Redemption: God's Wisest Plan - Part 2

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This is the fourth sermon in a series of messages on redemption. This message emphasizes the work Jesus Christ did to provide our salvation for us.

Written Excerpts:

Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Introduction:

We have been talking about the plan of redemption that God ordained for our salvation. It is a subject that is promoted in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

We’ve had three segments in the series so far;

Redemption: Heaven’s Sweetest Song

Redemption: Man’s Greatest Need

Redemption: God’s Wisest Plan

God’s overall plan of redemption is a wonderful plan. It truly is “His Wisest Plan,” and it has unfolded over a long period of time stretching from eternity past to eternity future.

Last week we talked about God designing the plan of redemption even prior to the creation of the world. We also spoke about how various parts of the Old Testament provide a foreshadowing of redemption. The “shadows,” symbols or types show up in such things as animal sacrifices, priests & temples, deliverance of Israel from bondage, etc., etc.

One of the other shadows that I failed to mention last week is the symbolism included in the laws for redemption of property. The story in the OT book of Ruth shows a great example of Boaz redeeming a piece of property, and all the details point to Christ being our “Kinsman Redeemer.”

Today, I want to move on into the NT and summarize the ways in which Jesus Christ accomplished redemption through His death and resurrection. And then, we’ll finish up by looking forward to eternity and the final achievement of redemption.

III. Redemption was achieved by Jesus Christ.

A. Jesus achieved redemption because of who He was.

1.   Son of God (deity)

Matthew 1:23 (KJV) [Angel speaking to Joseph] ²³ Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Mark 1:11 (KJV) ¹¹ And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John 1:1 (KJV) ¹ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 5:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God.

These are just a few of the verses that show Jesus Christ to be divine in nature. He is equal with God.

2.   Son of man (humanity)

Dozens of references where Jesus refers to himself as the “Son of man.”

John 1:14 (KJV) ¹⁴ And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV) ⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Over and over throughout the NT the humanity of Jesus is emphasized… gets tired, suffers, and expresses emotions…

Why does it matter?

If He is God, but not man, He isn’t legally qualified because He isn’t one of us. How can God (any god) assume responsibility for the sins of humans? If He is Man but not God, He isn’t morally qualified, because He can’t be a perfect sacrifice; He is tainted with the sin nature just like us.

A number of years ago I read some Jehovah’s Witness literature that was explaining the passage that I just read from 1 Tim. 2:5. In their attempt to explain that Jesus couldn’t be God, they said that a mediator couldn’t be related to either party seeking reconciliation, so Jesus couldn’t really be God, He was someone created by God. However, if we follow their argument, then the mediator couldn’t be a man either. But the verse literally calls Him the man Christ Jesus.

The truth is, the best mediator is one who is related to both parties – one who seeks the best interest of both parties because he is related to both. Which actually turns out to be another argument for the fact that He is God-man.

No other being in all the universe has the “credentials” for redeemer except Jesus Christ.

B.  Jesus achieved redemption because of what He did.

1. He died in our place. He took our sentence.

Isaiah 53:5-6 (KJV) ⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Hebrews 9:12-14 (KJV) ¹² Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. ¹³ For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: ¹⁴ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

1 Peter 3:18 (KJV) ¹⁸ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Matthew 26:28 (KJV) ²⁸ For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

These are just a few of the references in Scripture regarding the sacrifice that Jesus made with His own life and blood.

But, this is not all. He not only died, but

2. He rose again.

The death wouldn’t have been effective if the resurrection hadn’t happened.

See 1 Pet. 3:8 “…put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.”

See also 1 Cor. 15:17 "If Christ be not risen, then your faith is vain."

What is the significance of all this?

1.   It means Jesus is unique.

No other person in all of history predicted his own death and his own resurrection and then completely carried it out. No other person in all of history claims to be the ONLY way (path) to heaven, and then backs it up with such miraculous evidence. Jesus stands out in all history as the most unique; not because of what He did (although that was truly amazing), but because of who He was. He has “earned” the right to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by me.”

2.   It means salvation is entirely and completely adequate for the needs of humanity.

None of us has to leave this world condemned to hell because of our sin. None of us has to stand before the Judge of all the universe awaiting an eternal death sentence. The blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ is sufficient for the sins of the whole human race. His sacrifice is a perfect sacrifice.

IV. Redemption will be totally accomplished in glory.

Even though we can put our faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and we can surrender to His power and control in our lives, we still experience the limitations of our fallen humanity.

We still are affected in many ways by the curse of the fall.

But one of these days… Time will end and we will all be ushered into eternity. All of the end-time events will be complete and the entire creation will be finally and utterly redeemed. The whole created order will be restored to perfection and we will eternally and perfectly serve and worship the one God and Creator.

Romans 8:18-23 (NRSV) ¹⁸ I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. ¹⁹ For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; ²⁰ for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope ²¹ that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²² We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; ²³ and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.

Paul is reminding us that there is coming a day when we will experience the “redemption of our bodies” along with all of creation that is currently in bondage to decay.

Acts 3:18-21 (NKJV) ¹⁸ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.

Jesus Christ is currently in heaven until the times of all things being restored, i.e. to its original perfection.

