God's Missionary Heart - Isaiah 49:1-6; 56:3-8; 66:18-20, 23 - December 7, 2008

Sunday School Lesson – God’s Missionary Heart – December 7, 2008

We begin a new series of study entitled “A Heart for Missions.”

Our scripture for the month will be selected verses from Isaiah, Matthew, Luke and Acts.

Our scripture today is selected verses from Isaiah 49:1-6; 56:3-8; 66:18-20, 23.

GOD’S mission is for all people in the world to know about HIM and ultimately to know HIM. To accomplish this, GOD chose a nation that would be HIS people. That visible nation was Israel. The chosen vessel to establish that nation was Abraham. GOD worked through Abraham and generations to come to establish HIS people and ultimately, the earthly linage of HIS ONLY SON JESUS. JESUS’ mother was a virgin who came from the linage of King David. HIS FATHER was GOD though the power of the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS was 100% human and 100% divine. GOD’S desire and mission is to seek and save those who are lost in sin and darkness. GOD is the light of the world which was culminated and revealed in HIS SON JESUS.

GOD used the nation of Israel to be the visible representation of HIS presence, care and power. Since the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of CHRIST GOD has used believers and the living body of believers, who is the church, to be visible representations of HIS presence, care and power. This is manifested through the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling every believer.

For the last two (2) months we have studied Christian fundamentals in the book of Romans. It is imperative that we keep the fundamentals in mind as we study this lesson. This lesson may open areas which may be uncomfortable to some.

Our lesson focuses on the fact that GOD desires for the message of salvation to be presented to all people and people groups. The key is once a person receives the message will he or she respond to the pure message by accepting CHRIST as his or her SAVIOR? Living the victorious Christian life means turning from his or her wicked ways and allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to build into his or her life the essential spiritual fundamentals GOD requires. This means yielding his or her will to the FATHER, through JESUS and being empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT. It is easy to say but the flesh will fight hard to remain the ruler of your flesh kingdom. That is why believers must die to self and allow CHRIST to rule their hearts and minds. It is a process called sanctification.

Let’s read Isaiah 49:1-6:

1 Coastlands,[1] Or Islands listen to me; distant peoples, pay attention. The Lord called me before I was born. He named me while I was in my mother’s womb. 2 He made my words like a sharp sword; He hid me in the shadow of His hand. He made me like a sharpened arrow; He hid me in His quiver. 3 He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel; I will be glorified in him.” 4 But I myself said: I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and futility; yet my vindication is with the Lord, and my reward is with my God. 5 And now, says the Lord, who formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him so that Israel might be gathered to Him; for I am honored in the sight of the Lord, and my God is my strength— 6 He says, “It is not enough for you to be My servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations,[2] Lk 2:32; Ac 13:47 to be My salvation to the ends of the earth.”

There are four (4) “Servant Songs” in the Book of Isaiah. They are called servant songs because the word “servant” refers to an individual such as the Prophet Isaiah, King David, the nation of Israel or to the Messiah. In light of the life of CHRIST, as reflected in the New Testament, New Testament writers saw that in some instances “servant” referred to JESUS.

The scripture we are studying today is the second of the four (4) servant songs. The other servant songs are Isaiah 42:1-7; 50:4-11; 52:13-53:12. The New Testament connects the dots regarding these servant songs to CHRIST, thus they are prophecies regarding CHRIST and HIS mission upon earth.

We may ask, “Why is this so obscure in the Old Testament?”

GOD had a plan and this plan would be revealed according to HIS timetable. We had this scripture in last week’s lesson:

1 Corinthians 2:7-8:

7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a • mystery, which God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew it, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.[3] Ps 24:7

GOD revealed HIS plan at just the right time and opened the eyes of those who seek HIM. HE still does this today.

Isaiah 52:15 refers to CHRIST. CHRIST will fulfill the scriptures and open the eyes of the spiritually blind.

15 so He will sprinkle[11] As the blood of a sacrifice is sprinkled on the altar on behalf of the people [12] Heb 10:22; 12:24 many nations.[13] LXX reads so many nations will marvel at Him Kings will shut their mouths because of Him, For they will see what had not been told them, and they will understand what they had not heard.[14] Rm 15:21

In our scripture the servant CHRIST, the Messiah, is speaking. Verse 2 tells us that HIS Words are sharp and cut to the heart. Hebrews 4:12 tells us - 12 For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart.

When GOD calls believers to present the Word of GOD, it is the Word of GOD that has the power to cut through to the very eyes of a person’s heart. It is in the eyes of the person’s heart where he or she encounters GOD and makes the decision to either accept HIM or reject HIM. Our part is to present the Gospel. It is HIS Word that brings a person to the point of salvation.

The use of the words “coastlands” and “distant people” reflects the heart of GOD for other people, the non-Jews or Gentiles. HIS desire is for all people to hear the Good News of salvation. This fact is captured in the second part of verse 6, “I will also make you a light for all nations” is a focus on the non-Jews or Gentiles. In the King James Version it reads, “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles.”

GOD called CHRIST and watched over HIM as HE was in HIS mother’s womb. CHRIST was hidden in the shadow of the FATHER until the right moment came. CHRIST was especially equipped to deliver the message GOD had planned from the beginning of time. Even though equipped, HE knew disappointment and frustration, because of unbelief. Yet, even through the disappointments and frustration, HE trusted in the FATHER. Verse 6 is the Great Commission for the Jews before CHRIST to carry the light and message of the FATHER to all people of the earth (Gentiles).

