WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.219 You know, as I study the Bible, one of the things that I love to do, I love to study themes in the Bible, motifs in the Bible, and see them appear in the Old Testament and see them move through the Scripture and see themes develop in the Bible. 00:00:18.219 --> 00:00:44.939 And so we're going to look at one such theme this morning. It's a recurring theme in the Bible. It's a motif. We see it from beginning to end. And that is this, that our God is a God who saves. Our God is a Savior. Our God is a God of salvation. 00:00:44.939 --> 00:00:59.420 But rather than look at this throughout the whole Bible, we're going to look at this in one chapter, in Isaiah chapter 45, and we'll particularly be focusing on verses 21 and 22. 00:00:59.420 --> 00:01:15.019 Our God is a God who saves. You may be saying, well, this is self-evident. This is obvious. All Christians know this. We could never pay for our sins. We cannot save ourselves. Why talk about the fact that our God is a God of salvation? 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:34.759 You know, it's easy to know something theologically, but not live it on a heart level. Let me tell you what I've discovered in my own heart. I have a tendency toward self-salvation. 00:01:34.760 --> 00:01:46.200 You know, we need to be saved in two senses. We need to be saved from sin and its consequences. We need to be forgiven so that we can be on our way to heaven. 00:01:47.420 --> 00:01:59.939 But we need to be saved in another way as Christians. We need to be saved in the circumstances of life. We need God to save us in the problems in which we find ourselves confronted. 00:01:59.939 --> 00:02:15.300 And you know, this is where I have a problem with self-salvation. My tendency is, whatever I face, my default mode is, what can I do about it? How can I work this out? 00:02:15.300 --> 00:02:32.140 You know what that really is? That is, self-salvation. And the God who saves wants to save us not merely from sin and its consequences, but also in the circumstances of life. 00:02:34.220 --> 00:02:44.420 Chapter 45 seems to address one particular specific situation in the history of God's people. God's people, when they were in the exile. 00:02:45.300 --> 00:02:52.500 But I believe it has a word for God's people in every age as we look to Him for His salvation. 00:02:52.980 --> 00:02:56.260 Let me just read you the verses I'm going to focus in on. 00:02:56.920 --> 00:03:00.400 This is beginning in the middle of verse 21 and verse 22. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:07.380 And there is no other God besides me, a righteous God and a Savior. 00:03:07.379 --> 00:03:13.759 There is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:18.879 For I am God and there is none other. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:22.060 Let's bow together in prayer. 00:03:24.639 --> 00:03:29.060 Father, we thank You today that we can look into Your Word. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:36.280 We thank You that that is the one place where we can go and find out the truth and know what is true and know what is real. 00:03:37.240 --> 00:03:38.860 We thank You for the Word of truth. 00:03:39.520 --> 00:03:42.259 We thank You for Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:47.620 And we pray that today He would lead us into all truth as we look into Your Word. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:51.640 We thank You for the One who is the truth, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:51.639 --> 00:03:57.419 And so, Father, we ask You now, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that You would send Your Holy Spirit. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:00.699 As we look into Your Word, we pray that Your Spirit would be our teacher. 00:04:01.019 --> 00:04:03.819 We pray that Your Spirit would show us the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:04:04.119 --> 00:04:08.099 We pray that Your Spirit would show us Your great salvation. 00:04:08.459 --> 00:04:10.779 May we see You as God our Savior. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:14.919 We thank You for what You will do as we look into Your Word. 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:17.519 And we pray these things in Jesus' name. 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:18.659 Amen. 00:04:18.659 --> 00:04:18.819 Amen. 00:04:18.819 --> 00:04:19.459 Amen. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:25.540 Before we look at these two verses, I just want to look at what's going on right here. 00:04:25.659 --> 00:04:27.980 What is the historical context? 00:04:30.180 --> 00:04:33.699 A calamity is coming upon God's people. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:39.699 The exile, because of their idolatry, God will discipline His people. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:42.680 And it will be severe discipline. 00:04:42.680 --> 00:04:49.480 God is going to send the mighty army of Babylon to destroy Jerusalem. 00:04:50.100 --> 00:04:51.120 And the temple. 00:04:51.740 --> 00:04:53.180 And the walls of the city. 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:56.000 And take His people captive to a foreign land. 00:04:56.100 --> 00:04:59.220 First to Babylon, and then to Persia. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:05.940 And Isaiah writes about this at least a hundred years before it happened. 00:05:05.940 --> 00:05:12.400 But what is more amazing right here in chapter 45, Isaiah more than 200 years before the fact, 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:17.380 prophesies how God is going to save His people from captivity. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:21.659 How He's going to bring them back to Jerusalem. 00:05:22.459 --> 00:05:24.219 This is in verse 1. 00:05:25.219 --> 00:05:31.100 Thus says the Lord to His anointed, to Sidus, whose right hand I've grasped, 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:37.060 to subdue nations before me, and to loose the bell of kings, to open doors before Him, 00:05:37.279 --> 00:05:38.899 that gates may not be closed. 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:43.159 God is going to raise up a king, a mighty king, a Persian king. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:44.879 God is going to bring him to power. 