Sermon Notes

Give Thanks and Sing!

Isaiah 12 | November 23, 2025 | Central Baptist Church

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About This Message

Isaiah 12 captures that moment of relief when you can finally exhale and say “It’s going to be okay.” After weeks of judgment and warnings in the book of Isaiah, chapter 12 breaks through with a song of celebration. Rather than more judgment, here’s pure joy. Rather than warnings, here’s worship.

This short chapter contains two songs. The first is personal: “I will trust and not be afraid” (verses 1-3). The second is public: “Make known His deeds among the peoples” (verses 4-6). The movement flows from receiving God’s salvation to declaring it to others.

The central truth: God’s salvation transforms our fear into joy and our gratitude into declaration.

Message Outline

I. Receive God’s Salvation with Joy (vv. 1-3)

  • Remember what God has done. Thanksgiving begins with looking back and asking: “Where did God show up?” Biblical gratitude is specific and rooted in God’s action.
  • Trust that God is your strength. “I will trust, and will not be afraid” (v. 2). Thanksgiving moves from looking back to moving forward with confidence based on God’s proven faithfulness.
  • Draw deeply from God’s joy. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (v. 3). Salvation is an ongoing source of refreshment, not just a one-time event.

II. Declare God’s Goodness to Others (vv. 4-6)

  • Make His deeds known. “Make known his deeds among the peoples” (v. 4). When God has been good to you, tell people. Your testimony might be what someone else needs to hear.
  • Celebrate that God is in your midst. “Shout, and sing for joy… for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (v. 6). The ultimate reason for thanksgiving is WHO God is and that He is WITH us.

Reflection Questions

  1. Where did God show up for you this year? Take time to remember specific moments when God proved faithful.
  2. Isaiah 12:1 acknowledges both hard seasons and God’s comfort. How does this give you permission to be honest in your thanksgiving?
  3. “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (v. 3). Are you drawing fresh joy from God today, or trying to coast on yesterday’s spiritual experience?
  4. Biblical thanksgiving naturally overflows into testimony. Who needs to hear your story of God’s faithfulness right now?
  5. “Great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (v. 6). How does knowing God is WITH you (not just blessing you from a distance) change your worship?

What to Do Next

Take 10 minutes this week to write down three specific ways God showed up for you this year. Be detailed. Then share one of those stories with someone. It could be at a meal, in a text, or in conversation. Simply tell them: “Let me tell you what God did.” Your story of God’s faithfulness might be exactly what they need to hear right now.

About Adam

Adam Burton is the pastor of Central Baptist Church in Maysville, Kentucky, and serves as a police chaplain. He’s passionate about helping people build a faith that lasts through practical, gospel-centered teaching.

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