Beauty for Ashes
Isaiah 61:1-4
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
The first nine verses of this chapter present the Messiah and His people.
Jesus quoted this same Scripture in Luke 4:18-19.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon Jesus and He was anointed by God to preach good tidings unto the meek.
Jesus was sent to bind up the broken hearted, He was to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of prison to those who are bound.
This morning, God wants us to know that the Spirit of the Lord is upon us and He wants us to preach good tidings unto the meek.
Jesus was sent to bind up the broken hearted; we, through the Spirit of God, are to help those who are broken hearted.
Jesus proclaimed liberty to the captives and He opened the prison to those who were bound.
We as followers of Jesus, are proclaim liberty to the captives this morning and let them know that through Jesus they can be set free.
Isaiah 61:2
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
This was the year of Jubilee as proclaimed in Leviticus 25:9.
The year of Jubilee took place every fifteen years, according to the Law of Moses.
We are to proclaim the acceptable year of our Lord and that is now because we are living in a time of grace.
We are to comfort all that mourn this morning.
Isaiah 61:3
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Beauty refers to a nuptical crown.
Wood ashes placed upon the head expressed mourning, a nuptical garland signifies gladness.
The trees of this verse are the redeemed of Isaiah 60:21.
Isaiah 60:21
21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
No praise was given to the beautiful trees, but all praise will be given to their wondrous planter.
Isaiah 61:4
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
To assure the reality of these statements, they are repeated, the first and the third lines of this verse predict the rebuilding of the deserted cities.
The second and fourth lines foretell the fertility of the desolate fields.
This is talking about the coming Kingdom age where Jesus will set up His earthly Kingdom for a thousand years.
This verse is talking in a literal and material sense, but even more so is talking about a Spiritual reformation that will take place in the hearts and lives of believers.
The words build, raise and repair is being used in a physical sense, but there is going to be a spiritual renewal in the lives of the believers.
I have entitled this today:
Beauty for Ashes and here is the reason why:
Dream 8-6-08
I dreamed that Lester Sumrall and Billy Graham were both dying. Lester died and I knew that Billy was next. Billy died. All I could remember was something about the ashes.
Interpretation
Billy Graham is the greatest soul winner maybe of all time.
Lester Sumrall was a Pentecostal preacher who believed that God could.
Billy Graham was and still is a great soul winner for the Kingdom.
Lester and Billy both died and all I remember was something about the ashes.
Ashes mean remembrance.
We need to remember what they taught and not let it be forgotten.
The Spirit of the Lord was upon them for they were anointed by God to preach the Gospel.
They had obstacles they had to face but they persevered.
Romans 10:12-18
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? {our report: Gr. the hearing of us?} {report: or, preaching?}
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Billy and Lester might have been different denominations but they believe in the same God.
Anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.
We have to have people who will let the ashes of these old time saints blow in our direction.
We need to pick up the torch that has been passed on to our generation and run with it.
Romans 10:17
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We have heard what the Word of God says; now we need to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through the Word.
Beauty for ashes is what I have entitled this today.
Isaiah 61:3-4
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
We need to be led by God to build up the old waste and rise up former desolations of many generations.
It is time that we get serious about the things of God and let God really be in control of all that He wants us to do.
We need to get back to the preaching of the older saints and live by what they were taught.
They put God first in their lives and the Spirit of God blessed them.
I remember some of the great sermons that Billy Graham has preached over the years.
But I also remember the first preacher that I ever heard preach on dreams and that was Lester Sumrall.
Ashes mean to remember.
Remember the God of your childhood and start having a faith that these old time saints had.
Mathew 6:33
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Seek the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.
What do you believe in this morning?
Who is your deliverer this morning?
We need to let the ashes of former saints blow into our lives and pick up what God intends for us to have.
The old time saints had dedication and they pursued the Presence of the Almighty God.
Closing
Beauty for Ashes
Come up around the altars this morning and let some of these old time ashes blow are direction.
If you are interested in seeing some God given sreams given to me and others in our church go to:
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/w/windoffaithdrea/
Go to the new text page for the God given dreams.
