The central message of this sermon is that God's people often seek help and security in worldly powers and alliances, rather than relying on Him alone, and that this approach ultimately leads to failure and destruction. The preacher uses Isaiah 28-29 as a backdrop to illustrate this point, highlighting the Northern Kingdom's reliance on Assyria and Judah's subsequent attempt to ally with Egypt, which ultimately fails. Through Isaiah's language and imagery, the preacher shows how God views these actions as a "covenant with death" and an "agreement with Sheol," which will ultimately be broken. The sermon also emphasizes that true security and strength come from trusting in God alone, as exemplified by the Messiah who is portrayed as a "precious cornerstone" in Isaiah 28:16. Ultimately, the preacher wants listeners to understand that relying on God is not just a more secure option, but it's also the only one that truly leads to salvation and prosperity.