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Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
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Browse and listen through our library of Sunday Sermons recorded at Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in New York City.
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Staying Focused
Jan 4Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Maturing in ChristColossians 2:6-15 (ESV)6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, 10 and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.Prayer of ConfessionAlmighty God, our Heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbors, in thought, word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Transcribe →Are You Trusting God?
Feb 16, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Audio Block Double-click here to upload or link to a .mp3. Learn more Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 38:1-39:8 (ESV)38:1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.9 A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness:10 I said, In the middle of my days I must depart;I am consigned to the gates of Sheol for the rest of my years.11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, the Lord in the land of the living;I shall look on man no more among the inhabitants of the world.12 My dwelling is plucked up and removed from me like a shepherd's tent;like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom;from day to night you bring me to an end;13 I calmed myself until morning;like a lion he breaks all my bones; from day to night you bring me to an end.14 Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove.My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety!15 What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it.I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!17 Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness;but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction,for you have cast all my sins behind your back.18 For Sheol does not thank you; death does not praise you;those who go down to the pit do not hope for your faithfulness.19 The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day;the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.20 The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instrumentsall the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.21 Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” 22 Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?”39:1 At that time Merodach-baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys with letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that he had been sick and had recovered. 2 And Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. And he showed them his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his whole armory, all that was found in his storehouses. There was nothing in his house or in all his realm that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet came to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say? And from where did they come to you?” Hezekiah said, “They have come to me from a far country, from Babylon.” 4 He said, “What have they seen in your house?” Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house. There is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.”5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord of hosts: 6 Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon. Nothing shall be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your own sons, who will come from you, whom you will father, shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my days.”Sermon OutlineAre you trusting God?1. Trusting God in Adversity38:2-3 “‘please… remember… wept bitterly”38:10 “in the middle of my days I must depart”, v11 “I shall not see the Lord in the land of the living”, v15 “bitterness of my soul”38:17 “…in love you have delivered my life”2. Trusting God in Prosperity39:2 “Hezekiah welcomed them gladly … there was nothing that Hezekiah did not show them…”39:6 “all that is in your house… shall be carried away to Babylon.”3. Trusting God in History 38:5-7 “the God of David your father… deliver you and this city… this shall be a sign”38:17 “in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction for you have cast all my sins behind my back”Prayer of ConfessionOur faithful God, we need you every hour. We confess our faith is weak. When things are difficult, our fears, resentments and suspicions keep us from humbly turning to you. In times of ease, our pride, hastiness and complacency hinder us from wisely seeking you. Our faulty faith gives rise to sinful habits and actions. In love, deliver us from the pit of destruction, and cast our sins behind us. We appeal to you in the name of Jesus, who graciously gave his life to grant us eternal life. Amen.Questions for ReflectionDo you find it easier to trust God when things are going well, or when things are difficult? Why?Why is trust so hard? How do you struggle to trust, or where are you struggling with trust?Why do people feel the need to understand why they are suffering?How can you walk with God in a difficult period where you are confused, can’t make sense of why you are suffering, or understand how to get out of it? What should you do? What should you not do?How does bringing the question “what are you showing me?” to God help us navigate confusing difficult periods? What are ways you may neglect trusting God in periods where you feel confident or complacent? How can you be intentional to walk by faith during prosperous periods?How can you inquire of God when making a big decision? What can you do, and how do you discern God’s leading?What are some of the implications of the fact that God doesn’t just deliver from the brink of death, but he can deliver from death itself? How can that broaden and deepen you to trust God with the whole of your life?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Can You Trust God?
