Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text for this evening is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Is. 30. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text describes not only the rebelliousness of the world of unbelieving and impenitent people – those committed to whatever wickedness their mind puts their hand to. It is addressed to people of God, people to whom He had given His Word, to whom He had sent His prophets, to whom He had given His commandments and also His covenants of gracious mercy and forgiveness.
- It is a very difficult thing for us to imagine that people who were given the same promises, the same grace and mercy as we have, could possibly turn away from God and become “a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord.”
- But alas, this is precisely what we have witnessed in our own day and time – in the span of my lifetime in particular. Now it is true that America has always had its share of rebellious people – unbelievers, rebels, and people committed to all manner of sins of the flesh. It is also true that 60 years ago – when the church was popular and almost everyone had some relationship with a church – that there was a great deal of hypocrisy.
- But at least outwardly, at least as far as cultural values and expectations were concerned, society demanded a pretty high standard of decency. But rebellion set in – and this rebellion led to the circumstances that we live in today, where the world around us is very accurately described by the words of our text.
- And not only the world – but also many within the church, for many churches have also gone down the path of rebellion against God’s Word.
- But we must apply the text to ourselves – personally; and see whether these words also describe us – for there is still time to repent, and if not, the warning of our text is dire. First, we must see that:
I. The Rebellion Is Against God’s Word
A. The People Will Not Hear His Word
Text: “They are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord.”
B. They Forbid True Prophecy
Text: “They say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us what is right.”
C. They Demand Pleasant Things Be Spoken To Them, What Pleases Them
Text: “speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions.”
D. They Reject God Himself
Text: “leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
Statement: It is certain that this is the attitude of the unbelievers in the world toward the Word of God – not only the moral code of God’s commandments, but also His call to repent and to receive His gracious forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus. They won’t hear God’s Word; they reject the teachings of God; they desire only compliments and assurances of their “goodness,” and they reject God, the only True and Living God.
Application: But what about us? What is our attitude toward the Word of God? Do we really “hear” when we come to church – and accept the Word as God’s Word, as fully and completely authoritative? Do we reject what we don’t like – and try to influence the preachers to speak more pleasantly to us? Do we really want to hear about God as He truly is? Or would we prefer to think of Him as we see fit, and to tweak Him to fit our sensibilities?
Many within the church have done just this – and these are the first steps to leaving the church altogether, which many in this past generation or two have done. They make no qualms about it – and at least we know where they stand. But those who reject God’s Word and still remain in the church, as hypocrites, as instigators of rebellion against God’s Word and perverters of His prophets – these are far worse, for they seek to corrupt us and to destroy the church. This was what was happening in Israel in Isaiah’s day; and it is a constant affliction of the church to this very day. So let us beware, for:
II. Those Who Rebel Against God’s Word And Reject Him End Up Trusting In Oppression And Perversity – And Bring Utter Destruction Upon Themselves
Text: “Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel, ‘Because you despise this Word and trust in oppression and perverseness and rely on them, therefore this iniquity shall be to you like a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse, whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant; and its breaking is like that of a potter’s vessel that is smashed so ruthlessly that among its fragments not a shard is found with which to take fire from the hearth, or to dip up water out of the cistern.’”
Statement: The imagery is dramatic – the unforeseen failing of infrastructure which results in a cataclysmic collapse and destruction of a large building. This is what lies ahead for those who reject God and His Word. This is what is coming to all those Americans who have left and rejected the church, and who now rely upon oppression and perverseness. And this is also what is coming to all within the church who do the same – who play the hypocrite, acting as if they are pious toward God, but rejecting His instruction and adopting lying and falsehood instead!
Application: The Word of God in our text is a strong warning not to trifle with God! All around us we see not only people who outrightly reject the Word of God, but also many who claim the name of Christian but who continue to reject God’s Word, who reject real repentance, and who seek to pervert the church. We can become confused – and think that there are options in being a Christian, that we need not be fully humble and contrite, and submissive to God’s Word. If we succumb to this, we must understand what we are doing, that we are taking our place under the condemnation of this Word of God!
Transition: So as we hear this Word and contemplate it, let us be sure to understand that:
III. Repentance And Faith Is The Only Way – So That We Dare Not Trust In Ourselves Or Others
Text: “For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.’ But you were unwilling, and you said, ‘No! We will flee upon horses’; therefore you shall flee away; and ‘We will ride upon swift steeds’; therefore your pursuers shall be swift.’”
Statement: Again, it may be counter-intuitive to simply repent and throw ourselves upon the Lord – trusting only in His gracious mercy and forgiveness, and clinging solely to His Word. But God Himself promises: “you shall be saved; quietness and trust shall be your strength.” American assertiveness spurs and goads us onward – to do something, to save ourselves, to stand on our own two feet, to decide for ourselves. But no matter our efforts to elude, God is able to track us down and bring us to judgment.
Application: We have been steeped in humanism through our educational system for years – and taught to rely on ourselves, that we are basically good and strong and productive, and that we can best determine for ourselves what is best for us! This is a horrific delusion – which has over and again led to the kind of chaos and wretchedness that plays out on our news screens each day. Apart from repentance and faith, returning and humble trust in God, and attentiveness to His Word, it will only get worse – and will catch up with every human being who insists upon rebellion and deception.
Conclusion: Thank God that He has given us His Word, and that by the power of His Spirit we have turned to Him in repentance, and that we trust His gracious Word of forgiveness and salvation! May He keep us in this humility and contrition, and in faith and trust in Him and humble submission to His Word, until life’s end or His return in glory for judgment.
Let us take care to learn from His Word, that we not be tempted by others, and that we never take up the cause of perversion of His Word and church! This will only bring devastating punishment! But there is salvation and strength – in repentance and faith! This is the way – let us not turn aside from it! God grant us this blessedness throughout the coming year and forever! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.