Sermon
# 220 Series: Isaiah
Title: A CALL FOR IMPORTUNITY
Text: Isaiah 62:6-7
Subject: Importunity in Prayer and
Preaching
Date:
Sunday Evening – September 10, 1995
Tape
# R-72
Introduction:
In
the opening verses of this chapter our Lord promises
that he will not rest until his purpose of grace toward his elect has been accomplished. (vv. 1-3).
The very Being of God, in all his fulness, glory, and power, is set upon
the salvation and ultimate glorification of his church. There is a moment when the
heart of Christ does not beat with desire for the salvation of his
redeemed. He set his face like a flint
to go up to Mt. Calvary to redeem us with his precious Blood. And he is equally adamant, with quenchless
zeal, regarding the salvation of every chosen, redeemed, beloved sinner.
In the text before us tonight, our God and
Savior calls for everyone of us to be in union with him in this matter. He would have us to have our
hearts set upon the salvation of his people too (vv. 6-7). He would have us to be as passionate and
devoted as he is toward the salvation of his people.
1. It is our responsibility to spread the light of the
gospel through all the world – To publish salvation everywhere. (Mt. 28:18-20).
2. Our object in preaching the
gospel is twofold:
3. Nothing can be more inspiring to this work of evangelizing
the world than the sure knowledge of God’s absolute predestination, by which
the salvation of his elect is secured.
In
the first part of the chapter God promises that he will save his elect. In these two verses he challenges us to seek
the salvation of those who have been chosen, ordained, and predestinated to
salvation.
I can
think of no greater inspiration for the preaching of the gospel than this – God wills it, and he has promised to use it! (Isa. 55:11; I Cor.
15:58). There are some sinners in this
world who must and shall be saved, out of every nation.
Proposition: In order to accomplish the salvation of his people,
the Lord God has set watchmen upon the walls of Zion to warn sinners of wrath
and show them the way of salvation and life in Christ.
Divisions: I want to show you three things in our text:
I. First, our text describes the work of God’s
servants as a threefold work of A Responsible Calling.
In
these two verses God’s prophets, pastors, gospel preachers are described as (1)
Watchmen – “I have set watchmen upon thy walls! (2) Spokesmen – “Ye that make mention of the
Lord, keep not silence! And (3) In the
marginal translation – Remembrances – “Ye that are the Lord’s
remembrances keep not silence.” These three descriptions of work represent to us the work
to which every gospel preacher is called.
Indeed, this is a work to which every believer is called, though not in the office capacity
and public ministry of a pastor or preacher.
So, as I describe my own responsibilities, I am also describing
yours. It is as much
your duty to make Christ known, as it is mine.
But
let’s look at this very responsible calling.
A. God’s Servants are Watchmen
upon The Walls of Zion.
1. Watchmen are given their posts and placed by
God – “I have set watchmen.”
2. The watchmen’s place is upon the walls of
Jerusalem, the church.
3. Faithful watchmen must “never hold their
peace day nor night.”
B. God’s servants are All
Spokesmen too – “Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence.”
All
gospel preachers, if called of God to the work of the ministry, are gifted of
God to speak for him – In their preaching, they constantly make mention of the
Lord, directing the hearts of the people to him.
C. And God’s Servants Are His
Remembrances, - It is our duty and privilege to keep up the memory of our God before
men. That is to never let people forget
who he is and what he has done.
I
find that a king’s remembrances in ancient times had two distinct duties.
1.
The
King’s Remembrances was to Remind The People of Their Duty of The King. Faith and Love.
2.
The
King’s Remembrances was to Remind The King of His Promises to The People. Isaiah 43:26
II. Secondly, our text issues A Remarkable Caution.
The
opening line of verse 7 could be translated two ways. Both translations should be heeded.
A. First, the words might be translated, “Take ye no rest.”
That simply means that we must never lay down the mantle. We must never quit the work. We must never walk away from our responsibility.
B. Secondly, the words might be translated as
they are in our version. “Give him no rest.”
That
brings me to this third point.
III. A Rousing Challenge is issued in these words.
Here
the Holy Spirit calls for us to give God Almighty no rest until he has
fulfilled his decree and saved his elect.
A. God commands us to exercise
importunity with him – “Give him no rest.”
B. Our text makes it plain that
importunity prevails with God.
C. Importunity on our part is a
sure sign of coming action on God’s part.
When
God intends to do something among us, with us, or for us, he causes us to cry
to him for it.
D. Indifference is a sure sign of
uselessness at best and coming judgment at worst.
Application:
Once more, I issue a call to you.