The Jews found it very difficult to reach out to other nations. GOD intended that HIS love, care and provision to be spread to all people before CHRIST came into the world and after CHRIST. GOD’S message of salvation is for all people.

What does this mean for believers today?

We know in Ephesians 1:4 4 for He chose[3] Rm 11:5–7; 1 Co 1:26–31; 1 Th 1:4; 2 Th 2:13; 1 Pt 1:1–2 us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[4] Vv. 3–14 are 1 sentence in Gk. In love[5]

Just as GOD called HIS SON JESUS, GOD calls us to serve HIM.

In verses 1-6, GOD revealed, through the Prophet Isaiah, HIS plan to redeem mankind. GOD’S plan involved HIS SON JESUS and then it involves all who accept JESUS as their Savior to tell others the Good News. GOD’S plan of salvation is for all people – the very wicked, drunks, sexual perverts, prostitutes, homosexuals, drug addicts, those morally good, kind, generous, loving and the list goes as far as anyone wants to make it.

Are we reluctant to present the gospel to people we think unworthy?

It is not up to us to prejudge or judge others. Our responsibility is to present CHRIST as GOD leads us. GOD will be their judge. Our part is to present the Good News and be available to help those who accept HIM to get on a firm Spiritual foundation. We can help them directly or by getting them to a spiritual brother, sister, church or Christian organization that can help them. Then we leave the results to GOD. GOD knows their hearts. The convert must turn from his or her old lifestyle to serve GOD. This becomes clearer in our next scripture.

Let’s read Isaiah 56:3-8:

3 No foreigner who has converted to the Lord should say, “The Lord will exclude me from His people”; and the eunuch should not say, “Look, I am a dried–up tree.” 4 For the Lord says this: “For the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold firmly to My covenant, 5 I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters. I will give each [of them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. an everlasting name that will never be cut off. 6 And the foreigners who convert to the Lord, minister to Him, love the Lord’s name, and are His servants, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it, and who hold firmly to My covenant— 7 I will bring them to My holy mountain and let them rejoice in My house of prayer. Their • burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.”[1] Mk 11:17 8 [This is]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the declaration of the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: “I will gather to them still others besides those already gathered.”

Isaiah identified two (2) groups of people, foreigners or non-Jews and eunuchs. Both were considered outcasts, as far as the Jews were concerned. These people could not help it if they were not born a Jew or had been made a eunuch. GOD made it clear that HE did not and will not exclude them. GOD looks upon the heart of a person and whether or not he or she is obedient to HIS commands. Since CHRIST, it has been whether or not a person accepts HIS SON JESUS as SAVIOR and hopefully has also made HIM his or her LORD.

Accepting JESUS as our SAVIOR gets us, so-to-speak, fire insurance but making CHRIST the LORD of our lives gives us the joy, power and assurance of obediently serving HIM as HE directs our lives.

As we see in this scripture, GOD granted all believers all the rights and privileges as HIS children.

GOD established the standard of missions for all believers. GOD welcomes all people and we cannot do any less. I have to add my prejudice. A friend of mine and I were discussing certain groups of people, who we look down upon. Should we welcome them into our fellowship or church? I thought he had a good answer. He said yes but when we pray we need to keep one (1) eye open. We should reach out to all people but we do not need to park our brain.

Let’s read Isaiah 66: 18-20, 23:

18 “Knowing[10] LXX, Syr; MT omits Knowing their works and their thoughts, I have come to gather all nations and languages; they will come and see My glory. 19 I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from them to the nations—to Tarshish (TAHR shish), Put, (PUHT)[11] LXX; MT reads Pul; Jr 46:9 Lud (LUHD) (who are archers), Tubal (TYOO buhl), Javan (JAY van), and the islands far away—who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. And they will proclaim My glory among the nations.[12] Ps 96:3 20 They will bring all your brothers from all the nations as a gift to the Lord on horses and chariots, in litters, and on mules and camels, to My holy mountain Jerusalem, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring an offering in a clean vessel to the house of the Lord.

23 All mankind will come to worship Me, from one New Moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another,” says the Lord.

This scripture is where the rubber hits the road. GOD had spoken through the Prophet Isaiah regarding how HE looked upon people and people groups other than the Jews. GOD welcomes all who accept HIM to come to the temple to worship and serve HIM. The words “see MY glory” in verse 18 means to come into HIS presence and worship HIM. All who come to HIM have the same rights, privileges and accountability.

There will be a great gathering of all people at the throne of GOD. This gathering is revealed by the Apostle John in Revelation 7:9:

9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands.

Those coming from a different heritage, lifestyle, background, etc. have all accepted GOD and turned from their former practices. Since CHRIST has come into the world, they have accepted GOD through CHRIST. When they do, GOD fully accepts them to serve HIM. GOD said through Isaiah that these people, though rejected by the Israelites, GOD accepted because their hearts had been changed by the power of HIS Word and now they were free to obediently serve HIM.

Many of us have deep seated prejudice and find it hard to believe that GOD could welcome some people who have done some very awful things or who come from a wicked lifestyle. We must keep in mind that GOD has changed their hearts and they have been washed in the blood of the lamb and are whiter than snow.

GOD accepts all who accept HIM and turn from their wicked ways.

GOD has set the standard for missions. Believers are to go and present the Gospel of CHRIST as GOD leads us. This may be as simple as giving a cup of cold water in HIS name or a word of encouragement to those who need it. Ask GOD to open your eyes to mission opportunities as you live each day.