WEBVTT 00:00:00.320 --> 00:00:06.839 Well, good evening, folks. My name is Archie. For those of you who don't know me, I am one of the ministry trainees here. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:15.339 Can I encourage you to get your Bibles back open? We're going to read the second half of Isaiah chapter 1 from verse 18. 00:00:16.019 --> 00:00:17.960 Isaiah chapter 1 from verse 18. 00:00:20.260 --> 00:00:23.620 Come now, let us settle the matter, says the Lord. 00:00:24.500 --> 00:00:28.859 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. 00:00:28.859 --> 00:00:33.140 Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 00:00:33.820 --> 00:00:37.679 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land. 00:00:38.379 --> 00:00:41.980 But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:45.079 For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 00:00:46.700 --> 00:00:50.100 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute? 00:00:51.159 --> 00:00:53.039 She once was full of justice. 00:00:54.260 --> 00:00:57.480 Righteousness used to dwell in her, but now murderers. 00:00:57.479 --> 00:01:00.799 Your silver has become dross. 00:01:01.219 --> 00:01:03.679 Your choice wine is diluted with water. 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:08.519 Your rulers are rebels, partners with thieves. 00:01:09.479 --> 00:01:12.679 They all love bribes and chase after gifts. 00:01:13.479 --> 00:01:15.979 They do not defend the cause of the fatherless. 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:18.780 The widow's case does not come before them. 00:01:18.780 --> 00:01:25.079 Therefore, the Lord, the Lord Almighty, the mighty one of Israel declares, 00:01:25.599 --> 00:01:30.180 I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 00:01:30.820 --> 00:01:32.799 I will turn my hand against you. 00:01:33.740 --> 00:01:38.439 I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 00:01:38.439 --> 00:01:45.620 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:50.980 Afterwards, you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. 00:01:51.739 --> 00:01:55.759 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:03.439 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish. 00:02:04.580 --> 00:02:08.719 You will be ashamed because of the sacred oaks in which you have delighted. 00:02:09.420 --> 00:02:12.719 You will be disgraced because of the gardens that you have chosen. 00:02:13.500 --> 00:02:18.400 You will be like an oak with fading leaves, like a garden without water. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:23.580 The mighty man will become tender, and his word a spark. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:28.759 Both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire. 00:02:30.980 --> 00:02:34.719 Can I encourage you to keep that passage open? 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:35.920 It's quite a long one. 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:39.780 We're going to be jumping around quite a lot, so please do keep it open. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:41.439 I think that will help you. 00:02:42.259 --> 00:02:43.599 But for now, let's pray. 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:55.500 Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our hearts be acceptable to you this evening. 00:02:56.699 --> 00:02:57.180 Amen. 00:03:00.060 --> 00:03:07.120 You know, when you go to the doctor, I'm sure all of us at some point or another have had a checkup with the doctor. 00:03:07.740 --> 00:03:10.599 Imagine with me arriving for your checkup. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:12.939 You feel completely healthy. 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:14.699 In fact, you've never felt better. 00:03:14.819 --> 00:03:18.680 To be honest, you don't really feel like you should be at the doctor at all. 00:03:19.859 --> 00:03:29.379 The doctor makes all her routine checks, does a couple of tests, and then she asks you to wait in the reception room for your results. 00:03:30.759 --> 00:03:37.879 In a similar sort of way, this chapter of God's word is sort of like a spiritual health checkup. 00:03:37.879 --> 00:03:47.259 And the people of Judah were heading into this spiritual health checkup as God's people, as his special possession. 00:03:47.759 --> 00:03:51.240 They thought that they were totally healthy. 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:58.100 But here's the question that Isaiah is asking of the people of Judah in this chapter. 00:03:59.100 --> 00:04:01.560 Are they as healthy as they think they are? 00:04:01.680 --> 00:04:04.300 Are they really good with God? 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:13.620 Imagine with me half an hour later, the doctor calls you back in and she has this awful, worried look on her face. 00:04:13.620 --> 00:04:20.579 She sits you down and she lists this unimaginable cacophony of ailments. 00:04:20.579 --> 00:04:28.000 You have, she says, multiple cancers, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis. 00:04:28.240 --> 00:04:29.439 Your kidneys are failing. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:34.959 And haven't you noticed that awful, massive, infected cut on your left leg? 00:04:34.959 --> 00:04:41.879 The people of Judah thought that they were totally good with God. 00:04:42.759 --> 00:04:47.719 But this chapter contains a deeply worrying diagnosis. 00:04:49.079 --> 00:04:57.240 And as we begin a new year, as we begin this series in this book, it is a brilliant question for us to ask ourselves too. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:59.379 Are we good with God? 00:04:59.379 --> 00:05:05.600 If you're a Christian watching this this evening, then you know that you are God's child. 00:05:06.379 --> 00:05:15.040 You know the identity that Christ has won for you, utterly forgiven, invited into a loving relationship with your heavenly father. 00:05:16.480 --> 00:05:19.399 But are we really good with God? 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:22.659 Let's set the scene then. 00:05:22.719 --> 00:05:24.500 Have a look at verse one with me. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:29.159 The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:31.120 Immediate question. 