Soma Community Church | Lancaster, CA

HOPE-Hope came first. The prophets, especially Isaiah, pointed to the Hope from God. The prophets foretold the birth of Christ. hope is the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming of salvation by God's Messiah.    CTW Psalm 33:20-22 SR: Psalm 33:18 BENE:  Romans 15:13

Hope-Hope came first. The prophets, especially Isaiah, pointed to the Hope from God. The prophets foretold the birth of Christ. Hope is the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming of salvation by God's Messiah. 

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit is lovey, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.   CTW: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 PASS: Colossians 3:16 BENE: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28

Paul continues to appeal to the heart of the Galatians telling them the gospel promise has allowed them to be like Isaac, a child of the promise.   CTW: Psalm 135:1-3 PASS: Romans 3:19-20 Benediction: Romans 4:22-25

Paul moves from an argument with the Galatians into an appeal. Paul can't understand why these people he loves want to go back to being slaves of the world.    CTW: Hosea 14:8-9 PASS: Jeremiah 2:11 Benediction: Romans 6:8-11

The son that is the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave though he is the owner of everything. Yet he is under guardians and managers until a date set by his father. When the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son so that we might receive adoption as sons. You are no longer a slave, but a son and then an heir through God.   

All who rely on works of the law are under a curse; it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, the righteous shall live by faith. In Christ Jesus, the blessing of Abraham might come  to the Gentiles. Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions. Is the law then contrary to the promises of God/ Certainly not! The Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. In Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. There is neither Jew nor Greek. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.    Call to Worship: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 Related: 2 Corinthians 7:4 Benediction: 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

How are believers bewitched when the false message was from those who claimed to be from Abraham? We take a deep look at this perplexing proposition this morning.    CTW: Hebrews 12:1-2 Related: Hebrews 11:8-9 Benediction: Hebrews 12:3-4

Paul approaches Peter and defends the Gospel and the freedoms it provides. Later in Chapter 2, Paul defines this Gospel that came to him from Jesus.    CTW: Ephesians 2:11-13 Related: Psalm 40:2-3 Benediction: ! Thessalonians 5:23-24

After 14 yeas, Paul goes up to Jerusalem. "When they saw I was entrusted with the Gospel, then James, Peter and John, the pillars, saw the grace given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship."    Call to Worship: 2 Corinthians 1:1-2 Related Verses: Romans 4:1-3 Benediction 2 Corinthians 13:11-14

I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles. I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and I saw James the Lord's brother. Then. I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. "He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith." And they glorified God because of me.   CTW: 2 Cor 1:1-2 Related Passage: Rom 4:1-3 Benediction: 2 Cor 13:11-14

An introduction to Galatians, who Paul is, and why he is writing to the Church in Galatia. Paul introduces himself and gives a greeting. Paul immediately addresses the issue of why he is writing, Paul is opposing legalism, and the Apostle Paul calls on the highest authority as his justification.     Call to Worship:  Romans 1:1-4 Related Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:10 Benediction: Romans 16:25-27

Behold, the Lord will come in fire; those slain by the Lord shall be many. For I know their works and their thoughts, the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. They shall come and shall see my glory; I will set a sign among them. From them I will send survivors to the nations; to the coastlands far away, that have not hear my fame or seen my glory and they shall declare my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the Lord, to my holy mountain. For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the Lord, so shall your offspring and your name remain. They shall go out and look on the dead bodies of those who oppose God, an abhorrence to all flesh.

Having shared about the coming glory, Isaiah begins to retrace his steps and talk about those that will inherit the glory to come and those that will not Praise be to those that tremble at His Word!

Taking Chapter 65 of Isaiah and considering it to be like three streams feeding into a final body of water. They have reached their final spot and in this case the passage will show us a point at which God's plan has been finalized.

We have left the 4th Anointed Song, and the prayers of Mercy as Isaiah prayer for God's sinful people. Now we have a picture of God's chosen next to God's enemies and we will see over the next two weeks the tremendous climax with answers for both.

