Text: Isa 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Intro: In the previous verses, Israel is pictured as having contaminated her religious life by mixing fleshly lusts into it; as
becoming overly involved with politics, (ointment to king shows worship of the ruler!)
V 9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.
They had made fun of worshippers of God!
V 4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood,
They knew there was something wrong, but wouldn’t admit it.
V 10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved.
Yet they desired peace and assurance!
God’s challenge - Let thy companies deliver thee! A challenge that can be directed toward society and toward each individual - (including you and me)
V 13 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain;
1) They kept company with child-killers; give them what they sought!
V 5 Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
Abortion a good thing? Then get revived in an abortion clinic.
2) They went to the king with adoration - let the king give them a revival
V 9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell.
3) They had debased themselves - let their depravity lift them up!
4) What are you companying with? Worldly friends? Social contacts? Job? Business? Even busyness in God’s service? Let these revive you if they can!
What we learn from our text
V 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
a) The only company that can help is the high and lofty one, whose name is Holy!
b) This help is on an individual basis.
Like morality, Spirituality cannot be legislated! (Must be one's own will) Let him that hath an ear - hear
Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Also Mark 4:9;)
3) It comes from living with Him, not occasionally visiting his dwelling place!
Jno 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
a) We must take up our cross DAILY
Lu 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
b) Christ must be our life
Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
c) It will affect our whole being
I Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I Jno 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
d) It follows contrition and humility
Col 3:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
I Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
e) It affects Spiritual and mental well being
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
I Jno 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
Phil 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
THIS IS REVIVAL
*Winning of souls doesn’t bring revival - Revival brings soul-winning *Fellowship doesn’t bring revival - Revival brings fellowship
*Lively singing doesn’t bring revival - Revival brings lively singing, etc.
*Domestic tranquility doesn’t bring revival but true revival CAN BRING domestic tranquility.
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