A New Life
Sermon
Sermons on the First Readings
Series III, Cycle C
Object:
The old traditional idea of camping out under the stars with only a blanket or sleeping bag next to a running river, hauling water from a stream, cooking over the open fire, and hearing the sounds of coyote in the distance has been replaced! Motor homes of all sizes, shapes, and conveniences allow the traveler the comforts of home! Modern campers can now park a fully equipped motor home on a cement pad in the middle of a forest with a lake as a background, but they can hook up to water and a separate sewer line, and an electric outlet to allow them to watch their favorite television program on a flat-screen television in HD! Their cell phone keeps them connected to the family; the computer hookup gives them access to the world through the web. No more inconveniences of dirt roads, no more need for smoke in the eyes with an open fire, no more drudgery of walking to the stream for a bath. One can choose whether to go outside or stay inside looking through their double-size window that brings all outdoors indoors.
People buy motor homes with the hope of seeing new places, getting out into the world and seeing new sites, making new friends, and having new adventures.
"New" is the optimum word in this scripture. We look for new opportunities and new challenges. In his word God is giving Israel a new opportunity. In chapter 42, Isaiah culminates with punishment for the people of Israel for their consistent sinful ways. Chapter 43 takes a new turn. It is a chapter filled with the promise of new adventures if they turn from their evil ways and follow his direction for their lives. God's fury of sin is now replaced with his new desire for their redemption (43:1). But that has always been the way. God absolutely hates sin, but his absolute love and consistent purpose is working for their redemption. The culmination point is the coming of Jesus to redeem not just Israel, but all of humankind. David McKenna comments, "For a moment at least, we turn the pages from the Old Testament to the New Testament and find in this chapter the theological roots of our Christian faith."1
Isaiah is giving rise to the idea of a new creation, a new love story, a new family reunion.
A New Creation (Isaiah 43:1)
Creation deals with the idea of origins. In the physical realm it is the origin of matter, energy, stars, planets, animals, plants, man, and everything from the beginning until now.
Creation may be defined as the free act of God by which he brought into existence the universe and all that it contains, without the use of preexistent materials -- creatio ex nihilo.2
Isaiah understands that it is this same God who formed the world and all that is in it, who created and formed the people of Israel. It is out of this formation that they become a special people.
God's naming of Israel is also a special act of his new creation. Like a father and mother giving their child its name at the time of dedication or baptism, God gives Israel his own name as members of the family.3
God who formed the world and all that is in it has created a special people through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Like Israel they were powerless to save themselves. Good works do not save. Attempts to keep the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Law do not save them. Wishing does not save. These individuals have come to a point of recognizing their sin, acknowledging their need of turning from their sin while turning to God, and requesting that he forgives them of their sin. These people are called Christians.
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? How are we redeemed by God as Israel was redeemed?
* The distinctive element is the fact that these people centered on the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
* There is a fervent commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives.
* It meant a formal identification with the body of Christ ... the church.
* There is an acceptance of the spiritual principles of the Christian community.
* There is a continuing identification with Christ.
This new creation births Christians all around the globe in all shapes, sizes, races, colors, and ages.
Being a Christian means allowing the interpretation of life found in Christ Jesus to shape one's existence. This becomes a unifying center for one's life. It is the context in which all else is seen. It is, of all life's considerations, the most important and it relativizes all else.4
A New Love Story (Isaiah 43:2-4)
I enjoy a good story. Stories can transport me to incredible lands. Whether real or fictional they create characters with unique quirks that demonstrate strengths and weaknesses, or show their high or low motivation to do something in life. Stories can trigger my imagination and unravel any of my preconceived ideas. A rhythm can build to a crescendo like a mountain peak or surprise me with a sudden drop, not unlike that of a roller coaster. A good story triggers more questions than it gives answers. Anticipation should build throughout the story as it creates an "Oh" or "Wow" moment. The depth of the story gives me understanding and background of the events that come with the experiences they reveal. A truly good story calls me back to read it a second time. The end doesn't just summarize, but concludes the story. It climaxes all that has gone before and is satisfying all that I need to know.
Isaiah wrote a love story about God. When life seems unbearable, filled with trials, tragedies, or temptations, God demonstrates his strength of character by coming alongside us. When we pass through the waters and rivers, fires and flames, he enters our troubles and unravels our preconceived ideas by surprising us with his holy presence. When sin wraps itself around our heart, the depth of the story is revealed in the power of God! God sends his Son into the world to break the power of sin, Satan, evil, and hell. At the baptism of Jesus, God speaks, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22 NIV). This is God coming in flesh to make his powerful presence available to people who seek him. What a love story! The champion of the oppressed, bleeding, and dying, God himself becomes our defender. John tells us how much God loves us. Say it aloud, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17 NIV). Take time and read the story again!