Feb 9, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 36:1-37:7 (ESV)36:1 In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah, Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the fortified cities of Judah and took them. 2 And the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem, with a great army. And he stood by the conduit of the upper pool on the highway to the Washer's Field. 3 And there came out to him Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder.4 And the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? 5 Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? 6 Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. 7 But if you say to me, “We trust in the Lord our God,” is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, “You shall worship before this altar”? 8 Come now, make a wager with my master the king of Assyria: I will give you two thousand horses, if you are able on your part to set riders on them. 9 How then can you repulse a single captain among the least of my master's servants, when you trust in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen? 10 Moreover, is it without the Lord that I have come up against this land to destroy it? The Lord said to me, “Go up against this land and destroy it.”’”11 Then Eliakim, Shebna, and Joah said to the Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall.” 12 But the Rabshakeh said, “Has my master sent me to speak these words to your master and to you, and not to the men sitting on the wall, who are doomed with you to eat their own dung and drink their own urine?”13 Then the Rabshakeh stood and called out in a loud voice in the language of Judah: “Hear the words of the great king, the king of Assyria! 14 Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you. 15 Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord by saying, “The Lord will surely deliver us. This city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 16 Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, 17 until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards. 18 Beware lest Hezekiah mislead you by saying, “The Lord will deliver us.” Has any of the gods of the nations delivered his land out of the hand of the king of Assyria? 19 Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria out of my hand? 20 Who among all the gods of these lands have delivered their lands out of my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of my hand?’”21 But they were silent and answered him not a word, for the king's command was, “Do not answer him.” 22 Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of the Rabshakeh.37:1 As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 And he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, and Shebna the secretary, and the senior priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz. 3 They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, of rebuke, and of disgrace; children have come to the point of birth, and there is no strength to bring them forth. 4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to mock the living God, and will rebuke the words that the Lord your God has heard; therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’”5 When the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah, 6 Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the young men of the king of Assyria have reviled me. 7 Behold, I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’”Sermon OutlineAt the heart of many our deepest question lies this one: can we trust God? Scripture repeatedly affirms we can and we must. 1. Can you trust God?36:8 “come… make a wager… I will give you…”36:6 “you are trusting Egypt, that broken staff”36:7 “is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed?”, v10 “the Lord said to me…”36:20 “who among all the gods of these lands have delivered their lands…?”2. How you can trust God37:1 “he tore his clothes… sackcloth… went into the house of the Lord” v4 “lift up your prayers”37: 2 “he sent to… Isaiah”37:4 “the Lord… will hear the words… mock the living God”3. Why you can trust God36:5 “do you think that mere words….?”, v13 “called out… hear the words of the great king…”37:6 “thus says the Lord: do not be afraid…”37:7 “he shall hear a rumor… I will make him fall by the sword”Prayer of ConfessionOur good and trustworthy Father, we humble ourselves in your presence. We confess that we have been fearful when we should have trusted, skeptical when we should have believed, selfish when we should have loved, and arrogant when we should have been humble. Forgive us for relying on ourselves rather than on You, for placing our trust in people, ideas, institutions, and the fleeting things of this world. We acknowledge that we have done what we ought not to have done, and left undone what we ought to have done. Have mercy on us and forgive our sins. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhere do you struggle to trust God? What do you easily trust God for or about? What areas are hard?Should we ask the question “can I trust God?” How do we be thinking people but not let go of a foundation that should be assumed?Is there anything you can point to that makes it hard for you to trust God? What does it look like to work that out with God (instead of thinking about God, to walk with God in prayer and faithfulness)?What should we be looking for to spot deception? What are some patterns or techniques enemies use?How can you trust God? What do you do? Think of a situation (a decision, a challenge, a stressor, a temptation) you may face this week – how can you trust God in it?Why is God trustworthy? What about God’s character or actions do you find most compelling?When the question arises “can I trust God?”, how does trust in Jesus focus and clarify how to answer the question?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →A Way for the Redeemed
