Sermon Central
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The Joy Of Looking Forward! Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 28, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: The final words Isaiah offers us is to consider what eternity looks like in the face of how we are living. Those who rebel against God will not see an eternal reward but punishment, but those who will tremble at His word and remain faithful to Christ will be rewarded in eternity.
Isaiah, Part 27
The Joy of Looking Forward!
Isaiah 65:1-25 and Isaiah 66:1-24
- Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you’ve come to worship today
- Pray
Point 1 – God’s provisions in a New Era of Salvation
- Read 65:1-16 – See the promises and the cry of God to the people of His creation:
• 2-5: Criticism: Be Holy; be witnesses God can send a Messiah through
• 6-7: Given a strong warning to those who willingly rejected Him
• 8-10: Some will be saved; those who were faithful; remnant; heirs
• 11-12: (Indictment) Judgment would be on those who turned to false idols
- See results: There are TWO destinies for those living in NEW era of salvation:
• For the saved: blessings of God (survival, new name, new spirit, worship)
• For the unsaved: terrifying future (suffering, hunger, shame, sad, cursed)
- Read 65:17-25 – See the promise of an eternal future (hope) with Christ:
• 17-18: God paints a glorious picture of the new Jerusalem (new creation)
• 19: No more sorrow or weeping anymore (no more suffering b/c of sin!)
• 20: The power of death will be gone from the saved (no more fear of it)
• 21: We will work; we’ll have responsibilities; it’ll be meaningful work
• 22: Live and work in peace and security (eternal hope of protection)
• 23: Be transformed to dwell in a perfect world (no more mindless toiling)
• 24: Have constant, unbroken fellowship with the Lord (direct access)
• 25: Nature will be transformed and reset (think: Garden of Eden)
Homework: Romans 8:18-24 about today’s trouble vs. tomorrow’s glory!!!
- TR: But wait, there is more! CH: See goodness of God here as a Loving Father!
Point 2 – Listen to (don’t just hear) the Word of the Lord!
Read 66:vv1-5 See: the true temple of God:
• It’s not just a building! Everything that He has created is His true temple
• His creation represents Him; it speaks to us about His character; invites us in
• Consider 1 Corinthians 3:16 … we represent Him (now) living inside of us!
• Sacrifices are not what God wanted (v2b & v5); He wanted His creation!
Read 66:vv6-14 See: A restored Jerusalem; both the city and the people:
• God points to the wonderous gift in the birth of a new city (see Rev 21:2)
• All of His people will rejoice at His gift; they will be satisfied & praise
• APP: God will restore His people to their rightful place: to reside with Him
Read 66:vv15-18 See: the Day of the Lord: a terrifying judgement imposed:
• Note the entrance (difference) of God for those who’ve rebelled (vv15-16)
• The recipients are: those who’ve made for themselves false gods to worship
• Who have worshiped at man-made idols: social media; Hollywood, politics
Read 66:vv19-21 The proclamation of God’s glory (worldwide praise):
• God will direct His word to go forth; to proclaim the only way (Christ)!
• God will anoint His ‘priests’ to proclaim His promise; to witness for Him!
• APP: To herald the truth of who He is for all eternity … for His glory!
Read 66:vv22-23 The gift of eternal life in the new Heavens and Earth:
• The final days of human history will usher in unbelievable peace and joy
• Those who are/were true to Him will live; they will enjoy; they will prosper
• We will have a NEW name; a name known to Him; and will be His!!
Read 66:v24 Last: A final warning exposing the fate of the unrepentant:
- Need us to understand this – grasp this as if YOUR life depended on it
-- Death does not mean that we cease to exist; it is just the beginning of eternity
-- For those who are unrepentant and refuse God now - He will refuse them later
-- However, they will not be wiped from existence - just from His grace/mercy
- Isaiah is shown a visual of this; Hell; eternal separation from God forever
-- With a fire that never goes out, yet it burns (active word) and they are devoured
-- Jesus discussed this same place when showing the dangers of sin in Mark 9:42-48
-- Often referred to Valley of Hinnom; outside Jerusalem; unclean corpses burned
- The person, or persons, who refuse God’s call for mercy will reside in this place
• The ungodly (the self-righteous, unrepentant, choosers of sin) will be here
• Those who refuse to repent because they value or make excuses for sin
• Those who try to soften God’s word and use it for their own purposes
• Those who won’t see Christ as Lord; instead use Him as a good luck charm
