WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.040 Isaiah chapter 40. There it is. You know me, I like to kind of move around. I don't like being kind of like stuck right here. 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:23.100 ! Got that mic. Isaiah chapter 40. So today, we're going to start in Isaiah 40 and the next week we're going to finish it. 00:00:23.100 --> 00:00:29.839 So we're going to break it up into two different Sundays. But unless you live under a rock, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.519 it's a great way to start a sermon. Unless you live under a rock, you're aware that we're living in very troubled times. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:50.760 And when efforts to comfort ourselves fall and fail, I find that there's no greater encouragement, no greater comfort, 00:00:50.759 --> 00:01:03.879 than to visit the reality and put our heart and souls and minds on the greatness, sovereignty, and power of our God. 00:01:03.880 --> 00:01:11.600 When you are overwhelmed, when you are anxious, when your soul is troubled, when you are depressed, 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:20.460 there's no greater remedy, I believe, than to put yourself, your mind, your heart, your soul on the greatness and glory of God. 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:27.399 And so in Isaiah 40, it's a rather long chapter. 00:01:27.979 --> 00:01:31.799 And I've read it out loud several times and it took me over five minutes. 00:01:32.819 --> 00:01:38.060 And so since our time is short, I don't want to, we're going to eat it piecemeal, if that makes sense. 00:01:38.679 --> 00:01:41.579 I'm going to maybe read through the whole thing next week. 00:01:41.579 --> 00:01:48.539 But just for sake of time, we're going to go just from verse 1 to verse 11 today. 00:01:49.379 --> 00:01:57.259 But before we do that, many people feel like they're visiting a foreign land when they go to the Old Testament. 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.900 Things are unfamiliar. They don't quite know where they are. 00:02:00.980 --> 00:02:06.640 They feel a little lost. And so they're really quick to want to dive back into the New Testament. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:13.659 But I encourage you to fall in love with the Old Testament that points forward toward Christ. 00:02:14.699 --> 00:02:19.560 But a little bit of historical context. You have to know or none of this will make sense. 00:02:20.580 --> 00:02:28.659 But after the death of King David, after the death of Solomon, the nation split into two different kingdoms. 00:02:29.479 --> 00:02:34.340 There was Israel to the north in the capital of Israel, where is Samaria. 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:38.560 And that's like where we get the term Samaritans from in the New Testament. 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:42.800 Then there was Judah in the south, and that capital was Jerusalem. 00:02:43.719 --> 00:02:53.259 They split mainly due to a lot of economic issues, as well as just like inflammation from old tribal divisions within the nation itself. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:57.640 And each kingdom had its own king, its own army. 00:02:57.639 --> 00:03:14.119 But in late 700s BC, God's patience was growing thin with both nations, if you can imagine that. 00:03:15.219 --> 00:03:18.739 And each nation was guilty of some of the same sin. 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:25.300 I would say it was characterized by four main sins. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:26.659 All right? 00:03:27.700 --> 00:03:37.600 And without getting much into it, you will see a lot of the same things going on in our nation, and in the church, and in individuals' lives as well. 00:03:37.599 --> 00:03:41.759 One was a lot of political corruption. 00:03:42.919 --> 00:03:46.219 Kings, courts, officials of the nation abused their power. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:51.740 Instead of serving their nation and the people, they did it for selfish gain. 00:03:52.519 --> 00:03:57.639 They twisted things, the government, in a way that served their own ends. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:04.379 So corrupt leaders and corrupt government officials from top to bottom, from the king and below. 00:04:04.379 --> 00:04:13.620 Number two, another sin that characterized these two nations was excessive, gluttonous living. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:19.519 As a whole, both Israel and Judah enjoyed a long time of wealth and prosperity. 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:21.319 For a long time. 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:28.699 And it got to a point, though, where they forgot who actually blessed them. 00:04:29.519 --> 00:04:32.560 They didn't remember those who were in need. 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:37.819 And they were just concerned about their comfort, their luxury, and their safety. 00:04:37.920 --> 00:04:39.360 That's all that really mattered to them. 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:46.079 Thirdly, and I'll have to clarify, social injustice. 00:04:46.379 --> 00:04:48.740 And I mean biblical social injustice. 00:04:49.459 --> 00:04:55.879 While many lived high on the hog, there was a lot of great poverty as well. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:05:00.040 And people had no problem neglecting the needy. 00:05:00.899 --> 00:05:02.680 And these are for legitimate reasons. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:07.699 The poor, this isn't entitlements or equity or handouts. 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:10.839 They were at the bottom of the chain. 00:05:10.939 --> 00:05:16.159 And so the people's prosperity, they had little to no regard for those who were in need. 00:05:16.160 --> 00:05:26.540 And justice didn't prevail because it was common to pay judges in the courts bribes to have a certain outcome in a trial. 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:30.580 And so the poor were abused by the rich. 00:05:31.380 --> 00:05:36.920 They had no problem abusing them and using them if it meant like they could get ahead and gain. 00:05:36.920 --> 00:05:42.379 And they would end up either in jail or dead a lot of the time, the poor would. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:47.439 So they were neglecting God's law of love. 00:05:48.460 --> 00:05:51.379 And God's law was not being obeyed. 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:53.540 Justice did not prevail. 00:05:54.639 --> 00:05:58.000 But there was little or no compassion shown towards those in need. 00:05:58.080 --> 00:06:00.439 And then lastly, this is a major one. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:03.300 If this one was in place, all the other ones would be okay. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:07.000 But there was extreme religious hypocrisy. 00:06:08.800 --> 00:06:14.240 The nation's worship of God had been greatly distorted or lost completely. 00:06:15.040 --> 00:06:17.560 Kind of sound familiar to some degree? 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:25.759 Those who still follow the tradition of Yahweh, a lot of them worshipped outwardly in ritual and in ceremony. 