Pastor James will post his Sermon Study Questions every Tuesday with the previous Sunday’s sermon. Our hope is for these study questions to promote deeper personal study and further edify our church body.
Sermon Study Questions – June 14, 2026
1. Read Isaiah 43:8-28
2. Once again in our text we return to the courtroom scene that has characterized the past few chapters in Isaiah. In this scene the Lord calls to the stand His witnesses. Who are these witnesses? What are these witnesses to bear witness to? What is the problem with these witnesses?
3. In order to bear witness to the truth that the Lord is God and He alone saves, the Lord points to two events in redemptive history. What are they, and how do they bear witness to these facts?
4. In spite of His witnesses failure to respond to Him and His grace in a way that honors Him, the Lord promises to do a new thing. What is this new thing (or things) referring to? What practical application can you make from this statement in your own life?
5. In response to the failure of His witnesses the Lord raises up a new witness, the church. See Acts 1:8 (the disciples addressed here are representative of the entire church). As His witnesses, what is it that you and I are to bear witness to?
6. Not only did the Lord’s people fail as His witnesses, but beginning in v.21 the Lord also highlights how they failed in their worship. How did they fail here? Be specific, looking both at our specific text, but also at what Isaiah says elsewhere, in ch.1 and in ch.29. What do you learn from this about what the Lord requires in worship? What is the “regulative principle of worship”?
7. In response to the failures of His people, both as witnesses and worshippers, the Lord gives them the gospel. Where do you see this in our passage? Why does He give them the gospel, telling them the good news of the forgiveness He gives, rather than setting before them the Law? What do you learn from the Lord’s actions here?
8. What is the idea behind v.26? How does v.27 tie into it? Why does the Lord refer to “Your first father”? Who does this refer to? What is the doctrine of original sin? Who are “Your mediators”? Why does He mention them in this context?
9. What practical application can you draw from this text/sermon?
10. Pray!
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Prayer of Confession:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. You alone are worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. As the one who is worthy of all worship, you command us to worship you in the totality of our being, living lives that are set apart for you and your glory. Yet Father, in our sinfulness and selfishness we often live for self rather than for you, pursuing the desires of the flesh rather than devoting ourselves to living in a way which honors you. We confess that we are turned inwards and take the easy and comfortable way when what you call us to is sacrificial living for the glory of your name. Father, please forgive us. Please work in us by your Spirit so that we would live lives that are holy and acceptable to you. We thank you that in all our failures we have an advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, who has interceded for us and paid the penalty for our sin. We thank you that through faith in Him we are forgiven and are counted as righteous in your sight. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness: Romans 3:23-24
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 40
Q.105. What does God require in the sixth commandment?
A. That I do not revile, hate, insult, or kill my neighbor either in thought, word, or gesture, much less in deed, whether by myself or by another, but lay aside all desire of revenge; moreover, that I do not harm myself, nor willfully run into any danger. Wherefore also to restrain murder the magistrate is armed with the sword.
[1] Matt. 5:21–22; 26:52; Gen. 9:6. [2] Eph. 4:26; Rom. 1:19; Matt. 5:25; 18:35. [3] Matt. 4:7; Rom. 13:14; Col. 2:23. [4] Ex. 21:14; *Matt. 18:6–7.
Q106. Does this commandment speak only of killing?
A. No, but in forbidding murder God teaches us that He abhors its very root, namely, envy, hatred, anger, and desire of revenge; and that in His sight all these are hidden murder.
[1] Rom. 1:28–32. [2] 1 Jn. 2:9–11. [3] Jas. 2:13; Gal. 5:19–21. [4] 1 Jn. 3:15 *Jas. 3:16; *1:19.
Q. 107. But is this all that is required: that we do not kill our neighbor?
No, for in condemning envy, hatred, and anger, God requires us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to show patience, peace, meekness, mercy, and kindness toward him, and to prevent his hurt as much as possible; also, to do good even unto our enemies.
[1] Matt. 7:12; 22:39. [2] Eph. 4:2; Gal. 6:1–2; Rom. 12:18. [3] Matt. 5:7; Lk. 6:36. [4] Rom. 12:10. [5] Ex. 23:5. [6] Matt. 5:44–45; Rom. 12:20–21; *Col. 3:12–14; *Matt. 5:9.
NT Reading: Acts 1:1-8
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”