Sermon Named and Claimed
Isaiah 43:1
That which is true of Israel, is also true and even in a higher sense of the church.
I. Named. I have called thee
a. Designation. Egypt was the most ancient, most civilized, most powerful and wisest nation; yet God chose Israel
b. Generalization. My sheep, My disciples, My Children
c. Specification. Doubtless every child of God has a name all its very own.
i. Abraham, the friend – Israel, the prince – Peter, the rock
II. Claimed. Thou art mine
a. His by creation v1 we owe our very existence to God
b. His by preservation. In this world of disease, danger and death
c. His by redemption. I have redeemed thee v1 redeemed from the world, death
d. His by regeneration. He that formed thee v1 absolutely and eternally His
III. Famed
a. What glory, what honor is theirs who belong to God? This will appear if you consider:
i. Their parentage – born of God – sons of God
ii. Their riches – All are yours – heirs of all things
iii. Their destiny. Higher than angels – kings and priests.
iv. Their blessedness. Eternal and unspeakable
Is the text true of each of us? Are we His – knowingly, lovingly, willingly, wholly, eternally?