One day the Lord will bring an end to sin and rebellion and the eternal state will remain. Isaiah shows us what it will look like.
Isaiah 59: Evil and Oppression
1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear;
2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
3 For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies; your tongue mutters wickedness.
4 No one enters suit justly; no one goes to law honestly; they rely on empty pleas, they speak lies, they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.
5 They hatch adders' eggs; they weave the spider's web; he who eats their eggs dies, and from one that is crushed a viper is hatched.
6 Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands.
7 Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways.
8 The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.
9 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
10 We grope for the wall like the blind; we grope like those who have no eyes; we stumble at noon as in the twilight, among those in full vigour we are like dead men.
11 We all growl like bears; we moan and moan like doves; we hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is far from us.
12 For our transgressions are multiplied before you, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and we know our iniquities:
13 transgressing, and denying the LORD, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words.
14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.
15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice.
16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.
17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.
18 According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment.
19 So they shall fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun; for he will come like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives.
20 "And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression," declares the LORD.
21 "And as for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD: "My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring," says the LORD, "from this time forth and forevermore."
Isaiah 60: The Future Glory of Israel
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.
7 All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered to you; the rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you; they shall come up with acceptance on my altar, and I will beautify my beautiful house.
8 Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows?
9 For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the LORD your God, and for the Holy One of Israel, because he has made you beautiful.
10 Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in my wrath I struck you, but in my favour I have had mercy on you.
11 Your gates shall be open continually; day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you the wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession.
12 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; those nations shall be utterly laid waste.
13 The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious.
14 The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
15 Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, with no one passing through, I will make you majestic forever, a joy from age to age.
16 You shall suck the milk of nations; you shall nurse at the breast of kings; and you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.
17 Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness.
18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.
19 The sun shall be no more your light by day, nor for brightness shall the moon give you light; but the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun shall no more go down, nor your moon withdraw itself; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of mourning shall be ended.
21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I might be glorified.
22 The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will hasten it.
Things to think about…
1. Why doesn’t God always answer our prayers? Isaiah says His hand isn’t short and He is not deaf, Isa 59:1 so why doesn’t He answer. Vs 2 has the answer - our sin separates us from God and as such makes Him not hear. Christians should not expect to receive anything if their lives are plainly in rebellion to what the Lord wants from them. Be holy as He is holy. But if you still do not receive, pray continually. Be as the widow and keep praying until an answer is given, Luke 18:1-8.
2. When people try to be godly, but are mocked for it, Isa 59:15 there is no way of salvation except from the Lord, vs 16. Here is another prophesy of Christ – the Lord intercedes, and His own arm orchestrates salvation.
3. Note that the Apostle Paul borrows imagery from Isa 59:17 when he writes about the Christian’s armour in Eph 6. The armour here refers to what is available to the Lord as the Saviour as His arm is bringing the salvation, vs 16. We of course have the Lord’s righteousness and protection through Christ.
4. This Redeemer will makes sure His ministry spreads right over the globe, Isa 59:19 from the west and over to the rising of the sun. The Lord’s word will not depart from His people, vs 21. May this be true within our families and that our children honour the Lord more than we do.
5. I believe Isa 60:6 reflects the kings from the East and their gifts when they came to see the One who was the Saviour as recorded in Matt 2:1-12. But will also refer to a future age when all the kings of the earth will come bring praise, honour and gifts to the One who rules and reigns in Jerusalem in the Millennium.
6. When do you believe Isa 60:9-22 will be fulfilled? This chapter no doubt refers to the Millennium, however it also makes reference to the final state of a new heavens and new earth. We know that Lebanon presently is not in a state described here in Isa 60:13. Indeed they are enemies of Israel. Look at Isa 60:19, 20. This refers to the Lord providing light – not the Sun or moon. We see this as the eternal heavenly picture as described where “Its lamp is the Lamb”, in Rev 21:23-25. The Lord will bring it about in His good time, Isa 60:22.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. Ric Benson group will start back on Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Pastor Jay has started the young adult’s life group after Sunday mornings café time. On break over the holiday period.
Prayer Points
1. Families of victims of the Bondi Junction massacre. Pray for healing, comfort and hope.
2. Anna is starting a Playgroup at CBC. First one this week on Friday 19th Apr 9am.
3. Conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
4. Those who are considering baptism.
5. Church finances to cover all expenses.
6. Pray for new Playgroup outreach, Kids@Church, Life groups and church community days.
7. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday afternoons. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
8. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
9. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for ministry opportunities at Kidz@church and Playgroup.
2. Continue to pray for Tad to gain strength at home. Good to see him at church yesterday. Continue to pray for Glenys as she now has a splint to gain full use in her left arm. Any encouragement you can give will be greatly appreciated.
3. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. All Life Groups start back Wednesday 6:30pm at church.
2. Kids@Church back on Sunday.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for April...
Q. 19. Do you have a soul as well as a body? A. Yes; I have a soul that can never die.
