Isaiah 43. We're going to be looking at
the first seven verses. The outline is contained in verse
one, really. But let's read all seven verses
in Isaiah 43. But now, thus saith the Lord
that created thee, O Jacob, And He that formed thee, O Israel,
fear not, for I have redeemed thee. I have called thee by thy
name. Thou art mine. When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you. And through the rivers, they
shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned, shall the flame kindle upon you. For
I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Savior. I gave Egypt for thy ransom,
Ethiopia and Sheba for thee. Since thou wast precious in my
sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee. Therefore
will I give men for thee and people for thy life. Fear not, for I am with thee. I will bring thy seed from the
east and gather thee from the west. I will say to the north,
give up, and to the south, keep not back. Bring my sons from
far and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even every
one that is called by my name, for I have created him for my
glory. I have formed him, yea, I have
made him." Now this, let's just basically close the book and
let's go home. That's how good this scripture is. To those who have tasted that he is gracious,
to those that have been given an appetite to hunger and to
thirst after righteousness." Now if you're just, if that's
not you, may it be you by the end of this message. But let's
look at this first verse, and this is where the five-fold exhortation
to His people, this is where I'll find this in chapter 43
in the first verse. Five-fold exhortations to His
people. The first one is, Thus saith
the Lord, that created thee, O Jacob." The Lord has created
all, but He's created specifically His people. We did not evolve. We did not become after a bang. Now I know children, I'm sure
they're used to hearing the different theories of evolution and the
different theories of the big bang. But we did not evolve,
and nor did we become after a bang. No. Turn with me to Psalms 100. Psalms 100. I'm not going to
go to human logic, to human reason. I'm going to go to the Word of
God because this is true and everyone else, everything else
is not true. It's interesting that If you
read some of the old scientists, Galileo and Newton, some of those
folks like that, when they discovered something new, they would give
God the glory. But nowadays, they're too good
for that. You know, we know more than God.
But anyway, Psalms 100 and verse 3, Know ye that the Lord, He
is God, It is He that made us, and not we ourselves. We are
His people and the sheep of His pasture. He hath made us, and
not we ourselves. Psalms, back a little, Psalms
95, back a few pages, or actually it should be on the same page.
Psalms 95 and verse 6. The sea, verse 6. O come, let us worship and bow
down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. Now this is just
basic fundamental, but as we saw this morning, there's people,
supposed Christians, that doubt the authenticity of this book. They say, well, there's not 66. What are you going to do? Are
you going to pick and choose what's authentic and what's not?
Every word of God says the word of God. Every word of God is
pure. And then I was talking to somebody about this very thing,
and they brought up Somebody said, well, there's not 66, there's
really 70. And then he went to Revelations to try to, you know,
say the person he heard say that, went to Revelations. No, there's
66 books. And this book says that we were
created. And he says it, Thus saith the
Lord in chapter 43, verse 1, The Lord that created thee, O
Jacob, that created thee, we are properly His creation, His
creatures, His possession, and thusly, through the glorious
work of free redemption by Christ, He will take care of us always. And this is all to the praise
and glory of His mercy and grace, and this also includes, this
creation also includes the new birth, especially the new birth,
and being new creation in Christ Jesus. We did not do that. We had nothing to do with our
first creation and we didn't have anything to do other than
the recipients of the second creation. Secondly, he says in
this verse, But thus saith the Lord God that created thee, O
Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, formed thee. Now, this
has the connotation or the thought here is as a potter with the
clay upon the spinning wheel. I ask you, did the clay have
any choice in its existence? No. Did the clay, it doesn't,
it didn't even, it doesn't speak against the potter. God in Christ
Jesus spoke and the worlds were. He spoke and we are His creation,
His forming. The word formed here, He says,
O Jacob, that form, that word formed in the Hebrew, it means
squeezing into shape, or to mold, or to determine. To determine. Turn with me to Ephesians chapter
1. Ephesians chapter 1. We are molded to seek his honor
while we are here on earth. We are fashioned to praise and
thank him for his daily grace. Ephesians chapter 1 verse 11
and 12. in Christ also we have obtained
an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him
who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will that
we should be to the praise of the glory of his glory who first
trusted in Christ we were formed purposed of him who worketh all
things after the counsel of his own will Ephesians chapter 2
and verse 10 for we Israel, we, Jacob, as it is in the Old Testament,
we are His workmanship, formed, created, determined in Christ
Jesus unto good works which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them. We're created. We are created,
and He says, I form thee. It's all about Him and not so
much about us. We often ascribe too much honor
upon ourselves, but the saint of God knows several things,
and we have to be reminded of several things. He is everything,
and we are nothing. So, well, turn with me to Psalms
90. I was looking at this quite a
bit. I thought maybe this would be the message, but I couldn't
squeeze anything out of it, so I'm going to use it. Psalms 90
and verse 9. This is what we are. For our
days are passed away in thy wrath, we spend our years as a tale
that is told. It's like a story. Psalms 90
and that was verse 9. We are like Our years are as
a tale that is told, a story. It's a yarn that's spun. It's told, and then you leave
the coffeehouse, and you forget about what was said. Now, after
a good story, sometimes you remember. But this is, our life is a few
words, a few paragraphs, or a story at most, and then it's soon forgotten.
