Sin, Salvation, and God's Sovereign Grace

 

Summary

In the book of Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 9, we find a profound message that speaks to the heart of the human condition and God's redemptive power. The prophet Isaiah addresses his nation during a time of crisis, not with his own words, but as a mouthpiece for God. The message is twofold: it reveals the cause of their troubles and the only way to deliverance. This encapsulates the entire message of the Bible, which explains why things are as they are and how they can be made right.

Isaiah's message is a turning point, highlighting the severity of sin and the hope of salvation. Sin, as depicted, is a tyrant that leads to misery and isolation, deserving of total destruction, as seen in the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Yet, the verse introduces a pivotal word: "except." This word signifies the intervention of God, who leaves a remnant, offering hope and salvation. The gospel is summarized in this verse, showing that while sin merits destruction, God's grace provides a way out.

The first point is that sin deserves total destruction. Humanity, like Sodom and Gomorrah, deserves nothing but punishment for its rebellion against God. The second point is humanity's utter helplessness in saving itself. No amount of human effort can evade God's judgment or earn salvation. The third point is the glorious truth that salvation is entirely of God. It is His character, love, and power that provide a way of escape. God, who could justly destroy us, instead offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.

This message calls us to acknowledge our sinfulness and helplessness, to cease defending ourselves, and to embrace the grace of God. It is only by recognizing our need for God's intervention that we can truly experience the blessings of salvation.

Key Takeaways:

- The Reality of Sin and Destruction: Sin is a tyrant that leads to misery and isolation, deserving of total destruction, as exemplified by Sodom and Gomorrah. This realization is crucial for understanding the gravity of our condition before God. [09:06]

- Human Helplessness: Humanity is utterly incapable of saving itself. No human effort can evade God's judgment or earn salvation. This acknowledgment is essential for embracing the gospel. [26:28]

- God's Sovereign Grace: Salvation is entirely of God. It is His character, love, and power that provide a way of escape. God, who could justly destroy us, instead offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. [40:00]

- The Turning Point of 'Except': The word "except" in Isaiah 1:9 introduces the hope of the gospel. It signifies God's intervention, leaving a remnant and offering salvation despite our deserving destruction. [06:53]

- Embracing God's Grace: To experience the blessings of salvation, we must acknowledge our sinfulness and helplessness, cease defending ourselves, and embrace the grace of God. This is the path to true redemption. [23:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Introduction to Isaiah 1:9
- [00:29] - The Prophet's Message
- [01:08] - The Cause of Troubles
- [02:03] - The Bible's Message
- [03:09] - Diagnosis of Sin
- [04:17] - The Nature of Sin
- [05:10] - Sin's Bondage
- [06:04] - The Turning Point
- [07:14] - Synopsis of the Gospel
- [08:20] - Sin Deserves Destruction
- [10:29] - The Need for Repentance
- [12:05] - Man's Original Sin
- [14:35] - The Helplessness of Man
- [17:46] - The Offer of the Gospel
- [20:29] - The First Message of the Gospel
- [26:10] - Man's Inability to Save Himself
- [40:00] - Salvation is of God
- [49:00] - The Power of the Gospel
- [51:02] - The Grace of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 1:9

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does the prophet Isaiah identify as the cause of the nation's troubles in Isaiah 1:9? How does this relate to the overall message of the Bible? [01:28]

2. In the sermon, how is the word "except" in Isaiah 1:9 described as a turning point in the message? What does it signify about God's intervention? [06:53]

3. How does the sermon describe the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, and what lesson does it draw for humanity's condition before God? [09:06]

4. According to the sermon, what is humanity's capability in terms of saving itself from sin and its consequences? [26:28]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the severity of sin and its consequences as depicted in Isaiah 1:9? What does this imply about the nature of sin? [09:06]

2. The sermon emphasizes human helplessness in achieving salvation. How does this perspective challenge common beliefs about self-reliance and personal effort in spiritual matters? [26:28]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the character of God in providing salvation, and how does this contrast with human expectations of justice? [40:00]

4. How does the sermon use the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to illustrate the concept of divine grace and mercy? What does this reveal about God's nature? [40:00]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt helpless in a situation. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in your response? How might acknowledging your helplessness before God change your approach to challenges? [26:28]

2. The sermon highlights the importance of recognizing our sinfulness. How can you cultivate a habit of self-examination to better understand your spiritual condition? What steps can you take to address areas of sin in your life? [23:16]

3. Consider the concept of God's sovereign grace as presented in the sermon. How does this understanding affect your view of salvation and your relationship with God? How can you live in a way that reflects gratitude for this grace? [40:00]

