The God Who Sets Us Free
Isaiah 61
Luke 4:16-21
Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor
1
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]
2
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
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
Aliens will shepherd your flocks;
foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.
6
And you will be called priests of the LORD,
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 their shame
my people will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
they will rejoice in their inheritance;
and so they will inherit a double portion in their land,
and everlasting joy will be theirs.
8
"For I, the LORD, love justice;
I hate robbery and iniquity.
In my faithfulness I will reward them
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9
Their descendants will be known among the nations
and their offspring among the peoples.
The God Who Sets Us Free
Isaiah 61
Luke 4:16-21
All who see them will acknowledge
that they are a people the LORD has blessed."
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 righteousness,
as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11
For as the soil makes the sprout come up
and a garden causes seeds to grow,
so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.
Sermon Outline:
I. Introduction
a. The very reason why Jesus came into the world was to set prisoners free.
This is his mission statement.
b. Braveheart (William Wallace has a passionate desire for his people to be
free). God’s desire for his people to be free is much greater, however.
c. We all have areas where we are not free.
d. Defining freedom: “To fulfill the purpose for which you were created, which
is to love as God loves.”
II. Background of Isaiah 61
a. History of Israel – Assyria plunders them in 722 BC, then Babylonians
overtake the Israelites and the Assyrians and sends the Israelites into exile in
586 BC.
b. Prophecy given that Cyrus King of Persia will now rescue the Israelites from
Babylon, even though Cyrus is a foreigner. Then they will be under Persian
rule
c. Israel is 500-900 miles away from their homeland.
d. The essential message of these chapters 60-62 is that God is at work in the
historical events of the day to bring a glorious restoration and vindication of
the people of God. As God's people are renewed and restored they would
again assume their role as witness to God in the world.
III. God has come not to give us rules and regulations, but new hearts.
a. Ezekiel 36:26-27
IV. How do we reach this freedom of heart to love as Christ loves?
a. Purgative Stage (Do’s and Don’ts)
b. Illuminative Stage (Desire to do the good, true and beautiful)
c. Unitive Stage ((Dynamite power to freely love as God loves)
V. Examples of the three stages:
a. Murder
b. Sabbath
c. Idolatry
The God Who Sets Us Free
Isaiah 61
Luke 4:16-21
d. Adultery
VI. Practical Next Steps
a. Hide Nothing
b. Receive Help
c. Reject Lies
d. Remain in God’s love
VII. Rule of Life for our freedom
a. Rule of life is an intentional structure/rhythm that positions me to receive
the love of the father.
b. What are the next steps that you need to focus on?
Small Group Questions:
1. Begin with the Prayer of Examen. Spend 2-3 minutes in silence and share: What
gave you life this past week? What drained you? What are you most thankful for?
2. Read the passage together and circle words or phrases that stand out to you. Why
are these words or phrases important to you?
3. What thoughts, feelings, or questions do you have as you read this passage?
4. Geri presented this definition of freedom: “To fulfill the purpose for which you were
created, which is to love as God loves.” How does this definition compare with your
personal understanding of freedom?
5. Geri expounded on the three stages to obtain freedom to love as Christ loves
(Purgative, Illumative, Unitive). In what areas of your life are you currently in the
purgative stage? Illumative stage? Unitive stage? (Remember her examples of
fasting, Sabbath, Adultery and Murder)
6. One of the practical next steps we were invited to take was to “Hide Nothing.” How
did you feel about that step? What typically keeps you from “Hiding Nothing?”
7. The second practical step was to “Receive Help.” When are the times that you’re
most likely to receive help? When are the times your are least likely?
8. Another practical step is to “Reject Lies.” How have lies shaped the way you view
God, others, and yourself?
9. The final practical step is to “Remain in God’s love.” What changes in your life have
to made to make this a reality?
10. Spend time sharing prayer requests and pray for one another.