Sermon #14                                                             Series: Isaiah

 

          Title:       The Lord Alone Shall Be Exalted

          Text:       Isaiah 2:17

          Subject: God’s Exaltation In the Experiences of His        

                       People

          Date:     Sunday Evening - June 18, 1989

          Tape #

 

          Introduction:

 

          In the past eternal ages, when God dwelt alone, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in his ineffable glory the Lord alone was exalted.  He had no rival.  He had no enemy.  There was no evil.  God dwelt alone in unrivaled excellence and glory.  And when the Lord God began his mighty works, the Lord alone was exalted.

 

·        When he made the Covenant ordered in all things and sure.

·        When he created the Angelic Hosts to minister to his chosen people.

·        When he created the World.

·        When he made Adam and Eve.

 

          I do not know how long the day of man’s innocence lasted.  And I am sure we have no idea what myriads of creatures the Lord God made for the pleasure of that holy pair.  But I do know this:  In the day of man’s innocence in the Garden, the Lord alone was exalted.

 

·        Then Lucifer, the son of the morning, made war with the Lord our God in heaven, and was expelled.

·        Then the prince of darkness deceived our mother Eve and enticed Adam to rebel against God.

·        And sin entered into the world - How man has fallen!

 

          God is no longer exalted in his thoughts.  God is no longer exalted in his heart.  God is no longer exalted in his desires.

 

          But our text speaks of a day, before the drama of the world’s history comes to a close, in which the Lord alone shall be exalted again - “The Lord Alone Shall Be Exalted In That Day!”  That is my subject tonight.

 

Proposition:  The great object of God, in all his works of creation, providence, and grace is the exaltation and glory of his own great name (Eph. 1:6, 12, 14) - (Isa. 63:12, 13).

 

          What is the day which Isaiah is here describing?  Without question, the prophet is talking about a great day of grace, when “the mountain of the Lord’s house is established.”  But it would be difficult, if not impossible, to pen-point a single, specific day, when that has been, or shall be done.  The day Isaiah is describing is the whole day of God’s grace.

 

1.   It began with The Incarnation of Christ (Heb. 10:5-10).

     In that day the Lord alone was exalted - (Matt. 1:18-25).

2.   In the days of our Savior’s Humiliation the Lord alone was exalted by him.

 

·        “I must be about my Father’s business.”

·        “I must do the will of him that sent me.”

·        “Father, glorify thy name.”

·        “Thy will be done.”

 

3.   In the day of our Redemption by Christ the Lord alone was exalted (Isa. 59:16; 63:5; Rom. 3:24-26).

 

·        Love and Wrath.

·        Truth and Goodness.

·        Righteousness and Mercy.

·        Justice and Grace.

·        Immutability and Kindness.

 

4.   In the day of Christ’s Resurrection and Exaltation, the Lord alone was exalted - (Isa. 45:20-25) - Ps. 24).

5.   On the Day of Pentecost, when the Lord Jesus poured out his Spirit upon his church, the Lord alone was exalted - (Acts 2:1-47).

6.   In this Day of Grace, every time God’s saints meet together in the name of Christ, in the preaching of the gospel, the Lord alone is exalted - (I Cor. 1:17-31).

7.   In that last great day, at The Great White Throne judgment, the Lord alone shall be exalted - (I Cor. 15:24-28).

 

·        The Second Coming!

·        The Resurrection!

·        The Judgment!

 

          In each of these great days in history, the Lord alone is exalted.  And we rejoice to know it.  If the text had nothing else to say, that would be enough.  But, if I read the chapter correctly, and I am sure I do, our text is referring to the experience of grace which God’s elect enjoy in this world.  “The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day,” in that day that you and I experience his grace and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus.

 

I.      In the day of your FIRST CONVICTIONS (John 16:8-13).

 

II.   In the day we saw CHRIST CRUCIFIED upon the cursed tree (Lam. 1:12; Zech. 12:10).

 

III. In the day WHEN CHRIST DRAWS US near to himself in sweet communion (Song of Sol. 2:4-11).

 

IV. In the day HE CAUSES OUR SOUL TO HUNGER AND THIRST for Him (Song of Sol. 5:1-16).

 

V.  In the day that HE RESTORES US from our wandering and from our falls (Song of Sol. 7:10-12).

 

·        David

·        Peter - “Thou knowest that I love thee!”

 

 

VI. In the day when our Lord ASSURES US of His love (Song of Sol. 8:6-7).

 

VII. In the day of GREAT TRIAL AND TROUBLE, when we have no strength, hope, or comfort but our God (Isa. 43:1-5; Ps. 73:25-26).

 

VIII. In the day when our Lord CALLS US TO GATHER OUR FEET INTO OUR BED AND DIE (Ps. 23).

 

IX. In the day that WE GET TO GLORY (Rev. 5:9-10).

 

Application:  Men talk much about revival and write books about the signs of revival.  But most of what I have read and heard is very little more than emotionalism, legalism, and free-willism.  Here is one sure, infallible sign of heaven sent revival - “The Lord Alone Will Be Exalted In That Day!”

 

1.   When a church begins to cry for God’s presence!

2.   When we are willing to be nothings!

3.   When we are willing to do anything!

4.   When we zealously seek the glory of God!

5.   When God’s blessing comes!