Luke 23:32-43

“Perception is Reality”

I. Setting the Scene (32-38)

II. The First Thief (39)

A. The Great Irony of Wrong Perceptions

B. The Grim Reality of Worshipping Jesus based on Circumstances

III. The Second Thief (40-43)

A. The Great Irony of Right Perceptions (40-42)

B. The Glorious Reality of Worshipping Jesus Based on Calling (43)

Questions for Personal Reflection:

1. What are some of the circumstances in your life that cloud your perception of seeing Jesus clearly, like the first thief? What helps to regain the right perception?

2. How can Christian community help you to see Christ clearly? Can you think of a time where this happened?

3. How can we participate in making God’s Kingdom a reality in Mt. Pleasant? What perceptions would need to be shattered both inside and outside the church to make this a reality?

Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24, Part 2

“The New Heavens and the New Earth”

Introduction:

Last time ...

1. The Renovation that Results from the Re-Creation (17)

2. The Rejoicing that Reverberates in the Re-Creation (18-19)

The Joy of the Re-Created (18) / The Joy of the Re-Creator (19)

3. The Resilience of the Re-Creation (20; 66:22) [strength]

I. The Reliability of Resources in the Re-Creation (21-22) [safety]

II. The Removal of Retribution upon Ruined Creation (23, 25)

A. The Removal of Vain Efforts (23)

B. The Removal of Violent Enmities (25)

III. The Rapport with God in the Re-Creation (24; 66:23)

“A Life Worthy of the Gospel”

Philippians 1:27-30

Introduction

How can we advance the gospel of Christ by our lives?

1. Live a life worthy of the gospel

2. Strive side by side for the faith of the gospel

3. Suffer well for the sake of the gospel

Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22-24

“The New Heavens and the New Earth” Part 1

Introduction:

I. The Renovation that Results from the Re-Creation (17)

II. The Rejoicing that Reverberates in the Re-Creation (18-19)

A. The Joy of the Re-Created (18)

B. The Joy of the Re-Creator (19)

III. The Resilience of the Re-Creation (20; 66:22) [strength]

Isaiah 64

Revival Praying

Introduction:

I. Revival Prayer is Prayer for Direct Divine Intervention (1-7)

A. Since Our Spiritual State is So Severe (1-3)

B. Since the Solution for Our State Surpasses Normal Means (4-7)

II. Revival Prayer Lays Hold of (Leans on) the Character of God (8-12)

A. He is Our Father and He Forms Us (8)

B. He Forgives Us Because He Favors Us (9-11)

C. He is Faithful in Responding to Our Cries (12)

Isaiah 62

“The Ministry of Intercession”

Introduction:

I. The Pleading of the Messiah for His People (1-5)

II. The Pleading of the People for the People (6-7)

A. The Protective Pleading of Spiritual Sentries (6a)

B. The Perpetual Pleading of the Spiritual Sentries (6b)

C. The Persistent Pleading of the Spiritual Sentries (6c-7a)

D. The Promises Pled by Spiritual Sentries (6c)

Isaiah 61:1-3

“Job Description of the Messiah-Emancipator”

Introduction:

I. He Proclaims Emancipation (1a)

II. The Persons Emancipated (1b-3a)

A. The Bankrupt (1b)

B. The Brokenhearted (1b)

C. The Bound (1b-2a)

III. The Pattern of Emancipation (1b) The Year of Jubilee

IV. The Path to Emancipation (2b-3a) Comfort through Mourning

V. The Products of Emancipation (3)

A. Beauty for Ashes

B. Gladness for Mourning

C. Praise for Despair

D. God’s Plants for His Praise

Isaiah 60:1-3 (59:9-21)

“Light in the Darkness”

Introduction:

I. Display the Light (Receive it / Reflect it) (1)

II. Dispel the Darkness (Recognize it / Resist it) (2)

III. Draw and Deliver the Nations (Reach out and Radiate) (3)

Isaiah 57:14-21

“The ‘Lofty One’ Lives with the ‘Lowly Ones’”

Introduction:

I. The Preparation for Contrition (14)

II. The Privilege of Contrition (15)

A. Transcendence of God (15a)

B. Immanence (Nearness) (15b)

C. The Transformation of the Contrite (15c)

III. The Punishment that Did Not Prompt Contrition (16-17)

IV. The Promise to Produce Contrition Where There was None (18-19)

V. The Peace that Only Contrition Brings (19-21)