The great invitation

Notes from a sermon on 4 September 2011

Isaiah 55 verses 1 – 13

The title over this chapter in the King James’ version is “The great invitation”. Verse 1 starts off with the words “Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the waters and he that hath no money come ye, buy and eat, yea come buy wine and milk without money and without price. An invitation to a nation or a denomination? No it is an invitation by the God of heaven that is extended to you and I. God opens up his arms and bids you welcome into those arms for salvation. In Genesis 3 we see the fall that was brought about by the deception of Satan. We see the fall of man into sin and see the effects of that fall. “Wherefore as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.”(Romans 5 verse 12) Satan didn’t tell them death would come about when they ate of that fruit. He will keep you from your great need of salvation. He doesn’t mind you being religious, signing a petition in days gone by or have made a profession in a time past. God wants someone who will step out and accept his faith. Satan doesn’t want that. Sin brings forth death. That is what sin does. It brings forth a division. The word Paul uses here for death is a very special word. Speaks of two fold death. The moment we are born into the world we are separated from God. That is the spiritual death. Then there is a physical death when we come to the grave. Separated from God by sin. Eternal death when soul separated from God for all eternity. Awful thing to be in that situation. Notice that glorious invitation comes from God. He has made a way back to God from the dark paths of sin. He came into the world to be our judgement, to buy us back from that awful place to reconcile us back to his glorious presence. What a wonderful picture of God’s invitation of salvation.

It is glorious in its simplicity. Look what God is saying to the nation Israel. He is calling out to a people who are thirsty and hungry. He is biding them to come. He presents this invitation in the most simplest of forms and applies it to the needs of men. Man is hungry and has to be satisfied. He is craving after satisfaction. That is why so many are caught up in drugs, gambling, immoral life, trying to satisfy the longing of soul but can never be done. We cannot satisfy our souls. That was done by Christ when he died on the cross. It is only when we take that for ourselves that we are satisfied. The rich farmer was only concerned with the richness of the harvest. Thought of his own satisfaction. Everything I have, worked for. He began to think that he had everything he ever needed. Young man fit healthy looking down the line could retire at any time “for I have many goods laid up for many years.” He never thought of God’s salvation. He never thought for one moment that it was God who blessed the ground and gave him the harvest as well as health and strength. God did the growing of the seed and gave the man the ability to put it in the barns and build greater. That night God said “thou fool you have left me out.” Isn’t it awful to leave God out of the equation of our lives? When he gives us food on the table, roof over head, loving family gathered around us. You know we can do without God. We leave him out of the thinking. We make every decision for ourselves. We have left him out. Never consider for one moment the brevity of life even in youthful years. That he could be called away just like that. In Genesis 5 we read the story of Enoch and verse 22 tells us Methuselah died and Enoch began to walk with God. Is there something in your life that God uses to bring you to himself? Maybe you haven’t come to that point where ready to give the Lord your all? Maybe never had a crisis point in your life when you realised you were a sinner and needed to come to the Lord? Enoch had wonderful baby born into his home then he began to turn and walk with the Lord. Verse 24 “and Enoch was not for God took him”. There was a day when Enoch decided to walk with God and he continued to walk with God. One day people began to realise that Enoch was no longer with them, taken to be with God, translated into God’s presence. It happened so quickly. If the Lord came back at this moment in your life would others be taken and you remain? Because you haven’t put your trust and faith in Christ, haven’t come to trust and faith in Christ? Doesn’t ask you to do anything but to step out simply. This may be your final opportunity. Your life is a vapour and suddenly it is banished. The simplicity of getting saved is to come and trust the Lord as Saviour, to see him dying for you and the moment you cry out to the Lord “I have sinned I have come short of your glory I want to be saved” he will save you simply.

It is glorious in its scope. “For as in Adam all die even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”(1 Corinthians 15 verse 22) It is for all who will acknowledge their thirst and hunger. Only those who would realise the hunger in their belly, realise they are sinners. Wouldn’t it be an awful thing to die in your sins? “Where I am ye cannot come.” Wouldn’t it be awful to die in your sins, realise salvation was an arms length away? Greatest antidote for sin “he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6 verse 35) In Genesis 4 Abel brought a lamb as a sacrifice for his sins, Cain brought the fruit of the ground. God was pleased with the lamb Abel brought but with Cain he was angry and rejected. There was a spirit of bitterness came into his soul. God asked him why was he angry and then told him that sin lay at his door. Jesus says “behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in.”(Revelation 3 verse 20) Are you waiting to open the door and allow the Lord to come into your life?

It is glorious in its sufficiency. That is what Isaiah is referring to. Something that is sufficient to a nation that is standing in great need. To an individual trying to find something to satisfy themselves. The greatest need in your soul is something you can have. Here were a people seeking to buy something that wouldn’t last. Many are trying to earn as much as they can to merit God’s salvation. It is only by taking God’s gift of his Son that you can know sins forgiven. God’s redemption plan. Remember the woman at the well. Jesus offered her water that would mean she would never thirst again. These people in Isaiah’s day were working but were never satisfied.

It is glorious in its settlement. It satisfies the demands of a holy God. Accept Christ’s offer of salvation and you will be satisfied for time and eternity.