Isaiah, Part 12
God’s Promises are Complete!
Isaiah 30:15-33
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons! We are so glad you have chosen to be here today!
- Last week, Isaiah clearly told us to prepare for God’s response (heavy) – why?
1. We must be prepared because the Lord is coming to discipline His people for their sins (re: sin separates us from God; repentance restores us)
2. We must be prepared because the Earth will no longer hide the sins of men (re: the light/word of God exposes all wicked behaviors; exposes all sin)
- Today, would like us to focus on Isaiah's purpose, ok? Let’s dive in …
- Read Isaiah 30:15-33 / PRAY
- TR: One thing Isaiah makes very clear for us is …
Point 1 – God’s Anger is Just (think: Righteous)
- If there was ever a complete passage to sum up God’s frustration, it’s here:
- He gives a two-fold statement to the rebellious: (v15)
• To repent and rest – this is the result of salvation (comfort)
• If not, be called out for resisting – this is why you are judged (cause/effect)
- See the most common response to God: (v16)
• They rejected God’s invitation (“have none of it”), and,
• They trusted the strength of mankind (“get our help from Egypt”)
o No different than today; ex: be mad at God so turn & sow discord
o God is being very clear here: His judgment will be quick! (swift)
- Consequence is simple: Complete defeat of all they hold dear (hopeless) (v17)
-- What you value most will be removed; God will bring judgment to thousands
-- TR: What Isaiah shows us is reason for encouraging repentance: it’s the “why”
Point 2 – God’s mercy is still available
- God promises 7 things to those who repent and receive His gift of mercy:
1. Comfort – they will weep no more (v18)
- When God comforts: He brings peace; draws others to Himself! (your testimony)
-- 1 Peter 5:7, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
2. Answered prayers – God will hear from them (v19)
- God invites us to cry out to Him; to seek Him when things go crazy (gracious)
-- Jeremiah 33:3, “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” (Prophet saw God’s encouragement: knew Gods comfort)
3. Deliverance from adversity & the gift of godly teachers (v20)
- Not only will God rescue; He will bring His people under godly teaching
-- Ever wonder why Jesus is not being preached honestly and without excuse?
-- BIG: Climate! It is self-serving and about us? A Church gets what it allows!
-- Psalm 91:1, “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (We will be secure in what He offers!)
4. His presence & His guidance (v21)
- Promise: We will receive the Holy Spirit; the One sent to live within & guide us!
-- Galatians 4:6, “And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” (Dear, Daddy)
5. True worship (v22)
- God will draw people to worship; to a place of worshiping with sincerity (here)
-- John 4:22-23, “You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews.. But the time is coming - indeed it’s here now - when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.”
6. Prosperity (vv23-24)
- God will restore our land; even the grain for livestock will be plentiful
-- APP: This has less to do with your wallet; more to do with life’s REAL needs
-- Philippians 4:19, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”
7. A paradise of peace (v25)
- This is after the great war with humanity (post-Armageddon); after the final battle
-- John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me (result). Here on earth (this is for ALL of us) you will (a promise) have many trials and sorrows. But take heart (comfort), because I have (action) overcome the world.”
- TR: Isaiah shows us a world being restored; a new place of dwelling in God
-- APP: Sometimes, we just need to state the obvious …
Point 3 – God’s Promise: Something better is coming!
- Look at what He gives us: An assurance of victory!
1. The LORD will return to the Earth with a just (pt 1) wrath for defiant (v27)
-- Ref to Yahweh here: His words will be a consuming fire; of judgment & victory
2. Once the wicked have been removed, the righteous will rejoice (v29)
-- Following the victory, faithful will rejoice and celebrate (sing) of His authority
3. For creation, God will demonstrate His awesome power, personally (v30)
-- His voice will be heard; strength displayed; & will descend as devouring flame!
4. God promises to shatter the Assyrians through the power of His voice (v31)
-- These are those who have been enslaving His people; waging war constantly
5. He even promises to doom the ruler of the Assyrians and his followers (v33)
-- Specific place prepared for them: Tophet; Valley of Hinnom south of Jerusalem
-- Was the place where worshippers of false god, Molech, sacrificed their children
-- It (physically) became the garbage dump of Jerusalem, known as “Gehenna”
- Gehenna: a place of burning fire – think: God’s very breath fuels this fire
-- Matthew 13:41-42, “The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will remove from his Kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. And the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
-- THIS is THE final resting place of those who rebel & turn their back on Him!
- SEE: If God is this powerful, complete, and this merciful – whom shall we fear?
-- CHALLENGE: What is keeping you from turning to Him if this is what He promises?
- Pray
