Grace Community

 The resurrection destroys our self-righteous pride. (2-8)

The resurrection destroys our self-condemning despair. (9) 

The resurrection exalts Jesus and so does the believer. (10-11)

The resurrection reminds us to leave the old life behind and daily pursue the new life in Jesus (12-16)

The resurrection reminds us to live as citizens of heaven already, awaiting the resurrected Jesus. (17-21)

Because of Jesus resurrection we have confidence that he will resurrect into glory all those He makes righteous through faith. 

So let's live like it is true. 

 Because of the resurrection we receive a new identity. (v22-23 & 27-28)

         Adopted as God’s children with a global family 

Because of the resurrection we receive hope. (v24)

         God listens to the afflicted and saves. 

Because of the resurrection we receive new hearts. (v25-26 & 29)

         God make us a new creation with hearts that live forever. 

Because of the resurrection we receive a new priority. (v30-31)

         The love of God compels us to tell others of Jesus’ righteousness 

Because Jesus has done it all, to make us righteous. 

Jesus was forsaken by His Father.  (1-2)

Jesus knows God saves those who trust Him. (3-5)

Jesus was truly forsaken by the Father, so that those who trust Him will never be.  (1-5)

Jesus was rejected and hated by people. (6-8)  

Jesus recalls God’s love for Him personally. (9-11)

Jesus was despised and rejected by people to make those who hated Him children of God. (6-11)

Jesus suffered terror and excruciating pain as punishment for sin. (12-18)

Jesus trusts his life into the hands of His Father. (19-21a)

Because Jesus died for our sin, we can trust our lives into the hands of our Heavenly Father. (12-21a)

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26)

Jesus knew He is the Lord’s promised King. (v1-9)​
 

To get Jesus half right is still completely wrong. (10)​

Jesus came as king to bring people to God. (v11-13)​

Jesus is the king who saves those who recognise their need of Him. (v14-16 & 20:29-34)​ 

Jesus first came as the humble king to save, when He comes again, He will be the powerful king who judges.​ (Revelation 19:11-16)

 Read Isaiah 31-32:8

1)      Facing disaster, Judah turned away from the presence of God in the temple, choosing instead to trust Egypt because they appeared strong. This was idolatry and a direct violation of God’s commands. How might we do this today in our own lives when disaster comes, or when there is the threat of disaster? How might the idolatry of trusting something more than God show up in our lives? How would you define the difference between working to fix a problem in a God-honouring way versus the idolatry of trusting something other than God?
 
 
 
 

2)      God is described as a lion who won’t flinch at shouting shepherds, and as a hovering bird who protects, delivers, spares, and rescues. What do these pictures teach us about God’s character and the way He cares for His people? Which image speaks to you more today, and why?
 
 
 
 

3)      In verse 6, Isaiah calls those in deep revolt to turn to God. How is repentance an expression of genuine faith? Why is it vitally important that the Christian message include repentance for salvation and ongoing repentance for sanctification? What might it reveal about a person’s belief if they grow tired of repentance or deny the need for it? How might this verse help us in our evangelism, especially when speaking to those who are deeply rebellious?
 
 
 
 

4)      How do Isaiah 31:8–9 point to the saving work of Jesus?
 
 
 
 
 

5)      How should the church be an expression of the reign of the righteous king (32:1–8) in regard to:
 • Governance (v.1)
 • Refuge (v.2)
 • Knowledge and wisdom (vv.3–4)
 • Societal values (vv.5–8) 

 Read Isaiah 30:1-23

1.      In what ways can some Christians act like stubborn children in regards their relationship with God? How would you define carrying out a plan that is not God’s and making an alliance that is not of God’s Spirit?
 
 
 

2.      Why do believers sometimes carry out plans that are not God’s plans? How do these plans expose the reality of our belief in God and His will? How might these plans end in shame?
 
 
 

3.      The Judahites wanted to hear “smooth things” and asked the seers and prophets to turn aside and stop teaching about the Holy One of Israel. Why is it vital for pastors to resist the temptation to satisfy people’s desire to hear what they want? Why must they continue confronting people with the Holy One of Israel? How could preaching “smooth things” end in complete ruin?
 
 
 

4.      How is verse 15 a great source of comfort? How can we learn to rest and trust more fully in Jesus? How do verses 18–19 speak to the person who has been stubborn and turned from God’s righteous path? How has (or how can) understanding God’s eagerness to show grace encourage you in your Christian walk?
 
