WE WORSHIP THE LORD (Outline)
February 13, 2011 - Epiphany 6 - ISAIAH 42:5-9
INTRO: Our nation is blessed with the freedom of religion. People are free to worship in any way they so desire. There is a plurality of religions in our country. In today’s world people also like to pick and choose what they want in/for their god. People like to hear about God’s love but not his justice. Everyone loves to listen about heaven but not hell. It is the same with forgiveness but not sin. Sadly many try to pick only those things that are appealing to them. We cannot really have one without the other. No one needs forgiveness if there is nothing to forgive. We need to admit our sinfulness. Mankind simply is to worship God for what and who he is. "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (DEUTERONOMY 6:4, 5). Today’s text guides us to look more closely at the Lord.
WE WORSHIP THE LORD.
I. The Lord created all things.
II. The Lord gives mankind light.
I. THE LORD CREATED ALL THINGS.
A. Isaiah 42 is a chapter that teaches believers about the servant of the Lord = Jesus the Christ.
1. Verse 5a. These are the words of the Lord. The Lord created the earth, heavens: universe.
2. Such is the power of the Lord God Almighty. His word brought everything into existence.
B. Verse 5b. The Lord also created everything that lives and moves and breathes.
C. Now the Lord God Almighty did not create all things to let them be on their own. God provides.
1. Verse 6a. The Lord takes hold of the hand of the servant, Jesus. The Lord keeps him safe.
2. Specifically the servant of the Lord is Jesus. In general believers are also servants of the Lord.
D. Believers be thankful that by grace God has revealed his truths to us. The Lord God Almighty has opened our hearts to believe that he is the creator of all things. Why is this so important to know and to believe? The creator of the universe is our loving Lord, our heavenly Father. There is no other god like him because he is the only true God. Other false religions have made up their creation stories. Some even adapt them from the true Biblical account in Genesis. Only the in Genesis are we shown simply and very clearly how the earth and everything else came into being. "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible"(HEBR, 11:3). It is only the Lord who creates. Mankind can only use what God has already creation for his “creations”.
E. Think about the miraculous fact: God who created all things is our Lord. The Lord God Almighty is the true God that we worship. The Lord did not stop after creating things that were not alive. The Lord also created man. There was a vast difference in the creation of man. Everything else in the universe was created at the powerful spoken word of the Lord. When it came to man the Lord used what he had already created. The Lord took time out to use the dust of the earth to create the crowning glory of all of his creation. "The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being"(GENESIS 2:7). Into this dust the Lord God Almighty breathed life – a soul. Each of us has an eternal soul. It is the very eternal breath of God in each of us. For all the rest of creation the Lord said, “Let there be…” We worship the Lord for his breath of life.
F. Now the Lord did not create the world and let it on its own. No, the Lord who created all things also takes care of everything he has created. There is not even one sparrow that falls to the ground without his knowledge. The Lord God Almighty even know the number of hairs on each of our heads. This is trivial knowledge. Such concern shows us the depth of the care and concern that the almighty God has for each and every one of us. "For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever" (PSALM 37:28, 29). The believer will inherit heaven to live in it forever. We worship.
WE WORSHIP THE LORD. This Lord is the Lord God Almighty who created all things, our Lord.
II. THE LORD GIVES MANKIND LIGHT.
A. Verse 6. The servant of the Lord will be the fulfillment of God’s promise (covenant) to his people.
1. The servant of the Lord will also bring light to the Gentiles. These are not the believers.
2. By grace the Gentiles would see the light and no longer sit in darkness. God would save them.
B. Verse 7. Once again the Lord God Almighty is emphasizing his spiritual power for all mankind.
1. Eyes of faith would be opened to see the light of the world.
2. Those held captive by sin and Satan would be set free from the dungeon of wickedness.
C. Verse 8. Let all nations know that this is the LORD! The Lord deserves all glory and praise.
1. Sadly, Israel did not always give glory and praise to the Lord God Almighty, alone.
2. Verse 9. The Lord told what would come to pass. The events happened as the Lord foretold.
D. Light everyone loves light. The light chases away darkness. We can lose the valuable meaning of light. During the time of Jesus (and Isaiah) light was a valuable commodity. When night fell darkness ruled. During Biblical times the light was only a small flame of a candle or a small oil lamp. These flames do not produce very much light. Today we have unlimited access to light: electricity and battery operated devices. Light is important and valuable. Still, we have to be reminded to choose life (light) rather than darkness. Why would we pick darkness? "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil" (JN 3:19). Our natures are sinful.
E. During our lifetimes we learn to discern the differences of man’s wisdom compared to God’s wis-dom. Yet, all too often we may put our trust in the wisdom of man more than God. We will want to re-member that our world is filled with uninformed experts. There are many false leaders around who are only concerned with their own selfish desires. At times they lead many astray. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (PROVERBS 3:5, 6). We worship the Lord. The Lord God Almighty blesses.
F. God’s grace is his undeserved love for all of mankind. By grace God sent his Son, our Savior Jesus Christ into this world as the light of the world. This light has shone in the darkness. We need the Savior because we are sinners living in a sinful world. We need a Savior because we cannot earn nor buy salvation. We need a Savior simply because we do not even deserve forgiveness. In spite of all of those strikes against us we are saved. "The Lord Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever" (GALATIANS 1:4, 5). The light of the world rescues us. We worship the Lord for his grace and mercy..
CONC: Look around and see the wonders of the Lord God Almighty in the wonders of his creation. We worship the Lord for all of his kindnesses, love, and mercy. On Sundays we gather together to worship the Lord in a formal, structured service. This is good. Believer you also worship the Lord whenever you read or study the word of God. Believer you worship the Lord whenever your life reflects the glory of God. Each and every day WE WORSHIP THE LORD. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship" (ROMANS 12:1). WE WORSHIP THE LORD. The Lord has created all things. The Lord give mankind light. For all these blessing we are thankful. For all these blessings WE WORSHIP THE LORD imperfectly here on earth and finally, perfectly in heaven. Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
EPIPHANY 6 rdgs.:
DEUT. 30:15-20;
1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-13;
MATTHEW 5:21-37;
(PSALM 119)
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