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:29.420 But their hearts were still far from God. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:35.220 They would go through the outward signs and then go home and then send it up for the rest of the week. 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:44.140 And so others had turned completely away from God and worshipped the pagan Canaanite gods and idolatry. 00:06:44.780 --> 00:06:46.180 So this was all rampant. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:53.240 So those four types of political corruption, gluttonous living, social injustice, and religious hypocrisy. 00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:56.620 And so there's impending judgment. 00:06:56.840 --> 00:07:02.920 When you start reading the book of Isaiah, it starts with this idea of God's impending judgment. 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:09.319 God sends prophets, many of them, to speak to the nations, both Israel and Judah, 00:07:10.019 --> 00:07:15.960 calling them to repent of their sins, destroy their pagan idols and their wickedness, 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:18.199 and turn back in faith to Yahweh. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.319 But most rejected them. 00:07:20.459 --> 00:07:25.899 Most continued the corruption, the gluttonous living, the real social injustice. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:27.219 They only got worse. 00:07:28.099 --> 00:07:33.560 And they actually would say to themselves, you can read it in Hosea, Amos, other places, 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:37.620 they would say things like, God is for us. 00:07:37.639 --> 00:07:38.639 He's on our team. 00:07:39.659 --> 00:07:42.360 Look at the wealth and prosperity He's given us. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.159 If you say there's judgment, like where's the proof? 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.199 Like look around us. 00:07:46.199 --> 00:07:47.079 It's so nice. 00:07:48.039 --> 00:07:51.240 And man, our military can seriously clean house. 00:07:51.339 --> 00:07:52.779 So no one's going to mess with us. 00:07:53.199 --> 00:07:56.360 And so they would make those kind of claims. 00:07:57.039 --> 00:08:03.519 And even if we're wrong, they would say, even if we're wrong, God will allow us to repent. 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:05.439 God will forgive us. 00:08:05.800 --> 00:08:10.139 So it was like a cheapening grace throughout the nation itself. 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:16.939 And so prophets came, by and large, with messages from God. 00:08:17.039 --> 00:08:17.860 They were rejected. 00:08:18.500 --> 00:08:22.539 So finally, God says, all right, enough. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:24.000 Enough. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:25.659 If you can imagine God saying that. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:31.319 And He warns that judgment not just might be coming, but is coming. 00:08:31.319 --> 00:08:39.220 To the nation that God will use, that He will allow, He will unleash on the northern kingdom, 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:45.379 is Assyria, which is the ancient superpower in the 8th century. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:53.080 And so they were called to turn to God and repent, but they didn't. 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:59.879 They continued to look for other alliances with other kings, other nations to withstand Assyria. 00:09:00.620 --> 00:09:01.620 But they failed. 00:09:02.299 --> 00:09:04.100 God was saying, don't look to these pagan nations. 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:04.799 Look to me. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:06.139 Look to me. 00:09:06.259 --> 00:09:06.860 And they failed. 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:17.820 So around 722 B.C., this resulted in Israel's tragic destruction and exile of the northern kingdom. 00:09:18.580 --> 00:09:19.620 Completely destroyed. 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:23.320 It's kind of known as the ten lost tribes of Israel. 00:09:23.580 --> 00:09:25.680 So a brutal time. 00:09:26.820 --> 00:09:32.120 And Judah survived a little bit longer, about 135 years, roughly. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:38.740 There was three more kings, mostly not great kings, but Hezekiah, kind of a toss-up. 00:09:39.679 --> 00:09:43.960 And Hezekiah was a king during the time of Isaiah. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:48.980 But then eventually, God's patience worked in with Judah. 00:09:49.080 --> 00:09:54.980 And then Babylon, the new superpower, destroyed Judah and Jerusalem. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:10:00.980 So Isaiah, what a beautiful name it means, Yahweh saves. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:06.960 His ministry seemed to take place in Judah, predominantly around Jerusalem. 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:10.779 If you read, it says from the time King Uzziah died. 00:10:10.840 --> 00:10:13.600 That's about 739 B.C. 00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:21.580 And so Isaiah uses the title of Yahweh nearly 60 times in the book. 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:27.440 And the New Testament cites this book more than any other except Psalms. 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:30.480 One Old Testament scholar said, 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:37.840 For sheer grandeur and majesty, probably no book in the Hebrew Bible can be compared with Isaiah. 00:10:38.800 --> 00:10:41.460 So the prophet served as God's mouthpiece. 00:10:41.560 --> 00:10:43.360 He spoke through them. 00:10:43.400 --> 00:10:45.680 And it was not a fun role to be in. 00:10:46.520 --> 00:10:49.420 You were often called to disrupt the status quo. 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:54.159 And you were called to, in a way, God told them, like, 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:57.479 See what I see and feel what I feel. 00:10:58.120 --> 00:11:00.819 To the prophets, at least in a finite human way. 00:11:01.439 --> 00:11:03.599 It was really, really difficult. 00:11:04.360 --> 00:11:07.379 They carried out their ministries with heavy hearts. 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:10.559 Not always excited, like I said, about the assignments they were given. 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:14.839 And though they knew God's truth and they proclaimed it, 00:11:15.399 --> 00:11:21.539 Though they loved God even more, their hearts still broke for their nation and their communities 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:24.439 That were about to be destroyed by judgment. 00:11:24.979 --> 00:11:30.139 It ripped their hearts out to see God judge their beloved nation for sin. 00:11:30.959 --> 00:11:38.659 It killed them to see them carried off into captivity amidst blood, carnage, and ruin. 00:11:38.659 --> 00:11:41.100 Brutal time to live in. 00:11:42.159 --> 00:11:45.799 So, from chapter 1 all the way up to chapter 39, 00:11:46.659 --> 00:11:53.959 It's mostly pronouncements of judgment against the kingdom of Israel and Judah. 