Pastor Timothy L. Dortch

Subject: “From Pity To Praise”

Primary Scripture Reference: Isaiah 40:1-2

Sermon Notes/Nuggets

  • God tells Isaiah to comfort God’s people.
  • Comfort = soothe, console, reassure, to bring cheer to.
  • God does not want His people to sink under their burden.
  • God will send you a word of comfort when it seems like your life is falling apart.
    • God will comfort you in the midst of adversity.
    • God will give hope in what seems like a hopeless situation.
      • In Hebrew the phrase “speak comfort” literally means to speak to the heart.
      • Genesis 34:3
  • Jerusalem needed a word of comfort.
  • God had the comfort that they needed.
    • True comfort comes from God.
  • God always gives people reasons for comfort.
  • Reasons why God should comfort them
    1. Her warfare has ended.
      • At the moment that Isaiah spoke this word from God, battle was looming.
    2. Their iniquity has been pardoned.
      • They were well away of their sin because Isaiah made them aware of it.
      • Whenever you are identified as a sinner, comfort is that you iniquity has been pardoned.
      • God forgives us but sometimes we won’t forgive ourselves.
    3. They had received from the Lord’s hand double for their sins.
      • Double = to fold over or fold in half.
      • Exodus 26:9
      • Each half corresponds exactly with the other half.
      • Our sin has been pardoned because it has been paid in full
  • God always sends a voice before He does anything (whether it be good or bad).
  • Amos 3:7
  • Wilderness = an unsettled, uncultivated region left in its natural condition.
    • The voice is crying out to your barren places.
    • Wilderness is also symbolic of the trials and sufferings of this life.
    • Prepare ye the way of the Lord = prepare to see God work.
  • Luke 1:7-6
  • Luke 3:3-6