HOW TO BEHAVE IN A WHALE

Jonah 1:17-2:9

INTRODUCTION

We really do not know how we will react to a certain situation until we experience it. As people of God we hope and pray we will respond spiritually and Biblically. When George Truett, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Dallas had to have surgery, he was hesitant. The doctor explained the procedure, the ether and how the recovery and healing would go. When Truett woke up, the first thing he asked was, “Did I say anything under the ether that would have defamed the name of Jesus?”

A good question and a great attitude. We should be like Truett and ask, “When I am going under great pressure for God, will I say or do anything that will defame the name of Jesus?”

There has always been some skepticism regarding the book of Jonah. Some have tried to say that it’s a fictional book that teaches us a moral lesson by using allegory. Others have attempted to prove that the book has no truth to it at all. The questions that the skeptic will ask are “Is this really a possibility? Can a man actually be swallowed whole by a fish, and if so, how could he possibly survive?”

The simple, but sometimes unsatisfactory answer is, “All things are possible with God.” Verse 17 says God provided a great fish to swallow Jonah. Certainly God could do that. After all, He made the universe.

Far more important than Jonah being swallowed by a whale is the fact that Jonah repented to God. We need to focus on his act of repentance, so that we can follow in his footsteps when we need to repent to God.

THEME: WHEN WE REPENT TO GOD:

I. WE REALIZE HOW DESPERATE OUR CONDITION REALLY IS 1:17

     A. God Even Goes To Lengths To Prepare Something Special For Us

          1. Each trial is designed specifically for us individually

          2. No two tests or trials are exactly the same

     B. Whales Are Extremely Rare In The Mediterranean

NOTE: The Hebrew is ‘great fish.’ May or may not been a whale.

          1. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.        Matthew 12:40

          2. The Greek word for whale – ketos {kay’-tos}

               a. Whale, a sea monster, huge fish

NOTE: The only use of this word ‘whale’ in the New Testament. The largest sea creature the KJV translators knew was a whale so they used that word in Matthew 12:40.

               b. Ketos from the Greek word – chasma

               c. Gulf, a gaping opening, a chasm

               d. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  Luke 16:26

     C. There Is Clear Evidence That Fish Exist That God Can Use

NOTE: The LORD had prepared a great fish vs. 17

          1. Some have suggested the fish was a shark or a “sea – dog”

          2. In a 1928 copy of the “Daily Mail” Mr. G. H. Henn tells of walking inside the carcass of a dead whale. He said the throat was like a door leading to a large room.

          3. Another account tells of a sperm whale whose stomach contained a 16 foot shark skeleton

          4. A shark has been reported caught in nets of fishermen off Greece which contained in its stomach a whole horse. The horse was estimated to weigh 1500 pounds.

          5. In 1758 a sailor fell overboard from a frigate in stormy weather into the Mediterranean and was taken into the mouth of a sea-dog. and disappeared. The captain however ordered a cannon the deck to be discharge at the shark. The cannon ball struck the shark and it vomited up again the sailor who was then rescued alive.

          6. The most striking incident comes from a Paris Journal of Science: In 1891 the whale Ship “Star of the East” was in the vicinity of the Falkland Islands when they spotted a large sperm whale. Two boats were lowered and one of the harpooners was able to spear the great fish. As the second boat attacked the fish, the fish’s tail overturned the boat. One man drowned, but the other, James Barely, disappeared. The whale was killed and drawn up beside the Ship. The crew worked the rest of the day and part of the night removing the blubber. The next day the whale’s stomach was attached to some tackle and hoisted on deck. When the stomach was split open, James Barely was found unconscious, but alive. When he revived, witnesses said he acted like a raving lunatic. Finally, after two weeks he was able to regain his composure and tell his story. He said that when the boat overturned, the waters foamed around him and then he was drawn into darkness. He soon found himself in a great place where the heat was intense. In the dark he searched for an exit and found only slimy walls around him. Then the awful truth of where he was filled his mind and he became unconscious until he was revived on the deck of the Ship.

NOTE: This is probably a small reminder of what Jonah was going through

NOTE: But to stop with only a proof that a whale can swallow a man would be to miss the whole point of this portion of the book

     D. ‘Jonah’

          1. Means “dove”

          2. A dove in the ocean

          3. Out of place

NOTE: Doves were not created to swim in the ocean

     E. What Was On Jonah’s Mind As He Was In That Fish For Three Days And Three Nights Inside That Fish?

NOTE: Frank Laubach used to speak about what he called his “Game with Minutes”. The idea is to take a given hour each day and see how many minutes during that hour he could be conscious of God’s presence. Richard Foster was reading Laubach’s journals and said, “When I first began to read Laubach’s journals, I was puzzled by the notations at the top of each day: ‘Conscious 50%i Conscious 25%;. Conscious 80%.’ Laubach had given no explanation of these journal notations which puzzled Richard Foster all the more. But finally Foster realized that Laubach had been playing his little game with minutes and recording the percentage of each day that he felt he had been conscious of God’s presence.

          1. If Jonah had been playing Laubach’s game he could have with all honesty said he was conscious of God’s presence 100% of the time

          2. Perhaps, like us in a crises, Jonah hadn’t realized how serious his condition really was until now

          3. Maybe he had thought that if he stayed away from God long enough God would eventually just leave him alone

          4. When the storms came and Jonah was thrown overboard he might have imagined that this was the end

          5. But God wasn’t finished with him (or us!) yet

          6. God provided a way for Jonah to do some long, hard, serious, undisturbed thinking

               a. Jonah soon came to realize how desperately out of whack his relationship with God really was

               b. Seventy two hours is a long time to think

               c. Especially when it’s spent in the stinking, slimy, dark pit of a fish’s stomach whose natural processes are trying to break him down for digestive purposes

               d. Three days and nights in that environment are enough to make anyone desperate

               e. That’s the point most of us must reach before we’re willing to take action and repent to God

               f. Sometimes we have to get to our lowest point before we’re ready to look up and face Almighty God

               g. And when we get to that point realize that the only thing we can do, is repent to God

T.S. WHEN WE REPENT TO GOD:

          I. WE REALIZE HOW DESPERATE OUR CONDITION REALLY IS

II. WE BECOME CONVINCED THAT GOD’S WAY IS BEST       2:1-3

     A. The Prayer Of Jonah  vs. 1

          1. This prayer is not a prayer for deliverance

          2. This is a prayer for thanksgiving and deliverance already received

          3. Here we find the state of Jonah’s mind as he was engaged in this conflict with death

          4. The LORD his God

               a. The sailors prayed to the LORD

               b. Difference – HIS God

          5. Jonah tried to escape from the Lord

               a. Now he really does not even try to escape from death

               b. He trusts God no matter what He does

NOTE: It is the simple and natural utterance of a man versed in the Holy Scripture and living in the word of God, and is in perfect accordance with the prophet’s circumstances and the state of his mind.    Friedrich Keil

