for we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him
[00:38:17] come to worship him
[00:38:17] come to worship him when herod the king heard this he was
[00:38:18] when herod the king heard this he was
[00:38:18] when herod the king heard this he was troubled and all jerusalem with him
[00:38:22] And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
[00:38:28] They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet.
[00:38:33] And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah.
[00:38:39] For from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.
[00:38:43] Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
[00:38:49] He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go, and search diligently for the child.
[00:38:55] And when you have found him, bring me word that I too may come and worship him.
[00:39:01] After listening to the king, they went on their way.
[00:39:03] And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
[00:39:12] When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
[00:39:15] And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother.
[00:39:19] And they fell down and worshipped him.
[00:39:22] Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
[00:39:29] And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
[00:39:49] The white men that were sent to Bethlehem were greatly surprised by the miracle of the child.
[00:39:56] They all died there.
[00:39:58] The young boy stood in the house and asked the rich man if he could help him and ask him to come back home.
[00:40:04] And as he was coming home, the rich man, who is the same age as the old man, fell to his side and became angry.
[00:40:14] And the rich woman said,
[00:40:17] Let me see my brother.
[00:40:19] Let me see him.
[00:40:19] Let me see my brother.
[00:40:19] And they all died and began to cry.
[00:40:19] And the rich man said, Let me see my brother.
[00:40:19] Thank you.
[00:40:49] Thank you.
[00:41:19] Thank you.
[00:41:49] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_05]:
Thank you.
[00:42:19] Thank you.
[00:42:49] Thank you.
[00:43:19] Let's respond by standing together to sing hymn number 208,
[00:43:38] O Come All Ye Faithful.
[00:43:40] Let's stand.
[00:43:49] O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
[00:44:05] O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem.
[00:44:13] Come and behold Him.
[00:44:17] Born the King of angels.
[00:44:21] O come, let us adore Him.
[00:44:25] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
O come, let us adore Him.
[00:44:29] O come, let us adore Him.
[00:44:34] Christ the Lord.
[00:44:38] God of God, light of light.
[00:44:45] Light.
[00:44:46] Light.
[00:44:47] Light.
[00:44:48] Light.
[00:44:49] Light.
[00:44:50] Light.
[00:44:51] Light.
[00:44:52] Light.
[00:44:53] Light.
[00:44:54] Light.
[00:44:55] Light.
[00:44:56] Light.
[00:44:57] Light.
[00:44:58] Light.
[00:44:59] Light.
[00:45:00] Light.
[00:45:01] Light.
[00:45:02] Light.
[00:45:03] Light.
[00:45:04] Light.
[00:45:05] Light.
[00:45:06] Light.
[00:45:07] Light.
[00:45:08] Light.
[00:45:09] Light.
[00:45:10] Light.
[00:45:11] Light.
[00:45:12] Light.
[00:45:13] Light.
[00:45:14] Light.
[00:45:15] Light.
[00:45:16] Light.
[00:45:17] Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing, all ye citizens of Bethlehem.
[00:45:34] Glory to God, glory to God, in the highest. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
[00:45:59] Yea, Lord, we greet Thee.
[00:46:04] On this happy morning, Jesus to Thee we all glory give.
[00:46:16] Word of our Father, laid in flesh appearing, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him,
[00:46:32] O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him.
[00:46:34] Glory to God, glory to God, in the highest. O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord.
[00:46:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
Please be seated and turn with me in your Bibles for our sermon passage this morning in Matthew chapter 4, verses 12 through 17.
[00:46:54] The promise we are considering this morning was our third carol in Isaiah chapter 9.
[00:46:59] A great light has shone and we're going to read the promise being fulfilled in Christ.
[00:47:04] From Matthew chapter 4, before considering both of those passages in our sermon this morning.
[00:47:10] But first, let me pray for God's blessing on the reading and preaching of His Word.
[00:47:15] Gracious God, in your light do we see light.
[00:47:18] And so we pray, after we have heard and sung of your promises of Scripture, of your salvation song that you've sent out into the world,
[00:47:26] that you would shine your light into our hearts and minds so that we may understand this promise of a great light,
[00:47:32] who brings great joy.
[00:47:34] And who is our Prince of Peace.
[00:47:36] We pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen.
[00:47:41] Matthew chapter 4, verses 12 through 17.
[00:47:50] Now when he heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee.
[00:47:56] And leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali.
[00:48:04] So that what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled.
[00:48:11] The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
[00:48:18] the people dwelling in darkness, have seen a great light.
[00:48:24] And for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.
