Christ: Our Sustainer in Times of Darkness
Summary
### Summary
In times of darkness and anxiety, it is crucial to remember that Christ is always in our corner. His presence, His Word, and His constant communication with the Father provide us with the strength and comfort we need to face life's challenges. Reflecting on the story of the diphtheria outbreak in Nome, Alaska, we see how desperate situations can be overcome through perseverance and faith. Just as the dog sled teams braved treacherous conditions to deliver life-saving antitoxin, Christ works tirelessly to bring us through our darkest times.
Isaiah's unique prose in today's passage speaks of the servant, Jesus Christ, who is obedient to the Father's will. Christ, who was taught by the Father, sustains us with His Word. This Word has the power to move us from despair to exaltation. The examples of reluctant prophets like Moses, Jonah, and Jeremiah show that even those who feel unworthy or hesitant can be used by God to accomplish His will. Christ, however, is the ultimate obedient servant, always in communication with the Father and ready to sustain us with His Word.
Christ's daily practice of prayer and listening to the Father serves as a model for us. He wakes up every morning, prays, and listens for the Father's guidance. This constant communication is what enables Him to sustain us. Even in the face of adversity, Christ willingly endured suffering because He knew the ultimate victory was His resurrection, which vindicated Him and assures us of our own vindication.
Isaiah's message is clear: Christ is our mediator, our sustainer, and our vindicator. He takes on all our enemies and assures us that our troubles are temporary. Just as a moth eats away at clothing, our adversaries will soon be gone. In Christ, we find the strength to face any challenge, knowing that He is always in our corner.
### Key Takeaways
1. Christ's Presence in Dark Times: In moments of darkness and anxiety, Christ's presence is our greatest comfort. His constant communication with the Father and His role as our mediator provide us with the strength to endure. Just as the dog sled teams in Nome braved harsh conditions to deliver life-saving antitoxin, Christ works tirelessly to bring us through our darkest times. [00:59]
2. The Power of Christ's Word: Isaiah speaks of Christ as the servant who sustains us with His Word. This Word has the power to move us from despair to exaltation. Even when life is challenging, Christ's Word can instill faith and hope in us, guiding us through difficult times. [06:00]
3. The Importance of Daily Prayer: Christ's daily practice of prayer and listening to the Father serves as a model for us. By waking up every morning and seeking the Father's guidance, Christ shows us the importance of constant communication with God. This practice sustains us and keeps us aligned with God's will. [09:09]
4. Christ's Willingness to Suffer for Us: Christ willingly endured suffering, knowing that His ultimate victory was His resurrection. This act of obedience and sacrifice assures us of our own vindication. Just as Christ was vindicated by the Father, we too will be vindicated through our faith in Him. [10:19]
5. Temporary Nature of Our Troubles: Isaiah reminds us that our adversaries and troubles are temporary. Just as a moth eats away at clothing, our challenges will soon be gone. In Christ, we find the assurance that our present difficulties are but a passing phase, and we can trust in His ultimate victory. [12:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - The Diphtheria Outbreak in Nome
[01:53] - Challenges of Delivering the Antitoxin
[02:39] - The Urgent Telegram
[03:34] - The Treacherous Journey
[04:30] - Balto's Heroic Run
[05:18] - Isaiah's Unique Prose
[06:00] - The Servant's Obedience
[06:33] - Reluctant Prophets
[07:32] - Christ's Daily Prayer
[08:08] - Sustained by the Word
[09:09] - Christ's Morning Routine
[10:19] - Christ's Willing Sacrifice
[10:48] - Christ's Vindication
[11:47] - Christ in Our Corner
[12:18] - Temporary Nature of Troubles
[12:48] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 50:4-9a - "The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me?"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah say about the servant's relationship with the Father in Isaiah 50:4-5?
2. How does Isaiah describe the servant's response to suffering and adversity in Isaiah 50:6?
3. According to the sermon, what daily practice did Christ engage in that sustained Him? [09:09]
4. What analogy is used in the sermon to describe the temporary nature of our troubles? [12:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the servant's obedience to the Father in Isaiah 50:4-5 serve as a model for believers today?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Christ's Word can move us from despair to exaltation? [08:08]
3. How does Christ's willingness to suffer, as described in Isaiah 50:6 and the sermon, assure us of our own vindication? [10:19]
4. What does the analogy of the moth eating away at clothing in the sermon imply about the nature of our adversaries and troubles? [12:18]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by darkness or anxiety. How did you experience Christ's presence during that time? [00:59]
2. How can you incorporate Christ's daily practice of prayer and listening to the Father into your own morning routine? What specific steps will you take to make this a habit? [09:09]
3. Think of a situation where you felt unworthy or hesitant to follow God's call, similar to the reluctant prophets mentioned in the sermon. How can you overcome these feelings and trust in God's plan for you? [06:33]
4. Christ endured suffering knowing the ultimate victory was His resurrection. How can this perspective help you face your current challenges with hope and faith? [10:19]
5. Identify a current trouble or adversary in your life. How can you remind yourself that, like a moth eating away at clothing, this too shall pass? What practical steps can you take to trust in Christ's ultimate victory? [12:18]
6. How can you use Christ's Word to sustain someone else who is going through a difficult time? Think of a specific person and plan a way to share a word of encouragement with them this week. [08:08]
7. Reflect on the story of the diphtheria outbreak in Nome. How does this story inspire you to persevere through your own "treacherous conditions" with faith and determination? [01:53]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ's Presence in Dark Times
In moments of darkness and anxiety, Christ's presence is our greatest comfort. His constant communication with the Father and His role as our mediator provide us with the strength to endure. Just as the dog sled teams in Nome braved harsh conditions to deliver life-saving antitoxin, Christ works tirelessly to bring us through our darkest times. When we feel overwhelmed by life's challenges, we can find solace in knowing that Christ is always in our corner, advocating for us and providing the support we need to persevere. [00:59]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a recent time when you felt overwhelmed or anxious. How did you sense Christ's presence during that time, and how can you remind yourself of His constant support in future moments of darkness?