Feb 2, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 35:1-10 (ESV)1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad; the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus;2 it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!Behold, your God will come with vengeance,with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped;6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert;7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water;in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.8 And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness;the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way; even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it;they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there.10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing;everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.Sermon OutlineWalk through life with a steadfast hope—one that strengthens you in difficulty and enriches your life with lasting goodness.1. A Messagevv3-4 “Strengthen… make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!”v1 “The wilderness… dry land… desert”, v7 “burning sand… thirsty ground… haunt of jackals”, vv8-9 “lion… ravenous beasts”2. A Redeemerv4 “Behold, your God… will come and save you.”vv5-7 “the eyes of the blind shall be opened… the ears of the deaf… the lame man… tongue of the mute… the burning sand shall become a pool”vv9-10 “the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return”v2 “They shall see the glory of the Lord…”3. A Highwayv8 “a highway shall be there.. the Way of Holinessv10 “the ransomed of the Lord shall return… with singing; everlasting joy… they shall obtain… joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”Prayer of ConfessionOur gracious Redeemer, you have made a way out of sin and death. Apart from you we are utterly stuck and helpless. We confess that despite all you have done and revealed, we still give in to temptation. We confess corrupt desires. We confess dishonorable actions. We admit we fail to meet your standard of holiness. We wander from you, choosing the very paths you have warned us against. Forgive all our sins. Give life to our dry souls. Fill us afresh with your Holy Spirit. Strengthen our weak hands and steady our anxious hearts. We thank you for your boundless mercy, in Jesus’ name. Amen.Questions for ReflectionHow does hope provide strength when you face difficulties? How is hope different from optimism?What things do you tend to hope in when you feel weak or anxious?Why do people need a redeemer? What is redemption, and how does Jesus redeem his people?How is the Christian life a “path” to walk? What is good, exciting, and satisfying about the Christian way of life? What is hard?What does it mean to live a life of holiness? How does a future filled with joy and absent of sorrow help you face hardships in the present?What can we do when you have periods of spiritual dryness?How can you start to experience more of the joy of walking with God? What would help you come alive?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Misplaced Trust
Jan 26, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Tim ChangSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 30:1-18 (ESV)1 “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord,“who carry out a plan, but not mine,and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;2 who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction,to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!3 Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.4 For though his officials are at Zoan and his envoys reach Hanes,5 everyone comes to shame through a people that cannot profit them,that brings neither help nor profit, but shame and disgrace.”6 An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb.Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the adder and the flying fiery serpent,they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that cannot profit them.7 Egypt's help is worthless and empty; therefore I have called her “Rahab who sits still.”8 And now, go, write it before them on a tablet and inscribe it in a book,that it may be for the time to come as a witness forever.9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children,children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right;speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,11 leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel,“Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them,13 therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant;14 and its breaking is like that of a potter's vessel that is smashed so ruthlesslythat among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,“In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”But you were unwilling, 16 and you said,“No! We will flee upon horses”; therefore you shall flee away;and, “We will ride upon swift steeds”; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.17 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee,till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill.18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.Sermon Outline1. The stubbornness of misplaced trust (v. 1-2, 9-11, 7)v. 1-2: “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin; who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!v. 9-11: For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD; who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions, leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”v. 7: Egypt’s help is worthless and empty; therefore I have called her “Rahab who sits still.”2. The costliness of misplaced trust (v. 6, 3, 12-14, 16, 15)v. 6: An oracle on the beasts of the Negeb. Through a land of trouble and anguish, from where come the lioness and the lion, the adder and the flying fiery serpent, they carry their riches on the backs of donkeys, and their treasures on the humps of camels, to a people that cannot profit them.v. 3: Therefore shall the protection of Pharaoh turn to your shame, and the shelter in the shadow of Egypt to your humiliation.v. 12-14: Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, “Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant; and its breaking is like that of a potter’s vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.”v. 15: For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling.3. An invitation to trust in God again (v. )v. 1: “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the LORD,v. 9: For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the LORD. v. 18: Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.Prayer of ConfessionHeavenly Father, you invite us to completely trust in you, but we often misplace our trust. We do not see you as trustworthy, and so we look to other things and people to trust in. We struggle with stubbornness, believing that what we do is right and best. We pay with our time, energy, resources, and affections. But you patiently wait for us to return. And when we return, you are always there to receive us. May we turn to you, run to you, and find our rest in you. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhat connected with you from the sermon or the passage?What helps you to trust in God? What makes it difficult to trust in God?In what ways do you struggle with stubbornness? What do you think is at the core of this struggle for you? Are there people in your life that you trust who will speak hard but necessary truth to you? When has this happened?Where do you place your trust in that is not God? In what ways have you “made payment” to the thing or person that you trust in? In what setting have you essentially prayed to God, “thy will be done”? Are there certain areas of your life that you sense God calling you to pray this prayer to him?As you imagine God waiting for you to return (whether from besetting sin, or an unwise decision, or something else), what does that picture do for your heart and soul? Do you trust that he is waiting and ready to receive you? What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Inner Threats
Jan 19, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Tim ChangSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 29:9-24 (ESV)9 Astonish yourselves and be astonished; blind yourselves and be blind!Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not with strong drink!10 For the Lord has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep,and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).11 And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” 12 And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”13 And the Lord said:“Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me,and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder;and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”15 Ah, you who hide deep from the Lord your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”16 You turn things upside down!Shall the potter be regarded as the clay,that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”;or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?17 Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?18 In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book,and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.19 The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.20 For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,21 who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.22 Therefore thus says the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:“Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale.23 For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name;they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.24 And those who go astray in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction.”Sermon Outline1. The inner threat of indifference (v. 9-12)v. 9-10: Astonish yourselves and be astonished; blind yourselves and be blind! Be drunk, but not with wine; stagger, but not with strong drink! For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes (the prophets), and covered your heads (the seers).v. 11-12: 11: And the vision of all this has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed. When men give it to one who can read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.”2. The inner threat of pride (v. 13, 15-16)v. 16: You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?v. 13: And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men.v. 15: Ah, you who hide deep from the LORD your counsel, whose deeds are in the dark, and who say, “Who sees us? Who knows us?”3. The rescue we need from the outside (v. 14, 17-24)v. 14: Therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder.v. 22-23: Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: “Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale. For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.Prayer of ConfessionHeavenly Father, there are real threats all around us, but we fail to admit that we ourselves are a threat. We struggle with indifference and do not marvel at how wonderful you are. We struggle with pride and make too much of ourselves. Instead of seeing people for their innate worth, we strip them of their dignity and see them as objects. We look to you as a means for our personal gain. But how amazing is your grace that you rescue us when we do not deserve it, and you extend mercy even though we deserve judgment. May your grace and patience towards us transform our hearts and minds to be more like Jesus. We pray this in his name. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhat connected with you from the sermon or the passage?Have you felt indifference towards God? How did that affect your life at the time? How do you see indifference as a threat? In what ways do you struggle with pride? How does that affect your relationships with other people? How have you looked to God to get things from him more so than worshiping him? Of all the things that God has given us that we do not deserve, what resonates the most for you at this time? His kindness, his patience, his rescue, his compassion, etc? Meditate on this and allow your heart to be moved to worship.What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Holes In the Veil of Death
Jan 12, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 25:1-12 (ESV)1 O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name,for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.2 For you have made the city a heap, the fortified city a ruin;the foreigners' palace is a city no more; it will never be rebuilt.3 Therefore strong peoples will glorify you; cities of ruthless nations will fear you.4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat;for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall,5 like heat in a dry place.You subdue the noise of the foreigners; as heat by the shade of a cloud, so the song of the ruthless is put down.6 On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.7 And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations.8 He will swallow up death forever;and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.9 It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”10 For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain, and Moab shall be trampled down in his place, as straw is trampled down in a dunghill.11 And he will spread out his hands in the midst of it as a swimmer spreads his hands out to swim, but