Sermon # 88      Series:   Isaiah

 

 

Title:    ”Forgiven!”

 

Text:   Isaiah 33:24

 

Subject:  The Forgiven Sin

 

Date:  Sunday Evening – October 6, 1991

 

Introduction:

 

            Jerusalem was on the brink of destruction.  When all hope of earthly help was gone, in utter helplessness, Hezekiah called upon God to deliver his people.  When he did God arose, stretched forth his mighty arm, destroyed the Assyrians, and delivered his people.  When Hezekiah prayed, God gave him this word of promise concerning his people, who were in the depths of anguish because of their unbelief and sin – “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick:  the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity-“(v.24).

 

            The great result of God’s gracious dealings with his afflicted people was that they glorified his name.  In this chapter God is spoken of as being “exalted; for he dwelleth on high.” (v.5).  He is called “the glorious Lord.”  (v.21).  Truly, God never appears more glorious than when he condescends to deliver us from the extremities of trouble and sorrow which we bring upon ourselves by our own sin and unbelief.  Throughout this chapter, I can hear the echo of David’s words, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Ps. 107:8).

 

            This whole chapter is a message from God to his people who are in the depths of utter extremity.  When they had been made to drink the bitter drops of God’s providential chastisement, in their great need, God arose!  When worst had come to worst, he made bare his holy arm and brought deliverance to his people.  I say to you, my brothers and sisters who are in great distress, be not afraid, take comfort, be of good cheer.  When all else is gone, when you have no other hope and no other strength.  God remains the same, God will appear.  “He abideth faithful!”  He will never leave you nor forsake you!  When you have no strength, it will be your strength to set still.  When you can do nothing to help yourself, it will be your wisest course of action to “stand still and see the salvation of the Lord!”

 

Proposition:

 

            Though the Lord chastens his own, he will yet be merciful, he will forgive the iniquity of his people. 

 

Divisions:

 

            This is the message of our text.  I want to show you four things in this test:

 

  1. Our heavenly Father wisely and lovingly chastens his erring children.
  2. Forgiveness is promised to every penitent sinner.
  3. When sin is forgiven the consequences of sin are removed.
  4. As soon as the rod of correction has done its work, forgiveness is sought and forgiveness is granted.

 

I.          Our heavenly father wisely and lovingly chastens his erring children.

 

            Jerusalem was in the mess they were in because of their sin and unbelief.  The history of Israel reveals much to us about God’s providential judgments upon his people.  They are not judgments of wrath but of mercy, love, and grace.  Be sure you understand this.  God does not punish his people for sin, in the strict sense of that word.  He punished our sins in Christ, when he suffered the wrath of God as our Substitute.  But God will not allow his children to get by with sin and disobedience.  As a loving Father he disciplines his household (Heb. 12:5-11).

 

            I do not say that all suffering and sorrow endured by God’s saints is to be looked upon by them as being the result of some personal sin.  It is not.  And let none of us be like Job’s miserable friends, accusing our afflicted brethren of wickedness because they suffer.  Self-righteousness is never more obnoxious than when it shakes its condemning finger at a man or woman in great trouble and sorrow.

 

            But do understand this, God’s providential judgments do come upon his erring children.  God will use the rod of correction to drive the sin which he hates from the soul he loves.

 

            Illustration:  David

                                  The Corinthians

 

A.                 When God chastens his children it is painful.

B.                 But when the Lord chastens us, it is always profitable.

 

II.         But forgiveness is promised to every penitent sinner.

 

            Our text promises forgiveness.  “The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity!”  “Forgiven”- what a blessed word.  In our text, it is forgiveness promised to God’s erring, fallen, sinful saints.  Child of God, hear this and rejoice – As God forgave David and forgave Peter, so he promises to forgive you (I John 2:1-2).  As he forgave Hezekiah and Judah, so he will forgive me and so he will forgive you!

 

            But let me broaden the text.  This word of grace is not to God’s saints alone.  Forgiveness is promised to every penitent sinner (Isa. 55:6-7; I John 1:9).

 

A.        We all have one thing in common – we are all sinners in need of forgiveness – “All have sinned!”

 

1.      Our sin is fourfold:

a.                   We are all sinners by nature.

b.                  We all have the old man of sin in us.

c.                   We are all sinners by choice and practice.

d.                  But the root of sin is in our hearts.

·        We sin in principle.

·        We sin in thought.

·        We sin in motive and attitude.

“The Lord looketh upon the heart!”

