Isaiah 45:17:24
17 But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
24 Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
key verse 22
Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon is one of the best known preachers of the nineteenth century. But who led him to faith in Christ? The answer is Robert Eaglen, a Primitive Methodist believer. Here is the chain of events that led to Spurgeon’s conversion in 1850.
Link #1
A Primitive Methodist preacher called Robert Key preached at a village in Norfolk in 1832. As he spoke under the power of God, sinners came under great conviction.
Link #2
One of the converts that night was a young woman.
Link #3
The woman’s changed life led her brother, Robert Eaglen to become a follower of Christ.
Link #4
Eaglen was instrumental in pointing Spurgeon to Christ, in the Colchester Primitive Methodist Chapel.
Here is the account in Spurgeon’s own words …
I was miserable, I could do scarcely anything. My heart was broken to pieces. Six months did I pray, prayed agonizingly with all my heart, and never had an answer. I resolved that in the town where I lived I would visit every place of worship, in order to find the way of salvation. I felt I was willing to do anything if God would only forgive me. I set off determined to visit all the chapels, and though I deeply venerate the men who occupy those pulpits now, and did so then, I am bound to say, that I never heard them once fully preach the gospel. ... At last, one snowy day, I found rather an obscure street and turned down a court, and there was a little chapel. I wanted to go somewhere, but I did not know this street. It was the Primitive Methodists' chapel. I had heard of this people from many, and how they sang so loudly that they made people's heads ache; but that did not matter. I wanted to know how I might be saved, and if they made my head ache ever so much, I did not care. So sitting down, the service went on, but no minister came. At last a very thin-looking man came into the pulpit. He opened the Bible and read these words: "Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth." Just setting his eyes upon me, as if he knew me all by heart, he said: "Young man, you are in trouble!" Well, I was, sure enough. Says he: "You will never get out of it unless you look to Christ." Then,
lifting his eyes, he cried, as only a Primitive Methodist could do, "Look, look, look!" I saw at once the way of salvation. O, how I did leap for joy at that moment! I know not what else he said, I was so possessed with that one thought. ... I looked until I could almost have looked my eyes away, and in heaven I will look on still, in my joy unspeakable.
The story goes, that there was a snowstorm, and the pastor couldn't make it to the Church on that particular Sunday. One of the church members , Robert Eaglen, filled in for him, and stood up and read Isaiah 45:22, thus resulting in the salvation of Charles Spurgeon.
What can we learn from this scripture?
I. The everlasting God, He who alone is God, declares Himself to be THE SOURCE OF SALVATION.
II. THE EXPANSE OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION.
When God says "All the ends of the earth." Men of all races and nationalities shall be made to feel the power of Almighty grace.
The plan of salvation is adapted to every variety of circumstance.
The rich, the poor, the powerful, the common man, all needs salvation. All of mankind— all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God, and need salvation.
III. GOD'S SIMPLE COMMAND
To the guilty and the lost, while announcing Himself as the Source of salvation, and while proclaiming it to everyone,,, is "Look unto Me."
1. To look unto God, as the Source of salvation, implies knowledge of Him.
2. Having faith, that My God is able to save me.
3. Faith is, trusting in God.
4. When God says, "Look Unto Me." God requires that you should look away from all other objects which would interfere with looking to Him. Look unto me, means that God is the only source of our salvation
Not our bank account, not our popularity, can wash away our sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
5. Every believer should have a full assurance that He is able to save, and willing to save.
I. It is a SIMPLE salvation-plain, Look unto me, and be ye saved."
II. It is a FREE salvation, plan.
Psalm 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him
The psalmist, is inviting us to see for yourself.
. There is no cost to us, although it cost God His son.
Isaiah 55:1-3 1“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
There are no strings attached, no small print, no hidden meanings in God's plan.
It is a simple plan.
IV. It is a SURE plan of salvation.
Isa.45:. 23, "I have sworn by Myself:
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear
Verse 24 says,,Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed
V. "Only to Jehovah belongeth salvation and power." "Neither is there salvation in any other."
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VI. It is an ETERNAL salvation (ver. 17). //But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end
I. A BLESSED INVITATION. "Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else
2. Many are confused at the simplicity of the Gospel terms of salvation.
3. The range of this invitation is unlimited. "All the ends of the earth." The call is wide as the world.
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. "I have sworn by Myself, the word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return; that unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear." In reference to this subjection two things are stated —
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2. Its certainty. "I have sworn by Myself,,, God cannot lie, when He swears by Himself, His word is truth.
IV. AN IMPORTANT DECLARATION. "In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."
