God's Deaf And Blind Servant

Isaiah 42.18. And we are going to read into chapter 43 up to verse 21.

! So Isaiah 42.18. Hear, you deaf, look, you blind, and see.

Who is blind but my servant? And deaf like the messenger I send. Who is blind like the one committed to me? Blind like the servant of the Lord. You have seen many things but have paid no attention.

Your ears are open but you hear nothing. It pleased the Lord for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. But this is a people plundered and looted.

All of them trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become plunder with no one to rescue them. They have been made loot with no one to say, send them back.

Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come? Who handed Jacob over to become loot and Israel to the plunderers?

Was it not the Lord against whom we have sinned? For they would not follow his ways. They did not obey his law. So he poured out on them his burning anger.

The violence of war. It enveloped them in flames. Yet they did not understand. It consumed them but they did not take it to heart. But now this is what the Lord says.

He who created you, O Jacob. He who formed you, O Israel. Fear not. For I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.

The flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God. The Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt for your ransom.

Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight. And because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you.

And people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, give them up.

And to the south, do not hold them back. Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth. Everyone who is called by my name. Whom I created for my glory.

Whom I formed and made. Lead out those who have eyes but are blind. Who have ears but are deaf. All the nations gather together and the peoples assemble.

Which of them foretold this and proclaim to us the former things. Let them bring in their witnesses to prove they were right. So that others may hear and say, it is true.

You are my witnesses, declares the Lord. And my servant whom I have chosen. So that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me, no God was formed.

Nor will there be one after me. I, even I am the Lord. And apart from me, there is no Savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed.

I, and not some foreign God among you. You are my witnesses, declares the Lord, that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.

When I act, who can reverse it? This is what the Lord says. Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians.

In the ships in which they took pride. I am the Lord, your Holy One. Israel's Creator, your King. This is what the Lord says. He who made a way through the sea.

A path through the mighty waters. Who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together. And they lay there, never to rise again. Extinguished, snuffed out like a wick.

Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

The wild animals honor me. The jackals and the owls. Because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland. To give drink to my people.

My chosen. The people I formed for myself. That they may proclaim my praise. Well, brothers and sisters.

How are you doing with your God-given purpose in life? Did you think this week of your mission as being God's witness to the world?

Here in our text, we find God talking to Israel and saying of her, She is my servant. She's my messenger. She's my witness. Out of all the nations, God chose the descendants of Abraham.

This little, insignificant Israel to be his people. To know him. To receive and believe his word. And so, to be his servant, messenger.

Bringing his word to the nations. That he alone is God. There is no other Savior. And with all there being to declare how wonderful he is to the nations.

Now, that's your purpose too, brothers and sisters. That is no less your identity as a Christian. You're his servant. His messenger.

His witness. To bear witness to the world how wonderful God is. That he is the only Savior. It's those who know him who are to make him known.

And so, what do we see in the Bible? We find that the God revealed in the Old Testament is a missionary God. From the very outset of Israel's beginning, God has been pursuing a worldwide mission.

Right from Genesis, chapter 12 and verse 3. When he first called Israel's father, Abram. God was pursuing not just the salvation of one nation, Israel.

But rather a worldwide mission. That through Abraham. Through his descendants. All the world. All the nations. The peoples.

Would be blessed. Blessed. And how does the Bible end? With those from every nation. Having been saved. By who?

The son of Abraham. As Matthew 1.1 emphasizes. God's plan. Has always been. To save the nations. Not just.

One little. Nation. Israel. In fact, he chose Israel to be. The servant. By which he would save. The nations. Now this morning we see a.

A serious problem. And a surprising solution. The serious problem comes first. It's that God has chosen Israel to be a servant. To bring his word of salvation to the nations.

But his servant is deaf. And blind. Who is blind but my servant? Verse 19. Who is deaf like the messenger I send?

The one who is God's servant. Who is to bring light to the nations. Is herself blind to the light. And the one who is God's messenger to the nations. Is herself deaf to his word.

His message. Do you see the seriousness of the problem? Right off the bat. How can Israel ever fulfill God's purpose for her? As a witness to the nations.

