I know we'd all like to go there, huh?
Let's all go to Children's Church this morning.
! Much better than this, I'm sure.
Let's pray.
Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen.
That is the anthem we will sing for all of eternity.
Singing about the worthiness of our God.
So this morning, as we come now to your word,
I pray that you would reign in our hearts.
That you would take the place of honor for us today.
Remove for us the other things that have taken your place.
Reclaim your spot of supremacy and lordship in our lives.
And as we look at this text today,
may there be another area of our lives
where we recommit ourselves to be more like our God.
We praise you in Jesus' name. Amen.
Well, if you've been reading the news over the last several weeks
and kind of keeping in touch with kind of the international story,
you've seen that ISIS, the last major stronghold in Syria,
was conquered just a couple of weeks ago
in the city of, I think, Raka is how you pronounce the name of the city.
But it was not without cost.
In this city was a soccer stadium known as the Black Coliseum.
Mainly because of the construction of the materials that they used,
the black kind of concrete that was used for this black coliseum.
But it took on new meaning as a result of what ISIS did
in terms of making it a place of imprisonment and torture.
The gym and the locker rooms and the showers
in the bottom area of this coliseum were used as a jail.
And even the gym equipment was used as torture devices.
Those that spent any time there and survived
recount the story of the horrors that took place in that coliseum.
And any of us who have kind of been caught up in the news
of all the things that have happened in the Muslim world,
particularly with ISIS and their sweeping power across Iraq and Syria
and Damascus and all these other surrounding places,
have been gripped with the stories of the atrocities that have taken place.
It seems that social media has been a great venue
for ISIS to promote their story
in kind of an unfiltered, raw, in graphic terms.
Shocking the world with the grotesqueness and brutality
of their collection of individuals,
their military force.
And what seemed to be horrifying,
the one week was just eclipsed by another atrocity the following week.
Almost as if they were trying to outdo one another
in raising the bar for what can be done to a human body
to create shock and awe across the world.
As I have watched the story unfold
and as I have been caught up in the flow
of this moving force across the Middle East,
the question that grows in my own heart is
how has this affected my perception of a people?
The people that we run across,
I can remember even the first airplane ride
that I took after 9-11
and seeing people on the plane who were clearly Muslim
and that sense in my own heart,
oh my goodness, what is going to happen on this flight?
And perhaps in your own communities
as you go to the park
or see a rising number of neighbors
who are quite different from you.
How has the spread of ISIS
and the conflict in the Middle East
affected your interest in your perception
and even your contact,
your relationships
with people who are different from you?
Imagine for a moment what it would be like.
If we feel this and we're watching from a distance,
imagine what it would be like
if you were in the culture.
It's estimated that the number of refugees
as a result of the ISIS occupation
have been 3.3 million people in Iraq alone.
Estimated in 2013 of 1.5 million in Syria.
Certainly those numbers grew exponentially
over the occupation that took place.
Here you see a couple of pictures up on the screen.
The first on your left,
a mob of individuals waiting for food.
Can you imagine
the desperation
between bombed out apartment complexes,
this mass of people clinging to life,
desperate for the most basic things,
shelter, food, clothing?
My own heart is gripped
by the picture on the right.
These are somebody's kids.
Can you see the terror
on the faces of these children?
Imagine if these were your kids.
Imagine if it was you standing in line,
clinging to life,
desperate for what was coming next,
fleeing the danger,
taking whatever risk it took
to get out of the imminent danger
and moving into places of relative safety,
better safety.
Well,
what goes through your mind
when you see these people?
How would that amplify your feelings
against those who oppressed you?
Those who were hostile against you?
Those who robbed you
of the people that you loved
and took away the things you worked
the hardest to get?
What would that do
to your feeling
of hatred,
bitterness,
anger
towards
an oppressor?
Well,
this is the context
of the passage
that we're in
this morning.
As we're moving through
the book of Isaiah,
beginning in Isaiah chapter 10
and moving all the way
to Isaiah chapter 35,
we see
this evidence
that God will judge
the nations.
And if you're experiencing
direct hostility,
you say,
it's about time.
They're getting what they deserve.
I'm so glad
that God is finally
going to take them
out of the way.
Give them a taste
of their own medicine.
But then we come
to this
another surprising,
shocking
passage
in Isaiah chapter 19.
In the midst
of judgment,
we find
there are promises.
Promises
to the oppressor.
Promises
to a
nation,
an empire,
who has been
used by God
as an instrument
of discipline
in your life.
totally
turning everything
upside down
for you.
Ruining
families,
comfort.
