The Salvation Army: Australia Southern Territory 1
Reforming Society Sermon Outline
Reforming Society – Isaiah 9:2-7 (To Us a Child Is Born)
“All Things New” Series
The concept behind this year’s Christmas Resources is to focus on who Jesus is through the framework of The
Australia Southern Territory’s Four Mission Intentions: Transforming Lives, Caring for People, Making Disciples and
Reforming Society.
The theme passage illustrates what the completion of Jesus’ work will look like; the full consummation of the
Kingdom of God on earth. The theme phrase “All Things New” emphasises the kingdom mission of restoration and
rebuilding, and the ongoing continuous nature of that work (Transforming Lives, Caring for People, Making Disciples
and Reforming Society). Recognising the ongoing nature of Christ’s work and the mission of the kingdom should help
corps enter into the Christmas story in a more immediate way, with ongoing relevance for everyday life and
engagement in TSA mission.
How to Use This Outline
The emphasis of this outline is on the exegetical material for the chosen passage. It seeks to introduce the series as
well as cover the material for the Transforming Lives. The emphasis of this sermon is on the following issues:
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Series Introduction – The goal of Jesus’ work is “All Things New”
The blessings and abundance of Jesus’ rule
The end of oppression and war
Jesus as the Prince of Peace
The outline will need to be customised and contextualised by each Corps Officer for the congregation to whom the
sermon will be preached:
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Adding appropriate illustrations that will connect with the specific congregation
Modifying language to be appropriate to the socio-cultural setting of the Corps
Modifying sermon style if you prefer a topical rather than expository sermon style
You may also wish to make the application more specific to your context.
PowerPoint slides have been provided for the following:
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Theme Slide – Title Slide for this Sermon
Scripture Slide A – Isaiah 9:2-7 (whole passage)
Scripture Slide B – Isaiah 9:3 (highlight verse)
Scripture Slide C – Isaiah 9:4-5 (highlight verse)
Scripture Slide D – Isaiah 9:6-7 (highlight verse)
Blank Slide – which you can customise if you wish
The Salvation Army: Australia Southern Territory 2
Reforming Society Sermon Outline
Reforming Society
Key Passage - Isaiah 9:2–7 (NIV)
2
will be destined for burning,
have seen a great light;
will be fuel for the fire.
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
6
a light has dawned.
to us a son is given,
3
and the government will be on his shoulders.
and increased their joy;
And he will be called
they rejoice before you
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
as people rejoice at the harvest,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
as men rejoice
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when dividing the plunder.
there will be no end.
4
He will reign on David’s throne
you have shattered
and over his kingdom,
the yoke that burdens them,
establishing and upholding it
the bar across their shoulders,
with justice and righteousness
the rod of their oppressor.
from that time on and forever.
5
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
and every garment rolled in blood
will accomplish this.
The people walking in darkness
You have enlarged the nation
For as in the day of Midian’s defeat,
Every warrior’s boot used in battle
For to us a child is born,
Of the increase of his government and peace
The Salvation Army: Australia Southern Territory 3
Reforming Society Sermon Outline
Sermon Outline – Reforming Society
Introduction
1. In the lead up to Christmas it can be easy to focus on the baubles, the tinsel and family time together. Even
when we focus on the nativity story it can still be easy to lose focus of the big questions of “WHY” Jesus
came, and to just enjoy a nice story about a baby in a manger. In the lead up to Christmas we are going to be
looking at the question of why Jesus came, from the perspective of the Old Testament expectations of the
Messiah, and the events leading up to his birth.
2. The name of this series “All Things New” comes from the book of Revelation, and summarises beautifully
why Jesus came. To make all things new, to establish His Kingdom on Earth as in Heaven. In The Salvation
Army Australia Southern Territory we have four mission intentions which we follow. They continue the work
that Jesus did, and help to build his kingdom: Transforming Lives, Caring for People, Making Disciples and
Reforming Society. We will be looking at what Jesus came to achieve through the lens of these four mission
intentions.
3. This week we will be looking at the theme of “Reforming Society”
4. Read Isaiah 9:2-7
The Blessings and Abundance of Jesus’ Rule
1. This passage starts out by talking about the transition from a people living in the land of the shadow of
death, to the dawning of the light. It is a clear messianic prophecy that points to Jesus sitting on the throne
of David. God promised David that “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your
throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16). This obviously was not fulfilled in the most obvious way,
as the Davidic dynasty lost the throne. However, Jesus can and does fulfil this prophecy because He is Lord
over an eternal kingdom (Acts 2:29-36), and descended from David (Mt 1:6, Lk 3:31)1.