If she herself is spiritually blind and deaf. Now we rightly feel empathy. For those who are suffering great physical handicaps.

And disabilities. But you must know that the blindness and deafness of Israel. Is her own fault. Her own fault. None so deaf as those who will not hear.

And though God had spoken his word to Israel. Over and over again. It's like they had stuck their fingers in their ears.

So if they're deaf. It's their fault. They didn't like what he said. And so they didn't want to hear what he said. They refused to hear. Their deafness is culpable.

Blameworthy. And so it was with their blindness. They had received more light from God. Than any other nation on the earth. But they hated the light. Because their deeds were evil.

And so they shut their eyes to the light. They paid no attention. Verse 20 says. Their blindness is blameworthy. None so blind as they that will not see.

And that was Israel. Can you remember back to our first sermon. In chapter 6. Where Isaiah was called to. Bring God's word to the nation.

To the nation of Israel. And God said to Isaiah. Go and tell this people. I guess it was the second message. Be ever hearing and never understanding. Be ever seeing but never perceiving.

Isaiah was told ahead of time. That his mission to Israel. Would quote. Make their hearts calloused. And make their ears dull.

And close their eyes. Lest they should see with their eyes. Hear with their ears. Understand with their hearts. And turn and be healed. And that is exactly what happened.

As Isaiah preached to Israel. They were willfully blind. And willfully deaf. They turned a deaf ear to God. So that the more Isaiah preached.

The word of God. The more they close their eyes. And plug their ears. So we've got a problem Houston. A big. Big.

Problem. God's servant. To bear the message. The good news to the nation. Is herself. Blind. And deaf. To that message.

So we're faced right away. With Israel's total inability. To perform her mission. The very mission for which God chose her. Out of all the nations. Who would send a message.

With one who cannot. And will not even hear the message herself. What is it that they refuse to hear and see? Verse 21 tells us it's God's law.

God's word. God's law. It pleased the Lord. For the sake of his righteousness. To make his law. Great and glorious. To magnify his law. And make it glorious.

Now this is one of God's purposes. For giving his law to Israel. He wanted to magnify his law. What happens when you put anything. Under a magnifying glass. You make it great.

And that's what God wanted to do. He wanted to make his. His law great. And glorious. In the eyes. Of the nations. Around them. And that would happen.

As Israel. Received the law. From God. And governed their lives. According to it. Their lives.

Would magnify the law. Showing the nations. Just how great. And glorious. It is. When Moses gave the law. In Deuteronomy 4. 5 to 7. He told the people.

Of Israel. That they. As they carefully. Observed God's law. That the nations. Around them. Would see. And hear. And be impressed. Saying. What other nation.

Is so great. As to have. Such righteous decrees. And laws. That's what was. Supposed to happen. The servant. Of Jehovah.

Was to receive the law. And live by them. And the nations. Were to be impressed. Where have we ever seen. Such great. Decrees. And laws. Brothers and sisters.

Are you. A magnifying glass. That makes God's law. Look. Great. And glorious. In the world. In which you're living.

Beautiful. Glorious. Excellent. You know. There is something attractive. And beautiful. About. Life lived. God's way. Life lived.

According to his law. And the world's to see that. Is your marriage. Demonstrating. In a world. Of brokenness. The beauty. Of godliness. The beauty.

Of marriage. Done. God's way. Is your honesty. And diligence. At work. Reflecting the beauty. Of God's laws.

You shall not steal. Are you showing that forth. The beauty of that law. In the way that you give. Your employer. 40 hours of work. For 40 hours.

Of pay. When you love your neighbor. As yourself. You show just how great. And glorious. God's law. Is. A holy life.

In line. With God's commandments. Is a powerful witness. To the watching world. Are you adorning. The doctrines of God. Our savior. By a life.

Lived. According. To his. Commandments. You see a great. Great and glorious. Law. Comes from a great. And glorious. God.

And as we. Live by his. Great and glorious. Law. We show how great. And glorious. Our God is. We show that the precepts. Of the Lord. Are right. Giving joy. To the heart. You obey.

With gladness. Every precept. Of God. Showing. That it's the perfect. Law of liberty. This is the path. That free men. Love to run in. The law of liberty.

