A Light in the Darkness
November 23, 2025
In a world that often silences truth and mocks faith, Isaiah shows us what it means to follow God into the darkness. Built through years of listening and obedience, the prophet learns to trust the Lord when the journey becomes painful. His words point ahead to Jesus, the ultimate Servant who set His face like flint and carried the light of God’s love through the shadow of the cross. Join us for the final message in the Here I Am series, where we discover that when the world rejects the truth, God’s Word still shines in the darkness—and so must we.
Passage
Isaiah 50:4-10;
What we must do:
To be God’s messenger, we must first be God’s ##listener##.
What we must endure:
To be God’s messenger, we must be willing to ##suffer## without ##retreat##.
What we must expect:
To be God’s messenger, we must expect God’s ##vindication##.
Small Group Questions
Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couples or family devotion, or with a small group.
HANGOUT
Jesus began His ministry in His hometown of Nazareth, but the people who knew Him best were the first to reject Him. Have you ever felt misunderstood or rejected by people who thought they knew you? How did you respond?
HEAR
Read Luke 4:16-21
- What stands out to you about the way Jesus introduces His mission by reading Isaiah 61?
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing”?
- Why is it significant that He began His ministry in a synagogue in His hometown?
Read Luke 4:22-27
- At first, the people were amazed. What changed their attitude from wonder to anger?
- Why do you think Jesus mentioned Elijah and Elisha helping Gentiles instead of Israelites?
- What does this teach us about God’s heart for the nations and His rejection of religious exclusivity?
Read Luke 4:28-30
- Why did the crowd respond so violently to Jesus’ words?
- What does it mean that Jesus “passed through the crowd and went on His way”?
- How does this moment foreshadow what Jesus—and His followers—would endure as bearers of God’s message?
HUDDLE
Where in your life is God calling you to be faithful even when it’s unpopular or misunderstood? What would it look like for you to “set your face like flint” in obedience to God this week? Pray for one another to have the courage to live and speak as light-bearers in a world that sometimes prefers the darkness.
Daily Reading
As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
- Day 1: Isaiah 50:4-10
- Day 2: Luke 4:16-30
- Day 3: John 1:1-14
- Day 4: Isaiah 61:1-3
- Day 5: Matthew 5:10-16
- Day 6: Acts 13:44-49
- Day 7: Romans 8:31-39
Passage to Memorize: Isaiah 50:10
Think Deeper
- Where in your life do you feel called by God to trust Him even when you can't see the outcome?
- How can listening more carefully to God’s Word help you speak more wisely in a skeptical world?
- What would it look like for you to “set your face like flint” this week—staying faithful even when obedience costs you something?
Suggested Resources
Isaiah for Everyone, by John Goldingay
The Gospel According to Isaiah 53, by Darrell Bock & Mitch Glaser
Simply Christian by N.T. Wright
Broken Signposts, by N.T. Wright
Check out these and other books from our suggested reading list at https://bit.ly/AspireSMB.