Isaiah 55:4-6 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.… I. GOD HAS APPOINTED JESUS CHRIST TO LEAD US IN THE WAY OF TRUTH. II. GOD HAS GIVEN JESUS CHRIST TO BE OUR LEADER IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. 1. Jesus leads us by showing that God gives us power to walk in the path of righteousness. 2. In following Jesus in the path of righteousness we must employ self-effort. God gives power, but it is requisite for us to use it. Without earnest self-effort, righteousness is impossible. Notice the crawling worm, how it wriggles and struggles to escape from its old self, and how it is rewarded with wings to fly from flower to flower in the garden. Hear the wee bird pecking itself out from its shell. III. GOD HAS GIVEN CHRIST TO BE OUR LEADER TO THE CALVARY OF SELF-SURRENDER. The inner chamber of the heart is required for the indwelling of God. If the inner man be true, temptation has but little power over us. IV. JESUS CHRIST HAS BEEN GIVEN TO BE OUR LEADER IN THE WARFARE OF HOLINESS. V. GOD HAS GIVEN JESUS TO BE OUR LEADER IN THE WRESTLINGS OF PRAYER. Remember that our Leader spent whole nights in prayer to God. VI. GOD HAS GIVEN JESUS FOR OUR LEADER IN THE INVINCIBILITY OF FAITH. 1. Let us copy His faith in the loving care of our Father. 2. Let those who are teachers of others follow our Leader in His faith in the power of the Gospel. 3. With our Leader, let us have faith that our paths are Divinely directed. VII. GOD HAS GIVEN CHRIST TO BE OUR LEADER IN THE CONFIDENCE OF HOPE. VIII. GOD HAS GIVEN CHRIST TO BE OUR LEADER IN THE CAMPAIGN OF LOVE. Wishing well is a good thing, but doing is better. Jesus Christ is our Leader in loving words and active deeds. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.WEB: Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. |
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