     B. The Content Of Jonah’s Prayer        vs. 2-3

          1. The condition of Jonah – affliction

               a. Anguish

               b. Distress

               c. Tribulation

               d. Trouble

          2. The condition of Jonah – overwhelmed

               a. The floods compassed me

                    1) The waters turned to see me

                    2) The waters purposely surrounded me

               b. After spending some time in the belly of a fish, Jonah decided God’s way was not so bad after all

NOTE: In every community there are some Christians who know that their life is out of step with God’s will for them

          a. And even though this is evident to them, they make up their minds that they’re not going to change

          b. But let them get desperate enough, or put them in a crisis situation, and they may decide to reconsider God’s way

NOTE: In every community there are people outside of Christ who don’t believe that God’s way is best for their lives

          a. But there comes a time in their life when God might give them a chance to reconsider

           b. They learn that God is longsuffering

NOTE: The question is, “Are we convinced God’s way is best?”

          a. Have we come to a point in our life where we realize God knows more than we do?

          b. True repentance involves realizing our own frailty so that we can rely on God’s strength

T.S. WHEN WE REPENT TO GOD:

          I. WE REALIZE HOW DESPERATE OUR CONDITION REALLY IS

         II. WE BECOME CONVINCED THAT GOD’S WAY IS BEST

III. WE COMMIT OUR SELVES TO GOD 2:4-10

     A. The Greatest Need We Have After Salvation       vs. 4-7

          1. Fellowship with God

          2. Fellowship with others fellowshipping with God

     B. There Are Those Who Hurt Their Own Selves      vs. 8

          1. They observe lying vanities

          2. The meaning of ‘observe’

               a. Heed

               b. Keep

               c. Preserve

               d. Protect

               e. Save

               f. Treasure up (in memory)

          3. The content of ‘lying’

               a. Emptiness

               b. False

               c. Worthlessness

          4. Vanities

               a. Vapour

               b. Breath

     C. We Have Different Priorities vs. 9

          1. Pay

               a. Peace

               b. Restore

               c. To be in a covenant of peace, be at peace

               d. To make peace with

          2. It is one thing to be desperate and another to realize God’s way is best

          3. We all know that when the crisis ends the commitment usually ends also

NOTE: To illustrate the point of commitment to his son a father asked the boy this question:

“Three frogs were sitting on one log and decided to jump off. How many frogs are left?” The young boy answered, “Oh, that’s easy – two.” The father said, “You weren’t listening. Let’s try again. Three frogs were sitting on one log and one decided to jump off. How many frogs are left?”

The boy thought for a moment and answered, “Three – because one had only decided to jump, he had never committed himself to it.”

This boy understood something we are often slow to learn.

          4. Real repentance includes committing our whole self to God

               a. It is not just being sorry for our sins in the sense of being sorry that we got caught

               b. Understand that message from God’s Word is not just “repent” – It is also, “Come follow Me”

NOTE: The Dallas Morning News reported on how a modem money changing machine has the ability to differentiate between $1.00 and $5.00 dollar bills. The process it uses has two parts: First it must identify the bill as valid and second it must determine its value. Both parts of the process depend on the magnetic signature on the bill. Treasury workers magnetize the ink in the signature to validate the bill and change the magnetic structure for bills of different denominations. The key to validation and valuation is the signature on the bill.

The key to value and worth in the Christian life is the mark of the Lord Jesus on that life. Paul wrote (Galatians 6:17), “I bear in my body the mark of the Lord Jesus.” The Lord’s signature in the life of the committed believer is what marks that live valid and valuable.

CONCLUSION 

WHEN WE REPENT TO GOD: 

I. WE REALIZE HOW DESPERATE OUR CONDITION REALLY IS

II. WE BECOME CONVINCED THAT GOD’S WAY IS BEST

III. WE COMMIT OUR SELVES TO GOD

WHAT GOD WANTS

Isaiah 1:18-20

INTRODUCTION

Ever since we have known the difference between right and wrong in our lives there have been some things that we have done that we knew were wrong. Everyone of us can look back and remember an experience or experiences that made us feel dirty. No amount of bathing or showering could make us really, deep down inside, feel clean as we were before.

Maybe we have longed for those days of innocence before we became dirty with thoughts, attitudes, words, actions and conditions that now seem like they cannot be undone. Maybe sometimes we have day dreamed about the “what – ifs” of our lives. “What if” we had never made that decision in our life? “What if” we had never made that turn or accepted or rejected that something?

There are several kinds of dirtiness. There is the dirtiness that others can know about. They can see we are dirty. They can smell we are dirty. They can feel we are dirty. Then there are the kinds of dirt we can try to hide from others, including our friends, our family, our mate.

Then there is that filthiness that no one knows about but us … and God. He can not be kept out of the facts of our life. He knows. He even knows more than we even know about ourselves. He knows truly how dirty we really are.

There is a beautiful song about Him, “What A Mighty God We Serve.” We can also change the words to “What A Wonderful God We Serve” or, “What A Concerned God We Serve” or, “What A Caring God We Serve.”

The Book of Isaiah is a large book. It is about a large God with a large capacity to forgive, cleanse and restore; to make us clean once again. As Isaiah begins his book he talks about the filthiness of Israel and how God has chosen to allow His people to be once again clean from their sin. But there is a problem. God will not force His people to be clean; they must choose to be clean.

THEME: WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM US?

