Oaks of Righteousness
About this series
We take an in-depth look at Isaiah 61. We hope that this will be powerful series that looks at the prophecy in its immediate context, then sees it fulfilled in Jesus and finally moves to equipping us as we see Jesus’ mission being continued through His people - yet always being rooted in Him.
About this talk
Scripture - Isaiah 61:3
God redefines us when he calls us to himself. He transforms our identity, granting dignity and worth on those who are God’s children. This favour from God will mean stability, permanence and fruitfulness for his people, in contrast to the “oak with fading leaves” of 1:29-31.
What does it mean to be an “oak of righteousness”? As the poor rely solely on the Messiah for his blessing, they find themselves declared righteous by him. And by our lives we demonstrate his righteousness - his power to save and to enable a righteous life. This is all for the display of God’s splendour because it is all of his doing and should result in praise to him.
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Just as seed sown in the ground bears fruit, God will accomplish all that Isaiah has spoken of because God is faithful and committed to being known among the nations.
How can we cultivate a delight in all that God is and in all he does? And those God calls to himself are called to be holy, righteous - distinct.
God’s mission in and through Christ is now our mission. How can we (and each of us) be a blessing to our communities?
What does God’s love of justice mean in practice in our everyday lives. How do we promote justice and fight injustice?
Our new identity in Christ means we are honoured sons with inheritance - instead of shamed. This is what we want for those we are reaching with the gospel.
However ruined and devastated things may appear to be, God can rebuild, restore & renew. That goes for churches, individuals and for communities.
God grants dignity and worth on those who are God’s children. This favour from God will mean stability, permanence and fruitfulness for his people.
Beauty, joy and praise instead of ashes, mourning and despair. We explore what this looks like in spiritual terms - and also in physical terms.
Jesus is able to deliver what He was sent to proclaim because He is the good news. Entering into all the blessings in Isaiah 61 is the result of receiving Him.
We look at the way Jesus was anointed, and how that idea connects to the rest of Isaiah and the Old Testament. Then we look at how this text applies to us.