God. Made his law. Great and glorious. He wanted. And that's one of the reasons. He gave it to Israel. That they might show. The world. How great and glorious.

His ways are. And so he would display. Through Israel's obedience. The loveliness. Of his word. And ways.

So that the nations. Might be attracted. Themselves. To learn. God's word. God's word. And so. In answer. To the prophecy. Of chapter 2.

Of Isaiah. Which streamed. To Zion. Saying to one another. Come on. Let's go up. To the house. Of the God. Of Jacob. He will teach us. His ways. So that we may walk.

In his paths. And the law. Will go forth. From Zion. The word of the Lord. From Jerusalem. That was God's plan. In giving.

His law. To his people. You make it. To appear great. And glorious. To the world. But verse 22. Shows that rather than magnifying.

God's law. They refuse to hear it. And obey it. So rather than attracting. The nations to God. Israel is plundered. By the nations. Rather than.

Their beautiful lives. Ordered by the law of God. The nations. See them trapped. In pits. Hidden in prison. Becoming plunder. To the idolatrous nations.

And indeed. Here they are. As helpless. As anyone has ever been. Could not. Bring themselves. Out of their. Bondage. Down in Babylon. No one to rescue them.

Is what. The scriptures say. No one to say. Send them back. And all of this. Was God's judgment. Upon them. For their rebellion. He handed them over.

To their plunderers. Verse 24 says. Because they would not. Follow his ways. They did not. Obey his law. God meant. For it to be magnified. They disobeyed it.

And so. Brought down. God. In the eyes. Of the nations. And so. He pours out. On them. Is burning. Anger. The violence. Of war. He. He whistles. For the Babylonians.

And they come. And take them away. To Babylon. And notice. Verse 25. Though this. Anger of God. And violence.

Of war. Though it enveloped them. Like flames. Yet. They did not understand. It consumed them. But they did not. Take it to heart. Again. We see just how serious. The problem was.

Even these terrible. Judgments of God. Will not change. Or cure them. They're still in the dark. They're still blind. They still don't. Get it. They can't see beyond second causes.

All they can think about is the Babylonians. Folks. The problem wasn't the mighty Babylonians. It was. It was an angry God. That was their problem.

But. But all they could see was why. What a terrible foreign policy of our kings these days. And. And look what it's brought us into. We're now slaves to Babylon. Just looking at things from the horizontal.

Not realizing. That our great problem is with God. Babylon's just the rod of his anger. And they're just dealing with.

With Babylon. And they're not having any dealings with God. They're not repenting of their broken. Laws. That they have. Trampled on. God's laws.

And so. Though God is spanking them. They still don't learn. They still don't get it. No one pays attention. And takes it to heart. So what do we have?

We have Israel. God's servant. As helplessly lost. And blind. And deaf. As the very nations. To which they're sent. In a bondage.

That she cannot free herself from. And where there is no one to rescue. And so chapter 42 ends. And chapter 43 begins. But now.

Do you see the contrast? But now. And it introduces the surprising solution. Do you like surprises? Well, we like some of them. What makes for a good surprise?

When we find something that we. Absolutely. We're not expecting. To find. I remember when you all surprised. Many of you surprised me on my 40th. 50th birthday.

And I thought we were just going out. As deacons and elders. And our wives for an evening. And what I found was a whole church full of people. Instead. I didn't expect it.

You surprised me. And that's what we have. In chapter 43. Where we expect to find. More of God's terrible judgments.

Upon these. Hard-hearted. Rebellious. Sinfully blind. And deaf. Servants. We find instead. God's grace.

God's grace. Where we expect. To find God's wrath. We find his mercy. Their guilt. Is met with his. Shocking.

His amazing grace. Because. What we have in chapter 43. Is the message. That God will redeem. His rebellious. Deaf and blind servant. God will set them free. And bring them back.

From Babylon. And their captivity there. He's not done. With his unfaithful servant. He's not aborting. His mission. That he had in mind. For her. Rather. It is through his redemption.

That God will make. Unfaithful. Servant. Israel. A faithful servant. To do his will. To bear his. Positive witness. Of his glory.