I. GOD WANTS US TO REASON WITH HIM vs. 18

     A. Our Approach To God

          1. In verses 1-17 God had been speaking to His people in wrath

               a. Their sin has put them under the judgment of God

               b. But now His love begins to show through

               c. God’s love does not desire our destruction

               d. His love desires our inward and outward salvation

          2. Come now

               a. ‘Come’ is used to show there is a benefit for the one addressed

                    1) Walk with Me

                    2) Follow My line of reasoning

                    3) Let me lead you away from your sins

                    4) It is now time to choose your manner of life

                         a) To live

                         b) To die

               b. This command cannot be evaded

                    1) It must be obeyed

                    2) It is not a meeting of equals

                    3) God is meeting with His sinful people

          3. Now

               a. Softens the ‘come’

               b. A loving invitation

               c. The tender manner in which God invites us the sinner

           4. Reason together

               a. A legal term

               b. Things are not right between us and God

               c. God is now calling us to a formal trial

               d. This term is used in trials to determine guilt and innocence

               e. Let us bring to light the truth of the case

               f. It is time to discover what is correct

               g. Let us each plead our case

               h. Let us come to a decision

               i. God is willing to pardon their horrible sins

           5. Three things are on God’s side

               a. Reason

               b. Justice

              c. Mercy

     B. Our Condition Before God

          1. What we will see is reasonable

               a. For us to obey the command of God

               b. For our sins to be made white

          2. The LORD speaks to us

               a. Not Elohim – God in His power

               b. Jehovah – God in his loving relationship with us

               c. Not merely Isaiah is speaking to us, God is also

          3. Scarlet sins

               a. Crimson

               b. Red

                    1) A color that came from the crushing of an insect to obtain the red die

                    2) This color comes because of a death

               c. Our sins be as scarlet

                    1) We are worthy of death

                    2) Jehovah wants to deal with us according to His free compassion

               d. Red is the clothing of Babylon

NOTE: And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Revelation 17:4-5

                 e. Red represents

                      1) The color of this life

                      2) The unjust shedding of blood

                      3) The color of sin

                      4) The red heat of sin that consumes a person

     C. Potential Before God

          1. White as snow

               a. Has no mixture of the colors of darkness

               b. White represents the pure, absolute triumph of light

          2. He has the power to turn our red sin to the very opposite

               a. Through His mercy our sin becomes the purest white

               b. Our deepest sins can become the purest white

          3. Snow

               a. Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? …          Job 38:22

               b. And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.        Exodus 4:6

NOTE: In this passage snow represents death to this life

               c. If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean  Job 9:30

               d. … wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.   Psalm 51:7

               e. He giveth snow like wool …           Psalm 147:16

NOTE: The ultimate white

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 19:7-9

T.S. WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM US?

          I. GOD WANTS US TO REASON WITH HIM   vs. 18

II. GOD WANTS US TO BE WILLING  vs. 19

     A. The Key To Freedom From Our Sin – Willing

          1. Whosoever will

          2. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.     Revelation 22:17

          3. Sin makes people weak

               a. As a nation Israel was weak because of her many sins

               b. As a family sin makes us weak

               c.  As individuals sin makes us paralyzed

     B. The Result Of Our Freedom – Obedient

          1. The Hebrew meaning of ‘obey’ is to listen for the voice

NOTE: An original logo of RCA – A dog listening to an old Victrola record with the caption: Listening to his master’s voice cf. the child of God listening to the voice of God through the Bible.

          2. There is a condition on our part – If

               a. Forgiveness is not offered unconditionally

               b. Only then will God give us the good

     C. We Stand Between Blessing And Cursing

NOTE: Every Bible preaching and teaching church should really be called “The Crossroads”. Every Bible based sermon is a “crossroads” sermon.

          1. Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse           Deuteronomy 11:26

          2. And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.        Deuteronomy 28:2

          3. Blessings and cursings are contrasted over thirty times in the Bible

     D. The Two Things We Must Do Before God

          1. Be willing

               a. Accept

               b. Be content

               c. Consent to

               d. Desire

               e. Rest in

               f. Yield to

           2. Be obedient

               a. Agree

               b. Hear, listen with attention

               c. Understand

               d. Yield to

     E. The Fruit Willingness And Obedience

          1. We will eat the good

               a. Eat

                    1) Devour

                    2) Consume

               b. The good

                    1) Good thing

                    2) Goodness

                    3) Prosperity

          2. The good of the land

               a. The abundant life of the child of God

               b. The best the land can produce

               c. Picture of tranquility and peace

               d. The full and complete enjoyment of life

               e. Obedience produces material blessings

               f. Obedience produces spiritual blessings

T.S. WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM US?

          I. GOD WANTS US TO REASON WITH HIM

         II. GOD WANTS US TO BE WILLING

III. GOD WANTS US TO NOT REFUSE          vs. 20

     A. The Doctrine Of A Free Will

          1. The persistence in a wicked way

          2. The fruit – the consuming punishment of the LORD

     B. The Doctrine Of Sowing And Reaping

           1. Sow repentance – reap blessings

           2. Sow rebellion – reap judgment

           3. The opposites

                a. Willing and obedient    vs. 19

                b. Refuse and rebel         vs. 20

     C. The Doctrine Of Refusing

           1. They kept not the covenant of God, and refused to walk in his law Psalm 78:10

           2. Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded  Proverbs 1:24

           3. O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? … they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.   Jeremiah 5:3

           4. But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.            Zechariah 7:11

     D. The Doctrine Of Rebelling

           1. Hebrew – marah

                a. Bitter

                b. Contentious

                c. Disobedient

           2. In English ‘rebellion’ is an unsuccessful attempt at revolution

                a. The implication is that rebels usually want to try again

                b. A rebellious nature is one that is constantly ready to renew the battle

     E. The Result Of Refusing And Rebelling – Devoured

          1. Devoured

               a. The same word in vs. 19 for ‘eat’

               b. The contrasting choices

                    1) The full enjoyment of domestic blessings; of settled peaceful rest at home

                    2) The curse of being eaten with the sword

NOTE: Sword

          a. Used in warfare

          b. Used to sever, separate

     F. The Importance Of The Message – From The Mouth of the LORD

          1. It is possible that written messages can be considered impersonal

          2. Spoken messages are personal

          3. Not the mouth of Isaiah

          4. Personally spoken word

          5. A commandment from Him

NOTE: Years ago a traveling salesman went to France and returned with some gifts for his wife. One of them was a matchbox that would glow in the dark. When they turned out the light, it would not glow. “I’ve been cheated!” declared the husband.

The wife saw some French words on the box and took it to a friend who could read French. It said, “If you want me to shine at night, keep me in the sunshine all day.”

Only when we are willing and obedient in His presence do we have a glow about us.

CONCLUSION

WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM US?

I. GOD WANTS US TO REASON WITH HIM

II. GOD WANTS US TO BE WILLING        vs. 19

III. GOD WANTS US TO NOT REFUSE

THE VISIONS THE LORD GIVES US

Isaiah 6:1-13

INTRODUCTION

What is our future? Are we headed to a world depression? To chaos and anarchy? To good times or bad times?

The song writer put it best for the child of God, “I don’t know about tomorrow … but I know who holds tomorrow.”

