Sermon # 131 Series: Isaiah

Title: This Is Our God! This Is Our Savior!

Text: Isaiah 45:1-25

Subject: Cyrus as a Type of Christ

Date: Sunday Evening – October 4, 1992

Introduction:

Cyrus was a Median king (King of Persia) whom God raised up specifically for the purpose of delivering the Jews out of Babylon. Cyrus was an instrument in the hands of God by whom God accomplished his righteous purposes. Though he was raised as a pagan, a base idolater, he was anointed of God to be the deliverer of his people. There is considerable debate as to whether Cyrus was ever converted. So far as I am concerned, the issue is settled by Cyrus himself in Ezra 1:1-4.

· He renounced the gods of his fathers.

· He declared Jehovah alone to be God.

· He acknowledged God’s sovereign providence.

· He established again the worship of God.

At any rate this prophecy was written by Isaiah more than 200 years before Cyrus conquered Babylon and freed God’s chosen people from their captivity.

The purpose of God in giving this word of prophecy by Isaiah was threefold.

1. That Cyrus himself might know that the Lord is God (v.3).

2. That Israel might be delivered by him (v. 17).

3. That all the world might know that he is God (v. 6).

Proposition: This man Cyrus, the Deliverer of Israel, stands before us in this chapter as an eminent type of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Deliverer of God’s Elect, our Savior.

Tonight, I want us to take a quick survey of these 25 verses. I will not attempt to expound them. But I want us to look at them together. My purpose is that we might see and adore our God and Savior as he is set forth in this chapter. I have titled my message This Is Our God! This Is Our Savior! A great God and a great Savior he is! Let’s just pick up the highlights as we go along. Actually, this entire chapter is a sermon, which God himself delivers to his people. The messenger is Isaiah; but the message is God’s. How I pray that that will be true as I endeavor to preach it.

If you will permit me, I will divide the message into four parts, four points that will help us to understand it and remember it.

I. In verses 1-4, The Lord God declares the Wondrous Mystery of Providence.

Actually, there are two things in these four verses that we need to see.

A. Cyrus is here presented to us as A Type of Christ (vv. 1-3).

1. He was God’s anointed.

2. The Lord God strengthened him for his work.

3. He was raised up to deliver God’s Elect from bondage- (Matt. 1:21).

4. He was assured of success – No obstacle could hinder him. No foe could resist him. No power could keep him from his work.

5. The Lord God gave every thing into Cyrus’ hands for the accomplishment of his purpose.

· All the Kingdoms of the World!

· All the Treasures of the World!

· All Power over His Foes!

Note: Nothing kept Christ from Redeeming his people. And nothing can keep him from: Saving Them! Keeping Them! and Glorifying Them!

B. Here is the Great, Blessed Mystery of Providence (vv. 3-4).

Israel was brought into bondage because of their sin; but God overruled their evil to do them good. Now understand this- the cause of our sorrow and suffering in this world is our sin. We bring misery upon ourselves by our wicked deeds. But God wisely and graciously overrules our sin to do us good, eternal good. All these things came to pass for three reasons. Indeed, everything that comes to pass in this world comes to pass for these three reasons.

1. The everlasting salvation of every chosen sinner- Cyrus (v. 3).

2. The everlasting salvation of all God’s elect (v. 4).

3. The everlasting, universal praise, honor and glory of our great God (vv. 5-6).

II. In verses 5-10, Our Great God asserts His Singularity as God and His Glorious Sovereignty over All Things.

A. He alone is God who is absolutely and Totally Sovereign (vv. 5-6).

B. God’s sovereignty extends to all things, good and evil (v. 7).

There is an obvious allusion here to the ancient pagan philosophy of Zoroastrianism, which taught that there are two powerful forces, or principles, good and evil, light and darkness, and that these two great forces are constantly at war. When the principles of good prevail good things happen. When the principle of evil prevails, evil things happen. God says, “Not so!” He alone rules the world!

C. Because he is God alone, sovereign over all things, salvation can be expected from none but him- (v. 8).

He who is sovereign in creation and providence is sovereign in grace too.

1. Salvation comes down from heaven- “Thy Salvation!”

2. Salvation can be accomplished only by righteousness being established.

3. Salvation and righteousness are accomplished together upon the earth.

4. The whole purpose of God in the creation of the world was and is the salvation of his people- Common grace is common nonsense! Grace is always particular!

D. Those who are found fighting against God’s Sovereignty and striving against his purpose are foolish rebels (vv. 9-10).

1. Your battle is hopeless.

2. Your battle with God is foolish.

Note: Children of God, do not be found fighting against God. In all things submit to his will. This is the best course; and this is the course of peace- (Matt. 11:29-31).

III. In verses 11-19, The Lord God assures His People of His Gracious Purposes and The Certainty of Their Deliverance.

Israel was in bondage in Babylon for 70 long years, hard bondage and servitude. Many, in those years of captivity, rebelled against God and turned from him. But there was an elect remnant who bowed to God’s providence, believed his word, and waited for his salvation. It is to them that this word of assurance is given. And it is given to you, who today, trust our great God. If you want to know what God is doing, ask him. Consult his word.

A. An Invitation from God to His People (v. 11).

B. A Word of Assurance, arising from God’s Great Sovereignty (vv. 12-18).

1. God’s purpose in all things is the salvation of his people (12-13).

2. Babylon shall be confounded and God shall be glorified, even by his enemies (vv. 14-16).

3. All Israel shall be saved (v. 17; Rom. 11:26).

4. Again, we are assured of God’s grace and the efficacy of his purpose (vv. 18-19).

IV. In verses 20-25, This great, sovereign God, our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, calls for sinners everywhere to trust Him and Be Saved.

Note: This great God, who has been speaking throughout this chapter, is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ himself. This is our God! This is our Savior! Notice how he speaks and what he says.

A. An Assertion of His Singular Greatness (vv. 20-21).

B. An Invitation of Grace (v. 22).

C. A Declaration of His Lordship (v. 23).

D. A Promise of His Grace (vv. 24-25).

Application: Romans 11:33-36