Bruised But Not Broken

Introduction

The Chosen Servant

The book of Isaiah is pointed to the servant of God which is the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in the Old Testament and Isaiah Prophesies and predicts the coming of the Messiah.

He is the only Savior the world will ever know, He is the only way to heaven and the only redeemer.

There are 20 major religions in the world, there are 300 separate segments of those religions.

There are many of thousands of cults and millions of segments spawned off of of these segments.

All religions except Christianity are false religions...

There is only one God, one redeemer and He is who is relieved top us through the pages of the bible.

That God came to us in the form of an infant baby, delivered by an young Jewish woman, who lived among us for 33 1/2 years, He died on a cross and was buried in a tomb just outside the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Israel, He rose from the dead after three days and His name is Jesus Christ…The only savior.

Oh and the part about Him dying, He is the only God to die and rise again to bring salvation to His people.

Only Christianity presents a Savior. There is only one truth and it is only Christianity that presents that truth and that truth has a name and that name is Jesus Christ from Nazareth.

despite what other religions may tell you one cannot earn their way to heaven, there is no ceremony that will get you there.

That is the message from God to man, written by Him to us and that’s it...

Isaiah writes about Jesus 700 years before He came.

The Jews had always believed that the Messiah would bring them greatness, prosperity as a nation.

God made a covenant with Abraham, then to His sons and then throughout the generations of the Israelites that He would save them temporally and spiritually and glorify the nation, then use that nation to be the center of religion through the world.

The promise was made to David that the one to come would be in the royal line of David, He would be the King, the Messiah who who would deliver all the promises that God made to Israel.

It would be the King that delivered them from their enemies and end their suffering.

He would fulfill all the OT prophesies, the Jews were looking for the King.

They wanted a military king, one who was a dominating ruler that would crush their enemies.

The Messianic prophesies were all completed in Jesus Christ. He was in the line of Abraham, in the line of Judah, in the line of David, born of a virgin, in the town of Bethlehem.

He showed and proved His deity by the works and words that the world had never seen.

In the mind of the Jew the military element was missing in Jesus of Nazareth. He was born in a barn and his birth was attended by shepherd's, the lowest people of people. He was born to a poor ordinary family in a town where “nothing good came out of”

He had no education, he had no position, He didn’t live in a palace and He had no army to deliver the anxious Jews.

What He did have however was this undeniable power that was visible to everyone. He had power over nature, demons and even death.

Jesus did not meet the criteria of Judaism and that is what makes it another false religion. They thought that you could follow the system and get to heaven, you could earn your way to heaven by being a moral person, they didn’t need a savior, they wanted a king.

They thought that their king would rise and reign but they missed it with Jesus.

Jesus had to rise die and then reign. You see in order for Jesus to rein over His kingdom he must first die for salvation. God’s plan have always been rise die and reign.

Jesus appears in Isaiah as “my servant”

The prophesies of the Messiah in Isaiah are all throughout the book. There are four times where we see Jesus as Servant.

Here, behold my servant:

in Zachariah 3:8 behold my servant (Messiah)

in Zachariah 3:12, “behold the Man”

in Zachariah 9:9, “behold your King”

Isaiah 40:9 “behold your God”

the Messiah will be Man and God and Servant and King.

This is what becomes the theme of the four gospels.

Matthew presents Him as King

Mark presents Him as Servant

Luke presents Him as Man

John presents Him as God

here we see Him as:

The Chosen Servant of Jehovah

Isaiah 42:1–16 ESV

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law. 5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.” 10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. 11 Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the habitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands. 13 The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes. 14 For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. 16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.

How Bruised People Can Be Healed And Dimming Wicks Can Be Restored

God will not allow Jesus to fail.

“HE SHALL NOT FAIL" (V. 4)

Isaiah 42:4 ESV

4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.

The Character Of Jesus

• The Compassion Of Jesus

The Conquering Of Jesus

"BRUISED BUT NOT BROKEN"

Text: Isaiah 42:1-16

Subject: "Bruised But Not Broken"

Introduction

1. Isaiah chapter 42 (like 40 & 41) is addressed to the exile Jews in Babylon.

The 70 year captivity is almost over. The Jews are about to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. They are in need of confidence from the Lord. They still remember their past failures and sin of disobedience.