Day 2: The Power of Christ's Word
Isaiah speaks of Christ as the servant who sustains us with His Word. This Word has the power to move us from despair to exaltation. Even when life is challenging, Christ's Word can instill faith and hope in us, guiding us through difficult times. By immersing ourselves in Scripture and allowing Christ's teachings to penetrate our hearts, we can find the strength to overcome any obstacle. The transformative power of Christ's Word is a source of encouragement and inspiration, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles. [06:00]
Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."
Reflection: Reflect on a specific Bible verse or passage that has brought you comfort in difficult times. How can you incorporate this verse into your daily routine to remind yourself of Christ's sustaining power?
Day 3: The Importance of Daily Prayer
Christ's daily practice of prayer and listening to the Father serves as a model for us. By waking up every morning and seeking the Father's guidance, Christ shows us the importance of constant communication with God. This practice sustains us and keeps us aligned with God's will. Developing a habit of daily prayer can deepen our relationship with God and provide us with the clarity and strength needed to navigate life's challenges. Just as Christ relied on His connection with the Father, we too can find peace and direction through regular prayer. [09:09]
Mark 1:35 (ESV): "And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed."
Reflection: Consider your current prayer routine. How can you make time each morning to seek God's guidance and strengthen your relationship with Him through prayer?
Day 4: Christ's Willingness to Suffer for Us
Christ willingly endured suffering, knowing that His ultimate victory was His resurrection. This act of obedience and sacrifice assures us of our own vindication. Just as Christ was vindicated by the Father, we too will be vindicated through our faith in Him. Christ's willingness to suffer for us demonstrates His profound love and commitment to our salvation. By reflecting on His sacrifice, we can find the courage to face our own trials, knowing that our suffering is temporary and that we share in Christ's ultimate victory. [10:19]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: Think about a current struggle or hardship you are facing. How does Christ's willingness to suffer and His ultimate victory give you hope and strength to endure your own challenges?
Day 5: Temporary Nature of Our Troubles
Isaiah reminds us that our adversaries and troubles are temporary. Just as a moth eats away at clothing, our challenges will soon be gone. In Christ, we find the assurance that our present difficulties are but a passing phase, and we can trust in His ultimate victory. This perspective helps us to remain steadfast in our faith, knowing that Christ is in control and that our suffering will not last forever. By focusing on the eternal promises of Christ, we can navigate our temporary troubles with hope and confidence. [12:18]
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."
Reflection: Identify a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you shift your focus from the temporary nature of this trouble to the eternal promises of Christ? What practical steps can you take to maintain this perspective?
Quotes
1. "So when times do get dark, always reflect that it is Christ, His eyes that you're looking into. Stay in constant prayer with Him. It is His Word that will sustain you in a tough time. It is His being in constant presence with the Father that you then can have a comfort to be the same in prayer to God the Father using Christ as your mediator. It is Him who takes on all of your enemies in life." [00:59] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so, Isaiah says, that the Lord has given me, the Lord has given Jesus the servant, the tongue of one who has been really taught, taught as a disciple. God put into Jesus, through the Spirit, through working as a combination, as a Holy Trinity, the ability to say a word that could actually move someone out of despair into exaltation. A word. To sustain with the word, and that's what Christ does." [08:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When things are rough, it isn't that he's going to be Mr. Fix-It and change everything in your life, because bad things happen to very good Christians. Good things happen to some very evil people. And that's a hard concept to understand, so it isn't that he's going to be Mr. Fix-It, but what he will do is he will sustain us with the word. And that's a beautiful thing of how Isaiah goes through his prose. That with a word, he can heal someone. With a word, he can instill faith in them through the work of the Holy Spirit." [08:39] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So Christ. It says in Isaiah that he wakes up every morning. And when he wakes up, up after his rest as he was on earth, what was the first thing he did in the morning? He prayed. He was in communication with the Father. And you think, why would the son pray to the Father? Well, the son was being obedient to the will of his father. So every morning, he would wake up and he would pray. Morning by morning, he said, the Lord, my Father, awakens my ear to hear." [09:09] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He said, God the Father and I are going to take on any evil that's out in this world. I've been vindicated, he's saying in advance, this is the prophet Isaiah speaking in first person, that Christ has been vindicated because after his death, how did God the Father vindicate him? He raised him from the dead. Death could not hold him down. Satan could not contain him. Satan did not win with his death on the cross. Yes, he paid the price for us on the cross, but he gave us the victory through his resurrection. That's vindication." [11:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So when times do get dark, always reflect that it is Christ, His eyes that you're looking into. Stay in constant prayer with Him. It is His Word that will sustain you in a tough time. It is His being in constant presence with the Father that you then can have a comfort to be the same in prayer to God the Father using Christ as your mediator. It is Him who takes on all of your enemies in life. All of them. Knowing that just like Isaiah ends saying that like a moth eats away clothing, all your adversaries are soon going to be gone." [12:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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