00:11:54.799 --> 00:11:58.860 So when we get to Isaiah, there's a huge shift. 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:04.059 Where it goes from divine judgment to divine comfort. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.059 And almost in the blink of an eye, 00:12:07.059 --> 00:12:12.079 Isaiah moves from the present day that he's living in to the future. 00:12:12.859 --> 00:12:16.779 God starts addressing his people in the present day, 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:20.059 Speaking to them in the future. 00:12:20.199 --> 00:12:24.099 He has a strong message of comfort and consolation. 00:12:24.199 --> 00:12:27.539 He knows that they will be in exile in Babylon. 00:12:27.539 --> 00:12:31.779 So he basically sends this message to them in the future. 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:38.219 Sort of kind of like how the apostle John did so in Revelation. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.879 He spoke to the future. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:50.199 And so, God is aware that his people that are going to be in exile in Babylon 00:12:50.199 --> 00:12:52.179 are going to be thinking a lot of things. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:54.279 They're going to be wondering a lot of things. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:56.919 They'll have concerns and fears. 00:12:57.959 --> 00:13:01.959 And so, against the background of that dire prediction of judgment, 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:07.079 he speaks this strong message of comfort to his future people in exile. 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:12.139 And this is basically some of the questions they might be asking, 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:13.759 because they're answered in this chapter. 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:17.159 God made promises to Israel. 00:13:17.159 --> 00:13:23.059 He promised to make all the nations of the world blessed through Abraham's descendants. 00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:25.000 Has God failed? 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:27.360 Has his promise failed? 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:30.860 Does God even want to deliver us? 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:32.679 Because, of course, we don't deserve it. 00:13:32.980 --> 00:13:35.579 Does he even care about us at all anymore? 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:41.600 Furthermore, even if God wants to deliver us, can he do it? 00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:43.980 Does he actually have the power to deliver us? 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:48.800 Is our sin too great or is Babylon's armies too strong? 00:13:49.740 --> 00:13:55.139 Suppose he wants to, and he can, but will he actually do it? 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:59.960 Those are the sort of questions that they would be thinking about further into the future 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:02.639 while they are captives in Babylon. 00:14:02.639 --> 00:14:09.899 So, at the darkest moment, the call goes out into the future to speak a word of comfort. 00:14:10.019 --> 00:14:14.679 So, we're going to outline this entire chapter with three areas. 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:16.480 We're going to do one today and two next week. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:24.340 But, number one, this is today, the glory of God is the comfort of his people. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:27.819 The glory of God is the comfort of his people. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:33.560 Next week, it will be the uniqueness of God is the assurance of his people. 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:39.240 Then, also, the greatness of God is the renewal of his people. 00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:41.160 That's what we'll get into next week. 00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:48.160 But, as we get into our chapter today, let's begin to read in the beginning of chapter 40. 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:51.519 1 Corinthians 1, verse 1-4 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.559 Comfort 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:55.899 Comfort my people, says your God. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:58.379 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, 00:14:58.860 --> 00:15:01.879 and cry to her that her warfare is ended, 00:15:02.500 --> 00:15:04.319 that her iniquity is pardoned, 00:15:04.319 --> 00:15:06.519 and that she has received from the Lord's hand 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:08.959 double for all her sins. 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:11.879 A voice cries in the wilderness, 00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:14.139 Prepare the way of the Lord. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:18.199 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:22.980 Every valley shall be lifted up, every mountain and hill be made low. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:29.100 And the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 00:15:29.919 --> 00:15:35.659 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. 00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:39.159 For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:44.319 A voice says, cry, and I said, what shall I cry? 00:15:45.199 --> 00:15:48.919 All flesh is like grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. 00:15:49.339 --> 00:15:53.719 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows on it. 00:15:54.480 --> 00:15:56.500 Surely the people are like grass. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:59.439 The grass withers, and the flower fades. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:03.339 But the word of our God will stand forever. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:08.500 Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:13.919 Lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news. 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:17.539 Lift it up, fear not, says to the cities of Judah. 00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:20.320 Behold your God. 00:16:21.379 --> 00:16:25.440 Behold the Lord comes with might, and His arm rules for Him. 00:16:26.340 --> 00:16:30.779 Behold His reward is with Him, and His recompense is before Him. 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:34.700 He will tend His flock like a shepherd. 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:37.820 He will gather the lambs in His arms. 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:40.259 He will carry them in His bosom. 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:42.860 And gently lead them. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:45.580 Lead those who are with young. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:49.179 So we're going to stop there. 