Let's take our Bibles and turn
to the book of Romans. I would like to read while you're
turning there, Romans 16. I would just like to say, and I
really don't know what to say, so I'll just start. I consider this to be the greatest
of all honors for me. to stand in a place where the
gospel has so faithfully and consistently been preached for
all of these years. I am thankful to our mighty God
for the man that he has raised up and placed in this place. Fairmont has been a blessed town. blessed city. I love and appreciate
Brother Scott Richardson. He has been a dear friend to
me, to my family, and to all of you that our blessed Lord
has given a heart after him, having chosen before time was
from all of eternity chosen, gave to the Lord Jesus Christ,
blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ,
that I am thankful. I am thankful that He would give
me a heart after Him. I have nothing to boast in save
Him. I know that I am nothing. Without Him, I have nothing. I pray that our blessed Lord
might be pleased to continue to bless His Word in this place. I looked to Brother Scott Richardson
as my teacher. I told him, Scott, I want to
listen and learn. This man's got a lot to say,
as he always has, by God's grace. And I look forward to the time
of this change. I know it's a change, but I know
this. Our God doesn't change. The Lord
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He doesn't
change. His message doesn't change. His people are kept by His power
through faith. And this day, as we begin this
new day, it's a new day, a new time, but I look forward, by
God's grace, as we go forward from here, as He teaches us,
I'm thankful. And I'm thankful for you. I am
thankful for this pastor, thankful for you, and especially as we
thank our mighty God. Romans chapter 16, verse 25, Romans 16, 25, Now to him that
is of power to establish you according to my gospel. and the
preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery
which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made
manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to
the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations
for the obedience of faith to God only wise. Be glory through Jesus Christ. forever. Amen. Let's pray. Our Father, this morning, as
we call upon You, we do so in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we are thankful that You
have given us this privilege to be in this place, to come
together to hear the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We pray,
asking You, Lord, bless this Word to our hearts. Cause us
to hear. Cause us to see, to perceive. Cause our hearts to be made receptive. We appreciate so much Your presence. You said where two or three are
gathered in Your name, You're in the midst. Lord, we pray. Cause us to remember You and
Your presence. For we ask these things in the
name of the Lord Jesus. Amen. All right, turn with me to the
book of Isaiah, Isaiah chapter 53. I'd like to just read Isaiah
53, 1, and then I'd like to consider the last three verses of Isaiah
52. Isaiah 53, verse 1, Who hath
believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the
Lord revealed? The gospel is the report of God. It's the truth of Almighty God. It's a report. It's a declaration. Paul says, I declare unto you
the gospel. I report, I'll tell you who believes
it, all those that the Spirit of God opens their heart, gives
them a heart. I was speaking with Brother Scott
a few moments ago. We were talking about this thing
of the gospel. It appears as though that as
you read, take a verse of Scripture. You'd think, as I read this or
quote this verse of Scripture, you'd think, how could someone
not understand or believe this? Paul said in 2 Thessalonians
2 verse 13, But we are bound to give thanks to you, brethren,
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen
you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth. How could someone not believe
that? How could they not understand?
How could they not perceive, as our Lord was praying in John
17? I pray not for the world, He said, but I pray for those
that you've given me out of the world. How could someone not
understand? Chosen from the beginning, how
could they not? Well, I'll tell you how they
don't. These things are spiritually discerned. The flesh profits
nothing. They just don't understand. They're dead in trespasses and
sins. The carnal mind is enmity against
God. It doesn't see Him. It doesn't believe Him. It doesn't love Him. Who hath
believed, I report? all those that God gives a heart,
all those that the Lord Himself removes a stony heart and gives
them a heart of flesh and writes His law on their heart. They
see Him. They love Him. They believe Him. Well, who is this report concerning? You remember when the Lord Jesus
Christ was walking on the road to Emmaus, and there were two
disciples, Scripture said. walking along discussing the
things that had just happened concerning his death. The Lord
walked up, I'll paraphrase here, and He said, What are you all
talking about? And they said, Well, evidently
you must not be from around here. We're talking about this Jesus
of Nazareth, the one that we truly thought was Him, Messiah. And he said, O fools, slow apart,
to believe all the things written. And beginning with Moses and
all the prophets, he began to expound unto them all those things
concerning himself. This book, this blessed book,
these scriptures, these scriptures are concerning Him. All of them. Every bit of it. These scriptures
are concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is this report about?
