1. Stakes in the Ground Introduction – Isaiah 42

2. 5 th June 2011 Stakes in the Ground -Everyone acknowledged/declared what God had put on their heart – ‘seeds’ -Not a random collection of visions -Something for us corporately as church -Call to the Hurting, Vulnerable and Disadvantaged -Call to bringing Justice … and the journey began and the seeds began to grow…

3. Wherever you are on the Journey today…God wants to engage you Adding Fertiliser Pruning Ploughing Growing Roots

4. Recent Prophetic Word given to Neil for church – Isaiah 42 Background Isaiah 6: v1-7: vision of throne-room of God and his holiness v8: ‘Whom shall I send?’ ‘Here am I send me’ v9-10: but people won’t listen, in fact your words will make them turn away more!! v11-13: ‘for how long?’ – until the people go into exile and the cities are destroyed, only a remnant will be left Isaiah 1-39: warning Judah of oncoming judgment – escape Assyria but not Babylon Isaiah 40-66: prophecy for the Jews when exiled in Babylon 150 years in future….oncoming salvation and future deliverance

5. Isaiah 42 God had chosen Israel to be a witness to the other nations (v5-9), so that they too would praise God (v10-13) But Israel by disobeying God was now in exile (v18-25) So God is now going to do something new (v14-17) to bring them back Behold my Servant! (v1-4)

6. The Servant of the LORD 3 things first –God’s ServantPERSONALITY –Chosen by GodPURPOSE –Spirit-filled by GodPOWER Meek (not Weak!, cf Psalm 37) –Gentleness –Quietness –Patience under Suffering –Overlook Offence ‘War Horse bridled and Ready for Battle’ Justice –Persevering, unfaltering