Sermon # 200 Series: Isaiah

Title: ASTONISHING GRACE!

Text: Isaiah 57 :18

Subject: God’s Saving Grace

Date: Sunday Evening – December 18, 1994

Tape # Q-79

Introduction:

The longer I know it, the more I know about it, and the more I experience it, the more completely astonished I am of it, and hope I never do. I want to talk to you tonight about God’s Astonishing Grace! I am truly, overwhelmed and astonished by these things.

1. God chose to save me!

I am not at all surprised that God should save sinners. That is what I expect from such an One as he is! He is gracious and good. “God is love!” But I am astonished that he should chose to save me!

2. The Lord Jesus Christ loved me and gave himself if for me.

“Amazing love! How can it be

That thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”

3. God the Holy Spirit has come to me and taken up permanent residence in me in his irresistible, regenerating grace!

When I would not seek him, the Lord sought me. When I would not and could not come to him, he came to me. When I could not trust Christ, he gave me faith in Christ.

4. He keeps me in his grace!

He who kept me in his grace!

Never will now let me go!

He who has this work begun

Will bring me safe to His throne!

Weak I am, and frail as dust,

But the God of grace I trust.

With John Newton, my heart rejoices to sing-

Amazing grace, How sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found,

‘Twas blind, but now I see!

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

That hour I firs believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares

I have already come

‘Twas grace hath led me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home!

The Lord has promised good to me;

His Word my hope secures!

He will my strength and portion be

As long as life endures.

And when this heart of flesh shall fail

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess within the vail

A life of joy and peace!

Proposition: God’s grace is simply astonishing!

My text tonight is Isaiah 57:18. I want to pick up right where I left off last Sunday night, and show you what God says about his mighty operations of grace toward and in his elect.

I. First, the Lord God says, “I Have Seen His Ways.”

When I read this chapter’s description of Israel’s horrible wickedness, realizing that the children of Israel were but representatives of all God’s elect. I am astonished to hear God say, “I have seen his ways, and will heal him.” When God announces, “I have seen his way, he is showing us that his grace is infinitely magnanimous. God is fully aware of the unworthiness of those sinners whom he has chosen as the objects of his saving grace. It is the glory of God’s grace that he bestows it upon the most unworthy objects.

· Manasseh

· Saul of Tarsus

· The Dying Thief

· Me!

· I Corinthians 1:26-29; 6:11

Read this chapter again, and see how God describes the sins of his people. When he says, “I have seen his ways, “he wants us to understand that nothing has been hidden from him.

A. God’s Omniscience Observes Sinners In The Practice of Sin.

· Psalm 139:1-6

“Thou, God, seest me!”

God has observed us and still does, in the practice of sin, not merely in the outward deed, but in the imagination of evil, the thought of wickedness, the plot of sin, and in the open acts! Having observed our ways, yours and mine, God has found nothing good, but only evil continually. Notice how God describes what he had observed of Israel ways; and remember their ways are here recorded to remind us that God observes our ways. Israel’s ways were:

1. The Way of Senseless Indifference (vv. 1-2).

2. The Way of Shameful Immorality (vv. 3-4).

· Witchcraft – Adultery – Prostitution – Riotousness – Cursing

· Blasphemy – Scoffing – Deceit – Lying

3. The Way of Stupid Idolatry (vv. 8-9).

· The Sacrifice of their Children – Murder in the name of God!

4. The Way of Self-Injury (vv. 8-9).

“Didst debase thyself even unto hell.”

Sin is a debasing thing!

5. The Way of Presumptuous, Carnal Security (vv. 10-11).

· No Fear!

· No Regrets!

6. The Way of Obstinate Rebellion (v. 17).

· He went on frowardly in the way of his heart!

B. Not only is it true that the Lord God has observed our ways by his omniscience, but He Has Also Displayed His Wrath And Justice Against Our Sin.

Let no one imagine that God is indifferent to sin. God’s elect remnant was guilty of the very things for which the nation of Israel was destroyed. And you and I are guilty, in ourselves, of those very crimes for which untold millions suffer the wrath of God in hell tonight!

II. Secondly, God declares, “I Will Heal Him!”

That is simply amazing, astonishing grace! Though God has seen the ways of his people, he says, “I will heal them!” In these blessed words I see…

A. A Divine Purpose that Cannot be Altered or Defeated!

B. A Promise of Free, Unconditional Grace!

C. A Complete and thorough Healing

· II Corinthians 5:17

· Romans 4:8; 8:1, 33-39

Illus: It is as senseless for men to talk of free grace promoting sin as it is to talk about a cancer hospital promoting the spread of cancer! “With his stripes (by the merit of his blood) we are healed!”

III. Thirdly, the Lord declares, with regard to his elect, “I will Lead Them Also!”

All of God’s elect are led by his Spirit. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Rom. 8:14). If God has healed you by his grace, he will lead you by his Spirit – (Ps. 37:23).

A. He will lead you to Christ (John 16:13-14).

B. He will lead you in the Will of God (Pro. 3:5-6).

C. He will lead you through this World (Ps. 23).

Both in trail and in triumph, he will lead you on!

D. He will lead you up to heaven at last (John 14:1-3).

IV. Then, fourthly, the Lord says, “I Will Restore Comforts Unto Him.”

God begins by destroying all our false comforts and all our false peace. But once he has led us to Christ he gives us comforts of grace and “peace that passeth all understanding!” The Comforts of…

A. Perfect Forgiveness (Isa. 43:25).

B. Complete Acceptance (Eph. 1:6).

C. Free Adoption (I John 3:1).

D. Daily Fellowship (John 14:18).

E. Infallible Security (Phil. 1:6).

F. Divine Providence (Rom. 8:28).

G. Angel Protectors (Heb. 1:14).

H. Resurrection Hope (Tit. 2:11).

I. Heavenly Glory (Rom. 8:17).

All this God promises to do for people who have “debased themselves even unto hell!”

V. Once more, the Lord God declares, “I Will Restore Comforts To His Mourners.”

I take that to mean that those who have mourned for chosen sinners, seeking God’s grace for them shall be comforted when God saves them!

· Parents!

· Children!

· Husbands/Wives!

· Faithful Friends!

· Teachers!

· Pastors!

Application:

· Luke 9:11