[00:48:31] From that time.
[00:48:34] Jesus began to preach, saying,
[00:48:36] Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[00:48:41] Amen.
[00:48:44] Well children, I wonder if you have ever stayed overnight, maybe at grandparents, or maybe you've gone on a retreat,
[00:48:50] and you've done this thing that's happened to me before.
[00:48:53] It's dark and you wake up in the middle of the night and you think you're at home.
[00:48:57] And you think you know where your cup of water is, and you reach over for it where it should be on that table,
[00:49:02] but you're in a different home.
[00:49:03] Or maybe you're at Bon Clarkin, at a conference, and you don't know where you are.
[00:49:08] You're very discombobulated.
[00:49:10] That's what happens in the darkness.
[00:49:13] You walk down the hall and you still don't know where you are.
[00:49:16] You're feeling your way around, and then maybe mom or dad or a grandparent turns on a light.
[00:49:21] And then, you see where you're going.
[00:49:25] Darkness confuses us.
[00:49:28] It makes us scared. It makes us captive to seeing things that aren't there.
[00:49:32] And that is exactly what we need.
[00:49:33] That is exactly the experience that Isaiah describes in Isaiah chapters 8 and 9.
[00:49:40] In Isaiah chapter 9, we see a God who is talking to His people.
[00:49:46] And this is a people who are living in uncertainty.
[00:49:50] In great darkness, they have suffered loss.
[00:49:55] And into that darkness, into that confusion and chaos, God speaks a great promise.
[00:50:02] Of a great light that will shine.
[00:50:05] A light that will bring life.
[00:50:07] A light that will bring healing.
[00:50:09] A light that will bring peace to His people.
[00:50:14] This morning, let's explore that promise in Isaiah chapter 9.
[00:50:18] And the fulfillment in Matthew chapter 4.
[00:50:21] Because in Christ Jesus, the light has shone.
[00:50:24] God has done exactly what He said He would do.
[00:50:29] This is indeed the story that we've heard over and over again.
[00:50:31] Of a promise made and a promise kept.
[00:50:36] So let's begin then with that promise in Isaiah chapter 9.
[00:50:39] So you can turn with me in your Bibles to Isaiah 9.
[00:50:42] And we'll go back to Matthew 4 in just a moment.
[00:50:45] We see a promise of a people who walked in darkness seeing a great light.
[00:50:50] Who have dwelled in a land of deep darkness.
[00:50:53] On them, light has shone.
[00:50:56] So we must ask ourselves, what is this great light?
[00:51:00] Who are these people walking in darkness?
[00:51:03] And to understand that, we have to understand the spiritual darkness and the physical darkness.
[00:51:13] The physical darkness, the geographical darkness, we can see through a historical setting here.
[00:51:19] We're in the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, the prophet is speaking to.
[00:51:23] And it's very similar to the settings we've heard in our other prophecies out of Isaiah.
[00:51:28] In the mid 700's BC, a great devastation has come.
[00:51:33] And the northern kingdom has fallen.
[00:51:36] And Zebulun and Naphtali are in the middle of those northern lands that fell first.
[00:51:42] To a conquering invader, Assyria.
[00:51:45] People were deported.
[00:51:48] And that's what's summarized at the end of Isaiah chapter 8.
[00:51:51] We see the picture here.
[00:51:53] Does this sound like a good thing?
[00:51:55] In Isaiah chapter 8, the very end.
[00:51:57] This is how the setting is described.
[00:51:59] Distress and darkness.
[00:52:01] The gloom of anguish.
[00:52:03] Being thrust into thick darkness.
[00:52:06] That's what this land experienced.
[00:52:10] A literal, physical darkness.
[00:52:14] A darkness that resulted from their unfaithfulness.
[00:52:18] Right? They were looking for hope in all the wrong places.
[00:52:23] There's a spiritual darkness.
[00:52:26] There's a spiritual and a physical darkness here.
[00:52:29] And so, in the context of that promise, Isaiah chapter 9 is one of great dark uncertainty for God's people.
[00:52:36] In the short term, there's nothing but this gathering darkness.
[00:52:40] And in this specific land that is mentioned, Zebulun and Naphtali,
[00:52:44] we see that it is the place where great suffering would take place.
[00:52:49] Because it is the borderlands.
[00:52:51] And so anytime there's invaders or war,
[00:52:54] that's sort of the first place that all those bad things happen.
[00:53:00] It's seen many foreign countries come through there throughout the years.
[00:53:03] It's turbulent.
