Hope and Joy in the Resurrection Feast
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound hope and joy that comes from the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Despite the sorrows and limitations we face in life, the resurrection anchors our faith in the promises of Jesus. We delved into Isaiah 25, understanding the role of prophets as messengers of God who speak to the people on His behalf and vice versa. Isaiah's message is not just for the Israelites but for all nations, emphasizing the inclusivity of God's word.
We discussed the often uncomfortable topic of judgment, which Isaiah addresses extensively. Judgment is not something we eagerly anticipate, but it is necessary for our spiritual growth and humility. Isaiah's prophecies remind us of our pride and the need for repentance. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God offers hope and a promise of a future feast, a divine banquet that symbolizes His ultimate victory over death and sorrow.
The imagery of God as a chef preparing a feast for us is powerful. It reminds us that even in our deepest sorrows, God is preparing something beautiful and joyous for us. This feast is not just about physical nourishment but spiritual fulfillment. Jesus, our ultimate chef, has tasted death for us, ensuring that our sorrows are temporary and our hope eternal. This divine preparation is a testament to God's love and the promise of eternal joy and peace.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Resurrection as Our Anchor: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It provides us with hope and assurance that despite our earthly sorrows and limitations, we have a future filled with God's promises. This hope is what sustains us through life's challenges. [33:41]
2. The Role of Prophets: Prophets serve as God's messengers, speaking His words to the people and interceding on their behalf. In our daily lives, we too can act as prophets by sharing God's word and praying for others. This dual role helps us stay connected to God and His will. [36:06]
3. The Necessity of Judgment: While judgment is uncomfortable, it is essential for our spiritual growth. It reveals our pride and shortcomings, prompting us to repent and seek God's mercy. Understanding judgment helps us appreciate God's grace and the hope He offers. [40:41]
4. God's Divine Feast: The imagery of God preparing a feast for us in Isaiah 25 is a powerful reminder of His love and care. This feast symbolizes the joy and fulfillment that await us, even in the midst of our sorrows. It is a promise of eternal celebration and victory over death. [52:36]
5. Jesus as Our Ultimate Chef: Jesus has tasted death for us, ensuring that our sorrows are temporary. He prepares a divine feast, symbolizing the eternal joy and peace we will experience with Him. This imagery underscores the depth of His love and the completeness of His sacrifice. [56:56]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[33:41] - The Resurrection as Our Anchor
[34:22] - Introduction to Isaiah 25
[35:09] - The Role of Prophets
[36:06] - God Speaks Through Prophets and Jesus
[36:55] - Ephesians 4 and the Need for Prophets
[38:01] - The Task of a Prophet
[39:21] - Isaiah's Inclusive Message
[40:01] - The Importance of the Old Testament
[40:41] - The Necessity of Judgment
[42:01] - God's Detailed Plans
[43:46] - The Meaning of Fear and Reverence
[45:08] - The Dance of Preaching
[46:50] - Sorrows and Remodeling the Kitchen
[49:12] - The Aroma of God's Feast
[52:36] - God's Divine Feast
[56:56] - Jesus as Our Ultimate Chef
[59:45] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[01:05:07] - Benediction and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Isaiah 25:6-8: "On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken."
