GOOD NEWSSunday 8th December 2013

(The Gospel according to Isaiah PART 3)

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “Good News”?

In a Mail shot…“Congratulations! You’ve won a guaranteed prize”On answering the phone…“Congratulations! I can offer you a free holiday”

Is this Good News?

“Tesco are selling Hagan Daas at 2 for £4!”

In Conversation …“Man U lost again!”

Message on the Computer…“Your system is now free of infections.”

Good News

Gospel

εὐαγγέλίον euangelion

truth

proclamation

power

light

The gospel according to IsaiahOur story did not start at the first Christmas...

... We are part of the BIG Story, told right from the start of the Bible

The OT books most used by NT writers are:• Psalms (79 quotations, 333 allusions)• Isaiah (66 quotations, 348 allusions)

The gospel according to IsaiahThe people walking in darkness have seen a great light...

...unto us a son is born...

A NEWKING

THESERVANT

A HERALDOF

GOOD NEWS

The bringer of Good News in IsaiahNo beśōrâ = euangelion = g0spel / good news BUTbāśār = euangelizo(menos) = bringer of good tidings

(evangelist?)Is 40:9Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news;lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Is 41:27I was the first to say to Zion, “Behold, here they are!” and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.

The bringer of Good News in IsaiahNo beśōrâ = euangelion = g0spel / good news BUTbāśār = euangelizo(menos) = bringer of good tidings

(evangelist?)Is 52:7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Is 60:6ball those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.

Isaiah 611 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners [or the

blind],2 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion –to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendour.

Isaiah 614 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.6 And you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast.7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion,and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,and everlasting joy will be yours.

Isaiah 618 ‘For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing.In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them.9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples.All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the LORD has blessed.’

Luke 421 [Jesus] began by saying to them, ‘Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’

Good news for all...• Good news for poor

• Bind up broken-

hearted

• Freedom for

prisoners

• Release from

darkness

• Favour of God

• Comfort for grieving

• Praise in place of

despair

• Is anyone poor / in

need?

• Is anyone broken-

hearted?

• Is anyone trapped?

• Unsure what’s

ahead?

• Distant from God?

• Is anyone sad or

grieving?

• Is anyone lacking

hope?

Good news for all...

Good news for all...• Oaks of

righteousness

• Displaying God’s

splendour

• Restoring ruins

• Served by others

• Priests of God

• No more shame

• Everlasting Joy (&

blessing)

Good news for all...• Do you want to be

upright?

• to glorify God?

• to restore ruined

lives?

• to be supported by

others?

• to help others find

God?

• to be free of shame?

• to live in joy?