INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Lord Who Hath Believed Our Report?
Remarks.
1. This is lesson one in this sermon-series entitled: Lord Who Hath Believed Our Report? The question originates from the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 53:1. This was Isaiah’s report of the coming and work of the Messiah. He wrote: “Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him…Surely, he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all,” Isaiah 53:1-6. I have collapsed this text for brevity.
2. We will consider Isaiah’s question: “Lord who hath believed our report?” In this text, Isaiah was writing of Christ, His beauty, and His betrayal, death, burial, and resurrection. And the results of his terrible suffering and sacrifice for sin. The report predicts the Messiah's coming, his being rejected, crucified, and raised from the dead to deliver his people and all nations from their sins: it is that “good news” that would be spread abroad to both Jews and Gentiles. What is later learned of this "good news" is Israel’s rejection of it; and the Gentiles' reception of it. With this brief introduction, let’s consider lesson one in this sermon-series: Lord Who Hath Believed Our Report?
BODY OF LESSON
I LORD WHO HATH BELIEVED OUR REPORT?
A. Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? Isaiah 53:1. This entire chapter is so filled with the unsearchable riches of Christ that it may be called the gospel of the evangelist Isaiah rather than the prophecy of the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah no doubt was speaking of Israel then, regarding his preaching to them the report of the Lord. Their pending overthrow, capture, and being led into captivity by Babylon. However, it held the prophetic meaning to the coming Messiah, which was fulfilled in the coming of Jesus Christ unto the children of Israel, during their yoke of bondage under Rome’s oppression in the city of Jerusalem and the entire world.
1. The person of Isaiah’s report: was the Lord. Jesus is that “messiah” who would come, not to deliver Israel from the yoke of Rome’s bondage; but, the yoke of “sin and death,” Romans 8:1-4; Matthew 1:21.
2. Isaiah was writing about the coming Messiah. Not just His coming, but also the purpose of His work while being “tabernacled among us,” John 1:14. He came--
a. First, to reveal Himself to the world lost in sin, despair, and hopelessness, Luke 19:10; John 10:10; 1 Timothy 3:16.
b. Second, to complete the will of His Father. Behold, “I have come - In the volume of the book it is written of Me – To do your will, O God,” Hebrews 10:7; Matthew 26:39.
c. Third, to fulfill His eternal purpose, Revelation 13:8; John 1:29; John 19:30.
d. Fourth, to die for the sins of the world; to be buried, and raised from the dead, Luke 24:44-47.
e. Fifth, to establish the kingdom of God, Mark 1:14; Daniel 2:44. Now we must ask ourselves: what was Israel looking for in the coming Messiah? They sought a deliverer from Rome’s bondage and oppression. The overthrow of the Roman Empire to build an earthly kingdom to be established in Jerusalem. After feeding the five thousand. They sought to take Jesus: “To make Him king over Israel.” John wrote--
1) First, “Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said: This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world,” John 6:14. When they had recognized "the arm of the Lord," i.e., His mighty works and power: they sought to seize Him. For what reason?
2) Second, “Therefore, when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone,” John 6:15.
3) Third, Jesus told Pilate, at His trial: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but my kingdom is not from here,” John 18:36. Christ's kingdom is heavenly; His subjects encompass both: heaven and earth, Ephesians 1:9-10. Hebrews 11:39-49; Hebrews 12:22-29.
NOTE: Illustrate, Thy Kingdom Come. Download this lesson from SermonCentral.com by Ron Freeman Evangelist. It describes the establishment of the kingdom of God in the first century. The lesson dispels the notion that Jesus will establish the kingdom at His second advent!