Conclusion:

God’s wonderful plan of redemption is a perfect plan. It is the wisest plan. The sacrifices God required in the Old Testament were only a shadow of the true sacrifice that was to take place on Calvary. The blood of the perfect Lamb has been sprinkled on the heavenly altar, and forgiveness, redemption and total restoration is available for everyone.

It’s no wonder John the Baptist looked at Jesus and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world!” (Jn. 1:29)

Back in 2014, Rodney Griffin, with “Greater Vision” wrote a song titled, “Put Out the Fire” that was recorded on a CD they released in the Spring of last year. This song vividly describes how the sacrifice of God’s Lamb has superseded all previous sacrifices and is eternally effective in washing away our sins. Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Jesus Christ IS the perfect, spotless Lamb! The fires on the altar of the temple have been put out! The cross of Calvary has forever become the altar and the sacrifice is finished. His redeeming sacrifice is sufficient for every person. It’s sufficient for you and for me!

If you leave this world without Christ and lose your soul, it won’t be because the sacrifice or the plan of redemption wasn’t adequate. Everything has been perfectly planned and implemented, now it’s up to you and me to believe it, accept it, and live it.

Redemption: God's Wisest Plan - Part 1

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This is the third sermon in a series of messages on the topic of Redemption. This message discusses God's ordaining of the plan for redeeming humanity before the creation and it also speaks of the ways redemption is symbolized and foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:  After speaking about man’s greatest need last week, we are going to continue discussing the overall plan of redemption from beginning to end. The title of the message today is: Redemption: God’s Wisest Plan. God’s overall plan of redemption is a wonderful plan. It truly is “His Wisest Plan!”

His plan unfolded and became revealed over a long period of time stretching from eternity past to eternity future. Because there is so much to cover in this area, we are going to consider part of it today and part of it next Sunday. This week we are going to talk about the beginning of the plan and how it unfolded throughout the Old Testament of the Bible.

I. The redemption of humanity was planned before creation.

1 Peter 1:18-20 (NKJV) ¹⁸ knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. ²⁰ He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you

Verse 20 here indicates that the “lamb” was “foreordained” before the foundation of the world.

“foreordained” – literally means “having been foreknown”

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) So we say that in regard to Christ and to his precious blood the foreknowledge of God rested on his gracious decision to send him as our Ransomer; because God so decided he foreknew, the verb implies, not a bare previous knowledge, but one in which God was most deeply concerned cum affectu et effectu. (with feeling and performance)

Acts 2:22-24 (NKJV) ²² "Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know-- ²³ Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; ²⁴ whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.

In other words, the birth, life, and sacrificial death of God’s Son was all decided and planned out before the world was ever created.

Perhaps you’re thinking, “So what? God decided and knew before creation that the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ would come and redeem humanity with his life’s blood. What is so significant about that?”

Significance – God knew beforehand that man would sin, but He created man anyway. 

·     It seems to imply that God values human free will more than guaranteed obedience. 

·     It also seems to imply that the plan God made was absolutely adequate to deal with the problem of sin.

Man’s disobedience and fall into sin, didn’t catch God by surprise, and so therefore, the redemption plan was thoroughly and adequately planned to perfectly match the need or problem. wasn’t a haphazard, hastily devised plan that failed to cover every possibility.

(Greater Vision)

O the blood still cleanses hearts of sin

It still delivers fallen man

It has never lost its power to save

No the blood hasn’t ever changed.

The plan of redemption is the oldest plan in the universe and it is still just as effective as it ever was, and it always will be! Hallelujah!

II. The redemption of humanity is foreshadowed in the OT.

The second phase of the unfolding plan that we want to talk about is the foreshadowing that is presented in the OT.

“Fore” + “shadow” – fore = beforehand. Shadow = shade cast by light over an object, not the real object, thus a type, symbol, or representation of the real object. 

Hebrews 9:23-24 (NKJV) ²³ Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these [i.e. blood, water, scarlet wool and hyssop mentioned in v. 19], but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴ For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us

Col. 2:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, ¹⁷ which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

Heb. 8:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law; ⁵ who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

A.  Redemption is specifically symbolized, typified, and represented in the OT covenant that required sacrifices and offerings.

Requirements for the tabernacle/temple, sacrificial animals, altar, priests, etc. have symbolic significance. 

B.  Redemption is pictured in OT passages about the nature of God and the ethical requirements for man.

OT shows truths about God’s nature that are important in understanding redemption. (Love, Holiness, Grace, etc.)

Ethical requirements of the Law (Ten Commandments) so man could continue to live in relationship with God.

C.  Redemption is foreshadowed in God’s covenant and dealings with the nation of Israel.

God’s care for Israel to produce Messiah and illustrate what redemption and salvation are all about.

God chose Israel out of sovereign grace.

God remains true to covenant promises.

God forgives Israel’s frequent backslidings.

God sovereignly guides nation to produce Messiah/Savior.

Conclusion:

There is much more to cover in regards to God’s Plan of Redemption, but we do not have time to talk about it today. Next week, the Lord willing, we will continue by looking at the plan of redemption being completed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. We will also talk about redemption’s finale in the future glory.

I want to sing an old familiar hymn before we celebrate the Lord’s Supper:

Nothing but the Blood     

Redemption: Man's Greatest Need

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This is the second sermon in a series of messages on Redemption. It takes a look at the problem of sin as the reason redemption is needed.