And that's
where we come
today.
Feel
a little bit
of the emotion
behind the words
that Isaiah
is writing
to these people
as we look
at Isaiah chapter
19
this morning.
If you're not
there already,
please turn with me
to Isaiah chapter 19.
If you're a guest
with us this morning,
it's on page
581.
We're going to
start and just
focus most of our
time this morning
on this first point.
The promises
regarding Egypt.
The promises
regarding Egypt.
Let me begin
with just the first
couple
of verses
and then we're
going to move
to the end
of the chapter
to really fill out
for us
the promises
that bring hope,
not just
devastation.
But beginning
in verse 1
of Isaiah
chapter 19.
An oracle
concerning Egypt.
Behold,
the Lord
is riding
on a swift cloud
and comes
to Egypt.
And the idols
of Egypt
will tremble
at his presence
and the heart
of the Egyptians
will melt
within them.
And I will
stir up
the Egyptians
against the Egyptians
and they will
fight each
against one another
and each
against his neighbor.
City
against city.
Kingdom
against kingdom.
And the spirit
of the Egyptians
within them
will be emptied out.
And I will
confound
their counsel
and they will
inquire
of the idols
of the sorcerers
and the mediums
and the necromancers.
And I will
give over
the Egyptians
into the hand
of a hard master.
And a fierce king
will rule over them
declares
the Lord
of hosts.
And if you are
reading this
prophecy
at least
the front end
of this prophecy
as a person
living in Judah
in Jerusalem
you are saying
it is about time
they're getting
what's coming
to them.
This stern
warning of judgment
against a nation.
A nation
who has set
itself
against
Judah
against God's
people.
has been
a rod
of discipline
on a
disobedient
people.
And here we
find in chapter
19
another prophecy
regarding
this nation
and the nation
of Egypt
whose history
was so bound
up with Israel
from the very
beginning
going all the way
back to Genesis
chapter 12
where God
is calling
out a people
for himself.
He is calling
out Abraham
Abraham.
And then
as soon as
God gives
this promise
of blessing
to Abraham
we find
that Abraham
is in the
middle of a
crisis.
There's a famine
in the land
and where does
Abraham go?
Well
in Genesis
chapter 12
verse 10
we find that
Abraham goes
down to Egypt
to escape
the famine.
God
even used
the nation
of Egypt
to harbor
and to
protect
his people.
We see the
same kind
of thing
in Genesis
chapter 37.
Joseph
was taken
captive
down to
Egypt
and soon
after
over a
course of
another famine
Jacob
and all
of his
sons
70 in
all
go down
to Egypt
and they're
there for
400 years.
A place
of preservation
really kind
of an
incubation
center
for a
nation
that was
beginning
to thrive.
What
began
as 70
grew
to
millions
of
people
over
the
course
of
400
years
sheltered
within
the
empire
of
Egypt
protected
and cared
for
by this
nation
of Egypt.
But there's
also a
history
of military
conflict
and covenant
with one
another.
We see
in 1 Kings
that Solomon
makes a
treaty
with the
nation
of Egypt.
He marries
the daughter
of Pharaoh.
We find
the first
king
after
Solomon
is
the king
of Egypt
comes up
against
Jerusalem
and he
takes away
the treasures
of the
house of
the Lord
and the
treasures
of the
house
of Rehoboam.
We find
in 2 Chronicles
that an
Ethiopian
general
was dispatched
by Egypt
to go
against
King
Asa.
We find
in 2 Kings
chapter 17
that Egypt
is again
in play
in relationship
to the history
of the northern
ten tribes.
And then in our
current setting
the setting
of Hezekiah
we find that
Hezekiah is
called for help.
We'll look at
this more
next week.
But when
Sennacherib
comes he
hears this
report that
the Egyptian
king
has dispatched
a military
leader to
come and
to help
Hezekiah
in the
midst
of his
crisis.
All
throughout
the history
of Israel
this nation
of Israel
it was
integrally
connected
to the
history
of Egypt
the empire
of Egypt.
But here
we find
throughout
this chapter
the first
15 verses
we find
that there
will be
judgment
that comes
on the
empire
of Egypt
because
of the
way they've
been used
as a
disciplining
tool
against
the
nation
of
Israel.
We find
in verse
1 that
there's going
to be
futility
in their
religion.
In verse
2 God
is going
to create
internal
conflict.
A civil
war
neighbor
against
neighbor
Egyptian
against
Egyptian.
We find
in verse
3 that
there's going
to be
an
undermining
of their
wisdom
that God
is going
to turn
it to
nothing.