The truth is, the future we face tomorrow we will make today. We can’t blame politicians, or bosses, or family or church. We have the ability at our disposal to make or break our future.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The word perish that is used here does not mean to die but to loose, to ignore, to reject counsel, to become lawless, like sheep going astray.

If we do not have God’s vision of the past, the present and the future, we will perish. What does it mean here to perish? It means we will lose our direction in life. We will began to ignore God’s message to us as individuals. We will begin to reject the counsel of godly people who have God’s vision. We will become lawless, everyone doing that which is right in their own sight. Therefore, we will perish in our Christian life, it will be no more.

But we don’t have to perish. Like Isaiah we can have a fresh vision from God

THEME: BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD:

I. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE LORD     6:1-4

     A. Though Others Die     vs. 1a

          1. King Uzziah

               a. Reigned 52 years

               b. “Power of Jehovah”

          2. A sad disappointment

               a. Died a leper for his sin of pride cf. so did Israel

               b. The national glory of Israel died with Uzziah and has never recovered to this day

NOTE: It is significant that shortly after Uzziah’s death Rome was founded, the power that would destroy Jerusalem and scatter the Jews

     B. I Saw Also The Lord  vs. 1b

          1. Isaiah at the end of Israel’s glory; John at the end of the New Testament

          2. The Lord

               a. Adonia; sovereign or absolute Lord

               b. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God           Matthew 5:8

NOTE: Isaiah did not see God because he was more spiritually attuned than others; he saw God because God chose to reveal Himself to him

          3. His train filled the Temple

               a. Train; hem or fringe of His robe

               b. His garment consists of light (Psalm 104: 1-2) and fills the Heavenly Temple, just as the cloud filled the earthly Temple

     C. Isaiah Saw The Heavenly Servants Of God

          1. The seraphim

                a. Only place in the Old Testament they are mentioned

                b. Guardians of God’s holiness

          2. Their function before God  2-3

                a. They fly (with two wings

                b. They cover their face before God

NOTE: Angels do not look upon His face

               c. They cover their feet

NOTE: The part of the body that touches the world

               d. Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory

NOTE: His glory is seen in His ministry to us

          3. Their environment   vs. 4

               a. The Temple vibrates with their testimony cf. our testimony reverberates through out our city

               b. House filled with smoke

                    1) Sacrifices before God

                    2) Prayers of God’s people as incense

                    3) The presence of God

T.S. BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD:

          I. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE LORD

II. WE WILL GET A VISION OF SELF  6:5-7

     A. Woe Is Me!     vs. 5a

          1. A vision of God gives us a true vision of self

NOTE: The closer we get to God, the clearer we see ourselves

          2. Unclean lips vs. 5b

               a. The seraphim can praise God but Isaiah was filthy

               b. Praise is a privilege only for those whose guilt has been removed

          3. I dwell in the midst  vs. 5c

              a. Not blaming others for his condition

              b. Acknowledging sin is all around him

         4. Mine eyes have seen the Lord of hosts  vs. 5d

             a. To see God was to suffer death Exodus 33:20

             b. His vision of God reduced him to be just like everyone else in his nation

NOTE: Bumper sticker: Christians are not perfect, just forgiven

     B. Our Iniquity And Sin Is Removed    vs. 7

          1. Beginning with our lips

NOTE: The external manifestations of what we really are

          2. Not salvation of our souls but salvation of our life for service

          3. Our iniquity and sin is no longer a hindrance to service

T.S. BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD:

          I. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE LORD

         II. WE WILL GET A VISION OF SELF

III. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE NEED   6:8-13

     A. By Responding To The Word Of God                   vs. 8

          1. Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?

               a. Not addressed to the angels

               b. Only those who have been unclean can go

NOTE: Once forgiven and guilt removed we possess a new freedom and insight that make us fit for service

          2. Here am I; send me

               a. He did not look for someone else to go

               b. He immediately responded

     B. Go Tell This People   vs. 9-10

           1. This people

                a. Not, My people

                b. Sin drives people away from God

            2. Heart, ears, eyes

                a. Heart – understanding

                b. Ears – comprehending

                c. Eyes – visualizing

            3. Lest they see, hear, understand, convert, be healed

     C. We Are To Witness Until Destruction Comes Upon Them          vs. 11-12

          1. Destruction in their cities

          2. Destruction in their houses

          3. Destruction in their land (jobs)

          4. Until the Lord removes them from all their possessions            vs. 12

NOTE: Many people will not allow God to work in their lives until all else fails

     D. We are to witness until some come to God            vs. 13

          1. A tenth; a small portion will return to God

          2. They will be purified

NOTE: Teil (oak) tree

Tree in the middle of a field, catches on fire; cut down, stump left; new tree grows out of the stump

CONCLUSION

BECAUSE WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF GOD:

I. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE LORD

II. WE WILL GET A VISION OF SELF

 

III. WE WILL GET A VISION OF THE NEED

HOW TO FACE CRISIS TODAY

Isaiah 8:19-21

INTRODUCTION

     A. Crises We Face

          1. Governmental intervention

          2. Inflation and depression

          3. Apathy among Christians

4. And the list goes on

NOTE: Noel Smith – Money can affect a lot of theology; in churches, families, individuals

     B. Groups That Do Nothing Have No Problems

          1. They aim at nothing and hit it every time

          2. They have no friction because they have no movement

NOTE: We have friction because we are doing something

     C. Personal – Job Security, Inflation

I. TO WHOM ARE WE TO LISTEN?

     A. The Speakers Of This World            8:19

          1. Familiar spirits

               a. Fallen angels, demons

               b. Astrology, Edgar Cayce, Nostradamus, Aztec calendar

NOTE: Americans spend millions annually on such superstitions

              c. Don’t have regard for them        Leviticus 19:31

          2. Wizards that peep and mutter

              a. They are male witches, magicians

              b. They defile their followers          Leviticus 20:6

NOTE: For Christians, familiar spirits and wizards are elements of spiritual whoredom

     B. Speakers For Christians

NOTE: Should the living look to the dead for pointers on how to live?  Isaiah 8:19

          1. Christian wizards

               a. Constantly crying wolf

NOTE: Russian story of boy who cried wolf

               b. Find nothing but gloom in the future

               c.  Still commies under every third rock

               d. International Jewish conspiracy; Illuminate

NOTE: If they exist they are a tool of Satan

               e. Problems with Islam and terrorism

               f. Prepare for the crash

NOTE: In the sixties a man filled his garage with wheat. Others sold houses, bought trailers and moved out of the city to the country

               g. Our government            Romans 13:1-4

          2. God

               a. Blessed are ye  Matthew 5:11-12; II Timothy 3:12

                    1) Persecution of freedoms; Christians shall suffer persecution

                    2) Persecution of finances

               b. All things work together for good         Romans 8:28

                   1) All victories

                   2) All problems

               c. No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly           Psalm 84:11