[00:53:05] It's a dangerous territory.
[00:53:08] It is the area that was the direct highway into the promised land
[00:53:11] with all these connections with invading peoples.
[00:53:15] And so that's the geopolitical circumstance that Israel finds themselves in.
[00:53:22] And one commentator described it really well, I think.
[00:53:25] And this applies to us today.
[00:53:27] One commentator said this,
[00:53:30] As always, the people of God must decide what reading of their experiences they will live by.
[00:53:38] Are they to look at the darkness, the hopelessness,
[00:53:41] their dreams that have been shattered around them and conclude that God has forgotten them?
[00:53:47] Or are they to recall His past mercies,
[00:53:51] to remember His present promises,
[00:53:54] and to make great affirmations of faith?
[00:54:00] Indeed, that is the setting we see before us in Isaiah chapter 9.
[00:54:04] In Isaiah 9, that promise is interesting because it's couched in the past tense
[00:54:10] and yet the future promises are written as though they have already happened.
[00:54:15] In that way, it's similar to us today again.
[00:54:18] We cling to the promises of God's Word.
[00:54:21] We look forward to His promises being realized.
[00:54:25] God's promises are as sure as if they have already happened
[00:54:29] because God keeps all of His promises.
[00:54:33] And so this is the God then,
[00:54:35] who speaks into this darkness in verse 2
[00:54:38] with this promise of a great light for a people in great darkness.
[00:54:45] I think C.S. Lewis captures a little bit of this darkness
[00:54:49] in the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
[00:54:50] One of my favorite books.
[00:54:52] When he describes Narnia,
[00:54:54] which is the fantasy world that he created in that series,
[00:54:58] as a land where it's always winter and never Christmas.
[00:55:04] He describes the cold as unrelenting.
[00:55:07] The skies are gray.
[00:55:10] And joy itself seems so far off.
[00:55:14] That's what darkness feels like.
[00:55:18] It's not just hardship.
[00:55:20] It's the absence of hope that things will get better.
[00:55:24] And yet, when Aslan appears,
[00:55:26] the good Lord in this story,
[00:55:28] the snow begins to melt.
[00:55:29] The streams begin to run again.
[00:55:31] Life bursts forth again.
[00:55:34] And so what seems so permanent
[00:55:37] in this world of Narnia
[00:55:39] is suddenly passing away.
[00:55:42] And the same way Isaiah speaks to a people
[00:55:46] who believe that darkness would probably never end.
[00:55:49] Matthew picks up on that promise
[00:55:51] and shows us that God keeps it.
[00:55:54] And when Jesus arrives,
[00:55:56] our humanity's long winter begins to break.
[00:56:00] The great light has dawned
[00:56:02] and Christmas has come at last.
[00:56:04] God is with us.
[00:56:07] And furthermore, in this great light,
[00:56:09] we should hear echoes of Genesis.
[00:56:13] After all, it was the Apostle Paul
[00:56:15] who reminded us in 2 Corinthians chapter 4
[00:56:18] of this connection.
[00:56:20] The Apostle Paul wrote,
[00:56:21] For God, who said,
[00:56:22] Let light shine out of darkness,
[00:56:25] has shone in our hearts
[00:56:28] to give the light of the knowledge
[00:56:31] of the glory of God
[00:56:34] in the face of Jesus Christ.
[00:56:38] Friends, this great light
[00:56:39] can only be the work of God
[00:56:42] in the midst of a people of darkness.
[00:56:45] And that one promise,
[00:56:48] we see divine action,
[00:56:50] God breaking through human darkness
[00:56:53] and shining His divine light
[00:56:55] in a saving work.
[00:56:57] God's great light shines into darkness
[00:57:00] and we see His great light.
[00:57:03] And yes, while that is a prophecy
[00:57:05] of the Son of God
[00:57:07] beginning His work in those war-torn lands,
[00:57:10] it is also a promise
[00:57:13] about how every single person
[00:57:15] comes to faith in Christ, is it not?
[00:57:18] That light shines into darkness.
[00:57:22] Indeed, we worship the God of light
[00:57:25] who dispels darkness with His glory.
[00:57:29] So what a promise Isaiah chapter 9 verse 12 is.
[00:57:33] What a God we worship.
[00:57:37] So that is the promise
[00:57:39] in Isaiah chapter 9 verse 2.
[00:57:41] Let's take a moment to look at
[00:57:42] the fulfillment in Matthew chapter 4.