2.      We are constant mass of sin.

In thought, in word, in deed, we have sinned, we are sinning, and we will sin, even in our best performances (Isa. 64:6).  What I am saying is true of us all, believers and unbelievers.  We are all sinners in need of forgiveness.

3.      We must learn to look upon sin as it really is, in its true character (Lk. 16:15).

“Sin is the transgression of the law.”  That is the outward act of sin.  But it is much more than that.

·        Sin is rebellion against God, a denial of God’s right to be God!

·        Sin is unbelief!

·        The root of sin is self-righteousness and pride.

B.         But I am here to proclaim to you the good news of the gospel, There is forgiveness with God (Ps. 130:4; Mic. 7:18).

 

            How can we be sure that there is forgiveness with God?  Certainly, we have no hope in ourselves.  We cannot atone for our sins!   But I know that there is forgiveness with God for these seven reasons:

1.                  God’s name is forgiveness (Ex. 34:5).

2.                  All the prophets of the Old Testament proclaimed forgiveness (Acts 10:43).

3.                  All the sacrifices of the Mosaic age portrayed and promised forgiveness- “When I see the blood”

4.                  Christ came into the world to obtain forgiveness for his people (Matt. 1:21; Heb. 9:12, 26).

5.                  The Holy Scriptures sent to convince the world of the forgiveness of sin in and by Christ – (John 16:8-11).

·        Our Sin – (v.9).

·        Christ’s Righteousness – (v.10).

·        God’s Judgment of our sin in Christ – (v.11)  Forgiveness!

6.                  Christ told his disciples to tell the whole world that he would forgive sin (Lk. 24:44).

7.                  I have experienced and am experiencing the forgiveness of sin (Ps. 32:5; I John 1:7).

 

II.         When sin is forgiven, the consequences of sin are removed.

 

            Jerusalem was about to be ruined with pestilence.  But when God promised forgiveness, he promised to remove the pest which has been caused by their sin.  He said, “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick;  The people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.”

 

A.        My friend, if you come to Christ, God will not only forgive you of your sin, he will also heal you of all the consequences of your sin!

 

 

B.         Child of God, as soon as your Father hears your confession he will both forgive your sin and take away the rod of correction – (Isa. 54:7-10; Song 5: 2-16; 3:1-5; Rev. 3:20).

 

Illustration:  One of Augustus Toplady’s friends had a beloved son who died.  When some of his friends come by to offer their condolences, he said, “I would be content, were it possible, to lose a son every day in the year, might I but be favored with such manifestations of God’s presence and love as I have experienced on this occasion.”

 

IV.       Do you ask when this forgiveness can be expected?  Look at Isaiah 33 again, and you will see that – As soon as the rod of correction has done its work, forgiveness is sought and forgiveness is granted.

 

            As soon as Hezakiah was humbled he sought the Lord.  And as soon as he sought the Lord he was forgiven.

 

A.        Pardon was granted when prayer was offered – “O Lord, be gracious unto us.” (v.2).

            Illustration:  The Prodigal – (I John 1:9).

B.         Pardon was given when God was exalted in the hearts of his people –“The Lord is exalted.” (v.5).

           

            God does not grant forgiveness to men until they recognize and acknowledge his greatness.

 

            Illustration:  Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4).

 

C.        God grants pardon when men are humbled before him. (v.7).

 

            Illustration:  The Publican (Lk. 18).

 

D.        God grants pardon when sinners are terrified by reason of their sin. (v.14).

           

            Illustration:  Soul of Tarsus (Acts 9).

 

E.         God will pardon sinners when he is acknowledged as Lord and King (v.22).

 

            Kiss the Son, lest he be angry!”  God will never grant pardon to any who refuse to bow to his rule.  Christ will not save until you cease to cry.  “We will not have this man to reign over us.”

 

F.         God forgives our sin as soon as we trust in him – “He will save us!” (v.22).

 

            Personal faith in Christ brings the peace of perfect pardon to the believing heart.

 

 

Come to Christ and be forgiven!

All who come are heirs of heaven;

Confess your sins, bow before Him,

Sinner, be reconciled to Him.

 

Through the blood of His Son, Jesus,

God is just, but ever gracious,

Faithful to His covenant promise,

Pardon, full and free, He gives us!

 

Forgiven of all transgression,

I praise God for His salvation!

Precious Savior, great Redeemer,

To Your rule I now surrender!

 

Blessed Sov’reign, chosen Master,

Your servant, this ransomed sinner,

Longs for grace to serve and honor,

Your great name, my God, my Savior.

 

Will you grant me this petition?

Take this sinner You’ve forgiven,

By Your grace, which name can measure,

And use me for your own pleasure.