The King is Coming: His Gift of Salvation is the Source of Our Joy

God desires, expects, and commands an attitude and life of thanksgiving!

Why? Why should I worship the Lord and Obey Him?

· Why should I be grateful for Jesus?

· Why should I give thanks for and to Jesus?

· Why should I obey Jesus—or care about what He says?

· Is Jesus really worth altering my life for?

My goal, for today, is to lay a foundation and justification for WHY the Lord is worthy—not only our praise—but giving Him every breath we breathe.

Overview of our series THE KING IS COMING:

· = A prophecy of impending judgment given to stir Israel to repentance.

· & 9 = The promise of a King that would rule in peace, righteousness, and justice—this King is also the Most-High God!

· (today) = The response God desires from His people is that of thanksgiving.

Granted, reading through Isaiah is somewhat impersonal for us; that is, we’ve not EXPERIENCED any of this (so we think).

· However, the flow of Isaiah (promise of judgment and judgment diverted) NATURALLY lead to thanksgiving.

· This is why Isaiah COMMANDS and DETERMINES to offer thanksgiving to God.

Read (A Call to Thanksgiving)

Isaiah 12 ESV

You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. “Sing praises to the Lord, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Why did Isaiah—under the inspiration of the Lord—command Israel to offer thanksgiving?

To fully answer this question, we need to look (briefly) at the messianic prophecies contained in Isaiah.

The Messianic verses in Isaiah:

· = God would be with us in the flesh

· = God would be a sanctuary to His people—and an offense to others

· = God—in flesh—would be a mighty and just King

· = God would bring instruction, righteousness, and peace.

· = God would restore and be the beauty of His people (honor)

· = God would bear our punishment so we would be set free

Think of these prophecies in this manner:

1. God graces us with His presence

2. God graces us with security

3. God graces us with pure and good leadership

4. God graces us with knowledge, direction, and peace

5. God graces us with honor and something infinitely worth our devotion

6. God graces us with forgiveness from our sin

God’s gracious care for us and favor upon us form the basis of our gratitude

With this in view, let’s take a minute and dissect the thoughts of .

Outline of :

· When God forgives it will produce gratitude and thanksgiving within the forgiven (vs. 1)

· The Lord is the source of eternal help and protection (vs. 2)

· Drawing from the blessing of salvation produces joy (vs. 3)

· The Lord creates a community that experiences joy from proclaiming God’s works (vs. 4)

· The goodness of God’s work demands public praise and proclamation (vs. 5)

· The greatness of God’s presence stirs His people towards vigorous praise (vs.6)

Three descriptions we validate from grasping the message of salvation in Isaiah:

1. Those who experience salvation are utterly grateful for salvation

2. Those who experience salvation actively and publicly glorify God

3. Those who experience salvation know Jesus is our salvation—He is the SOURCE

Those who experience salvation are utterly grateful for salvation

· Gratitude and love for God is proportional to our understanding of our need of salvation ().

John 7:46–48 ESV

The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or the Pharisees believed in him?

Luke 7:46–48 ESV

You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

John 7:47 ESV

The Pharisees answered them, “Have you also been deceived?

· Gratitude and love for God is proportional to our understanding of God ().

1 John 3:6 ESV

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.

· Gratitude and love for God is proportional to our experience of peace ()

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Those who experience salvation actively and publicly glorify God

· We glorify Jesus because He is the King worthy of ALL honor ()

Acts 2:36 ESV

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

· We glorify Jesus because He has commanded us to do so ()

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

· We glorify Jesus because He is good to us ()

Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

· We glorify Jesus because He wants to do for others what He did in us ()

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

· We glorify Jesus because He is our source of approval ()

Matthew 10:32 ESV

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Those who experience salvation know Jesus is our salvation

· Jesus is our sacrificial offering ()

John 1:29 ESV

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

· Jesus is our life ()

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

· Jesus is our rest ()

Matthew 11:28 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

· Jesus is our victorious King who calls us back ()

Revelation 17:14 ESV

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

· Jesus is our security ()

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

· Jesus is our source of salvation ()

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

How can I live in a manner that demonstrates gratitude and thanksgiving?

1. Do all you can to see all you can of God… daily

2. Remind yourself of the gospel… daily

3. Diligently labor to obey God… daily

4. Meaningfully help someone in need… daily

· As you work to see God, His majesty will overwhelm you and stir you to worship Him.

· As you daily remind yourself of the gospel, you will kindle afresh your gratitude for salvation.

· As you strive to obey God—AND FAIL—you will live in humility and thank God that salvation is not based upon your works and merit.

· As you deeply help others (intercede, encourage, and support) you will find you thank God for how He does the same for you!

As you work to see God revealed through His word, you will overflow with gratitude for God!