The Israelites were bruised form the 70 years of slavery, they were scared, they were discouraged… and what does God do?

He sends a message to the people in need,

What does God tell Israel through Isaiah?

God gives a specific word to Isaiah, to Israel and to us.

That only God can make something beautiful out of the ashes of your past (and) Your past does not (I repeat - does not) have to dictate your future.

(Discover What God Wants To Do)

Inside of every believer there is a song.

(V. 10) "Sing unto the Lord a new song"

(V. 11) "Sing and shout from the top of the mountain"

(V. 12) "Declare His praise in the islands"

So, you have been bruised?

How can I be restored to the joy of my salvation?

How can I be certain that the Lord will keep me?

What is it that removes my anxiousness over tomorrow?

What prepares us for the journey ahead that we cannot see?

What is the truth that encourages Israel and encourages me?

3 Absolutes

(That get our mind off ourselves and on the Lord)

3 Things

(That open the door for God to do a great work)

1 . The Character Of Jesus

"Behold my servant whom I uphold...l have put My Spirit upon Him, He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (v. 1)

Fact: "Behold My Servant" is God the Father speaking about God the Son.

Fact: It is this Jesus who would accomplish and administer the great plan of salvation.

What about Jesus draws us to His character and Person?

Jesus is upheld by the Father:

"Whom I uphold" (v. 1)

• The word for "Uphold" means: to sustain, to protect and to keep as the object of attention.

It means that Jesus is the object of His Father's continual attention.

Ouestion: Did Jesus ever feel He was forsaken?

Answer: Only at Calvary, when the Father turned His back to sin.

Ouestion: Have you ever felt like you were not the object of God's attention?

Fact: If so, it is a fiery dart (lie) of the evil one to blind you to the the fact - that you are the object of Father's continued attention.

The second absolute...

2. Jesus is anointed for His ministry:

"I have put my spirit upon Him" (v. 1)

What does this mean to you and me (that Jesus is anointed by the Spirit)?

It means that Jesus is qualified to work out His plan in your life...

• By His Spirit, He will fill you with His power.

• By His Spirit, He will lead you with direction.

• By His Spirit, He will open up His Word to you.

• By His Spirit, He will bestow spiritual gifts.

• By His Spirit, He will consume the chaff and flesh.

By His Spirit, He will heal as a soothing balm,

• By His Spirit, He will conform us into His image.

The Third Absolute

#3. Jesus is internal with you and me:

"He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles" (v. 1) (Means:)

• Jesus would institute a new order of faith:

• Jesus would establish a higher rule of conduct.

Jesus would set up a different way of approaching God.

The Law said "Do this and do that to please God".

The Law focused on rules, regulations and tradition.

The Law exposed sin but gave no power over sin.

The Law was external and worked from the outside in.

(But Now In Jesus)

• The Law has been written upon our hearts.

• The Law has been superseded by grace.

• The Law has been fulfilled by Jesus.

The "Law of the Spirit" now governs those fully submitted to Christ.

"I have called you in righteousness" (V. 6) means:

• Jesus has been appointed to His office as mediator.

• Jesus has satisfied the righteous demands of God.

• Jesus has paid for the righteousness to our account.

(So Much so That)

"Jesus is our means of being in covenant with God" (V. 6) (Which Means:) God's favor is upon those in right standing with His Son.

Il. The Compassion Of Jesus

"A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not fail or be discouraged" (vs. 3&4)

(Remember Now)

Israel was concerned about what was soon to happen)

Will the journey from Babylon to Jerusalem be too hard for us?

• Will the road be too tough to travel?

• Will the rough places and high mountains be uncrossable?

• Will God give us more than we are able to bear?

(And God Reveals His Awesome Compassion) It is the ministry of Jesus among us today Revealed in 3 ways:

#1. "A Bruised Reed Shall He Not Break"

Fact: A "Reed" refers to a cane or calamus plant that grows in swamps and marshy lands.

Fact: The word "Bruised" means: fragile, weak, depressed, crushed or feeble.

Fact: "A bruised reed shall He not break" is applied to Israel (and you and me).

