Seeking The Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 6): The Urgency Of God’s Invitation Isaiah 55:6 Series

Seeking the Unexpected Jesus (Sermon 6): The Urgency of God’s Invitation Isaiah 55:6

Introduction:

Today, we will explore a verse that speaks to the urgency of seeking God—Isaiah 55:6, which says, “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.” (NLT)

This is a divine invitation for every one of us to draw near to God, not later, not tomorrow, but right now. The Unexpected Jesus often appears in moments when we least expect Him. But there’s one thing the Bible teaches us clearly—when God invites, we must respond without delay.

Today, we’ll unpack this verse and see how Jesus, the Unexpected Lord, calls us to seek Him now, with our whole hearts.

Point 1: The Urgency of Seeking God Now

Isaiah 55:6 begins with this command: “Seek the Lord while you can find him.”

The Hebrew word used here for "seek" is ??????? (darash), which means to diligently search, to seek with care. This isn’t a casual pursuit; it’s an intentional, passionate longing for God. Isaiah’s plea is urgent—there is a window of opportunity where we can find the Lord, and that window isn’t open forever.

This sense of urgency is echoed by Jesus Himself in Matthew 6:33: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (NLT) Jesus is telling us to prioritise our pursuit of God. Don’t wait. Don’t get distracted by the cares of this world.

Imagine walking through a forest just before a storm hits. You see the dark clouds approaching, and you know you need to find shelter quickly. You don’t casually stroll; you hurry with purpose. That’s how we should seek the Lord—with urgency, knowing that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Point 2: God is Near—Don’t Miss the Moment

Isaiah 55:6 continues: “Call on him now while he is near.”

The word “near” in Hebrew is ?????? (qarov), which means close by, within reach. What a powerful truth! God isn’t distant or unavailable. He’s near—He’s here with us today, right now. But that nearness requires a response from us.

Jesus echoes this when He says in John 14:23 (NLT), “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.” Jesus promises that He and the Father will be near to those who respond to Him. But we must open the door of our hearts.

Pastor and author A.W. Tozer once said, “God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible—what a pity that we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.” God is near, ready to act in your life, but you must call on Him.

In our busyness, it’s easy to miss the nearness of God. We get distracted by work, family, and life’s pressures. But the Unexpected Jesus calls us to put aside those distractions and call on Him now. The time is now, not later.

Point 3: God’s Invitation: A Limited Window of Opportunity

Isaiah 55:6 implies something profound: the opportunity to seek and find God won’t last forever. There is a divine urgency to this invitation. Just as seasons change and windows of opportunity open and close, so too does our time to respond to God’s call.

Proverbs 27:1 (NLT) warns us: “Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring.” We don’t know what tomorrow holds. God gives us today, this moment, to seek Him.

Think of a train station. The train is there, the doors are open, and the invitation is clear: get on board. But if you hesitate, the train leaves, and the opportunity is gone. God is calling us now—don’t miss the train of His grace.

Point 4: Jesus, the Ultimate Expression of God’s Nearness

Finally, Isaiah 55:6 points us to Jesus, the ultimate expression of God’s nearness. Jesus is Immanuel, which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). In Him, God came near, offering salvation, grace, and new life to everyone who seeks Him.

Hebrews 3:15 (NLT) says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Jesus speaks to us today—will we soften our hearts and seek Him, or will we turn away?

Tim Keller, a well-known Christian author, once said, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Jesus has come near to us in our brokenness—He is waiting for us to respond.

Conclusion: The Urgency of God’s Invitation

Isaiah 55:6 calls us to seek the Lord now. God is near, but He won’t always be. There’s an urgency to this invitation, a divine window of opportunity that we must not miss. Let’s not assume we’ll have tomorrow—today is the day to call on God, to seek Him with our whole hearts.