00:05:45.199 --> 00:05:47.079 God will give him military success. 00:05:47.359 --> 00:05:51.120 He'll become the most powerful person on the face of this earth. 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:53.519 And for what reason? 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:54.899 Look down in verse 13. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:56.799 I have stirred him up. 00:05:56.859 --> 00:05:57.500 That is Cyrus. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:01.339 In righteousness I will make on his ways level. 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:03.539 He shall build my city. 00:06:04.379 --> 00:06:06.879 God will use him that Jerusalem would be rebuilt. 00:06:07.179 --> 00:06:08.139 The walls of the temple. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:11.659 And I will use it to set my exiles free. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:19.639 This man, Cyrus, this Persian king, will be God's man for this job. 00:06:20.719 --> 00:06:21.759 Look in verse 3. 00:06:21.919 --> 00:06:25.819 He says, I, the Lord, the God of Israel, who call you by name. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:29.039 Verse 1, God even calls him His anointed. 00:06:29.180 --> 00:06:31.939 This is a special man for a special job. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:36.459 Something very interesting here in both verse 4 and 5. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:41.419 It says, speaking to Cyrus, God says, you do not know me. 00:06:43.180 --> 00:06:46.419 So, do you see how these words function? 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:49.120 The words here in chapter 45. 00:06:49.120 --> 00:06:53.259 You know, they're written 200 years before the fact. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:07:00.740 But I believe that these are words that God has given for His people in exile. 00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:06.199 You know, these are people who are, from a human perspective, there's little hope. 00:07:07.139 --> 00:07:08.600 Their city's been destroyed. 00:07:08.759 --> 00:07:10.040 Their temple's been destroyed. 00:07:10.379 --> 00:07:11.879 The walls have been destroyed. 00:07:12.160 --> 00:07:13.220 They've been taken captive. 00:07:13.500 --> 00:07:14.280 They're the far land. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:17.339 And from a human perspective, there's very little hope. 00:07:19.179 --> 00:07:22.459 But God gives them words to hold on to. 00:07:22.919 --> 00:07:25.219 And to words to trust in. 00:07:25.559 --> 00:07:27.839 And what is He telling them to do in this chapter? 00:07:28.199 --> 00:07:34.500 He's telling them to look to me as your salvation. 00:07:34.500 --> 00:07:37.220 He's saying, here, I'll raise up a Savior. 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:41.000 In this context, unbelievably, it's a pagan king. 00:07:41.240 --> 00:07:41.959 He's not a believer. 00:07:42.079 --> 00:07:43.060 He doesn't know God. 00:07:45.519 --> 00:07:49.540 You know, aren't God's ways different from our ways? 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:55.779 When things are hopeless for God's people from a human perspective, 00:07:55.779 --> 00:08:00.959 God saves them and takes them back to their land and rebuilds their city, 00:08:01.299 --> 00:08:03.519 rebuilds their temple, rebuilds the walls, 00:08:04.059 --> 00:08:06.659 in a way they never would have dreamed. 00:08:07.739 --> 00:08:09.879 You know, isn't that God's way in dealing with us? 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:11.379 Things look hopeless. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:12.779 There's nothing we can do about it. 00:08:12.919 --> 00:08:15.819 We cannot see on the horizon any possible way 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:18.139 that things can be made right. 00:08:18.139 --> 00:08:23.000 And then God does something unexpected. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:26.360 Something that we never would have dreamed of. 00:08:28.639 --> 00:08:33.240 So, this is talking about the salvation that God is going to affect for His people 00:08:33.240 --> 00:08:35.480 through this Persian king, Cyrus. 00:08:35.819 --> 00:08:36.759 But it's very interesting. 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:43.120 The language here of this salvation goes beyond mere salvation from the captivity. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:51.080 This is more than just salvation in one particular time and place in the history of God's people. 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:55.919 It says in verse 17, this salvation is everlasting salvation. 00:08:57.039 --> 00:09:02.080 It says in verse 22, this salvation is more than salvation just for one nation. 00:09:02.340 --> 00:09:04.299 This is for all the earth. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:11.580 It says in verse 24 that this salvation is personal. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:13.379 It's not just national. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:20.560 This is a salvation in verse 24 where God's people find righteousness and strength. 00:09:20.560 --> 00:09:26.540 Here's a salvation in verse 25 where all the offspring of Israel shall be justified. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:34.800 You see, the language here, it goes beyond what God will do in this salvation, 00:09:34.980 --> 00:09:37.240 taking His people back to Jerusalem. 00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:40.320 The salvation in the book of Exodus. 00:09:40.320 --> 00:09:42.160 The salvation from slavery in Egypt. 00:09:42.160 --> 00:09:43.980 The salvation from the exile. 00:09:44.300 --> 00:09:46.220 You know, these are just pictures, aren't they? 00:09:46.660 --> 00:09:50.780 They are God's salvation, but they're pictures of a yet greater salvation. 00:09:51.040 --> 00:09:52.340 A cosmic salvation. 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:55.680 An eternal salvation for all of God's people. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:10:03.300 That God does by God's true anointed. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:05.360 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:06.360 God is the Savior. 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:09.580 We look at verses 21 and 22. 