In
verse
4 he's
going to
shatter
their
superiority.
In
verse
5 he's
going to
devastate
their
economy.
In
verse
6 and
7 he's
going to
dry up
the
fertility
of the
land.
In
verse
8 he's
going to
eliminate
their
food
source.
Verse
9 he's
going to
disrupt
their
clothing
market.
Verse
10 he's
going to
crush
their
employment.
In
verses
11 to
15 he's
going to
lay low
the
wisdom
of their
counselors.
They will
have no
answer
for the
devastation
that is
happening
to them.
But it
all is
taking place
for a
purpose.
All of
these
disruptive
events,
all of
the
suffering
that they
will
experience
will result
in leading
them to
favor of
God.
The heart
of God
was on
the people
of Egypt
even
in the
midst
of
judgment.
Those
who had
been so
disruptive
to Israel
through the
course of
their history
would now
be the
recipients
of God's
face,
of his
favor,
of his
blessing
on an
empire.
We find
the details
of their
dramatic
return
in the
remaining
verses
of chapter
19.
And that's
where I
want to
spend the
most of
our
attention
this
morning.
So let
me read
for us
verses
16
through
the rest
of the
chapter.
And then
we'll pick
up and deal
with the
five promises
that God
gives to
the empire
of Egypt
that are
all couched
within and
all led by
the statement
in that
day.
A familiar
phrase we've
come to see
throughout our
time in the
book of
Isaiah.
What are
those promises
to Egypt?
What is
God's future
heart for
this people?
Well, let
me read
for us
beginning
in verse
16.
It says
this,
In that
day,
the Egyptians
will be like
women and
tremble with
fear before
the hand
that the
Lord of
hosts shakes
over them,
and the
land of
Judah will
become a
terror to
the Egyptians.
Everyone to
whom it is
mentioned will
fear because
of the purpose
that the
Lord of
hosts has
purposed
against them.
In that
day,
there will
be five
cities in
the land
of Egypt
that speak
the language
of Canaan
and swear
legions to
the Lord
of hosts.
One of
those will
be called
the city
of destruction.
In that
day,
there will
be an
altar to
the Lord
in the midst
of the
land of
Egypt,
and a
pillar to
the Lord
at its
border.
It will
be a
sign and
a witness
to the
Lord of
hosts in
the land
of Egypt.
When they
cry to
the Lord
because of
oppressors,
he will
send them
a savior
and a
defender
and deliver
them.
And the
Lord will
make himself
known to
the Egyptians
and the
Egyptians
will know
the Lord
in that
day and
worship
with
sacrifice
and
offering.
And they
will make
vows to
the Lord
and perform
them.
And the
Lord will
strike Egypt,
striking and
healing,
and they
will return
to the
Lord and
he will
listen to
their pleas
for mercy
and heal
them.
In that
day,
there will
be a
highway from
Egypt to
Assyria,
and Assyria
will come
into Egypt,
and Egypt
into Assyria,
and the
Egyptians
will worship
with the
Assyrians.
In that
day,
Israel will
be a
third,
with Egypt
and Assyria,
a blessing
in the midst
of the
earth,
whom the
Lord of
hosts has
blessed,
saying,
Blessed be
Egypt,
my people,
and Assyria,
the work
of my
hands,
and Israel
my
inheritance.
For those
who would
be reading
this from
the nation
of Judah,
they would
stand back
aghast,
breathless,
speechless,
amazed at
the promise
of God
on a
people,
a people
of Egypt,
an empire
who had
been opposed
to God.
Well,
we find
in this
passage,
five promises
that God
gives to
the empire.
First,
we find
in verses
16 and
17,
we find
that they
will fear
the Lord.
They will
fear the
Lord.
I want you
to understand
this morning
that the
first step
towards any
reformation
in your
heart,
or anyone's
heart,
is a
healthy
fear,
reverence,
and respect
for God.
We find
this at the
beginning of
the book
in Isaiah
chapter 6.
As Isaiah
is standing
before the
throne,
we find
reverence
and fear
at the
presence
and the
image of
God.
He marvels
at the
grandeur
and the
glory
of the
Lord of
hosts.
He's
terrified
at the
God of
heaven.
Proper
fear has
always marked
the people
of God.
from the
very
beginnings.
Israel's
encounter
with God
at Mount
Sinai
was very
similar.
When God
comes down
to the
people and
he gives
them the
law,
we find
that they
actually plead
with Moses
to act
on their
behalf
as the
go-between
so they
don't have
to deal
with the
physical
presence
of God
in their
midst.
