Discovering Faith: The Treasure of Jesus Christ
Summary
Isaiah 53 is a profound chapter that invites us to look deeply at the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It presents the greatest good news the world has ever heard, yet it is met with overwhelming unbelief across cultures. This unbelief stems from being distracted by wrong considerations, drawn to wrong priorities, and driven by wrong desires. Isaiah begins by highlighting the primary problem from which we need salvation: our own sinful unbelief. To come to faith, one must take an honest look at oneself and recognize the need for a savior, and then look to Jesus Christ as that savior.
Isaiah 53 invites us to examine Jesus' early life, where he grew up quietly, aware of God's presence in everything he did. Jesus is our model for growing up, focusing on wisdom, physical health, mental development, and spiritual growth. This focus releases us from anxiety and pressure to stand out. Today, we focus on Jesus' ministry, where he was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows acquainted with grief. This does not mean Jesus was unhappy; rather, he was full of joy, as he spoke of his joy being in us so that our joy may be full.
Jesus was a man of sorrows because he was despised and rejected by men. Despite performing miracles and preaching good news, he was not esteemed. Unbelief is a decision involving the mind, heart, and will. The mind calculates, the heart directs, and the will decides. This process is evident in how people rejected Jesus, seeing no value in him. However, the heart can be changed when the mind makes a new calculation based on a new discovery. Jesus is like a field with hidden treasure; when you discover this treasure, your heart will change, and you will desire to make Christ your own.
Key Takeaways:
- Unbelief is rooted in being distracted by wrong considerations, drawn to wrong priorities, and driven by wrong desires. Recognizing these can guide conversations with unbelieving friends and loved ones. [01:01]
- Jesus' early life teaches us to grow in wisdom, physical health, mental development, and spiritual growth. Following his model releases us from anxiety and the pressure to stand out. [04:04]
- Jesus, a man of sorrows, was full of joy. His joy is meant to be in us, making our joy complete. Despite being despised and rejected, he offers us the greatest treasure. [06:56]
- Unbelief involves the mind, heart, and will. The mind calculates, the heart directs, and the will decides. Understanding this process helps us see how decisions, including unbelief, are formed. [18:17]
- The heart changes when the mind makes a new calculation based on a new discovery. Discovering the treasure in Jesus leads to a changed heart and a desire to make him your own. [27:09]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Isaiah 53
[00:29] - The Problem of Unbelief
[01:01] - Distractions and Wrong Desires
[02:06] - Path to Faith
[03:01] - Jesus' Early Life
[05:02] - Jesus' Ministry
[06:56] - Joy in Jesus
[08:18] - Rejection of Jesus
[10:10] - Our Verdict on Jesus
[11:30] - Decision-Making Process
[17:31] - How God Changes Hearts
[22:58] - New Calculations and Discoveries
[27:26] - Applying the Principle
[34:24] - Overcoming Unbelief
[37:14] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Isaiah 53
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 53:1-3
- John 15:11
- Romans 8:7
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Isaiah 53, what are the reasons for the world's overwhelming unbelief in Jesus? [00:29]
2. How does Isaiah describe Jesus' early life, and what does this suggest about his character and upbringing? [03:01]
3. What does it mean that Jesus was a "man of sorrows," and how does this relate to his experience of joy? [06:56]
4. How does the sermon describe the process by which people come to a verdict about Jesus? [10:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between unbelief and being distracted by wrong considerations, priorities, and desires? How might this apply to modern life? [01:01]
2. In what ways does Jesus' model of growing up in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man release us from anxiety and pressure? [04:04]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of the mind, heart, and will in the decision-making process of unbelief? [18:17]
4. What is the significance of discovering the "hidden treasure" in Jesus, and how does this discovery lead to a changed heart? [27:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there distractions or wrong priorities that might be hindering your faith? How can you address these distractions this week? [01:01]
2. Jesus grew in wisdom, physical health, mental development, and spiritual growth. Which of these areas do you feel most pressured in, and how can you follow Jesus' example to find peace? [04:04]
3. Consider a time when you felt rejected or despised. How can Jesus' experience as a "man of sorrows" provide comfort and strength in your situation? [06:56]
4. Think about a decision you are currently facing. How can you ensure that your mind, heart, and will are aligned with God's desires rather than your own? [18:17]
5. Identify a person in your life who does not yet believe in Jesus. How can you show them the "treasure" in Jesus this week, and what specific steps will you take to engage them in a spiritual conversation? [29:34]
6. When facing temptation, what "treasure" in Jesus can you focus on to strengthen your resolve to resist? How will you remind yourself of this treasure in moments of weakness? [27:42]
7. Reflect on a recent discovery or insight about Jesus that has changed your perspective. How can you share this discovery with others to encourage their faith journey? [27:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Recognizing Distractions and Desires
Unbelief often arises from being distracted by wrong considerations, drawn to wrong priorities, and driven by wrong desires. These distractions can cloud our judgment and lead us away from the truth of the Gospel. To overcome unbelief, it is essential to identify these distractions and desires that pull us away from faith. By recognizing these influences, we can better guide conversations with unbelieving friends and loved ones, helping them see the truth of Jesus Christ. [01:01]
Isaiah 44:20 (ESV): "He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, 'Is there not a lie in my right hand?'"