00:10:10.320 --> 00:10:12.480 And from these verses, I want us to see three things. 00:10:12.860 --> 00:10:17.899 Number one, God is the Savior and we are not. 00:10:19.159 --> 00:10:23.200 And number two, God saves those who look to Him. 00:10:24.200 --> 00:10:29.080 And number three, God's salvation is for the whole world. 00:10:29.080 --> 00:10:33.400 Number one, God is the Savior and we are not. 00:10:34.800 --> 00:10:39.600 In verse 21 and verse 22, God makes this point. 00:10:40.420 --> 00:10:43.960 I am the only God. 00:10:43.960 --> 00:10:46.940 21b, there is no other God besides me. 00:10:47.160 --> 00:10:48.280 There is none besides me. 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:51.480 22b, for I am God and there is no other. 00:10:52.300 --> 00:10:55.000 Early in the chapter, in verse 5, I am the Lord. 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:55.940 There is no other. 00:10:56.040 --> 00:10:57.480 Besides me, there is no God. 00:10:57.639 --> 00:11:01.720 In the chapter before, in chapter 44, I am the first. 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:02.680 I am the last. 00:11:03.019 --> 00:11:04.460 Beside me, there is no God. 00:11:04.460 --> 00:11:08.560 Now, here is the argument that Isaiah is going to make. 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:11.860 Because I am the only God. 00:11:13.480 --> 00:11:17.580 Therefore, I am the only Savior. 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.500 Isaiah has already said it in 43.11. 00:11:21.660 --> 00:11:25.620 I am the Lord and besides me, there is no Savior. 00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:28.759 You see what he is saying to God's people in the exile? 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.460 You don't have any other home. 00:11:31.460 --> 00:11:36.360 The problems that you face are God-sized problems. 00:11:37.400 --> 00:11:39.620 You can't get yourself out of this pickle. 00:11:40.639 --> 00:11:41.600 You need me. 00:11:41.740 --> 00:11:44.400 I am the only one who can save you. 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:50.879 Brothers and sisters, is that not true for us? 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:56.400 Are not the problems that we face beyond this? 00:11:57.240 --> 00:12:01.000 Are not the problems that we face too big for us? 00:12:02.259 --> 00:12:08.879 Let me tell you, there is not one of us that does not face a problem in our lives that is God-sized. 00:12:10.139 --> 00:12:17.420 Something that we face that in ourselves we can't do anything about that only God can save us from. 00:12:18.700 --> 00:12:20.820 I tell you, we are all there. 00:12:20.820 --> 00:12:23.540 And this is a word for us. 00:12:24.440 --> 00:12:26.520 You know, we need to be saved again in two senses. 00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:29.340 We need to be saved from sin and its consequences. 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.400 We cannot do that. 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.580 What person can pay for his own sins? 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:39.840 But we also need to be saved in the problems of life, in the circumstances of life. 00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:47.740 And again, my default mode is self-salvation. 00:12:47.740 --> 00:12:52.980 Immediately, I want to think, what can I do about my problem? 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:57.100 If I can just try a little harder, maybe I can fix this. 00:12:58.940 --> 00:12:59.759 Here's what I do. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:03.379 I tend to divide life into two categories. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:08.460 Number one, the things for which I need God. 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:10.419 The big problems of life. 00:13:10.720 --> 00:13:12.179 The things that I need to pray about. 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:15.179 The things that I know only God can save me from. 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.120 And in. 00:13:16.120 --> 00:13:18.879 But the second category is this. 00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:22.279 Things that I can handle on my own. 00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:23.799 The little things. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:25.179 These problems are not so big. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.440 I think I can take care of them. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:28.100 I think I'm adequate for them. 00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.440 Two categories. 00:13:29.879 --> 00:13:31.560 The things for which I need God. 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:32.320 The big problems. 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:34.860 And the things that I think I can handle on my own. 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:35.960 The little problems. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:37.960 You know what I've been discovering? 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:43.580 The second category does not exist. 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.680 It's not a real category. 00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.060 It's mythical. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:51.039 There's nothing that I'm adequate for. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:55.539 There's no circumstance that I do not need God in that circumstance. 00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:58.919 There's no task that I face that I'm adequate for. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:00.620 I need a God of salvation. 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:03.639 I need Him to save me from my sin and from its consequences. 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:07.379 But I need God to be my Savior every day of my life. 00:14:07.440 --> 00:14:10.039 In every situation that I face. 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.600 So brothers and sisters. 00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:16.720 This is a really good word for us. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:19.500 You know there's a great illustration of this in scripture. 