Well, let's look back in Isaiah 52 and begin in verse 13. My servant shall deal prudently. He shall be exalted and extolled
and be very high. As many were astounded that his
visage was so marred more than any man in his form, more than
the sons of men, so shall he sprinkle many nations. shall
shut their mouths at him, for that which had not been told
them shall they see, and that which they had not heard shall
they consider." Who is this report about? It is about Christ, the
Lord Jesus Christ. Let us consider first of all
His office, spoken of in Isaiah 52 verse 13. Behold My servant."
What dealings do we have with Almighty God apart from the Lord
Jesus Christ? How can a man approach God without
a mediator? How can a man behold Him apart
from Jesus Christ? He is a consuming fire, absolute
just, all-powerful, holy God. Behold My servant. Turn back
to Isaiah 42, verse 1. Who is this servant? Behold,
Isaiah 42, verse 1, My servant whom I uphold, Mine elect. in whom my soul delighteth."
What did the Father say when the Lord Jesus Christ at His
baptism? The Scripture says that God Himself
spoke out of heaven. And what did He say? This is
my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Oh my! I think on that word, Well pleased. Well pleased. If I be found in
Him, if He be my representative, if He stands for me, if He answers
for me, God is well pleased with me. This is the servant that
I have put my spirit upon without measure. He shall bring forth
judgment to the Gentiles. Behold, back in Isaiah 52, verse
13, Behold, my servant, willing servant, humble servant. Look at Philippians,
and I'm going to refer to this a few times. chapter 2 and verse
8, consider the servant of our blessed God, Philippians
2.8, being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and
became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Behold my servant. I think about men that servants. Man might be a slave, unwilling,
and he may do that which he's commanded to do out of fear,
death, punishment, but a willing servant, a bond servant, one
that has given himself to service. What honor he gives his master. The Lord Jesus Christ being found
as a man, the form of a man, he humbled himself. Almighty God, august, indescribable
holiness, indescribable might, power and honor by Him All things
were made that was made. He spoke into existence. Out
there on that ocean that day, that sea, He's sleeping in that
boat, waves, boisterous. The disciples came to Him and
said, Master, don't you care that we perish? Stood up and
He spoke. And He said, Peace. Be still. Who is this that even the waves
and the wind obeys Him, submissive to Him? Who is that? This is the One that humbled
Himself, became obedient even to the cross. faithful servant, Redeemer, came
to this earth, born of a woman, walked this earth, obeying before
Almighty God, made under the law, obeyed as the representative
of all those that the Father had given Him from the foundation
of the world. for them. He obeyed for me because
I never would have obeyed. I couldn't obey. Dead, hard,
rebellious, obeyed. Every jot, every tittle of God's
law, obeyed, kept it. That's my son. That's my beloved
son. I'm well pleased. Well pleased. Oh, I didn't say please. I'm
well pleased. How deep is the pleasure of Almighty
God? Well pleased. How deep does that
go? Deeper than this little fickle,
finite mind could possibly comprehend. My servant whom my soul delights, my servant, he shall deal prudently."
He'll deal prudently. Do you know what that means?
Wisely. He's wise. That's what I just
read over in Romans 16 to the only All wise God. I was telling these men a moment
ago, I was thinking on when Solomon
was asked by the Lord. He said, What would you have
me give you? And Solomon said this, He said,
I ask you for wisdom, knowledge. I might be wise. That's a marvelous quality. Man
have some wisdom. Wisdom is a gift of God. That's
what I pray, Lord, give me. Give me some wisdom. Know what
to do. What to say. How to act. how to respond. It's not in the heart of man to have some
wisdom, godly wisdom. And the Lord told him, He said,
because you didn't ask for riches or your enemies, He said, I'm
going to give you those things. I'm going to give you what you
ask for, wisdom. But this servant right here,
the blessed servant, chosen by Almighty God, willingly servant,
one that made himself of no reputation, he who humbled himself, he shall
deal prudently, wisely, wisely. Remember when those that were
trying to corner our Lord. They'd come, they'd ask Him questions,
going to hem Him up, you know, catch Him, you know. Read the
wisdom of our Lord when He spoke. It just stopped Him. As He walked this earth in absolute
wisdom. The Scripture says, in Him are
hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge Here is the servant we're talking
about. This is the report of this servant right here, the
only all-wise God. I consider, think on, speak of
Him, and I think to myself, He's the all-wise servant, and that
which He does, He does in absolute obedience, absolute wisdom. He shall be successful. He shall
accomplish. He shall rule. He shall have dominion. He shall. He's the prudent. He
shall deal prudently. Perfect example of humility,
obedience. destroyed, wisely destroyed,
His and our, all those that He has everlastingly loved, are
enemies. His substitutionary death at
Calvary laid down His life. He was made to be sin, made to be sin, that we might
be made the righteousness of God in Him. Oh, the wisdom of
Almighty God, just. He's a just God. How can Almighty
God be just and justify a sinner only in Christ? Made Him to be
sin. Christ Himself took upon Himself the guilt all His people. And at Calvary, under the judgment,
righteous judgment of Almighty God, He put away their sin. He put away their debt. Almighty
God is just. He is a just God. What wisdom! That wisdom is too high for me.
