God's Invitations For Today

God’s Invitations For Today

Isaiah 55

Our nation has suffered an awful tragedy that has moved us deeply. National concern for the safety and well being of our citizens has prompted our leaders to declare “War on Terrorism”.

I applaud our President, Congress, Military, and State and Local Leaders for their resolve to act on our behalf to defend and protect us and the freedoms that we hold dear.

In the face of these tragic events there have been a number of calls across our country for us to get back to the spiritual foundation of our great republic. We have been invited to Call upon God, and now more than ever we certainly need to do so!

As the events of the past two weeks have unfolded, many Americans are beginning to seek answers to spiritual questions.

Questions about life and death, God, and eternity. People probing to find the answers to their unmet spiritual needs. Many, many questions about the unrest in the human heart and soul at this hour. I am reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”.

In my view, we are witnessing an unmistakable call from God in our nation and around the world today – He is calling sinners to salvation and the saved to sanctification and service. I want to focus here in Isaiah 55 on God’s Invitations for Today.

First we need to see:

I. The Necessity of God’s Invitations –

A. They are Necessitated Because of the Sin of Mankind

1. We Are Sinners By Nature and Sinners By Choice

2. Sin Separates Us From God – Now and Eternally – Rom. 3:23;

Rom. 5:8

B. They are Necessitated Because of the Suffering of the Savior – Isa. 53

1. Isaiah describes in great detail the Suffering of Christ, note v. 6

II. The Nature of God’s Invitations

A. An Invitation to Drink – v. 1

B. An Invitation to Hear and Listen – v. 2

C. An Invitation to Come To God – v. 3

D. An Invitation to Seek the Lord – v. 6

E. An Invitation to Call Upon Him – v. 6

F. An Invitation to Repent – v. 7

G. An Invitation to Return to the Lord – v. 8

Isaiah 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.

III. The Nearness of God’s Invitations

A. Their Limitations

1. To Drink – Only to the Thirsty – v. 1 - John 7:37

2. To Hear – Only to those willing to Listen – v. 3 - Luke 8:4-8

3. To Seek Him – Only While He May be Found – v. 6

4. To Find Him – Only While He is Near – v. 6 - Mt. 23:37; Heb. 3:15