B. Believed our report. Isaiah asks: “Who hath believed our report?” Isaiah 53:1. We will now move to the New Testament to see how Paul explains Romans 10:16. Consider--
1. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. Now let’s look at this verse a little closer (are your eyes on it?) In this text, lye answers to life's most important questions. What is meant by Paul in this verse: “They have not all obeyed the gospel?” Let’s analyze these phrases and words for a better understanding.
a. The phrase “they have not all.” The verb “they have not” in Gr., is hypakouo or hoop-ak-oo'-o, which means, to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e., to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority: —listen, be obedient to, or obey. In other words: to obey, be obedient to, or to submit unto, Romans 10:1-4; Acts 6:7.
b. The word “obeyed.” Is linked to the phrase and verb above. It is also translated: hypakouo or hoop-ak-oo'-o. Therefore, the “they” mentioned in this sentence had not obeyed, believed, or became submissive to the gospel. That’s our next word in the study of this verse.
c. The phrase “the gospel.” The word “gospel” in Gr., is euangelion or yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on, a noun which is neuter, which means “good news,” i.e., the “gospel message” about the Messiah. Since this word has been discussed in many lessons, we need not say much more about it. So!
d. Simply, the “gospel” means the “good news” of Christ as given in Isaiah’s report. The report describes the messianic work of Jesus that has been proven by His words, deeds, and death. It is the narrative of the message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ; that has come to be called the “gospel,” or the “glad tidings” of great joy. Stay with me; it will come together in a few minutes. Next, Paul penned--
2. Lord, who hath believed our report? Let’s notice this text--
a. First, the word “who.” In Gr., is tis or tis, it is an interrogative pronoun, which means, who, which or what: —every man, how, what, where, whether, which, who, or why (definition has been shortened). The word is asking: “who” or “why” have they not believed or (obeyed) the report of the Lord or the Messiah?
b. Second, the phrase “hath believed.” In Gr., is pisteuo or pist-yoo'-o, a verb, which means to have faith (in, upon, or concerning, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (one's spiritual well-being to Christ): —believe(-r), commit (to trust), to put one's trust in the message of Christ, Ephesians 1:12-14; Acts 18:8.
c. Third, the words “our report.” In Gr., is akoe or ak-o-ay', which means hearing (the act, the sense of the thing heard): —audience, ear, fame, which ye heard, hearing, preached, the report, or a rumor. It is the preaching of the gospel message, the good news of God’s grace and salvation, which has been given unto those that believe and obey the terms of Isaiah’s report.
d. Conclusion: To fully believe and obey Isaiah’s report means to hear the “good news,” believe it, and obey the terms outlined in the message to be saved. Israel had not submitted itself to the “righteousness of God,” Romans 10:4; Acts 28:24-29. We will return to this thought later in the lesson. But for now, please make a note of it in your bibles.
4. In Isaiah's report, he speaks of the Messiah’s beauty, betrayal, and His death, burial, and resurrection. Through His terrible suffering and death, God offered Him as an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of the world, Ephesians 5:1-2; Galatians 1:4.
a. He was that: “Lamb slain before the foundation of the world,” to “take away our sins,” Revelations 13:8; John 1:29.
b. He was offered to be the: “Propitiation (the mercy seat) for our sins and the sins of the whole world,” 1 John 2:1-2. Christ is our “mercy seat” in the same fashion as it was for the people of Israel; in the “holies of holy,” behind the veil, Leviticus 16:2; Hebrews 9:3-5; Hebrews 10:19-22. Which veil has been "done away in Christ!" Luke 23:44-46; 2 Corinthians 3:12-16.
c. Christ was set forth by God: “As a propitiation by His blood through faith, demonstrating His righteousness, in His forbearance in passing over the sins that were previously committed…that He might be just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus,” Romans 3:24-26.
5. The report predicts the Messiah’s coming, His rejection, crucifixion, death, and resurrection; to deliver His people and all nations from their sins, Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:29-32; Luke 24:44-49. It is that "good news" that would be spread abroad to both Jews and Gentiles.
6. However, what is later learned of this "good news" was Israel's rejection of it; but, the Gentiles’ reception of Isaiah’s report. There are now, and will always be, those that reject this incredible report of the “good news” of the “gospel of Christ.” In ones’ belief of it, there is life. In ones’ rejection of it is judgment and damnation, John 3:16-19; John 12:48. Some are asking--
C. What was the report? Isaiah tells us, he wrote: “Surely, He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows…But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes, we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all,” Isaiah 53:1-6. I will share some of Matthew Henry’s views regarding this section of the Scriptures. We thank him for such great work. Observe--
1. What He hath done: Isaiah predicts what the Messiah hath done. Notice, his prophecy--
a. He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He not only submitted to the common infirmities of our human nature and calamities of life, which sin had introduced, but he underwent the extremities of grief when he said: My soul is exceedingly sorrowful.