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted."
God is highly exalted to you, giving him a name that is above
everything. At the name of Jesus, every knee
is going to bow, every tongue is going to confess, This servant, wise servant, he
so directs and orders all things, all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called according
to His purpose. Wise. Why do things happen the
way they do? that way. He works all things after the
counsel of His own will. All things. All things. How many does that include? All
of them. He orders all things. The mighty
God-wise. My Behold, my sir, consider my
sir, he shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extol
his people." They look upon him, praise him. He is exalted by
Almighty God, exalted by the Father, extolled by his people
in their They hear this gospel, this message of God's free and
sovereign grace. It's life to them. Let me ask
you something. Does it really matter to you
whether you hear of Him or not? God's people must. They must
hear. They consider Him. servant, humble, made himself,
no reputation. Who is he? God has highly exalted
him, given him a name above every
name. And his people, they praise him. And they'll say to themselves,
I wish I praised him more. I wish I had a heart more to
praise him. We love him. Lord, I love you. I don't love you as art, but
I love you. Yes, Peter. Peter, you love me.
Lovest thou me more than these? Lord, you know I love you. Feed
my sheep. I look at them. I'm convinced
there's some sheep here. God's people. There's some God's
flock. God's chosen. You love him? Feed him. speak of Him. They want to feast on Him. Who
do they want to hear about? I want to hear about Christ.
Tell me one more time, just like old blind Bartimaeus on the road
that the Lord was coming by there, and Jericho. How many times did
he tire of hearing about this Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of
David, that healed some blind folks? Think you ever got tired
of hearing that? Tell me one more time. Just tell
me one more time how He put away my guilt. Tell me one more time
how He lived for me before Almighty God. Tell me one more time how
Almighty God is going to deal with me in Christ. My covenant
head, tell me. I want to hear that one more
time. Just once more. And then by God's grace, after
this time, then tell me one more time. I never tire of hearing
of Him. And that's only by God's grace.
There have been some that I've noticed. It appears as though
they've tired of it. Consider Him as the children
of Israel did. We loathe this like bread. Lord,
please don't leave me to myself. Lord, You leave me to myself,
and I know I will quit. But if He ever gave my heart,
they didn't. If He ever gave my heart after
Him, He kept them. He keeps them and forever keeps
them. I'll never forsake you. I'll never leave you. He shall be exalted and extolled
and be very high. As many were astonished at that
word, at His visage. was so marred more than any man
in his form, more than the sons of men." Oh, the report of this prudent
servant. That's an astonishment. That's
amazing. Speechless. Stunned. I speak these words and I hear
them. And by faith I can believe them
and rest in them and rejoice in them. But this is amazing
grace. Amazing. This report sets forth
the record of one so great, so high. Heaven and earth by God's grace. bow before Him. The elements
bow before Him. He came into this earth born
very humbly, very lowly, born in a manger, stable, off the beaten path. Just a few animals around. Some
shepherds heard about it. Many were astonished. Can one
this low, one this humble, can this be the mighty God? This is Him. He told His disciples, He must
go to the cross and suffer. But all the indescribable suffering,
they didn't know. What man could perceive the humiliation
of the cross? His visage, his appearance. I had a man tell me one time,
he was about two years older than I am now, and he had a lot
more hair than I wanted. And it was darker. And I told
him, I said, I'm going to tell you something. I said, I got
more miles on me than you got. It could show in my face. I just had that kind of warned
look, Carl, you know. His visage, the way he looked
upon that cross, indescribable. Indescribable. His visage was
so marred. Can this one who is the workmanship,
body being prepared for him, of the Spirit of God, one fairer
than all the sons of men, this human flesh that knew no sin,
when subjected to the onslaught, indescribable? justice, holy
justice. His visage, oh, what he bore. Oh, I talk about a few little
things that happened to me, or you talk about a few little things
that happened to you, and the look, you know, the age. His visage was so marred more than anything. The griefs, this is what I see
in this, oh, what He bore for me, what He bore for you, His
people, what He bore for His elect. The grief, the sorrow,
the trouble, the watchings, the fasting, never was a man's form
more This man, right here, the God-man. When I read that again, I see
his vestige right there. You know what it tells me? He
actually came to this earth. He's a man. He actually came. It was the
man, Christ Jesus the Lord. Obedient, servant, wise. Visage. Look at Hebrews 4.15. Hebrews 4.15, here's visage. What does scripture say? We have not an high priest who
cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, focused on
all points, tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Oh, that which this man, the
God-man, holy and blessed, visage, so shall he sprinkle, Who is
this report about? I'll tell you who it's about.