The people,
it says in
Exodus
chapter 20.
when the
people saw
the thunder
and the
lightning
and heard
the trumpet
and saw
the mountain
in the
smoke,
they trembled
with fear.
They say
to Moses,
speak to
us yourself
and we
will listen,
but do
not have
God speak
to us
or we
die.
A
people
who are
marked
by
transformation
are
people
who are
characterized
by fear
and respect
of God.
This was
not just
an Old
Testament
experience.
We see
this at
the beginnings
of the
New Testament
church.
It was
their
experience
as well.
When the
first converts
come and
respond to
the message
of the
gospel,
we find
there in
Acts
chapter 2,
they devoted
themselves to
the apostles'
teaching and
the fellowship,
to the breaking
of the bread
and to prayers,
and fear
came upon
every soul.
And John's
experience of
seeing the
glorified Christ
in Revelation
was much
the same.
We find in
Revelation
chapter 1,
when Christ
comes and
is delivering
his message,
it says,
I turned
and saw
the voice
that spoke
with me,
and there
was one
like the
Son of
Man,
clothed
with a
garment
down to
his feet
and girded
about the
chest
with a
golden
band.
His head
and hair
were white
like wool,
as white
as snow,
and his eyes
like a flame
of fire.
His feet
were like
fine brass,
as if refined
in a furnace,
and his voice
as the sound
of many waters.
He had
in his hand
the seven
stars,
and out of
his mouth
went a sharp
two-edged
sword,
and his
countenance
was like
the shining
sun in
its strength.
And when
I saw
him,
I fell
to the
ground
as dead.
in that
day,
there will
finally be
sight for
the people
of Egypt
and will
lead them
to fear.
It will
lead them
to understand
the power
in the
presence
of God.
And as a
people,
it will
move them
down the
road of
worship
and reverence
to the
almighty
God,
the God
of Israel.
it will
lead them
to proper
worship
of him,
devotion
to
serving
him
and to
loving
him,
as we
find
throughout
the rest
of this
chapter
this
morning.
It begins
with fear,
but it
doesn't end
there.
It moves
to the
next level,
which we
find in
verse 18.
What do we
find there?
It says,
in that
day,
five cities
of the
land of
Egypt
will speak
the language
of Canaan.
They will
learn the
language
of Canaan.
Now,
you might
not think
that's a
big deal,
but so
dramatic
their fear
of God
that they
adopt a
new
national
language.
In these
five cities
that are
the prominent
cities
of Egypt,
they have
determined
to be a
people
wholly
devoted to
God in
every way,
so much
so that
they speak
the language
of Canaan.
The
verbal
form of
this
word
emphasizes
the
continuance
of their
speaking,
so that
they actually
adopt the
language as
their own,
not just
speak it as
a secondary
part,
but it
now becomes
the national
language
of Egypt.
It's
typical of
Isaiah
in connecting
speaking
with worship.
What do we
find again
there in
Isaiah
chapter 6?
There's
Isaiah
before the
throne,
and he
says,
I am a
man of
unclean
lips.
Isaiah
understands
that speaking
and worship
go hand
in hand.
And so
in describing
this people
as a
people who
have adopted
the language
of Canaan,
he is
helping to
underscore
the fact
that this
people is
a people
who have
committed
themselves
completely
to the
worship
of God.
In
adopting
the
language
of
Canaan,
they
speak,
it speaks
to accomplish
several
purposes,
several
objectives.
It will
not only
help to
assist them
in their
relationships
with Israel,
to aid
them in
their study
of the
scripture,
and to
allow them
to travel
to Jerusalem
without
barriers,
but it
will also
give them
full access
to everything
that is
available
to the
people
of God
without
restriction.
Their
interest
is full
allegiance
to the
Lord of
hosts.
We find
that there
in verse
18.
It says,
they will
speak the
language of
Canaan and
swear allegiance
to the
Lord of
hosts.
Their
commitment
is allegiance
to the
God of
Israel.
Allegiance
that shows
up in
full
conformity
with
everything
Hebrew.
This is
yet another
critical step
in the
nation's
reformation.
I'm not
sure if
you're aware
of this,
but when
our own
nation
began to
be started,
Hebrew
was actually
recommended
as one
of our
own
national
languages.
Did you
know that?
William
Bradford,
who came
over on
the Mayflower
with the
pilgrims,
were so
committed to
the scripture
and so
desirous to
be people
of God
that they
actually voted
as a
colony,
what language
would be
learned?
Hebrew was
close to the
top of the
list and
only voted
down by
one vote.