A New Family Reunion (Isaiah 43:5-7)
These verses are reminders of God's love in relationship to his children ... his family. The people of Israel had lost their identity as a nation. God, through his prophet Isaiah, says he will bring his family home from the east, west, north, and south. No corner of the world will be left untouched.
An even more grandiose family reunion is being planned. God is sending his Son, Jesus, back to the earth and will call all of his children home to a family reunion in the new kingdom! They will come from the east, west, north, and south. No corner of the world will be left untouched. All who are dead and those who are still living will be caught up with him in the sky and transported to their new home ... heaven! It will be an incredible day for those who know him. There will be laughing, shouts of joy, hugging, and loving beyond our wildest imagination. People we have not seen in decades will greet us and those that we have only heard or read about will be at that reunion as they will be our brothers and sisters in the faith.
But there is more! I read about a young boy who had been serving the Lord for a few months who visited a friend who was dying. The youngster offered to read some of the promises from the Bible. He read the first two verses of John 14. "My friend," said the old Christian, "those are great verses, comforting verses, but look at me, my friend; do you think it is a mansion that this old man is longing for, a pearly gate to walk through, or golden streets that my old feet are longing to walk on? No, friend, please read the next verses."
Then the boy read, "Where I am, there you may be also." The aged man said, "Now you have it! It is the master that I want to see and be with forever!"5
I have been at many airports and have observed many family reunions. I especially enjoy watching military families. I know that they have kept constant correspondence through letters, emails, and exchange of gifts. But when they see each other at the airport the letters that the postman brought that morning go unnoticed and the packages unopened, but there is a rush to be in one another's arms.
God has sent us letters and gifts over our lifetime, but when Jesus comes, the letters and gifts will be set aside and we will rush into his loving arms -- forever!
Are you ready for the greatest of family reunions? Amen.
____________________
1. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, editor, The Communicator's Commentary, Isaiah 40-66 by David Mckenna (Dallas: Word Books, 1994).
2. J. Kenneth Grider/Willard H. Taylor, Beacon Dictionary of Theology (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1983), p. 139.
3. Op cit, Ogilvie, p. 450.
4. Albert M. Wells Jr., compiler, Inspiring Quotations (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988), p. 30.
5. G. B. F. Hallock, Five Thousand Best Modern Illustrations (New York: George Doran Company, 1927), p. 360.
People buy motor homes with the hope of seeing new places, getting out into the world and seeing new sites, making new friends, and having new adventures.
"New" is the optimum word in this scripture. We look for new opportunities and new challenges. In his word God is giving Israel a new opportunity. In chapter 42, Isaiah culminates with punishment for the people of Israel for their consistent sinful ways. Chapter 43 takes a new turn. It is a chapter filled with the promise of new adventures if they turn from their evil ways and follow his direction for their lives. God's fury of sin is now replaced with his new desire for their redemption (43:1). But that has always been the way. God absolutely hates sin, but his absolute love and consistent purpose is working for their redemption. The culmination point is the coming of Jesus to redeem not just Israel, but all of humankind. David McKenna comments, "For a moment at least, we turn the pages from the Old Testament to the New Testament and find in this chapter the theological roots of our Christian faith."1
Isaiah is giving rise to the idea of a new creation, a new love story, a new family reunion.
A New Creation (Isaiah 43:1)
Creation deals with the idea of origins. In the physical realm it is the origin of matter, energy, stars, planets, animals, plants, man, and everything from the beginning until now.
Creation may be defined as the free act of God by which he brought into existence the universe and all that it contains, without the use of preexistent materials -- creatio ex nihilo.2
Isaiah understands that it is this same God who formed the world and all that is in it, who created and formed the people of Israel. It is out of this formation that they become a special people.
God's naming of Israel is also a special act of his new creation. Like a father and mother giving their child its name at the time of dedication or baptism, God gives Israel his own name as members of the family.3
God who formed the world and all that is in it has created a special people through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Like Israel they were powerless to save themselves. Good works do not save. Attempts to keep the Ten Commandments or the Mosaic Law do not save them. Wishing does not save. These individuals have come to a point of recognizing their sin, acknowledging their need of turning from their sin while turning to God, and requesting that he forgives them of their sin. These people are called Christians.
