Redeemed: Looking in Mirror
Isaiah 30:1-18
August 3, 2014
I don’t know about you, but I’m not always to thrilled to take a good look at myself in the mirror. I’m just referring to the outward appearance. I know when I look at myself, I’ve changed over the years. I know . . . we all do. But when I look in the mirror, I don’t see you, I see me. That’s my selfie from two weeks ago, and my reflection of what I look like.
But, aren’t there times when we really don’t like what we see when we look at ourselves. It happens at all ages. Sometimes I want to see something different. So, even though that’s not too bad of a picture, as far as selfies go, sometimes I’d like to see this . . . Ah, yes, me and Brad Pitt. Can’t you see the resemblance? I certainly can . . . not.
Most of us do that. In one way or another we look at ourselves and maybe we remember a younger version of ourselves, just like these photos do. That’s not necessarily bad, it’s a memory of hopefully happy days in the past, but we can’t live in the past. But we can remember them and cherish them and hold onto them. As long as they aren’t the driving force behind what we do and who we are today!
And sometimes we have a view of ourselves like this one, with a broken mirror. We see our reflection and we don’t like it. We see life as broken and we are filled with self loathing and hatred for ourselves and the world. It becomes so very difficult to live life that way. I see people all around who live that way. They don’t like themselves, they don’t like others, they’re always angry. I see it in older adults down to teenagers.
Whenever we watch television we see commercials which remind us that we aren’t good without buying some product. Maybe we need that anti-aging cream, or that cream which smooths your skin, maybe we need a new vitamin, or a new power drink, maybe it’s new glasses, new clothes, new jewelry, a new home, a new sporty car.
We’re reminded that to live life and live to the fullest, we need these things and without them, we are really just a less than kind of person. The world tells us this, and sadly we buy into it. Because you see, this is what we are basing our self image on. Whatever the world tells us, that’s the truth.
We ignore what’s really important. And what is most important is what God thinks about us. I believe we give a lot of lip service to the fact that God loves us and we just kind of go on our way, but the fact that God loves us does not really register. It sounds good, but too often we live our lives in a way which leads us to always look over our shoulders thinking God is going to smite us with that heavenly lightening bolt when we mess up. What makes this so terrible is the fact that God has no desire to strike you with a lightening bolt or even a 2x4. God’s love is so powerful, but we are quick to dismiss it.
And this is what we’re going to be talking about for the next couple of weeks. I know some of you are thinking . . . ugh! Love, this is weak! But let me tell you something when you understand and experience the power, the enormity of God’s strength and desire to demonstrate His love to you, you’ll only see God’s love as something with amazing power.
There’s a story in the book of Isaiah 30. The Israelites have turned from God. They are worshiping false gods, doing their own thing; and now with the Assyrians on their way to attack Israel, they think their refuge and savior is going to be found . . . not in God, but in Egypt. God says don’t do it. If you do it, bad things will happen. Instead, God calls for the people to turn to Him. Listen to the words of God, as He speaks to His people ~
1 “Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord, “who carry out a plan, but not mine, and who make an alliance, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin;
2 who set out to go down to Egypt, without asking for my direction, to take refuge in the protection of Pharaoh and to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!
9 For they are a rebellious people, lying children, children unwilling to hear the instruction of the Lord;
10 who say to the seers, “Do not see,” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us what is right; speak to us smooth things, prophesy illusions,
11 leave the way, turn aside from the path, let us hear no more about the Holy One of Israel.”
15 For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,
16 and you said, “No! We will flee upon horses;” therefore you shall flee away; and, “We will ride upon swift steeds;” therefore your pursuers shall be swift.
17 A thousand shall flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you shall flee, till you are left like a flagstaff on the top of a mountain, like a signal on a hill.
Now, that’s pretty bad. God is really angry at the people. They’ve disobeyed Him, they’ve rejected Him, they’ve turned their backs on Him, they’ve trusted another, in their stubbornness they refuse to listen to Him. It’s really bad. Now, let’s stop for a moment . . .
If that was your child, and they were being disrespectful, disobedient, trusting others who were giving bad advice, and rejecting you with their actions . . . what would you do?
