Sermon Outline 12.1.24

Text: Isaiah 7; Matthew 1:23
Title: A Sign for Ahaz and a Savior for Us
Theme: Jesus Christ fills up the meaning of the sign promised to Ahaz
Purpose: To demonstrate the truth of God’s Word and deepen worship this Christmas.
Key Idea: God uses communication and context to ensure His promises.

I. Introduction
A. Importance of Isaiah 7:14:

1. Frequently quoted prophecy about Jesus.
2. Highlights the virgin birth’s role in Jesus' uniqueness.

B. Significance of the Virgin Birth:

1. Essential for Jesus’ divine identity.
2. Supported by Luke 1:35 as God's miraculous work.

II. The Communication of the Prophecy
A. Understanding the language of Isaiah 7:14

• Critics challenge the use of alma instead of bethullah.
• Bethullah is contextually ambiguous (e.g., Genesis 24:16).
• Alma refers to young women who have not known a man (e.g., Gen 24:43, Ex 2:8).

B. Role of Context in Meaning

• Words like “run” have meaning shaped by context.
• Alma fits Isaiah’s intended context perfectly.

III. The Historical Context of Isaiah’s Prophecy
A. Setting the Scene (Isaiah 7:1-2)

• Ahaz faces threats from Syria and Israel.
• His misplaced trust in Assyria instead of God.

B. The House of David

• A recurring theme signaling the Messianic line.
• Link to God’s covenant with David (1 Chronicles 28:20).

IV. The Promise of a Sign (Isaiah 7:10-17)
A. God’s Invitation to Ahaz (vv. 10-12)

• Ahaz’s false piety in refusing a sign.
• God’s assurance despite Ahaz’s faithlessness.

B. The Sign of Immanuel (vv. 13-14)

• A virgin will conceive and bear a son, signifying “God with us.”
• The extraordinary nature of the sign as deep as Sheol and as high as heaven.

V. The Dual Fulfillment of the Prophecy
A. Partial Fulfillment in Isaiah’s Time (Isaiah 8:1-4)

• Birth of Maher-shalal-hash-baz as a short-term sign.
• Differences between Maher-shalal-hash-baz and Immanuel:
• Not called “God with us.”
• Birth not supernatural.

B. Complete Fulfillment in Jesus Christ

• Isaiah 9:1-7: Messiah for Israel and Gentiles.
• Titles and roles exclusively divine fulfilled in Jesus.

VI. Application and Assurance
A. God’s Faithfulness Through Signs

• The sign was partially fulfilled immediately and fully realized in Jesus 700 years later.
• Assurance that God keeps His promises.

B. The Sign for Us

• Jesus’ birth as “God with us” assures us today.
• Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us of God speaking definitively through His Son.

C. Trusting God’s Word

• Encouragement in trials through the truth of Scripture.
• Jesus is the promised King and Savior for all ages.