1. Sunday 8 th December 2013 (The Gospel according to Isaiah PART 3)

2. What do you think of when you hear the phrase Good News?

3. In a Mail shot… Congratulations! Youve won a guaranteed prize On answering the phone… Congratulations! I can offer you a free holiday Is this Good News? Tesco are selling Hagan Daas at 2 for £4! In Conversation … Man U lost again! Message on the Computer… Your system is now free of infections.

4. Good News Gospel εαγγέλίον euangelion truth proclamation power light

5. The gospel according to Isaiah Our story did not start at the first Christmas...... We are part of the BIG Story, told right from the start of the Bible The OT books most used by NT writers are: Psalms (79 quotations, 333 allusions) Isaiah (66 quotations, 348 allusions)

6. The gospel according to Isaiah The people walking in darkness have seen a great light......unto us a son is born... A NEW KING THE SERVANT A HERALD OF GOOD NEWS

7. The bringer of Good News in Isaiah No b e śōrâ = euangelion = g0spel / good news BUT bāśār = euangelizo(menos) = bringer of good tidings (evangelist?) Is 40:9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Is 41:27 I was the first to say to Zion, Behold, here they are! and I give to Jerusalem a herald of good news.

8. The bringer of Good News in Isaiah No b e śōrâ = euangelion = g0spel / good news BUT bāśār = euangelizo(menos) = bringer of good tidings (evangelist?) Is 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns. Is 60:6b all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the L ORD.

9. Isaiah 61

10. 4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. 5 Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. 6 And you will be called priests of the L ORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. 7 Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

11. Isaiah 61 8 For I, the L ORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing. In my faithfulness I will reward my people and make an everlasting covenant with them. 9 Their descendants will be known among the nations and their offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the L ORD has blessed. Luke 4 21 [Jesus] began by saying to them, Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.

12. Good news for all... Good news for poor Bind up broken-hearted Freedom for prisoners Release from darkness Favour of God Comfort for grieving Praise in place of despair

13. Is anyone poor / in need? Is anyone broken-hearted? Is anyone trapped? Unsure whats ahead? Distant from God? Is anyone sad or grieving? Is anyone lacking hope? Good news for all...

14. Oaks of righteousness Displaying Gods splendour Restoring ruins Served by others Priests of God No more shame Everlasting Joy (& blessing)

15. Good news for all... Do you want to be upright? to glorify God? to restore ruined lives? to be supported by others? to help others find God? to be free of shame? to live in joy?