Love that Calls

[Announce text] Welcome, church members and visitors. Today marks the third Sunday in Lent, and we are journeying together through our six-week series called Signs of Covenant Love. Throughout this series, we will select Scriptures from the Old Testament that demonstrate God’s covenant love for his people to prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday.

If you have brought a Bible with you this morning, please turn with me to the book of Isaiah. We will read from the fifty-fifth chapter, beginning in verses one through nine.

[Scripture introduction] In this section of Scripture of the Old Testament, Isaiah, the prophet, calls out to the exiles of God with the voice of compassion and mercy. In this Scripture, we hear God’s voice admonishing and calling out to those who belong to him in love.

[Reannounce and read text] Let’s read together the passage revealing the compassion of the Lord in Isaiah 55:1-9.

[Prayer for illumination] Faithful God, I pray for your Spirit to move in and among us until we are stirred by love. Grant us the grace to receive your revelation and for life transformation. We pray in Jesus’ holy name. Amen.

[Introduction] Sarah and I’s week of desiring more than we already possess. It was a real possibility and temptation. The world's desires are present and powerful (1 John 2:15-17). Do you ever feel the world pulling on your heart?

[FCF] What should we do when the desires of our hearts are pulling us away from God’s presence?

[Scripture bond] Look to Isaiah on why and how to fix our broken desires.

[Main point 1] Come to the Lord; He offers more than enough to satisfy your soul.

[Explanation] Christ is the living water and bread from heaven. In Jesus, you have your provisions and your soul live. Our appetites should be the things of heaven (Matthew 5).

[Illustration] The prodigal son in Luke 15. Our Father has more than enough at home for us.

[Application] Repent of your worldly desires and turn back to the Lord and live!

[Main Point 2] Seek the Lord with all your heart, and your sins will be forgiven.

[Explanation] Jesus is the lamb of God who has taken away our sins. When you seek Jesus and confess and cling to him. All your desires melt away in the almighty presence of God.

[Illustration] Jesus gave new aspirations to his followers. Seek the kingdom first, and all else will be added to you. He pardons your sins and gives you a mission. Make disciples.

[Application] Seek the Lord and his kingdom’s mission through caring for your children in your ordinary life, feeding your sick neighbor, and being available to listen to your Christian family’s pain and suffering. Seek him by serving the kingdom of God.

[Main Point 3] Remain with the Lord, and his ways and thoughts will be shown to you.

[Explanation] God knows the beginning and the end. We must pray and trust his plan over and against our worldly desires.

[Illustration] Jesus taught his followers the higher and more excellent way through prayer [The Lord’s Prayer].

[Application] Pray daily the Lord’s Prayer for his kingdom’s desires to give you the route to God’s higher thinking.

By the grace of God, we can return to the Lord because of Jesus [Gospel]

[Proposition] God has prepared a place for us at His table, and His ways are always good. No matter how far we’ve strayed, He welcomes us back with open arms.

[Conclusion] Come to the Lord; his desires will give you life and purpose.