We were
almost Hebrew
speakers.
And
apparently at the
founding of the
nation in
1780,
when George
Washington was
making his
way to the
presidency,
one of his
companions was
a strong
advocate for
Hebrew as
being the
national
language.
As a result
of their
animosity
towards England
and the desire
again to be a
people of God.
How can we do
this effectively?
Well, we do
this by learning
the language
of Hebrew.
And even in
the older
institutions like
Yale and
Harvard,
it was required
that all the
students that
went would
learn Hebrew.
So much so
that even the
commencement addresses
were actually
given in
Hebrew.
How about
that for
history?
There is
something
significant
about language.
Language
communicates
devotion.
It communicates
commitment.
And as
English speakers,
we show the
roots of where
we've come.
As English
speakers,
especially here
in America,
we identify
ourselves with
a country,
a lifestyle,
a way of
thinking,
certain priorities
and attitudes.
It fits
various stereotypes
and distinguishes
us as a
people different
from the rest
of the world.
And in a
similar way,
Egypt is
desiring to
conform their
lives and their
hearts and their
lifestyle to
the God of
Israel by
learning the
language.
And this
sets them
up to
take them
to the
next level
of devotion
which we
find in
verses 19
to 22.
We find
in these
verses that
they will
build an
altar to
the God
of Israel.
They will
build an
altar to
the God
of Israel.
We find
there in
verse 19,
in that
day there
will be
an altar
to the
Lord in
the midst
of the
land of
Egypt and
a pillar to
the Lord
at its
border.
What began
as a case
for five
cities in
this empire
of Egypt
committing
themselves to
devotion of
God now
pours out
onto the
rest of the
land itself.
The heart
has begun
to affect
the whole.
And a
whole nation
is captured
with devotion
and worship
to God.
This pillar
is erected
in Egypt
of worship
to God.
And we
find the
marks of
the genuine
nature of
their religion
here throughout
the rest of
these verses.
In verse 19
we see
an altar.
We see
a place
of reconciliation.
A place
of communion.
A place
of repentance.
A place
of sacrifice.
A place
of approaching
the God
of Israel
on his
terms.
In verse
20
at the end
of the verse
it says
it will be a
sign and a
witness to the
Lord of hosts
in the land
of Egypt
when they cry
to the Lord
because of
their oppressors
he will send
them a
savior
and a
defender.
There is
prayer.
So there is
not only an
altar but there
is also
prayer.
There is
a commitment
to the
protection
and security
and help
of God.
In verse
21 we
find that
there is
revelation.
The Lord
will reveal
himself to
them.
Look with
me at
verse 21
and the
Lord
will make
himself
known
to the
Egyptians
and the
Egyptians
will know
the Lord
in that
day.
The
revelation
of God
is a
mark
of a
true
religion
a true
people
who are
walking
after and
following
after God.
At the
second part
of verse
21 we
find true
service.
Notice as I
continue in
verse 21
21.
In that
day there
will be
worship with
sacrifice and
offerings and
they will
make vows to
the Lord and
perform them.
They will
commit themselves
to him and
then they will
carry out the
things that they
have promised
to do.
There will be
service on
their part.
Devotion,
allegiance,
ministry.
And then
finally there
will be
providential
discipline that
we find in
verse 22.
the Lord
will strike
Egypt,
striking and
healing and
they will
return to
the Lord and
he will
listen to
their pleas
for mercy
and heal
them.
What is
true of
any child
of God as
we find in
Hebrews chapter
12?
God disciplines
those that he
loves and
here we find
his disciplining
hand on the
people of
Egypt,
disciplining
them for
their joy,
correcting them
so that they
turn again to
him as he
exposes the
deficiencies of
their lives and
helps to lead
them to the
superiority of
God.
These are the
marks of true
religion in
this place.
This is a
mark of a
people who
have given
themselves to
God.
We find the
next promise
verse 23.
It says,
in that
day there
will be a
highway from
Egypt to
Assyria and
Assyria will
come into
Egypt and
Egypt into
Assyria and
the Egyptians
will worship
with the
Assyrians.
They will
worship with
Assyria.
Here are
these two
superpowers
of the day.
These arch
enemies of
the day.
But in
that future
day there
will be
peace.
There will
be fellowship.
There will
be community.
There will
be devotion
together of
God.
Marked by
the highway
that connects
the two
nations
together.
This means
of traffic
and access
to one
another's
empires.
I can
remember
traveling as
a kid to
upstate New
York.