II. IN WHOM DO WE REST?       18:21

     A. Every One Will Get Weary (Bestead) And Hungry

          1. The World

               a. Frets and worries

               b. Blames and curses the government

               c. Blames and curses God

          2. The Christian

               a. Realizes this is God’s Will

               b. Blames Satan

              c. Praises God

     B. We Are Going To Get Tired In This Work

          1. Sinful attitudes will tire us out

               a. Covetous because others can afford things we can’t

               b. Mad because things aren’t going our way

NOTE: I John 1:9

          2. Doing things in our own strength will tire us out

               a. Forgetting to die to self

               b. Forgetting to let Christ live through us Galatians 2 :20

     C. We Must Remember To Go To The Right Resting Place

          1. Negative

               a. The lake – The Gulf

               b. The mountains

               c. Not a vacation from God, but with God

NOTE: Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.         Psalm 90:1

          2. Jesus is our rest      Matthew 11:28-30

NOTE: Way to find rest

          a. Take my yoke upon you (means we will have to put down ours)

          b. Learn of me

          c. Ye shall find rest unto your soul (not just body)

NOTE: Jesus said to come apart to rest. If we don’t then we will just come apart.       Vance Havner

III. TO WHOM DO WE LOOK?   8:22

     A. Directions To Look

          1. The World Looks At The World

               a. They see trouble

               b. They see darkness

               c. They see anguish

               d. They will be driven to darkness

NOTE: Driven- denotes weakness – forced, cornered – into that darkness. Men love darkness because their deeds are evil.

          2. The Christian looks to heaven

               a. We then can’t see the world

          b. We then sees light which comes from heaven

     B. The Results Of Looking

          1. The world trusts in:

               a. Big brother

               b. Social Security

               c. Welfare

          2. The Christian Trusts in:

               a. Some trust in chariots, & some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God Psalm 20:7

               b. I will trust in the covering of thy wings  Psalm 61:4

AFTER THE PROBLEMS

Isaiah 9:1-7

INTRODUCTION

Shakespeare penned the words, “Bubble, Bubble, toil and trouble.” We all have experienced toil and trouble, the toil of trouble and the trouble of toil  No season of the year is exempted. Not even Christmas. The only real difference is the depth of intensity of trouble that some people experience.

In Isaiah 7:14 the virgin (Mary) gives birth to Immanuel (Jesus). Since He has come to earth, everything should be great. Right? Wrong. In chapter 8 we have reference to one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history. Like Israel we move through dark periods and must find direction on

After the Light of the World is born, then comes the darkness of sin. In our text in chapter 9 the righteous are delivered from the great darkness of sin. But we are still susceptible to sin.

THEME: WHEN PROBLEMS COME, WHAT FUTURE DO WE HAVE?

I. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF LIGHT IN EVERY DARK PERIOD OF LIFE       9:1-2

     A. Nevertheless

          1. Refers back to 8:19-22

          2. God will provide the light if a person or nation repents and receives it

     B. The Dimness Shall Not Be Such As Was In Her Vexation

          1. Dimness

               a. Opposite of heat or of light

               b. An Arabic form – to be naked

          2. Her vexation – refers to Egypt

          3. Afterward did more grievously afflict her

               a. Of the nations – Assyria

               b. The scorched earth policy of northern Galilee

NOTE: Before salvation, God lightly afflicts us toward salvation. After salvation, God grievously afflicts us: cf., To whom much is given, much is required

     C. To The Repentant God Gives The Light

          1. The people walked in darkness

               a. Walk – refers to their daily living

               b. Darkness

NOTE: Hebrew – Deep shadow

          a. Poetical for intense darkness

          b. Refers to:

               1) Ignorance

               2) Distress

               3) Misery

               4) Sin

NOTE: This is the area where Jesus grew  up and began His ministry    Matthew 4:12-16 cf. John 2:11

               c. They dwell in the land of the shadow of death

                    1) The wicked saw darkness, cursed God and died

NOTE: Darkness can refer to the scorched earth and to sin

                   2) The shadow of death            cf. Psalm 23:4

          2. The Light

               a. They have seen a great light

NOTE: The power of this darkness

          a. It penetrates the clouds of darkness

          b. Darkness cannot stop it      John 1:5

               b. The light hath shined on them

NOTE: Two types of redemption

          a. Spiritual redemption

          b. Material redemption

T.S. WHEN PROBLEMS COME, WHAT FUTURE DO WE HAVE?

          I. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF LIGHT IN EVERY DARK PERIOD OF LIFE

II. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF JOY AFTER EVERY SIN PERIOD OF LIFE     9:3-5

     A. There Is No Joy In Just Many           vs. 5

NOTE: After the Assyrian Captivity they were sparsely settled and depopulated

          a. When Messiah comes, populous and thriving

          b. In Jesus’ time Josephus reported Galilee was dotted with numerous prosperous villages

          1. God multiplied the nation’s population

          2. The size did not increase the joy (because of Roman occupation)

NOTE: JOY

          a. A rare joy

          b. A holy joy

          c. The Hebrew word refers to the joy experienced at meals connected with the sacrifices and tithes

     B. There Is Joy In God’s Presence       vs. 3

NOTE: What makes joy deep is that it sets in after the pain and grief of war have been resolved into victory and peace

          1. Like joy in harvest

          2. Like when men divide the spoil

NOTE: Isaiah now turns the idea of good things that are to be received to the idea of evil things that are to be removed

     C. There Is Joy In God’s Victories        vs. 4

NOTE: As in the day of Midian (Gideon)     Judges 7:2,9

          1. In the broken yoke

               a. Refers to heavy toil

               b. Heavy burden of sin and corruption

               c. The yoke of Christ         Matthew 11:28-30

          2. In the staff of His shoulder

                a. The chafing of the shoulder

                b. God’s staff is a comfort            Psalm 23:4

          3. In the rod of the oppressor

                a. The beast of burden beaten on the shoulder or neck

                b. Scepter of the imperial tyrant

                c. Emblem of tyranny

     D. There Is Joy In Destroying Battle Gear       vs. 5

          1. The sound of battle – confused noise

          2. The sound of peace – burning and fuel for the fire

NOTE: Burning – Hebrew

          a. Not merely kindled and burned out

          b. Rather, entirely burned away; consumed with not a trace left

          3. The material for burning

NOTE:  Samples of things to be consigned to the fires when men clean up after wars are no more

                a. “Confused noise” reference to trampling boots

                b. Garments rolled in blood

NOTE: Blood stained military robes

T.S. WHEN PROBLEMS COME, WHAT FUTURE DO WE HAVE?

