READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse” declares Isaiah 11:1. A stump is lifeless and can be written off as useless. The Jews in the time of Isaiah must have felt that they were such a stump: hopeless and with no future and written off by God. But a shoot is to grow from this stump. Jesus is the shoot, coming from the ancestry of Jesse, David’s father. As we celebrate Advent, let us focus on Jesus, the root and the shoot, the source and the fruit.
- Surrender to Jesus for penetrative justice
Vs. 2 contains three couplets that describe the power of the Spirit in Jesus: wisdom and understanding; counsel and might; knowledge and fear of God. Jesus uses this power to enact righteousness and justice. He does what is right and good for the poor and needy. Vs. 3 tells us that Jesus does not look at the exterior, but He penetrates through the surface through His acts of justice. Zacchaeus, the Samaritan women at the well and the demon possessed man called Legion are examples of recipients of penetrative justice. Spiritual transformation took place and God provided inner strength to each of them. Mdm Tan, a homeless woman whom the church sheltered and cared for during the Covid period, experienced transformation as she received the love and concern of church members. What injustices are we wrestling with? A victim of favouritism, backstabbing, gossip? Take heart that we have Messiah who gives penetrating justice in our inner beings. - Hope in Jesus for radical transformation
What will life be like in the new heaven and earth? Vs.6-9 paint a picture of a transformed earth. A place where the wolf and the lamb will live harmoniously together and where a lion eats straw are total opposites of what our earth is today. There will be a radical re-ordering and transformation of creation as God reverses the curse that came upon mankind in Gen. 3. Although we may feel that the world is still far from this picture of peace, 2 Cor. 5:17 reminds us that in Christ, we are a new creation. At the first Advent, God’s kingdom has already and not-yet begun. Transformation has already started. We are being renewed inwardly day by day (2 Cor 4:16). Only Jesus can change us. When we think we are beyond change and are helpless, Jesus can do that radical transformation. There are countless testimonies of new creation within our church. This Advent, let us go to God and say “Make me Your new creation”. We must desire to change. Let us avoid self-righteousness as God is not done with us. May God show us areas in our lives that need this radical transformation. Stay with Jesus daily, for every day of victory counts. - Come to Jesus for restful beholding
“The Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples”. Vs. 10 tells us that Jesus is the banner. He is the sign, lifted up for people to gather. John 12:32 contains the Lord’s own words about the cross on which He would be hung and which would draw people to Him. The cross is not a spectacular show of power but a demonstration of Jesus’ love and humility. What are we beholding today? Are we distracted by the activities of the season? Take time to go to Jesus and He will give us rest. Share Jesus with others so that they will behold Jesus for themselves. Invite someone to your Small Group gathering, the Christmas services and evangelistic events.
As the year ends, we may feel that our circumstances have reduced us to stumps. Advent renews our hope in Jesus. He is the shoot from the stump. Surrender to Jesus and find rest and love in Him.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
Read Isaiah 11:1–10 together.
a. What images or phrases stand out to you in this passage? - Recall Sermon
a. What is so unique about the justice of the Messiah?
b. What do verses 6 to 9 tell us about the transformation for us as His new creation?
c. Why is Christ the banner that rallies nations to him? - Relate Personally
a. Which part of the message challenged or encouraged you most?
b. Which of the three discipleship lessons resonated most with you? Why? - Commit to Action
a. What is one practical step you can take this week to apply the lessons learnt from the sermon?
b. How can you be an agent of His justice in your family, workplace, or community?
c. Who is someone you can bring to Christ this Advent? Pray for each other to do that.