And most
of the
journey as
I recall
was a
journey by
side streets,
by these
two lane
highways that
cut through
all of the
little towns
and communities
along the
way.
And it
took forever
it seemed
to get to
my grandma's
house.
And as much
as I liked
the final
destination,
the journey
of getting
there was
not pleasant.
Until now.
Now a
journey to
upstate New
York is a
cinch.
Because of
the freeway
that helps
connect
Columbus
especially to
my grandma's
house.
So what
took seven
hours before
now takes
about five
and a half
hours.
A highway
that marks
accessibility.
It marks
the flow
of traffic.
It marks
a people
that are
connected
together
as we
see here
in our
passage this
morning.
Here the
prophet pictures
a freeway
that connects
these two
world empires.
It's a
symbol of
mutual
relationship.
A symbol
of shared
values.
A symbol
of trust
and alignment
as a
people
aligned
under the
banner of
worship.
The
unifying
factor for
these
people is
their
common
commitment
to the
one
true
God.
And if
the
revelation
concerning
Egypt
wasn't
shocking
enough,
now you
add Assyria
on top
of that.
Assyria
will join
Egypt in
worship
of God.
I like
what one
commentator
says.
He says,
true religion
heals wounds
between people.
First a few
cities,
then a whole
country,
now the
whole world.
The emphasis
here rests
on the
oneness of
people with
each other
and the
free expression
that they
give to it.
Not just
a highway
between them.
Not just a
highway between
Assyria and
Egypt, but we
find in
Isaiah
chapter 11,
we find
there's a
highway from
Assyria to
Jerusalem as
well.
Desire,
devotion to
God,
united under
the banner of
worship to
Him.
And then
this next
promise we
find in
verse 24
and 25.
In that
day Israel
will be a
third with
Egypt and
Assyria,
a blessing
in the
midst of
the earth,
with the
Lord of
hosts,
with whom
the Lord
of hosts
has blessed
saying,
blessed be
Egypt,
my people,
and Assyria
the work
of my
hands,
and Israel
my
inheritance.
Now this
is an
astonishing
statement.
Almost
breathtaking
to imagine.
Caught in
the middle
of two
superpowers
who are
defiant
and ruthless
And
brutal!
Merciless
in every
way!
And yet,
some
future
day,
they will
not only
have aligned
themselves
to God,
but they
will be
considered
by God
as partakers
of blessing,
as a
people of
God just
like Israel,
one of the
third,
Israel,
Egypt,
and Assyria,
considered
so much
part
of the
people of
God,
they're
stated in
this way,
although
defined and
ruthless,
they're
chosen.
Chosen
just like
Israel
as an
inheritance.
Chosen
to be
a blessing,
a blessing
to the
world.
This
same
awareness
of mercy
affected
a prophet
just
about
80 years
before.
A prophet
who was
called to
go to
the same
group of
people,
the group
of Assyria,
the city
of Nineveh.
He knew
the same
heart of
God.
He knew
a heart
of mercy.
He knew
what God
was going
to do
in Nineveh.
And in
his heart,
he chose
to run.
In his
heart,
he chose
he would
rather die
than for
this people
to hear
the message
of mercy.
And when
they did
hear the
message of
mercy,
and responded
in commitment
to God,
what did
he do?
He sulked.
He was
angry.
He wanted
God to
kill him.
Not what
we find
here.
As the
prophet
writes
this
passage
and anticipates
a future
day,
we come
to appreciate
the heart
of God
for the
nations.
The heart
of God
for the
peoples
of the
earth.
Not just
for Israel,
but for
all the
world.
And that's
what leads
us to
our next
point.
The hope
of every
nation.
The hope
of every
nation.
As we look
back,
just a chapter,
we find
an example
to the
people of
Cush.
This
people who
lived just
south of
Egypt,
often referred
to as the
land of
Ethiopia.
This is a
group of
individuals who
was foreign
and who
had little
familiarity
with these
people.
But what
they did
know
intimidated
them.
What they
did know
made them
afraid.
Notice with
me in
verse
chapter 18
verses 1
and 2.
Ah,
land of
whirring
wings that
is beyond
the rivers
of Cush,
which sends
ambassadors by
the sea,
and vessels
of papyrus
on the
waters.
Go, you
swift messengers
to a
nation tall
and smooth,
to a
people feared
near and
far, a
nation mighty
and conquering,
whose land
the rivers
divide.
This
prophecy,
to a
group of
individuals
that Isaiah
is referring
to.
A group
of individuals
who will
also be
judged by
God,
who also
experience the
heavy hand
of God
because of
their devotion
to idolatry
and not
their devotion
to worship.
