Rsbc 12/5/99
Sunday Night
The Book of Isaiah
Subject- “ Christ Is Our Ensign”
Text- Isaiah 11-10-16
Intro- It is clear to me that this chapter is part of the first coming of Christ, when Jesus Christ came he brought into this world a peace that nothing can compare to it. The first verses of this chapter showing with it’s description of the animals having their nature changed is picturing the nature of wild man and his depraved nature.
The Key to understanding this chapter is found with the two words “IN THAT DAY” He uses that twice in our text..once in verse 10 and the other in verse 11. So if we can establish from the word of God what day he was talking about then we can safely determine when all this occurred in this chapter..
I believe it is talking about the day in Christ was born to save his people from their sins. Some of the references that seem at least to me indicate that is found a number of places but I wish to examine one of them by a former Pharisee, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, one who excelled in his own religion above all others... Paul the Apostle.
Romans 15-8-12
Tonight rather trying to figure out all this I wish to preach something that we can all agree on wether we see these verses completely alike or not.. CHRIST IS OUR ENSIGN What is an Ensign? Well to the best of my understanding, it has two defining thoughts, one is an standard, and the other is the standard bearer. In our text it is not the standard bearer that we shall seek too, but the standard itself which is Christ our Lord. What kind of Ensign is Christ our standard?
I... “ HE IS A WARRIOR” ....
Isaiah 55:4 Behold, I have given him [for] a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.
He is called the captain our salvation...Heb 2-10 This teaches me that Christianity is a warfare Paul told this to Timothy..2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
We are told by the Apostle Paul...
Ephesians 6:10‑11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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When we think of war and battles we fight here and yonder till the victories are won. There is an old Hym not in the one that we sing in now, but the title of the song is “THERE IS A BANNER OF THE LORD” and it goes like this...
II.... “ THE CHRIST IS A GATHERING ENSIGN”..VS 10-12
He gathers his people in both the gentiles and the dispersed of Israel, that is exactly what the text declares...This is what Jacob said through his prophecy relating to Judah.
Genesis 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him [shall] the gathering of the people [be].
Once the lawgiver comes the scrptre shall depart Judah, and the gathering shall began and the gathering shall be to the Ensign which is Christ our Lord. One place this word means to cleanse and the other means to gathered cleansed people.
1. As sheep to a shepherd..
John 10:2‑5 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
2. As children to a father.
3. As chicken’s to their mother hen..Matt 28:37
Christ the great gathering ensign leads his people many ways but the main ways are set forth in the word of God...
By his word..
Isaiah 59:20‑21 And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. 21 As for me, this [is] my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
By example...
1 Peter 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
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I Pet 2-22-25
III.... ‘ HE IS THAT UNSEEN TO THE NATURAL EYE ENSIGN”
1. It is said in the word of God that they saw him by faith...
Hebrews 11:26‑27 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
We must be ready to look, listen, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ at all cost...again in the book of Hebrews we see this...
Hebrews 12:1‑3 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
IV. CHRIS IS A EXALTED ENSIGN....
When you look at an Ensign’s that are carried by the bearer it is lifted up high above the company of Soldier’s that it is easily seen. It is also a custom to choose the tallest of the company to bear it, so it is with Christ our Ensign .he is lifted up high so that we can see him. He is lifted up three ways.
1st. In the kind of death which he died.
John 3:14‑15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 12:32‑33 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all [men] unto me. 33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.
2nd. In his resurrection...
Acts 13:33‑34 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, [now] no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
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3rs. In the preaching of his gospel we raise him up.
1 Corinthians 1:23‑24 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
V. HE IS A CONQUERING ENSIGN..
1ST. It is seen in the vision of Revelation...
Revelation 6:2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
These two are the same, one is at the beginning of his ministry and theother is at the end of his ministry with regard to the earth..