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:21.159 It's in Exodus chapter 15. 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:22.700 You remember the story. 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.480 God is delivering His people out of Egypt. 00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.399 Under Moses. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.040 They observed the Passover. 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:33.379 They left that night leaving Egypt. 00:14:33.720 --> 00:14:34.600 In haste. 00:14:34.600 --> 00:14:36.639 And you all know the story. 00:14:36.820 --> 00:14:40.360 Pharaoh sends his armies in pursuit. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:42.639 And the people arrive at the Red Sea. 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:43.500 And what happens? 00:14:44.800 --> 00:14:45.560 They're trapped. 00:14:46.320 --> 00:14:47.340 On one side. 00:14:47.560 --> 00:14:48.240 The Red Sea. 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.180 On the other side. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:50.139 Pharaoh's army. 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:53.800 There is no way out. 00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:58.199 And what does God say to them? 00:14:58.259 --> 00:14:58.699 He says. 00:14:59.620 --> 00:15:00.599 Stand still. 00:15:01.679 --> 00:15:02.679 And see. 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:05.259 The salvation of the Lord. 00:15:07.599 --> 00:15:09.159 Let me tell you brothers and sisters. 00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.740 The reality is. 00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:14.779 This is where you and I are. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.699 Every day. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:18.879 Every day. 00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.500 We face circumstances. 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:23.120 In which from a human perspective. 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:26.019 There is no way out. 00:15:26.279 --> 00:15:26.919 Every day. 00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.919 We've got Pharaoh's army on one side. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:31.159 We've got the Red Sea on the other side. 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.779 And what does God tell us to do? 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:36.620 Stand still. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:39.700 And see the salvation of the Lord. 00:15:40.919 --> 00:15:42.220 And we all know what God did. 00:15:42.299 --> 00:15:43.299 The wonderful deliverance. 00:15:43.379 --> 00:15:44.259 Opening the Red Sea. 00:15:44.360 --> 00:15:45.060 They passed over. 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.879 On the right around next chapter. 00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:49.120 Where did the people sing? 00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:51.120 The Lord. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.220 The Lord. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:53.720 Has become my salvation. 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.060 Brothers and sisters. 00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:57.560 In reality. 00:15:57.980 --> 00:15:59.120 That is where we are. 00:15:59.220 --> 00:16:00.259 We need to remember. 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:01.700 The word here. 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.700 There is no other God. 00:16:05.700 --> 00:16:07.100 There is no other Savior. 00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:09.299 But he is a Savior. 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.759 We've seen God as the Savior. 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:13.539 And we are not. 00:16:13.940 --> 00:16:15.539 This brings us to our second point. 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:20.319 God saves those who look to him. 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.279 Look at the first part of verse 22. 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:26.620 Turn to me and be saved. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.579 All the ends of the earth. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:31.860 We all know how God saves. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.780 From the New Testament. 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.700 For me your words. 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.120 Ephesians 2.8 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.240 For by grace. 00:16:36.740 --> 00:16:38.100 You have been saved. 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.280 Through. 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:40.300 Faith. 00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:44.060 Faith is God's way to receive salvation. 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:46.259 But in verse 22. 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.740 How are we saved? 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:52.180 How is faith described here in verse 22? 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.560 Turn to me and be saved. 00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:57.340 Faith is described as turning. 00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.899 The Hebrew verb there means. 00:16:59.240 --> 00:16:59.680 To turn. 00:17:00.320 --> 00:17:01.060 To face. 00:17:01.720 --> 00:17:02.620 Or to look to. 00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:04.180 I like. 00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:06.100 I like one translation that says. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:08.220 Look to me. 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:10.200 And be saved. 00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:12.980 So here is salvation by. 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:14.579 Looking. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.400 Does that ring a bell? 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:19.500 Does that remind you of anything in the Old Testament? 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:22.299 In the life of God's people? 