Isaiah 43:1-7 /  Chapter 42 began with great promise, but it ended bitter disappointment and failure!  CHAPTER 43 opens with, "BUT NOW".  Understanding what GOD is going to do cannot be attributed to any change (improvement) in Israel; rather, it can only be explained by GOD's own character, faithfulness, promises -- that is, His Grace!

Chapter 42:

GOD's plan and promise to "bring forth justice (and blessing) to the nations" will flow through His chosen servant.  This chapter contains fantastic drama, as we discover the terrific disparity between the LORD's "ideal" servant and the servant that actually is...

Isaiah 41

The LORD God summons the nations before Him to answer the important question: "Who qualifies as God?"  God presents His own credentials and challenges the nations (along with their idols) to do the same.  They have no answer; they remain silent (save for the noise of creating new idols!)

But Israel has no reason to fear, because of the LORD's own gracious purposes on their behalf.

Isaiah 40

Isaiah's vision (1:1) decidedly turns from messages of confrontation & judgment (chapters 1-39) to messages of comfort.  By a long series of questions, God addresses Israel's fears and doubts, and three voices cry out God's gracious purposes for "His people".

Introduction, Setting, and Context to our new series: Isaiah, chapters 40-66!

Hebrews, chapters 1-2

Today is the last installment of this short series and we consider something of Christ's Incomparable Accomplishments!  A very important distinction is made between the Eternal Sonship of Christ (His eternal "being" and existence as GOD) and the Messianic Sonship of Christ (what He became, acquired, attained in light of His incarnation).  The complete sermon notes are also provided (separately) to assist in grasping these truths.

2 Corinthians 8:9 / Christ's Incomparable Condescension

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich."

Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:21-35The first lesson from what will be a short themed series on the Incomparable Person of Christ!

James 5:19-20

James ends his address/sermon with a final situation (he has already described three):  A brother who "wanders from the truth".  A longer than usual sermon today; but with this, we are now finished with James' "epistle".

James 5:13-18

We spend the largest portion of our time considering the Bible's teaching on the relationship between sin sickness:

ALL sickness & disease is the result of sin's entrance into the world.

It is also true that NOT every sickness and disease is the direct result of some specific and personal sin.

GOD does not always purpose/intend to bring healing in this life.

In some instances, sickness & disease ARE the direct consequence of some personal sin or disobedience

When afflicted, self-examination is an appropriate consideration.