Give Attention to Me, My People
Seeking Righteousness February 2023 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 46:00
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4 “Give attention to me, my people,
and give ear to me, my nation;
for a law will go out from me,
and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.
5 My righteousness draws near,
my salvation has gone out,
and my arms will judge the peoples;
the coastlands hope for me,
and for my arm they wait.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;
for the heavens vanish like smoke,
the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;
but my salvation will be forever,
and my righteousness will never be dismayed.
7 “Listen to me, you who know righteousness,
the people in whose heart is my law;
fear not the reproach of man,
nor be dismayed at their revilings.
8 For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
and the worm will eat them like wool,
but my righteousness will be forever,
and my salvation to all generations.”
Central Idea:
Seeking righteousness is a key characteristic of those who anticipate salvation from God.
Introduction:
The Lord has called us to seek righteousness and justice as His people.
In Isaiah 51:4-8, God speaks with a comforting voice of assurance – assuring us that if we strive for righteousness, salvation will be ours.
Today’s sermon is about seeking righteousness and how it is a key characteristic of those who anticipate salvation from God.
We are fortunate to have several scripture references throughout the Bible that provide evidence for this truth - that if we seek righteousness, mercy shall be bestowed upon us by our Almighty Father.
Let us look at these verses now: Psalm 14:2 states, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.”
And as found in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
[Now let us look at three points that support Isaiah 51:4-8 about seeking righteousness for salvation.]
Strive for Purity of Heart
Strive for Purity of Heart
First, we must strive for purity of heart.
this heart is the mind which needs to be renewed...
Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 that we should “be transformed by the renewal of your mind,”
a renewed mind allows us to pay attention to the Lord...
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
then Ephesians 5:26 instructs us to “make holy by cleansing ourselves with the washing of water by the word.”
26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Through purifying our hearts, that is our minds, we can come closer to God, which can only be achieved through seeking righteousness.
the closer we are to God better it is to give attention to Him...
[as we give attention and seek righteousness, we learn to submit to His will…]
Submit to God’s Will
Submit to God’s Will
Next, we must submit to God’s will.
Let’s look at Romans 12 again, but this time adding verse 1...
We learn in Romans 12:1-2 that “we are not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Submitting our lives, our will, makes for spiritual worship
Spiritual worship is non-conformity to the world
Non-conformity to the world renews your mind
A Renewed mind allows you to prove the will of God
[let’s look at another verse in Romans, this time in chapter 10…]
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.
We must let go of our desires to do the will of God, who wants us to seek righteousness for salvation.
If we don’t submit; we worship in vain; we cannot offer spiritual sacrifices
What we are trying to do is create a righteousness of our own, one that is foreign to God’s Way
Our righteousness is not appropriate to offer to God;
they are filthy rags;
they lack the heavenly realm perspective
they are absent the necessary eternal knowledge that allow Godly works to be everlasting
[Our points so far to give attention to God and seeking righteousness is 1. Strive for Purity of Heart and 2. Submit to His Will; number 3. is…]
Remain Steadfast to Seek Righteousness
Remain Steadfast to Seek Righteousness
Lastly, it is essential for us to remain steadfast on our journey toward righteousness.
It is needful to remain faithful in given the Lord attention and our ear
In good times or bad faithfulness to God is required
As found in James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial, ...
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
The scriptures of old add love to steadfast then combine it with righteousness many times...
5 He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.
This is what what the Lord wants us to give an ear to...
10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
We desire the steadfast love of God as we give attention to the light of nations and people who is Jesus...
17 But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him,
and his righteousness to children’s children,
Here we see the eternal knowledge and perspective that only belongs to God
Those who reverence Him help many generations...
5 then a throne will be established in steadfast love,
and on it will sit in faithfulness
in the tent of David
one who judges and seeks justice
and is swift to do righteousness.”
Our Lord rules over His Church with faithfulness that allows us a blessed assurance
we don’t worry about God treating us unrighteously, the way worry about men
24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”
Very similarly it could be said that if you love me, keep my commands
Jeremiah’s revelation by the Spirit matches what Jesus taught and lived as our example...
12 Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.
Don’t you want righteous to rain down on you
The world looks for every chance to cheat us on several fronts
The world cheats us physically
The world cheats us emotionally
The world cheats us intellectually
The world will try to cheat you spiritually
Don’t let it happen and give attention to the Lord and not the world
By remaining steadfast on our journey towards righteousness, God will reward us with the gift of salvation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, it is clear that if we seek righteousness and justice, salvation will be ours from God.
We must strive for purity of heart,
surrender to God’s will,
and remain steadfast on our journey to be blessed with the gift of salvation.
May we all take this message to heart and follow it faithfully so that God’s mercy can shine upon us in abundance. Amen!