Here’s my outline notes for this Sunday’s sermon
Introduction
Acts 8 – Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch – what prompts the radical and costly desire to be baptised?
Answer = this chapter of Isaiah!
- Don’t miss (out on) Jesus (v1-3)
- a despised person and a rejected report (v1)
- End of ch52 – a promise of salvation for the nations -surprising news to them but even God’s people who have had so many opportunities to hear don’t believe (c.f. ch 6)
- It doesn’t seem believable (v2-3)
- he doesn’t look like a saviour/king … no beauty/no majesty
- probably the focus is on Jesus at/after the cross/beaten and bloodied
- Benefit from his sacrifice (v4-9)
- It’s our grief/our deserved suffering he carried (v4)
- Pierced for our transgressions – the substitute who receives the deserved penalty/pays the price (v5)
- Transgressions – lawlessness/breaking commands/rebellion
- Iniquity – sin as moral failing/corruption/twistedness
- Contrasting sheep
- The wandering/lost (v6)
- The faithful/obedient sacrificial lamb (v7)
- Dying with the wicked (two rebels) and the rich (Joseph’s tomb) (v9)
- Follow Christ (v10-12)
God’s purpose and his vindication
- The shocking news = this is God’s purpose (v10)
- Crush – has the idea of break … or total defeat.
- I don’t think the emphasis is on violence/cruelty -but on God’s intended aim of bringing redemption and of vindication
- Prolonged days and many offspring = eternity and the church
- He is satisfied with what he achieves (v11)
- The result = justification and forgiveness for many
- A reward shared – we become coheirs with Christ
Take homes … the so what
- Simply enjoy and delight in what God has done for you. Praise is about learning to live in the goodness of God.
- Put your trust in Jesus -ask him to forgive you
- Baptism!
- Tell others
Faithroots 