Larry Siegle · Isaiah 41:1-13
Link to sermon video: Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand – L Siegle
SALVATION SERIES III
“Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”
(Isaiah 41:1-13)
Series: SALVATION SERIES
Thesis: There is ONE Lord, ONE Faith, ONE Baptism, ONE God.
INTRODUCTION
1. We are continuing a series of messages that explores the PRACTICAL of the meaning of our salvation and relationship with God in our everyday lives.
2. The title of the series is THE SALVATION SERIES
3. The title of our message today is: “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”
THE LIFE OF UNEXPECTED EXPECTATIONS
1. Jennie Wilson (1856-1913) suffered the intense pain of spinal damage that came to her as the result of typhoid fever, which is caused by salmonella bacteria in the bloodstream, as a young child and spent the majority of her life unable
to walk, confined to a wheelchair.
a. Before the advent of modern medicine, only 10-20% of those who contracted this disease were able to survive.
b. Spreads through contaminated food or water.
c. Now it is preventable and can be treated with antibiotics and a vaccine.
1) During her lifetime, she wrote 2,200 hymns and poems and died at the age of 57.
2. The hymn was first published in 1906 and remains a favorite even today.
THE FIRM CONVICTION IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTAINTY
1. When I was eight years old, the first time I slept on the top bunk of a bunkbed, somewhere in the middle of the night I had rolled off the bed, but the blankets and sheets were so tightly wrapped around me, when I woke up, I was just
hanging there in the middle of the air.
2. How often in our daily lives, do we find ourselves in an impossible situation, just “hanging in the middle of the air” with nobody there to catch us—yet as we keep our eyes and our hearts firmly fixed on Jesus and His grace, mercy, and
love, does it all work out for us.
ISRAEL NEEDED TO BE REMINDED OF THE GOD WHO CARES FOR THEM
1. There is a dramatic picture given here by the prophet Isaiah in this chapter:
a. (41:1-7)—Is a debate between Yahweh and the “nations”
b. (41:21-29)—Is Yahweh versus the “idols” and “gods”
c. (41:8-20)—Is God’s encouragement to His own people (Israel) the world situation and the crisis that was going on at the time and the turbulence of the times between the world-powers of Assyria, Babylon and Medo-Persia.
2. Our song: “time is filled with swift transition, nought of earth unmoved can stand”
3. In this lesson we are going to consider our subject from three aspects:
a. The Fragile Nature of Earthly Foundations
b. The Stability of God’s Character
c. The Assurance and Reward of Faithfully HOLDING ON.
THE FRAGILE NATURE OF EARTHLY FOUNDATIONS
1. The Bible provides the contrast between what is temporary and that which is enduring (Psa. 102:11, 12, 23-28).
a. This Psalm is referred to in Hebrews 1:10-12 in view of the temporary nature of the Old Covenant and the enduring nature of what was ‘about to come’ with the New Covenant at the “end of the age” (Heb. 8:1-13; Jer. 31:31-34).
b. In the midst of turmoil, God gave Israel assurance to remember that HE is the source of genuine peace and hope (Isa. 41:8-12).
1) Believers cannot allow ourselves to get ‘caught up’ on the events described in the daily news—the temporal things that lack stability (wars, conflicts, economies).
2) The “things eternal” remain constant before us, knowing God lives in the innermost parts of our being as we reflect HIS goodness and HIS nature in becoming more like Christ each day.
THE STABILITY OF GOD’S CHARACTER
1. Despite the “uncertainty of the times” all around us, we stand on the firm foundation of God’s immutable and unchanging character that sustains us (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8; James 1:17).
a. God’s work and promises are trustworthy and steadfast (II Cor. 1:20)—the definite article “the God” demonstrates His own uniqueness and consistency.
b. In the midst of struggles and persecution, Paul pictures the weakness of the apostolic “jars of clay” as standing strong on the foundation of what is eternal and enduring (II Cor. 4:16-18).
c. Nothing could separate the believer from the enduring nature of God (Rom. 8:18-25, 35-39).
2. Israel had nothing to fear from the pressure of the surrounding nations (Isa. 41:8-12)
3. God was going to take His people by the “right hand” into HIS protection (Isa. 41:13).
a. God’s character contains NO falsehood based upon HIS nature and PROMISES (Heb. 6:13-20; Titus 1:2).
ASSURANCE AND REWARD FOR FAITHFULLY HOLDING ON IN PERSEVERENCE
1. Peter stepped out on to the water, at the “word” spoken by Jesus and when his faith began to waver, Jesus reached out and took him by the hand (Matt. 14:30, 31).
2. There is an “eternal inheritance” for believers who remain steadfast (I Pet. 1:3, 4)
3. The “crown of life” has been awarded to those who stand on the word of God (James 1:12)
SEEING THE STRENGTH OF GOD’S HAND
1. No matter what our circumstances, what we feel or see, “the word is working mightily” in our lives (I Thess. 2:13).
2. The “cruciform life” is shaped by our sharing in the redemptive work of Christ and trusting Him to bring us through the situations and circumstances of life that we do not always understand.
a. Jesus is the Quarterback who stands in the pocket and as the play unfolds, He rolls out to move our lives forward in the direction HE has for us to go to gain the victory in our lives.
THE GODS OF THE NATIONS STOOD IN SILENCE AS YAHWEH STEPPED INTO HISTORY
1. The “gods” of the “nations” stood in silence as Yahweh, the God of Israel issued His challenge to them (Isa. 41:21-24).
2. The world around us seeks to lure us away from the steadfast character of God but in the end nothing they offer is “eternal” only a human “temporary” solution.
CONCLUSION
1. Do we see the contrast between the fragile nature of earthly solutions?
2. Do we see the stability of God’s nature and character?
3. Do we see the assurance that arises when we “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand”?
“When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true Fair and bright the home in glory, your enraptured soul will view”
4. Whatever our need may be here today, God is eternally present to strengthen us and to make us part of HIS family.
a. The gospel is all about what God accomplished through Jesus.
b. The response to the gospel comes with the invitation to “enter into the gates of the city” and to experience all of God’s goodness and grace.
Outline (Word document): SALVATION_SERIES_III.docx