2. Hebrews 1:1-3: "In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."
3. Ephesians 4:10-12: "He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe. So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Isaiah 25:6-8 describe about the feast that God is preparing? How is this feast symbolic? [52:36]
2. According to Hebrews 1:1-3, how did God communicate with people in the past, and how does He communicate with us now? [36:06]
3. What roles does Ephesians 4:10-12 say Christ gave to the church, and for what purpose? [36:55]
4. In the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being described as our "ultimate chef"? [56:56]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the imagery of a divine feast in Isaiah 25:6-8 provide hope in the midst of judgment and sorrow? [52:36]
2. What does it mean for Jesus to be the "radiance of God's glory" and the "exact representation of his being" as stated in Hebrews 1:1-3? How does this impact our understanding of Jesus' role in our lives? [36:06]
3. How can the roles mentioned in Ephesians 4:10-12 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers) help build up the body of Christ today? [36:55]
4. Reflecting on the sermon, why is it important to understand the necessity of judgment for our spiritual growth? [40:41]
#### Application Questions
1. The resurrection of Jesus is described as the cornerstone of our faith. How can you anchor your daily life in the hope and promises of the resurrection? [33:41]
2. In what ways can you act as a prophet in your daily life by sharing God's word and praying for others? How can you be more intentional about this dual role? [36:06]
3. Judgment is often uncomfortable to think about. How can you approach the concept of judgment in a way that promotes spiritual growth and humility in your life? [40:41]
4. The sermon mentions that God is preparing a divine feast for us, symbolizing joy and fulfillment. How can you find moments of joy and hope in your current sorrows or challenges? [52:36]
5. Jesus is described as having tasted death for us, ensuring our sorrows are temporary. How does this understanding of Jesus' sacrifice influence your perspective on suffering and hope? [56:56]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in the midst of sorrow. How did that experience shape your faith and understanding of God's love and care? [51:10]
7. Considering the sermon’s message, what practical steps can you take this week to remind yourself and others of the eternal joy and peace promised by God? [57:50]
Devotional
Day 1: The Resurrection as Our Anchor
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It provides us with hope and assurance that despite our earthly sorrows and limitations, we have a future filled with God's promises. This hope is what sustains us through life's challenges. The resurrection is not just a historical event but a living reality that impacts our daily lives. It assures us that death is not the end and that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. This hope is what gives us the strength to face our trials and tribulations with courage and faith. [33:41]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ give you hope in your current circumstances? Can you identify a specific area in your life where you need to lean on this hope more?
Day 2: The Role of Prophets
Prophets serve as God's messengers, speaking His words to the people and interceding on their behalf. In our daily lives, we too can act as prophets by sharing God's word and praying for others. This dual role helps us stay connected to God and His will. Prophets are not just ancient figures; they are relevant today as we are called to be God's voice in a world that desperately needs to hear His message. By sharing God's word and interceding for others, we fulfill a vital role in God's plan. [36:06]
Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV): "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ."
Reflection: In what ways can you act as a prophet in your community? Is there someone you feel led to share God's word with or pray for today?
Day 3: The Necessity of Judgment
While judgment is uncomfortable, it is essential for our spiritual growth. It reveals our pride and shortcomings, prompting us to repent and seek God's mercy. Understanding judgment helps us appreciate God's grace and the hope He offers. Judgment is not about condemnation but about correction and growth. It is a necessary process that helps us become more like Christ. By embracing judgment, we open ourselves to God's transformative work in our lives. [40:41]
Hebrews 12:6-7 (ESV): "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives. It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"
Reflection: How do you typically respond to God's judgment and discipline in your life? Can you identify a recent experience where you felt God's corrective hand, and how did it lead to growth?
Day 4: God's Divine Feast
The imagery of God preparing a feast for us in Isaiah 25 is a powerful reminder of His love and care. This feast symbolizes the joy and fulfillment that await us, even in the midst of our sorrows. It is a promise of eternal celebration and victory over death. This divine feast is not just about physical nourishment but spiritual fulfillment. It is a testament to God's love and the promise of eternal joy and peace. [52:36]
Isaiah 25:6-8 (ESV): "On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined. And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken."
Reflection: How does the promise of God's divine feast give you hope and comfort in your current struggles? Can you visualize what this eternal celebration might look like for you personally?
Day 5: Jesus as Our Ultimate Chef
Jesus has tasted death for us, ensuring that our sorrows are temporary. He prepares a divine feast, symbolizing the eternal joy and peace we will experience with Him. This imagery underscores the depth of His love and the completeness of His sacrifice. Jesus, our ultimate chef, has gone ahead to prepare a place for us, ensuring that our future is secure and filled with His presence. This divine preparation is a testament to God's love and the promise of eternal joy and peace. [56:56]
John 14:2-3 (ESV): "In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."
