SEE, YOUR SAVIOR COMES! (Outline)
August 12, 2007 -
PENTECOST 11 -
Isaiah 62:6-12
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INTRO: The book of the prophet Isaiah is divided into two distinct parts. Chapters 1-39 deal with God’s current and near future prophecy concerning Israel. In chapters 40-66 the Lord has Isaiah prophesy about the distant future concerning Israel and New Testament believers. Isaiah looks ahead into New Testament times and even beyond into eternity itself. In the midst of our text the Lord God proclaims through Isaiah, See, your Savior comes! The Lord had foretold of the punishment that belonged to them because of their idol worship. Now the Lord also promised a future -- a future of hope and also a future with a Savior.
These words remind us of John the Baptist. At the baptism of Jesus the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. The voice from heaven declared that this Jesus was the very Son of God. John took note. John also testified to the truth (with words quite similar to today’s text). "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ’Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’"(JOHN 1:29). We use the Lord’s own words as our theme:
SEE, YOUR SAVIOR COMES!
I. The Lord powerfully promises salvation, and:
II. The Lord freely provides his salvation.
I. THE LORD POWERFULLY PROMISES SALVATION
A. Verse 6 tells of God’s promise of protection for his people. Watchmen are posted to proclaim.
1. Note they are never silent. These are the prophets who constantly cry out God’s word.
2. God’s prophet was to warn God’ people and then comfort God’s people.
3. God’s people were to constantly pray to the Lord, verse 6b, 7. Do not let the Lord rest.
B. In verses 8b and 9 the Lord describes spiritual blessing with earthly comparisons.
1. Never again would Israel’s enemies take advantage of them. Earthly judgment was to come.
2. Isaiah is looking beyond the near future. In eternity God’s people would have no enemies.
C. The Lord promised salvation for his people. This promise of the Lord was a powerful promise.
1. In verse 8a we have the almighty power of God to back up his promises.
2. The power of God’s right hand and mighty arm assure Israel the Lord’s promises are sure.
D. Consider the power and might of our God. There is none like him. Our Lord God is the Lord God Almighty. By the power of his spoken word the heavens and the earth and everything in them were made. All things came into existence by and because of the power of our God. Indeed, he is an awesome God. No other false gods can make such a claim. God is not a man that he should lie. When our God makes a promise it always comes with his guarantee. A lifetime guarantee. A powerful guarantee. We have reason to rejoice. "Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations"(PSALM 98:1,2). Our Lord powerfully promises salvation.
E. We need saving. The entire world needs saving. By nature we are sinful human beings. Here lies the problem. Not everyone thinks they need to be saved. This happens because not everyone likes to hear about sin. If we do not see our sin and its condemnation we will not see our need for salvation. This is what has happened in our world today. Too many deny sin, reject sin, or dismiss sin as something old and out-dated. Just try to find that word sin mentioned in any newspaper, magazine or news report. Denying sin will lead to denying a need for a savior. Is there such a thing as sin? "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die"(EZEKIEL 18:4). Death is the direct result of sin. Death reveals that sin is still alive and well.
F. Sadly, too many watchmen on the walls today also deny sin. Sin has not changed. Man’s moral compass has switched directions. What was sin a generation ago has often become a common, accepted practice in our enlightened age. Living together, same-sex marriage, and abortion have gained widespread acceptance. Even the mega-church leaders accept such teachings. They do not want to be too controversial. Too bad. How sad. "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them"(MATTHEW 7:15,16a). The true watchman on the wall of God’s house will point you to the Savior, Jesus Christ – nothing else.
SEE, YOUR SAVIOR COMES!
The Lord, our loving Lord powerfully promises salvation.
II. THE LORD FREELY PROVIDES HIS SALVATION.
A. Remember the promise of the Lord is not just a promise. It is a promise with a guarantee and power.
1. Verse 8a describes the powerful promise of the Lord.
2. Verse 11a reinforces the Lord’s promise. God has proclaimed to all nations his intent.
B. The Lord’s promise: tell the believers their Savior comes, verse 11.
1. Tell all nations their sins have been paid for. The Savior’s blood washes away all their sins.
2. The disobedience of mankind and the sins of the world are repaid with God’s free forgiveness.
C. Verse 10 describes the repentance of a people preparing to meet their Savior.
1. We remember John the Baptist, the way-preparer for Jesus. Repent, God’s kingdom is near.
2. Verse 12. Once rejected and forsaken God’s people are now accepted and forgiven.
D. Once again, these words written in Isaiah sound quite familiar. No longer does God reject us even though our thoughts, words, and actions often reject God. God’s kingdom is freely opened to all who confess Christ as Savior. Now God has made us his own. Believers belong to God. In the midst of our sinful lives, God’s word reminds us; See, your Savior comes! "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light"(1 PETER 2:9). We rejoice.
E. Consider the sacrifice our heavenly Father made on our behalf and on behalf of the sins of the entire world. We sin daily and we sin much. God demanded payment for all those sins. Yet, the payment from man now matter how sincere would never, ever satisfy God. In mercy and love the Lord God sent his only begotten Son to take our place and pay the price we could not afford. "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"(ROMANS 8:32). Since God has provided the price for sins, God will also provide everything.
F. We are saved freely. After all, we could never pray long enough to save ourselves. We could never believe strong enough to save ourselves. We could never pay enough to make one bit of difference in the eternal outcome that our sins demand. Praise God that our eternal salvation does not depend on our works or efforts. Our eternity is far too important to be entrusted to our own working. Rather, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast"(EPHESIANS 2:8,9). See, your Savior comes -- freely, by God’s grace!
CONC.: All too many are distracted by the attractions of this life. All too many are mislead by the false teachings and notions that this world passes off as truth. Yes, many love to gather around them teachers who proclaim what their itching ears want to hear. Our souls need to hear, See, your Savior comes! We need to hear this promise because our sins condemn us. Thankfully the Lord, our Lord powerfully promises salvation and the freely provides his salvation. Our world grows increasingly evil and cold in love toward God and man. We agree with John in the last book of the Bible. "He who testifies to these things says, ’Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus"(REVELATION 22:20). SEE, YOUR SAVIOR COMES! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus – and -- come - quickly.
Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
PENTECOST 11 readings:
ECCLESIASTES 1:2; 2:18-26;
COLOSSIANS 3:1-11;
LUKE 12:13-21