4. The sermon describes the word "except" as a turning point. Identify a moment in your life where you experienced a significant turning point. How did it change your perspective or actions? How can you remain open to God's interventions in your life? [06:53]

5. How can you actively embrace and rely on God's grace in your daily life, especially in moments of failure or weakness? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's love and power? [23:16]

6. The sermon calls for an acknowledgment of our deserving of destruction without God's intervention. How does this perspective influence your understanding of justice and mercy? How can you extend grace to others in your community? [09:06]

7. Reflect on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as a warning and a lesson. How can you apply the lessons from this story to your own life, particularly in terms of obedience and reliance on God? [40:00]

Devotional

Day 1: The Tyranny of Sin and Its Consequences
Sin is depicted as a tyrant that leads to misery and isolation, deserving of total destruction, as exemplified by Sodom and Gomorrah. This realization is crucial for understanding the gravity of our condition before God. Sin is not just a minor flaw or a simple mistake; it is a profound rebellion against the Creator, leading to a life of bondage and separation from God. The story of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked sin, illustrating the severity of divine judgment. [09:06]

Isaiah 59:2 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where sin has created distance between you and God. What steps can you take today to address this and seek reconciliation with Him?


Day 2: Acknowledging Our Helplessness
Humanity is utterly incapable of saving itself. No human effort can evade God's judgment or earn salvation. This acknowledgment is essential for embracing the gospel. Recognizing our helplessness is not about despair but about understanding our need for divine intervention. It is a call to humility, to cease striving in our own strength, and to turn to God for the salvation that only He can provide. [26:28]

Psalm 146:3-5 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own strength instead of God's? How can you shift your trust to Him today?


Day 3: The Gift of God's Sovereign Grace
Salvation is entirely of God. It is His character, love, and power that provide a way of escape. God, who could justly destroy us, instead offers salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. This truth highlights the depth of God's love and mercy, as He extends grace to those who are undeserving. It is a reminder that our salvation is not based on our merit but on God's unchanging nature and His desire to redeem His creation. [40:00]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: Reflect on the ways you have experienced God's grace in your life. How can you express gratitude for this unearned gift today?


Day 4: The Hope Found in 'Except'
The word "except" in Isaiah 1:9 introduces the hope of the gospel. It signifies God's intervention, leaving a remnant and offering salvation despite our deserving destruction. This turning point is a powerful reminder that God's plans for us include redemption and restoration. Even when we face the consequences of our actions, God's grace provides a path to new life and hope. [06:53]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Consider a situation in your life where you feel hopeless. How can you invite God's intervention and trust in His promise of redemption?


Day 5: Embracing the Grace of God
To experience the blessings of salvation, we must acknowledge our sinfulness and helplessness, cease defending ourselves, and embrace the grace of God. This is the path to true redemption. It requires a heart of repentance and a willingness to surrender to God's transformative power. By letting go of our defenses and accepting His grace, we open ourselves to the fullness of life that He offers. [23:16]

James 4:6-8 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you."

Reflection: What defenses or excuses are you holding onto that prevent you from fully embracing God's grace? How can you let go of these barriers today?

Quotes

"Here is the first one sin merits and deserves the punishment of total destruction, when this except the Lord of us had left unto us a very small remnant we should have been as Sodom and we should have been like unto the mob what happened to them total destruction the cities of the plain Sodom and Gomorrah were totally destroyed there was nothing left." [00:08:00]

"Now this is a very important point what he is saying is you see that there is no plea that can be offered there is nothing that can be said in mitigation of the symptoms and of the wrath of God nothing and I want to put this before you this evening is the first great statement of the Christian gospel novels you see before our Lord comes the preacher John the Baptist what is he pretty preach is a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." [00:10:05]

"We have to realize as members of the human race that we deserve nothing but eternal destruction, well the Christian I want to ask is do we admit that do we confess then do we acknowledge that I'm entitled to ask my question because are many people saying why doesn't God do something about it why doesn't God stop war why doesn't God put an end to this net of the other they blame God for the condition of the world." [00:10:55]

"Here is the first message of the gospel we've got to see that and we've got to admit it and we've got to confess it Isaiah does that very thing yeah on behalf of his nation accept the lord of us that left us a very small remnant that's what would have happened to us and we wouldn't be able to open our mouths because we've been fools we are God's children but we've been we've been rebelling against him we are a sinful nation laden with iniquity a seed of evildoers children that are corrupters." [00:20:29]

"Men is totally unable or incapable of doing anything about his own salvation he doesn't deserve salvation to start with secondly he though nothing at all about it where do you find that cell someone old I'll tell you what I find it except where it not for the Lord of her we would have been air suddam and we should have been like unto Gomorrah." [00:26:10]

