Sermon #50                                                            Series:  Isaiah

 

          Title:       Inquirers Answered

          Text:       Isaiah 14:32

          Subject:  The Blessedness Of God’s Church

          Date:      Sunday Evening - August 12, 1990

          Tape #

 

          Introduction:

 

          Our text is a prophecy of Israel’s victory over the Philistines (Palestina - vv. 29-32) and the great wealth of that small nation during the reign of Hezekiah.  Isaiah here foretold how that the nations of the world would be astonished at the preservation and prosperity of Zion among such great and numerous enemies.  And when they sent messengers to inquire about those things, the answer to be given was, “The Lord hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it.”

 

          Of course, you know that Zion represents the church of God.  All who are born of God are spiritual Zion.  All who trust Christ alone as Lord and Savior are the church of God.  And in this world, though despised, persecuted and abused, the church of God attracts the attention of men.  She is like the bush Moses saw…

 

1.   The bush burned with fire, but was not consumed - And the church of God has been burned in the fires of bitter persecution since the days of Cain and Abel.  Yet, she is not consumed, but only increased.

2.   Though insignificant in itself, God was in the bush - And though we are weak, insignificant, useless things ourselves, the Lord God is in our midst.  We are the house and temple of God!

3.   And God spoke out of that bush - Even so, God speaks to men and women today through the instrumentality of his church.

 

          Our text speaks of men from the nation, the world around us, asking questions of God’s church and the answer to be given to those who ask - (v. 32).

          Let me bring the text close to home.  The men and women of this town, and many around the world, look at this little congregation with astonishment.  Some are astonished at our existence.  Others are astonished at our ministry.  Wherever I go, I have curious people asking questions about us.  We are but an insignificant corner of God’s kingdom.  But in God’s good providence we have attracted the attention of the world around us.

 

·        By the Distinctiveness of our Doctrine (II Tim. 1:9).

·        By the Singular Boldness of our Claims (Phil. 3:3)

·        By the Greatness of our Privileges (II Cor. 6:17-18; Eph. 1:3).

·        By the Ministry God has Given Us Around the World (I Thess. 1:8).

 

          It is a good thing to have this attention from men.  Whether they rejoice with us or oppose, when men ask questions concerning us, God in his providence gives us opportunity to spread his truth in the earth.  And we should always be ready to give an answer to those who ask (I Pet. 3:15).

 

I.      WHY DO MEN AND WOMEN OF THE WORLD ASK ABOUT GOD’S CHURCH AND KINGDOM?

 

          When the Jews triumphed over the Philistines and later were delivered from the Babylonians, their enemies astonished that such a small, weak nation could survive such great conflicts with far superior enemies.  And their curiosity gave God’s people opportunity to glorify him.  The same is true of us today.

 

A.  Some inquire about God’s church with mere contempt.

 

          They see nothing great, glorious, or even appealing in the kingdom of God.  They look upon us with contempt.  Still, they are to be answered.  Perhaps if they know more their contempt will evaporate (II Tim. 23:24-26).

 

B. Some inquire about the things of God from nothing but sole curiosity.

 

          Many who come with curiosity are snared by grace.  Zacchaeus came to see Jesus, who he was.  But when Christ came to him, Zacchaeus went home justified, forgiven and saved.

 

C. There are some who inquire of us because God has awakened in them a true interest in Christ - (Song 5:9).

 

          Like the wise men, they have seen his star and come to worship him, asking, “Where is he?”

 

          For whatever reason, it is impossible for men to be indifferent to the church of God.  They will make inquiry of God’s saints.  And when they do, we should be ready to answer them.

 

II.   WHAT DO THE INQUIRERS ASK?

 

          When the messengers of Babylon cam to Hezikiah, they came to see everything.  Like the Queen of Sheba they asked many questions.  Though Hezikiah showed the Babylonian ambassadors too much, you and I can never do so.  Let men ask what they will concerning the church of God, we will tell all.

 

A.  What is the origin of God’s church? - Electing love and sovereign grace (Ps. 78:68-69).

B. What is the history of God’s church? - “Glorious things” (Ps. 87:1-7).

 

·        Redemption!

·        Providence!

·        Grace!

 

C. Who is the head of God’s church? - Christ alone (Ps. 99:1-2; Eph. 1:22).

 

·        Not the Pope!

·        Not the Pastor!

·        Not the Deacons!

·        Not the Elders!

·        Not the People!

D. What is the charter of God’s church? - Freedom (Gal. 4:26).

 

·        Freedom from Sin.

·        Freedom from Satan.

·        Freedom from the World.

·        Freedom from the Law.

 

E.  What is the law of God’s church?

 

1.   Holiness (Ezek. 43:10-12) - The Gospel!

2.   Faith (I John 3:23).

3.   Love (John 13:35).

4.   The Word of God (II Tim. 3:16-17).

 

F.  What is the treasure of God’s church? - The unsearchable riches of Christ” (Eph. 3:8).

 

·        His Person.

·        His Performance.

·        His Position.                         “Joint-Heirs with Christ!”

·        His Promises.

·        His Possessions.

 

G. What is the security of God’s church? (Ps. 48:12-14).

 

·        The Purpose of God.

·        The Purchase of Christ.

·        The Promises of the Spirit.

 

H.  What is the destiny of God’s church? (Eph. 5:25-27).

 

          The Son of God declares, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  William Carey, that great pioneer missionary, believing those very things, made this a rule of life - “Attempt great things for God, and expect great things from God!”  God give us grace to follows his example.

 

 

III. WHY SHOULD WE ANSWER THOSE WHO INQUIRE OF US?

 

          If you are like I am, you sometimes get tired of answering the questions of men.  But when men ask us about the things of God, the Lord has opened a door for us.  And we should give answer to those who ask.

 

A.  God may silence their objections.

B. The Lord my just be pleased to save them.

C. It will do us good to tell of God’s work.

D. It will glorify God for us to tell men what He has done, is doing, and shall hereafter do for His church.

 

·        Our answers should always direct men not to us and our work, but to God and his work.

 

IV. WHAT SHOULD WE ANSWER THOSE WHO INQUIRE OF US?

 

          Isaiah’s purpose here is precisely to show us how to answer inquirers.  This is what we have to say to all who ask of us.

 

A.  God is all in all to his church - “The Lord hath founded Zion.”

 

          Whatever we are, whatever we have, whatever we hope to be, “the Lord hath done it” - (I Cor. 1:30-31).

 

B. We are, in ourselves, but a poor and sinful people.

 

·        Our hope is in another - Christ.

·        We flee to Him for refuge.

 

C. We trust our souls upon the foundation of all the saints of all ages which God himself has laid, and that foundation is Christ - (Eph. 2:21).

 

 

 

Application:

 

1.   If you are interested in your immortal soul, ask any saved sinner here - We will be happy to tell you what God has done for us.

2.   Children of God, look for opportunity to answer the questions of men concerning Christ, his gospel and his kingdom - (Song 6:1-3).