February 1, 2026

Isaiah 43:1-3a

The Communion of Saints

Sunday Sermons

What do you do when you are in a very difficult situation? What does an entire community do when they are faced with a difficult situation? Where is God when we encounter hardships? Are we left on our own, or do we encounter God’s presence even when we feel like we are in the valley of the shadow of death? Join Pastor Matt as we study through the first few verses of Isaiah 43, and we are reminded of the God who is there for us, and we are encouraged to take part in the Communion of Saints.

Speaker

Matt Pierson

Series

Acts of the Apostles (2026)

Go to Series

Scripture

Isaiah 43:1-3a

Topics
Doubt Growth & Discipleship Worldview & Culture

Sermon Notes

Isaiah 43:1-3a

The Communion of Saints

Pastor Matt Pierson

“Thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Isaiah 43: 1-3a

Leader:
How do you participate in the communion of the saints?

People:
I live as a member of the communion of saints through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit by gathering to worship God with my fellow Christians, by praying for and encouraging one another, and by coming to one another’s aid in times of trouble, sickness, or grief.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

“At this very moment, you might feel more lost than ever, in deepest darkness like a shroud, but your Lord Jesus is not standing there beside you lost or scratching his head wondering what to do…. Your valley right now, however its oppressive walls are formed… is not the destination but the journey…. Jesus is not up ahead asking for directions. He is not lost. He knows where he is leading you. He knows there is a way through it and out of it because that was his own experience of the valley; he has been there ahead of you and for you.”
David Gibson, The Lord of Psalm 23

Discussion Questions

  1. When you consider the description of the Communion of Saints (“gathering, praying, encouraging, coming to one another’s aid”), where did you see that lived out over this past week?
  2. Where do you tend to feel more comfortable: as one who serves or as the one needing support? What might God be prompting you to consider as you balance these two?
  3. In 2 Corinthians 1, Paul says God comforts us so that we can comfort others with the same comfort we’ve received. Looking back over hardships in your life, what  “treasures” of comfort, wisdom, or empathy do you sense God may have built in you for future ministry to others?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“Magnificent Marvelous“ by Aaron Keyes and Matt Papa
“All Hail The Power Of Jesus Name“ by Oliver Holden, Edward Perronet and John Rippon
“I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)“ by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel
“The King In All His Beauty“ Words and Music by Matt Papa and Matt Boswell, arranged by Rob Stroh
“O Praise The Name (Anástasis)“ by Benjamin Hastings, Dean Ussher and Marty Sampson
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois

Call To Worship: To God Be The Glory

LEADER: To our God and Father be glory forever and ever!
PEOPLE: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

LEADER: To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever.
PEOPLE: I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

ALL: To our God and Father be glory forever and ever! Amen!

Confession of Sin

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against You this day, in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole hearts; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may delight in Your will, and walk in Your ways, to the glory of Your Name. Grant to Your people pardon and peace, that in Your great mercy, we may be forgiven all our sins, and serve You with a quiet and contrite heart. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Classic Prayer: Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

O loving God,
to turn away from you is to fall,
to turn toward you is to rise,
and to stand before you is to abide forever.
Grant us, dear God,
in all our duties your help;
in all our uncertainties your guidance;
in all our dangers your protection;
and in all our sorrows your peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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