Sermon # 207 Series: Isaiah

Title: THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR FAITH

Text: Isaiah 59:1-2

Subject: Sin Separating God and Man

Date: Sunday Evening – March 11, 1995

Tape # R-12

Introduction:

The title of my message tonight is Three Characteristics of Our Faith. The Word of God presents us with a religion a way of faith, a system of belief and worship that involves three distinct characteristics. Whenever you find true Christianity, wherever you find the faith of God’s elect, wherever you find men and women worshipping God in spirit and in truth, you will find these three characteristics. They will be found wherever Christ is known, worshipped, and honored, in any age, in any place, among any people. As we read through the Book of Isaiah, we find him constantly dealing with these three things.

I. First, our faith is Characterized By Righteousness.

In our text, Isaiah identifies sin as the one thing that separates man and God. The reason is simple and clear – God is righteous!

• Isaiah 6:1-8
• Daniel 9:5-8
• Psalm 111:9
• Job 15:14-15

The Lord God whom we worship is perfectly, infinitely, gloriously, and unapproachably holy and righteous – (I Tim. 6:15-16). That faith which comes form him and brings men to him is a faith of righteousness.

A. God is Righteous.

B. God’s Law Demands Righteousness.

• “Walk before me and be thou perfect.”
• “Be ye holy, for I am holy.”
• Hebrews 12:14
• Matthew 5:20

C. God’s Son Established and Brought in An Everlasting Righteousness.

• His Obedience – (John 17:4).
• His Death – (Rom. 3:24-26).
• Jeremiah 23:6
• Daniel 9:24
• Romans 5:19

D. God’s Grace Makes Sinners Righteous.

1. Imputed Righteousness – Justification.

2. Imparted Righteousness – Sanctification.

• II Corinthians 5:17
• Romans 6:11-18
• I John 3:1-10

This is one thing that separates true Christianity from the religions of the world and most especially from the ancient, pagan religions of the Gentile world.

NOTE: Morality is not Christianity. You may be very moral and not be saved. But you cannot be saved and yet be immoral. Wherever true Christianity’s found, moral. Whenever true Christianity is found moral righteousness is found.

• Ephesians 4:17-24

NOTE: Righteousness has something to do with mercy, love, and kindness.

• Ephesians 4:25 – 5:2

II. Secondly, our faith is Characterized by Judgment.

Christianity is a judgment religion. The God of the Bible is a God of judgment. Judgment is identified in our text, as a separation from God and the cause of judgment is sin.

• Adam Driven from Eden.
• The Flood.
• Sodom and Gomorrah.
• The Crucifixion.

The holy, righteous Lord God must and will punish sin!

A. For the Present – “There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked!” (Isa. 57:21).

1. The Vile.

2. The Greedy.

3. The Ambitious.

4. The Proud.

“God is angry with the wicked every day.” (Ps. 7:11).

B. And There Is A Day of Judgment Soon To Come.

• Acts 17:31
• Hebrews 9:27
• Revelation 20:11-15

1. Your conscience warns you.

2. God in providence warns you.

3. God has sent his servant once more to warn you – Judgment is coming!

• Ezekiel 33:1-11
• Hell is Real!
• Eternity is Long!
• Justice is Unbending!

III. Thirdly, our text speaks of, and our faith is Characterized by a Message of Redemption, Grace, and Salvation.

Though our sins have separated between us and God, his hand is able to save and his ear is open to the cry of poor, helpless sinners. He is a God ready to save and a God mighty to save. He is both willing and able!

• Micah 7:18
• Hebrews 7:25
• Isaiah 1:18
• Isaiah 45:20-25

Our God is a God able to save because…

A. His Law Has Been Repaired – (Ps. 69:4).

B. His Justice Has Been Satisfied – (Isa. 53:10) – (Pro. 16:6).

• “When I see the blood.” – “The soul that sinneth it shall.”

C. His Son Has Been Exalted – (I John 1:9; 2:1-2).

D. His Grace is Sufficient – (II Cor. 12:9).

Application: In light of these things, I cannot help myself; I must ask once more – “Why will ye die?

• Deuteronomy 30:19
• I Corinthians 6:9-11