(It Simply Means:)

• Anyone here today that is feeble and weak,

• Anyone here who feels their strength is gone,

Anyone here who finds it difficult to bear up under pressure,

• Anyone here who has been bruised or crushed by their own sin, 📷 Anyone here who has been weakened by some adversity.

("Shall He Not Break" Which Means)

Jesus will not break you (or add more to your already bruised reed).

• Jesus instead will embrace you as one of His own .

1. His desire is to lift you! 3. His desire is to restore you!

2. His desire is to uphold you! 4. His desire is to heal your wounded spirit!

Are you a bruised reed today?

Have you carried bruises into this service?

Are there worries that are consuming you?

Is there some sin that has bruised your conscience?

(Remember)

• Israel was afraid that God would allow more then they could bear!

(If You've Been Bruised By Something Or Someone)

#1. Don't curse it (for God's way is perfect and just and He is without mistake. Psalm 18:30)

#2 Don't nurse it (and live with a victim mentality or a martyr's complex which is born out of pride. (John 12:24)

#3 Disperse it (by forgiving and relinquishing all rights over to God in prayer Philippians 4:6 & 7)

#4. Reverse it (by allowing God's grace to use your bruises to be a stepping stone instead of a tombstone. Genesis 50: 19 & 20)

"The Smoking Flax Shall He Not Quench"

Fact: The work "Flax" means: Wick

Fact: The word "Smoking" means: (feeble dim weak, and about to go out.

Fact: It represents the Christian whose fire of spiritual devotion is about to go out or be extinguished. (The oil is almost consumed). (In other words)

God is not bent on extinguishing your flame of devotion. (Instead)

• Jesus wants to tend to it, trim it, feed it, and supply fresh oil to be rekindled.

(Oh What Compassion)

• Instead of giving up on you, the Lord sees that the most feeble wick can be restored to a brilliant shine and luster.

"He Shall Not Fail Nor Be Discouraged" (V. 4)

Fact: "Shall not fail" (Means:)

• The Lord will not fail to accomplish His purpose in you.

• The Lord will not quit, but finish what He has started in you.

Fact: "Nor be discouraged" (Means:)

"Taken off guard by what happens to you"

• It means, "His eye is on the sparrow and He watches over me".

III. The Conquering Of Jesus

"The Lord will open blind eyes and prison doors" (v. 7)

"The Lord will fulfill what He has formerly promised" (v. 9)

• "The Lord will go forth as a mighty man and prevail over all enemies"' (v. 13)

"The Lord will destroy the plans and supplies of all of His foes' (v. 15) "The Lord will make the crooked places straight" (v. 16)

(How Jesus Encourages Israel Then and Believers Now)

There is His Lordship (v. 13)

"The Lord shall go forth a s a mighty man of war" (Means:) 📷 Jesus promises to go before you in all of your ways.

Jesus promises to prevail over every obstacle in the way.

• "Mighty man of war" in v. 13 refers to a hero with everything subject to His command.

There is His Leading (v. 16)

"I will lead in paths you know not to?' (Means:)

• The Lord would lead Israel back to their own land.

• The Lord would guide them along the untraveled road.

• The Lord would instruct even the blind (or those who had no idea which way to go).

Fact: Every Christian needs a counselor and a guide to show the way.

There is His Light (v. 16)

"I will make darkness light before them" (v. 16)

"Darkness" in Scripture is symbolic of adversity and calamity.

Here it refers to opposing events, trail or persecution (of Israel by Babylon).

(God's Promise To You)

"I will make darkness light before you" (Which Means:)

God will take the events in your life that seem to be adverse (darkness),

• And use them as the very means of promoting His work in and through you (light).

• And you thought that your tears were in vain!

You thought that your pain was wasted!

• You thought that your disappointment was senseless!

• You thought that your way was hid from the Lord!

(But God Declares)

• That, He will take what you believed was dark and tum it into light that you may not even know of just yet.

He will even "Make crooked things straight" (v. 16) (Or)

...God will reverse the devils intention,

...God will reign over the plans of man,

...God will not be outwitted or outmaneuvered.

Conclusion

(How do we respond (and rejoice) to a God like this?)

(V. 10) "Sing unto the Lord a new song"

(V. 11) "Let us lift up our voice and sing"

(V. 12) "Declare His praise in the islands" AMEN!