Text: Isaiah 7:10-14

10 Moreover the Lord spake again unto Ahaz, saying,

11 Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.

12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord.

13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also?

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Introduction:

a.       During the reign of Ahaz (Isaiah’s third king) the King of Israel (the northern tribes) and the King of Syria made a treaty to go to war against Judah (verse 1-2). God told Isaiah to tell King Ahaz not to worry, Judah’s enemies will not succeed (verses 3-9a). 

b.      Guess what? Ahaz did not believe God.

Isaiah 7:9b

…You don't believe me? If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say. TLB

c.      Good advice for all of us, BELIEVE GOD.

d.     God tells Ahaz to ask for a sign so he can believe and not worry. (verse 11)

e.      Ahaz refuses to ask for a sign. (verse 12)

f.       Why do we play games with God? (verse 13)

g.      So God said I will give you a sign. Let us consider God’s sign. (verse 14)

1.      A Sign Like No Other

a.       The announcement to Mary

Luke 1:31-34

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

b.      The announcement to Joseph.

Matthew 1:22-25

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

2.      What Is The Important Object? – A Virgin Or A Son, Immanuel

a.       (1 slide) The virgin is the sign – points the way to the real thing. 

b.      Example Old Testament - Serpent

Numbers 21:8-9

8 And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.

9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

John 3:14

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

2 Kings 18:4

He (Hezekiah) removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan.

c.       As in Moses time, many want to worship everything and anything but God.

d.      (2 slides) In Israel many churches made to honor Mary, they pray to Mary.

3.      Mary - The Sign

a.       Found Favor (grace)

Luke 1:30

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

b.      Noah also found grace with God, we don’t worship him.

Genesis 6:8

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

c.       Jesus answered the question – should we worship the sign.

Luke 11:27-28

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Matthew 12:46-50

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

4.      Have You Followed The Sign To The Son, Immanuel 

a.       Those who were close to God recognized the Son

Luke 2:25, 28-33, 36-38 (22-38)

25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

b.      Those who saw his death recognized the Son

Matthew 27:54

Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

c.       Lots of signs point to Jesus, do you believe?

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

5.      Closing

a.       Remember the original question put to Ahaz?

Isaiah 7:9b

…You don't believe me? If you want me to protect you, you must learn to believe what I say. TLB