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:53.419 So we're going to break this up into four different points. 00:16:54.720 --> 00:17:00.259 Number one, the occasion of God's consolation, or comfort. 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:04.019 The occasion of God's consolation. 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:07.960 And we see this in verses 1 and 2. 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:15.759 So when Babylonia took Israel into exile, their grief was great. 00:17:15.879 --> 00:17:19.839 God had like severely disciplined, severely disciplined them. 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:24.599 Like seeing their families and friends slaughtered before their eyes. 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:31.419 And the siege of the Babylonians was so gruesome and so cruel. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:35.339 You can read about it in other historical sources. 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:41.500 And then whatever was left of them, they were carried into captivity away from their homeland. 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:46.420 And so Jeremiah, who was alive during that time, and probably saw this, 00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:51.400 he wrote in Lamentations, you know, full of sorrow, mourning, and loss. 00:17:51.940 --> 00:17:55.059 He says, Jerusalem has no one to comfort her. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:56.660 No one. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:18:02.880 But now, we see the prophetic voice coming to them in the future. 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:12.360 And he charges, if you notice, the voices of verse 3, verse 6, and the heralds of verse 9. 00:18:12.800 --> 00:18:20.019 He tells them to repeat, to echo his deep, true affection for those, his people. 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:28.059 And the phrase, my people, your God, my people, your God, is sort of repeated throughout this chapter. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:35.900 So he begins with speaking comfort, and not like warm, fuzzy comfort, but consolation to encourage, 00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:39.019 strengthen someone who is weak and fearful. 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:43.779 That's what that means, to come alongside someone, to strengthen them, encourage them. 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:46.639 He says it twice for emphasis. 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:49.579 Comfort, comfort my people. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:56.720 He mentions, they have received from the Lord's hand double all their sins. 00:18:57.539 --> 00:19:01.559 And that word actually implies exact payment. 00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:05.759 Which I think, when I was studying this, it just really struck me. 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:12.480 Because it means that God was not unjust or overly harsh. 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:16.059 But that would be hard to imagine, like how much worse could it get? 00:19:17.179 --> 00:19:17.740 Right? 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:20.400 But it's hard to imagine that. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.819 It could have been far worse. 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:24.759 God didn't utterly destroy the nation. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:29.259 He didn't judge them and send them to eternal damnation. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:35.539 The Babylonian exile would be the final payment for Judah's sins and transgression. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:38.700 And that exile would not last forever. 00:19:38.700 --> 00:19:47.740 So therefore, though God had greatly disciplined them, there was still so much mercy, so much grace that he showed them. 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:52.000 And that's why he can say her iniquity is pardoned. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:57.700 Her perversion, her twisting of things has been pardoned. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:08.920 And though Judah's sin and unbelief had brought them very low, very low, God still lovingly identifies with his people. 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:23.620 So, if you remember, if you're a parent particularly, when you severely discipline your kids for a real wrongdoing, it might cause them to recoil a little bit when you come back. 00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:24.160 Right? 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.420 They're like, hmm? 00:20:25.420 --> 00:20:27.880 What's about to happen? 00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:36.539 But how do we, as parents, after we've lovingly disciplined our children for a wrongdoing, how do we bring them back? 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:47.460 How do you give them reassurance that though they have done something bad, and you've punished them for their own good, that you still love them and that they are yours? 00:20:48.159 --> 00:20:50.519 And that's not changing regardless. 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:54.200 You do so by kindness and gentleness. 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:56.220 You tell them, you're mine. 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.960 You belong to me. 00:20:58.960 --> 00:21:00.559 And that's what it says in verse 2. 00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:02.940 It says, speak tenderly. 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:05.920 In Hebrew, speak to the heart. 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:09.740 The way an ardent lover woos their beloved. 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:12.200 So, God aims to win their hearts back. 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:17.079 Speaking tenderly to them after this severe discipline. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:23.859 He wants them to know that he is with them, that he cares for them, and that he will one day restore them to their homeland. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:31.579 So, while in exile in Babylon, they are far from Jerusalem, God dignifies them by proclaiming their true identity. 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:32.639 You are my people. 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.460 And that's not changing. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:36.819 Regardless of your sin. 00:21:36.819 --> 00:21:39.480 Regardless of Babylon, you are mine. 00:21:40.380 --> 00:21:42.840 And he comes to them in overwhelming comfort. 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:48.620 So, we see in our text, the comfort to Jerusalem, if you're writing your notes down, 00:21:49.319 --> 00:21:56.519 the comfort of Jerusalem prefigures the comfort that true believers will find in Christ. 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.539 Think about verses in the New Testament. 