Isaiah, Ahaz, and Emmanuel

The sermons for Advent are drawn from the Emmanuel prophecy of Isaiah 7:1-14. The name Emmanuel means “God with us.” King Ahaz and all the people of Judah were afraid. The Northern tribes – known as Ephraim had made an alliance with the Arameans against Judah – Now the house of David was told, Aram has allied itself with Ephraim, so the hearts of the Ahaz and his people were shaken as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind (Isaiah 7:2). But God did not want Ahaz to cave-in to this fear– He wanted him to know that He was with the line of kings descending from David. Through Isaiah, God tells Ahaz, If you do not stand firm in your faith you will not stand at all (Isaiah 7:9). Panic grips us all of us sometimes, doesn’t it? Because we see what is against us and feel like we are caving in. We are troubled and besieged, and feel like trees shaking in the wind. But Isaiah wants us to see, not only what is against us, but more importantly, who can be with us: Emmanuel!

Season of Advent

• November 28
  His Hope for the Shaken, Isaiah 7:1-2
• December 5
  His Peace in the Siege, Isaiah 7:3-9
• December 12
  His Joy for the Asking, Isaiah 7:10-13
• December 19
  His Love in Your Ruins , Isaiah 7:14-16

• DECEMBER 26, 10:30am
  CHRISTMAS SUNDAY
  All-CHURCH OUTDOOR
  WORSHIP SERVICE & FELLOWSHIP