Written Excerpts:

Romans 3:23-24 (KJV) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Introduction:

Last Sunday we introduced the series of messages on redemption by speaking about “Redemption: Heaven’s Greatest Song.”

I still get excited and choked up when I think about the creatures and elders in heaven singing a song about redemption… the wonderful plan God provided so human beings, created in His image, can be rescued, delivered and transformed into the glorious examples of God’s grace.

Today, we are going to continue our study by considering “Redemption: Man’s Greatest Need.”

When we speak about God providing a plan to rescue us and to transform us, it all implies and indicates that there must be something wrong with us. There apparently is a deep-seated need in us that must be addressed. That is the focus of our thoughts today.

I. The Need Simply Stated

We are slaves to sin and doomed to death. Humanity was hijacked, enslaved and condemned.

Romans 5:12 (KJV) ¹² Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This is only one verse out of dozens or even hundreds that we could use. But this one tells us a few things about the condition of humanity.

·     All have sinned

·     All are condemned to death because of sin

·     It all started with one man

One question that has come to me: Why couldn’t / didn’t God limit the consequences of the fall to affect only Adam and Eve instead of the entire human race and the entire created order? I’m not entirely sure if there is a correct answer to this question, but it seems to me that part of the answer could be that mankind needed to understand the extreme seriousness of sin. Limited consequences would probably result in a very shallow and superficial view of sin.

II. The Need More Deeply Explained

A. Definition of sin

“hamartia” – the most common word for sin in the NT.

It literally means, “To miss the mark.” It suggests a target bullseye as the standard and anything outside that mark is a “sin.” Biblically, the “bull's-eye of the target” is the standard of God’s absolute holiness and purity. Anything that falls below that standard is sin.

There are several verses of scripture that help us to more accurately define sin.

1. It is a “transgression of the law.”

1 John 3:4 (KJV) ⁴ Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

This expresses the idea of target or standard that is missed. Sin is anything that doesn’t measure up to the standard of the law.

2. It is an attitude of lawlessness.

1 John 3:4 (NIV) ⁴ Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.

This understanding expresses the concept of a sinful nature or sinful disposition, rather than sinful actions. It expresses attitude of rebellion, self-will, or insubordination.

3. It is failure to do what we know we ought.

James 4:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

This expresses “sin of omission,” but also emphasizes the aspect that knowledge must be present for it to be properly understand as "accountable" sin.

4. It is anything that is “not of faith.”

Romans 14:23 (NKJV) ²³ But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

5. It is the germination of desire and will.

James 1:13-15 (NKJV) ¹³ Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

Important to understand as stated here in James that temptation is not sin, but consent of the will is sin.

When I listen to a lot of people express their view/concept of sin, I discover that they are describing temptation, not sin.

Two problems often encountered:

·     Too lenient of a view of sin. (Nothing is really sin.)

·     Too strict of a view of sin. (“Everything” is sin.) When everything is sin, then nothing is.

C. Important distinctions

Some distinctions that seem to show up in the Scripture  include:

·     Some verses emphasize the legal understanding of sin. i.e. Only sees/cares that the law has been violated. 

·     Other verses emphasize a moral understanding which seems to focus more on the person and whether they are accountable or not.  

For example, in OT, a sacrifice had to be offered whether the sin was intentional or not. However, knowledge and intent were important in deciding what to do with the offender, or what kinds of sacrifices, restitution, etc. would be required. These distinctions are also important for the discussion over whether it is possible to be victorious over sin or not.

D. Extent of sin

When we talk about the “extent” of sin we are referring to three things:

1. It is extensive – it affects every aspect of our humanity; physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually…

Isaiah 1:4, 6 (NKJV) ⁴ Alas, sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A brood of evildoers, Children who are corrupters…. The whole head is sick, And the whole heart faints. ⁶ From the sole of the foot even to the head, There is no soundness in it, But wounds and bruises and putrefying sores….

Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV) ⁹ “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

Romans 7:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

2. It is NOT intensive – that is, men are capable of further degrees of wickedness, and not all people are equal in their expressions of evil.

Related to this point is the fact that men still retain the image of God after the fall, even though that image is marred in all ways.

Gen. 6:5 – the reason given for capital punishment is because murder is the taking of a human life made in the image of God.

If the fall had totally destroyed the image of God in humanity, then the grounds for capital punishment are absent.

3. It is universal – it affects every human being in the whole human race.

Romans 3:9-10 (NKJV) ⁹ What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. ¹⁰ As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one;

Romans 3:23 (KJV) For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

E. Consequences of sin

Romans 6:23 (NKJV) ²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1. Spiritual Death

Isaiah 59:2 (NKJV) ² But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Romans 7:11 (NKJV) ¹¹ For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. (Yet, he is still physically alive or he wouldn’t be writing this.)

John 5:24 (NKJV) ²⁴ “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. (Can’t be referring to physical death or the person wouldn’t be able to hear and believe.)

2. Physical Death

Genesis 2:17 (NKJV) ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

Physically speaking, Adam and Eve knew nothing of physical death, but the day they sinned, they began to die physically.

When explaining the consequences of the curse to Adam, the Lord said:

Genesis 3:19, 22 (NKJV) ¹⁹ In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return." ²² Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever"—

God explains to Adam that returning to the dust of the ground is included in the curse as a result of sin. This does not mean that everyone who dies is being judged because of some sin they committed. It simply reinforces the fact that all of humanity is under the curse of death.