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:04.680 How are we comforted by the presence of Christ? 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:07.299 Maybe 2 Corinthians? 00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.460 2 Corinthians? 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:09.539 Chapter 1 comes to mind. 00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:16.820 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:27.740 who comforts us in our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort we ourselves have been comforted by God. 00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:38.480 So, that comfort looks forward in Christ to the comfort that broken sinners can experience through knowing Jesus Christ. 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:48.039 And just as we came to know God originally as believers, as sinners, remember Romans 2.4? 00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:53.660 Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and the forbearance of His patience, 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:59.860 not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:03.579 So, there's that speaking tenderly part like, come. 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:06.039 Come and be close. 00:23:07.179 --> 00:23:08.339 John Calvin said, 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:16.359 No one will ever reverence God, but he who is confident that God is favorable towards him. 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:22.119 If you think that God is against you and your enemy, we're speaking as the people of God here, 00:23:22.939 --> 00:23:27.539 you won't come close to Him if you don't think He's favorable towards you. 00:23:27.539 --> 00:23:35.759 And the blessing is that in Christ, we have been made favorable toward God so that we can approach Him. 00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:42.759 So, just like Judah, the people of God, we fail to live and act like the people of God all the time. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:46.200 We fail to represent Him as we ought to. 00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:54.259 But still, He patiently bears with us, identifies with us, and speaks tenderly to us. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:57.319 He doesn't disown us or reject us and say, 00:23:57.440 --> 00:23:57.900 No more. 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.720 You're not mine anymore. 00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:05.539 He never does that to those He set His affection on that His Son died for. 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:07.440 So, what about you? 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:12.500 Do you have glad expectations of your God? 00:24:13.440 --> 00:24:19.059 Does it comfort your soul to know that the price of your sin has been paid for? 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:24.000 And that now you can be brought close to the heart of God. 00:24:24.899 --> 00:24:26.059 Close to His heart. 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:29.319 Not just His arms, but His heart. 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.599 Pretty different. 00:24:31.619 --> 00:24:34.899 So, let's get back to the point number two. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:39.159 That is going to be seen in verses three through five. 00:24:40.099 --> 00:24:44.779 This is the content of God's consolation. 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:47.740 The content of God's consolation. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:48.279 Number two. 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:49.940 And this is in verses three through five. 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:57.740 So, Yahweh, in verses three through five, commands another voice, saying, 00:24:57.879 --> 00:25:00.039 In the wilderness, prepare the way of the Lord. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:03.559 Make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:10.639 So, a king or a monarch traveling through a barren wilderness land would have workers go ahead of them, 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:14.639 way ahead of them, and clear out every single obstacle that was in the way. 00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:18.559 And like even set soldiers to kind of guard the way. 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:20.619 Everything would be moved. 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:23.619 Debris, hazards, obstacles. 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:28.579 And it says here that valleys will be raised and mountains will be made flat. 00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:32.660 So, if you can imagine the Andes, the Himalayas, the Rockies, just going, 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:36.779 This is the power of God. 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:40.839 But, Isaiah is not speaking in the literal here. 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:42.660 He's not speaking of topography. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:48.019 He's speaking and referring to the clearing away of sin. 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:53.539 The upheaval that His presence will bring to a corrupt, fallen world. 00:25:53.619 --> 00:25:54.839 There's going to be a lot of upheaval. 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:58.519 The fallen world is not going to be moved willingly. 00:25:58.519 --> 00:26:01.579 But, God is going to clear the way. 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:04.119 He's paving the way to bring sinners to repentance. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:09.940 Paving the way of salvation and bringing about a new kingdom on the earth. 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:19.980 And so, in verse 5, God promises to replace His people's misery with His own glory. 00:26:20.820 --> 00:26:24.299 Bringing them supreme comfort to their souls. 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:28.079 So, they will see that Yahweh's glorious salvation. 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.919 But, listen to this. 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:32.680 Not only Jerusalem, but all flesh, it says. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:35.299 All flesh will see this together. 00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:39.980 So, later in chapter 52, verse 9, it says, 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:42.879 The Lord has comforted His people. 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:45.019 He has redeemed Jerusalem. 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:49.779 The Lord has barred His holy arm before all the nations. 00:26:50.500 --> 00:26:51.519 All the nations. 00:26:52.460 --> 00:26:54.099 And all the ends of the earth. 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:57.399 Shall see the salvation of our God. 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.579 So, God is coming. 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:04.039 His message of hope will be spread to all nations. 