Christ God’s Promise to Us – Sermon 25 December, 2013

Christ God’s Promise to Us

Isaiah 62:1-12

The book of the prophet Isaiah is divided into two distinct parts. Chps. 1-39 deal with God’s current and near future prophecy concerning Israel. In chapters 40-66 the Lord has Isaiah prophesise about the distant future concerning Israel and the New Testament believers. Isaiah looks ahead into New Testament times and even beyond into eternity itself. In the midst of our text the Lord God proclaims through Isaiah, “See, your Saviour comes!” The Lord had foretold of the punishment that belonged to them because of their idol worship. Now the Lord also promised a future — a future of hope and also a future with a Saviour.

These words remind us of John the Baptist. At the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove. The voice from heaven declared that this Jesus was the very Son of God. John took note. John also testified to the truth and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’”(John 1:29).

Two Points

I. The Lord promises salvation, and

II. The Lord freely provides his salvation

I. The Lord promises salvation

A. Vs. 6 tells of God’s promise of protection for his people. Watchmen are posted to proclaim.

1. Note they are never silent. These are the prophets who constantly cry out God’s word.

2. God’s prophet was to warn God’ people and then comfort God’s people.

3. God’s people were to constantly pray to the Lord, verse 6b, 7. “Do not let the Lord rest.”

B. In verses 8b and 9, the Lord compares spiritual blessing with earthly processions.

1. Never again would Israel’s enemies take advantage of them. Earthly judgment was to come.

2. Isaiah is looking beyond the near future. In eternity, God’s people would have no enemies.

C. The Lord promised salvation for his people. This promise of the Lord was a powerful promise.

1. In verse 8a, we have the almighty power of God to back up his promises.

2. The power of God’s right hand and mighty arm assure Israel the Lord’s promises are sure.

D. Consider the power and might of our God. There is none like him. Our Lord God is the Lord God Almighty. By the power of his spoken word the heavens and the earth and everything in them were made. All things came into existence by and because of the power of our God. Indeed, he is an awesome God. No other false gods can make such a claim. When our God makes a promise it always comes with his guarantee. We have reason to rejoice. “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations” (Psalm 98:1, 2). Our Lord powerfully promises salvation.

E. We need saving. The entire world needs saving. By nature we are sinful human beings. Here lies the problem. Not everyone thinks they need to be saved. This happens because not everyone likes to hear about sin. If we do not see our sin and its condemnation we will not see our need for salvation. This is what has happened in our world today. Too many deny sin, reject sin, or dismiss sin as something old and out-dated. Just try to find that word sin mentioned in any newspaper, magazine or news report. Denying sin will lead to denying a need for a saviour.

The Lord, our loving Lord powerfully promises salvation.

II. The Lord freely provides His salvation

A. Remember the promise of the Lord is not just a promise. It is a promise with a guarantee and power.

1. Verse 8a describes the powerful promise of the Lord.

2. Verse 11a reinforces the Lord’s promise. God has proclaimed to all nations his intent.

B. The Lord’s promise: tell the believers their Saviour comes, verse 11.

1. Tell all nations their sins have been paid for. The Saviour’s blood washes away all their sins.

2. The disobedience of mankind and the sins of the world are repaid with God’s free forgiveness.

C. Verse 10 describes the repentance of a people preparing to meet their Saviour.

1. We remember John the Baptist, the way-preparer for Jesus. Repent, God’s kingdom is near.

2. Verse 12. Once rejected and forsaken God’s people are now accepted and forgiven.

D. Once again, these words written in Isaiah sound quite familiar. No longer does God reject us even though our thoughts, words, and actions often reject God. God’s kingdom is freely opened to all who confess Christ as Saviour. Now God has made us his own. Believers belong to God.

E. Consider the sacrifice our heavenly Father made on our behalf and on behalf of the sins of the entire world. We sin daily. God demanded payment for all those sins. Yet, the payment from man no matter how sincere would never, ever satisfy God. In mercy and love the Lord God sent his only begotten Son to take our place and pay the price we could not afford. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Since God has provided the price for sins, God will also provide everything.

F. We are saved freely. After all, we could never pray long enough to save ourselves. We could never believe strong enough to save ourselves. We could never pay enough to make one bit of difference in the eternal outcome that our sins demand. Praise God that our eternal salvation does not depend on our works or efforts. Our eternity is far too important to be entrusted to our own working. Rather, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9). See, your Saviour comes — freely, by God’s grace!

Many are distracted by the attractions of this life. Many are misled by the false teachings and notions that this world passes off as truth. Yes, many love to gather around the teachers who proclaim what their ears want to hear. Our souls need to hear, “See, your Saviour comes!” We need to hear this promise because our sins condemn us. Thankfully the Lord, our Lord powerfully promises salvation and freely provides his salvation. Our world grows increasingly evil and cold in love toward God and man. We agree with John in the last book of the Bible. “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus”” (Rev. 22:20). See, your saviour comes! Amen. Come, Lord Jesus – and – come – quickly.

Krikor Youmshajekian