3. Eternal Death

Matthew 25:41 (NKJV) ⁴¹ Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

Revelation 20:10-15 (KJV) ¹⁰ And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. ¹¹ And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. ¹³ And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. ¹⁴ And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. ¹⁵ And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:8 (NKJV) ⁸ But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Conclusion:

You can see from what we’ve covered today that humanity is in a terrible condition.

Our condition of sinfulness and our sinful conduct have created a hopeless mess.

Not only is our situation hopeless, but our eternal destiny is hopeless unless God intervenes and rescues us.

It’s no wonder the creatures and elders in heaven are singing the praises of God for redeeming mankind!

Sin has caused havoc in us.

Our only hope is redemption, and God has wonderfully and marvelously provided the remedy needed.

May I say, dear friends, as I will be mentioning again in the future, before we understand what the good news of the gospel really means, we have to understand what the bad news of our condition really is.

We need to recognize our sinful condition and our need to be redeemed.

Redemption: Heaven's Sweetest Song

(To download an mp3 file of this sermon, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a sermon that was given by Pastor Les on Sept. 4, 2016 and it is the first of a series of messages on the topic of "Redemption." It is an introduction to the series and stresses the text in Rev. 5:9.

Written Excerpts:

Revelation 5:9 (KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Introduction:

A few years ago I did a series of Bible study lessons on Wednesday nights regarding the topic of redemption. At that time I said if I was to reduce the message of the entire Bible to just one word, it would be the word “redemption.” For several weeks now I’ve been feeling led to develop a series of sermons on this same study of Redemption.

I want to introduce the series today by reading a story that was one of the favorites that Paul Harvey used to read on his radio program every year at Easter. (The Bird Cage)

This morning I want to give you some explanations of the term redemption, then I want to finish up by briefly looking at the verse in Revelation, which is the basis for the sermon title today.

I. The Meaning of Redemption

Earthly/material meaning or applications:

Buy Back – i.e. Pawn Shop  

Pay Off – i.e. a lien, ransom  

Turn in / Exchange – i.e. Lottery/Raffle Ticket; Store Coupons

Atone for – i.e. “He redeemed himself by bringing roses home the next day.”

Spiritual Meaning: Gal. 4:1-7. Context is 3:13ff; i.e. purpose of the law 

We were in “slavery” to elements of the world. (4:3) “Elements” = rudiments, principles; that is, material vs. spiritual principles. Understood in context, it means temporal, visible, or elementary understanding of the law. Now it’s time to “graduate” to spiritual understanding.

God redeemed us from condemnation of law. We now are no longer slaves, but sons.

(Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms.) Redemption - The process by which sinful humans are “bought back” from the bondage of sin into relationship with God through grace by the “payment” of Jesus' death. Redemption is one of the pictures or metaphors that the NT uses to give insight into God's gracious saving work in Jesus.

Oswald Chambers – The cross of Jesus Christ and his baptism express the same thing. Our Lord was not a martyr; he was not merely a good man; he was God Incarnate. He came down to the lowest reach of creation in order to bring back the whole human race to God, and in order to do this he must take upon him, as representative man, the whole massed sin of the race. (Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World)

(Charles Hodge, Quoted in Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom…. There are many passages in the New Testament which represent Christ's sufferings under the idea of a ransom or price, and the result thereby secured is a purchase or redemption (Compare Acts 20:28; 1Co 6:19, 20; Gal 3:13; Gal 4:4, 5; Eph 1:7; Col 1:14; 1Ti 2:5, 6; Tit 2:14; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:18, 19; Rev 5:9). The idea running through all these texts, however various their reference, is that of payment made for our redemption. The debt against us is not viewed as simply cancelled, but is fully paid. Christ's blood or life, which he surrendered for them, is the "ransom" by which the deliverance of his people from the servitude of sin and from its penal consequences is secured. It is the plain doctrine of Scripture that "Christ saves us neither by the mere exercise of power, nor by his doctrine, nor by his example, nor by the moral influence which he exerted, nor by any subjective influence on his people, whether natural or mystical, but as a satisfaction to divine justice, as an expiation for sin, and as a ransom from the curse and authority of the law, thus reconciling us to God by making it consistent with his perfection to exercise mercy toward sinners" (Hodge's Systematic Theology).

Charles Hodge’s extensive definition here includes the same concept that was expressed in the story of the caged birds that I shared earlier. But, it goes beyond the mere deliverance from entrapment and slavery to sin and the Devil. It also delivers and ransoms us from the curse of the law, which condemns us to death because of our sin.

(The New Unger's Bible Dictionary) Redemption implies [prior] bondage. Thus the word refers primarily to man’s subjection to the dominion and curse of sin (see Galatians 3:13; 1 Cor. 15:56). Also in a secondary sense to the bondage of Satan as the head of the kingdom of darkness, and to the bondage of death as the penalty of sin (see Acts 26:18; Hebrews 2:14-15). Redemption from this bondage is represented in the Scriptures as both universal and limited. It is universal in the sense that its advantages are freely offered to all. It is limited in the sense that it is effectual only with respect to those who meet the conditions of salvation announced in the gospel. For such it is effectual in that they receive forgiveness of sins and the power to lead a new and holy life. Satan is no longer their captor, and death has lost its sting and terror.