Reflection: How does the imagery of Jesus as our ultimate chef preparing a divine feast for us impact your understanding of His love and sacrifice? What steps can you take today to live in the assurance of this eternal promise?
Quotes
1. "And it's in that hope that we anchor our faith in the promises of Jesus Christ. Today, I'm not a reporter to you. I don't have any slides on the screen. So I would like your attention to just look at this, maybe this foot right here. You know, I'm pretty short. So I would like to share with you some good news and some bad news. Which one do you want first? We all would disagree, right? It depends where we are. You know, we had a horrible week. Give me some good news. And if we had a good week, you know what? Give me the bad news. So we might all disagree." [33:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We believe that the whole Bible is inspired by God. To edify the church. To build up the church. To correct us. And to lead us. And to guide us. The Old Testament is there for a reason. It has a purpose. So Isaiah is talking to the people. And he's proclaiming to them what will take place. And does anyone know what's going to take place? Judgment. And how many of you are so hungry for judgment? You smile because no one is hungry for that." [40:01] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Judgment is not well received. But when we read Isaiah, those are words to tell us who we are to. Because we are not different than the people from Babylon. The people from Moab. And there was one thing. In our Bible study, we have one thing that continued to carry over. It was pride. And don't say, pastor, I'm not proudful. Well, that's proudful. Just saying that is proudful. So we do have this sense. It's the inclination to be proudful. So Isaiah talks to the people and to us. And that's a privilege that we have. That's a privilege that we get to hear God himself." [41:14] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "What a privilege to know that our God, our God is sharing with us everything that he's thinking of. Every detail. Even to a point of what he's cooking for you. The God, the creator, cooks for you. So as we read these passages from Isaiah, there is one thing that is for certain. That God will carry out what he promised he will do. He has done it. He's doing it. And he will do it. Until the day of completion." [42:59] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "In the middle of sorrow here, there is edification and joy over there. And isn't that how our lives are sometimes? In the middle of our sorrow, there's a little glimpse of joy, a little glimpse of hope in our lives. See, God is preparing a feast for you and for me. In the midst of all the sorrows you go through, he's preparing something delicious. Something so unique. That you cannot even imagine the fragrance." [50:21] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "In the midst of the sorrow, in the midst of the judgment, he says, look what I'm making. I'm selecting things. I'm picking everything precisely just for you. And he does this in a personal way when he says, and I will wipe away every tear from you. Isn't that beautiful? How many tears? Have you counted your tears lately? It's hard to count, but he knows your tears. He will wipe away every tear." [52:36] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "In the midst of sorrow, God's saying, wait a minute. That right there, it was really a blow off. That you did. You blow it off. But in here, I am the chef. And this is not hell's kitchen. This is heaven's kitchen. And in this kitchen, he is the cook. I mean, you can select me according to what your options are. But think about the options that God has. Think about all the diverse meats that he knows that we have not tasted. Think about the spices. The spices that we have not tasted." [54:15] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "God is cooking for you. And he's taken 2,000 years to prepare that feast for us. What kind of banquet is this that he's preparing for us? You see, even though we taste our food, and we know if it needs something, this is the beauty about this chef. Chef Jesus. Naturally, Jesus. He already had tasted the food for us. And not just any food. It was the food that killed us. He tasted death for us. What got us in trouble in the first place? He himself took it upon himself." [55:57] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "In the midst of sorrow, there is pain. In the midst of pain, there is hope. And there is joy. It's not like claiming and naming and it's all fine. Jesus says in this life you will have many, many, many, many sorrows. He himself went through those sorrows for you and me. So that our sorrows will be temporary. That our sorrows will look temporary. Minimal compared to eternity. And this is the feast of hope. The victory of God. We thank Jesus for this." [58:50] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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