To the nations. And so though. Israel cannot save. Themselves. And though there's no one. To rescue them. God will save them.

That's what we bump into. In chapter 43. What a surprise. God himself. Will redeem them. Even when they're going through the fires of. His own.

Anger. His own wrath. He will save them. Though they're completely undeserving. Because of their sins. He will save them. For. It is by grace. You are saved.

Not by works. Not by any worthiness. So. Verse one. But now. Here's the great surprise. This is what the Lord says. He who created you.

Oh Jacob. He who formed you. Oh Israel. Fear not. For I have redeemed you. I have summoned you by name. You are mine. What's the reason for the fear?

Well they know. What they are. They know. That. There ought to be more wrath coming our way.

They are wondering. Is. This captivity in Babylon. Going to be the end of us. They're fearing.

And God says. Fear not. Fear not. Why not? Because you are mine. You are mine. You're mine. And. And I.

Act. On. Behalf of those who are mine. I will redeem. What is mine. What matters most is not what you've done. But whose you are.

You are mine. Who does he say that to? Rebellious. Death. Blind. Israel. You. Are.

Mine. So fear not. The captivity of Babylon. God married. Israel. At the foot of Mount Sinai.

After he brought them out of Egypt. I'm yours. And you're mine. Was the covenant he made with them. You're my people. I'm your God.

And that's our greatest comfort in life and in death. That. That I belong. In life and in death. Body and soul. Not to myself. But to my faithful savior. Jesus Christ.

He is mine. I am his. Fear not. Because. He's always with me. I am with you.

Emmanuel. God with us. So that when you pass through the waters. I will be with you. And when you pass through the rivers. They will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire. What was the fire they were in?

It was the flames of God's anger. You thought about that? That even when I'm going through the judgments. The disciplines of God. Upon me. He's with me.

So that the flame will not consume me. But rather refine me. When you pass through the fires. The flames will not consume you. You will not be burned. The flames will not set you ablaze.

You see the fires of God's wrath. Are not to have the final word. With his covenant people. Here they are under the fire of God's judgment. And yet he's with them there.

And he saves them. Through the judgment. Perhaps a reference to the Red Sea. Talks about the floods and the waters. Though you pass through the waters.

Well they passed through waters all right. Didn't they? They piled up on either side. Afraid. No don't be afraid. I'm with you here. And those very waters of judgment.

That destroyed the Egyptians. Were waters that saved them. And he was with the three Hebrew children.

When they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Though the men who threw them in. Were destroyed by the same flames of fire. They were not burned. There was another with them in the flames.

Remember a fourth. Like unto the Son of God. He's with them in the flames. So that they do not consume them. And so now Israel would find.

That the very fiery judgments. Of Babylonian captivity. Being slaves in Babylon. That even there. God is with them. To save them. And to bring them out.

For I am the Lord. Your God. Your Savior. Now bride of Christ. Christ. This is you.

You are the Israel of God. You are the new covenant people of God. And this is what you can expect. In all your fiery trials.

That the Lord will be with you. To help you. Even when your sins. Have been the things. To bring you into the fire. You're his.

And what will he not do. For those. He has chosen. To be. His. People. Why does God deliver.

His unfaithful people. That's ever a question. We ought to be asking. As we come through. Isaiah. And he keeps answering it. And in our text. He gives three reasons. Why does God.

Keep delivering. His unfaithful people. Well number one. Because you are mine. And we just seen that. That's why he does it. You're mine. And I'm not. Giving you over.

You're mine forever. I chose you. To be mine. Period. The second reason. That he delivers. His unfaithful children. Is because. I love you. I love you.

You see that in verse four. Since you are precious. And honored. In my sight. And because. I love you. I will redeem you. Right out of the fires. Of Babylon.

Not because of anything. In them. No. Just because. He set his love. Upon them. Why? Not because of. Them being a numerous people.

They weren't. They were just a few. Just because. I loved you. What? Yeah. Deuteronomy seven. Why did you love me? Because I loved you.

That's it. I set my love on you. I chose you. I decided. To make you my own. And I poured out. My heart. Upon you. And so. Here they are. Spiritually blind.