Look down from heaven, from your holy habitation.  You are our Father!  Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down! No eye has seen a God besides you.   From of old no one has heard by the ear, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimson garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord. The Spirit of the Lord gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

Just like in the third Servant Song, this third Anointed Song is a testimony to His personal commitment and because of it we will see what will be achieved.  

Jesus is prophesied about all through the Old Testament but here his mission is announced and in Luke action takes place.

The coastlands shall hope for me. The ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar. The Lord will be your everlasting light. They shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased Him.  A redeemer will come to Zion. Arise, shine, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has come upon you! Lift up your eyes, they all gather, they come to you! Your sons come from afar, your daughters shall be carried on your hip. And I will beautify my beautiful house. 

Isaiah continues to point out how far away God's people are from him and we start to see the work of God as He leads His people into confession of sins and forgiveness. 

The next two Sundays we will see God's people exposed in their worship of God and some of them will confess.  Chapter 58 of Isaiah shows us their vain suffering.

"Build up, build up, prepare the way, remove every obstruction from my people's way." Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with hi who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Peace, peace to the far and to the near," says the Lord, "and I will heal him. There is no peace, " says my God, "for the wicked."

They are shepherds with no understanding. They have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain. Among the smooth stones of the valley, when you cry out let your idols deliver you! He who takes refuge in me shall inherit my holy mountain!

Moving into the final section of Isaiah, we will see God's plan for His coming Conquerer.  

The greatest event for all mankind has taken place. The words from the past are made clear. The Messiah must first be the sacrifice then the King!

Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, a foal of a donkey.

O afflicted one! All your children shall be taught by the Lord and great shall be the peace. Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters! Seek the Lord, he may be found. Go out in joy, be led forth in peace, and break forth into singing!

Following Isaiah 53, God is calling us to respond to His great gift.

The first Gospel message delivered 700 years before the Cross!

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him who brings good news!  Break forth into singing for the LORD has comforted His people!  All the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God!  For the LORD shall go before you!

The Lord proclaims to the People of God to shake off the dust and shake off their bonds.  God proclaims His Redemption! The People shall know the Lord's name! In that day the Lord shall speak!

As the people of Judah start to realize God's punishment is real, they are ready for their exile to be over.  God will give them comfort then commands.

Today we will cover the third servant song and His comfort for His people.  

God confronts Israel's lack of faith.  Israel says, "The Lord has forsaken me."  Yet God remains steadfast and the Lord's servant remains faithful through trials.

Israel thinks the LORD has forgotten His people, yet the LORD remains faithful. God says I AM the LORD your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.

In an autobiographical fashion, Jesus tells us of HIs call in Isaiah 49.  The first Servant Song in Isaiah 42:1-9 was biographical.

This is love.  It is out of love the Father gave His Son, that the Son would give His life, the Father and the Son gave the Spirit, to save sinners from misery and to lead their church into glory for all eternity to worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit forever.  It was for this that Jesus came to earth as a Baby. 

This week we look at JOy--What it is, What it is not, and the Wonderful Gift Joy is.

We will look at Peace from Genesis to the Second Advent.

We saw the Conqueror, God, went before to destroy Babylon. Now we will see in today's passage why God had Babylon quickly and decisively conquered.

The idol does not move, it does not answer. I am GOD, there is none like me. I bring near my righteousness and my salvation will not delay.

Woe to those who strive against the LORD! He created the Earth and man on it. You are the God who hides His mysteries. And Israel is saved by the LORD with everlasting salvation!

We looked at God redeeming His people through Jesus Christ. Now God is promising deliverance.  

We will finish the promise God makes to His people that despite their unfaithfulness and promised exile, He will ultimately redeem them.  

I am the LORD and beside me, there is no savior! I am the LORD the Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King! I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake and I will not remember your sins . . .  

Sing to the Lord a new song! Shout from the tops of the mountains! The Lord is pleased for righteousness sake and for the Law to make them glorious! I am the Lord your God, and beside me, there is no savior!

The courtroom scene continues. The Prosecution has rested and man's idols are asked to speak in their defense.

God brings the nations into a courtroom scene and He has an issue to be settled.