Go! And Tell the World What He Has Done! - Isaiah 12:4 (NLT)
Isaiah 12:4 (NLT): “In that wonderful day you will sing: ‘Thank the Lord! Praise his name! Tell the nations what he has done. Let them know how mighty he is!’”
Introduction: A Song of Salvation
Church, today we step into a prophetic song — a song sung not in despair, but in joy. Not in darkness, but in the light of God's glorious salvation. Isaiah 12 is a song of celebration, a song of deliverance, a song of redemption. And verse 4 gives us our mission in one breath:
Thank. Praise. Tell. Let them know.
This verse is not only a poetic expression—it is a prophetic call to action for every believer.
Let me say it plainly: We are not saved to be silent. We are saved to speak.
We are not rescued to retreat, but redeemed to Go! And tell the world what He has done.
This is not optional; it is essential.
1. Context and Exegesis of Isaiah 12:4
Isaiah 12 is a response to the glorious promise of chapter 11 — where Isaiah speaks of the coming Messiah, the shoot from the stump of Jesse, the One who will reign with wisdom, justice, and power. This points directly to Jesus Christ, the Anointed One.
Isaiah 12 is a doxology—a hymn of praise that bursts forth in response to salvation. It’s prophetic, poetic, and deeply Christ-centred.
Let’s unpack a few words:
“Tell” (Hebrew: nagad) – This means to declare, announce, publish. It’s not a whisper. It’s a public proclamation—a broadcast of truth.
“Nations” (Hebrew: gôy) – This includes all people groups, all ethnicities. This isn’t just a call to Israel—it’s a mission to the world.
“Done” (Hebrew: ?asâ) – Refers to completed action, indicating the finished work of God.
Isaiah foresaw the day when God’s salvation would be revealed to all nations. And that day has arrived in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. The Gospel Must Be Told
Let’s begin with this unshakable truth: the Gospel is good news, but good news must be shared.
Romans 10:13–15 (NLT): “For ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”
We are the ones who must tell. The Gospel is not transmitted by angels; it’s entrusted to us. Paul’s urgency is clear—faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Charles Stanley said: “Obedience always brings blessing, and one of the greatest blessings is leading someone to Jesus.”
Friends, how many blessings have we missed because we’ve kept silent?
Imagine a firefighter rescued from a burning building. After escaping, he learns others are still inside. Does he run home and post a selfie with a caption “Survived!”—or does he go back in and rescue the rest?
We’ve been saved from the fire—now it’s our mission to go back in.
3. God’s Mighty Deeds Must Be Declared
Isaiah says, “Let them know how mighty He is.”
Psalm 145:4–7 (NLT): “Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendour and your wonderful miracles.”
This is generational responsibility. God’s people are to speak of His power with joy, with clarity, with courage.
Max Lucado said: “When grace happens, we receive not a nice compliment from God but a new heart. Give God your bad story, and He’ll give you His good story.”
Church, have you shared the story of grace in your life? Your testimony is someone else’s lifeline. Don’t hide what God has done. Declare it.
4. Jesus: The Fulfilment of Salvation
Isaiah pointed forward to the Saviour. We now look back on the Cross and empty tomb and say, “Look what the Lord has done!”
2 Corinthians 5:21 (NLT): “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
Jesus bore your sin, my sin, on that rugged Cross. The innocent One became sin so the guilty could go free.
The Greek word here translated as “made right” (d??a??s??? - dikaiosyne) means more than forgiven—it means declared righteous, acquitted, accepted.
This is the Gospel: Jesus died in our place, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
The tomb is empty, and our salvation is full.
Tim Keller wrote: “The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.”
Hallelujah! That’s the good news we must tell.
5. Our Response: Go and Tell
Isaiah doesn’t just say “praise the Lord” in private; he says tell the nations.
Matthew 28:18–20 (NLT): “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations... Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.”
The Great Commission echoes Isaiah’s words. We are to go, tell, teach, and baptise in His name.
We are not spectators; we are witnesses. Not seat-warmers, but soul-winners.
John Piper said: “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”
People don’t worship God because they don’t know Him. And they don’t know Him because they haven’t heard.
That’s why we go.
The Postman of Hope:
A postman doesn’t write the letter. He just delivers it.
What if your neighbour had a letter containing the cure for a terminal illness—and you had it in your bag but never delivered it?
Church, the Gospel is the cure for eternal death—and we are the ones entrusted to deliver it.
Gospel Presentation:
Let me say this clearly and personally: Jesus Christ died for you.
He was crucified, buried, and rose again. His blood was shed so your sins could be forgiven.
His resurrection is proof that death has been defeated.
Do you know Him today? Have you placed your trust in Him?
The Bible says in Acts 3:19 (NLT): “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
Repentance is not just feeling sorry—it is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.
Call to Action:
Church, the time for silence is over.
Thank the Lord.
Praise His Name.
Go! And tell what He has done.
There are people in your workplace, your family, your neighbourhood who need to hear what Jesus has done for you—and what He can do for them.
Let your life be a loudspeaker for the Gospel.
Let your testimony be a trumpet of His grace.
Let your lips carry the love of Jesus.
Invitation to Salvation:
If you’ve never trusted in Jesus, today is your moment. Right now, you can turn from sin, believe in your heart that Jesus died for you, and confess Him as Lord.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” —Romans 10:9 (NLT)
Would you pray and ask Him to save you now?
Benediction / Exhortation:
May the Lord strengthen your voice and stir your heart to speak boldly of His love.
May the Holy Spirit empower you to go and tell what Jesus has done.
And may your life shine with the testimony of grace, drawing others to the Saviour who saves to the uttermost.
In Jesus’ mighty Name, Amen.