What does it mean to be a new creation in Christ? How are we redeemed by God as Israel was redeemed?
* The distinctive element is the fact that these people centered on the person of Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
* There is a fervent commitment to Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives.
* It meant a formal identification with the body of Christ ... the church.
* There is an acceptance of the spiritual principles of the Christian community.
* There is a continuing identification with Christ.
This new creation births Christians all around the globe in all shapes, sizes, races, colors, and ages.
Being a Christian means allowing the interpretation of life found in Christ Jesus to shape one's existence. This becomes a unifying center for one's life. It is the context in which all else is seen. It is, of all life's considerations, the most important and it relativizes all else.4
A New Love Story (Isaiah 43:2-4)
I enjoy a good story. Stories can transport me to incredible lands. Whether real or fictional they create characters with unique quirks that demonstrate strengths and weaknesses, or show their high or low motivation to do something in life. Stories can trigger my imagination and unravel any of my preconceived ideas. A rhythm can build to a crescendo like a mountain peak or surprise me with a sudden drop, not unlike that of a roller coaster. A good story triggers more questions than it gives answers. Anticipation should build throughout the story as it creates an "Oh" or "Wow" moment. The depth of the story gives me understanding and background of the events that come with the experiences they reveal. A truly good story calls me back to read it a second time. The end doesn't just summarize, but concludes the story. It climaxes all that has gone before and is satisfying all that I need to know.
Isaiah wrote a love story about God. When life seems unbearable, filled with trials, tragedies, or temptations, God demonstrates his strength of character by coming alongside us. When we pass through the waters and rivers, fires and flames, he enters our troubles and unravels our preconceived ideas by surprising us with his holy presence. When sin wraps itself around our heart, the depth of the story is revealed in the power of God! God sends his Son into the world to break the power of sin, Satan, evil, and hell. At the baptism of Jesus, God speaks, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:22 NIV). This is God coming in flesh to make his powerful presence available to people who seek him. What a love story! The champion of the oppressed, bleeding, and dying, God himself becomes our defender. John tells us how much God loves us. Say it aloud, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him" (John 3:16-17 NIV). Take time and read the story again!
A New Family Reunion (Isaiah 43:5-7)
These verses are reminders of God's love in relationship to his children ... his family. The people of Israel had lost their identity as a nation. God, through his prophet Isaiah, says he will bring his family home from the east, west, north, and south. No corner of the world will be left untouched.
An even more grandiose family reunion is being planned. God is sending his Son, Jesus, back to the earth and will call all of his children home to a family reunion in the new kingdom! They will come from the east, west, north, and south. No corner of the world will be left untouched. All who are dead and those who are still living will be caught up with him in the sky and transported to their new home ... heaven! It will be an incredible day for those who know him. There will be laughing, shouts of joy, hugging, and loving beyond our wildest imagination. People we have not seen in decades will greet us and those that we have only heard or read about will be at that reunion as they will be our brothers and sisters in the faith.
But there is more! I read about a young boy who had been serving the Lord for a few months who visited a friend who was dying. The youngster offered to read some of the promises from the Bible. He read the first two verses of John 14. "My friend," said the old Christian, "those are great verses, comforting verses, but look at me, my friend; do you think it is a mansion that this old man is longing for, a pearly gate to walk through, or golden streets that my old feet are longing to walk on? No, friend, please read the next verses."
Then the boy read, "Where I am, there you may be also." The aged man said, "Now you have it! It is the master that I want to see and be with forever!"5
I have been at many airports and have observed many family reunions. I especially enjoy watching military families. I know that they have kept constant correspondence through letters, emails, and exchange of gifts. But when they see each other at the airport the letters that the postman brought that morning go unnoticed and the packages unopened, but there is a rush to be in one another's arms.
God has sent us letters and gifts over our lifetime, but when Jesus comes, the letters and gifts will be set aside and we will rush into his loving arms -- forever!
Are you ready for the greatest of family reunions? Amen.
____________________
1. Lloyd J. Ogilvie, editor, The Communicator's Commentary, Isaiah 40-66 by David Mckenna (Dallas: Word Books, 1994).
2. J. Kenneth Grider/Willard H. Taylor, Beacon Dictionary of Theology (Kansas City: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 1983), p. 139.
3. Op cit, Ogilvie, p. 450.
4. Albert M. Wells Jr., compiler, Inspiring Quotations (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1988), p. 30.
5. G. B. F. Hallock, Five Thousand Best Modern Illustrations (New York: George Doran Company, 1927), p. 360.
