13-Lifting the Burden
11/11/12
I NTRO :
I.  Isaiah 61:1-3
II. THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH
A. The most quoted prophet by Jesus
B. The very first sermon in His home town
B ODY :
I. Beauty for Ashes
“a crown of beauty instead of ashes”
A. One of the natural responses to grief is intense guilt
1) THREE GIRL’S DYING WHILE I WAS IN COLLEGE
2) Psalms 32:3-4
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
B. The answer is not self-punishment, but the grace that comes from Jesus
1) REPENTING IN SACKCLOTH AND ASHES a) Fasting was a sign of loss of appetite and self-deprivation b) Putting ashes on your head was a sign of humiliation c) Wearing sackcloth made of goat hair was a sign of discomfort d) Neither oriental practice was ever ordained by God
2) THE CATHOLIC “CILICE” WORN TO INDUCE PAIN
3) Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
II. Joy for Mourning
“the oil of joy instead of mourning”
A. Too many times we neglect the natural processes of grief
1) They would anoint themeselves to get ready for a party
2) VEITNAM VETS COMING HOME WITHOUT A HERO’S WELCOME
3) Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die . . . a time to kill and a time to heal . . . a time to weep and a time to laugh . . . a time for war and a time for peace.

B. How will we ever recover if we take away the source of our joy
1) John 16:22
So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
2) CHUCK PAGANO—“LIVE BY VISION NOT CIRCUMSTANCES”
The next day he found his cancer was in remission
III. Praise for Despair
“a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”
A. Even little weights become heavy the longer you carry them
1) HOLDING THE WEIGHT FOR A LONG TIME
2) Psalms 68:19
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
B. Whatever we dwell on will set the course for our day
1) CUTTING OUT THE BRANCHES THAT BEAR NO FRUIT
2) Philippians 4:8-9
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
3) SAM PENSE FINDING A WAY TO LIVE HIS LIFE

O
THER
S
CRIPTURES
:
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 9:1-2
On the twenty-fourth day of the same month, the Israelites gathered together, fasting and wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads.
Jonah 3:6-7
When Jonah’s warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.
Isaiah 42:3-4
A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged.
Isaiah 61:10
I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness.
Matthew 11:21
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.”