Rsbc
October 20, 2002
Sunday Night
The Book of Isaiah
Sermon # 100
Text: Isaiah 55: 4-13
Intro: In these verse is hid some of the most precious truths of the word of GOD concerning the great gift of GOD and the work he did and is doing. It is also filled with the precious truths concerning the grace of GOD extended to a people in whom he had not known... In essence it was the gentiles.
This does not mean that he did not know them in his covenant and eternal purpose to save a people for his name, but he did not know them at that particular time on earth...Few gentiles were saved at the time of the writing of this passage or even when the LORD came...
I... “ CHRIST THE GREAT GIFT”...VS 4
1st. He gave him as a witness: a witness is one that bear testimony to certain things and one who gives evidence of things...
When Jesus was on trail before Pilate he said these words: John 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
John said on the Ile of Patmos that he was: Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
a. Christ beared witness of his Father: John 8:18‑19 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. 19 Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
b. Christ beared witness of his purpose for coming:
Page # 2
Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
2nd. He gave him as a leader and commander : vs 4
A leader is a captain, and a commander is one who gives charges to someone, one who appoints certain duties to be discharge. No one who studies the life of Christ cam come up with anything but the reality that Jesus Christ is indeed a leader, a commander..
A. A leader leaves a clear example to follow:
1 Peter 2:21‑24 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
B. A leader must lead: Matthew 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
As our leader he is our captain and as our captain he gave his life for us so that we could follow him: Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom [are] all things, and by whom [are] all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
As our leader and commander he has left us his word to hear, and to obey and to study and share it with others... He said if you love me keep my commandments..
His commandments are not grevious at all... they are to the flesh but not the Spirit.
Page # 3
II... “ THE WONDERFUL CALL OF A PEOPLE: VS 5
Sinners are called from among the children of men, sinners are called by the gospel of Christ, sinners are converted by the preaching of the word of the LORD.
Clearly this is a prophecy concerning the gentiles and how the LORD would call them into his fold..
1st. The surety of their call: “ thou shalt call”
Eph 2:11-13
2nd. The surety of their response: “ they shall run”
Isaiah 60: 1-6
This is the effectual calling of the gentiles into the LORD’S kingdom...
3rd. The glorification of the son: “ thou hast glorified thee”
a. The Lord Jesus Christ prayed for his glorification: John 17:1‑3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: 2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. 3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
b. Peter declared that he had been glorified: Acts 3:13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let [him] go.
III... “ THE GREAT GOSPEL CALL”...VS 6-7
1st.. Take advantage of the moment GOD has afforded you: vs 6
Zephaniah 2:3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.
Page # 4
2nd. Call upon him: vs 6
David said and it is true tonight GOD must incline his ear to you if you are lost... he must cause you to call and if he does he will hear you: Psalm 116:2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon [him] as long as I live.
Psalm 145:18 The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
Paul makes it clear:
Romans 10:12‑15 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
3rd. The great duty and responsibility of the sinner: vs 7
a. He is to forsake his ways and his thoughts
Jeremiah 10:23 O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.
B. What the Lord promises: vs 7 “ I will have mercy and pardon