Sermon #90    Series:  Isaiah

 

 

Title:  When Christ Comes

 

Text:  Isaiah 35:1-10

 

Subject:  The Blessing of Grace That Follow Christ’s Coming to Save

 

Date:   Sunday Evening – October 20, 1991

 

Introduction:

 

Some say that Isaiah 35 is a prophecy of the restoration of Judah and the revival that took place in the latter part of Hezekiah’s reign, after the Assyrian invasion.

 

Some say that these ten verses are a prophecy of the coming of Christ and the dawn of this gospel age, after the long, long night of spiritual darkness.  There is no question that it does refer to the coming of the Messiah, attended with signs, wonders, and miracles at the beginning of this gospel age.

 

And some say that Isaiah is here giving a prophecy of Christ’s second coming, and the everlasting joy of his glorious kingdom.  Again that cannot be disputed.   This prophecy does look to eternity and to the blessedness of God’s elect in eternity.

 

But I say, why not all three?  Why should we have to close one interpretation?  It seems obvious to me that this chapter is clearly a prophecy of Christ’s coming…

 

1.                   In Providence to Deliver and Bless Judah!

2.                   In Grace to Save His Elect!

3.                   In the End of Time to Gather His Ransomed Ones!

 

So I have called this message – “When Christ Comes.”  I will not spend much time talking about the historical event because Judah and Hezekiah are no longer with us.  And I will talk a great deal about the future, because I am not a prophet and I do not have any great perception of prophetic things.  I think I understand prophecy far better than those I have read and heard who claim to be “prophetic theologians” and “scholars of prophetic literature.”  But I realize that my understanding of prophecy is vague at best.  Therefore, I intend to spend my time tonight talking about what I know.  I am going to talk to you about the saving power and grace of God experienced in a sinner’s heart and soul – “When Christ Comes.”

 

Proposition:  When Christ comes to save he comes in power, making all things new – “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  (II Cor. 5:17).

 

Divisions:        Let me show you three things in this chapter-

 

1.                   The Promise of Grace (1-2).

2.                   The Preaching of Grace (3-4).

3.                   The Performances of Grace (5-10).

 

I.          First, in verses 1-2, the Lord God speaks and gives The Promise of Grace.

 

In chapter 34 we read of the threat of judgment.  Edom, the populous, fruitful land, because of it’s sin was made a desolate, barren wilderness, Here God promises grace.  When the land of Judah was freed from the Assyrians, that land that had been laid waste was made fruitful again.

 

Certainly, these verses also have reference to the Gentile world, which was a desolate, barren wilderness, bringing forth no fruit unto God.  But when it received the gospel, Jerusalem was left desolate and the Gentiles were given the joy of faith and brought forth fruit unto God. (Ps. 96:10-13).  (Isa. 54:1).

 

Blessed is that city, that notion, that people to whom God is pleased to send his Word, the gospel of his grace!

 

A.        Before Christ comes to a man, he is like a solitary, desolate wilderness, or an empty, barren desert.

 

            Man by nature has nothing, can do nothing, and can offer nothing to God.

 

·         He cannot walk with God.

·         He cannot serve God.

·         He cannot praise God.

·         He cannot speak to God.

·         He cannot even know God.

 

Like the desolate earth, he is “without form and void, and darkness is upon the face of the deep.”

 

B.                 But when Christ comes he makes the wilderness to blossom and bring forth fruit and causes the desert to rejoice.

 

1.       Grace is effectual, making sinners to bring forth fruit unto God – He gives life to the dead!

2.       Grace brings joy to the heart.

·         The Joy of Forgiveness!

·         The Joy of Faith!

·         The Joy of Life!

·         The Strength of Lebanon!

·         The Fruitfulness of Carmel!

·         The Beauty of Sharon!

C.                 When Christ comes to a sinner in saving power and grace, he reveals himself and makes himself know.

He causes us to see…

·         “The Glory of the Lord.”  (Ex. 33:18-34:7).

·         “The Excellency of our God.”

·         His Purpose.

·         His Character.

·         His Work.

 

This is what God promises to do for sinners when Christ comes in saving power…He will…

 

 

No man can do these things.  But God can and will.  And the means by which he has chosen to do so is the preaching of the gospel.  Nothing else will get the job done!

 

II.         So let me show you something about The Preaching of Grace from verses 3 and 4.

These are God’s words to his prophets and preachers.  This is what preachers are supposed to do for God’s saints.

 

A.                 “Strengthen ye the weak hands.”  That cannot work or even be lifted up in prayer.

B.                 “Confirm the feeble knees.”  That cannot stand, walk, or run.

C.                 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart….” That cannot find peace.

·         “Be strong.”

·         “Fear Not.”

·         “Behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense”- Upon your enemies!

·         “He will come and save you!”

 

While we seek the salvation of God’s elect, those who are already his children must not be neglected.  It is the shepherd’s job to feed the Lord’s sheep.

 

Note:  The performance of grace follows the preaching of the gospel.

 

III.       Then, in verses 5-10, the prophet returns to the business at hand, assuring sinners of The Performances of Grace that must and shall attend the coming of Christ in saving power.

 

Without question, the wondrous miracles described here were prophetic of Christ’s coming to establish his kingdom in this world.  These things were proofs of his messiahship.

 

Wonders were wrought on man’s bodies.  But these wonders were only a foretaste of the greater wonders wrought on men’s souls through the preaching of the gospel (John 14:12).

 

A.                 When Christ comes, he gives life where there was only death before (vv. 5-7).

 

·         To See Him.

·         To Hear Him.

·         To Praise Him

·         To Walk with Him and Serve Him.

 

B.                 When Christ comes, he causes those who were lost, straying, on the road to hell, to walk in the way of Holiness.

 

The way of holiness is the way of holy worship and the way of holy obedience.  Holiness is the conformity of my life, my will, my will, my heart, myself to Christ, his will, his heart, and his life.  When God saves a man or a woman, he puts the saved sinner in the way.  He makes them to be the people of the way.  The way of Holiness is the way of:

 

·         Faith.

·         Submission.

·         Consecration.

 

1.      “This Highway, the King’s Highway, is called by many names in the Scripture.

 

·         “The Way of righteousness” (Matt. 21:32).

·         “The Way of God”  (Matt. 22:16).

·         “The Way of Peace” (Lk. 1:79).

·         “The Way of Salvation” (Acts 16:17).

·         “The Way of Truth” (II Pet. 2:2).

·         “The Narrow Way”

·         “The Way which is called Heresy” by the religious world (Acts 24:14).  “The Good, Old Way”  (Jer. 6”16).

 

2.   Christ himself is the way (John 14:6).

 

 

C.                 When we have reached the end of the King’s Highway, the ransomed of the Lord shall be brought into heaven in a triumphant blaze of glory (v. 10).

 

All who are ransomed with the blood of Christ shall inherit the kingdom and glory of Christ!

 

1.   We shall come to Zion at last!

2.       We shall enter into heaven with songs of praise!

3.       We shall be crowned with everlasting joy upon our heads!

4.       We shall obtain joy and gladness at last!

5.       Sorrow and sighing shall flee away!  (Rev. 21:3-7).

 

Application:

 

When Christ comes to a sinner, he comes not to offer grace, but to perform grace.  He does not come to show you the way, but to put you in the way.  He does not come to tell you what to do for him, but to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.  I pray that he may be pleased now to come to you—If he does, you will come to him (John 7:37).