Truth Has Stumbled

Audio Recording

Sermon Outline

Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Come, Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord

Isaiah 59:14-21 (ESV)
14 Justice is turned back,
    and righteousness stands far away;
for truth has stumbled in the public squares,
    and uprightness cannot enter.
15 Truth is lacking,
    and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey.

The Lord saw it, and it displeased him
    that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man,
    and wondered that there was no one to intercede;
then his own arm brought him salvation,
    and his righteousness upheld him.
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
    and a helmet of salvation on his head;
he put on garments of vengeance for clothing,
    and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, so will he repay,
    wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies;
    to the coastlands he will render repayment.
19 So they shall fear the name of the Lord from the west,
    and his glory from the rising of the sun;
for he will come like a rushing stream,
    which the wind of the Lord drives.

20 “And a Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

21 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.”

Sermon Outline
The Bible presents Jesus as the answer to the deep and complex questions of life.

1. The Truth

v14 “truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter”
v15 “he who departs from evil makes himself a prey”

2. The Intercessor

v15 “The Lord saw it, and it displeased him”
v16 “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede”

3. The Redeemer

v16 then his own arm brought him salvation
v17 He put on…
v20 “a Redeemer will come… turn from transgression”
v21 “this is my covenant… My Spirit that is upon you, and my words… shall not depart…”

Prayer of Confession
Our holy God, we have all sinned and there are none who are righteous. Truth has stumbled in the public squares. We admit that we have fallen, believing what is false, and attempting to deceive others. We have failed to seek justice and have not always stood with courage against injustice. We have doubted your word. We have not fully surrendered to Jesus, whom you sent. Our thoughts and actions reveal we need a redeemer. We thank you that Jesus came to intercede for us, clothed with righteousness, offering himself for us. We turn from our transgressions to you, asking for forgiveness, with thankful acknowledgement of your mercy. Amen.

Questions for Reflection