Part 1 walked through the first five books of the Bible, called the Law or the Torah. This opening section of Scripture provides a foundational understanding for who God is and how we can know Him. Part 2 took us through the historical books from the time of the Judges, the conquest of the promised land and the time of the kings all the way through the return from exile. Part 3 concludes the Old Testament with highlights from the prophets – Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Malachi.
20. Holiness – Isaiah 6 – May 26, 2019
Isaiah had a vision of God in His heavenly Temple – exalted on a throne of supreme power, absolute purity and glorious perfection. In the light of God’s glory Isaiah was undone – even as a devoted prophet of the Lord – feeling terribly exposed as a “man of unclean lips.” But God provided a means to atone for his sin with a coal from the altar – a beautiful picture of the One who would lay down His life on the altar of God’s justice. May we follow Isaiah in experiencing God’s grace and committing to His mission!
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21. Servant – Isaiah 53 – June 2, 2019
Who is the “servant of the Lord?” From Isaiah 40 through chapter 61 the prophet paints a vivid picture of the true servant. Israel was supposed to faithfully serve the Lord but mostly failed in that assignment. Isaiah and the other prophets give us a partial picture of the servant. But Jesus alone is the true and ultimate servant of the Lord – filled with the power, Spirit, presence and glory of God to proclaim His word, minister His love, offer His grace and establish His justice. Are you a servant of the Lord?
Read the message here: Servant – Isaiah 53
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22. Calling – Isaiah 55 – June 9, 2019
God’s invitation to forgiveness and eternal life is open to everyone who will come to Jesus in humble faith. Isaiah 55 presents five steps to respond to God’s call: 1) thirst, 2) turn, 3) seek, 4) receive and 5) rejoice. May we come to Jesus, the fountain of living water, and bring as many people with us as we can – for NOW is the time of God’s favor!
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23. Heart – Jeremiah 31 – June 16, 2019
The prophet Jeremiah foresaw the fall of Jerusalem and the exile of Israel for 70 years but he also saw their future restoration by the mercy of God. Ultimately this restoration was fulfilled in the New Covenant Jeremiah predicted and Jesus introduced – a covenant that is 1) unconditional, 2) internal, 3) intimate, 4) eternal, 5) redemption.
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24. Tears – Lamentations 3 – June 23, 2019
Jeremiah, the faithful servant of the Lord, suffered intensely due to the sin of God’s people. As “the weeping prophet” he both points to Jesus and shows us how to find hope in the midst of suffering: 1) focus on God’s faithfulness; 2) rest quietly in God’s grace; 3) humbly acknowledge God’s justice; 4) grieve over the things that grieve God and; 5) call on the Lord in faith.
Read the message here: Tears Lamentations 3
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25. Glory – Ezekiel 1 – June 30, 2019
Ezekiel was one of the first exiles from Israel taken into Babylon. There in a distant land he saw a vision of the glory of God but sadly, the glory was departing from Israel and returning to heaven. However, God gave Ezekiel the promise that His glory would return – first to change the hearts of his people and then to usher in a new and glorious era of peace and joy forever. Read the message here: Glory Ezekiel 1 Download discussion questions here: Glory Ezekiel 1 Questions For more resources on glory click here
26. Shepherd – Ezekiel 34 – July 7, 2019
600 years before Jesus was born, in a time of great fear and distress, the Lord gave Ezekiel a vision of One Shepherd who would care for the people unlike their leaders who had neglected and abused them. This Good Shepherd would 1) seek the lost, 2) serve the hungry, 3) separate the righteous and 4) sacrifice Himself. Jesus beautifully fulfills all of this in John 10 as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
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27. Alien – Daniel 1-2 – July 14, 2019
Daniel was a teenager when he was taken from Israel to Babylon as a slave. He lived there as an alien (a refugee) for the rest of his long life. Early in his days in Babylon Daniel made some commitments that shaped his life: 1) to honor God as the One True King; 2) to stand firm in obedience to God’s Law and 3) to trust God for the outcome, whatever that might be. May we learn from Daniel’s resolve and grow in our faith in the Sovereign King of all Kings!
Read the message here: Alien Daniel 1-2
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28. Hope – Malachi 4 – July 21, 2019
Malachi, whose name means “messenger,” was the final prophet of the Old Testament before over 400 years of silence from the Lord. His book is an account of the conflict between God and His people and therefore is filled with warnings of coming judgment. Yet there are also wonderful promises to give us hope: healing, happiness, holiness and harmony in “the sun of righteousness” who would rise “with healing in its wings” (4:2).
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