These are Sunday talks on the book of Isaiah. For the very latest, see the "Latest Recorded Talks" page. Sermon series are available on church, Exodus, selected Psalms, Luke, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, 1 Peter and James. Previous talks not in those series are on the Recorded Earlier page. You can download still older files, back to 2011, from the Sermon Archive. For some of our favourites from all these collections, see the panel at the lower right of this page.
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Isaiah 9: a Christmas talk, and a short series on the zeal of the Lord
Isaiah 9:1-11 – Who does Jesus belong to?
"To us a child is born" – this all sounds wonderful, so let's be clear: who is meant by "us"? (Erik Pattison, 24 December 2017)
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Isaiah 9:1-7 – The zeal of the Lord
"To us a son is given… The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this." God has a passion to achieve all that he wills. (Erik Pattison, 27 December 2020. This recording includes the longer version of the talk given in church, and the Q&A from our online meeting.)
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Isaiah 9:7 and Matthew 13 – The increase of his government
Isaiah promises that the Messiah's kingdom will expand. Some people say this must be in the future as they cannot see it now. But the parables of the Kingdom in Matthew chapter 13 give us Jesus' explanation of how his kingdom works now. (Erik Pattison, 3 January 2021. Recorded in church, with additional remarks at the end from our online meeting)
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Isaiah 9:4-7 – The increase of his peace
It is harder still to understand the promise that Jesus' peace is increasing, as we don't seem to see it. How does faith make sense of this? (Erik Pattison, 10 January 2021. Recorded in church, with Q&A from our online meeting)
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Isaiah 40 (Dec 2019–March 2020): a short series
Isaiah 40:1-5 – Comfort my people
God's message of comfort was a surprise at more than one level, and still speaks comfort today for his people on the rocky road of life. (Neville Reid, 1 December 2019)
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Isaiah 40:6-11 – God's word stands forever
For several lines Isaiah is told to bluntly remind his hearers that they are mortal. How does this belong in a message of comfort, and why does he contrast our mortality with God's word standing forever? (Neville Reid, 8 December 2019)
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Isaiah 40 and Luke 1v5-25 – The Voice from the Presence of God
Gabriel speaks as one who has come from the presence of God. He foretells the birth of John, who will be a voice in the wilderness, and speak with authority from God like Elijah. We need such voices today. (Erik Pattison, 15 December 2019)
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Isaiah for Today: A short series of five talks given at South Park Chapel, Ilford, in January – February 2018, giving an overview of the whole book:
1: The New Redemption
How did Isaiah's experience of God in the Temple fit him for his ministry? The key passages in this talk include chapters 1 & 6. (Erik Pattison, 28 January 2018)
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2: Writing for the future
Unlike earlier generations of prophets, Isaiah was given a message that was not mainly for his own generation, but for us. Key passages: chapters 6, 8, 47 and 53, and 1 Peter 1:10-12. (Erik Pattison, 4 February 2018)
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3. The Kingdom Reborn
As a highborn politician, Isaiah was distressed over the failures of government. Weary of the rulers in his day, what joy was his to receive visions of the future King. Key passages: chapters 7, 9, 32, 40 and 49. (Erik Pattison, 11 February 2018)
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4. The Two Jerusalems
Isaiah speaks words of horrific doom and glorious promise over Jerusalem (Zion). How is this reconciled in the New Testament? Key passages: Isaiah chapters 2, 3 and 54; Galatians 4; Revelation 11 and 21. (Erik Pattison, 18 February 2018)
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5. Hope for all the Nations
All over the book are promises that go beyond Israel to its neighbours and all nations. Isaiah's concern and vision is far wider than the nationalistic interpretation that has become dominant in recent times. Along with other prophets, he foretold the gospel of Christ, with a vision for the whole world. Key passages: Isaiah chapters 9, 19, 49, 51 and 60; Revelation 21. (Erik Pattison, 25 February 2018)
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Earlier sermons on Isaiah given at the Lighthouse:
Isaiah 6 – Experiencing holiness and atonement
Isaiah had a shock: realising how holy God is. He was also confronted with the freeness of undeserved forgiveness. It changed him and equipped him for a hard calling. Pray for this gift, to see God as he really is. (Erik Pattison, 17 December 2017)
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Isaiah 55 – Doing business with God
There is only one way to relate to God. God licensed Isaiah to declare it long in advance of Jesus' birth. Here is food, pardon and life, for those who have nothing to give. (Erik Pattison, 10 December 2017. We apologise for the low sound quality on this recording.)
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Isaiah 49 – The Apparent Failure of the Cross
We all experience frustration in life. What does God know of this? Who is the Servant of the Lord, who would experience utter failure after giving his all? (Neville Reid, 13 March 2016)
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These are older recordings with lower sound quality:
Isaiah 7:1-17 – Ask for a sign
(Erik Pattison, 2011)
Isaiah 26–26 – The Gospel in Isaiah
(Erik Pattison, 2011)
Isaiah 28 – Scepticism & ignorance
A challenge to trust God's word and build our lives on it. (Erik Pattison, 2011.)