The Joy of Homecoming

Isaiah 49:5-13

He says, “It is too small a thing thatYou should be My Servant

To raise up the tribes of Jacob and torestore the preserved ones of Israel;

I will also make You a light of theNations so that My salvation may

reach to the end of the earth.”

Isaiah 49:6

“Jesus was a greatman and a Prophet,but he was not the

Messiah.”

Statement: “When He lived onearth, Jesus Christ was humanand committed sins like otherpeople.” Agree strongly 20%Agree somewhat 30%Disagree strongly 30%Disagree somewhat20%

DISCUSSION GUIDE

1. Isaiah prophesied about how the Messiah was formed in the womb (49:5). What does that say about the value of the unborn?

The Purpose of Jesus was established from thebeginning of time and physical birth was

necessary to fulfill His purpose. Unborn babiesare people and God has a plan for their lives.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

2. What is the incredible significance of (v. 6) for Christians everywhere?

God chose to open salvation up to more peoplethan just the Israelites. Jesus is for the nations.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

3. What do the following passages teach about the characteristics of the Messiah?

a. (Daniel 7:13-14) He has dominion over everything and

everyoneb. (Daniel 9:25-26) The time of His birth was

predictedc. (John 1:13-14) He was born of God. His glory

is from God and He is full of grace and truth

d. (John 8:58-59) Jesus declared Himself the Messiah

e. (John 10:30) I and the Father are one

DISCUSSION GUIDE

4. The Jews do not accept that Jesus is the Messiah. Why do you?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

5. Jesus identified Himself as the Messiah. Look up these passages and record how He referred to Himself.

a. (John 8:35) I am the Bread of Lifeb. (John 8:12) I am the Light of the Worldc. (John 8:58) I am before Abrahamd. (John 10:7-9) I am the Doore. (John 10:11-15) I am the Good Shepherdf. (John 11:25) I am the Resurrectiong. (John 14:6) I am the Way, the Truth and the Lifeh. (John 15:1, 5) I am the True Vine

DISCUSSION GUIDE

6. Which of the “I Am” references for Jesus do you most identify with? Why?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

7. In (Isaiah 49:8-13) Isaiah describes a great homecoming. List the who and what of this homecoming.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

8. Complete the following chart that points to fulfilled prophecy about the Messiah that Jesus completed.

Passage Years written before Jesus

Fulfilled Prophecy

(Isaiah 7:14) 700 He would be born of a virgin(Micah 5:2) 700 He would be born in Bethlehem(Genesis 3:15) 1400 He would come from the seed of a woman(Isaiah 9:7) 700 He would be a descendent of David(Isaiah 29:18) 700 He would heal the deaf and the blind(Isaiah 53:3) 700 He would be rejected by His own(Psalm 78:2) 300-1000 He would teach in parables(Psalm 41:9) 300-1000 He would be betrayed by a friend(Zechariah 11:12)

500 He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

(Psalm 34:20) 300-1000 His bones would remain unbroken(Isaiah 53:9) 700 He would be buried in a rich man’s grave(Hosea 6:2) 300 He would be resurrected in three days

DISCUSSION GUIDE

9. How does Jesus fulfilling Old Testament prophecy validate His claim to be the Messiah?

DISCUSSION GUIDE

10. How does (Colossians 2:9) sum up the identity of Jesus?

He was God in the flesh.

The Real Jesus Christ

There's the Republican Jesus—who is against taxincreases and activist judges, for family values andowning firearms. There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street andWal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printingmoney. There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life'sproblems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we areand not to be so hard on ourselves.

There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee,loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes tofilm festivals. There's Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all thetime no matter what (except for people who are not asopen-minded as you). There's Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes fun fasterand jump higher than non-Christians and determines theoutcomes of Super Bowls. There's Martyr Jesus—a good man who died a crueldeath so we can feel sorry for him.

There's Gentle Jesus—who was meek and mild, withhigh cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks aroundbarefoot, wearing a sash (while looking very German). There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to givepeace a chance, imagines a world without religion, andhelps us remember that "all you need is love." There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach ourfull potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat. There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches,pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather havepeople out in nature, finding "the god within" whilelistening to ambiguously spiritual music.

There's Platitude Jesus—good for Christmas specials,greeting cards, and bad sermons, inspiring people tobelieve in themselves. There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebelagainst the status quo, stick it to the man, and blamethings on "the system." There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher whobelieves in you and helps you find your center. There's Boyfriend Jesus—who wraps his arms around usas we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place. There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how tohelp people, change the planet, and become a better you.