The Ultimacy of the Gospel
Introduction
- Celebrating 200 years
- Also to acknowledge the difficulties
- Scotland declares itself a secular nation
- Pride marches
- Politicians without faith
- The enemies of the gospel are gloating
- Also to acknowledge the difficulties
- This is not the real story
- Isa 60 - we find a man in equally trying days
- He reminds us of the ultimaticy of the Gospel
- Overview:
- Undeniable Darkness
- Unstoppable Hope
- Unshakeable Purpose
Undeniable Darkness (v2a)
- v2 - darkness and deep darkness
- Darkness: the absence of light
- Deep darkness: absolute blackness
- Isaiah had watched the darkness coming over many years
- Example
- For decades: good/bad kings, with hope/promises of better things but it is deep darkness
- History:
- The kingdom is divided
- Southern Israel was conquered by Assyria
- Judah hung by a very, very thin thread - explanation
- You can almost sense satan waiting to cut the thread
- We can see a growing darkness
- A focus on money, casting off religion
- Quote from CK Chesterton
* Also an unstoppable purpose v2b-4
Unstoppable Hope (v2b-4)
- Also an unstoppable purpose v2b-4
- Isaiah is giving us a glimpse into the gospel hope of Jesus Christ
- This is unstoppable - definition
- Unstoppable:
- Because God is at work - Dan 2:44
- Jesus would triumph at the cross
- v4-7: the nations would no longer harass Israel but come and bring gifts to God
- The enemies would become servants
- Example of the salvation of other nations
- v14: to Zion
- God's people
- We need to be careful how we speak about the Church of God
- It will be glorious
- It is God's purpose and design
- Because God is at work - Dan 2:44
Unshakeable Purpose (v19-22)
- We are caught up in an unstoppable hope because it is routed in an unshakeable purpose
- How do we live?
- v19
- Rev 22:5
- We are moving towards this day - which will come
- v19
- The Cross of Christ has won everything - explanation
- To heed the warning
- (v12) - not to reject the gospel
- Come to Jesus this morning
- Live everyday in the wonder of the day to come
- Do not just look at the darkness
- Look to the day we will stand with Christ
- Example of Brownlee brothers - will Christ not do the same for you?