00:05:31.259 --> 00:05:33.800 Where are we in Bible history here? 00:05:34.579 --> 00:05:35.959 Well, we're after Abraham. 00:05:36.279 --> 00:05:37.519 We're after Moses. 00:05:38.040 --> 00:05:39.240 We're after David. 00:05:39.719 --> 00:05:43.819 And it's after the kingdom of Israel has been divided into two. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:48.360 There's the northern kingdom with its capital in Samaria. 00:05:48.759 --> 00:05:55.060 But Isaiah is writing to the southern kingdom here, the kingdom of Judah with its capital in Jerusalem. 00:05:55.060 --> 00:06:05.620 This is the part of the kingdom that remained loyal to David's line and to the promises that God had made to his people through David. 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:10.860 Promises that a rescuer would come through this royal line. 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:19.240 This is the world that Isaiah is writing into for about 50 years, Isaiah writes, around the year 700 BC. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:22.300 Let's get into this world then. 00:06:22.639 --> 00:06:23.639 Still in verse one. 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:32.500 This book is a vision during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:38.699 What might it have been like to live in Judah at this time? 00:06:38.800 --> 00:06:44.220 Well, I want you to imagine with me living in a world of perfect peace and prosperity. 00:06:44.220 --> 00:06:50.880 A world where wars have been fought and political divisions and unions have been made. 00:06:51.880 --> 00:07:00.800 A world where everything in history seems to lead up to this nation living in this place in perfect peace and prosperity. 00:07:01.940 --> 00:07:05.200 In some ways, that might not be that hard for us to imagine. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:10.540 We do, in fact, live in a world and a country not unlike that today. 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:18.280 And that was a bit like the experience for those living under the reigns of Uzziah and Jotham, these first two kings. 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:24.260 These kings are described in 2 Chronicles chapters 26 and 27 as good kings. 00:07:24.340 --> 00:07:26.260 Not perfect, but pretty good. 00:07:26.840 --> 00:07:30.280 And theirs is a peaceful and prosperous world. 00:07:31.660 --> 00:07:36.320 Now I want you to imagine living in a world where there is constant warfare. 00:07:37.340 --> 00:07:39.759 Constant allegiances being forged. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:42.420 Constant fear of being conquered. 00:07:43.639 --> 00:07:47.980 I suppose in some ways that fear of destruction and constant pessimism, 00:07:48.420 --> 00:07:52.079 well, it might not be a million miles away from the year that we have just had. 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:57.959 And Judah under Ahaz and Hezekiah was a bit like that. 00:07:58.740 --> 00:08:03.680 Terrified of an increasingly imminent threat from an Assyrian empire's war machine. 00:08:04.939 --> 00:08:07.199 And Ahaz was a terrible king. 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:10.240 The Hezekiah wasn't much better. 00:08:11.539 --> 00:08:15.800 And so in the background of this book is this big question. 00:08:17.300 --> 00:08:21.539 In the peacetime or under the pressures of war, 00:08:21.939 --> 00:08:24.699 where are these people going to put their faith? 00:08:24.699 --> 00:08:26.779 Will they put their faith in themselves? 00:08:26.779 --> 00:08:30.279 In the nations and gods around them? 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:38.539 Or will they put their faith in the covenant God who has made promises to and through them? 00:08:38.539 --> 00:08:42.980 The first five chapters of this book then, 00:08:43.059 --> 00:08:49.459 we get a sort of general prophetic pronouncement of where Judah stands spiritually 00:08:49.459 --> 00:08:55.219 and where they are headed physically under these four kings. 00:08:55.220 --> 00:08:57.500 And it's not pretty. 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:02.779 It doesn't look as though they are going to be good with God. 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:09.279 Have a look for a picture of that with me at verse 6 of chapter 1. 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:14.759 From the sole of your foot to the top of your head. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:23.559 In other words, in all of you, there is no soundness, only wounds and bruises and open sores, 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:27.319 not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.339 This is not a positive diagnosis. 00:09:31.340 --> 00:09:36.100 They are seriously injured and without first aid. 00:09:36.680 --> 00:09:38.160 No hope of healing. 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:41.660 They've had their checkup with the doctor. 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:45.660 The results are in and it really doesn't look good. 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:52.580 If you read on in verse 7, they are totally destroyed by foreign nations. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:56.280 And then in verse 8, daughter Zion, that is Jerusalem, 00:09:56.280 --> 00:09:59.100 is left like a shelter in a vineyard, 00:09:59.100 --> 00:10:01.700 like a hut in a cucumber field, 00:10:02.320 --> 00:10:04.420 like a city under siege. 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:07.440 This is all that's left, 00:10:08.019 --> 00:10:11.399 like a ramshackle shed left in the middle of a field, 00:10:12.000 --> 00:10:16.840 unsteady, insecure, swaying dangerously in the wind. 00:10:18.300 --> 00:10:20.800 And this is the promised land. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:23.120 This is the covenant blessing from God. 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.320 And now it lies in ruins. 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:29.379 This is where they are spiritually. 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:32.660 And this is where they are headed physically. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:36.620 God, through Isaiah, is saying to Judah, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:37.900 check yourself. 