Sermon
# 202 Series: Isaiah
Title: “THE LORD LOOKETH ON THE
HEART.”
Text: Isaiah 58:1-14
Subject: God’s Contempt for
Heartless, Religious Ritualism
Date:
Sunday Evening – January 15, 1995
Introduction:
The
title of my message tonight is “The Lord Looketh on the
Heart.” Our text will be Isaiah 58:1-14. Let’s read it together…
The
subject of these fourteen verses is God’s utter contempt for
empty, heartless, religious ritualism. The chapter has for its
historical background the great day of atonement, the only time Israel was
required to keep the fasts described in these verses. As the trumps was to be sounded to announce
that day, so God’s prophet is required to lift up his voice like a trumpet
against the iniquities, transgressions, and sins of God’s elect, for which
atonement must be made – (Heb. 9:22). As the day of atonement was to be a day for the
breaking of yokes of bondage, a day of bounteous provision for the poor and the
oppressed, and a day of joyful worship in the celebration of God’s great
deliverance, so the gospel announces freedom for the oppressed slaves of sin
and satan, bountiful provision for poor and needy souls, and salvation for lost
sinners by God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ.
Such
a great and gracious God as our God is, and such works of grace and wonders of
mercy as we have experienced at his hand and daily enjoy in his presence,
demand joyful and solemn worship from us that is the theme of Isaiah 58 –
Worship, real worship. Specifically the
text is talking about the public assemblies of God’s saints for worship in
the house of God.
1. It is absolutely essential in
the worship of God that we worship him “after the due order.”
2. But, the right doctrine, the
right ordinances, and the right conduct will not secure God’s approval and
blessing. (I Chron. 15:13).
3. God demands heart worship! – “The Lord looketh on the heart!” “A form of godliness” without
heart worship is contemptible in the sight of God!
Proposition: The Lord God almighty, who “looketh on the heart,”
despises empty, heartless, religious ritualism and ceremonialism.
I. The Duty and Responsibility of
God’s Prophet in Every Generation is To Stand in the Gap, Expose Sin, Warn of
Judgment, and Call Sinners to Repentance – (v. 1).
The direction given in verse 1 is strong and clear. Those who have received a commission to speak for God are men who must…
A. Deliver God’s Message with
Earnestness – “Cry
aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet.”
B. Proclaim God’s Word with
Fidelity! “Spare not!” “Show my people.”
Illus: John the Baptist.
Peter – Acts 4
C. Keep The Atonement Constantly
Before Men!
Remember,
as I told you in my introduction, this chapter has direct reference to the day
of atonement. Separate it from the day of atonement and it has no meaning! So it is with all religious service and all
preaching. It is the business of
preachers to preach up Christ and his blood atonement.
II. Nothing on this earth is more
abominable and contemptible in the sight of God than Hypocritical Religious
Activity – (vv.
2-7).
Illus: “I’m so tired of religion!”
What
a sad, sad picture this is of religion; but, oh, how true!
A. These people were zealous (v. 2).
B. They presumed that God would bless them
because of their religious devotion, zeal, and activity (v. 3).
They
were upset with God because he had not rewarded their devotion – “Thou takest
no knowledge.”
C. While they zealously devoted
themselves to religious duties, they were cruel, oppressive, and mean (vv. 3-4).
1. Their religious activity gave them great
pleasure and satisfaction.
2. But they oppressed their laborers.
3. Their religion was not something that
promoted the praise of God, but something that promoted:
….Strife!
….Debate!
….Persecution!
4. They did what they did, not because of love,
gratitude, and ambition for God’s glory, but to make their “voice heard on
high” – To win God’s favor and blessing!
It was all an outward show! (v.
5).
III. True worship, True Godliness
arises from a Heart of Faith, Gratitude, and Humility, and is Reflected Acts of
Love, Mercy, and Kindness (vv. 6-7).
IV. God Honors Those Who Honor Him
(vv. 8-12).
If we
honor our God with this true, heart worship, that shows itself in love, mercy,
and kindness, God will honor us with…
A. Spiritual Health (v. 9).
B. Spiritual Communion (v. 9).
C. Spiritual Usefulness (vv. 9-10).
D. Spiritual Satisfaction (v. 11).
E. Spiritual Posterity (v. 12).
“And
thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to
dwell in.”
NOTE: There is a direct correlation between our honoring
God and his honoring us in all things.
V. The Keeping of the Sabbath in
The Old Testament Was a Beautiful Picture of Faith in Christ, who is Our
Sabbath – (vv.
13-14).
We
are strictly forbidden of God to keep a literal sabbath day in this gospel age
(Col. 2:16). But faith in Christ is the
true sabbath rest (Heb. 4:1-10). To
keep the Sabbath involves 5 things:
A. It is a matter of Rest.
B. It is a matter of Delight – “Willing”
C. It is a matter of Divine Honor – “Honor
Him!”
D. It is a matter of Surrender and Submission.
E. It is a matter of Everlasting Salvation –
(v. 14).
Application: “The Lord looketh on the heart!”