Sermon Notes-JOY based on Isaiah 51:11-16

Introduction: What is joy?  Video from The Bible Project

o   Definition: Attitude God’s people adopt not because of happy circumstances but because of their hope in God’s love and His promises. Joy is not determined by their struggles but their future destiny.

o   It was a dominant theme in the book of Philippians that we preached through a few years ago. “It has its basis in the hope and confidence of faith…it is also a fruit of the Spirit…Because faith and its joy do not come from ourselves, Paul can be confident and rejoice”[1] no matter what

Joy in Life (vs. 11)

    Quote of Isaiah 35:10

o   suggests that God should act now like he will in the end of time[2]

§  This quote sounds like a prayer Jesus taught us to pray “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

  Vs. 11-The ransomed will return--From Babylon

o   They are not experiencing this presently, but it is a promise.  It is not “IF” but “WHEN”

   Vs. 11-They will enter Zion with singing, everlasting joy will crown their heads and gladness/joy will overtake them and sorrow/sighing will flee away

o   Zion

§  Zion is the parallel term to Jerusalem[3]

§  The dominant motif of Zion as the dwelling place of God, the place where God is in the midst of his people[4]

§  Earthly Zion was but a shadow of the heavenly reality.[5]

o   Singing-one response to what God has done.

§  We have seen this joy in singing through our kids today.

o   Everlasting joy-not just present situation but what God can and will do in the future. This joy is for all time and or eternity. It is given by God.

o   Gladness and joy will overtake them (increase); sorrow and sighing will flee away (decrease)

Luke 2:10-Don’t be afraid.

o   The shepherds needed to hear this because they had just seen an angel. We are a fearful people.  So, we need this reminder too. 

o   This angel proclaims “Good News of great joy” For all the people


Joy in the Lord (vs. 12-16)


   Vs. 12, 15-He who is I AM-Exodus 3:14-God said to Moses, “I am who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”

   Vs. 12-He who Comforts you

o   God of all Comfort-2 Corinthians 1:3-4-“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

o   Why fear people?

§  Probably related to their fear of those who had taken them captive

§  Related to this is the fear of man which keeps me for living the way God intends.  So, I confess and repent of the fear of man daily.

   Vs. 13-He who is their Maker

o   Don’t forget who God is and what He has done.  They struggled with this and we do too. He created the heavens and earth so He can take care of their present situation.

   VS. 14-He who Sets free

o   Not only will they be freed from bondage, but they won’t die and God will provide for their needs.

§  This Savior from Luke 2:11 “11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

·         They would be set free from the bondage of Romans but also this Savior would free them from sin, death, and Satan.

·         Galatians 5:1- For freedom Christ has set us free;

   Vs. 15-He who is powerful-Yahweh Elohim (ruler of the Universe)

o   Reference to parting of the Red Sea

o   Yahweh Sabaoth-LORD of Hosts-God of angel armies

   Vs. 16-He who Puts words in your mouth

o   These things must not be limited either to Isaiah or to Christ, but must be extended to all the prophets.[6]

o   What I think God did for me at Lincoln Perk.  What He did as I drove from Hillsboro to Hesston a week ago-multiple Scriptures came to mind that I shared with 3 people at MORE Power.

   Vs. 16-He who protects you--Covers you with shadow of hand

   Vs. 16-He who says You are my people

o   I started the service a few weeks ago with Isaiah 43:1 which says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.


Closing: Response Based On Promises

·         Joy in salvation-Luke 15:5-6-“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

·         Joy in Life-Isaiah 56:7-“these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

·         Joy in the Lord-Nehemiah 8:10-“for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”



[1] Brown, Colin. (1967). New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology (Vol. 2, p. 359-360). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.
[2] Smith, G. (2009). Isaiah 40-66 (Vol. 15B, pp. 405–406). Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Zion. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 2201). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
[4] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Zion. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 2202). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
[5] Elwell, W. A., & Beitzel, B. J. (1988). Zion. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2, p. 2203). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
[6] Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Vol. 4, p. 82). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.

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