WHO IS LIKE THE LORD? (Outline)
July 22, 2007 -
PENTECOST 8 -
Isaiah 44:6-8
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INTRO: Who is the best? Our nation is obsessed with the best. Just look at the many award shows that seem to flood our airwaves. Every occupation tries to award someone the honor of being the best. There is nothing wrong with being the best. As believers we always try to do our best. We do our best not for the praise of the world but to glorify God. This morning we want to examine why we, as believers, do our best. The Bible abounds with the reasons for every believer to be motivated in living for the Lord by doing what is best. "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below--you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way"(1 KINGS 8:23). Who is like our God? Truly, really, our God is the best. Today’s theme is the question that we will answer with God’s holy word.
WHO IS LIKE THE LORD?
I. Our Lord is the Redeemer, and;
II. Our Lord is the only Rock.
I. OUR LORD IS THE REDEEMER
A. Isaiah was one of God’s prophets sent to proclaim God’s judgment against this disobedient nation.
1. One would note that in the midst of God’s judgment there is also seen God’s great mercy.
2. Isaiah chapter 40 is a chapter of comfort. Chapter 43 introduces the Lord’s suffering Servant.
B. In chapter 44 Isaiah reminds this disobedient nation of Israel that they are still God’s chosen people.
1. The Lord challenges Israel to compare him with their false gods, ver. 7a. “Who is like me?
2. Verse 7b continues God’s challenge to the false gods. Were these gods present at creation?
3. Verse 7c. Let your false gods proclaim the future, accurately. “Who is like me?”
C. Isaiah wants the people to understand that this is the voice of the Lord, not him. Verse 6a.
1. “The Lord says—“ and God’s people are to listen, carefully and paying attention.
2. Verse 6b. Their God is the Lord Almighty, Israel’s King and Redeemer.
3. Verse 6c. From the beginning to the end their Lord God Almighty has not and will not change.
D. Friends this Lord God Almighty, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and everything in it is my God, your God, OUR GOD! We are comforted today in knowing that there is no other God like our Lord God Almighty. Scriptures are filled with the wonderful, blessed titles that convey to us the grace, mercy, and blessings from our loving heavenly Father. You may recall a few of those blessed titles. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Father, Lord, Jehovah are only a few. In awe we rejoice that this Almighty God is a loving God. We almost cannot comprehend the great mercy and love of our heavenly Father. "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy"(MICAH 7:18). God delights to show mercy!
E. In all the titles and descriptions of God there is none greater than Redeemer. A redeemer is one who buys back that which is held captive. Sometimes the price is small. Sometimes the price is great. In any case, to be set free is the purpose the redeemer. We have been held prisoners of our daily earth-bound living. In the midst of sin we are held captive by sin. "But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe"(GALATIANS 3:22). Who is like the Lord? His Son, Jesus, sets us free.
F. Sadly, today many look at the Lord Almighty as just that. They consider God as a supreme being who makes men jump through the hopes of one disaster after another. Some feel that God wants us to earn heaven by our good works, or worse—good intentions. Hardly. Some question the Lord’s love simply because there is hell. How can a just God send anyone to hell? God does not do that. Man chooses hell for himself. Through disobedience and unbelief those who reject God will have an eternity filled with constant pain and torture. But our salvation – this the Lord Almighty freely provides. "O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins"(PSALM 130:7,8). Our hope is in the Lord, our only Redeemer.
WHO IS LIKE THE LORD?
Our Lord is the only Redeemer, our only Redeemer.
II. OUR LORD IS THE ONLY ROCK.
A. You can well imagine the joy of Isaiah in bringing these words to Israel.
1. You can also easily picture the joy for Israel in knowing their Lord is their Redeemer.
2. Israel had seen the Lord Almighty’s deliverance, redemption close up and personal.
a. Egypt’s army was destroyed (Exodus) b. Israel lives in the Promised Land.
3. Verse 6c. Apart from the Lord Almighty there is no God. No false god stands the test.
B. What did all of this mean for Israel? For Israel the Lord God Almighty would always be with them.
1. Verse 8a. Israel had no reason to fear or tremble with the Lord God Almighty on their side.
2. Verse 8b. The very existence of the nation of Israel was testimony to the Lord’s love.
3. Verse 8c. There is only one conclusion – the Lord, their Lord is their Rock!
D. In the Old Testament, as well as the New Testament, that word rock stood for strength, an immoveable force. Remember that these early believers did not move big rocks out of the way unless absolutely necessary. A rock in the road meant moving the road. These believers did not have access to backhoes, earthmovers, and caterpillars to make rock moving easy. When Isaiah used rock these people clearly understood the great power and might that the Lord Almighty wanted them to know. "He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he"(DEUTERONOMY 32:4). Again, who is like the Lord? Our God is faithful and just always.
E. Who is like the Lord? All the false gods that have been and ever will be can only make promises that they cannot fulfill. False gods often scare followers into obedience. Is that really any kind of god to wor-ship. Our Lord Almighty is powerful to create. Our Lord Almighty is powerful to redeem. Our Lord Almighty is powerful to provide. "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows"(JAMES 1:l7). We are blessed.
F. What does the Rock mean in your life? Is the Lord Almighty, the Rock your immoveable force? Is God the One you always put your confidence and trust in? Do you trust in the Rock in good times and not only just the bad times? To know the Lord, to believe in Christ, and then, to confess as our Rock is our testimony of love to others in this sin-darkened world. Considering all the Lord Almighty has done and continues to do causes us to stand in awe and wonder of him. Because the Lord Almighty is our Rock we are comforted. Our lives can be calm in the midst of unrest. Our lives are peaceful in the midst of war. Our lives are filled with joy in the midst of sadness, heartache, trouble and sorrow. This is what the Lord Almighty, our Rock means to us. This is what the world around us needs to see and wants to see. "The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God, the Rock, my Savior!"(2 SAMUEL 22:47).
CONC.: WHO IS LIKE THE LORD? It truly takes a lifetime of Christian living and learning to begin to fully comprehend what this question means. We live by faith. We learn from faith. Who is like the Lord? There is no other god apart from the Lord God Almighty who is our Lord God Almighty. WHO IS LIKE THE LORD? Our Lord God Almighty is the Redeemer, our only Redeemer from sin, death, and the devil. Our Lord is the only Rock, our only Rock – our sure foundation. "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades"(REVELATIONS 1:17b, 18). Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENTECOST 8 readings:
DEUTERONOMY 30:9-14;
COLOSSIANS 1:1-14;
LUKE 10:25-37