Death. Unfaithful. Rebellious. But they are loved. They are loved. That's what he's telling them. Even under the fiery discipline. That he has poured out.

They are loved. Because he disciplines. Those he loves. And he chastens every son. He delights in. And this is why he redeems them.

This is why. He redeems them. That means. To set free. By paying a price. And that's what he promises. To do for them. Down in Babylon. I'll set you free.

By the pain of a price. And God shows. That he's willing. To go to all kinds of lengths. To redeem. His. Unfaithful servant. He's willing. To pay any price.

In order to redeem. His loved ones. Verse three. I give Egypt. For your ransom. What's the price he pays. To free them. When they were down. As slaves under Pharaoh.

What was the ransom. I gave Egypt. As your ransom. I virtually destroyed. The whole nation. Did destroy. The whole army. Of nation. Of Egypt.

Just to save you. Wow. He is. Committed. To those he loves. He's willing. To. To give over.

The whole of Egypt. To destruction. In their stead. In order to set them free. Again. Not because they deserved it. They were idolatrous. Even in Egypt. But because he loved them. In verse six.

Since you are precious. Verse four. Because. Since you are precious. And honored in my sight. And because I love you. I will give men. In exchange for you. And people.

In exchange for your life. Not only have I. I've already done that. In giving Egypt for you. But now he says. I will do this. Again. I will give men. In exchange for you. Instead of you.

He's speaking of future salvation. People that he will give. As a ransom. In order to save them. Because you know what he was soon. About to do. He's about.

To give Babylon. Over to. Cyrus. Just in order to set his people free. I gave Egypt for your. Release.

Now I'm. I'm about to. To give over. The whole country. The world. Empire. Babylon. Just to set you free. What love.

Chapter 53. Of Isaiah. Will show. How far. Will God go. In paying. Any price. To set his people free. Oh. He did not even spare his own son.

But gave him up for us all. To set us free. Folks. There's more than physical bondage. In Babylon. Being spoken of. In Isaiah 43. Three. He's speaking about the greatest.

Of bondage. The bondage. To sin. And how will he. Set us free from that. By the pain of a price. That would make our knees. Buckle.

He doesn't spare his own son. He crushes him. To set us free. We see it here. In the types. And symbols. Of releasing.

His loved people. From Babylonian captivity. By the pain of a price. And so we were redeemed. Not. With silver. And gold. But with the precious.

Blood of Christ. As the ransom. What will he not do. For those he loves. Why are you delivered? Why does God.

Go on delivering. His. Helpless. Rebellious. People. Because you're mine. Number one. Number two. Because I love you. And number three. Because I created you.

For my glory. And the other two. Ultimately lead to this one. Why does God do anything. That he does. For his own glory. Why will God save you.

My dear friend. For his own glory. Why does he keep saving you. From your sin. Why does he put you. Through the fires. Why does he go to all. The trouble.

That this father. Must go. With his rebellious children. Because I created you. For my glory. And I'm not about. To give up. On that pursuit. I'm going to get glory.

Through you. Oh what a comforting word. And so in verses. Five to seven. He speaks about. This great gathering. Of Israel's children. They were afraid.

It would all be over for them. Down there in Babylon. It was all going to end. Down there in captivity. Great reasons to fear. Because their sins. Invited. God's judgments.

But he says no. Grace. Not judgment. Is to have the final word. For my people. Those chosen people. That I love. And I'm going to call them.

Back from captivity. And when I call. They will come. They will come. Now you remember. How helpless they were. Down there in Babylon.

We saw that. In the end of verse 22. There was no one. To rescue them. They're under the heel. Of the mighty. Empire of Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar.

And there's no one. To rescue them. No one. To say. Send them back. Returning home. Was not in the picture. At all. And yet. The Lord says.

I will bring your children. From the east. And I will gather you. From the west. Verse five. I will say. To the north. Verse six. Give them up. To the south. Don't hold them back.

And so. Though Nebuchadnezzar. Would not be willing. To say. Send the Israelites back. God will nevertheless say.

Give them up. Well. What if Nebuchadnezzar. Won't let go. Of God's people. Well. God's already shown. What he does. With kings.

