Jesus the Messiah is the One who can truly restore. “To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:1-7)
Sermon Outline
“To restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
The Servant of the LORD Who Restores (Isaiah 49:1-6)
- The Servant’s identity (49:1-3)
- The Servant’s trust amidst struggle (49:4)
- The Servant’s calling (49:5-6)
God’s Restoration through the Servant of the LORD (Isaiah 49:7-13)
- The LORD’s declaration of favor (49:7-8)
- The LORD’s intervention for restoration (49:8b-12)
- Praise to the LORD for restoration (49:13)
Jesus the One Who Restores (Luke 19:10; Revelation 21:5)
- In a world that throws away what’s deemed a total loss, the Living God in Christ comes to seek and save what is lost (Luke 19:10)
- In a world that chases after brand new things, the Living God in Christ comes to make all things new (Revelation 21:5)
Worshiping God with Mary (‘The Magnificat’ in Luke 1:46-55)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is the longest journey you have ever taken?
- This week we continue our preaching series, “Who Is He?: Titles of Jesus the Messiah from Isaiah,” by exploring Isaiah 49:1-13. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study and then read that text aloud.
- In the first three verses of Isaiah 49, the prophet paints a picture of the identity of the speaker, who is the“Servant of the Lord.”What are we told about this person in those verses?
- In verse 3, we read that this person will be called,“my servant, Israel.”Originally, Israel was a name given to Jacob when he was set apart by God (Genesis 32:22-32). Later, Israel became the name of the new nation that descended from Jacob. That nation’s history is one of God calling and human failing. What does Isaiah tell us about the failings of the nation of Israel in Isaiah 48:1-11?
- Returning to Isaiah 49:3, Isaiah is telling us that the Servant of the Lord will be a new, perfect ‘Israel’ to fulfill God’s plans for the earth. What is the ‘weapon’ God is giving His servant according to 49:2? What is the significance of this?
- What is the goal of the Servant’s task, according to Isaiah 49:5-6? What does this tell us about God’s intention for the world? (You may want to read Genesis 12:1-3 as further background.)
- Verse 4 shows us that the Servant’s pathway to accomplish God’s goal will not be easy. What do you see in this verse about the Servant’s task and approach to it?
- The end result of the Servant’s work is seen in 49:7-13. Take some time to list off what God. will do through the Servant.
- Read Mary’s ‘Magnificat’—her prayer responding to God’s goodness in the gift of Jesus—found in Luke 1:46-55. What do you see in common between these words and the words of Isaiah 49:1-13? How do they each shed light on the other?
- What is one thing God speaking to you personally through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone this week.
DIG DEEPER
- Memorize Isaiah 49:6 or 49:13
- Take some time to meditate on Isaiah 49:1-13 this week in quiet. Is there one verse that God is drawing to your attention? Why is God drawing your attention to it? What might God be speaking to you through it? Share what you hear with someone close to you.
- Explore these additional resources:
- F. B. Meyer, Christ in Isaiah
- Alec Motyer, The Prophecy of Isaiah
- Bible Project Video, “The Messiah”