God’s suffering servant; the messiah

Isaiah 42 :1-9

Many Christians today think they can only glorify God when they have been blessed. Many do not know that God needs our praise and glory at all times and situations. Jesus Christ our Lord showed the example as one who glorified God as a suffering servant.  Isaiah in this text is looking far to the future though he uses Israel as the historical foundation in his statement. God says, this is my servant whom I uphold; my soul delights in him.

a)      The Character of the suffering servant

• He is tender and compassionate (vs 2)
• He’ll draw all men to himself
• He’ll bring justice to the weak (vs3)
• The Gentiles will seek His redemption (vs1)
• He’ll not stop until justice is brought on the earth
• He’ll bring His law to the earth (vs4)
• God’ll establish his covenant with the people through Him
• He’ll bring light to those in bondage and darkness hence a source of freedom (Jn 8:32-36)

He is therefore Jesus Christ. This is the suffering servant who brought Glory to the father by what He did. That was Isaiah’s prophecy and to us today who are Christ’s disciples we need to show the same character as our Lord taught by example. We have to be like Christ.

b)      What is the main mission of the suffering servant?

• He’ll redeem all the nations
• The blind will see and move in the light of God
• The prisoners held in bondage to sin will be freed from sin and the power of Satan vs7

c)       Assurance of the redemption (Vs8)

1. God reminds us that He is the Lord.

ü  The lord is the master

ü  The master deserves submission from His subjects

ü  The master deserves obedience

ü  The master deserves respect and fear (reverence)

ü  The master deserves worship and glory

ü  Praise belongs to the master who is our Lord

2. God says “The Lord is my name. Glorify my Name.”

ü  God will not share His praise and glory with anyone

ü  How many of us worship and give praises to other human beings instead of God? More of us even do so to man made images.

ü  God says, “I made you for my glory” reason why He is sending His suffering servant to redeem you and I for His glory.

ü  God takes dominion in our lives when we truly worship Him. God wants to rule our whole life. That is why he asks of s this worship.

ü  If you worship Satan he’ll take dominion of your life. Whether you worship him in sorcery, “ngambé” as it’s called in Cameroon, falsehood, sectarian practices, etc your life will be controlled by him whom you worship.

ü  Isaiah 26:13 says other masters beside God have had dominion over the Israelites. It also applies to us today. Is it the things of the devil? Or is it money? Or sorcery which has even entered into some of our churches today in the form of prophecy?

3. Are you saved? If yes then what are you doing with your life?

ü  Do you think it’s enough to be saved? If your salvation does not bring glory to God, then it is worthless.

ü  Your salvation and God’s glory can be compared with money and paper. An empty paper has no value but a thousand bill has a value because of that which is engraved in it. It is the glory of God that gives value to your salvation, else it is worthless.

ü  Yes you are saved! And so what? You must glorify God, because that is the goal of your existence.

                                                               i.      Glorify God in your way of life

                                                             ii.      Living a righteous life brings glory to God

                                                            iii.      Living in obedience to His word, loving Him with all your heart, trusting Him in all things, being the light of this world by reflecting God’s work in you. That is it!

4. God’s word is true and it’ll be accomplished. The things prophesied happened and now Isaiah is declaring God’s prophecy for the future. Today we know that God’s word was true because we have also seen and heard. The suffering servant, our Messiah, Jesus Christ has come.

Isaiah knew it’ll come because God never fails. Today we need to hold on to the same promises. We have read from scriptures and this Messiah who died on the cross of Calvary for you and me, was raised from the death and is seated at the right hand of God, will come again but to judge the world.

That is the promise. He’ll come and judge the world, paying every man with his own coins. It shall be like that because God has spoken in His word. Today He is telling you the same things. “I am the Lord. That is My name. I’ll not share my glory with any man or anything.”

Glorify God by obeying the teachings of Jesus Christ our savior, the suffering servant. Amen!