[00:57:45] In Matthew's Gospel,
[00:57:47] just before Jesus begins His ministry,
[00:57:49] we get an interlude
[00:57:50] where Jesus chooses this land
[00:57:53] of Zebulun and Naphtali.
[00:57:55] It makes sense from a strategic standpoint.
[00:57:58] It's Capernaum.
[00:57:59] It's on the Sea of Galilee.
[00:58:01] You can get where you're going easily.
[00:58:02] It's central.
[00:58:03] It's that kind of thoroughfare as well.
[00:58:05] There's lots of different sorts of people there.
[00:58:08] And so it's a land where they're open
[00:58:10] to newer ideas.
[00:58:12] But of course, we know most of all
[00:58:15] that Jesus, being the Son of God,
[00:58:18] chose this land so that He could fulfill,
[00:58:21] as verse 14 tells us,
[00:58:23] what was written by the prophet Isaiah.
[00:58:27] That in this land of Zebulun and Naphtali,
[00:58:31] this war-torn land that suffered most acutely
[00:58:34] during war and invasion,
[00:58:36] that there Jesus would take up His abode.
[00:58:40] That there Jesus would take up His abode.
[00:58:41] That there the Prince of Peace
[00:58:44] would begin His ministry
[00:58:46] of reconciling God with man.
[00:58:49] In a place only known
[00:58:53] for turbulence and turmoil.
[00:58:56] In this shadow of death,
[00:58:58] the light of light has begun to shine.
[00:59:01] And so what sort of darkness does Jesus expel
[00:59:05] as the light of the world?
[00:59:08] We've talked about it in a geopolitical sense,
[00:59:10] but in a spiritual sense,
[00:59:11] what sort of darkness
[00:59:12] does the light of Christ expel?
[00:59:14] Jesus, as the light of the world,
[00:59:16] dispels the darkness of delusion,
[00:59:20] depravity, and despondency.
[00:59:23] If we think about it in those ways briefly,
[00:59:25] we think of delusion, false worldviews,
[00:59:27] distorted identities,
[00:59:29] deceptive promises that we believe,
[00:59:32] or deceptive idols we have in our own hearts.
[00:59:36] And that way, we're like children in the dark
[00:59:38] with no light to guide us.
[00:59:40] Scripture says that we call evil good and good evil
[00:59:44] apart from the redeeming work of Christ.
[00:59:48] And so Jesus dispels that delusion,
[00:59:52] and in Him we see clearly the world.
[00:59:55] Depravity, apart from Christ we love what is wrong,
[00:59:58] and sin warps our desires.
[01:00:01] But Jesus' presence purifies
[01:00:05] and gives us desires that are good and godly.
[01:00:09] He also dispels the darkness of despondency.
[01:00:14] If you feel fear and anxiety
[01:00:16] and emptiness and a hopelessness,
[01:00:20] maybe you're worried that tomorrow
[01:00:22] will be no better than today.
[01:00:23] In that darkness, Jesus' light shines.
[01:00:27] He pours hope into a hopeless place.
[01:00:29] He brings joy,
[01:00:31] a true joy that no one can take away.
[01:00:35] And so Jesus Christ's light shines
[01:00:37] and dispels darkness,
[01:00:39] in the heart of man, even today.
[01:00:42] And then finally,
[01:00:44] you can turn back to Isaiah chapter 9.
[01:00:46] Briefly, we're going to consider
[01:00:48] the rest of that prophecy.
[01:00:50] And we're going to see that Jesus brings
[01:00:52] a great joy in verse 3.
[01:00:54] A joy that is multiplied to the nations.
[01:00:56] And the reason for this joy is twofold.
[01:00:59] In verse 4, we see that
[01:01:01] those instruments of oppression
[01:01:04] are broken and trampled.
[01:01:07] The instruments of oppression
[01:01:09] are broken and trampled.
[01:01:11] God breaks us free.
[01:01:13] And then also,
[01:01:14] we see a second reason for our joy
[01:01:16] in verse 5.
[01:01:18] We see our second reason for joy is peace.
[01:01:22] That Jesus is our peace because we see
[01:01:24] in verse 5,
[01:01:25] all those weapons of war
[01:01:27] will be cast up
[01:01:28] and put into the fuel for fire.
[01:01:31] This is the God who comes
[01:01:33] and shines a great light,
[01:01:34] who brings a great peace
[01:01:37] through peace,
[01:01:38] and liberty and freedom.
[01:01:41] And so it is that we see
[01:01:43] that this is the child who is born
[01:01:45] and to us a son is given.
[01:01:48] And that we see the promise
[01:01:50] that Jesus will be fully God
[01:01:52] and fully man.