But notice
how it turns.
Notice in
verse 7
what the
result,
the future
hope of
this people
of Cush
leads to.
At that
time, it
says in
verse 7,
tribute will
be brought
to the
Lord of
hosts
from a
people tall
and smooth,
from a
people feared
near and
far, a
nation mighty
and conquering,
whose land
the rivers
divide,
to Mount
Zion,
the place
of the
name of
the Lord
of hosts.
Hope
to the
people
of
Cush.
Hope
to Egypt,
hope
to Assyria,
hope
to Cush,
and now
hope
to the
people
of the
world.
We see
that as
an anthem
throughout
the book
of Isaiah,
beginning
in chapter
2.
Turn with
me for
a moment,
just to
Isaiah
chapter 2,
so you
can see
this for
yourself.
What is
God's
future plan
for the
nations?
What is
his heart
for the
peoples of
the earth?
Isaiah
chapter 2,
verses 2
and 3,
it shall
come to
pass in
the latter
days,
the mountain
of the
Lord of
hosts,
of the
house of
the Lord,
shall be
established
as the
highest
of the
mountains,
and shall
be lifted
up above
the hills,
and all
the nations
shall flow
to it.
And many
peoples
shall come
and say,
come,
let us
go up
to the
mountain
of the
Lord,
to the
house
of the
God
of
Jacob,
that he
may teach
us his
ways,
and that
we may
walk in
his paths,
for out
of Zion
shall go
the law,
and the
word of
the Lord
from
Jerusalem.
Make
no
mistake,
the heart
of a
God is
a heart
for the
nations.
probably
all of
us here
today
want
to
echo
God's
heart,
and probably
all of
us here
today
are
recipients
of
mercy
to the
nations,
because we're
not part
of the
nation of
Israel.
We are
here today
because of
the grace
of God
to the
nations,
nations.
And so
those who
swear
allegiance
to God
must
echo
God's
heart
for the
nations.
Do you
have
a
mission's
heart?
It is
the
responsibility
of every
believer,
and we'll
finish with
this point.
It is
the
responsibility
of every
believer
to have
a heart
for
the
nations.
We find
it in
the
clear
command
of
Christ
to
his
disciples,
go
and
make
disciples
in
Matthew
chapter
28.
Turn
with me
if you
would
as we
draw
this
to a
close
to
Matthew
chapter
28
verses
18
to
20.
This
is our
mission
statement.
This
is our
responsibility.
Here's
how it's
summed
up for
us
by
Christ
himself.
Matthew
28
beginning
in
verse
18
on
page
835.
Jesus
came
and said
to them,
all
authority
in
heaven
and on
earth
has been
given
to me.
Go
therefore,
make
disciples
of all
nations,
baptizing
them
in the
name of
the
Father
and of
the
Son
and of
the
Holy
Spirit,
teaching
them
to
observe
all
that
I
have
commanded
you
and
behold,
I
am
with
you
always
to
the
end
of
the
age.
God
has
called
you
to
have
a
heart
for
the
nations,
where
you
are,
or
perhaps
even
here
this
morning,
somewhere
else.
As I
was
looking
through
the
website
of
Wycliffe
Mission
Agency,
I was
looking at
all the
names of
all the
people
represented
by their
mission
agency.
And all
the places
they are
around the
world,
the faces
and the
families
who've been
displaced,
essentially they've
chosen to be
displaced from
here,
so they can
serve God
in a
location that
people need
desperately to
hear the
scripture,
and have it
translated into
their own
heart language.
And I was
just blown
away with
the immense
privilege
of serving
God in
a foreign
place,
of being
used by
him in
a way
to lead
a group
of individuals
to himself
because of
a desire
to be
useful,
and a
willingness
to take
risks for
him.
But what
do we do
here and
now?
How can
we be part
of this
mission
mindedness
here,
where God
has placed
us?
I believe
we can also
pray for
the nations.
Pray for
the nations.
In Matthew
chapter 9,
verses 37
and 38,
it says,
Jesus went
through all
the cities
and villages,
teaching in
their synagogue,
and proclaiming
the gospel
of the kingdom,
in healing
every disease,
in every
affliction.
When he saw
the crowds,
he had
compassion
for them
because they
were harassed
and helpless,
like sheep
without a
shepherd.
Then he
said to his
disciples,
the harvest
is plentiful,
but the
laborers are
few.
Therefore,
pray earnestly
to the Lord
of the harvest
to send out
laborers
into his
harvest.
You can
have a
mission's
heart right
where you
are.