The servant. Behold, God's servant, the wise
servant, dealt prudently. What has happened? God's exalted
him. His people praised him, extolled
him. Very high. We were astonished. Can this
One that is so wonderful, so mighty, who was brought so low, this One whose visage was marred
more than any man His form, more than the sons of men, what's
He going to do? He shall sprinkle many nations.
Kings shall shut their mouths at Him, for that which had not
been told them shall they see, and that which they had not heard
shall they consider. The result of this prudent servant,
this wise servant, is going to be the blessing and
salvation of his people. Brought to the lowest humiliation,
exalted to the highest, he absolutely set forth the reality of His
life, His work, His sympathy, His love for His own, His divinity. Here is the mighty God. Oh my! Consider Him, looking
unto Him, the nations for the sake of those out of every nation,
kindred, tribe, and tongue that must come, my sheep shall hear
my voice. They shall come to me. And those
that come to me, I will in no wise cast them out. The Lord
Jesus Christ shall sprinkle many. You know, in the old Mosaic ceremonies,
there was a sprinkling of blood and a pardon of water, symbolic
cleansing. He is going to sprinkle a cover.
Application of that blood by the Spirit of God shall purge
the people's conscience. Dead works He shall sprinkle. Hebrews 9, 13. Hebrews 9, 13, For if the blood
of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling the unclean
sanctify to the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall
the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself
without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to
serve the living God? This prudent servant shall sprinkle
many nations, the kings shall shut their mouths at him." You
know, you think about this. I think, and it could be, you
think about David. David was the king. There's a
man that set up a position of authority. But you know, every
man looks at himself. I'm the boss. That's the way
a man sees himself. I'm the boss. I will. That's what Satan said. I will
exalt myself. I will. I will. You know what
this prudent servant, by his grace, by his love, by his power,
you know what he's done for this king right here who sees himself
as a king? Shut my mouth. Every man is a liar. Let God
be true. Every man is a liar. No, I'm
not the boss. I'm not the governor of my own
destiny. He shall sprinkle many nations.
The kings shall shut their mouths at Him. Think about Peter, fishing all
night, all those disciples with him. Lord asked him, said, You
caught any fish? No, we fished all night and caught
anything. Well, cast your net on the other side. Lord, we fished
all night. Listen to this. But that's Your
Word. That's Your Word. I tell you
what, why don't I just shut up? Why don't all of us just shut
up? Kings, so shut their mouths. Lord, as You say You are, You
are. Lord, as you say I am, I am. I've heard men and women, you
have too, they hear this glorious gospel of free grace. I had a member of my family make
this statement when we were just talking about
Almighty God, sovereign God, electing God. And she said this, she said,
the person you're describing, the God you say you serve, that's
my devil. I said, well, lest God deliver
you from that thought, give you a heart after him, you're going
to stand before him and hear him say, depart from me, you
workers of iniquity, I never knew you. So shut their mouths at him,
for that which had not been told them shall they see." That which they had not heard,
they are going to see it with eyes of faith, believe it. And
that which they had not heard, faith cometh by hearing, hearing
by the word of God. They are going to hear it and
they are going to consider it. Consider that. Look upon him, look to him, who
hath believed our report, and to whom is the power of the Lord
revealed. I tell you who it is. It is all
those that he has everlastingly loved. Behold, my sir, he will
deal prudently. He will deal in wisdom, wise. Almighty God granted us this
day. Heart, I bow to you. Consider, our Father, for Christ's
sake, how thankful we are that we, by your grace and mercy,
can behold Christ by faith, trusting, looking to Forgive us, Lord,
where we failed You. Forgive us where we thought so
lightly. Keep us, we pray. Keep us, we
pray, by Your grace, through faith, for Christ's sake. Amen.