And I got to thinking, this is one reason why we don't want
to forget our children, our grandparents, our parents. That's why we have
pictures. I was looking at a picture of the Dovers, the grandma and
grandpa, Dover. That's why we have that, because
we don't want to forget them. But we do. We will. We will. Children, we have pictures of
our children. And we like to go back over them, the books
and stuff. But if they're like our books, they get brought out
very infrequently. And they're there to remind you.
But our days, our years are as a tale that is told. He says in another place, it's
like grass. It's here and then it withers and is gone. Soon
forgotten. The third thought, back to our
text in Isaiah 43. We've been created by God. We've
been formed, molded. He says in the next thought,
Fear not, for I have redeemed thee. Fear not. They're together. Fear not. I have redeemed thee.
He has redeemed us, therefore we ought not to fear. Christ
has removed fear, or that is the fear of death and judgment,
by the express means of His redemption. By His redemption, He's removed
Fear not. Now he says this because we do
fear. But when we start to fear, we go back, not only do we see
God has created us, not only has he formed us, he's sovereign
over all things, but he's done more than that for his people.
He's redeemed. He's purchased us. He's bought
us. He sent His only begotten Son
for us. For us. He bought us. He bled
for us. He paid our sin debt. And now,
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Which means He's
victorious. Not to be victorious. He is victorious. He is successful. He has overcome. He has finished His work. And
therefore, the Father is completely without shame. or is completely
honored and satisfied. So don't fear. Again, when the
early New Testament church, when they were persecution, you know,
the persecution was to come, Christ said, don't fear for,
you know, don't fear what men may do. Don't even fear if they're
going to kill you, because they can't kill the soul. Why? Because
the soul has been redeemed. We've been redeemed. That settles
the answer in question to all. Therefore, we sons and daughters
of Jacob are not consumed. We can't be consumed eternally
because He has satisfied justice for us. He has satisfied all
things, all of the, everything that says, Ephesians, that was
handwriting on the wall that was against us. Turn to Hebrews
chapter 2. Hebrews 2. Verses 14-18. Hebrews 2. Verses 14-18. Redeemed.
Redeemed by blood. For as much then as the children are partakers of
flesh and blood, He also, Himself, took part of the same, that through
death Christ might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil, and deliver them, us, Jacob, Israel, who
through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage."
And that's what fear does. It brings you under bondage.
That's what it does. Live your life. Live your life
in faith that God is on the throne, and because we're nothing, and
therefore He's everything, Look to Him and live to Him. Don't
live in fear. Look and live to Him. Live by faith. And deliver them who through
fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily Christ took not on Him the nature of angels, but
He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore, in all things it behooved
Christ to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,
to make reconciliation for the sins of the people, For in that
He Himself has suffered being tempted, He is able to succor
them that are tempted." Romans 8, in the first verse. Romans 8.1, the first verse. There is therefore now no condemnation
to them which are in Christ Jesus. We walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit, and that's what He does. We're going to
walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh. There is therefore
now no condemnation. No condemnation. Who is He that
condemneth? Christ died, and yea, is rather
risen. Fourthly, back to our text, Isaiah
43, fourth exhortation. Thus saith the Lord God that
created thee, formed thee, redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy
name." John chapter 10, he calls his sheep by name. They hear
his voice, they will not follow another. This calling is personal,
This calling is effectual, means it can't fail, it's effective,
it's absolute, or it can't miss. It's done through the truth spoken. 2 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians. Chapter 2. Verse 13 and 14, this
calling is personal, effectual, effective, absolute, it can't
miss, and it's done through the truth spoken. 2, 13, and 14, For this cause also thank
we God without ceasing, because when you received the word of
God, which ye heard of us, you received it not as the word of
men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually
worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers
of the churches of God, which in Judea are in Christ Jesus. For you also have suffered like
things of our own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews. You heard the word of truth."