Would you buy them a new car? Would you buy them a new wardrobe? Would you take them out to their favorite restaurant? I don’t think so! You’d be furious, and so would I. It would take awhile before I could calm down.
So, what does God say to the people? In the very next verse, we read ~
18 Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore He exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.
19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as He hears it, He answers you.
Say what?!?! WOW!! Is that not amazing or what? God should be furious, in fact, he is furious, but instead of unleashing His fury, He says I’ll wait for you. When you cry out to me . . . I will be gracious to you and I will be there and I will hear your cry and I will answer you. In fact, you will return to Jerusalem and you will no longer weep. What a God!
Wouldn’t it be great if others could offer you the same grace. Imagine the mistakes and sins we commit on a daily basis. Imagine messing up, and coming home to our spouse who has cooked our favorite meal. You’d be like . . . what?! Something’s messed up here! Yup, what’s messed up is the amazing grace you’ve been extended.
You see, those Israelites deserved to be punished. They turned from God, they turned to another and trusted another more than god. They thought Pharaoh could give them better protection than God. But they would also be defeated by the Assyrians. God saw something different in the people, something which we overlook. But that’s often the case in our lives. We can’t see ourselves as God does.
Do you realize God does not see you as you see yourselves or even as we see one another? That’s such a powerful blessing, yet most of the time we’re dumbfounded. And that’s why we live as if we’re chasing our tail and never, never catching it. We’re not satisfied, we’re not happy, because our worth and happiness are based on what we think we’re supposed to be about.
And yes, we do have our moments, we do have the things we’re supposed to accomplish in this lifetime, we have things we want to do. But in the end our self worth, our image, in fact, our legacy is not based on what we do but on who we are!
Let me say that again, people will remember you, not for all the touchdowns you scored or the great way you played the piano, or for your intelligence, but they will remember your character, they will remember the person you were.
Our identity is found in Jesus Christ. It is rooted in the freedom-giving mercy of Jesus Christ. Our identity is that of a child of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Our spiritual inheritance is one of forgiveness, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, the gift of His power, the hope of spending all eternity enjoying fellowship with God. This truth gives us unconditional love, grace, intimacy, security, courage, strength and hope. And absolutely none of it is based on our identity, but based totally on what God has already accomplished at the cross of Jesus Christ.
In 1 Peter 1, Peter told us ~
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,
Imperishible Incorruptible — lasting forever
Undefiled unstained — without blemish
Unfading unfading ---- enduring
5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. – 1 Peter 1
Now, that’s just a little glimpse of who we are in Christ. Next week we’re going to build on this thought. About the power of God’s love, His desire to love us, to give us something which is
imperishable undefiled unfading
It’s a gift we can only receive from Jesus Christ. We can’t buy this at the store. We can’t do enough good to earn this. We can’t be good enough to earn it, we must trust in the saving power of Jesus Christ. We must claim Him above everything and anything and anyone in this world.
COMMUNION - Meditation
So, as we move into communion, just consider the extent of God’s love for you, in that He sent His one and only Son to leave the joy of heaven, to leave what is perfect and come to this place to live and ultimately to die. But between those two points, Jesus showed us how to live, how to serve, and how to make a difference in the world. He demonstrated grace that blew people away, especially the Pharisees, those strict rule holders couldn’t wrap their hearts around the immense grace God offers.
And you are His child. You are loved, in fact, you are loved so much that Jesus was willing to die for you. That’s what this table is about. It’s the gift of grace, costly grace, for you, for me. Grace is costly because it cost God the life of His Son, and what cost God the life of His Son must be costly.
Think about what we’ve been hearing in the news. The ebola outbreak in West Africa struck 2 Americans. Two missionaries, Dr. Kent Brantley and Nancy Writebol. They came with an experimental serum, but they only had enough for one person. Who gets it? Tough call. Brantley is married with children, but he said give it to her! WOW! That’s powerful. He was willing to risk his life so someone else could live.
There’s power in that folks and that’s what this table is about. Jesus, gave His life so you too could live. So, as we approach this table this morning, know that whoever proclaims Jesus as Lord and Savior is welcome to partake of the cup and the bread.
PRAYER -- Lead into communion