"No man is ever saved until he realizes that he can't save himself there is nothing that puts us further away from salvation than to think that we can save our similarly let me prove it here it is he is admitting it all that men is completely in in kick totally in cable Lex every capacity what is it that men come to will gather two big things men can't evade God that you ever realized that yeah we are in trouble here is Israel in trouble trying to get away from God turning her back upon him listening to the other gods listening to the false prophets yes exactly as had been done by southern and Gomorrah they stopped listening to God." [00:27:00]

"Men cannot only not evade God he can do absolutely nothing at all about putting himself right with God the men may say to himself alright I see I can't get away from God you're quite right I've got a die and stand before God in the judgment very well I'm not going to start putting myself right with God how are you going to do it I'll tell you that the things which will prove to you that you can do nothing men cannot even create within himself the desire for God have you ever thought of that can you make yourself desire God you can't the natural mind is enmity against God is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be." [00:31:00]

"Men's salvation is entirely of God except the Lord of Sabaoth the Lord of us had left unto us a very small remnant but thank God he has you nurses this men to his fellow-countrymen wear it not that God has left a remnant we will all have been destroyed every one of us but he has left us a very small remnant it's he was done it we couldn't do it we were completely helpless and we deserve nothing but hello but we are saved what will the Lord of Hosts." [00:40:00]

"Salvation is entirely of God it is his work from beginning to the very end and you know my friends it is because of what God has done in this way that I'm standing in this pulpit tonight what puts me into this pocket is the word accept accept the Lord of Hosts but he's done it I'm here to announce that with him there is mercy that he may be feared look at it except the Lord has done it he's done it he did it for Israel this is what he's done in his son for the whole human race look at it look at the love it every other thought of the wonder of the fact that there is a gospel to preach at all why do you say it's a wonderful thing so somebody will I'll tell you God was under no obligation whatsoever to do it." [00:41:00]

"The very one whom we've offended is the very one who delivers us oh what a wonderful thing it is the God whom we've scored the God with blessed feed the God we've disobeyed the god we've criticized is the very one who delivers us himself the one who had the power to consign us to perdition this Lord of Earth uses that self same power in our salvation and in our deliverance he's got the power do you remember what our Lord said one afternoon to his fearful disciples they were afraid of men and he said fear not them that have power to destroy the body and after that have nothing that they can do but I will tell you whom to fear fear him that has power to cast both soul and body into hell that's the power of God he and he alone can cast into hell but here he is he uses that very power to translator's and to put us into him all the Marvel in the wonder of it that the garden we've offended and who could so brightly throw us to hell is the very one who himself saves us except the lord of rests had left unto us a very small remnant it's he has done it." [00:42:00]

"Why is it that God saves anybody at all well it, because he's gone it is because he's a God of love and a God of grace and a God of mercy and of kindness and of compassion it is because he is a God who taketh no delight in the death of the ungodly but rather that he should turn and be saved what let God to make a way of salvation nothing but his own heart of love and of grace in spite of us and in spite of our sin but then look at his wisdom the wisdom of God is displayed in his planning and devising and preparing this wonderful way of salvation and then think of his power he calls him the Lord of Hosts and it means this he's the God who made the Hurst's of him all the planets and the stars of the constellations the hosts of him he's made them he controls them they're always it whether at his fingertips the Lord of hosts there is no earning to his power that's the power that he's used in our salvation here and here alone is the power that can deliver us from the grip of the devil and from the grip of sin and lust and shame and evil and even from Hell itself here is a power that can create us anew there can give us a new heart and a new mind and you have to look a new understanding and the new hope and a fresh start the power of God the Lord of us and here is a power sufficient in the only one to hold the son to lead us through the remainder of life to take us through death itself the lost enemy and finally into heaven and into everlasting glory the power of God." [00:44:00]

"Except the Lord of Earth this is what makes a man a Christian that he says I am what I am by the grace of God wear it not for the Grace and the love and the compassion and the mercy and the wisdom and the power of God wear it not that God had sent His only begotten son into this world to live and to die and to bear my punishment on the cross and rise again and ascend and take his seat at the right hand of God and sent down the Holy Spirit wear it not that God had done all that I would be lost I would be tanned I would be helpless I would be finally hopeless that's what makes him any Christian that he says accept the lord of us had done what he has done I would be yet completely and without God without hope in the world and facing a total a final an everlasting destruction my dear friend do you glory in this except if you do you are a Christian if you don't you are yet in yourselves and the end of that if you die in that condition is everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord like Sodom and Gomorrah." [00:51:02]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 24, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?