Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Bread of Adversity (Isaiah 28:1-33:1)

Read the text – Isaiah 28:1-33:1

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this sermon, Ken Noakes shows us how God’s punishes and saves Jerusalem – bringing them back to himself through the bread of adversity and water of affliction. This might not be the meal the people of Israel want, but it’s what they need. And even when his people are unfaithful, he is faithful. God will use both the good and the bad to bring about his plans, so we should trust God, even when things don’t seem good.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Feast of all Nations (Isaiah 24:1-27:13)

Read the text – Isaiah 24:1-27:13

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this sermon, Dave Swan shows us a beautiful picture of heaven, with people from all nations coming to the mountain of the Lord, and enjoying the fruit of the vineyard, with death being swallowed up forever. We have seen God’s power over the nations – we now get a glimpse of God’s plan for the nations. In the midst of hopelessness, we hear songs of joy from the most unlikely of places as God’s gospel goes to all nations.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Key and the Peg (Isaiah 21:1-23:18)

Read the text – Isaiah 21:1-23:18

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

Eliakim holds the keys, but ultimately no political leader can save the people. The peg gives way. But Jesus hold the keys forever, the true peg and true key who stands firm. In this sermon, Ken Noakes shows how God is in control and works for our good. Our first response should always be to turn to him, not trusting in our own strength, or the strength of others, but only in Jesus.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Army of the LORD (Isaiah 13:1-20:6)

Read the text – Isaiah 13:1-20:6

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this sermon, Dave Swan shows how God is in control of all nations and all of history, and how he will use the nations, even when their actions are evil, to bring about his good will. God’s will cannot be thwarted or derailed, and his goal is to bring about salvation for his people.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Banner of Salvation (Isaiah 9:8-12:6)

Read the text – Isaiah 9:8-12:6

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this sermon, Josh Schroder explains how, even though judgement has fallen, God has raised a banner of salvation for all nations, and he will bring his people home. God’s promise of salvation is fulfilled perfectly in Christ, and no matter what calamity might befall us now, our future resting place is secure.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Flood of the LORD (Isaiah 7:1-9:7)

Read the text – Isaiah 7:1-9:7

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this talk, Nick Lindeback explains how God will bring about salvation through judgement, and that judgement can come via any means God chooses. We also face God’s judgement, but we see the salvation God has provided in Christ.

Bible Talk Outline

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Vineyard of the LORD (Isaiah 5:1-6:13)

Read the text – Isaiah 5:1-6:13

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this Bible talk, Neil Atwood describes the imagery of the vineyard, in the context of God’s holiness, and how God’s judgement and mercy is a necessary extension of his holiness. And we should rejoice in the holiness God offers to us.

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Branch of the LORD (Isaiah 2:6-4:6)

Read the text – Isaiah 2:5-4:6

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this Bible talk, Nick Lindeback describes how there will be a day when God punishes the sin of his people, but the result of this judgment – a holy people and the beautiful branch of the LORD. Mercy will come through judgement. Therefore flee to Jesus, let him take the judgement for us, so we may we spend eternity in the beautiful presence of the LORD.

Bible Talk Outline

Sermon – Pictures of Judgement and Grace: The Mountain of the LORD (Isaiah 1:1-2:5)

Read the text – Isaiah 1:1-2:5

The people of Judah face a number of crises from within (their own sin) and without (the alliance of Israel and Syria, the power of Assyria). Who will they trust to rescue them? Themselves? Foreign Nations? or God Almighty?

In this Bible talk, Nick Lindeback describes how God will restore his people and bless the world, those who have turned their backs on him, through salvation and through judgement.

Bible Talk Outline

Sermon Series – RethinKING Easter

Forget crowns and castles! What does it REALLY mean to be a king? This Easter, it’s time to rethink everything you thought you knew about power, sacrifice, and the true King who changed the world forever. We are “RethinKING Easter.”

Palm Sunday – The King of Peace

Read the text – Zechariah 9:9-17; Luke 19:28-44

We can define a king as one with the power to raise an army yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship because he comes as one who is “gentle and riding on a donkey”.  The kingship that he brings is one of peace in the face of war.  We need not be threatened by Jesus but welcome him with praise.

In this talk Ken Noakes helps us to see the long-term fulfillment of what was long proclaimed about God’s King – and story that spanned 500 years from prophecy to fulfillment.

Good Friday – The King of Service

Read the text – Exodus 12:14-28; Luke 22:1-37

We can define a King as one who people serve, yet Jesus defies this kind of kingship by being the one who came to serve, laying down his life for his friends.

In this talk, Gary Haddon helps us to see in Jesus a sovereign King who suffered and a king who suffered in order to save.

Easter Sunday – The King of Life

Read the text – Luke 23:50-24:35; Acts 2:22-39

A way to define kingship by succession – yet we still recognize that for every king, no matter his power, or influence, or riches – they will one day die. Yet Jesus defies kingship in almost every way – not least of all in his death and then resurrection. A king, who in death gave his riches as an internal inheritance for all who trust in him. That is Easter.

In this talk Neil Atwood will help us consider the significance of Jesus’ resurrection as a certain indicator of Jesus’ true kingship over all of life.