PENTECOST 15 – September 5, 2021 – Is. 35:4-7
“NO PARTIALITY”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Old Testament Lesson just read, from Isaiah 35. We begin with prayer.
Dear friends in the Savior:
- Have you ever been in a circumstance where someone else was granted more deference or privilege than you? Generally speaking, when this happens it creates at least some if not a great deal of indignation on our part. We all have a sense of the importance of “fairness” and impartiality.
- However, we also have, as part of our sinful nature, a desire for and assumption of, our privilege. Along with our innate selfishness, and because of our assumption of privilege, what is actually and absolutely fair, does not appear to be fair to us.
- This sometimes happens within a marriage, where both partners might think that 60% of the goods for them is what is good and right. Obviously, it is impossible to give both 60% because there is not 120% of goods but only 100%. So conflict is sure to erupt.
- Sometimes Christians grow a sense of privilege. This was surely true with the Old Testament people of God. They often thought that the promises God had given them and the special treatment He had afforded them in the Exodus and in the gift of the land of Canaan provided them with a blanket of God’s blessings no matter what they did.
- Over and over again God warned them that if they behaved like the evil nations around them they would suffer the same fate – and ultimately they did, the nation was destroyed.
- Christians may also come to believe that because of God’s gracious mercy and forgiveness in Christ, that they are privileged and free to do whatever they want. However, our text is one of those places that warn us that God shows NO PARTIALITY. He is faithful to His Word – to all people, both to those who refuse to repent and those who are repentant. We see clearly in our text that:
I. God Has The Vengeance And The Recompense For Every Person
A. For Unbelievers There Is Vengeance And Recompense That Results In Hell
Text: “Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.”
John 3:36 “He that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
John 15:6 “If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
Matt. 3:10 “Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
B. But For Believers There Is Vengeance And Recompense That Lead To The Rewards Of The Kingdom
Text: “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not!’ . . . Your God will come and save you.”
John 3:16 “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 5:24 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My Word and believes Him Who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”
1. We are granted sight and hearing
Text: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.”
2. We are granted health, vitality, and singing
Text: “Then the lame man shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.”
Statement: There is an interesting discussion of this in the book of Ezekiel. God explains it in this fashion: “If a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all My statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. . . . But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.”
Application: So there is “NO PARTIALITY” with God! This is horribly bad news for those who are impenitent, regardless of what their sins, transgressions, injustice, and abominations may be. They shall not live – for these egregious sins they shall die. On the other hand, what wondrous news for those who recognize that they are transgressors, and who turn to the Lord in repentance, seeking His forgiveness. None of our sins are remembered against us! Only our righteous deeds are remembered. But we must remember, as John the Baptist sternly and forcefully reminded his hearers, to take great care to corral our sinful nature, and “bear fruits worthy of repentance.” Remember, there is “NO PARTIALITY” with God. Remember:
II. It Is Precisely The Needy That God Comes To Save And Help
A. The Anxious Are Addressed
Text: “Say to those who have an anxious heart.”
B. The Encouragement Is To Be Strong – God Is Coming To Save You
Text: “Say to those who have an anxious heart, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold your God . . . will come and save you.”
Statement: The haughty and arrogant, those who think they are strong enough to violate the Word of God and stand in their own “righteousness,” continuing in their evil ways, are not addressed by the Gospel of God’s love and salvation. They have already determined to remain outside of the kingdom of God. But if you are among those who are humble and contrite, and who tremble at God’s Word, if you are anxious in regard to your sin and what your sin deserves, then take refuge and listen carefully to these words of assurance from God Himself. Your salvation and His blessings are coming to you, have already been fulfilled and have already come to you in Jesus, the Son of God and the Lamb of God!
Application: We sometimes think is bad to have to have anxiety. We’d prefer to be without it. However, when it comes to the discomfort of repentance, it is a great and beautiful thing. By it God brings us into His kingdom. However, without it, one remains on the outside – and remains under the wrath of God!
Conclusion: So we also must remember, thankfully, that there is “NO PARTIALITY” with God. He does not show favoritism even though He is full of gracious mercy, forgiveness and love! To those who are anxious, humble, trembling at His Word, there is forgiveness. For the haughty, there is only judgment!
So let us pray God to keep us always in His repentance and grace. Let us fight to bind our sinful nature which would lead us into arrogance and rebellion and unbelief.
May God grant this to each of us, 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.