          I. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF LIGHT IN EVERY DARK PERIOD OF LIFE

         II. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF JOY AFTER EVERY SIN PERIOD OF LIFE

III. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF HIS LEADERSHIP IN EVERY RIGHTEOUS PERIOD OF LIFE    9:6-7

NOTE: The ground of triumph – deliverance

          a. The ground of deliverance – annihilation of the enemy

          b. The ground of all joys – freedom, all peace in the new great King

     A. The Light (vs. 2), The Joy (vs. 3) And The Burning Of Weapons (vs. 5) Will Be Because Of One To Be Born     vs. 6

NOTE: “For”

          1. He will in some significant way appear on the scene as a child

NOTE: Not a man

               a. He will be “born”

               b. He will be “given”

NOTE: There will be great rejoicing among God’s people because:

          a. The burden of sin is broken           vs. 4

          b. The weapons of war burned         vs. 5

          c. The child is born      vs. 6

     B. The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder      vs. 6

          1. It rests on Him

          2. It depends on Him

          3. “Upon His shoulder” may refer to the golden chain that hangs around the neck and on the shoulder as a symbol of governmental authority

     C. His Name Shall Be Called    vs. 6

NOTE: “Name” is singular, not plural

NOTE: Characteristics that describe the Son – He actually is the kind of person the name says He is

          1. Wonderful Counsellor

               a. Wonderful – literally, He is a wonder

               b. Counsellor

                    1) The greatest work ever attempted will be done by Him

                    2) Without being counseled, He counsels those who are without counsel

          2. The Mighty God

               a. The God of strength

               b. Shows the Deity of Christ

          3. The Everlasting Father

               a. Not referring to God, the Father

               b. Refers to the loving paternal concern He has to those committed to His charge   Psalm 103:13

          4. The Prince of Peace

NOTE: Literally – The Peace – Prince

                a. He removes all peace disturbing powers

                b. His methods of ruling are peaceful

                c. The goal and fruit of His Kingdom is peace

     D. There Shall Be No End          vs. 7

          1. To the increase of His government

               a. Always increasing the kingdoms by peaceful, spiritual weapons

               b. Light vs. darkness (god of this world) John 1

          2. To peace

               a. Peace and government are mentioned together

               b. Most governments find their increase through war

     E. The Establishment Of His Kingdom On The Throne Of David

          1. To order it and establish it

NOTE: To order – set it up

          2. Even for ever

               a. With judgment – refers to the official pronouncements that He makes in connection with His work

               b. With justice

                    1) Righteousness

                    2) That quality that governs all that He personally does

NOTE: Tyrants and dictators secure their thrones through oppression and tyranny

     F. The Zeal Of The Lord Of Hosts Will Perform This

         1. Zeal – jealously

         2. The Lord with burning zeal (jealously) for this whole undertaking stands continually behind His Chosen One

CONCLUSION

WHEN PROBLEMS COME, WHAT FUTURE DO WE HAVE?

I. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF LIGHT IN EVERY DARK PERIOD OF LIFE

II. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF JOY AFTER EVERY SIN PERIOD OF LIFE

III. WE HAVE THE FUTURE OF HIS LEADERSHIP IN EVERY RIGHTEOUS PERIOD OF LIFE

THE CHRIST-LIKE LIFE

Isaiah 11:1-9

INTRODUCTION

We all want to live successful lives. When life is over and this body is lowered into the grave we want others to remember us as faithful Christians in our respective callings in life.

If we’re in the medical profession it is only natural that we want to work with the best people in that field. Those in the legal profession would often like to represent rich and famous people. Engineers want to design next year’s sleekest sports car. Business owners want to compete with the big guys.

The Bible is full of successful lives. It is filled with the lives of those excelled. But it records one life that towers above all other lives. It is the life of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There has never been and there will never be a life like His. There have been great doctors, lawyers and entrepreneurs. Among those in the Lord’s work there have been great prophets, preachers, men and women of God. But now we are talking about the One Whose Name is above all names. He is an expert in everything. Anyone who could even begin to understand the greatness of the life He lived would want to be Christ-like.

THEME: WHAT MAKES US CHRIST-LIKE?

I. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS ORIGIN            Isaiah 11:1

NOTE: The word for “rod” is “twig”; the word for “stem” is “stump”

     A. One Who Shares Christ’s Origin Is Of A Common Origin            Luke 3:38

          1. Descendant of Adam; Like us He had limitations

          2. The achievements of his family appear insignificant

               a. Joseph was a carpenter

               b. At best, Christ was born into a middle class family

NOTE: Heaven’s social ladder is not earth’s social ladder

NOTE: There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.               Proverbs 13:7

     B. One Who Shares Christ’s Common Origin Must Not Use It As An Excuse For A Common Life

          1. God can make a nobody into a somebody

NOTE: Gideon

          2. It is necessary for human glorying to be brought low for God to take over     II Corinthians 12:10

T.S. WHAT MAKES US CHRIST-LIKE?

          I. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS ORIGIN

II. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE OF HIS POWER         Isaiah 11:2

NOTE: Six Tools Given By The Holy Spirit

          1. Wisdom:      The ability to put to use insight from knowledge

          2. Understanding:      The ability to choose the best course in solving a problem

          3. Counsel:      The ability to develop a plan of approach in dealing with a hard situation

          4. Might:          Heroic action; Executing a plan successfully

          5. Knowledge:            The knowledge of God

          6. Fear of the Lord:    Reverence and humility before God

     A. One Who Is A Partaker Of Christ’s Power Has Received The Holy Spirit         Isaiah 11:2

          1. The Holy Spirit’s power is only obtained from God

NOTE: cf. The world’s sources of power

          2. The Holy Spirit’s power is not given apart from salvation

     B. One Who Is A Partaker Of Christ’s Power Must Be Filled With The Holy Spirit            Acts 2:4 cf. 4:31

NOTE: This is not a once for all act cf. gas tank

          1. There is a difference in “having the Spirit” and “being filled with the Spirit”

NOTE: We can have the Spirit (salvation), yet produce no spiritual fruit because of sin

          2. In order to be filled with the Spirit we must :

               a. Yield to the Spirit of God

          b. Grieve not the Spirit

NOTE: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.         Ephesians 4:30

T.S. WHAT MAKES US CHRIST-LIKE?