00:17:22.380 --> 00:17:23.160 Numbers 21. 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.740 God had brought his people. 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.100 Out of Egypt. 00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:30.079 He had miraculously delivered them from Egypt. 00:17:30.219 --> 00:17:31.839 He is taking them to the promised land. 00:17:32.139 --> 00:17:35.119 They ended up wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. 00:17:35.199 --> 00:17:36.959 A new generation has been born. 00:17:38.099 --> 00:17:40.299 And now he is taking them into the promised land. 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:41.439 And just like their fathers. 00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:42.539 Their people. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.339 These people. 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.859 They don't grumble. 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:47.139 And complain against the Lord. 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.679 And God disciplines them. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.019 What does he do? 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.119 He sends snakes. 00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:53.579 He sends serpents to bite them. 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:55.199 And this is a deadly bite. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:59.099 This is a snake bite from which they will not recover. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.839 But God not only disciplines them in this way. 00:18:03.099 --> 00:18:03.699 What does he do? 00:18:03.919 --> 00:18:06.539 He provides salvation. 00:18:07.239 --> 00:18:09.539 From that deadly snake bite. 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:13.720 And it is very interesting the way God does it. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.240 This is Numbers 21.9. 00:18:15.899 --> 00:18:18.879 So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. 00:18:19.839 --> 00:18:22.960 And if a serpent bit anyone. 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:27.119 He would look at the bronze servant. 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:29.119 And live. 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:36.379 Does that remind you of anything in the New Testament? 00:18:37.819 --> 00:18:41.519 Does that remind you of Christ? 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.599 And his cross? 00:18:44.939 --> 00:18:45.539 It should. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:48.039 A pole. 00:18:48.739 --> 00:18:50.119 Upon which is a snake. 00:18:50.199 --> 00:18:51.500 It is a picture of sin. 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.739 It is made of bronze. 00:18:54.239 --> 00:18:56.799 It signifies judgment. 00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.940 That is a picture. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:01.440 Of the cross of Christ. 00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.279 Not surprisingly. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.940 Jesus picked up on this incident. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:06.019 Here is what Jesus said. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.259 In John chapter 3. 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.500 Verses 14 and 15. 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:11.940 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. 00:19:12.960 --> 00:19:15.460 So must the son of man be lifted up. 00:19:15.639 --> 00:19:17.279 That whoever believes in him. 00:19:17.700 --> 00:19:19.779 May have eternal life. 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:24.759 How were these people saved in Numbers 21? 00:19:24.759 --> 00:19:28.700 What did they have to do to be saved? 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:34.480 All they had to do was to look. 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.619 Brothers and sisters. 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:42.500 There is a sense in which faith is looking. 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:49.579 And from the New Testament we know that faith is looking at the person of Christ. 00:19:50.380 --> 00:19:51.420 And what he has done. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:54.480 You know we can describe two things. 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:56.599 Looking at faith in this way as looking. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:20:01.519 We can see there are really two things involved in faith. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:03.960 In faith what do we do? 00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:07.099 We look away from ourselves. 00:20:07.099 --> 00:20:09.519 We look away from our problems. 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.679 We look away from our sins. 00:20:12.319 --> 00:20:14.259 We look away from our righteousnesses. 00:20:15.459 --> 00:20:17.000 From our religious achievements. 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:23.199 And we turn our focus and our vision on the person and the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:20:23.539 --> 00:20:25.359 And we consider what he has done. 00:20:25.699 --> 00:20:26.959 And we trust in it. 00:20:27.199 --> 00:20:28.639 And we rest in it. 00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:31.420 You know this gives us insight. 00:20:31.600 --> 00:20:32.680 What true faith is. 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.880 And what it is not. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:36.340 You know there are some teachers. 00:20:36.500 --> 00:20:37.460 And there are some preachers. 00:20:37.580 --> 00:20:39.160 They are called the word of faith preachers. 00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:41.480 Or they are called the health and wealth preachers. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:46.420 And they say you can use your faith. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:48.200 To get what you want. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:50.080 If you have faith. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:52.360 You can cause God to give you healing. 