REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES (Outline)
December 16, 2007 -
ADVENT 3 -
Isaiah 61:1-3
INTRO: At different times and in different places the Lord finds it necessary to give believers certain directives for their lives. This is necessary because as believers we do not always do what believers ought to be busy doing. One example is in Thessalonians when the Lord says, “pray continually”. We need a reminder to pray often because we often do not pray.
Another example is expressed in our text. The Lord re-emphasizes this thought through the apostle Paul. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near"(PHILIPPIANS 4:4,5). It is interesting to note that Paul is in Rome in prison for the second time. Paul does not expect to return to his believing friends alive. He feels that either he will die in prison or be released to face the death penalty. Still – he is able to rejoice. Paul also encourages the free believers to rejoice. Thus Isaiah expresses the same sentiment in our text for today.
REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES.
I. Freedom.
II. Gladness.
I. FREEDOM
A. Note that the words here are the words of the Servant of the Lord. These are the words of Jesus.
1. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me. At Jesus’ baptism the Holy Spirit came upon him.
2. Isaiah continues: because the LORD has anointed me. Again, consider the baptism of Jesus.
a. The Father spoke from heaven. b. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit and power.
B. Jesus had one mission and purpose in his life: to preach good news to the poor. This is the gospel.
1. Isaiah describes this gospel, good news, of God: He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted.
2. Those who repent have broken hearts, sorrow over sins. Forgiveness heals, binds them up.
C. There is more: to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
1. The penitent sinner is no longer held captive by sin. He no long sits in the darkness of evil.
2. In summary: to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. God’s favor brings freedom to all.
D. By Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection we are given freedom. In fact, the sins of the entire world have been paid for. Yet, some, would rather remains slaves of the things of this world. Jesus told the Jews that they could know the truth and the truth would set them free. They declared that they were never slaves because they were Abraham’s children. The world does the same thing to us. The world offers freedom, or so it seems. It seems as if enough money is the answer to everything. It seems as if only the experts can tell us the right answer. "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him"(2 PETER 2:19). From time-to-time, and maybe just all too often, we are slaves to whatever might master us at the moment.
E. On our own we are lost and condemned creatures. God’s law clearly reminds us of that simple truth. We cannot escape the condemnation of the law of God. Or can we? Our heavenly Father has provided for us, and also for the entire world, freedom from sin. This freedom is found in the gift of the baby born at Bethlehem. This freedom is found in the man crucified on the cross. This freedom is seen at the empty tomb on Easter morning. "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace"(ROMANS 6:14). You and I and believers everywhere rejoice in the Lord’s gift of freedom.
F. Believers live a life that is free from the cares, worries, and stress of this earthly way of living. At least, we ought to be. If not, then Paul reminds us to rejoice. This freedom we enjoy is freedom from the burden of sin. This freedom we enjoy is freedom from the power of Satan. This freedom we enjoy is finally also the freedom from the defeat of death. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery"(GALATIANS 5:1). God has promised us freedom. God has provided us ultimate freedom through his Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES:
Freedom from sin, Satan, and death itself.
II. GLADNESS
A. Believers living in freedom will also experience the gladness of God in their day-to-day living.
1. Christ proclaims: the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God.
2. Note the judgment mentioned with favor. There is no terror here for the believer.
B. Jesus comes to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion. Zion is the church.
1. Who are the ones mourning and grieving in God’s church? They are the brokenhearted.
2. These are the ones sorrowful over sin. These are the ones who are freed from sin’s burden.
C. Isaiah describes the joy that comes from the comfort of forgiveness from the forgiving Savior.
1. To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes. No sackcloth and ashes here.
2. The oil of gladness instead of mourning. Again, no mourning only rejoicing, gladness.
3. And a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Think of the righteousness of Christ.
D. The Lord does all of this for his people. God’s people become people of strength, verse 3 – oaks.
E. Gladness this is God’s gracious gift to us no matter the time or the situations in each of our lives. The deeper meaning of contentment is what the believer truly enjoys as God’s promise fulfilled. This gift of God is something that the world does not offer. This gift of God is something that the world truly cannot supply. "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him"(PSALM 126:5,6). We may sow small seeds of sorrow. But it is the Lord himself who provides us with an abundant harvest of joy. No matter the sorrow. No matter the loss. God’s gift of eternal life with him surpasses all small seeds of sadness.
F. The gladness and joy that you and I possess does not come from somewhere deep within us. God’s gift of gladness is ours by faith. Through his word the Lord has worked faith in our hearts and then our lives. Through his word the Lord provides us his gladness, joy, comfort. It is our loving Lord who does all of this for us. "Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow"(JEREMIAH 31:13).
G. Rejoice in the promises of God! Too often we may try to put our joy in the promises of man. During this time of year the stores assure us that they have that perfect gift to make you or your loved happy. A claim like this really can only be made and fulfilled by our loving, heavenly Father. One of God’s gifts of gladness includes an earthly life and possessions for his believers. The special blessing is that the believer recognizes God’s gifts. Even more than that he is able to enjoy God’s blessings in his life. This is a gift of God. Plus: "He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart"(ECCLESIASTES 5:20). Time slips by quickly, not necessarily because of age. For the Lord makes time pass by quickly for the believer as he is occupied with gladness of heart!
CONC.: A blessing believers possess today is that we are able to look back and realize that we live in the fulfillment of many of the promises of God. We rejoice in the promises God has made. We also rejoice in the fact that these promises God made in the past have now been fulfilled. Man sinned. A Savior was promised. We are given the gifts of freedom and gladness. Joshua realized this truth and joy at the end of his life. We do not need to wait until the end of our lives to rejoice in God’s promises. "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed"(JOSHUA 23:14). REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES. Celebrate freedom. Enjoy gladness. May our gra-cious God and loving, heavenly Father always keep you occupied with the gladness of your heart! Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
WORSHIP SER.: SAT – 1:00pm @ NCF Min.,
& SUN – 9:30am @ Church & 12:00pm @ NCF Medium
Sunday radio broadcast @ 9:05am on KQNK 106.7FM or 1530AM + www.kqnk.com
ADVENT 3 readings:
ISAIAH 35:1-10; JAMES 5:7-11; MATTHEW 11:2-11
(PSALM 146)
