Sunday 19 April 2015 - Lawrence Kirby Notes

As Kāpiti Impact Church launches, I wanted to look at a key verse that has influenced our culture and my leadership:

Isaiah 42:1-9 NLT 
"Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations.  He will be gentle-he will not shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush those who are weak or quench the smallest hope. He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth. Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction."

God, the LORD, created the heavens and stretched them out. He created the earth and everything in it. He gives breath and life to everyone in all the world. And it is he who says, "I, the LORD, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness. I will guard and support you, for I have given you to my people as the personal confirmation of my covenant with them. And you will be a light to guide all nations to me. You will open the eyes of the blind and free the captives from prison. You will release those who sit in dark dungeons.

"I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to anyone else. I will not share my praise with carved idols. Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens."

Some thoughts:
* this is a declaration about Jesus - Matt 12:18-21
* so this is a declaration about us
* our source of strength is God - Phil 4:13
* we are chosen by God - 1 peter 2:9
* God is pleased with us
* the Spirit is upon us - Is 61/Acts 1:8
Some things that characterise Jesus followers:
* love justice - Micah 6:8
* gentle
* not attention seekers or troublemakers
* cares for people where they're at
* perseveres/endures/keeps the faith/holds on