Sermons | Word of Grace Bible Church [wgbc.org]

Mother's Day is one of the holidays in which people focus on the values once established by God. It is one of the few islands of common sense still left in our world. Therefore, on this day it is good to turn to God's word to look again at His special grace revealed through motherhood and through mothers.

Isaiah repeats over and over again the most important truth that the Jews, as well as all the other inhabitants of the earth, needed to understand - Yahweh is the only God. In this part of the book, the prophet gives several characteristics of Yahweh that are crucial in determining the attitude of the people toward Him. Yahweh created all things. Yahweh is righteous. Yahweh reveals the truth. Yahweh is the only One who can save. And before Yahweh all the inhabitants of the earth will one day bow down.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the natural expression of the heavenly life that the incarnate Son of God brought from heaven to earth. It is the only life that can conquer death. Death is a terrible and inescapable reality inextricably linked to sin. Regardless of one's status and position in the world, it is bound to consume everyone. That is why accepting Christ by faith as Lord and Savior is the only way to obtain eternal life.

Suffering is an inseparable part of human life on earth. The reason for this is sin. People are born in suffering and die in suffering. And although our lives are filled with various blessings, their essence is largely connected with pain and suffering. To overcome suffering, Jesus Christ came down from heaven into the very depths of our pain, taking upon Himself the reality of the consequences of human sin and experiencing them personally. This gave Him the power to triumph over sin and corruption, conquering them through His resurrection.

Union with Jesus Christ through faith connects us not only with His life and death, His resurrection and His glory, but also with His sufferings and their victorious power.

In spite of the evil that rages in the world as a result of sin, God, who created the universe, continues to direct events in it. The story of King Cyrus, foretold by the prophet Isaiah more than 150 years before he ascended to the throne, is one of the clearest proofs of this. Speaking to Israel, God emphasizes - everything happens according to His plan, everything happens for His glory, everything happens to accomplish His purposes - the salvation of Israel and the salvation of the nations of the world through it. Humility before God and acceptance of His will is the most reasonable response. There is no point in opposing His plans or arguing with Him.

Having lost the ability to understand the truth, those who rebel against God are engaged in vigorous activity without seeing or realizing that this activity is nothing more than “chasing dust.” Speaking to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, God shows the emptiness and folly of such a life, emphasizing the tragic self-deception of these people. By doing obvious foolishness, by placing their hope in things that cannot help, people deceive themselves without the ability to realize it. The only solution to this problem may be to turn to the Lord.

One of the purposes of Israel, in spite of all its weaknesses and failures, was to reveal the reality of God to all the nations of the earth. This was said at the very beginning of the history of the nation. The prophets sent by the Lord returned to this topic. It was the same task Jesus Christ set before his disciples before he left them and ascended to heaven. 

What does it mean to be God's witness? How does it apply to us today? This will be discussed in this sermon. 

The atonement made by the Messiah has practical significance for every saved person today. In it is the assurance of God's care, God's protection and care for each one of us. The prophet Isaiah says this to the nation of Israel during one of the most difficult times of their lives. God continues to be faithful. His love and grace for the redeemed is unchanging. It can and should be the fulcrum in the life of everyone who belongs to God through Messiah today.