00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:07.980 And so, Isaiah is saying, in summary, 00:27:08.659 --> 00:27:09.639 The King is coming. 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:12.259 He will accomplish His purpose. 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:16.099 And the glory of Yahweh will be spread throughout the earth. 00:27:16.180 --> 00:27:19.240 It will be there for all flesh to see. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.700 Ringing any New Testament bells? 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:26.580 All fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:31.180 We sin, we suffer, but God does not leave us there. 00:27:31.860 --> 00:27:34.640 He brings us overwhelming comfort by His grace. 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:40.000 And we know that all these things were fulfilled in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:43.240 Isaiah foretells of John the Baptist. 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:50.680 The New Testament prophet who came to clear the way, prepare the way for the true Messiah. 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.680 The Son of God. 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:57.380 And He quotes Isaiah to tell them, this is who I am. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:59.240 Who Isaiah spoke about. 00:28:00.060 --> 00:28:00.880 This is me. 00:28:00.880 --> 00:28:06.140 And He does that in Luke 3, verses 3-6. 00:28:06.800 --> 00:28:09.600 And He preached in the wilderness, if you recall that. 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:12.340 And He cleared a path for the Lord to come. 00:28:13.040 --> 00:28:14.320 John the Baptist said this, 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:44.299 I baptize you with water. 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:46.200 You're either going to be for Him or against Him. 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:49.059 Saved by Him or destroyed by Him. 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:50.180 There's no middle ground. 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.659 And John says, I am here. 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:56.720 I'm that voice in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord. 00:28:57.659 --> 00:29:02.119 So Isaiah foresaw a time where all flesh would see God's glory. 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:06.119 Which would have been a crazy thing for many people to hear. 00:29:06.719 --> 00:29:11.019 God's glory, in short, if you can, I'll try, okay? 00:29:11.979 --> 00:29:14.779 Is the fiery radiance of His own nature. 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:17.519 It's Godness. 00:29:18.399 --> 00:29:20.199 It's probably the best way we could say it. 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:27.920 But because of sin, no man, including Moses, including Elijah, or Isaiah, 00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:31.900 could fully come face to face with God and His glory. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:34.799 Our sin would destroy us. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:40.220 Until God's King, the true Messiah, showed up in Jesus Christ, 00:29:40.299 --> 00:29:42.299 that glory had to be shielded from us. 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:45.279 But when Christ came, it says, 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:48.599 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 00:29:48.619 --> 00:29:51.639 And we have seen His glory. 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:57.299 Glory is of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 00:29:57.299 --> 00:29:59.099 John 1.14 00:29:59.099 --> 00:30:04.940 So the glory of the Lord, therefore, is God Himself coming visible, 00:30:05.599 --> 00:30:08.500 bringing His presence down to us, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:11.399 displaying His beauty and His grandeur 00:30:11.399 --> 00:30:14.279 to satisfy our soul's deepest longings. 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:17.799 And all of that fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.819 Number three. 00:30:21.460 --> 00:30:24.339 The certainty of God's consolation. 00:30:25.079 --> 00:30:26.500 So it all sounds good. 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.259 Is it going to happen? 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:30.159 What's the certainty? 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:32.059 This is seen in verses 6 through 8. 00:30:33.399 --> 00:30:36.899 So, in short, to save some time, 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:40.399 He's saying man is temporal, God is eternal. 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:44.960 The message of all humanity is like we are like grass. 00:30:45.240 --> 00:30:47.440 We are here and we are gone. 00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.779 Death, all of us will die. 00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:54.379 Some soon, some not so soon. 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:57.139 But we are transient. 00:30:58.080 --> 00:31:01.000 Death is God's way of saying to sinful human beings, 00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:02.020 you are not me. 00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:07.340 You are not immortal and invincible as I am. 00:31:08.040 --> 00:31:09.000 You will die. 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:14.019 If you open up any page in Scripture, there is not a reference too far. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:18.000 A page may be a reference to death in some way. 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:21.859 And that is a reminder that we are here and we are gone. 00:31:21.859 --> 00:31:23.339 That's it. 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:27.299 Vivid imagery all throughout Scripture. 00:31:27.299 --> 00:31:28.619 Real quick. 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:29.399 Job 14. 00:31:29.399 --> 00:31:33.940 Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.619 Isn't that right? 00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:39.139 He comes out like a flower and withers. 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:42.980 He flees like a shadow and continues not. 00:31:42.980 --> 00:31:44.660 Job 14. 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:44.680 Job 14. 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.259 1 and 2. 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:51.799 So in contrast, Yahweh and His Word endure forever. 00:31:52.900 --> 00:31:53.480 Forever. 00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:57.059 It says in Psalm 102, verse 27, 00:31:57.200 --> 00:32:01.700 But you, O God, are the same, and your years have no end. 00:32:02.680 --> 00:32:06.339 And since God is eternal, His Word is eternal. 00:32:07.099 --> 00:32:08.819 His Word doesn't fade away. 00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:11.799 It's lasting, stable, trustworthy. 00:32:12.839 --> 00:32:13.480 Right? 