Sermon
#100 Series: Isaiah
Title: ”Comfort Ye, Comfort Ye, My People.”
Text: Isaiah 40:1
Subject: The Ministry of Consolation
Date: Sunday Evening – January 19, 1992
Introduction:
“Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith
your God.” How often have you read,
heard, or spoken these words? I have
quoted them often enough from this pulpit that I dare say every child in the
congregation can quote them from memory. But often that which is most familiar
is overlooked. And I fear we may never
have perceived the richness and wonder of this text.
Here is a wonderful title
given to poor sinners upon the earth- “My people!” What
an abundance of blessed instruction there is in these two words- “My
people!” The whole world belongs to
God. The heaven and the heaven of
heaven are his. All the children of men
belong to him. We all live and move and
have our bring in the great God. But
here is a mark of distinction. There is
a people scattered among the peoples of the earth whom God almighty calls “My
people, a people who are God’s own peculiar property and possession.
·
By
Covenant Love.
·
By
Sovereign Election.
·
By
Special Purchase.
·
By
Effectual Grace.
·
By
Distinct Relationship- “The sons of God.”
What
a wonderful title God himself gives to sinners. All who trust the Lord Jesus Christ are called by God, “My
people.”
Here is a wonderful revelation
of grace- “Your God.” God Almighty, the great I AM,
here declares to you and me, I am “your God!”
That very same grace that makes us God’s property makes God our
property. He is as much your Father as
you are his son! He is God over the
whole universe. But he belongs to you. He is your God! Indeed, if you are his people and he is your God, then all things
are your (I Cor. 3:21-23).
Here is a wonderful commission
given by God to all his servants- “Comfort ye my people, saith your God!” How anxious the Lord God is for the happiness and welfare
of his people. He is concerned not only for our lives, but for our
comfort. The text does not say,
“Strengthen ye, strengthen ye my people, “though we are weary and need to be
strengthened. The text does not say,
“Protect ye, protect ye my people,” though we are vulnerable and must be
protected. The text does not say, “Feed
ye feed ye my people,” though every child in the Father’s house must be
fed. The text says, “Comfort ye,
comfort ye my people” because…
Proposition: God Almighty, our heavenly Father, has such a tender
regard for his people in this world that he wants them happy and comfortable.
He not only gives us bread, but honey too. He doesn’t just give us wine, but wine upon lees, well refined. He is concerned not only that we live, but that we live in comfort.
Divisions:
1.
Who
is commanded to comfort God’s people?
2.
Why
is this commandment given?
3.
How
are God’s people to be comforted?
I. Who is commanded to comfort
God’s people?
We know that the Holy Spirit of God is the great Comforter of God’s elect. He alone can minister cheer to the heart and solace the soul. But he uses instruments to accomplish his purpose. He is the Comforter; but he uses others to minister comfort. Who are these instruments of comfort to whom this commission is given- “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”
A. Mr. Spurgeon, in one of his sermons on this
text, suggests that the first persons addressed in this commission are the
angels of God.
I do not know that the text itself is addressed to angels; but I am confident that God does so charge the celestial creatures. God does give his angels charge over us, and they minister to our comfort (Ps. 91:10-12).
As the angels of God came and ministered to our Savior in the garden, so they come secretly to minister to God’s saints continually (Ps. 34;7; Heb. 1:140.
If our eyes were not so dim we would see a great host of mighty, heavenly angels around us continually (II Kings 6:16-17).
The angels of God secretly minister comfort to us in this world. So, certainly, our text applies to them.
B. Yet, the text is specifically addressed to
those men who are sent of God to preach and minister to his people.
As the angels of God and they are sent to his churches, gospel preachers are sent to God’s saints with this commission- “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”
1.
We are sent to
comfort believing men and women with the solid, comforting doctrines of gospel
truth.
Were my theology lax, I do not see how I could comfort anyone. When I listen to the Arminian, free-will preachers on radio and television. I often ask myself, “when the chips are down, where does that man find comfort?” He cannot raise fire for his own heart, much less for yours. Comfort is found in the glorious gospel doctrines of God’s sovereignty and grace.
· Absolute Predestination!
· Sovereign Providence!
· Eternal Election!
· Effectual Redemption!
· Infallible Grace!
· Unconditional Preservation!
2.
When a preacher
stands to preach, he must seek to be filled with the Spirit of Comfort, so that
he may minister comfort to his hearers.
God’s saints don’t need a flogging. They need comfort. If reproof is necessary, let it be surrounded with comfort.
· The weary need rest.
· The hungry need food.
· The thirsty need water. } All are found in Christ,
· The tempted need help. in the gospel of his grace!
· The sick need medicine.
· The fallen need help.
C. This
commission is still broader. It is a
commission give to all God’s people to comfort one another.
The Lord God here commands everyone of us to minister comfort to one another. We are to perpetrate comfort among God’s saints. He says to you, “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.”
· When your cup runs over, find an empty cup to catch the overflow.
· When your soul is full of joy, find a mourner to comfort.
· No one can better comfort than those who have been comfortless.
Illus: Donnie Bell and Mary P.
Children of God, do not isolate yourselves from one another. Minister to one another- (Phil. 2;1-5).
“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.” This is Gods’ commandment to you and me.
II. Why is this commandment given?
The commandment is given because all of us, from time to time, need consolation! But there are other reasons.
A. God delights in the happiness and comfort
of his people.
1. He sent his Son to minister comfort to them that mourn (Isa. 61:1-3; Lk. 4:17-19). When Christ comes in saving power and grace he brings consolation!
2. The principle ministry of the Holy Spirit is that of a Comforter (John 15:26).
3. He reveals himself as “The God of Consolation” (Rom. 15:5).
B. God’s saints in this world have good reason to be full of comfort and consolation (Eccl. 9:7)
1. Our Sins are Forgiven.
2. We Are Justified.
3. God is For Us.
4. We Are Accepted.
5. We are heirs of Eternal Glory.
C. Saints without comfort dishonor Christ and
his gospel.
It is the boast of the gospel that it lifts men above their troubles. This is one of the glories of faith. It believes God and rejoices in him (Heb. 3:17-18).
D.
We
are commanded to comfort God’s people because we
profess to love them, and this gives us opportunity to demonstrate our love.
Illus: A Father is Anxious to Comfort the Child He Loves.
III. How are God’s people to be
comforted?
By
what means are we to comfort one another?
How are we to minister comfort to one another.
God’s
saints do not grasp after straws in time of trouble. They lean upon the solid foundation of God’s truth. The way to comfort God’s people is to remind
them of what they know.
Application:
1. You have heard the command.
Come now, remember Christ and find consolation for your
soul.
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