And I read the wrong passage, but that one still applied, didn't
it? 2 Thessalonians. I was in 1 Thessalonians. 2 Thessalonians
13-14. But we are bound to give thanks
always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because
God has from the beginning chosen you, there is election, to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. Whereunto He called you by our
Gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Belief of the truth. And that's what we were talking
about in Bible class. That's why it is so important to see
this as the inerrant, God-breathed Word of God. You know, people
don't believe that this is, you know, well, this is just written
by... No. As they were moved, not by the will of men, but as
they were moved by God. We saw that in Peter. There are
certain things that a believer doesn't question, and there are
certain things that he knows are absolutely true. You talk
to a nominal, and I say that loosely, a Christian, and say,
you start talking about basic things that were believed hundreds
and hundreds of years ago, the Trinity, well, God, Christ isn't
God. If you don't think so, you've
got problems. This book, well, you know, this is, no, this is
the Word of God. He uses the Word of Truth. If
this is taken away from us, we are of all men and women most
miserable. So there are certain things that are without question,
it's coming from God's Word. And He's called us by His name.
This is done in such a manner so He receives all the glory
and none whatsoever goes to us. It's not me. It's not even the
means. Salvation is holy of the Lord. Now, He's chosen to use the truth,
whether you speak the truth to somebody at work, or a neighbor,
or a family member, or whoever, you're speaking the Word. And
in 1 John, that which we've seen, we've handled, we tell you, and
then you tell somebody else, and then somebody else tell somebody
else. Now, our words are not inspired, but this word is. And
we just tell the truth, and I say it this way, we tell the truth
and get out of the way. God will have his honor and his
glory. It's a mystery. That's all I
can say. It's a mystery of the ages. And salvation is It's all
by revelation, it's all by illumination, and by Holy Spirit enabling.
It's not how much we read, not how much Greek we know, or Hebrew,
or the Septuagint, or the original language. No. I was talking to
somebody yesterday, and I like that passage in Acts where he
says, that they were ignorant and unlearned men, but they had
been with Christ. These other folks were noticing,
these apostles, they were ignorant, and unlearned, that's good enough
for me. But they had been with Christ. That's what we need. We need Christ to visit us. Lastly,
the fifth exhortation. He says, I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name. Thou art mine. Thou art mine. Thou, that's us, that's we His
sheep, that's His elect, that's His dear church, is His. He takes the light Our Father,
through Christ, takes the light in our calling. 1 Peter 2.9. Don't turn there. He takes the
light in our calling from darkness unto light. He loves them freely. Hosea 14.4. He voluntarily laid
down His life for them. John 10.11. He took away from
us judgment, hell, and sin. Matthew 1.21. Christ not only
took these things, from us He gave. He gives us
His perfect righteousness, His love for godliness, His obedient
desires to serve the Father, His communion with His Father. We desire the same. Bless the
Lord Christ for this double cure. He saved us from wrath, and yet
He made us like Christ is. Two things. You can't just have
one. You can't just take away sin.
Because we've seen that in the parable of the clean house, swept
clean, and it's left alone, and then more demons come in, it's
worse than the first. No, not only did Christ come
in and sweep, but He placed within us a righteousness that His Father
would accept. We can look at this in Titus
chapter 2. Titus chapter 2. And Titus 2, verses 13 and 14,
looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself
for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify
unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. That's what He's done. These
five thoughts, and there's more here, but these thoughts, these
undeniable truths are promises, if you will, because they are
promises, will cause His people to affirm our allegiance, our alliance, and
our assurance before our Heavenly Father. We look at these things
as promises, as truths, appropriated. Lord, may they be mine. By doing
so, By faith, it will affirm our alliance, our allegiance,
and our assurance before our Father. So, in the light of this
word of grace to our hearts this morning, let's look at verse
6. I thought this was going to be
the main text, but it wasn't. I think it's a good exhortation
as well. I will say, verse 6, back in
our text in Isaiah 43, I will say to the North, give up, the
South, Keep not back. So I exhort everyone here this
morning, keep not back. If you don't believe Christ,
come unto Him who pardons freely. Keep not back. If you desire to serve Christ
more, keep not back. Are we, I know I am at times,
fearful of man as we try to talk about Christ and His sovereign
salvation to those who are our neighbors or friends or whatever?
Keep not back. Go in the power and the might
and the strength of the Lord. Do we seek to improve in prayer,
boldness, and communion, perhaps with each other, fellowship with
one another, or fellowship with God? Keep not back. Do you have gifts received by
the free grace of God in Christ Jesus for the church? Keep not
back. Don't halt between two opinions. By His enabling, let us put on
the whole armor of God and let's go forward. Let's keep not back. What are we waiting for? What
are we waiting for? There may be a Zacchaeus. There
may be a leper. Lord, if you will, you can make
me clean. Keep not back. And this is the charge I take
to myself, not just from the pulpit, but as I'm out and about,
keep not back. Let us, whether it's gathering
together, whether it's fellowship, whether it's talking to one another,
encouraging one another, let's keep knocking back. Let's walk in love. Let's speak the
truth in love. Let us walk in love one to another.
And whether the Lord does anything here, and I think He's going
to, but whether He doesn't, what we have here, if it's of grace,
if it's of Christ, That's fine with me. That's fine with me.
Bruce, would you close this please?