00:10:38.760 --> 00:10:41.300 Are you good with God? 00:10:42.540 --> 00:10:45.200 And I think it's really easy for us, isn't it, 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:47.140 to look back on them and think, 00:10:47.280 --> 00:10:48.460 how stupid. 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:51.480 These were God's covenant people. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:54.960 They had been promised that they would be God's people, 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:58.440 in God's place, under God's rule and his blessing. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:01.159 And that is exactly what they are. 00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:06.240 And yet still they have turned their back on him. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:07.480 How stupid. 00:11:09.200 --> 00:11:09.820 But I wonder, 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:13.659 if someone was to look back on us, 00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:18.039 God's people in this particular place and time, 00:11:18.039 --> 00:11:21.039 what diagnosis would they give? 00:11:22.939 --> 00:11:24.480 For the people of Judah, 00:11:24.959 --> 00:11:28.219 Isaiah gives two devastating diagnoses 00:11:28.219 --> 00:11:29.620 that we'll see in this chapter. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:33.559 Broken relationship and broken religion. 00:11:34.839 --> 00:11:37.259 But he also prescribes the remedy. 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:39.719 A brilliant restoration. 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:44.439 So let's begin by examining those diagnoses. 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:47.019 Here's the first, the broken relationship. 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:50.279 Three different pictures God uses 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.980 to describe the brokenness of this relationship. 00:11:53.860 --> 00:11:56.480 The first, have a look with me in verse two. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:01.179 I reared the children and brought them up, 00:12:01.379 --> 00:12:04.079 but they have rebelled against me. 00:12:05.339 --> 00:12:09.659 I went through a bit of a rebellious stage as a teenager. 00:12:10.120 --> 00:12:12.179 I liked to do precisely the things 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:14.139 that I knew my parents did not want me doing. 00:12:14.879 --> 00:12:16.980 I'm sure many of us went through a phase like that. 00:12:16.980 --> 00:12:20.279 If not, maybe a friend or a sibling who did. 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.779 But what is being described in this verse, 00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:25.300 this is not that. 00:12:26.500 --> 00:12:28.740 The sort of rebellion described here, 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.980 it's not a phase. 00:12:30.740 --> 00:12:31.519 It's more of an, 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.139 I wish you were dead. 00:12:34.340 --> 00:12:36.800 A wholehearted walking away. 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:40.779 The second picture of this broken relationship 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:42.420 comes in verse three. 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:44.399 Have a look at verse three with me. 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:47.279 The ox knows its master. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:50.179 The donkey, its owner's manger. 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:55.139 Even the obstinate ox knows who he belongs to. 00:12:55.699 --> 00:12:59.899 Even the daft donkey knows the hand that feeds him. 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:02.259 But God says still in verse three, 00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:03.779 Israel does not know. 00:13:04.439 --> 00:13:06.179 My people do not understand. 00:13:07.379 --> 00:13:10.899 These people no longer know or understand 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.100 the God who created them. 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:17.519 The third picture then comes a little later in the chapter. 00:13:17.699 --> 00:13:18.299 Verse 21. 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:20.480 Come to verse 21 with me. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:27.620 See how the faithful city has become a prostitute. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:34.019 Jerusalem has become like a woman selling sex on the street corner. 00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:38.440 She has abandoned her husband in search of someone new. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:42.560 And the people have abandoned their God 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:45.519 and gone after other gods in his place. 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.879 And do you see the result? 00:13:48.539 --> 00:13:50.240 Still in verse 21. 00:13:50.240 --> 00:13:53.200 She was full of justice. 00:13:54.039 --> 00:13:55.779 Righteousness used to dwell in her. 00:13:56.419 --> 00:13:58.360 But now murderers. 00:13:59.799 --> 00:14:01.779 And at the end of verse 23. 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:05.120 They do not defend the cause of the fatherless. 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:07.919 The widow's case does not come before them. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:13.440 Where once there was justice rooted in love. 00:14:13.440 --> 00:14:17.780 There is now murder rooted in hatred. 00:14:19.140 --> 00:14:23.540 Their rulers have become rebels, thieves and lovers of money. 00:14:24.320 --> 00:14:26.580 The most vulnerable in their society. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:30.820 The orphans and the widows have been totally neglected. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:36.480 It's the sort of behavior summed up back in verse four. 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:42.100 Sin, guilt, evil and corruption. 