Reflection: What are some distractions or desires in your life that might be hindering your faith? How can you address these to focus more on your relationship with Jesus?
Day 2: Emulating Jesus' Growth
Jesus' early life teaches us the importance of growing in wisdom, physical health, mental development, and spiritual growth. By following his model, we can release ourselves from the anxiety and pressure to stand out in the world. Jesus grew up quietly, aware of God's presence in everything he did, and this awareness can guide us in our own growth. Emulating Jesus' balanced development can lead to a more fulfilling and peaceful life. [04:04]
Luke 2:52 (ESV): "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man."
Reflection: In which area of your life—wisdom, physical health, mental development, or spiritual growth—do you feel most pressured to stand out? How can you follow Jesus' example to find peace in this area?
Day 3: Joy Amidst Rejection
Despite being a man of sorrows, Jesus was full of joy, and he desires for his joy to be in us, making our joy complete. His life was marked by rejection and grief, yet he remained joyful because of his deep connection with God. This joy is available to us, even in the face of rejection or sorrow. By focusing on the treasure that Jesus offers, we can experience a joy that transcends our circumstances. [06:56]
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: How can you cultivate joy in your life, even when facing rejection or sorrow? What steps can you take to deepen your connection with Jesus to experience his joy?
Day 4: Understanding the Decision-Making Process
Unbelief involves the mind, heart, and will. The mind calculates, the heart directs, and the will decides. Understanding this process helps us see how decisions, including unbelief, are formed. By recognizing how our mind, heart, and will interact, we can better understand our own beliefs and the beliefs of others. This understanding can lead to more compassionate and effective conversations about faith. [18:17]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did your mind, heart, and will play a role in that decision? How can you invite God into your decision-making process?
Day 5: Discovering the Treasure in Jesus
The heart changes when the mind makes a new calculation based on a new discovery. Discovering the treasure in Jesus leads to a changed heart and a desire to make him your own. This transformation begins with a new understanding of who Jesus is and what he offers. By seeking this treasure, we can experience a profound change in our desires and priorities, leading to a deeper relationship with Christ. [27:09]
Matthew 13:44 (ESV): "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field."
Reflection: What new discovery about Jesus can you seek today that might change your heart? How can you actively pursue this treasure in your daily life?
Quotes
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the greatest good news that this world has ever heard and yet across the world and in every culture, the dominant response to the good news of Jesus is one of overwhelming unbelief. [00:19:02]
Isaiah begins this marvelous chapter in which he invites us to look to Jesus by telling us that the primary problem for from which we need to be saved is the problem of our own sinful unbelief. [00:96:72]
When you take an honest look at yourself you will see that you are a sinner who needs a savior and when you see that you'll be well on your way to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:137:44]
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and with man, and here's what God calls us to do as we are growing up we follow the model of Jesus. [00:249:12]
Jesus preached good news, and it is impossible to preach good news with a long face. The Bible says that God is forever blessed, he's content in himself, he's at peace in himself, he is full of joy in himself, and Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. [00:419:75]
Unbelief is a decision in which the whole person is involved: the mind, the heart, the will. They're all fully engaged in faith, and they're all fully engaged in unbelief as well. [00:662:00]
The mind calculates, then we make decisions as the heart directs. Notice what Isaiah says here as one from whom men hide their faces. Now as esteemed takes us into the world of the mind, these words about hiding our faces clearly get us into the world of the heart. [00:852:95]
The heart will be changed when the mind does a new calculation based on a new discovery. [00:1386:96]
Jesus is like a field in which treasure lies buried. If you get the field, you get the treasure, and Isaiah 53 is really a display of the treasure is telling you all that is yours if you have Jesus Christ. [00:1565:67]
Knowing the treasure will change your heart, and when your heart gets sets on the treasure you will have the will, you will have the desire, to make Christ your own whatever it costs you. [00:1605:67]
Show them the treasure, show them what could be theirs in the Lord Jesus Christ, show them the great things that Jesus Christ offers. He's like a field in which there is buried treasure, and when you have the field you are infinitely rich in Jesus Christ. [00:1827:12]
Isaiah 53 is telling us what we need to know in order to make a right evaluation of Jesus, and what we need to know is that there is treasure in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that this treasure that is in Christ can be yours. [00:2075:35]
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