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:54.020 You can cause him to give you wealth. 00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:57.680 You can use your faith in a sense to manipulate God. 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.019 To get what you want. 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.639 Do you see what the problem with that is? 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:10.220 You're not looking at Christ and his cross. 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:13.839 You're looking at your faith. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.460 What is faith? 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:20.240 Faith is not looking at faith. 00:21:20.359 --> 00:21:22.039 Faith is not considering our faith. 00:21:22.039 --> 00:21:24.599 Faith is looking at the object of our faith. 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.399 That's what saints is. 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:29.379 It's the object of our faith that saints. 00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:32.139 And to have faith is to look away from ourselves. 00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.899 To look away from our sins. 00:21:34.039 --> 00:21:34.680 From our problems. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.960 From our righteousnesses. 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:37.899 And even to look away from our faith. 00:21:38.119 --> 00:21:39.859 To look at the object of faith. 00:21:40.740 --> 00:21:42.319 The Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.119 Let me tell you. 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:49.879 The older I get the more I wake up in the middle of the night. 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:54.059 And sometimes as I wake up in the middle of the night. 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:56.639 I wake up and I'm very anxious. 00:21:56.980 --> 00:21:58.740 Problems are just filling my mind. 00:21:58.839 --> 00:22:00.000 What am I going to do about this? 00:22:00.399 --> 00:22:02.059 What am I going to do about this? 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.359 Does that happen to you? 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.619 Do you wake up in the middle of the night? 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.279 Anxious about things? 00:22:08.720 --> 00:22:09.799 Worried about things? 00:22:11.480 --> 00:22:13.759 I suspect that I'm not the only one who does that. 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:18.539 What is the remedy for that for me? 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:23.079 What helps me when my faith is weak and when I'm anxious? 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.160 You know what? 00:22:26.859 --> 00:22:28.180 To take the Bible. 00:22:29.400 --> 00:22:30.339 And to read. 00:22:31.220 --> 00:22:34.900 About the person and the work of Christ. 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:37.200 To change my focus. 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:38.960 From me. 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:41.259 And from what's going on with me. 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.080 To Jesus. 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:46.259 And what he has done. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.460 For me. 00:22:49.120 --> 00:22:50.640 I like Psalm 168. 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:53.960 I have set the Lord always before me. 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:56.440 Because he is at my right hand. 00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:59.000 I shall not be moved. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:02.380 Brothers and sisters. 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:04.120 God is our salvation. 00:23:04.119 --> 00:23:07.739 He is our salvation from sin and its consequences. 00:23:07.939 --> 00:23:08.819 He is our salvation. 00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:11.619 In all the circumstances of life. 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:12.779 And what does he say? 00:23:12.979 --> 00:23:13.619 He said. 00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.339 Look. 00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.879 To me. 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:19.379 Turn your focus. 00:23:19.919 --> 00:23:21.539 And attention on me. 00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:24.500 I will be your salvation. 00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:27.039 Last thing I want us to see. 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:31.239 God's salvation is for the whole world. 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.379 It says in verse 22. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.059 First part. 00:23:34.119 --> 00:23:34.500 He says. 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.759 Turn to me and be saved. 00:23:36.679 --> 00:23:37.079 All. 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.399 The ends. 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.099 Of the earth. 00:23:39.759 --> 00:23:40.179 You know. 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.559 We tend to think of salvation. 00:23:41.739 --> 00:23:42.539 In very individual. 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:47.339 Individualistic. 00:23:47.679 --> 00:23:48.139 Terms. 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:49.839 You see why I had to get out of broadcasting. 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.439 We tend to think of it. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.299 In those terms. 00:23:53.959 --> 00:23:54.859 God saving me. 00:23:54.859 --> 00:23:55.899 From my sins. 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:57.079 God saving me. 00:23:57.219 --> 00:23:58.139 From my problems. 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.559 But let me tell you. 00:23:59.639 --> 00:24:00.639 God's salvation. 00:24:00.959 --> 00:24:01.819 It's big. 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:03.419 It's really big. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:04.740 It's bigger than just me. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.519 It's bigger than just my church. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:08.500 It's bigger than just my denomination. 00:24:09.060 --> 00:24:09.759 Or my family. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.860 Or my country. 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:13.019 God's salvation is worldwide. 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:14.240 It's colossal. 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.860 It is cosmic. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:17.099 It's not just you. 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.919 It's corporate. 00:24:17.919 --> 00:24:19.539 It's a body of people. 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:22.139 A worldwide body of people. 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.979 We see it in the New Testament. 00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:25.019 Acts chapter 2. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.539 The day of Pentecost. 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:28.319 We see people. 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.759 Coming. 00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.079 Into God's church. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:32.879 From many different countries. 00:24:32.879 --> 00:24:34.240 We see it in the Old Testament. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:37.859 We see the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham. 00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:38.659 Genesis 12. 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:38.980 3. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.539 And you. 00:24:39.720 --> 00:24:42.180 All the families of the earth shall be blessed. 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.579 We see it in the Psalms. 00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:45.420 All the families of nations. 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:47.059 Shall worship before you. 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:48.779 This is Psalm 107. 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.559 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:52.059 Who means redeemed from trouble. 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:54.099 And gathered in from lands. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:54.720 From east. 00:24:54.879 --> 00:24:55.659 And from west. 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.279 From north. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.940 And from south. 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:58.980 We see it here in the book of Isaiah. 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.599 Just two chapters before. 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.579 Chapter 43. 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.339 This is verse 6 and 7. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.679 I will say to the north. 00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.259 Give up. 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.159 And to the south. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.039 Do not withhold. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:08.799 Bring my sons from afar. 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.940 And my daughters from the ends of the earth. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:13.139 Everyone who is called by my name. 00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:15.319 Whom I created for my glory. 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.899 Whom I formed and made. 00:25:19.679 --> 00:25:20.059 You know. 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.599 This is more than just. 00:25:22.419 --> 00:25:24.299 Exiles returning to Jerusalem. 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:28.480 This is people coming from every corner of the earth. 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.720 From every ethnicity. 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:33.159 This is a worldwide church. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:34.679 This is what God is doing. 00:25:35.059 --> 00:25:36.419 It's a great salvation. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:40.679 Salvation is personal for you and me. 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:43.500 It is God saving us from sin and its consequences. 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:46.359 It is God saving us from the problems of life. 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.539 But it's corporate. 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.579 It's universal. 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.419 It's a people. 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.419 A worldwide people. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.860 People who will be God's eternally. 00:25:53.180 --> 00:25:54.900 This is the fulfillment of the picture. 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.860 In Revelation 5 and 7. 00:25:57.100 --> 00:25:58.740 Around the throne of God forever. 00:25:59.080 --> 00:26:01.200 Will be a people from every kindred. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.440 And tribe. 00:26:03.080 --> 00:26:03.759 And tongue. 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.360 And nation. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:07.799 God saves us from every kindred. 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:09.500 We've seen these three points this morning. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:10.599 God is the Savior. 00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:11.279 We are not. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.639 God saves those who look to him. 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.199 And God's salvation is for the whole world. 00:26:17.559 --> 00:26:19.000 I want to ask you this morning. 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:23.200 What are you facing? 00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:26.680 That you need God to save you from? 00:26:29.119 --> 00:26:33.400 What God-sized problem is in your life? 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:39.880 What is in your life that you, yourself, are powerless to change? 