That won't let his people go. He had ten plagues. For a guy named Pharaoh. A king Pharaoh. When God says.

Let my people go. Send them back. Don't hold them back. He will raise up a Cyrus. To smash the Babylonians.

And then cause that Cyrus. That Persian Cyrus. To have such a strange foreign policy. Where he will say. To the captive peoples. You all go on back home.

And rebuild your. Temple. And rebuild your capital. You see when God says. Send them back. Don't hold them back. Send them home.

They come. They come. No matter. Who stands in the way. When I act. Who can reverse it. The Lord says. So Israel's captors.

Captors. Will themselves. Be taken captive. As the Lord. Sets his people free. Verse 14. For your sake. He says to his people. For your sake.

I will send to Babylon. And I'll bring down. As fugitives. All the Babylonians. In the very ships. That they took. Such pride in. Just as formerly.

This great. Saving God. Rescued his people. From Egypt. In that exodus. So now. He's going to bring them. Out of captivity. In Babylon. And that's the new thing.

That God is doing. Verse 19. A new thing. I am doing. He says. He compares it. With the old thing. That he did. What was the old thing? It was the exodus. He brought Israel out.

Before. From their captivity. In Egypt. He. You see. His reference. To that. In verse. 16. He. Who.

Who. Made a way. Through the Red Sea. Who made a path. Through the mighty waters. For Israel. And drew out. The chariots. And horses. And armies. Of Egypt. And extinguished them. Like snuffing out a wick.

It's easy work. To him. But now. He's going to do. Something new. So don't dwell. On the past. Don't dwell. On the former.

Things. As if I'm. Only the God. Of yesterday. No. See. I'm going to do. A new thing. Now. It springs up. Don't you perceive it? A new exodus.

A new deliverance. A new redemption. From bondage. A new gathering. Of my people. Back home. To me. And where there's. No clear path. I'll make one. Right through the desert.

And where there's. No refreshment. I'll provide it. Water in the desert. Streams in the wasteland. Whatever the obstacles. I will overcome them. As I bring my people.

Back. Home. To me. In the promised land. My chosen. The people. I form for myself. That they may proclaim.

My praise. You see. There's more here. Than physical redemption. From Babylon. The physical. Captivity. In Babylon. Points to a greater captivity.

That we all. Suffer under. We're spiritually blind. We don't like. What we see. In God.

And in his word. We're deaf. We don't like. What we hear. We're rebellious. And so. We're in bondage. To sin. We love our sin. That's the secret.

Of every sinner. We love our sin. And we can't set ourselves free. From what we love. And there's no one to rescue. That's our condition.

There's this greater. Redemption. That is needed. From our slavery. To sin. And a greater ransom. Than Egypt.

Or Babylon. That are given. To set his people free. Oh. There's the redemption. The ransom. Of the blood of Jesus. He breaks the bonds. Of reigning sin.

He sets the prisoner free. His blood. Can make the foulest clean. His blood. Availed for me. There's the greater ransom. From the greater captivity.

And then there's this. Irresistible call. When he brings us. To himself. And he calls us. To himself. There is a voice. That goes out. In the gospel call. That will wake.

Sinners. From the dead. He speaks. And listening. To his voice. New life. The dead receive. The deaf are made. To hear his call.

And they come to him. And that has happened. To every one of you. Who are in Christ. You. Who were deaf. Heard his call. And came. He opened your ears.

He opened your eyes. He overcame. Your love of sin. And he drew you. To himself. And this great gathering. Of God's people. Is far more.

Than a few Jews. Coming back. From Babylon. To rebuild Jerusalem. He's talking about. Something far greater. Than that. You say. Prove it.

Well Babylon. Was from the east. But this gathering. Is of captives. Who come from. All four points. Of the compass. Did you see that? Give him up.

East. West. Don't hold him back. North. South. He's calling. Every point. Of the compass. This is a worldwide. Gathering. That he's referring to. Yes.

The call. Of his people. Back from. Babylon. Is the first. Gathering. That he refers to. The first thing. The something new. But the something new.