1) He made the sorrows of this present time heavy to himself, that he might make them light and easy for us. Christ bore our sins, and so bore our griefs, bore them for us, that we should never be pressed with the burdens of our griefs, Matthew 8:17; Matthew 11:28-30.
b. He was wounded for our transgressions. That He might make atonement and purchase for us: God’s pardon for our sins and transgression. Our sins were bored by the thorns on His head, the nails in His hands and feet, the spear that pierced His side. His wounds and bruises were the consequences of our sins, that we rightly deserved, and what Jehovah placed on Him.
1) These wounds and bruises were painful, but not mortal: Christ was wounded for our transgressions, tormented and suffered pain (the word means a woman’s travail during her delivery), for our sins, transgressions, and disobedience towards God.
2) He was wounded, for the transgression of my people was he smitten, our stripes were laid upon Him, being scourged in our place, John 19:1; Matthew 27:26.
3) He was cut off for the iniquity of my people, unto whom the sentence belonged, or was due. For His life: “Was taken from the earth,” Acts 8:33.
4) He was delivered up to death for our offenses, Romans 4:25a. That is: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. And was raised for our justification, Romans 4:25b. We’ve been made the “righteousness of God in Him,” 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 1:16-18.
5) Daniel wrote: “That he (Jesus) shall finish the transgression, make an end of sin, and make reconciliation for iniquity,” Daniel 9:24; Isaiah 53:10-11; John 19:30; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20.
c. He was bruised for our iniquities; these were the cause of His death. His nail-printed hands and feet, the cross of suffering, and the Roman spear, which pierced His side, declared His death before the world of onlookers. Not a “bone was broken, though they cast lots over my garments,” as David wrote in Psalms 22:16-18; Psalms 34:20. They looked on Him: “Whom they had pierced,” John 19:30-37.
d. He has taken upon Him the chastisement of our peace. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him; He willingly submitted to these chastisements. He abolished in His flesh the enmity that existed, between God and men, thereby: Making peace for all by the blood of his cross. Whereas by our sins we had become strangers to God's holiness and unworthy of His mercy, through Christ we have been reconciled unto Him, and forgiven of our sins, saved from death, and brought into the fellowship of Christ: and thereby being granted peace with God. For Jesus, is our peace, and our salvation, Ephesians 2:14; Isaiah 59:1-2.
e. He has with (by) His stripes healed us. Through Christ’s stripes, we have been healed. By His stripes (that is, His beatings and horrible sufferings): He has granted our souls’ healing, having been “reconciled unto God, by His death,” Ephesians 2:16. He came:
1) To give life: “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly,” John 10:10.
2) To bid the willing to come, Matthew 11:28-30; Luke 13:3-5; Luke 19:10.
3) But all were not: “Willing to come to Him that they might have life,” John 5:40; Revelation 22:17.
4) That all might be: “Saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth,” John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-6. But, what have we done?
2. What we have done: Isaiah shares what we have done to cause His sufferings.
a. All we like sheep have gone astray. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23.
b. We all were brought under the bondage of sin, Galatians 3:22; Romans 3:28-31.
c. We have turned everyone to his own way. Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ times: “We shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for we neither go in ourselves nor allow those who are entering to go in," Matthew 23:13. We have allowed,
1) Our hypocrisies to inhibit our entrance into the kingdom of God.
2) And to dissuade others from obeying the gospel and entering into God’s kingdom.
d. We are become stumbling blocks to ourselves and others, Romans 14:13.
e. Who can deliver us from this body of death? Romans 4:24; Romans 8:1-3.
3. What the Lord hath done: He hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah now tells us what the Lord God hath done for all humanity. He placed upon Him all our iniquities, sins, transgressions, and trespasses for the payment of our disbelief and disobedience, Romans 3:23-26. Observe--
a. Peter preached:
1) First, on the Day of Pentecost: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised, having loosed the pains of death: because it should not be beholden of Him,” Acts 2:22-24.
