Sermon # 217 Series: Isaiah

Title: “GIVE HIM NO REST.”

Text: Isaiah 62:1-12

Subject: The Purpose of God and the Work of His Servants

Date: Sunday Evening – August 6, 1995

Tape # R-63

Introduction:

There is an urgency about the things of God which makes half-heartedness, apathy, and indifference intolerable. Our Savior said, “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matt. 11:12). That simply means – Spiritual business is urgent business. Eternal matters are urgent matters. No one has ever been saved who was not urgent about his soul’s welfare. God Almighty is urgent in the accomplishment of his purposes. And sinners under the conviction of sin are urgent in the pursuit of his grace. Isaiah 62 displays this holy urgency.

Let’s read the chapter together – Isaiah 62:1-12.

This passage of Scripture, like so many we have seen in the book of Isaiah, refers to the deliverance of the Jews out of Babylon. But that deliverance was designed and brought to pass by our God to portray and typify the great redemption of our souls wrought out by the Lord Jesus Christ and our deliverance from sin and death by the power of his grace. The Lord God is urgent about this matter. And he would have us to be urgent about it. The title of my message tonight is found in verse 7 – “Give Him No Rest.”

Proposition:

God’s determination is the everlasting salvation of his people for the glory of his name; and that must be our determination too.

Divisions:

1. The Work Purposed (vv. 1-5).

2. The Watchmen Placed (vv. 6-9).

3. The Word Proclaimed (vv. 10-12).

I. In verses 1-5 the Holy Spirit reveals The Work Purposed, the work which God has purposed to do from eternity.

There is some question about whether the person speaking in these verses is the Lord God himself or his prophet. Nothing in the context makes it clear who is speaking. However, in the context of Holy Scripture, we may properly read these words as coming from the mouth of God himself or from the mouth of his prophet.

A. God’s purpose in this world is the full, glorious salvation of his elect and the everlasting, public display of our salvation for the glory of his name. Our God is a God of purpose; and his purpose is our salvation.

· Isaiah 14:24-27

· Romans 8:28-30

· Ephesians 2:7

· Revelation 19:1-6

1. God purposed from eternity to publish righteousness to all the world – The Preaching of the Gospel.

2. He will show all the people and kings of the earth the glory of his people (Eph. 2:7).

3. He will give us a new name – (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; Jer. 23:6; 33:16) – “My People!”

· Hephzibah – “My Delights in Her”

· Beulah – “Married.”

4. The Lord God will make us to be in his hand a crown of glory and a royal diadem.

NOTE: Not a crown of glory and royal diadem upon his head, but in his hand – we add nothing to God’s glory and beauty – But he makes us both glorious and beautiful!

B. If we understand these to be God’s own words, we must be utterly amazed by this fact – The Lord God Almighty is urgent about the business of saving his People!

He says, “I will not hold my peace… I will not rest,” until my purpose is accomplished.

NOTE: Everything God does is for the sake of his people – “For Zion’s sake.” “For Jerusalem’s sake!”

C. If we understand these as being the words of God’s prophet – We have before us a clear example of what a preacher should be – A Man Devoted to The Purpose of God, The People of God, and The Glory of God.

· I Timothy 4:12-16

1. “I will not hold my peace” until God’s chosen are saved.

2. “I will not rest” until God’s elect are glorified.

NOTE: Preaching is not a Part Time Job!

II. Secondly, in verses 6-9 The Lord God speaks to his people about his servants as The Watchmen Placed by him upon the walls of Jerusalem.

· Jeremiah 3:15

A. God’s servants, gospel preachers are watchmen.

· Ezekiel 33:7-9 (For Unbelievers)

· Song 3:3; 5:7 – (For Believers).

B. God’s watchmen are placed by him upon the walls of his church.

C. It is the business of the watchmen to basically do three things incessantly.

1. Speak to the people for God.

2. Make mention of the Lord – Keep up his remembrance to the people.

3. Plead with God for his people – “Give him not rest!”

D. We are assured, by God’s own oath and promise that he will indeed save his people. (vv. 8-9).

Though we have been robbed by satan, stripped by sin, and condemned by God’s holy law, in Christ we have all and shall enjoy all the fulness of grace and glory in the courts of his holiness.

· Revelation 7:15-17

· Revelation 22:1-2

III. Thirdly, the message we are sent to preach, the work God’s servants are sent into this world to perform is not at all ambiguous, but perfectly clear. Verses 10-12 show us The Word Proclaimed.

God’s servants are preachers. That’s their calling that is their duty. And that is their delight.

A. We are to show sinners the way (v. 10).

Illus: “Take ye away the stone.” (John 11).

Street Crews for the Cities of Refuge.

B. We are to preach up the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 11).

1. He is God’s salvation.

2. His reward is with him – Eternal Life!

3. His work is before him – Redemption and Grace.

C. We are to preach to sinners the certain results of Christ’s finished work.

As a result of his obedience to God as our Surety, God’s elect shall be saved with an everlasting salvation. And these are the names by which we shall be called.

1. “The Holy People.”

2. “The Redeemed of the Lord.”

3. “Sought Out.”

4. “A City Not Forsaken.”

· Hebrews 13:5

Application:

1. God is Urgent About These Things.

2. We Ought to be Urgent About Them.

· About Our Own Souls!

· About The Souls of Others!

· About The Glory of God!