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:44.680 That you need God to be a Savior for you? 00:26:45.400 --> 00:26:46.840 Is it financial problems? 00:26:46.940 --> 00:26:47.720 Maybe no job? 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:49.340 Maybe an inadequate job? 00:26:50.280 --> 00:26:51.560 What is God's word to you? 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:55.880 Look to me and be saved. 00:26:56.280 --> 00:26:57.620 Maybe it's relational problems. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.120 Maybe it's problems in your marriage. 00:26:59.440 --> 00:27:01.040 Maybe it's problems with a neighbor. 00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.920 A work colleague. 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.960 What is God's word to you? 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:08.119 Look to me and be saved. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:10.019 Maybe it's problems with a child. 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:11.700 An unbelieving, rebellious child. 00:27:12.500 --> 00:27:14.519 Something that you cannot do anything about. 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.940 What is God's word to you? 00:27:17.980 --> 00:27:22.399 Look to me and be saved. 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:26.559 But there's one last thing I want us to consider here. 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.960 We need a Savior. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.819 We cannot save ourselves. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:35.440 Either from sin and its consequences. 00:27:35.859 --> 00:27:38.599 We cannot save ourselves from the problems of life. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:40.440 But there is a problem here. 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:44.480 We don't deserve to be saved. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:45.200 Do we? 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.099 We've sinned. 00:27:46.220 --> 00:27:47.619 We've rebelled against our God. 00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:49.200 We don't deserve salvation. 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:51.379 In fact, we deserve the opposite. 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.899 We deserve His judgment. 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:57.980 How can we expect God to save people like us? 00:27:57.980 --> 00:28:00.860 Sinful people who've rebelled against Him. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:04.120 Let me show you something very interesting here. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:06.120 It's right there in verse 21. 00:28:06.119 --> 00:28:08.339 And there is no other God besides me. 00:28:08.699 --> 00:28:11.179 A righteous God. 00:28:11.819 --> 00:28:13.959 And a Savior. 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.899 Have you ever thought of this? 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:18.079 Our God is both. 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:19.500 He's both righteous. 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.779 He's a God of holiness. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:21.779 Justice. 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.799 Wrath. 00:28:23.219 --> 00:28:24.139 Against sin. 00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.319 Judgment against sin. 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:28.159 And yet not only is He a righteous God. 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:31.000 At the same time, He is a Savior. 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:33.799 He is a merciful God. 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:36.599 Who saves sinners like me and you. 00:28:37.119 --> 00:28:38.799 People who don't deserve it. 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:41.539 How can this be? 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.559 How can God be both? 00:28:45.159 --> 00:28:47.000 You know the answer to that question. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:52.759 The cross of Christ. 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:55.960 It's right here in the book of Isaiah. 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:58.420 Isaiah chapter 53. 00:28:58.880 --> 00:29:02.299 Words Isaiah wrote prophetically 700 years before the fact. 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.500 Hear these words. 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.319 Brothers and sisters. 00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.779 Brothers and sisters. 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:09.000 Let them wash over you. 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:12.880 Surely He has borne our griefs and cured our sorrows. 00:29:12.880 --> 00:29:17.300 Yet we esteem Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:29:18.260 --> 00:29:19.880 But He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:29:20.880 --> 00:29:22.520 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:26.140 Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:28.320 And with His wounds we are healed. 00:29:29.500 --> 00:29:31.680 All we like sheep have gone astray. 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:34.520 We have turned everyone to His own way. 00:29:34.520 --> 00:29:39.380 And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:45.600 How can God save people who don't deserve it? 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:50.880 How can God save people who deserve His judgment and not His salvation? 00:29:53.020 --> 00:29:54.540 The God man. 00:29:55.340 --> 00:29:56.800 On the cross. 00:29:57.900 --> 00:30:03.200 Taking the righteous and just punishment for our sin. 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:09.340 In order that He might be to us a merciful Savior. 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.559 To sinners like me and you. 00:30:12.180 --> 00:30:16.000 In order that He might say to me and to you. 00:30:17.380 --> 00:30:18.440 Turn to me. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:20.700 Look to me. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.980 And be saved. 00:30:24.200 --> 00:30:24.920 Let's pray.