Despite what some say about exemplar preaching, it’s impossible to avoid it entirely in a preaching portion like Isaiah 57:14-21. Surely, Isaiah addresses the Church by showing us a good example to follow (the “go and do likewise” of Isaiah 57:15). Just as certainly, Isaiah also addresses us by showing us a bad example to avoid (the “go and do otherwise” of Isaiah 57:20-21). Where exemplar preaching breaks down in my opinion is when the exemplars are held up by themselves and God’s people only hear the preacher say at the end of the sermon: “Now, go and do likewise or go and do otherwise.” Better to begin the end of the sermon by point out that our Lord was presented in Isaiah 53:5, 10 as being “crushed” (same Hebrew term translated “contrite” in Isaiah 57:15). When a person receives Christ as their Sovereign Savior, He transforms them into one “who is of a contrite and lowly spirit.” He turns the wicked into the righteous. The exemplar works after the Gospel has done its work. Isaiah continues to urge the Church to leave worldliness behind and ready itself for the return of the Servant/King who will completely destroy all who rebel against Him and completely deliver all who trust Him. The catch: all who trust Him must look like Him. In this case, they must share God’s perspective on their sin and need of redemption.
Category Archives: Isaiah
Isaiah 56:9-12 Theology through Negative Example
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Isaiah 56:9-12 presents a stern warning for church leaders. Theology is presented through the extremely negative example of Israel’s spiritual leaders. Unlike the feast of Isaiah 55:1, the feast of Isaiah 56:9 is one we want to avoid at all cost! We do not want to to be the main course at that feast. One way to avoid that is to follow our Lord’s example and instruction in places such as 1 Peter 5:1-4. Our Lord lived out the opposite of Israel’s shepherds and faith in Him gives us the desire and capacity to shepherd like Him. God help us to do so!
Isaiah 56:1-8 Saved by Faith, But Judged by Works?
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Isaiah 56:1-8 is driven by the commandments and conditional elements in Isaiah 1-4, 6 such as keeping God’s Sabbath. These obligations of righteousness become our ticket for entering and remaining in God’s feast or banquet (cf. Isaiah 55:1). The end of Isaiah 56:1 explains why the conditions must be met. Isaiah 56:5, 7 explain what the righteous will enjoy. An angle on the gospel is found in the fact that Jesus experienced what the foreigner and eunuchs feared in Isaiah 56:3. It’s very interesting to me that in a system where we are saved by faith, we are judged according to our works. Isaiah now helps me understand James a bit better, especially being justified by works which proves the authenticity of our faith. In their new book, Puritan Theology, Beeke and Jones include an insightful chapter on the subject of judgement according to works by Thomas Manton.
Isaiah 55 hinges on the invitation given to professing Christians
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One of the fun things about preaching through a book of the Bible like Isaiah is the opportunity to learn famous verses in their context. Virtually every Christian that has read Isaiah 55:1 or heard it mentioned in church hears it as an invitation for non-Christians. The invitation, then, is for all of us to leave our worldliness behind (cf. Isaiah 55:7). Each week we’re all tempted to adopt the ways of the world as our ways, as the right way. Each weekend we come together and affirm our desire for our Lord (cf. Isaiah 55:6). Another famous verse is found in Isaiah 55:11. Whenever God’s call to repentance is announced, that word always accomplishes God’s goal. Those with ears that can hear in the Church hear God’s call and respond by forsaking their wickedness. You might make sense out of the chapter this way: 1. Our condition (vv. 1-2a). 2. God’s offer (vv. 2b-5). 3. Our reaction (vv. 6-11). 4. Our new condition (vv. 12-13). The main thing is to be sure that the offer in Isaiah 55:1 is connected to the instruction in Isaiah 55:7. Those who respond to the offer will one day inhabit God’s new world in Isaiah 55:12-13. Oh, and it’s all possible because our Lord experienced the thorns during His crucifixion. That is why we can purchase sustenance “without price” (cf. Isaiah 55:1). It’s free to us because it cost Him everything.
Isaiah 54:1-10 and wonderful reasons to obey
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The chapter begins with three commands for us to obey (cf. Isaiah 54:1, 2, 4). Then Isaiah moves to explain reasons why we obey God. Saving faith believes these wonderful reasons, especially the thought of being loved with “everlasting love” (cf. Isaiah 54:8, 10). It is so important for Believers to realize that the difficulties God brings our way to stretch us are not an indication that He abandoned us. Actually, according to Hebrews 12:5-6, the discipline of the Lord is a sure sign of His love for His own children. Isaiah helps soothe our momentary pain by reminding us of God’s eternal compassion.
