November 30, 2025 | Mike Rogers
Passage: Isaiah
The book of Isaiah tells the story of the salvation of God’s people through judgement. Because of their sin and idolatry, Jerusalem will fall and God’s people will be exiled. However, Isaiah’s message of judgment comes with a message of hope. God will fulfill His promise to His people – promises made thousands of years before in Genesis 12. Even though God promised deliverance and comfort, the people were discouraged and doubted.
God responds in chapter 41. The exile was divinely orchestrated judgment for their sin. He told them to look at His sovereign work in history, put away the idols, and live in a way that the nations would see that Israel’s God is the King of all.
Do you ever read the passages of scripture and wonder what was up with the Israelites? How could they act the way that they did? But if you are honest with yourself, you often act as they did. We all do. Do you ever feel weary? Do you fight for faith? Are you ever confused with where you might fit into God’s plan? Do you long for God’s plan to be completed? Waiting is hard. We can all attest that the trappings of the world can pull our hearts toward lesser things. Are you tempted to allow those lesser things to take the “driver’s seat?” This is idolatry.
This was a major part of Isaiah's warning to the Israelites. Just as he told the Israelites to put away idols, so must you. Whatever your heart clings to is really your god. It needn’t be an image of wood. What are you to do? Take a good look at Jesus! When you see Jesus clearly, you will see that He is better than any idol that you can build or hold in your hearts. You play a vital part in His sovereign plan.
Sermon Outline
1. See that Jesus is better. Vs. 1-4
2. See that you play an important part in His sovereign plan. Vs. 5-9