Sermon
(Feb. 5) – Encouraging Words
Isaiah
40:28-31
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Many
scholars believe there are three authors of Isaiah. 1) Chapters 1-39 –
Pre-exile 2) Chapters 40-55 – Babylonian exile period 3) Chapters 56-66 – Post
Babylonian exile
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Our
passage is considered 2nd Isaiah during the exile period.
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Context:
The people of Israel are down and they are questioning God’s faithfulness.
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This
text reminds us that God is concerned for the people he has created.
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V.
28 – “Everlasting God” is a reference to Genesis 21:33 and the story of Abraham
when he planted a tree and called on the “Everlasting God.”
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V.
28 – “Faint or grow weary.” These appear frequently in Isaiah. Sometimes we weary God and sometimes we are
weary!
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V.
31 – “Wait” This is an expression of confidence that God will not desert us.
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How
can we remember that it’s not our strength but God’s strength to help us to be
the people we are called to be and to have hope? Why do we try to do things on our own power?
Mark
1:32-39
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This
story also appears in Matthew 8 & Luke 4 (Synoptics)
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Verse
29 – Archaeologists have discovered this house south of the synagogue at
Capernaum.
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Jesus
became popular quickly because of his healings.
Jesus was taking on the power of evil and sickness. Jesus’ death on the cross was the ultimate
victory over the evil power in the world.
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The
church is to live out the healing ministry of Jesus, confronting the evil power
of the world with the healing presence and love of Jesus Christ.
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Verse
35 – A favorite verse because Jesus shows us the importance of setting aside
time for prayer.
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