Sermon Central
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Confession, Prayer, And God’s Mercy Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 21, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Isaiah demonstrates a very unique position in chapters 63 and 64 as he pleads with God to hear, forgive, and rescue His people. Why? Because he knew that there is no way we (as a creation) could be forgiven without God’s (the Creator's) direct intervention.
Isaiah, Part 26
Confession, Prayer, and God’s Mercy
Isaiah 63:1-19; Isaiah 64:1-12
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’ve come to worship today
- Dismiss kids for Children’s Church and Nursery (9 and under)
- Continuing our series in Isaiah; 2 msgs left in this series – finishing next week!
- Lots of reading today – but believe there is much value here
-- FACT: Reading the Word over you is the greatest thing I can do as a Pastor
-- BONUS: It uses / engages several of your senses: hearing, sight, and touch
-- Will expound/teach a bit … but I want us to soak in the application of it
- Pray
- Ask: Do you ever wonder, how God wants you to live?
Point 1 – Isaiah’s Confession & Praise for God’s Deliverance
- Read Isaiah 63:7-14
- SEE: Restoration and protection comes from God; His promise confirms it
• RE: God chose Abraham and His descendants to be His people
• Seeking to keep His family together, God stepped in as their Savior
• KNOW: When people sin, God disciplines – loving nature on display (v8)
o God will not let you live in sin – once you know the truth, called to it!
• God uses His discipline to stir people to repent – to remember His mercy
o Know this: We don’t deserve love; we deserve His wrath (Rom 6:23)
o So, what did He do? (v11) He gave them a great leader: Moses!
o He rescued them by dividing the Red Sea: Exodus 14:21-22
o He guided them (v13); assuring their steps through wilderness
o He gave them (v14) spiritual and physical rest: Joshua 23:1-3
Point 2 – Isaiah’s Prayer for Mercy and Pardon
- SEE: There was a cry for God to look down … to hear and help His people!
-- Pay attention: See how the people respond to God: Read Isaiah 63:15-19
• Knew they needed God’s help b/c his mercy/protection was withheld (v15)
- Humanity: After God showed His goodness … there is a repentant spirit!
• People confessed they needed God’s help (as a Father and Redeemer) (v16)
• They cried out for help because they had turned away from God (v17)
o BIG: They spent time crying out because they knew there were still some faithful: ‘we are your servants’ - help us for the sake of a few!
• They cried out because their enemies had destroyed God’s temple (v18)
• The cried out because they REALIZED their own SINFUL condition (v19)
• IMP: They knew they had messed up, depended on themselves too much!
- TR: What does this produce? Or … for us now: Why does this matter?
Point 3 – Isaiah’s Confession on Behalf of One who Seeks God
- Read Isaiah 64:1-12 KEY: See how knowing God changes your prayer life:
- There was a cry for God to come down, to display His power (vv1-5)
- There is a cry of repentance of their deep-rooted, and personal, sin (vv5-8)
- Isaiah says they are all sinners; infected with it: ARE weak, unstable; need help!
-- MUST confess our need: Jesus taught us this (confession): Matthew 10:32-33
- Realize this … Isaiah, as a minister, cries out for God’s forgiveness!! (vv9-12)
1) Isaiah pleaded for forgiveness because they were His people (love)
2) Isaiah pleaded for forgiveness because of the destruction of God’s cities
3) Isaiah prayed for forgiveness because the Holy Temple was destroyed
4) Isaiah prayed for forgiveness because the people needed it! (selfless)
- CLOSE: There is no way we could be forgiven without God’s intervention
-- This is the message and hope that Gospel brings – Isaiah knew it & shared it!
-- Now, why does this matter? See the Majesty: Read: Isaiah 63:1-6 POWER!
- He knew people could not be rescued without a Holy intervention, DO WE?