          I. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS ORIGIN

         II. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE OF HIS POWER

III. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE ARE AROUND OTHERS Isaiah 1:3

NOTE: Our character shows by what we would do when no one else is around; our Christianity shows when we are around others

     A. One Who Had Christ’s Character Fears God         Isaiah 11:3

          1. It is a fear that comes from knowing Who God is

NOTE: Knowing God is:

          a. All-knowing

          b. All-powerful

          c. Everywhere present

          d. Eternal

          2. It is a fear that governs our life       Proverbs 16:6

NOTE: By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.           Proverbs 16:6

     B. One Who Has Christ’s Character Is Faithful In Service To God    Isaiah 11:5

          1. We serve according to the will of God

NOTE: Saul; And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?       I Samuel 15:17

          2. Righteousness is an inseparable quality in His serve

NOTE:     Today’s rulers do righteous, at best, most of the time

T.S. WHAT MAKES US CHRIST-LIKE?

          I. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS ORIGIN

         II. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE OF HIS POWER

        III. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE ARE AROUND OTHERS

IV. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS MINISTRY    Isaiah 11:6-9

     A. One Who Is A Partaker Of Christ’s Ministry Spreads The Word Of God           Matthew 4:4

          1. We must have a vision for distributing the Word of God

          2. We will not be satisfied until the whole earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord

          a. We have a responsibility

          b. We must reach more people than we have

     B. One Who Is A Partaker Of Christ’s Ministry Will Produce Spiritual Fruit

NOTE: And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.   James 3:18

          1. Our ministry, His ministry, will bring peace

               a. Not peace on earth

               b. Peace with God

NOTE: For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Colossians 1:19-21

          2. We all will be able to see the fruit of ministry

               a. The fruit of Christ’s ministry

               b. The fruit of this church’s ministry

               c. The fruit of each one of us

CONCLUSION

WHAT MAKES US CHRIST-LIKE?

I. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS ORIGIN

II. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE OF HIS POWER

III. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE ARE AROUND OTHERS

IV. WE ARE CHRIST-LIKE WHEN WE PARTAKE IN HIS MINISTRY

WHEN WE HAVE GOD’S COMFORT

Isaiah 12:1-6

INTRODUCTION

None of us likes pain and discomfort. Yet Paul said this whole creation of which we are a part “groaneth and travaileth in pain” (Romans 8:22). We live in a world filled with all sort of pains: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, etc. John tells us that there is coming a time for the Child of God that there will be no more pain (Revelation 21: 4),

But in the meantime,

To each his sufferings, all are men.

Condemn’d alike to groan;

The tender for another’s pain

Th’ unfeeling for his own.

Thomas Gray

To paraphrase what some one has said, God does not take us out of the storms of pain; He goes with us through the pain.

Isaiah knew what it was to go through storms and pain in his life. The nation was in trouble because of rampant sin. Isaiah was trying to stand for God and that was causing discomfort and pain in his life. What he was going through, every person who desires to stand with God goes through.

A song from the 60’s says, I Never Promised You A Rose Garden. That applies to the Christian life. It seems for every fragrant rose of our life there are thirty thorns accompanying it.

In spite of the pain of his life, Isaiah was willing to endure because He knew God would win in the end. Then, It Will Be Worth It Al I When We See Jesus.

He had reason to rejoice when there was no comfort because of Who God was to him.  And the same applies to us today. No matter the pain or discomfort in our life we should be brimming over because of our thankfulness for God going through the pain with us.

If a parent can hurt for a hurting child, we can only begin to imagine how God hurts for and with us.

THEME: WHEN WE HAVE GOD’SCOMFORT:

I. WE WILL PRAISE HIM 12:1

     A. In That Day

          1. The day when we realize victory through Him in spite of our pains

          2. When God’s anger is turned away from us

               a. He forgives us of our sins

               b. He gives blessings to compensate for our pain

          3. When things are right between us and God

     B. I Will Praise Thee

          1. Israel sang when God delivered them out of Egypt

NOTE: The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation         Exodus 15:2

          2. A church should praise God because He has delivered us out of our Egypt

NOTE: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ           Romans 15:6

          3. We praise God because He is worthy of praise

     C. Thine Anger Is Turned Away

          1. God’s anger was turned from us to Christ on the cross

          2. Our comfort is because of what Jesus did on the cross

     D. Thou Comfortedst Me

          1. He comforts the afflicted    Isaiah 61:1

          2. The Comforter has come  John 16:7

T.S. WHEN WE HAVE GOD’S COMFORT:

          I. WE WILL PRAISE HIM   12:1

II. WE WILL TRUST HIM  12:2-3

     A. Because God Is Our Salvation         vs. 2

          1. God chose life and salvation for us

          2. In salvation we are delivered from the pollution of our sins

     B. I will trust and not be afraid

          1. Each new experience with God calls for a proper reaction

               a. Trust

               b. Faith

               c. No Fear

          2. Each experience that God allows into our lives is an outworking of our salvation

NOTE: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.    Philippians 2:12

     B. I Will Trust

          1. Confidence in

          2. Feel safe

          3. The rug won’t be pulled out from under us

          4. A constant expectation, not a constant anxiety

          5. We can truly relax when we know Who is in control

NOTE: Young person learning to drive

     C. Not Be Afraid

          1. Startled

          2. To be timid

          3. The aftermath of trembling

     D. For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength, my song, my salvation        vs. 2

NOTE: Things some try to get their strength from:

          a. Drink

          b. Drugs

          c. “Religion”

          d. Psychology

          1. Everyone Must have strength to live

          2. When we are saved, God puts a new song in our heart

          3. He becomes our salvation

     D. Because He Gives Us Water Out Of The Wells Of Salvation     vs. 3

          1. In the burning desert of Sinai, Israel murmured for water; Moses smote the rock; here is grace

          2. If Sinai is a desert, how much more dreary is the desert of life!

               a. There are wells in every desert

               b. These wells are salvation to the weary traveler

NOTE: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst … a well of water springing up into everlasting life      John 4:14

          3. As the water in the wilderness is provided by the goodness of God, so the water in the well is of salvation is a gift of His goodness

                a. We are so used to faucets we take the water for granted cf.  God’s salvation and blessings

                b. How refreshing and reviving water is to the thirsty

T.S. WHEN WE HAVE GOD’S COMFORT:

          I. WE WILL PRAISE HIM   12:1

         II. WE WILL TRUST HIM     12:2-3

Ill. WE WILL TESTIFY OF HIM   12:4-6

     A. In That Day Shall Ye Say      vs. 4

          1. The result of drawing water

          2. Four verbs in this verse

              a. Praise

              b. Call

              c. Declare

             d. Mention

NOTE: The witnessing of the child of God

          3. When a travelers learn where the well is, he/she wants to tell other weary travelers

     B. What We Are To Say           vs. 4

          1. Praise the lord

               a. Because God’s favors have been rich, He deserves rich praise

               b. We thank someone in proportion to the value of the gift

          2. Call upon His name

               a. The salvation of Israel was the beginning of the salvation of the Gentiles

               b. Our salvation is the beginning of the salvation of others around us

          3. Declare His doings among the people

          4. Make mention that His name is exalted

     C. God Has Done Excellent Things      vs. 5-6

          1. We should sing

          2. We should tell all the earth Matthew 28:19

          3. We should cry out and shout His testimony

          4. Because He is great and He is in the midst of us

CONCLUSION

WHEN WE HAVE GOD’S COMFORT:

I. WE WILL PRAISE HIM

II. WE WILL TRUST HIM

Ill. WE WILL TESTIFY OF HIM

GOD’S MERCY

Isaiah 42:1-4

INTRODUCTION

We live in a generation that possibly endures more pressure than any other generation in American history. Some live daily under unimaginable pressures both in their homes and on their jobs.

Probably a good part of the pressure that we endure is because of a low threshold of caring that people don’t have for others. New York City is an example of this. NYC is noted for its bluntness. They don’t say “good by” or “have a good day” when they hang up. When they are through with their conversation, they hang up!

And this modern ‘devil – may – care” attitude is prevalent even among many young people today.

A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.            Isaiah 42:3

THEME: WHEN CHRIST WORKS THROUGH US:

I. HE WILL NOT DESTROY US

NOTE:  A bruised reed shall he not break     Isaiah 42:3

     A. The Hebrew Children Would Often Go Down By The Riverside To Play

          1. There was where the reeds grew

               a. One of the things these reeds were useful for was that they made good flutes

               b. The children would cut them down, hollow them out and make flutes out of them

          2. The riverbank would be full of these reeds, and many of them were less than perfect

              a. If they came across one that was cracked or bruised, they would break it in half and toss it away

              b. After all, they needed reeds of a certain quality in order to make a flute that would play well

             c. Cracked or bruised reeds were worthless

     B. Bruised Reeds Can Easily Be Seen As Symbols Of People

          1. The word “bruised” is used by him and other writers to refer to oppression

          2. It is also used to refer to discouragement in someone’s life

          3. We have all been bruised reeds from time to time

          4. We all have experienced times when we were oppressed and discouraged, bruised and almost broken

     C. Why Won’t He Break The Bruised Reeds?

          1. The children would break them

               a. Toss them away

               b. There were thousands more along the river

          2. One broken one wasn’t important

               a. Besides they weren’t good for anything anyway

               b. In any case there were plenty more available

     D. Why Wouldn’t Christ Do The Same Thing With “Bruised Reed” People?

T.S. WHEN CHRIST WORKS THROUGH US:

          I. HE WILL NOT DESTROY US

II. HE WILL NOT COOL OFF OUR ZEAL

NOTE:  The smoking flax shall He not quench Isaiah 42:3

     A. The Hebrew Homes Didn’t Have Electric Lights

          1. They had to light their homes with oil lamps

          2. As long as the wick would stay moist with the oil, it would burn

          3. When the oil would burn out, the wick would smolder and burn and give off smoke

          4. The thing to do was to extinguish it and toss it away

          5. There was plenty of flax where the first wick came from

     B. He Will Not Extinguish Such A Dimly Burning Wick

          1. These wicks can be compared to people

          2. They represent people who are exhausted, or “burnt-out” in their lives

          3. We have all “burnt dimly” from time to time, and have met others who do the same

T.S. WHEN CHRIST WORKS THROUGH US:

          I. HE WILL NOT DESTROY US

         II. HE WILL NOT COOL OFF OUR ZEAL

III. HE WILL BRING FORTH JUDGMENT UNTO TRUTH

     A. God Says That He Will Not Break The Bruised Reed Or Extinguish The Dimly Burning Wick

          1. He puts this in negative terminology because that is precisely what we would not expect Him to do

          2. This passage is talking about these illustrations in terms of people

               a. These people are classified by society

                    1) The down-trodden

                    2) The failures

                    3) The outcasts

                    4) The problem people

                b. They are the embarrassing people who don’t have their lives together

                c. They are the people who do not live up to other’s expectations

                d. They are the kind of people we feel threatened by and don’t want to be around

                e. Some are quick to dispense with these people, but Jesus is not

     B. The Bruised Testimony: The Woman Found In Adultery  John 8:3-11

          1. She was a bruised reed, a dimly burning wick

          2. When Jesus encountered her, she was about to be stoned by the men who were quick to judge

          3. They wanted to kill this bruised reed and get it out of the way

          4. But Jesus didn’t; He restored it

          5. Jesus, while not condoning her sin, restored her while challenging those who would kill her to look at their own lives

NOTE: A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.

Matthew 12:20-21

NOTE: Matthew himself was, in a sense, a bruised reed. (Only time Isaiah 40:3 is quoted in the New Testament)

     C. The Bruised Ministry; A Sabbath Day Miracle       Matthew 12:8-13

           1. The controversy was whether Jesus was going to heal the man on the Sabbath

           2. People didn’t care about his need, only about whether Jesus would break their law

          3. If He healed on the Sabbath, it would constitute work, which was not allowed

          4. He healed the man anyway

          5. Judgmental religion would let the man suffer in the name of God; Jesus would not

NOTE: Unfortunately, some hypocritical people with the Pharisee spirit, like to have a few bruised reeds around, because they can point to them and say, “I’m better than they are.”

          6. Rules and regulation religion would break the bruised reed and condemn it for not being whole

          7. Jesus would heal the bruised reed and restore its usefulness.

     D. When We Are Those Bruised Reeds, We Need To Understand That God Hasn’t Given Up On Us

          1. He is the reed-repairer and the flax-restorer

          2. He is the One who can take a bruised reed and work with it until it plays beautiful music

          3. He can take that smoldering, smelly wick that is disturbing to others and make it burn brightly again

          4. It is in our very weakest places that He makes us the strongest

CONCLUSION

WHEN CHRIST WORKS THROUGH US:

I. HE WILL NOT DESTROY US

II. HE WILL NOT COOL OFF OUR ZEAL

III. HE WILL BRING FORTH JUDGMENT UNTO TRUTH