God has paid the price of redemption for every human being, but it is only effective for those who recognize their need to be redeemed and receive the deliverance and freedom offered through the message of the gospel.

Leith Anderson, "The Lord Is My Shepherd," Preaching Today.   God Bought Back His Sheep - There's a line in the Old Testament written by Isaiah that tells the result of God's gamble, Isaiah 53:6: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way." Although God has a right to own us because he created us, he gave us the option of freedom, and we all left. We chose sin and did not love him as he wanted to be loved. In response, he chose to send out his own son to look for us, to hunt us down, to find and redeem us at a terrible cost—the cost of his own life.

A shepherd notches the ear of a lamb born to his flock and has rightful ownership. That lamb deliberately walks away. The shepherd searches near and far to get that lamb back. A long time later, he finds not a baby lamb but a grown sheep for sale at an animal auction. The shepherd recognizes his mark on that sheep's ear. He goes to the auctioneer and says, "I can see the mark. That sheep is mine."

The auctioneer says, "Listen, you must bid and pay just like anybody else."

The shepherd bids and pays an outrageous price, far above any reasonable market value in order to get his lamb. He now has a double right to own this sheep: from birth, and from redemption.

God has a right to own us as creator and because he has paid the blood of his own Son—an outrageous price far above our market value—in order to redeem us back again. (Today's Best Illustrations)

Oh, dear friends, this passage in Isaiah and this illustration accurately depicts our plight. We rightfully belonged to God because of His act of creation. However, with the free will He created in us, we chose to use to walk away and seek our own happiness and satisfaction. We ultimately found ourselves in bondage and slavery to sin and under the curse of the law. In a very real sense we found ourselves on the devil’s auction block being sold for slaughter. Christ came along and offers to buy us back with His own life. All we have to do is once again acknowledge His rightful ownership and submit to His loving will.

(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia) The idea of redemption in the Old Testament takes its start from the thought of property (Leviticus 25:26; Ruth 4:4ff). Money is paid according to law to buy back something which must be delivered or rescued (Numbers 3:51; Neh. 5:8)….

In the New Testament the idea of redemption has more a suggestion of ransom. Men are held under the curse of the law (Galatians 3:13), or of sin itself (Romans 7:23f). The Redeemer purchases their deliverance by offering Himself as payment for their redemption (Ephes. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:18).

I think this is illustrated by this OT passage:

Exodus 13:11-15 (NKJV) ¹¹ "And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, ¹² that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males shall be the LORD'S. ¹³ But every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. ¹⁴ So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' that you shall say to him, 'By strength of hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ¹⁵ And it came to pass, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.'

II. Heaven’s Sweetest Song

Revelation 5:9 (KJV) And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

“They” – The “four living creatures and twenty-four elders.”

The creatures and elders are described in 4:6-11. Elders – possibly 12 Patriarchs from OT and 12 Apostles from NT.

They sing a new song and it is a song of being redeemed. It is new because now redemption is completed; now merely planned.

It is a sweet song because it honors and acknowledges the Lamb.

It is a sweet song because it showcases God’s crowning work: Redemption of humanity; i.e. those who were created in the image of God.

God didn’t redeem the angels who fell.

God has redeemed people from every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Conclusion:

Redemption is the theme of the entire Bible. From cover to cover, it reveals to us God’s wonderful plan and work to ransom His people from bondage to Satan and from the curse of the Law. He truly is worthy to receive the songs of worship and praise that is being sung in heaven. The song of redemption, I believe, is going on today, and it will go on forever! Hallelujah!

The Remedy for Error

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a message that was preached by Pastor Les on August 28, 2016 and it is based on Matthew 22:29.

Written Excerpts:

Matthew 22:29 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.

Introduction:

In the text we have read this morning Jesus highlighted the fact that the Sadducees had made a serious error, and He lays the blame squarely on them.

Errors have consequences.

US News & World Report, “Our Medical Error Crisis” By Leslie Michelson, May 31, 2016.

This month the British Medical Journal published a report by Johns Hopkins researchers showing that preventable medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States, claiming almost 250,000 lives annually. That's 700 lives lost every day. These are frank medical errors, not the inevitable side effects of medically needed interventions….

More shocking is that the human toll is actually much worse than these findings suggest…. those figures only count inpatient hospital deaths. A 2013 Journal of Patient Safety study found that about 400,000 Americans die every year from inpatient and outpatient preventable errors.

It is staggering to think of 400k deaths per year because of preventable medical errors. This statistic alone shows us how costly an error can be. It truly can be a matter of life and death.

The president of Hobe Sound Bible College when I was a student there I remember, Dr. Steve Herron, told us in class one day, “A medical doctor buries his mistakes, but when a preacher makes an error it could mean a soul is lost for eternity.”

While that is certainly true, I also believe that no soul who stands before God at the judgment will ever be excused by saying, “My preacher told me…” Yes, it is my solemn responsibility to “rightly divide the word of truth.” But even though I may or may not effectively avoid error in my preaching and teaching, each one of us have the personal responsibility to search the Scriptures to learn the truth and avoid error.

For our time together today I trust the Holy Spirit will help us explore some important principles for avoiding error. (I probably should point out that I am specifically speaking about errors that are of a spiritual nature. I’m not all that interested right at this moment in helping you avoid errors on your income tax return, or errors on your crossword puzzle!)

