Isaiah 45 v 11 - 25 "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else."—Isa. 45:22.
1. THE SEARCH FOR SALVATION 20 ΒΆ Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
Their Actions Were : -
Foolish they have no knowledge
Faulty that set up the wood of their graven image v. 18
Futile and pray unto a god that cannot save.
False 21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
Salvation is not in a church, not in any denomination, not in sacraments, not in ceremonies, not in rituals, not in works, not in reformation;
2. THE SOURCE OF SALVATION 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. Salvation is in a Person—the Lord Jesus Christ. "Look unto me, and be ye saved." In Acts 4:12 Peter said, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." We are to “LOOK UNTO JESUS” now; ever; alone; again and again. always, 3. THE SUFFICIENCY OF SALVATION and be ye saved He answered, "Miss Missionary, I always knew Jesus was necessary, but I didn’t know that He was enough." Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." 4. THE SCOPE OF SALVATION 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: Who can be saved? Everybody! John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world…." Hebrews 2:9 says He tasted "death for every man." 5. THE SIMPLICITY OF SALVATION 22 Look unto me The word look means "to depend on, to rely on." I. What does it mean to Look to God in Christ? The Implication Here A. To look to Christ is to Admit His Reality- (Heb. 11:6). But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. B. To look to Christ is to Acknowledge His Redemption that Salvation Can Come From and Through Him Alone I John 5:11-12. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
There is a God to be reconciled- Only Christ could do it! (1 Tim 2:5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; There is a Law to be honored- Only Christ could do it (Gal. 3:13). Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: There is Justice to be satisfied- Only Christ could do it (Rom. 3:22). Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: There is an Atonement to be made- Only Christ could do it (Rom. 5:11). And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
C. To look to Christ is to Apply His Remedy , to call upon him as a sinner in need of mercy "He that believeth on the Son of God hath everlasting life!" Bartimaeus, The Publican, The Thief, Jairus, The Leper, The Centurion.
D. To look to Christ is to Abide in His Rule (I John 2:28).And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" (Col. 1:23). II. For What Part of Salvation Are We To Look To Christ? The Involvement Here Be sure you understand this- we must look to Christ for everything, from beginning to end. "Christ is All!" (I Cor. 1: 30). But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: John Flavel made these five observations. They are worth remembering. Everything God has for sinners is in Christ. These blessings of grace are ours by a vital union with Christ. That vital union with Christ is a union of faith. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. The Word of God is made effectual to our hearts by the Spirit of God. Now, when the word of God is made effectual to our hearts, so that we look to Christ, we look to him for everything!
For Forgiveness (Col. 1:14). In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: For Righteousness (Rom. 5:19). For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. For Cleansing (I John 1:7). But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. For Strength (II Cor. 12:9). And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For Sanctification (Heb. 10:10,). By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. For Keeping (Jude 24:25). Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. For Resurrection (I Thess. 4:16-17).16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
III. What Encouragement Do We Have To Look To Christ? The Incentive Here A. On the Authority of His Word! (Isa. 45:22). "Come now, let us reason together"- (Isa. 1:18). "Come unto me, all ye that"- (Matt. 11:28). "If any man thirst"- (John 7:37-38). B. On the Authority of His Promises! "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out"- (John 6:37). C. On the Authority of His Mission as the Christ of God! "The Son of Man is come to seek and to save" (Lk. 19: 10). "Call his name, Jesus"- (Matt. 1:21). "To save sinners of whom I am chief" (I Tim. 1:15). D. On the Authority of His Character!" "A just God and a Savior!" "God is love!" "He delighteth in mercy!" E. On the Authority of His Record. Never once was there a sinner who looked to Christ and was not saved! A Poor Leper!, A Samaritan Harlot!, A Proud Publican!, Even a Persecuting Pharisee! IV. When Is The Best Time To Look To Christ? The Intensity Here - Now! "Behold, today is the day of salvation; Now is the accepted time!" The time of our need is Now! This present time is ours! The Past is Gone! The Future is Uncertain! "It is appointed unto men once to die!" "The time is short!" The invitation is extended now! Application: Proverbs 1:22-28 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 6. THE SURETY OF SALVATION "Look unto me, and be ye saved." A. This is the Action of Faith. 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." B. "Look" --- This is the Easy Way. John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." C. "Unto Me" --- This is the Only Way. John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." D. "All The Ends of The Earth" --- This is the Inclusive Way. John 6:37, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." E. "Be Ye Saved" --- This is the Certain Way. 1 John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."