2) Second, later before the temple Beautiful: “The God of Abraham, and Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; of which we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot (know) that through ignorance ye did it, as also did your rulers,” Acts 3:13-17.
b. Peter wrote concerning the suffering of Christ:
1) First, "Of this salvation the prophets had inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the suffering of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them, it was revealed that not to themselves, but us, they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desired to look into,” 1 Peter 1:10-12.
2) Second, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judge righteously: Who himself bared our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes we were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls,” 1 Peter 2:21-25.
3) Third, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, see that you love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, by the word of God which lives and abides forever,” 1 Peter 1:22-23. Please, highlight or underline this verse: “purified your souls” and “obeying the truth”: these phrases give us a peep or glimpse into the answers we are now seeking.
c. Paul wrote: “Who (Christ) was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised for our justification,” Romans 4:25; Galatians 3:13-14. Because of Jesus--
1) Who died for our sins and was raised for our justification (to make us just before God). This was done when He took away our sins, making us righteous in the sight of God.
2) We no longer stand at a guilty distance from God: “That at that time we were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh,” Ephesians 2:12-17; Acts 2:39.
3) We have been reconciled unto God in one body by the cross, Ephesians 2:16.
d. Peter preached of this coming prophet: “For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise unto you of your brethren, like unto me; he shall ye hear in whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities,” Acts 3:22-26.
1) We are now the children of God, and under the covenant of God which He made unto Abraham and our fathers. God, having raised His Son Jesus, sent him to bless us, in turning away every one of us from our iniquities,” Acts 3:26.
2) Jeremiah wrote: “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. And it shall be to me a name of joy, praise. Honor before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do unto them: and they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and for all the prosperity that I procure unto it,” Jeremiah 33:8-9; Jeremiah 31:34; Jeremiah 50:20; Philippians 2:12.
3) Zechariah wrote: “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness,” Zechariah 13:1; Luke 24:44-47; Colossians 2:11-13; Ephesians 2:1-10.
4) Conclusion: Jesus' suffering, death, burial, and resurrection; made atonement for our sins by the shedding of His blood on the cross. Isaiah finally spoke of this when he wrote: “He (God) shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore…because he (Christ) hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bares the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors,” Isaiah 53:11-12; Psalms 22:14; Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 7:25. Let’s continue--
D. Jesus’ teaching of the report. John wrote: “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke, Lord, who hath believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” John 12:37-38. Jesus quotes Isaiah’s report attributing it to the Jews. Observe—
1. First, “But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him," John 12:37. The miracles, signs, and wonders the Lord had performed before His people Israel did not cause some to believe in Him. Isaiah's report also asked: “And to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?” It was revealed unto His people Israel. The arm of the Lord has to do with His power, might, and strength, demonstrating God’s exceeding greatness in His workings among the nations, Psalms 44:3; Isaiah 40:10-11, Isaiah 51:5.
a. Jehovah said unto Moses: “Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments,” Exodus 6:6; Deuteronomy 26:8.
b. David wrote: “And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever: With a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm: for his mercy endureth forever,” Psalms 136:11-12.
c. Jeremiah wrote: “And (Jehovah) has brought forth thy people Israel out of the land of Egypt with signs, and with wonders, and with a strong hand, and with a stretched-out arm, and with great terror; And hast gave them this land, which thou didst swear to their fathers to give them, a land flowing with milk and honey; And they came in and possessed it, but they obeyed not thy voice, neither walked in thy law; they have done nothing of all that thou commandedst them to do: therefore thou hast caused all this evil to come upon them,” Jeremiah 32:21-23.
d. Conclusion: Therefore, “the stretched-out arm” of the Lord is His rule, authority, and miraculous power, done to confirm “His word with mighty signs and wonders,” Mark 16:19-20; Acts 2:22; Acts 4:29-31; Acts 10:38.
2. Further, Jesus taught: “That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report?” John 12:38. It was of Israel’s unbelief Isaiah’s report had predicted. Jesus confirmed their disbelief and disobedience.