00:32:13.619 --> 00:32:16.139 Just because it's in His nature to be that way. 00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:22.639 So all these things, in verses 6-8, also fulfilled in Christ. 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:30.079 The New Testament writers cite this passage to contrast the fading of human life with God's eternality. 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:32.899 An eternal salvation in Christ. 00:32:32.900 --> 00:32:39.720 And that's why the greatest Word that God has ever spoken is the message of the Gospel. 00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:44.620 It's actually called in Revelation the everlasting Gospel. 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:47.380 Or the everlasting good news. 00:32:48.340 --> 00:32:56.240 Our salvation is secure and imperishable because it was spoken by the Almighty, omnipotent God. 00:32:57.180 --> 00:33:00.440 Peter wrote, 1 Peter 1, verse 23, 00:33:00.440 --> 00:33:02.440 He's talking to Christians, 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:07.539 Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, 00:33:08.000 --> 00:33:11.080 through the living and abiding Word of God. 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:15.299 For all flesh is like grass, Peter says, 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:18.759 and all is glory like the flower of grass. 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:23.460 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord remains forever. 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:28.360 So Peter cites this passage as a reminder of the eternality, 00:33:28.900 --> 00:33:33.720 the certainty of God's consolation that we find in Jesus Christ. 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:36.059 Number four, and lastly, 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:40.960 this is seen in verse 9-11, 00:33:42.019 --> 00:33:45.120 is the spreading of God's consolation. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:48.839 So meaning this good news isn't just meant to sit, 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:50.419 it's meant to spread, 00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:52.139 it's meant to take over, 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:54.459 it's meant to go all over the world. 00:33:55.739 --> 00:33:57.779 So, in verse 9, 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:58.119 he says, 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.619 Herald, 00:33:59.259 --> 00:34:02.759 he calls a herald to scale a high mountain, 00:34:03.439 --> 00:34:06.839 and to shout from the top of his lungs with all his strength 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:09.079 the good news to Jerusalem. 00:34:09.079 --> 00:34:11.420 And the message is simple, 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:15.940 but yet deeply profound and unending glory. 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.659 He says, 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.500 Behold your God. 00:34:20.940 --> 00:34:22.440 Behold your God. 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.840 In short, 00:34:24.019 --> 00:34:24.319 look. 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:26.119 Look at your God. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.799 How many of us need to hear that today and tomorrow? 00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.239 Like, 00:34:30.779 --> 00:34:31.199 quit. 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:32.199 Look in here. 00:34:32.340 --> 00:34:32.460 Like, 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:34.799 look at your God. 00:34:36.299 --> 00:34:37.659 What deep words. 00:34:37.659 --> 00:34:41.719 Protestants in 1560 who fled persecution, 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.699 who wrote the Geneva Bible, 00:34:43.799 --> 00:34:44.819 wrote about this verse. 00:34:45.819 --> 00:34:47.500 He shows us in one word, 00:34:48.119 --> 00:34:50.460 the perfection of all man's happiness, 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:54.099 which is to have God's presence. 00:34:55.319 --> 00:34:56.359 In verse 10, 00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:59.859 we see that Yahweh's power is unmatched, 00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:01.159 absolutely sovereign. 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:05.279 His mighty arm will accomplish whatever he aims to do. 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:07.199 No one's going to stop it. 00:35:08.659 --> 00:35:09.139 Nothing. 00:35:10.299 --> 00:35:11.299 Assyria didn't stop it. 00:35:11.379 --> 00:35:12.599 Babylon didn't stop it. 00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:16.719 Corrupt government in America won't stop it. 00:35:17.519 --> 00:35:19.440 No nation around the world will stop it. 00:35:19.980 --> 00:35:21.460 It's going to be achieved. 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:23.359 Job 42. 00:35:23.779 --> 00:35:24.239 Job says, 00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:26.460 I know that you can do all things, 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:31.299 that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 00:35:31.300 --> 00:35:33.519 And so with his mighty, 00:35:33.640 --> 00:35:34.519 omnipotent hand, 00:35:34.600 --> 00:35:35.940 he gathers his flock. 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.860 You see that in the last part? 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.640 Like a shepherd, 00:35:38.740 --> 00:35:39.620 a tender shepherd, 00:35:40.160 --> 00:35:43.060 holding helpless people in his arms. 00:35:43.160 --> 00:35:44.240 Doesn't that blow your mind? 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.220 Like the omnipotent, 00:35:45.340 --> 00:35:47.320 holy God can actually, 00:35:47.740 --> 00:35:49.880 not just kick sheep around, 00:35:50.000 --> 00:35:50.980 which is easy to do, 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:55.780 but actually gather them up in his arms. 00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:59.840 And actually says that he would hold them close to his bosom, 00:35:59.920 --> 00:36:02.260 meaning near to his heart. 00:36:03.360 --> 00:36:04.300 Isn't that crazy? 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:08.140 So he gathers them up and holds them near to his heart, 00:36:08.220 --> 00:36:10.940 his affection set on them. 00:36:11.600 --> 00:36:14.980 So he is an unstoppable conquering king, 00:36:15.640 --> 00:36:17.660 a wealthy benefactor, 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:19.900 and a tender shepherd. 00:36:20.860 --> 00:36:23.700 Again, any New Testament thoughts? 00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:26.900 I haven't asked you to turn anywhere else other than here, 00:36:27.039 --> 00:36:31.680 but flip over to John chapter 10 as we're closing here. 00:36:32.680 --> 00:36:34.180 John chapter 10. 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:38.340 We see all this perfectly fulfilled in Christ. 00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:41.140 Christ is the good shepherd 00:36:41.140 --> 00:36:44.700 who lays down his life for his sheep. 