Sermon Tone Analysis

Copyright November 6, 2022 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche

This morning we move to the last chapter of Isaiah and wrap up our study of this lengthy but power-packed prophetic book.

Like you, I have been surprised by the practical nature of what we have been learning.

As we reach chapter 66, we are given what I believe are five principles that have been enumerated throughout the book of Isaiah.

These are practical life principles that will lead us to wise living.

These five principles will serve as a great conclusion to our study of the book that is called the “Gospel in the Old Testament.”

In verses 1 & 2 we read,

This is what the Lord says:

“Heaven is my throne,

and the earth is my footstool.

Could you build me a temple as good as that?

Could you build me such a resting place?

2 My hands have made both heaven and earth;

they and everything in them are mine.

I, the Lord, have spoken!

“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts,

who tremble at my word.

The Lord reminds the people that He is bigger than the temple.

He is bigger than the world as we see it.

Here is our first principle for life.

1.

It is the Humble rather than the Talented that are esteemed by the Lord

Of course, this is just the opposite of the way our world looks at things.

We esteem the powerful, we reward the talented (athletes, musicians, actors, inventors, and innovators).

We look to the rich and powerful for guidance.

Perhaps there was a certain sense of pride at the magnificence of the former temple and a desire to show God their devotion by getting to work on making something extraordinary again.

But God gives them perspective.

It is as if He says, “I build worlds, and you want me to impressed with, and bless you because you have presented me with your Legos.”

It is true, isn’t it?

We attempt big things for God because we hope it will result in God being proud of us and grateful to us for our efforts.

It is a good thing to pursue excellence.

However, we should pursue excellence not to gain something from God . . .

but to present it to GOD as a fitting response to His Lordship.

We don’t present our works to God in the hope of getting a reward from Him . .

.we present our efforts to God as an expression of gratitude for what we have already received by His hand of mercy.

God says He is not impressed with the talented, He is impressed with those who realize how far short they fall of God’s holiness and perfection.

Those who are the most richly talented often have a hard time seeing their indebtedness to the Lord.

They tend to trust their talent, intellect, or their personality rather than Him.

The humble and contrite are those who tremble before the Word of God.

They allow it to serve as a searchlight for the soul.

Throughout the course of history there have been some great revivals or “awakenings” where there was a great spiritual hunger and responsiveness to God.

Listen to this description of one of the great revivals.

These characteristics are true of every genuine work of God in reviving His people.

“It was a common thing, as soon as the Bible was opened, after the preliminary services, and just as the reader began”—here, you will observe, it was the simple reading of the Word without preaching; yet such was the power upon the minds of the people, that “it was a common thing, as soon as the Bible was opened, after the preliminary services, and just as the reader began, for great meltings to come upon the hearers.

The deepest attention was paid to every word as the sacred verses were slowly and solemnly enunciated.

Then the silent tear might be seen stealing down the rugged but expressive faces turned upon the reader.…

It was often a stirring sight to witness the multitudes assembling during the dark winter evenings—to trace their progress as they came in all directions across moors and mountains by the blazing torches which they carried to light their way to the places of meeting.

The Word of the Lord was precious in those days; and personal inconvenience was little thought of when the hungering soul sought to be satisfied.”

[1]

What we learn from this is that a humble person comes to God’s Word eager to be instructed.

As we hunger to know and follow God’s Word, we will find that humility that God honors.

This is only the first principle, the second I see in verses 3 & 4

3 But those who choose their own ways—

delighting in their detestable sins—

will not have their offerings accepted.

When such people sacrifice a bull,

it is no more acceptable than a human sacrifice.

When they sacrifice a lamb,

it’s as though they had sacrificed a dog!

When they bring an offering of grain,

they might as well offer the blood of a pig.

When they burn frankincense,

it’s as if they had blessed an idol.

4 I will send them great trouble—

all the things they feared.

For when I called, they did not answer.

When I spoke, they did not listen.

They deliberately sinned before my very eyes

and chose to do what they know I despise.”

2. It is the Responsive rather than the Religious who are blessed by the Lord

This is similar to the first principle, but it is enough different to warrant an independent principle.

The people thought, their religious good deeds would lead to God’s blessing.

The same attitude can be seen today.

Religious practices (which today would be: go to church, read the Bible, give generously, and listen to Christian music) will bring a blessing from God.

Today, we define worship by the songs we sing or the emotion we feel.

Sometimes people say “we need more praise and worship,” meaning, “we want to sing more.”

It seems to me, God is saying, “whether or not you feel likeyou have worshipped is irrelevant.”

God desires those who respond to His call, listen to His Word, and do what He tells them to do.

Worship is an attitude of the heart and should be a part of every element of our worship time.

How do I support this assertion?

Look at the text!

In verse 4 this is what the Lord says.

In fact, go back to chapter 1 in Isaiah and you will see this drumbeat begins in the very first of the 66 chapters of Isaiah.

Don’t get me wrong, music, creative forms of teaching, and engaging preaching are all important but the only thing that really matter is if our heart has bowed before Him.

Are we willing to do what He has told us to do?

Let’s move on to verse 5,

5 Hear this message from the Lord,

all you who tremble at his words:

“Your own people hate you

and throw you out for being loyal to my name.

‘Let the Lord be honored!’

they scoff.

‘Be joyful in him!’

But they will be put to shame.

People struggle some to understand this verse, but it seems clear that when we truly tremble at the Word of God, when we value His teaching above our experience, people (even many believers) will be annoyed.

They may even persecute us.

They want to be content with a nod to God.

And when we dare to seek to honor the Lord some will turn against us and that leads me to the third principle for living.

3. Praise from God is far superior to the praise of men (66:5)

We have to choose: would we rather have the praise of men or the praise of God?

It is hard to have both.

People will praise us when we make THEM feel good.