Introduction
1. Undoubtedly you have heard of the four Gospels.
a. The Gospel according to Matthew
b. The Gospel according to Mark
c. The gospel according to Luke
d. The Gospel according to John
But have you heard of the Gospel according to Isaiah?
2. Preaching the Gospel of Christ, it wasn’t uncommon for the apostles and others in the first century to refer to the Old Testament.
a. It was Paul’s custom, Acts 17:1-3.
b. Apollos did the same at Corinth, Acts 18:27-28.
3. That was because elements of the gospel were foretold by Old Testament prophets.
a. Concerning the coming of the Messiah
b. Concerning the establishment of His kingdom
4. One such prophet was Isaiah.
a. Who lived 750 years before Christ
b. Who was sent to prophesy to Judah and Jerusalem, Isaiah 1:1.
5. Isaiah’s book contains so many prophecies regarding the Messiah and His kingdom.
a. He is often called ‘the Messianic prophet’.
b. We could call his book ‘The gospel according to Isaiah’.
To illustrate my point, let’s review some of the prophecies found in the Book of Isaiah.
1. The Gospel of the Messiah
a. Good news about the man.
1. He will be born of a virgin
a. Whose name will be Immanuel (‘God with us’) Isaiah 7:14.
b. Fulfilled with the birth of Jesus by Mary, Matthew 1:18-23.
2. He will be a wonderful Child
a. With an amazing name(s), destined to reign, Isaiah 9:6-7.
b. Announced by the angels at Jesus’ birth, Luke 2:11.
3. He will be of the family of David (Jesse)
a. Descending from the ‘stem of Jesse’ (David’s father), Isaiah 11:1.
b. Jesus’ lineage is shown in Matthew 1 (via Joseph) and Luke 3 (via Mary)
4. The Spirit of the Lord will rest upon Him
a. With wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord, Isaiah 11:2.
b. Visibly manifested at His baptism by John, Matthew 3:16.
B. Good news about His ministry.
1. He will be preceded by a forerunner
a. One sent to prepare the way, Isaiah 40:3-5.
b. Fulfilled with the ministry of John the Baptist, Matthew 3:1-3.
2. He will be anointed to preach good tidings
a. To the poor, proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord, Isaiah 61:1-3.
b. Fulfilled by His preaching in Nazareth, Luke 4:16-21.
3. He will bring light to those living in Galilee
a. In the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, Isaiah 9:1-2.
b. Fulfilled by His living and preaching in Capernaum, Matthew 4:12-16.
4. He will not advertise Himself
a. By quarrelling or crying out in the streets, Isaiah 42:1-3.
b. Fulfilled in Jesus’ response to threats on His life, Matthew 12:14-21.
5. He will suffer on our behalf
a. Despised and rejected by men, Isaiah 53:1-3 / John 1:12.
b. His suffering and death for our sins, Isaiah 53:4-8 / Matthew 8:17 / 1 Peter 2:24.
c. Silent before His accusers, Isaiah 53:7 / Matthew 27:12-14.
d. His grave with the wicked and the rich, Isaiah 53:9 / Matthew 27:38 / Matthew 27:57-60.
e. All according to God’s will, for our sins, Isaiah 53:10-12 / Acts 2:23 / 1 Timothy 2:5-6.
Through such vivid prophecies, Isaiah foretold the gospel of the Messiah. Note how Philip was able to make good use of Isaiah’s ‘Gospel’ in preaching Christ, Acts 8:30-38. But Isaiah’s prophecies were not limited to the Messiah Himself, Mark 1:14-15. Just as Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom, so did Isaiah through his prophecies.
1. The Gospel of the kingdom
a. Good news about its origin.
1. It shall come to pass in the ‘latter days’
a. The mountain of the Lord’s house will be established, Isaiah 2:1-2.
b. The time was fulfilled when Jesus began preaching, Mark 1:14-15.
2. It shall proceed from Jerusalem
a. As the Word is spread, Isaiah 2:3.
b. So Jesus explained, the Word must proceed from Jerusalem, Luke 24:44-47.
3. Good news about its nature.
1. It shall be a kingdom of peace
a. People will not learn war; its king will be the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 2:4 / Isaiah 9:6-7.
b. Thus the kingdom of God is one of peace, Romans 14:17.
2. It shall include the Gentiles
a. The Gentiles shall seek Him, in Whom they shall find justice, Isaiah 11:10 / Isaiah 42:1 / Isaiah 42:6.
b. Thus Jesus has united both Jew and Gentile, Ephesians 2:11-18.
C. Good news about its future.
1. It shall last forever
a. Of His kingdom, there shall be no end, Isaiah 9:7.
b. Even as the angel Gabriel pronounced to Mary, Luke 1:31-33.
2. It shall usher in a new heavens and new earth
a. Promised by God in terms to which Israel could relate, Isaiah 65:17-25 / Isaiah 66:22-23.
b. A promise fully realised with the coming of Christ, ‘2 Peter 3:10-14 / Revelation 21:1-4.
Conclusion
1. Perhaps we can see why the apostles and others used the Old Testament.
a. To convince many that Jesus was the Messiah
b. To proclaim the prophecies concerning Him and His kingdom were being fulfilled
2. What is your reaction to the Gospel?
a. Foretold by the prophets centuries before Christ came?
b. Proclaimed by the apostles and preachers in the first century, A.D.?
3. My prayer and hope is that it is.
a. Similar to that of the Samaritans, Acts 8:12.
b. Akin to that of the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8:30-38.
Not like some of those in Rome, who had hardened their hearts! Acts 28:23-31.