2. “One day the Promised Child would be born. One day the Promised Son would be given. He, whose names
are Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, will reign on the Davidic
throne over a cleansed world”2
3. Jesus’ intent as Lord is to “enlarge the nation and increase our joy”. His intentions are good. Enlarging the
nation entails abundance and blessing. “The light will increase their joy like the joy at harvest-time or the joy
of winning a battle and dividing the plunder. ‘Joy’ is an emphasis of Isaiah’s, mentioned more than two
dozen times in the book. This will be a supernatural work of God”3. This is an image of the kingdom of God,
over which His Messiah will reign, until He hands the kingdom back to the Father (1 Cor 15:24).
1
Furthermore, Matthew 4:13–15 quotes from this passage saying that it is fulfilled in Christ.
Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher's commentary (374). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
3
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An
exposition of the scriptures (Is 9:3–5). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
2
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Reforming Society Sermon Outline
The End of Oppression and War
1. Under Jesus’ rule oppression will end (v4). The image of the yoke, the bar and the rod represents that which
burdens people in of servitude and oppression. The yoke was literally a “wooden bar and frame with straps,
used on beasts of burden for plowing and pulling loads… often [used] as a reference to oppression or
burden”4. All oppressive regimes will end, even those that appear legitimate. The Old Testament describes
the oppressive policies of monarchy in 1 Kgs 12, and 2 Chr 10 using this language of yoke. It is also used of
the Egyptian, Assyrian and Babylonian oppression of the people of Israel5. Might does not equal right. Isaiah
goes on to say that in a like manner, all war will end. The tools of war will be burned up, made fuel for the
fire (v5).
2. Jesus’ kingdom will completely overcome the oppressive regimes of this world. The gospel has very definite
political dimensions. To say “Jesus is Lord” is to make the political statement that our Prime Minister and
government do not have final authority. Jesus is sovereign, he is the final authority. In this time before he
returns, we work to reform society, to bring it into conformity with his will. Because when Jesus returns all
governments and rulers will be held accountable. There will be no oppression and no war. These are things
we should be working towards now.
3. Oppression and war are not godly methods of government.
a. Can you imagine Jesus torturing suspected terrorists? Can you imagine Jesus labeling civilian deaths
in war as “collateral damage”? No? Then we should be working to bring an end to torture and spindoctoring now.
b. Can you imagine Jesus marginalizing minority groups like asylum seekers? Or Aboriginal
communities? No? Then we should be working towards reforming our society to that end.
c. Can you imagine Jesus wearing clothing that he knew was made in a sweatshop in China? Can you
imagine Jesus eating chocolate he knew was harvested by workers who were being exploited in
South America? No? Then we should be working to bring about reform in those areas now.
Prince of Peace
1. Isaiah tells us something of what life under Jesus’ rule will be like. God will give us a son, and the
government will be on his shoulder. Jesus’ titles in verse 6 reveals the nature of his rule:
a. Wonderful Counsellor – one who will give extraordinarily good direction and guidance
b. Mighty God – one who is a mighty and powerful God
c. Everlasting Father – one who is a continual care-giver
d. Prince of Peace – one who rules to bring about completeness, soundness, welfare, peace, prosperity,
safeness, health and well-being
4
Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament) (electronic
ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
5
Harris, R. L., Harris, R. L., Archer, G. L., & Waltke, B. K. (1999). Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament
(electronic ed.) (671). Chicago: Moody Press.
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Reforming Society Sermon Outline
Conclusion
1. In the lead-up to Christmas it is important to consider why Jesus’ birth was a cause for celebration.
2. Our world is marked by oppression and war. In the Old Testament, the people of Israel looked forward to a
Messiah who would come to bring peace. In Revelation, Jesus says, “Behold, I am making all things new”
(Revelation 21:1 NIV). This is what he came to achieve, the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth, to
make ALL THINGS NEW.
3. The Salvation Army mission intention of “Reforming Society” is one way in which Jesus came to make ALL
THINGS NEW. The good news of the birth of Jesus Christ is that he has come to bring about justice. What
does justice look like? What would it look like if Jesus was in government today? What would be different?
Well, he is coming back, and will be taking up government. So we should prepare, by bringing our society
into as close conformity to his will as possible. This is why The Salvation Army works to Reform Society.
4. Invite people to the Mercy Seat