the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands.12 And the high fortifications of his walls he will bring down, lay low, and cast to the ground, to the dust.Sermon OutlineHow do we live when the veil of death (v7) produces ignorance and confusion?1. Humblyv11 “the Lord will lay low his pompous pride together with the skill of his hands” v3 “cities of ruthless nations” (vv4-5)2. Faithfullyv6 “…the Lord of hosts will make… a feast of rich food…”v7-8 “he will swallow up on this mountain the covering… death forever…will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach… he will take away”v1 “for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure”3. Wiselyv9 “It will be said… ‘this is our God; we have waited for him… let us be glad…”v1 “O Lord, you are my God… I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.”v5 “You subdue the noise…”Prayer of ConfessionO Lord, we have been confused and fearful. We are guilty of pride and ruthlessness. We admit we have sinned. We have failed to know and trust you. We have followed the course of the world, causing harm and shame. We are guilty in our actions and in our secret thoughts. Take away the reproach and free us from sin and death. Your word, your plan, your purposes are trustworthy. We rejoice that you are so merciful to us. We wait on you, trusting in the grace you have shown us through Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhat can we know about death? What can’t we know? How does mortality affect you? What are implications of your view of what happens after we die?Why are people so prone to pride? What draws us towards pride, associating with the proud, and having buy-in on the values or ways of those who are proud?Why does pride move in the trajectory towards ruthlessness?What impact does pride have on how we view and understand God? What are some things we can learn from God “swallowing up death”?How does understanding God’s plans help make sense of life? While we don’t know all the details of our particular lives, how does knowing the framework help you navigate the present?What has God shown us that gives us cause to rejoice and have hope? How do we sustain hope in a world that has so much that is terrible in it?Is the Christian life worth living? Is it wise, good, worthy of our devotion? Why or why not?What are some outcomes of a life faithfully lived with Christ, according to his ways?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Hope that Doesn’t Fail
Jan 5, 2025Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 20:1-6 (ESV)1 In the year that the commander in chief, who was sent by Sargon the king of Assyria, came to Ashdod and fought against it and captured it— 2 at that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, “Go, and loose the sackcloth from your waist and take off your sandals from your feet,” and he did so, walking naked and barefoot.3 Then the Lord said, “As my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and a portent against Egypt and Cush, 4 so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles, both the young and the old, naked and barefoot, with buttocks uncovered, the nakedness of Egypt. 5 Then they shall be dismayed and ashamed because of Cush their hope and of Egypt their boast. 6 And the inhabitants of this coastland will say in that day, ‘Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria! And we, how shall we escape?’”Sermon OutlineAs we step into this new year, let’s ground our hope in something lasting and true, avoiding the disappointment that often comes from trusting in things that fade or fail.1. Misplaced Hopevv1-2 “In the year… at that time the Lord spoke by Isaiah…” v6 “Behold, this is what has happened to those in whom we hoped and to whom we fled for help to be delivered from the king of Assyria!” 2. Dismay and Shamevv3-5 “…so shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptian captives and the Cushite exiles… they shall be dismayed and ashamed…”3. The Servant Who Is a Signv3 “my servant Isaiah has walked naked and barefoot for three years as a sign”Prayer of ConfessionAlmighty and merciful God, we humbly confess that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. We have sought life, security, and salvation in things that cannot satisfy, and we have trusted in our own strength rather than in Your unfailing love. Our hearts have strayed, and our affections have been divided. Forgive us for our misplaced hopes and the ways we have turned from You. Purify us, O Lord, and renew us by Your Spirit. Clothe us in the righteousness of Christ, that we may live faithfully and reflect Your grace to the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.Questions for ReflectionAs you enter 2025, have you made any resolutions? Why or why not? What are your hopes for this year, and where does your hope ultimately rest?Why is it risky to place our deepest hopes in people, possessions, goals, or ideologies? How might this shape our lives and expectations?Can you recall a time when you placed your hope in something that ultimately failed? How did that experience affect you—emotionally, spiritually, or mentally? What lessons did you take away from it?Isaiah was called to walk “naked” for three years as a prophetic sign. How does this strike you? If you lived during his time, how might this affect your ability to trust his message? Would it clarify or complicate things for you?When you feel afraid, where do you instinctively turn for comfort, guidance, or distraction? Who or what consistently gives you hope during difficult times?How can Christians faithfully live “in the world but not of the world”? How do we avoid being consumed by worldly pursuits, while also resisting an escapist faith that disconnects from real life?The Bible presents Jesus as the only secure foundation for our hope. What do you find compelling about trusting in Him? In what areas do you find it challenging to place your trust fully in Christ?How can you begin to shift your hope from temporary things to Christ? What practical steps can you take to realign your thoughts, habits, and commitments with Him?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →An Enduring Hope