00:14:43.440 --> 00:14:46.780 This is the result of their turning their backs on him. 00:14:46.980 --> 00:14:49.520 The result of that broken relationship. 00:14:50.520 --> 00:14:55.860 This is a people who had all the privileges of being God's chosen nation. 00:14:57.120 --> 00:15:01.800 And individually and corporately, they have turned away from him. 00:15:03.140 --> 00:15:08.300 And when hearts turn away, behavior is never far behind. 00:15:08.299 --> 00:15:19.479 Their rejection of God has led to this slow drift into personal sin and societal injustice. 00:15:21.199 --> 00:15:24.000 And now, we are not Judah. 00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:28.740 This chapter, it was not written to us. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:31.079 But it is God's word. 00:15:31.199 --> 00:15:34.279 There is no doubt that it was written for us. 00:15:34.279 --> 00:15:37.120 And God has not changed. 00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:45.879 God is still faithful to his covenant promises that have been graciously extended to us in Christ. 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:49.759 And human nature has not changed either. 00:15:50.299 --> 00:15:54.139 We are still prone to turn away from him. 00:15:54.139 --> 00:16:00.939 So we too can take this opportunity to ask, are we really good with God? 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:05.120 How's your relationship with him? 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:08.620 When's the last time you prayed to him? 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:14.539 Do you desire to grow more like Jesus every day? 00:16:15.179 --> 00:16:18.759 Or have you made peace with some sin in your life? 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:23.960 Are you excited about salvation, about what it means for you? 00:16:24.659 --> 00:16:29.819 And are you looking for opportunities to share that good news with those around you? 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:35.299 Are you hungry to hear from God through his word? 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:44.519 Do you seek to uphold godly justice in your life, in our community and in the world around us? 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:52.419 Do you know the comfort, conviction and closeness of the Holy Spirit in your life? 00:16:54.360 --> 00:17:01.240 See, when our hearts begin to turn away from God, it is not long before these things begin to follow. 00:17:02.699 --> 00:17:11.559 But it is with hearts turning to him that we start to desire to see growth and that we see fruit in our lives. 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:17.839 So, are we turned away or turned towards tonight? 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:21.259 Are we good with God? 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:28.000 Let's turn then to the second diagnosis from Isaiah. 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.980 Broken religion. 00:17:30.899 --> 00:17:32.839 In verses 11 to 15. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:34.440 Have a look there with me. 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:41.519 Did you notice in those verses, they're doing all the right things? 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:50.379 Sacrifices, burnt offerings, religious feasts on all the right days, praying and with hands raised. 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:54.940 Aren't these exactly the sorts of things that God has asked of his people? 00:17:56.519 --> 00:17:59.960 And yet, do you see what God says about this religion? 00:18:01.159 --> 00:18:02.740 What are they to me? 00:18:03.419 --> 00:18:04.919 I have more than enough. 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:06.440 I have no pleasure. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:07.779 I cannot bear. 00:18:07.980 --> 00:18:08.740 I hate. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.779 I am weary. 00:18:09.779 --> 00:18:12.539 I hide my eyes from you. 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:16.559 God wants nothing to do with this broken religion. 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:20.179 Yeah, they're doing all the right things. 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:23.539 But their hearts are far from him. 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:30.759 See, the sacrificial system of the Old Testament was supposed to be rooted in faith. 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:36.279 The sacrifice is only meant to point to what God was going to do. 00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:40.000 They were not a means of rescue in themselves. 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:47.839 And his people were offering the sacrifices without faith in the promises. 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:51.079 And more than that. 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:54.079 And the key here, I think, is at the end of verse 13. 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:55.339 Have a look at that with me. 00:18:56.599 --> 00:19:00.459 It says, I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:04.620 I think the ESV translates this really helpfully. 00:19:05.100 --> 00:19:09.380 It says, I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:13.420 In other words, I cannot deal with your hypocrisy. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:23.880 I have had enough of you swanning into my temple and doing all the things and yet living lives of iniquity, of sinful immorality. 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.920 Have a look at verse 15. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:28.920 I think verse 15 says something similar. 00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:37.860 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I'm not listening because your hands are full of blood. 00:19:38.820 --> 00:19:46.820 You are hypocrites, making a show of prayer while carrying the guilt of sin stains on your hands. 00:19:48.120 --> 00:19:51.700 Do you know, we get that word hypocrites from the ancient Greeks. 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:57.380 It's what they used to call actors because actors used to wear these masks on stage. 