I.    Many errors are actually based on Scripture.

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute. How can error be based on the Word of God that is described in John 17:17 as God’s truth?” Well, this is how I believe it can happen. When you read some of the principles and concepts that are taught in the Bible, they seem to contradict other concepts that you read in other places.

Sometimes we say that both principles exist in tension with each other. Error is created when one of the principles is emphasized and the opposing principle is neglected or completely excluded. The truth exists in the perfect balance between both principles.

A lot of the false cults and religions of our day exist because of over emphasis on one nugget of truth with the omission of the opposing truth.

There are many ways to illustrate this fact, but first let me share this story.

A professor and theologian by the name of Klyne Snodgrass wrote a book titled, Between Two Truths - Living with Biblical Tensions. In the book he gives this hypothetical account:

Once the Devil was walking along with one of his cohorts. They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny. "What did he find?" asked the cohort. 

"A piece of the truth," the Devil replied. 

"Doesn't it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?" asked the cohort. 

"No," said the Devil, "I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it."  (http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/t/truth.htm)

A.  God’s love (mercy) vs. God’s wrath (judgment)

Romans 5:8 (NKJV) ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (NKJV) ⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

Hebrews 10:31 (NKJV) ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Proverbs 29:1 (NKJV) ¹ He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, Will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.

Revelation 6:16-17 (NKJV) ¹⁶ and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷ For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

Justice without love is harsh, and condemning.

When we emphasize the wrath and judgment of God to the exclusion of His love and mercy, we view Him as always condemning and judging us and never approving. We also will demonstrate this to others. We will view Him as the eternal “Ogre” who is standing over us with a great big club just waiting for us to make a misstep so He can beat us down and teach us a lesson.

Love without justice is “wishy-washy” and unprincipled.

When we emphasize the mercy and love of God to the exclusion of His judgment and wrath, He becomes nothing more than a condoning “old grandfather” in the sky that tolerates all kinds of behavior and attitudes with a casual wink and a “boys will be boys” kind of attitude. Then we become permissive and tolerant of sin and ungodly conduct in our own lives as well as in the culture.

The real truth is a healthy tension and balance between the two opposing facts.

B.  Legalism vs. antinomianism

Legalism - A slavish focus on the letter of the law rather than the spirit of the law, and a desire to line everyone else up who is missing the mark.

It is so important for us to learn that a performance mentality regarding the letter of the law never has and never will save anyone, nor gain them favor with God.  So much is said by Jesus and the Apostle Paul regarding the truth that the law has a purpose, but it is limited in its power.  Some of Jesus’ most harsh statements of condemnation were directed to the Pharisees and other “experts” of the law. The people of His day, as well as dogmatic legalists of today are repulsive, disgusting and always turn people away from God rather than to God. Paul’s entire epistle to the Galatians is a clear presentation of the fact that law cannot provide acceptance with God. It is the grace of God through faith alone that brings salvation.

Antinomianism - Totally disregard the commandments of God. “I’m not under law but under grace.”

Having stated the case against legalism, it is important to balance the “equation” by addressing the tendency to antinomianism. Some Christians today have completely bought into the idea that nothing is required for Christian behavior except whatever I want to do.

Listen to these verses:

Gal. 5:13 “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another... 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these.... they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Pet. 2:16 “As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.”

Rom. 6:1 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ²God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”

God help us to understand and believe that our salvation is by God’s grace alone and by faith alone, but also help us remember that His grace will transform us from living like the devil into living like Jesus.

C.  God’s imminence (nearness) vs. His transcendence

God is near and Jesus is “one of us”. 

The Bible tells us that He identifies with our humanity. He knows sorrow, pain, temptation and disappointment.

When we emphasis the transcendence of God to the exclusion of this nearness, we lose sight of the fact that He knows and cares about what we are going through today. We lose the message of His ability to feel what we feel.

God is also infinitely beyond us in His nature.

His awesomeness and majesty cannot be comprehended. We err when we “create” God in our own image.  See Ps. 50:21 ...”You thought I was altogether such an one as yourself.”  God is above and beyond anything and everything we can ever imagine Him to be.

It is disturbing to me when I hear people talking about God as if He is just one of us; just “the man upstairs;” or attributing to Him the same weaknesses and passions that we have. God is infinitely greater and infinitely apart from who we are. His nature is incomprehensible in perfection and majesty and glory. God told Moses that man could not “look on His face” (i.e. see His full glory) and live.

The actual truth is the perfect balance of both emphases.

Henri Frédéric Amiel (1821-1881) – An error is the more dangerous, the more truth it contains. Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.

Sydney Smith (1771-1845) – Errors to be dangerous must have a great deal of truth mingled with them. It is only from this alliance that they can ever obtain an extensive circulation. Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.

These examples I’ve just shared help us see that error can be caused by only emphasizing only one part of the truth. It is only a faithful and ongoing study of Scripture that can help us know the whole truth.

II.  The Devil uses Scripture for deception purposes.

The classic passage of Scripture in the Bible for this fact is the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. You remember that in one of the temptations Satan actually quoted a passage from Psalms 91 and used it in an attempt to get Jesus to follow his suggestion.