[01:01:54] And he is given to the world
[01:01:56] so that he may indeed be
[01:01:58] our wonderful counselor,
[01:02:00] our divine warrior who goes before us,
[01:02:02] our mighty God,
[01:02:04] our everlasting Father,
[01:02:06] the one who cares for us,
[01:02:07] who cares for us.
[01:02:09] And has been there from the beginning.
[01:02:12] And finally,
[01:02:13] our Prince of Peace.
[01:02:16] Friends, in this Advent season,
[01:02:18] I want you to know and hear
[01:02:20] that Jesus promised,
[01:02:21] my peace I give to you,
[01:02:22] not as the world gives do I give you.
[01:02:25] Let not your hearts be troubled,
[01:02:27] neither let them be afraid.
[01:02:31] That is who this great light is
[01:02:32] for all of us.
[01:02:35] And in closing,
[01:02:36] I want us to consider
[01:02:37] at the very end of Isaiah chapter 9 verse 7.
[01:02:41] It tells us why this happens.
[01:02:44] Why this great light shines into the darkness.
[01:02:49] The prophet tells us
[01:02:51] the zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
[01:02:55] The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
[01:03:00] That means that Jesus came from heaven to earth
[01:03:04] because God in Christ Jesus
[01:03:06] has such an intense devotion
[01:03:08] and love for you
[01:03:11] that it drove him to send this light out into the world.
[01:03:17] Glory be to the newborn King.
[01:03:21] Let's pray together.
[01:03:23] Gracious God,
[01:03:24] we thank you so much
[01:03:25] for this amazing reminder
[01:03:27] of the truth of your scripture
[01:03:29] that Jesus is the great light
[01:03:32] who brings great joy of peace
[01:03:35] and freedom
[01:03:37] and is our Prince of Peace.
[01:03:41] We worship you for that truth
[01:03:44] and I pray that you would allow for us
[01:03:46] to let our light shine around others
[01:03:48] so that our Father in heaven
[01:03:50] may see our good works
[01:03:51] and give glory to your name.
[01:03:53] We pray these things in Jesus' name.
[01:03:56] Amen.
[01:03:59] Well, I invite you to turn with me in your hymnals
[01:04:01] for our final hymn this morning,
[01:04:03] Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
[01:04:04] We will all sing this in unison.
[01:04:06] Let's stand and sing together.
[01:04:26] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Hark the herald angels sing
[01:04:30] Glory to the newborn King
[01:04:34] Peace on earth and mercy mild
[01:04:39] God and sinners red and mild
[01:04:43] Joyful all ye nations rise
[01:04:47] Join the triumph of the skies
[01:04:52] With angelic hosts proclaim
[01:04:56] Christ is born in Bethlehem
[01:05:00] Hark the herald angels sing.
[01:05:04] Glory to the newborn King
[01:05:09] Christ our God is eternal Lord
[01:05:14] Christ the everlasting Lord
[01:05:18] Late in time he o'er you called
[01:05:22] Offspring of the Virgin's womb
[01:05:26] Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
[01:05:31] Hail incarnate King
[01:05:34] Deity
[01:05:36] Pleased as man with men to dwell
[01:05:40] Jesus our Emmanuel
[01:05:45] Hark the herald angels sing
[01:05:49] Glory to the newborn King
[01:05:55] Hail the Heav'n Prince of Peace
[01:05:59] Hail the Son of Righteousness
[01:06:03] Light and light to all he brings
[01:06:07] Wrist with healing in his wings
[01:06:12] And he lays his glory by
[01:06:16] Born that man no more may die
[01:06:21] Born to raise the sons of earth
[01:06:25] Born to give him second birth
[01:06:30] Hark the herald angels sing.
[01:06:32] Glory to the newborn King
[01:06:42] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_00]:
As you go, go with God's blessing.
[01:06:45] The Lord bless you and keep you.
[01:06:47] The Lord make his face to shine upon you
[01:06:49] and be gracious to you.
[01:06:51] The Lord lift up his countenance upon you
[01:06:53] and give you peace both this day and forever more.
[01:06:56] Amen.
[01:07:02] [SPEAKER SPEAKER_11]:
Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:15] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:32] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:34] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:35] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:36] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:37] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:38] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:39] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:40] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:41] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:42] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:43] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:44] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:45] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:46] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:47] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:48] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:49] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:50] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:51] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:52] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:53] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:54] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:55] Gloria in excelsis Deo
[01:07:56] Gloria in excelsis Deo





