Grace Community Church

Dr. Terry E. Zebulske, Pastor

October 8, 2006

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ISAIAH

(Isaiah 55)

…It is a special privilege and joy to be invited to a gala event. To be summoned to attend a party celebrating a birthday, graduation, or wedding is usually accepted with pleasure. These are some of the highlights of life.

…The Bible tells that God extends to all of us the invitation to be saved. He invites all people everywhere to come to Him to be saved from the penalty of their sin. It is God who initiates salvation, it is all of His doing.

…The Bible contains four Gospels called Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. But, did you know that there is another, it is the Gospel according to Isaiah? Here God invites men and women everywhere to come to Him.

THREE CALLS FROM GOD IN ISAIAH’S GOSPEL URGING YOU TO COME TO HIM FOR SALVATION.

…for this only will satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.

I. You Are Invited As A Guest To Come To God, And Nothing More Is Required Of You, Accept To Come. (vv.1-2)

A. The invitation is extended to all who are “thirsty.” The word “come” occurs 4 times in verse 1.

…This reveals God’s deepest concern for the souls of men, who are without hope, living in desperation without possessing the blessings that Christ, the Servant, has obtained. (Isa. 53)

…Come to the only waters that can satisfy your thirst. Many “waters” promise to satisfy, but fail to deliver. It is only this “water” that quenches the deepest yearning of your heart. (Jn 4)

B. Men and women who are spiritually thirsty and unable to find relief, and must come to God.

1. This coming to the Lord does not cost anything. “you who have no money…”

2. “Come buy and eat, come buy wine and milk…with no money.”

…How? How can you buy this without money? This language pointing to water, wine, and milk are obtained not by human purchase but by God’s grace. Free gifts!

…The price was already paid by the Servant, Jesus, in Isaiah 53:5-6.

3. This sounds like Jesus in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto Me, and I will give you rest…”

C. By means of a question, Isaiah calls us to see the vanity of rejecting God’s gift of salvation.(v2)

…in essence, don’t try to find your satisfaction in anything else, for it will not deliver…only God’s Gospel will provide for you the riches of fare to feast upon. “your soul will delight…”

II. You Are Summoned, Along With All Nations, To Come So That Your Soul Might Really Live. (vv.3-5) …for apart from this, you are the walking dead.

A. Don’t listen to any other voices that promise you life, “give ear…come to me.” (v.3)

B. God’s wonderful covenant given to David (2 Sam 7), is now promised to you. David’s covenant tells of Jesus, the “Son of David,” who will rule and reign as King forever. If you come, you will live forever and serve in this coming kingdom.

1. Jesus provided for salvation by His death on Calvary. Isaiah 53 tells of this…

2. People from all over world will be included in this…”peoples…nations…”

C. Come to Christ so that you might really live…”have life and have it more abundantly.” (Jn 10:10)

III. You Are Commanded, As Are All People, To Seek The Lord. (vv.6-13)

A. God again, calls men to seek Him, while there is still time. (v. 6) Today He is “near.”

…one day soon, it will be too late to be saved, for the door of heaven will be closed! (v. 6)

B. God calls us to turn from our sin, which involves the abandonment of the old way of life…and a turning to the Lord in faith and obedience. In this, God will forgive all your sins. (v. 7)

1. God’s thoughts and ways are so different from our wicked and sinful ways. He is holy.

…this also means that God’s salvation is so great, man could never have discovered it. God must tell us about His great plan in the only book He ever gave, the Word. (8-9)

2. God’s Word, like the rain and snow, are effective before they return, accomplishing all that God had planned. (vv. 10-11) The Word is powerful, drawing people to Himself.

3. If you come to God, through Christ, then joy and peace will be yours forever. (12a)

…in fact, all of creation will celebrate in the coming kingdom. The curse of Genesis 3 will be reversed. Romans 8:22 “the whole creation has been groaning waiting…”

LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:

1. Your coming to God involves repentance...you must abandon all sin! Forsake your evil ways.

2. God's plan for salvation is so wonderful...man would never have thought of it!
3. Today is the day of salvation. One day it will be too late. Come today!

4. God's Word is mighty and always accomplishes His purpose. (Does not return void.)

5. God's salvation is the only thing that will provide you with deep satisfaction.