Behold Your Idols, Behold The Servant | Isaiah 41-42

Sermon Discussion | Isaiah 41-42

1. Israel is back in the land after the king of the Persian empire, Cyrus, allowed them to return to Jerusalem. They are complaining that God has forgotten them. They've essentially stood up to tell God their grievances. So, God allows them to bring their complaints and in Ch. 41 we see God responding to them. Read Isaiah 41:2-4, who does God say that he is? What is he confronting in Israel? How do you "complain" to God? How does God deal with you when you're frustrated?

2. Jeremy explained verses 6-7 as Israel's attempt to "be strong" and they're attempt to build an idol that will not topple; Isaiah see's how ridiculous this practice is. He goes on to say in verses 8-9, "But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you." God has chosen you - he has not forgotten you! He will make sure to protect you, because he has chosen you! Even though God allows them the space to complain, he responds with the gracious reminder of who he is...and who they are. What are the ways that you tend to forget who God is? Take time to briefly share "who" you were when God found you.

3. The whole point of building an idol is to take something that cannot be seen or grasped and make it tangible, concrete. The reality is, these made idols are nothing, they are but "wind and confusion" (vs 29). When Israel tried to attribute to them the power that belongs to the Lord, they ended up confused. In our day, we do the same. What are the cultural idols of our day? What power do we seek? What idols have you created? How have idols over promised and under delivered in your experience? 

4. The messiah shall topple all the kingdoms of this world - even our own. How can we live as though this is true? You can hold on to your own kingdom with white knuckles or you can live as though Jesus has brought a better kingdom. Read what is offered in Isaiah in 42:6-9 and 18-25, how does this encourage you? What challenges you? Where are you like Israel?...How is our culture like Israel?

*Weekly Practice*

Spend time this week listening/looking at culture (social media, tv, music, news etc) and make note of the cultural idols. Read Isaiah 42:23, then take time to reflect and pray about the cultural idolatry that has found its way in you. Spend time asking God to reveal blind spots, move into a time of confession, then ask God how you can join him in his work. What areas of your life do you need to "listen".