00:19:57.380 --> 00:20:02.000 And then it came to mean basically pretending to be someone that you're not. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.660 And that's what God hates. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:08.800 Hypocrisy, pretending to be good with God. 00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:11.480 That is broken religion. 00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:14.280 And so what are we saying? 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:18.820 Is church bad if you're not on fire for God? 00:20:18.940 --> 00:20:21.460 Should you avoid it if you're not perfect? 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:28.019 Well, I think these verses speak quite particularly into our time today. 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:34.680 When church has gone online, when we can do church from the comfort of our own living room. 00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:44.080 There is, I am sure, a danger that our congregational worship becomes more and more the consumption of a performance 00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:51.060 and less and less a community of people seeking to worship God together in faith. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:58.539 Now, I know that many of you are watching this from home and long to gather together. 00:20:59.179 --> 00:21:04.980 I know that it has been desperately hard for many not being able to do that for so long. 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:09.720 And that is exactly how we should feel. 00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:12.279 For now, we are all at home. 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:15.679 But do we long to gather together as a church? 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:21.539 Or are we happy sitting at home on the sofa consuming the content? 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:26.340 No different, really, to the Netflix show that's going to come on next. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:31.920 See, you don't need to be perfect to take part in church. 00:21:33.060 --> 00:21:38.259 But please don't just consume the content to pretend to be something that you're not. 00:21:39.360 --> 00:21:43.080 Don't come along simply to mask your sin and your shame. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:47.259 But do engage with church, whether you're a believer or not, 00:21:47.339 --> 00:21:50.839 because church is not what we do to save ourselves. 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:57.339 It's where we come to see what God has done to save us. 00:21:58.279 --> 00:22:03.079 And that brings us to the prescribed remedy, to the brilliant restoration. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:08.460 See, we've seen the broken relationship and we've seen the broken religion. 00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:10.620 But here's the big question. 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:13.819 What is God going to do about it? 00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:16.920 He's made all these promises to his people. 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:20.640 Promises through Abraham that they would be a blessed people. 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:24.819 Promises through Moses that they would be a holy people. 00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:30.000 And promises through David that they would be a people with a perfect king. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:33.799 These are the great covenant promises of God. 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:36.500 But his people have turned away from him. 00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.480 What's he going to do? 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:39.599 What is he going to do about it? 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:43.859 Well, he begins in verse 16 by saying, 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:45.940 clean up your act, doesn't he? 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:49.419 In verse 16, repent, turn back to God, 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.000 seek justice, care for the vulnerable. 00:22:53.000 --> 00:22:55.700 And this is going to be the evidence of the brilliant restoration. 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:57.700 But how is it going to happen? 00:22:57.700 --> 00:23:00.740 Well, have a look at verse 18 with me. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:04.080 This is probably one of the most loved verses of Isaiah. 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.420 Verse 18. 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:10.799 Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow. 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:16.120 Though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:19.460 I used to live in the countryside. 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.680 It's where I grew up. 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:22.960 And I used to love the snow. 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:27.660 But see, living in the city, well, snow is pretty rubbish here, isn't it? 00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:33.759 It gets disgusting so quickly, that horrible brown slush at the side of the road. 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:41.080 Imagine trying to turn that horrible brown slush back into brilliant powdery white snow. 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.420 You couldn't do it, could you? 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:49.039 Or have you ever stained a white woolen jumper with raspberry sauce or with red wine? 00:23:50.340 --> 00:23:54.580 Vanish Oxy Action can spend as much as they like on their ad campaigns. 00:23:54.579 --> 00:24:00.299 I am telling you that a proper red stain in a white woolly jumper isn't going anywhere. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.899 But that's the promise here. 00:24:04.139 --> 00:24:07.859 Not through willful obedience and religious observance. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:15.819 Instead, God says, if you would just turn to me and let me wash you, then you will be clean. 00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.779 White as snow. 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:19.119 White as wool. 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:26.519 See, while the world says that you've got to pay the price for your contribution to sin and injustice, 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:29.500 instead, God says grace. 00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:31.779 He offers us grace. 00:24:32.359 --> 00:24:35.159 Free and utterly undeserved restoration. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.859 It's brilliant. 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:39.819 It's God that's going to do it, not us. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:41.379 But how? 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:43.220 How is he going to do it? 00:24:43.300 --> 00:24:45.380 Well, have a look at verse 24 with me. 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:51.700 I will vent my wrath on my foes and avenge myself on my enemies. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:54.480 I will turn my hand against you. 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:56.840 This is how. 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:59.780 See, God is love. 00:25:00.060 --> 00:25:01.460 It's who he is. 00:25:02.080 --> 00:25:08.000 And when love meets evil, it responds with perfect wrath. 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:13.500 If you've ever loved your parents, your husband or your wife, your children, 00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:16.279 then you know what it is to feel this. 00:25:17.299 --> 00:25:23.500 That red flare inside you as you respond to injustice against those that you love. 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:27.059 Love without this is not really love at all. 00:25:27.059 --> 00:25:34.119 But God's love does not result in a fly off the handle in the heat of the moment sort of wrath, 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:40.200 but a perfect tempered and calculated wrath with a purpose. 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:44.759 And that purpose is described in the rest of verse 25. 00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:47.359 Have a look at that with me. 00:25:47.359 --> 00:26:01.399 Literally, I will take the worthless stone away and leave only the precious. 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:06.740 I will remove those who contribute to evil and injustice. 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:14.039 And I will remove the evil and injustice in those who turn to me in repentance and faith. 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.460 I will make them clean. 00:26:17.899 --> 00:26:22.159 But there is more than being made clean in this restoration. 00:26:23.099 --> 00:26:26.920 In verses 26 to 28, we see where it's all headed. 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:30.480 Really, where the whole story of the Bible ends up. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:33.539 From verse 26, let me read. 00:26:34.539 --> 00:26:40.740 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:45.880 Afterwards, you will be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city. 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:51.539 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:56.200 No longer the prostitute city. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:27:00.319 No longer a place of injustice and evil. 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:04.720 Instead, God is creating something new. 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:11.860 A place of righteousness, where hearts have turned back to him, restored relationship. 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:19.400 And a place of faithfulness, a people relying on him and not their own good works. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.559 That is restored religion. 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:27.400 A new Jerusalem, where God has made his people good with him. 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:29.299 Brilliant restoration. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:33.180 But the question still remains, doesn't it? 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.640 How? 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.799 How is he going to do this? 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:41.500 And that question is bubbling away in the background of this entire book. 00:27:42.060 --> 00:27:44.140 How do we get good with God? 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.080 And the tension continues to wind. 00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:56.279 And then finally, in chapter 53, the people of Judah are told that the coming servant was pierced for our transgression. 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:59.019 Crushed for our iniquities. 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:02.160 That the punishment that brought us peace was on him. 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:05.740 And by his wounds, we are healed. 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:12.580 God's wrath falling on someone else in their place. 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:19.720 And it was by faith in this promise that Judah's relationship and religion were going to be restored. 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:24.200 Faith that God was going to do something new. 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:26.580 And he did do something new. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:31.160 In Jesus, the suffering servant. 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:35.160 At the cross is where God's wrath came. 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:41.120 Not with a sword in his hands, but by nails in his hands. 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:48.399 See, the gospel is the answer to both the relationship problem and the religion problem. 