 
 

5.      Where do you see a fulfilment of verse 21 in the present Messianic age? (Consider John 14:15–17, 23–24; 16:13.) How do Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and the church help us stay on the right path? Based on verses 19–23, what are the blessings God gives to those who wait for Him? 

 Isaiah calls the leaders in Jerusalem “scoffers” (v. 14), even though they were deeply religious. In what ways can someone be religious yet practically scoff at God’s Word through how they live? 

Verse 15 speaks of the religious scoffers placing their security in a false refuge they believed would keep them safe from harm. What are some false securities that a church or believer might have? How can we tell when something—even something good—has become a source of security? How has God exposed false securities in your life or in the life of our nation? 

Isaiah 28:16 describes Jesus as a tested, precious cornerstone. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus was “tested”—that He endured pressure, suffering, and temptation without breaking? How does that strengthen your trust in Him? 

Isaiah says, “Whoever believes will not be in haste.” What does it mean to not be in haste because you believe in Jesus? Both Paul’s and Peter’s quotations of this verse say, “will not be put to shame.” What does it mean to you that you will not be put to shame? How might that affect the way you live? 

The farming illustration in verses 23–29 shows that God is measured and purposeful—He does not over-thresh or over-plough. Have you experienced a time when God removed something or allowed difficulty, and you later saw it as refining rather than punishment? What did that teach you about trusting His wisdom? 

Read Philippians 2:1–13. 

1. With verses 1–11 as the foundation, how do believers “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” (v. 12)? (Think about the attitude, the work itself, and the motivation behind it all.) How does this guide our understanding of church attendance and being involved in the life of the church and other believers? What do verses 12 and 13 teach us about growing in sanctification?

Read Philippians 2:19–30.
 

1. Timothy shows a genuine concern for others that springs from seeking “the interests of Christ” rather than his own. In what concrete ways could you grow this week in looking to the interests of Christ by caring for specific people in your church or circle? What would it look like in your life today to seek “the interests of Christ”? How does love for Christ fuel real love for others?
2. Epaphroditus risked his life simply to serve and care for Paul, not to do something “impressive” in ministry. What does his example teach us about ordinary, practical service, and how might that challenge our view of what “real” ministry is?
3. Paul was writing to a church about their perseverance, using Epaphroditus as an example. In what ways can this group actively strengthen one another’s endurance? What would it look like for us to take responsibility for one another’s perseverance?
4. Paul tells us that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us, enabling us to persevere when life is overwhelming or dark. How does this shape the way you think about a current pressure, fear, or suffering in your own life? How does a good understanding of God’s sovereign, effectual work guard us from both pride and despair?

Isaiah points out that Ephraim’s leaders and clergy were saturated with drunkenness. How is drunkenness, or taking any of God’s good blessing (food, drink, sex, money,), and using them in overindulgence or indulgence at the expense of others relate to pride? How does pride blind people from seeing their faults? How can we as Christians guard against that kind of pride and behaviour? (1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Peter 5:5-6) 

Isaiah describes the Ephraim leaders as proud and self-indulgent, partying even as destruction approached. Where do you see similar attitudes of false security in our culture today? Christians are not immune to common human vices, how can you guard against things you know are your greatest temptation? (Psalm 119:11, Psalm 139:23-24) How should the church treat people who have vices they frequently give into? (Galatians 6:1) 

God is sovereign over all, including judgement—even using nations like Assyria as instruments. How does God’s sovereignty in judgement be a comfort to the believer? (Lamentations 3:37–39, Romans 8:28) 

Isaiah's critics dismissed God's clear warnings and teaching of God’s word as simplistic baby talk (verses 9-10). Why do you think people—including some religious leaders—sometimes treat Scripture as outdated or irrelevant? (Consider 2 Timothy 4:10, Colossians 2:18) What is the correlation between false doctrine and errant lifestyle? (Titus 1:16, 1 Timothy 6:3-5) 

How can we guard against viewing parts of God's Word as less important or applicable? (2 Timothy 3:16) When someone challenges God’s word and perhaps causes doubt in our mind what are some ways we can overcome those doubts? 

How should the fact that God would save some out of the drunken revelry encourage us in our evangelism? God would use judgement and suffering to bring out a remnant. How could this encourage us when we are constantly stonewalled by proud people we try to evangelise?