Isaiah 53:1-12 Theology Through Key Questions
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The two questions with which Isaiah 53 begins determine the direction of the section (cf. Isaiah 53:1). What follows is a description of our Lord that shows why it was impossible to believe without a supernatural act of God. There was nothing about the contents of the Gospel according to Isaiah that were believable (cf. Isaiah 53:2-12). Sprinkled throughout the section are the results of believing the Gospel (cf. Isaiah 53:5, 10-11). The section affords an opportunity for us to urge saving faith and also an opportunity to test the genuineness of that faith. Believers do experience peace and healing (Isaiah 53:5); believers also become “his offspring” (Isaiah 53:10) which means they do look like Him. In these verses, then, we’re making sure that everyone in the house responds unlike the majority in Isaiah’s day who didn’t believe the message and didn’t perceive God’s saving power.
Isaiah 52:1-12 Commands that Fuel Holy Living
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Isaiah 52:1-12 contain one of the clearest pictures in the Old Testament of how redemption leads to a hoy life that pleases God. These verses provide a great opportunity for us to challenge Believers to live out their redeemed status. Isaiah 52:1-2 contain commands that point to our new status as redeemed of God. Remember that in the context of Isaiah, images of being set free (Isaiah 52:2) highlight redemption from sin’s power and rule. To hear, “Your God reigns” (Isaiah 52:7), means sin’s power has been overcome. Isaiah 52:11 contains commands that are heeded by all authentic Christians. We leave worldliness behind and, therefore, function in the world as God designed from the beginning. The gospel of Christ is seen in Isaiah 52:3. Isaiah will soon tell us that we were redeemed by the life-blood of God’s Servant, our Savior. Isaiah has been encouraging God’s people all along to make sure their profession of faith is matched by an appropriate holy life so they are ready for His appearance.
Isaiah 51:7-16 and preaching prophetic commands
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Isaiah 51:7-16 communicates theology in the form of prophetic commands: “fear not…” (cf. Isaiah 51:7, 12, 13). God’s people, of course, are living in a kingdom where the godless rule. Isaiah 51:7 describes God’s people in terms of His righteousness and His laws and this is why we get attacked and criticized. The bulk of the section (Isaiah 51:8-16) explain why we can have courage. Our Redeemer has incredible power and will redeem us just as He did during the Exodus. Though Isaiah challenges us with a difficult command, “fear not”, the mood of this section is celebratory as seen in Isaiah 51:11. Most comforting words end the section: “You are my people.” (cf. Isaiah 51:16).
Isaiah 50:1-11: The Connection Between Jesus’ Obedience And Ours
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Isaiah 50:10-11 present two alternative ways to dealing with dark times. In the difficult times God brings our way, we are tempted to not believe He can deliver us. That’s when we’re most apt to place our trust in idols. These two alternatives form the application to the section: either we trust the Lord in dark times and follow Him or we attempt a do-it-yourself approach. Isaiah 50:10 asks a question that links fearing God with obeying Jesus. Throughout Isaiah we’ve been learning about our tendency to disbelieve and disobey (Isaiah 50:1-3). Isaiah presents God’s Servant–our Lord Jesus Christ–as a contrast to that tendency (Isaiah 50:4-9). One of the clearest ministry descriptions of our Savior is provided in Isaiah 50:4. The Gospel is clearly presented in this section: the Servant suffers as He redeems us of our sin. Upon saving faith, His perfect sacrifice opens our ears so that we can follow His example. This section provides an excellent opportunity to remind God’s people how He trains us in the dark times (cf. Hebrews 5:8 and Hebrews 12:1-7).
Isaiah 49:13-18 A Promise to Believe
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Isaiah 49:13-18 contains one of the most reassuring promises in Scripture. Like the previous section in Isaiah, God continues to tackle the unwillingness of His people to believe His Word. In this case, a wonderful promise is in Isaiah 49:13, but it is followed up with unbelief (cf. Isaiah 49:14). Difficult circumstances call into question the validity of God’s promise. Isaiah 49:15-16 contain two beautiful images that reassure God’s people. Isaiah 49:16 provides an easy road to the Gospel as God reminds us of the hands of our Savior (cf. John 20:19-20, 27). When circumstances tempt us to think God has forgotten us, remember His hands.