Dec 29, 2024Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Tim ChangSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 14:1-23 (ESV)1 For the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel, and will set them in their own land, and sojourners will join them and will attach themselves to the house of Jacob. 2 And the peoples will take them and bring them to their place, and the house of Israel will possess them in the Lord's land as male and female slaves. They will take captive those who were their captors, and rule over those who oppressed them.3 When the Lord has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve, 4 you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon:“How the oppressor has ceased, the insolent fury ceased!5 The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers,6 that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows,that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution.7 The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing.8 The cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying,‘Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us.’9 Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come;it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth;it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations.10 All of them will answer and say to you:‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’11 Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps;maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers.12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn!How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven;above the stars of God I will set my throne on high;I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north;14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’15 But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.16 Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you:‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms,17 who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’18 All the kings of the nations lie in glory, each in his own tomb;19 but you are cast out, away from your grave, like a loathed branch,clothed with the slain, those pierced by the sword, who go down to the stones of the pit, like a dead body trampled underfoot.20 You will not be joined with them in burial, because you have destroyed your land, you have slain your people.“May the offspring of evildoers nevermore be named!21 Prepare slaughter for his sons because of the guilt of their fathers,lest they rise and possess the earth, and fill the face of the world with cities.”22 “I will rise up against them,” declares the Lord of hosts, “and will cut off from Babylon name and remnant, descendants and posterity,” declares the Lord. 23 “And I will make it a possession of the hedgehog, and pools of water, and I will sweep it with the broom of destruction,” declares the Lord of hosts.Sermon OutlineRemembering Past Promises (v. 1-2)Confronting the Present Reality (v. 3-21)Holding onto a Future Certainty (v. 22-23)Prayer of ConfessionHeavenly Father, the darkness of the world looms overs us. We fail to remember your promises from of old. We are prone to trust the powers of the world instead of yours. We struggle with despair and sometimes believe that hoping is in vain. But you are the sovereign and compassionate God who has made good on your promise by sending Jesus to be our salvation. May we trust in his finished work that gives us an enduring hope. Amen.Questions for ReflectionWhat connected with you from the sermon or the passage?Why do you think it was difficult for the Israelites to remember God’s promises? Why do you find it difficult to remember God’s promises?How does the prophesied downfall of Babylon in Isaiah 14 illustrate the limits of worldly power? Discuss the tension between confronting the present reality with all of its struggles along with God’s sovereignty. Describes the differences between how Babylon shows power and how Jesus shows power.In what ways do you need to hold onto the future certainty secured for us by Jesus? What do you sense God calling you to do from this passage?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →Wisdom and the Hope of Christmas
Dec 22, 2024Tap to summarizeAudio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott StrickmanSermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the LordIsaiah 11:1-10 (ESV)1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord.He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear,4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth;and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat,and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den.9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain;for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.Sermon OutlineIn a hope destroying world, what can we know that will lead to wise living?1. Foolish Humanityv3 “And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see…”2. The Wise Humanv2 “the Spirit of the Lord… of wisdom…”v5 “righteousness… faithfulness the belt…”3. Humankind Called to Wisdomv10 “the root of Jesse… a signal… the nations inquire” (v1 “stump of Jesse”)v8 “the nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra”v2 “the Spirit of knowledge”, v9 “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord”Prayer of ConfessionOur wise and faithful God, forgive us for our foolishness. We have all sinned. We have looked with our eyes, desired in our hearts, and done what we know we should not. We have been unrighteous and unfaithful. Through Jesus, the only righteous and faithful one, we ask that you forgive all our sins. Cleanse us from all unrighteousness and fill us with the Spirit of wisdom. Amen.Questions for ReflectionDoes the Christmas story feel like a fantasy? What are the important elements of the story? What is true and helpful? Differentiate the story as the Bible tells it and as our culture celebrates it.How are people foolish? What patterns are true of all of us? What are some ways we are we fooled?What evidence in our world displays how foolish humanity is?How was Jesus wise? What about his life or teachings show that he lived how people should live? What in his teaches helps people to have deeper discernment?How does Jesus image God? What can we see of God when we look at Jesus?Why is the birth of Jesus significant? In what ways is his arrival a signal to all people? How does following Jesus make a person wise? What does it mean to “know God”? Why does wisdom require more than facts and information?How does delighting in reverence for God produce wisdom in us? How does it protect us? What sources of delight typically rank higher in your life?Read AheadIsaiah Sermon Series
Transcribe →