Sermon Tone Analysis

Thou Art Mine

Isaiah 43:1-7

 

In yet another prophetic passage, we see the prophet Isaiah giving Israel some words of comfort concerning a future gathering of the people.

It is both a near and far prophecy.

It is a near prophecy because in just 70 years after they are led into Babylonian captivity they will be free to return to their homeland.

It is a far prophecy because it also refers to the future restoration of Israel.

It has already begun in part since their has been a great number of Jews that have returned to Israel in recent years.

If you are paying attention to the news in the Middle East, you may be aware of this meeting that is scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

One of the things on the agenda is to take away more land from Israel and place it under Arab control.

Although it seems to be going in the wrong direction, be assured that God’s will is not hindered by political maneuvering, peace treaties or restructuring.

We could spend the morning covering the history of God’s covenant with Israel, detailing the boundaries of nation, and preaching a warning not get between God and His will for His chosen people.

But I would rather look at this text and how it applies to the individual believer.

All of the Bible was not written to us, but all of it was written for us.

Allow me to use the first few words of the chapter to set the stage for the message.

God is speaking here, and He refers to His people with two names.

First He says that Jacob is His creation, and Israel is His formation.

Same person; two different names.

Jacob meant deceiver, while Israel means Prince with God.

Jacob could refer to the past, the wretched condition of a lost soul, while Israel speaks of the present gift of God’s grace, and the future glorification of God’s children.

We know that Jacob did not become Israel by his own merit, or his good works, but by the power of God.

Every one in this room who has been saved has been changed by the power of God.

Please understand that whether or not you have accepted the gift of God through Christ, you are His.

But as we look at this passage this morning and consider the thought that says, “Thou Art Mine,” we are speaking to those who have been changed by the power of God. 

1.

We are a purchased people.

The word used here is redeemed, and that means to buy back.

The God who created us, desires to buy us back even though we are in a depraved, sinful condition.

We need to be redeemed from the power of sin, from the bondage of Satan, and not one of us has the means to purchase our own redemption.

Imagine two men standing at the gates of heaven waiting to get in.

They have determined that it takes this much money to pay the admission.

One man empties his pockets and counts his money and realizes that he does not have enough to get in.  he other man falls short in funds too, but has a little more than the first man.

He says, “I am closer to getting in than you are.”

That’s not true, because until the full admission price has been paid, neither one is getting in.

Suddenly one shows up and says that He will pay the price, both men accept the offer of this free gift.

He didn’t look rich, wear fancy clothes, or own great material possessions, how could He pay the price?

/1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;/

/1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot/:

When God says thou art mine, He means we are a purchased people.

2.  We are a protected people.

There has not been a more persecuted people in the history of the world than the Jews.

Countless world leaders have risen to power with the sole purpose of eliminating the Jewish people from the face of the earth.

Through the decrees of kings, the actions of madmen, and through the holocaust God has faithfully protected His people.

In verse 2 we see waters and rivers and fires.

The Red Sea, the Jordan River, the trial of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

Don’t you have the confidence to believe that God has purchased you that He will also protect you?

When we purchase things we protect them: With insurance, or a place of prominence or safekeeping.

God will not let the blood of His own Son be shed in vain.

Remember that God allows us to go through things to bring us to an expected end.

/Jeremiah 29:10-11 For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected en/d.

3.  We are a precious people.

Of great price, highly esteemed.

We can look at this thought and refer back to our last point of protection.

Even though Job did not go through his trials completely unscathed, he was still protected by God.

/Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold/.

We can say from that idea that we are precious to Him, but what about being precious for Him?  Let’s read to the end of our text, then we will consider the concept of being precious for God.

/2 Corinthians 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God/.

The consequence or result of many giving thanks might be to the glory of God.

God says, Thou art mine.

We see a sinner saved by grace, we see a fervency for the things of God, we see spiritual growth, the employer sees a better employee, the spouse sees a better mate, the child sees a more loving consistent parent.

Maybe all we can say is, “Wow!”  God says he is reflecting my glory, the great change that we see is due to God’s glory and that is precious to our Lord because that child is finally fulfilling the ultimate purpose for which he was created.

/Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created/.

Purchased, Protected, and Precious.

Don’t fight God’s will for your life even when it seems to be unpleasant.

Submit yourself to His plan for your life.

He says to each one of us this morning, “Thou art Mine.”