00:36:45.640 --> 00:36:47.640 And that his sheep are brought into the fold 00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:50.180 and they hear his voice and they follow him. 00:36:51.180 --> 00:36:51.920 John 10. 00:36:52.080 --> 00:36:55.100 We'll start in maybe verse 11. 00:36:56.340 --> 00:36:58.000 We'll skip around because there's a lot. 00:36:58.840 --> 00:37:00.800 But check out all the promises. 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:02.180 If you are in Christ Jesus, 00:37:02.320 --> 00:37:03.740 these promises are yours. 00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:06.240 If you are not, they're not yours. 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:11.600 But we are desirous for you to come into the fold of God. 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:14.880 So come and speak with us later if needs be. 00:37:14.880 --> 00:37:17.400 But John 10 verse 11. 00:37:17.400 --> 00:37:18.260 Jesus said, 00:37:18.360 --> 00:37:19.920 I am the good shepherd. 00:37:20.640 --> 00:37:24.920 The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. 00:37:26.099 --> 00:37:27.640 Jump down to verse 14. 00:37:28.340 --> 00:37:29.140 He repeats it. 00:37:29.220 --> 00:37:30.180 I am the good shepherd. 00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:33.320 I know my own and my own know me. 00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:35.660 Even as the Father knows me, 00:37:35.660 --> 00:37:36.720 I know the Father. 00:37:37.320 --> 00:37:40.500 And I lay down my life for the sheep. 00:37:41.539 --> 00:37:42.940 And then last little part of this. 00:37:43.059 --> 00:37:44.059 Look at verse 27. 00:37:44.180 --> 00:37:44.760 Just go down. 00:37:45.900 --> 00:37:46.519 Jesus says, 00:37:46.640 --> 00:37:49.039 My sheep hear my voice. 00:37:49.600 --> 00:37:52.460 I know them and they follow me. 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:58.300 I give them eternal life and they will never perish. 00:37:59.260 --> 00:38:01.240 No one will snatch them out of my hand. 00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:05.159 My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. 00:38:05.280 --> 00:38:09.199 And no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand. 00:38:10.340 --> 00:38:10.860 Beautiful. 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:12.880 Spoken by Isaiah. 00:38:13.240 --> 00:38:16.119 Foretold way before Christ came on the scene. 00:38:16.820 --> 00:38:18.059 But Christ is the good shepherd. 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:20.960 And so this good news must spread. 00:38:21.980 --> 00:38:25.599 The gospel is referred to in many different ways. 00:38:25.719 --> 00:38:27.759 And I love the richness of it. 00:38:28.360 --> 00:38:31.019 Romans 1.9 is called the good news of his son. 00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:35.219 Romans 15.16, the good news of God. 00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:39.360 1 Corinthians 9.12, the good news of Christ. 00:38:40.440 --> 00:38:43.699 2 Corinthians 4.4, the glorious good news. 00:38:43.699 --> 00:38:48.519 2 Corinthians 5.15, the good news of peace. 00:38:49.439 --> 00:38:52.839 So we are to shout this message from the mountaintop. 00:38:53.399 --> 00:38:55.079 Good news is to spread. 00:38:56.599 --> 00:38:58.899 If you were with us in the Lord's Supper time earlier, 00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:02.679 Cody mentioned that we talk about what we love. 00:39:03.519 --> 00:39:04.460 Plain and simple. 00:39:04.699 --> 00:39:06.500 So what comes out of your mouth during the week? 00:39:07.299 --> 00:39:08.819 What's in, comes out. 00:39:09.419 --> 00:39:11.199 And that's straight from the mouth of Jesus. 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:13.739 But think about it. 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:16.759 It's very easy for this good news to spread. 00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:19.539 If you truly believe it and you love it, 00:39:20.439 --> 00:39:21.799 you'll talk about it. 00:39:22.659 --> 00:39:24.819 With others who believe it and with those who don't. 00:39:26.219 --> 00:39:28.159 C.S. Lewis kind of summed this up well. 00:39:28.319 --> 00:39:30.399 Now, so much to say here. 00:39:30.439 --> 00:39:32.579 I'll kind of cut the quote down a little bit. 00:39:33.139 --> 00:39:33.939 But he said, 00:39:34.899 --> 00:39:37.019 The world rings with praise. 00:39:37.019 --> 00:39:42.300 Just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, 00:39:43.039 --> 00:39:47.360 so they spontaneously urge others to join them in the praising of it. 00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.519 Isn't she lovely? 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:52.119 Wasn't that glorious? 00:39:53.199 --> 00:39:54.880 Do you not think that magnificent? 00:39:56.360 --> 00:39:57.800 I think, he says, 00:39:57.860 --> 00:39:59.920 we delight to praise what we enjoy 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:02.940 because the praise not merely expresses, 00:40:03.720 --> 00:40:05.360 but completes the enjoyment. 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:07.880 Beautiful. 00:40:08.619 --> 00:40:10.240 So we will praise what we love. 00:40:10.300 --> 00:40:11.740 We will talk about what we love. 00:40:11.760 --> 00:40:12.700 And if we love Christ, 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:13.760 we love the good news, 00:40:14.340 --> 00:40:15.300 it will spread. 00:40:15.420 --> 00:40:16.639 So just as Judah, though, 00:40:16.740 --> 00:40:17.960 failed to trust God, 00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:20.019 they paid a price for it, 00:40:20.639 --> 00:40:22.599 but God did not forsake his people. 00:40:22.599 --> 00:40:25.019 But remember in this passage 00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:27.000 that the grace and glory that we have 00:40:27.000 --> 00:40:28.440 in Jesus Christ 00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:30.559 is our comfort when we fail. 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:35.639 God is undefeated by our most grievous sin. 00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:36.659 It's not going to stop him. 00:40:38.079 --> 00:40:41.420 He is undefeated by even our most grievous sin. 00:40:41.960 --> 00:40:43.299 And he calls us back 00:40:43.299 --> 00:40:45.719 to the word he has spoken. 00:40:46.799 --> 00:40:48.880 His purpose will be fulfilled. 00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.659 So you can trust him. 00:40:50.659 --> 00:40:52.980 You can trust God. 00:40:53.079 --> 00:40:54.599 You can trust him more than yourself. 00:40:56.139 --> 00:40:57.599 You can trust him absolutely. 00:40:58.420 --> 00:40:59.639 So the glory of God 00:40:59.639 --> 00:41:01.359 is the comfort of his people. 00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:02.819 So next week, 00:41:02.980 --> 00:41:03.719 we will get into 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:05.779 the other two parts of this. 00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:07.639 A lot. 00:41:08.480 --> 00:41:10.519 But beautiful stuff 00:41:10.519 --> 00:41:13.480 for us to gain great comfort from 00:41:13.480 --> 00:41:15.579 no matter what we're walking through. 00:41:16.159 --> 00:41:17.299 So let's pray together.