By committing
yourself to
pray for
the peoples
of the
world.
I don't
know if
you're aware
of this,
but there
are somewhere
around 16,000
people groups
in the world
with different
languages and
customs and
culture.
They may live
in the same
general area,
but because of
the distinctiveness
of their culture,
they're called a
separate people
group.
6,000 of
them.
6,000 of
them do
not have
access to
the gospel.
It's estimated
as many as
41% of the
world's
population has
never heard
the gospel.
And as many
as 3 billion
people,
they have
less than
2% of
Christian
influence
where they
are.
There is no
Bible.
There is no
witness.
There is no
exposure to
Christ.
But you can
pray.
Several years
ago, my
kids kind of
set the
example for
their daddy.
And every
night, they
would pray for
the Jum Jum
people.
A group of
individuals in
the northern
part of, I
think,
Cambodia.
people in
the northern
area.
And every
night for
four years,
they would
pray for the
Jum Jum
people.
Who are
these people?
I've never
met them.
But wouldn't
you know, we
get a postcard
in the mail
because we
had expressed
some interest
in this group
of individuals.
And God
sent a
missionary to
the Jum
Jum
people, I
think, because
of my kids'
prayer.
Praying for
this group of
individuals that
did not have a
Bible in their
own heart
language.
God showed
up and
answered that
prayer.
You can be a
part of global
mission right
where you are
through prayer.
These are just
three different
people groups
that we're
putting up on
the screen.
There are a
hundred prayer
cards out on
the table
underneath the
missionary board.
A hundred
people groups
that have never
heard the
gospel.
will you
partner with
me?
Maybe adopt
a people
group, just
one, perhaps
for your family
or one for
yourself.
Put it in a
place that's
visible.
Pray that God
will do a
work in a
tribe of
individuals who
have never
heard the
gospel.
Maybe God
will use your
prayers to
bring the
scripture to a
group of
people.
Will you do
that with me
for the next
two months?
November and
December?
Will we pray
every day for
one of those
people groups
and see what
God might do
to show up
for a group of
individuals that
don't know
Jesus?
Something that
we take for
granted.
Let's pray.
God, we are
so, so
grateful this
morning that
you have set
your affection on
the nations and
we are here
today because you
have chosen not
to destroy.
You have
chosen by your
mercy to show
grace.
God, we
are here because
there are those
who committed
themselves regardless
of the challenges
to get the
gospel out.
We are here
because of the
legacy of
faithful men and
women throughout
the thousands of
years from
Christ who have
perpetuated the
gospel message and
brought it to us.
Lord, may we be
about the
gospel.
May we echo
the gospel
heart of our
mission-oriented
God, a God
whose heart is
for the
nations.
Awaken us,
Lord, with a
similar heart.
Catch us up,
Lord, with an
interest in people
who do not
know you.
overwhelm us,
Lord, with a
burden for the
nations that
echoes and
mimics the
heart of our
Savior.
We pray in
Jesus' name.
Amen.
Let's stand
as we sing.
Sing together.
I will glory
in my
Redeemer,
whose priceless
blood has
ransomed me,
my
sin that
drove the
bitter
nails and
hung him on
that judgment
tree.
I will
glory in
my
Redeemer,
who crushed
the power
of sin
and death,
my only
Savior
before the
holy
judge,
the Lamb
who is my
righteousness,
the Lamb
who is my
righteousness.
of course,
if there are
any of you
this morning
who just
need to
talk,
we want to
be an open
channel for
that,
for you to
share your
burdens and
we can pray
with you.
If there are
people here
this morning
who don't
know Jesus,
we would love
to introduce
you to
him and
let you
in on the
joy of
knowing and
fellowshipping
with our
God.
if there
are those
of you
this morning
who would
like to
become
members or
get baptized,
we certainly
want you to
be able to
express that
to us as
well.
But this
morning, I
hope as we
walk out
those doors,
we will
walk out
with a
renewed
commitment
for the
nations.
There may
be
jum jum
people in
heaven because
of my
kids.
There may
be a
people group
that God
rescues because
of your
prayers and
commitment to
adopt them as
your own.
To partner
with God
through prayer
and pleading
with him to
send them a
missionary.
Maybe even
send you.
I'm reminded
of the song
Jesus loves
the little
children.
All the
children of
the world,
red and
yellow,
black and
white,
they are
precious in
his sight.
Jesus loves
the little
children of
the world.
Do you
have a
heart for
the world?
May God
help us to
show that
this week.
Thanks for
coming.
happy
guitar solo