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:52.979 It's where we are invited into this relationship with the Father. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:57.920 And free from the empty religion of self-reliance. 00:28:57.920 --> 00:29:02.900 This is how Paul can describe us as citizens of heaven. 00:29:03.460 --> 00:29:04.420 The new Jerusalem. 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:09.920 And this is where our own spiritual health checkup has to land. 00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:12.920 It has to land at the foot of the cross. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:15.960 Are you good with God? 00:29:16.759 --> 00:29:23.960 Well, in one very important sense, if you have put your faith in Jesus, then you are good with God. 00:29:23.960 --> 00:29:28.840 Spiritually, it's as though we've had our checkup with the doctor. 00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:34.420 It's as though we've been diagnosed with a huge list of seemingly incurable diseases. 00:29:35.059 --> 00:29:38.500 Mostly hidden, but some that we can see if we look in the right place. 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.620 And it doesn't look good. 00:29:41.620 --> 00:29:43.440 But the doctor says, trust me. 00:29:44.360 --> 00:29:45.900 I have the remedy. 00:29:46.860 --> 00:29:52.140 It's a bit like that because God offers grace and mercy in the face of our sin. 00:29:52.140 --> 00:30:00.700 An offer to anyone who will come to him and seek to live in relational righteousness through Jesus. 00:30:02.280 --> 00:30:07.240 And can I just say, if you're still watching this, if you've made it this far and you're not a Christian, 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:10.100 there is a wonderful promise here. 00:30:11.020 --> 00:30:15.940 That though we, like Judah, have walked away from the God of this universe, 00:30:16.740 --> 00:30:21.680 he came to earth as a human being, lived an absolutely unique life, 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:27.080 died an awful death on a cross, and three days later smashed the grave to pieces and came back to life. 00:30:27.920 --> 00:30:32.259 And he did that so that people like you and like me, 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:37.320 though we had turned away from him, might be invited to turn back. 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:42.320 And so please come as you are, warts and all, 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:48.539 and be pointed to that forever perfect and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus. 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:57.759 And so now for all of us, as we do turn and confess that our hearts are not naturally turned to him, 00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:00.799 and as we put our faith in him, 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:08.180 our broken relationship and our broken religion have been brilliantly restored. 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:10.339 Let me pray. 00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:22.679 Heavenly Father, thank you so much for making a way for us to be restored to you. 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:29.299 Lord, thank you for the promises that you make in your word. 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:32.359 Thank you that we have seen them fulfilled, 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:36.659 and that we can trust that they will be ultimately fulfilled in our lives too. 00:31:36.660 --> 00:31:42.840 Lord, we are so sorry for having turned away from you. 00:31:44.540 --> 00:31:50.200 We're so sorry for the way that we have contributed to that broken relationship, 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:56.279 and for the way that we have treated our faith and this religion 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:59.980 in such a way that it has been broken too. 00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:04.839 And so, Lord, I pray that you would, by your spirit, 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:07.900 enable us to turn back to you, 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:11.559 to put our faith in the cross, 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:15.400 in what you've done for us in that place through your son, 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:20.279 that our relationship with you and our religion with you 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:23.799 might be brilliantly restored tonight. 00:32:25.440 --> 00:32:27.200 In your son's precious name. 00:32:28.240 --> 00:32:28.680 Amen. 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:32.080 Amen. 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:33.140 Amen. 00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.539 Amen. 00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.019 Amen. 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.060 Amen. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.660 Amen. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:35.880 Amen. 00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.320 Amen. 00:32:37.519 --> 00:32:37.940 Amen. 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.400 Amen. 00:32:39.400 --> 00:32:40.500 Amen. 00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:42.640 Amen. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:44.580 Amen. 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:50.860 Amen. 00:32:51.039 --> 00:32:51.160 Amen. 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.299 Amen. 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.299 Amen. 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:53.759 Amen. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.759 Even if you're unminded Jonas. 00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:54.799 Amen. 00:32:54.799 --> 00:32:55.700 Amen. 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.840 Amen. 00:32:56.840 --> 00:32:57.920 Amen. 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:57.960 Amen. 00:32:58.080 --> 00:32:58.440 Amen. 00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:58.640 Amen. 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:58.660 Amen.