3. Finally, Jesus preached: “Therefore, they could not believe, because that Esaias said again: He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. These things said Esaias when he saw his glory, and spake of him,” John 12:39-41. In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus spake of Israel’s hardness of heart. Observe--
a. Matthew wrote: “For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and I should heal them,” Matthew 13:15.
b. Mark wrote: “And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them: Unto you, it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them,” Mark 4:10-12.
c. Luke wrote of Israel:
1) Jesus’ parable of the sower: “And his disciples asked him, saying: What might this parable be? And he said: Unto you, it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand,” Luke 8:9-10.
2) Paul’s preaching in Rome: “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them,” Acts 28:27.
d. Jesus taught the Pharisees: That their hearts have grown cold and resistant to God’s word, by quoting Isaiah the prophet: “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying: These people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth and honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Matthew 15:7-9.
1) These leaders, because of the hardness of their hearts, were permitted to be: blind leading the blind, that both may fall in the ditch," Matthew 15:13-14.
2) Many knew and believed Jesus' teaching; but would not confess Him as God's anointed, Luke 4:16-19.
3) Have we as religious people become “hypocrites” as did the scribes and Pharisees? Who constantly read and meditate upon God's word; but fail to heed its warnings or obey its commands? I pray this is not the case! Lord, who hath believed our report?
NOTE: Illustrate, some believed in Him but would not confess Him for fear of the Jews, John 12:42-43. This indicates just believing without confessing and obeying Him, in humble submission; ones’ faith alone cannot yield the righteousness of God, James 2:19-24. Faith without sincere obedience cannot save anyone, James 2:19; James 2:24.
4. Conclusion: The Jews heard Isaiah's report; they saw the "arm of the Lord revealed," yet, they did not believe or confess Him. These two together meant they "did not obey Isaiah’s report.” I might add here, there are many today that believe, and even have confessed Him: “But have not obeyed” Isaiah’s report. What is missing in our understanding of Isaiah's report? Paul will bring it all together for us. Stay with me, beloved people of God!
E. Stephen’s preaching against Israel. The prophet Stephens said of Israel: “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears. Who always resisted the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you…Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute…who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers…who received the law…and have not kept it?” Acts 7:51-53.
1. A stiff neck, people. Jehovah said of His people: “All day long I have stretched out My hands: To a disobedient and contrary people,” Romans 10:21; Deuteronomy 9:6. Paul here is quoting Isaiah again regarding God’s people, Israel. They were disobedient and contrary people, stubborn and hard of heart in obedience. Unwilling to heed the word of the Lord.
2. Isaiah wrote: “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said: Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name. I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their thoughts,” Isaiah 65:1-2; Isaiah 55:6-9. Observe—
a. They walked not in the way of the Lord, Jeremiah 6:16.
b. They prophesy falsely, Jeremiah 5:30-31; Jeremiah 2:8.
c. They were a rebellious people, lying children, who would not hear the word of the Lord, Isaiah 30:9-11.
3. Jesus said: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34.
4. Conclusion: These people had hardened their hearts against God, His prophets, and now His Messiah. There was no “word of the Lord” in them; nor, any light, Isaiah 8:20. This concludes lesson one of this sermon-series entitled: Lord Who Hath Believed Our Report? Our next time together, we will discuss lesson two in this sermon-series. Until then, let’s review what we have discussed. Recall we mentioned--
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. Lord Who Hath Believed Our Report?
B. Summarize main points.
1. We considered Isaiah’s question: “Lord who hath believed our report?” In this text, Isaiah was writing of Christ, His beauty, and His betrayal, death, burial, and resurrection. And the results of his terrible suffering and sacrifice for sin. The report predicts the Messiah's coming, his being rejected, crucified, and raised from the dead to deliver his people and all nations from their sins: it is that "good news" that would be spread abroad to both Jews and Gentiles.
2. What was later learned regarding this "good news" was Israel's rejection of it and the Gentiles' reception of it. Many today believe the report; they will even confess their faith in Christ. However, what is missing in their response to the God of heaven: “Is their obedience to the gospel.” This lesson I trust will encourage those seeking the kingdom of God to humbly become “obedient to the faith,” Romans 1:5; Acts 6:7. Let me tell you how they did this in the first century.
C. Invitation. Present the pattern of conversion, H, B. R, C, B.
D. Exhortation.
E. Motivation.
References:
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
We thank these prolific writers for their wisdom and insight into the Holy Scriptures.