If you didn’t know this already, you need to learn it now. The Devil will use a nugget of truth to lead you astray more quickly than an outright lie would. The Devil comes up with many suggestions that sound really good and reasonable and scriptural. If we’re not aware of his devises and schemes we will likely be led astray into grievous error.

2 Corinthians 11: 14 (NKJV) ¹⁴ And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

III. There is a foolproof antidote for error.

Thankfully, Jesus gives us the assurance that there is an antidote for error. There is a solution or remedy so that we need not be deceived or mistaken on any important principle regarding our faith, our salvation or the nature of God. Going back to the text in Matthew 22, we read that Jesus gave the reason why the Pharisees had erred. They did not “know the Scripture nor the power of God.”

The remedy is a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures that produces an accurate understanding of God’s nature.

This knowledge that Jesus is talking about is not just a surface knowledge or a casual knowledge. It is a knowledge that digs deeper and deeper until it finally grasps the full implications of the truth.

(R.T. France, Tyndale Commentaries) - Of course the Sadducees did know the scriptures… in a superficial sense, but they had not penetrated through to their real meaning and thereby discovered the power of God; so there are not here two separate causes of error, but a failure to understand Scripture which leads to an inability to appreciate what God can do. Their outlook was essentially that of secular man, who cannot accept a God whose work goes beyond present human experience; a knowledge of Scripture (even only of the Pentateuch, from which Jesus will argue in vv. 31-32) should have taken them beyond that.

(Lenski New Testament Commentary) - This is… by no means… excusable ignorance on the part of the Sadducees. Their Old Testament plainly teaches the resurrection of the dead, and in spite of it… they "have not known," what they teach. In this way they came to abuse Moses' word. The Sadducees introduce a false premise, one that is absolutely foreign to Moses, namely that in the other world the same conditions prevail [as] in this world. Where does the Old Testament teach anything of this sort?

"Nor the power of God" have they known, i.e., from the Scriptures. This is not God's power to raise the dead but his power in regard to the dead bodies as he raises them, as though the only possible way in which he could raise them would be to make them exactly as they were in this earthly life.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) – It is easier to perceive error than truth, for error lies on the surface and is easily seen, truth lies in the depth where few are willing to search for it. Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.

When Jesus goes on to explain the truth to the Sadducees, He quotes the passage where God reveals His identity to Moses. He tells Moses “I am who I am,” and “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” not “I was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”

Jesus implies that if they had truly searched the Scriptures and studied them intently, they would have learned that there is a resurrection and that the nature of resurrected life is distinctly different than earthly life.

Conclusion:

The unattended garden will soon be overrun with weeds; the heart that fails to cultivate truth and root out error will shortly be a theological wilderness. – A.W. Tozer. http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/t/truth.htm

How well do you know the Scriptures?

How much have you learned about God through the Scriptures?

How committed are you to knowing the Lord through His Word?

The greater our knowledge of God’s Word, the less our chances of being deceived and led astray into error. The less we know about God’s Word, the greater our chances of being deceived and led into error. I want to challenge you today to dig into His Word, but not just so you may learn so many facts about God, but so that you can truly deepen your relationship with Him through the Holy Spirit.

Hymn: Thanks to God Whose Word Was Spoken

This Is the Way

(To download an mp3 file of this message, click on the title above. To listen now, click on the play button of the audio player shown.)

This is a message that was presented by Pastor Les on August 21, 2016 and it is based on Isaiah 30:21.

Written Excerpts:

Isaiah 30:21 (KJV) And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Introduction:

If you’re a parent, maybe you remember those times when your child was very young and perhaps had just learned to walk. As your toddler used his new-found freedom to explore new territory, you may have followed closely behind giving guidance and watching to make sure he didn’t roam into dangerous areas.

What about your teenagers when they were learning to drive? Which parent in your household primarily assumed the task of teaching your child to drive a car? (I assume it was the parent with the least anxiety issues!) Remember giving all-important directions – use your turn signal; don’t follow so closely; slow down on the curves; turn right… no not that right, the other right! This is the right way; don’t turn there, that’s the wrong way.

Our kids used to joke and even complain about Kris and I and some of our driving instructions. When I was riding with them I kept saying, “Don’t drive so close to the center line.” When Kris was riding with them she’d say, “Don’t drive so close to the white sideline!” It’s no wonder our kids are confused!

What about the rest of us? We all may remember those times in our own lives when we were in the process of making some monumental decisions and someone, whether a parent or trusted friend, gave us some very critical advice just when we needed it the most.

For the rest of our time this morning I want to speak to you about the voice of God saying, “This is the way.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have the voice of God giving us such guidance and instruction? The Scripture lesson before us today is about the people of Israel & Judah and God’s desire to do exactly as I said… give them instructions and directions for the path of life.

However there were some serious barriers that hindered the Lord from leading His people. Sadly, it appears that some of these same barriers prevent the Lord from being able to provide much-needed direction for His people today.

I believe that this passage has some important lessons for us to learn and understand if we likewise hope to receive the sweet voice of the Spirit of God guiding us and instructing us about the path we walk each day. Let us examine this passage to discover some of the barriers that prevented God’s leadership and guidance. And then discover God’s remedy to remove the barriers.

I.    The barriers that prevent God’s constant guidance.

There are two basic barriers that are mentioned in our text today. There are other barriers that could be mentioned, but these are the two that are described here.

