“The One Who Comforts” – a message from Isaiah 40

This past weekend at Eastbrook, I continued our preaching series entitled “Who Is He?: Titles of Jesus the Messiah from Isaiah” by looking at the first 5 verses of Isaiah 40 with a message entitled “The One Who Comforts.” This Advent message series is also accompanied by a daily devotional of the same title written by the Eastbrook congregation.

You can find the message outline and video below. You can access the entire series here. Join us for weekend worship in-person or remotely via Eastbrook at Home.

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“Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” (Isaiah 40:1)

God’s Comfort Spoken (Isaiah 40:1-2a)

The God who speaks 

The God who speaks tenderly to His people in exile

God’s Comfort in Difficulty’s Resolution and Restoration (Isaiah 40:2)

The difficulty of the exile will reach conclusion

The future hope brought into the present reality

God’s Comfort in Divine Encounter (Isaiah 40:3-4)

A way in the wilderness 

The God of Sinai meeting His people 

God’s Comfort and God’s Glory (Isaiah 40:5) 

A revelation of God’s glory

God’s glory seen by all people (“all flesh”)

God’s Comfort in Jesus the Messiah

Jesus is the One who makes God’s way in the world

Jesus is the One who speaks God’s word in the world

Jesus is the One who reveals God’s glory in the world

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Dig Deeper

This week dig deeper in one or more of the following ways:

• Memorize Isaiah 40:1-2 or 40:11
• This week’s sermon focused on Isaiah 40:1-5, but there is so much within this chapter that is meaningful. Take some time to read Isaiah 40 and select a few verses to meditate on and pray about further. Perhaps you might want to draw, paint, letter, or sketch aspects of these verses. Write your own prayer back to God as part of your reflection. Consider sharing this with a friend.
• In what difficult situation in your life do you need to experience the comfort of the Lord God? Find a friend who will pray for you or submit the prayer request to the church
• Listen to “Comfort ye, My People” from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah
• Listen to “Sweet Comfort” by Sandra McCracken