Reaches out. And gathers in its arms. Every Christian. From every nation. Jew. And Gentile. North. South. East. And west. That's ever been. Gathered.

To the Lord. Jesus Christ. And become a part. Of that Jerusalem. Above. That new covenant. People of God. The Israel. Of God.

Loved. And chosen. In Jesus Christ. Bring my sons. From afar. And my daughters. From the ends. Of the earth.

Verses six and seven. Everyone. Who is called. By my name. Whom I created. For my glory. And whom I formed. And made. You see. This restoration. Is far more. Than just a few Jews.

Coming back. From Babylon. They're coming. From afar. From the ends. Of the earth. A worldwide.

Gathering. Even Gentiles. Who once. Were a far. Off. Ephesians 2 says. Have been brought near. Through the blood. Of Jesus. The day of Pentecost.

Peter. Peter. Preaches. To those. Who are gathered. From many. Many. Different nations. And says. The promise. Is for those. Who are. Far off. Even.

As many. As the Lord. Our God. Shall call. Yes. These are the called. Ones. I'm calling. Them. Back home. I'm calling. Them. Back to myself.

And so. Believers. From every nations. Every nation. Are being. Gathered. To Christ. Even. Even. From this nation. Here. You. And I. Are. We've. Been. Gathered. Long.

Way. Away. And he. Drew. Us. Near. By. Jesus. Think of the Olympic. Parade. Of nations. And they all come streaming.

Into the stadium. And that's the picture. That Isaiah. Chapter 2. Paints. They're streaming in. From the nations. And they're coming. To God. The God of Israel. And they're hearing his word.

And walking. In his ways. This is. The gospel. The Messiah. Age. As people. Are coming. Home. To Jesus Christ.

And that's why. He will not give up. On the servants. Mission. Why doesn't he just say. Okay. You guys are blind. And deaf. And rebellious. I'm done with you. I'm going to plan B.

Why does he stick in there. With Israel. Because God's got the nations. To call. And he's going to call them. Through Israel. That was his plan. He said it. He announced it.

If he doesn't do it. He's not God. My glory is at stake in this. And so he says. Be still.

And know that I am God. I will be exalted. Among the nations. I will be exalted. In the earth. And he will do it. Through his servant. Israel. And you know what?

He did it. Somewhere along the line. God's servant. Was ransomed. Healed. Restored. Forgiven. Was enabled.

To serve him. Took his word. To the ends of the earth. As his witnesses. Making disciples. Of all the nations. And here you are. You've been called. And you've come to Jesus.

All for his glory. That you might show. And tell. How wonderful. He is. And to those. God saves.

He says. Verses 10 through 13. You're my witnesses. In the first place. You're my witnesses. To know me. To know me. Can't be my witness.

Until you know me. And he had to teach them. To know him. You're my witnesses. That you might know me. That you might believe me. That you might understand. That I alone. Am God and Savior.

And therefore. Have no other gods. Besides me. And then. You're my witnesses. Then to take this message. And to bear it. To the nations. There is only one God. There is only one Savior.

There's no other name. Under heaven. Given among men. By which we must be saved. Than Jesus Christ. You can't get to the Father. Except through him. And you are to take this.

Word. To the nations. And I will gather. From north. South. East. And west. A people to myself. The apostle Peter. Shows that these very words. Of Isaiah.

Include the church. The new covenant. Israel of God. When he speaks. To Jews and Gentiles. In first. Peter 2. 9. Jews and Gentiles. Who trust in Jesus. He says.

But you. Are a chosen people. You. Are a royal priesthood. You. Are a holy nation. A people. Belonging to God. That you may declare.

The praises of him. Who called you out of darkness. And brought you into his wonderful light. That's the fulfillment. You and I. His witnesses now.

Of this wonderful salvation. Found only. In Jesus. That's why he chose us. To be his. That's why he. Sent his son. Such expensive grace. Why did he pay such a price?

To have you. As his witness. To declare to the nations. To glorify him. To say. This is the savior. This is the only God.

That's why. He disciplines us. That's why he purifies us. In fiery trials. To make us his faithful servant. His glory is on the line. I'm out to get glory through you.