A. Wrong Attitudes

Rebellious

Isaiah 30:1-2 (NKJV) “Woe to the rebellious children," says the Lord…

Isaiah 30:9 (NKJV) That this is a rebellious people…

Unfaithful/lying

Isaiah 30:9 (NKJV) … Lying children, Children who will not hear the law of the LORD; (Interpret in light of vv. 10-11)

(Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary) No man, professedly, wished to be deceived; but many seek a kind of teaching which is deceit; and which, if they would examine, they might know to be such (1Ki 22:13). The Jews desired success to be foretold as the issue of their league with Egypt, though ill had been announced by God's prophet as the result; this constituted the "deceits."

The people of Judah had acquired some of the same attitudes of the pagans all around them. They had reached the point where they were just as opposed to God’s will and God’s purposes as the surrounding enemies. Yet, they continued to assume that God was going to bless them and everything would be fine because, after all, they were the Lord’s chosen people. They had privileges!

Far too many Christians have the same attitudes today.

B. Wrong Choices

Isaiah 30:1-2 (NKJV) “Woe to the rebellious children," says the LORD, "Who take counsel, but not of Me, And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit, That they may add sin to sin; ² Who walk to go down to Egypt, And have not asked My advice, To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!

Not only did the leaders of Judah have the wrong attitudes, but they made really bad choices. They sought and entered into unholy alliances with pagans, which God specifically forbid way back in Exodus. They made plans that were not ordained by God nor were blessed by God.

These choices can also be applied to the people of God today. Far too many Christians have made unholy alliances with every imaginable source, and we go on living our lives according to the standards of the rest of the world and Hollywood without seeking the will of God. While we do that, God is patiently waiting and desires to guide us and bless us if we will only seek Him.

II.  God’s remedy for removing barriers.

Even though the people of God erect barriers that prevent the blessing of God, God has a way of getting through.

Calamity and judgment

Isaiah 30:12-14 (NLT) ¹² This is the reply of the Holy One of Israel: “Because you despise what I tell you and trust instead in oppression and lies, ¹³ calamity will come upon you suddenly— like a bulging wall that bursts and falls. In an instant it will collapse and come crashing down. ¹⁴ You will be smashed like a piece of pottery— shattered so completely that there won’t be a piece big enough to carry coals from a fireplace or a little water from the well.”

Conquered by enemies

Isaiah 30:16-17 (NLT) ¹⁶ You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you! ¹⁷ One of them will chase a thousand of you. Five of them will make all of you flee. You will be left like a lonely flagpole on a hill or a tattered banner on a distant mountaintop.”

Isaiah 30:3 (NASB) ³ “Therefore the safety of Pharaoh will be your shame And the shelter in the shadow of Egypt, your humiliation.

The safety and security they sought will turn into shame and humiliation. God doesn’t always deliver His people from calamity and from the oppression of their enemies. When His people have forsaken His Word and His ways and have continued to seek their own sinful passions and desires rather than obey Him, then He allows them to go on until they suffer the consequences of their choices.

There is no argument that is more convincing than the misery of consequences from my own choices. The sad thing is, many people who suffer the miserable consequences of their choices never see the connection with their own actions, so they get angry at God and blame Him for all their pain.

III. God’s incredible assistance

Yes, God does allow calamity. God does allow judgment to fall and the enemies to prevail. But it’s only for the purpose of turning His people back to Him again. He stands waiting for them with outstretched arms. When they return to Him in sorrow and repentance He begins to offer what they’ve been seeking all along.

Isaiah 30:18-23 (NLT) ¹⁸ So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. ¹⁹ O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries. ²⁰ Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes. ²¹ Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. ²² Then you will destroy all your silver idols and your precious gold images. You will throw them out like filthy rags, saying to them, “Good riddance!” ²³ Then the LORD will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock.

God will be…

      Gracious – v. 19; Teacher – v. 20; Guide – v. 21 (Who wouldn’t want God looking over their shoulder and whispering in their ear, “This is the right way…”?) Blesser – v. 23; Defender – vv. 27-28, 30-33 (esp. 31)

When God’s people truly repent and return to Him with loyalty, then God will defend them against their enemies. God will provide for them the very thing they sought from Egypt – safety and security from threatening enemies.

All the things they sought in Egypt and from Egypt will be provided for them if they will abandon their own stubbornness; and if they will only return in faithfulness to God’s Word and God’s will.

Conclusion:

Do you desire to have guidance from the Lord in your daily decisions and your major choices?

Do you desire the grace of God and His blessing on your life?

Do you wish for God to defend you against all enemies that threaten to ruin and destroy your faith?

God longs to be all of that and more for each one of us.

He delights in being our faithful guide and instructor.

But, we must be totally devoted to His Word and His Ways. We cannot be clamoring after the worldly “alliances” that will dilute our loyalty to the Lord and lead us further away from Him. We can’t listen to all the heathen voices and still expect His guidance.

Let us purpose to be loyal and to listen for His still small voice.

Hymn: I Need Thee Every Hour

Before we leave this morning, I wonder if there is anyone who desperately needs the guidance of the Holy Spirit for critical issues you’re facing right now? I’d like to invite you to come to the front and join me in a special prayer for God’s guidance and instruction for these issues that are troubling you so much. Whatever it is, come on and let’s pray together.