And through saving you. I'm going to have you. As a living advertisement. Of how good I am. To people who deserve the opposite. Why am I alive?

Why am I alive in Christ? Why have my eyes been opened. And my ears unstopped. To the gospel call. Why do my eyes see glory.

In Jesus Christ. Such that I would. Lose my love of sin. For the love of the savior. And say. This is my God. I will follow him. Wherever he leads me.

Why did Jesus die. To forgive me. Why does he love me so. Why does he constantly. Deliver me from my sin. It all comes down to this. That I might show to the world.

What a wonderful God. And savior he is. He saved us. He made us his people. For the praise of his glory. You see our text this morning. Is calling us to realign our lives.

With our great purpose in life. To remember why we're here. Why Jesus ever came to earth. To save the likes of me. You're my witness.

He says to every one of us. That he saved. And so I must ask you. What message. Is the nation hearing. And seeing.

From you. That he's the only God. And that's why. You worship him alone. That's why you don't have any other idols. That his law is great and glorious.

And that's why you obey it. With such joy. And carefulness. That he's the only God and savior. And that's why. You want others to know him. How much of your life.

Is caught up in this grand purpose. For your existence. Or to ask the other way. How much of your life. Is totally out of sync. With this reason.

For your existence. Is there something. That should change. To align yourself more. With God's purpose.

For you. Is there something to confess. Something to repent of. Something to stop doing. Something to start doing. Something to do more. Because you realize.

Why it is. That God has saved you. What his purpose. In life. Is for you. And do you see. Then why chapter 42. Began. By talking about.

Another servant. Of the Lord. A couple weeks ago. We looked at that. A faithful servant. Who does all of his father's will. All of his delight. Who was faithful. Exactly where Israel. And where we are unfaithful.

Who kept the law. And magnified it. By a perfect life. Of obedience. To it. That he. By his perfect life. That perfect life. Might. Be laid down.

In sacrifice. For our sins. And set us free. And cleanse our hearts. To make us. Faithful servants. Who will then go. To the nations. And make disciples.

Of the nations. And point people. To our great God. And Savior. Yes. We needed this. Faithful servant. Jesus. It's only through.

His saving work. That we. The people. The chosen people. Of God. Are enabled. To be faithful servants. To our Lord.

There's a word here. For the severely tried saint. And you're facing a trial. And it looks like. The Red Sea. In front of you. Or it looks like. A fiery ordeal. And you're afraid.

What's the message. This morning. Fear not. I am with you. The waters. Will not swallow you up. The flames. Will not. Consume you.

Because you are mine. And I'm going to keep you. To the end. I love you. And my. Glory. Is bound up. In you.

And this same Savior. Lives today. Don't dwell in the past. Don't just live in the past. Oh. If it was only like it used to be. Now I've got this. Red Sea. In front of me. This fiery trial.

Oh. If it was just like. No. Forget the past. Don't dwell on the former things. He who made a way through the sea. Is alive today. To open up your Red Sea today.

He's alive to take you through those billows. Through those flames. And he's glorified. When he takes his people through these trials. And brings them out on the other side.

Let his former wonders lead you to expect new things. He who did not spare his own son for you. How will he not also with you?

How will he not? Today. He who did that for you yesterday. What will he do for you today? Will he not give you all things? Lost friend. You've heard it again today.

Your condition is desperate. You're blind. You're deaf. You're rebellious. You love your sin. You're in captivity. There is no one to rescue. But here is our great God and Savior.

The only God. The only Savior. How will you escape if you neglect so great a salvation? If you neglect so great a Savior.

Come to him. Even as we pray. Let's pray. Thank you Father for this. This word of Isaiah to our hearts that shows us our failures and shows us the servant.

The servant of the Lord who fully magnified your law by keeping it. And who brought us out of our miserable bondage by laying down his own life in blood for ours.

Then shock us afresh with this grace. And send us forth into the world aware of who we are.

We're yours. We're no longer our own. Aware of your love. And aware that we now exist. We were created. We were redeemed.

We were blood-bought to proclaim your praise. Oh, set our minds, our mouths, and our lives to demonstrating your glory.

We ask in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.