May 26, 2024 - The Salvation Ministry of the Triune God (Isaiah 59:19-21)

The Salvation Ministry of the Triune God (Isaiah 59:19-21)

Rev. Myung-Sin Choi

“19 So shall they fear The name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. 20 ‘The Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ Says the Lord. 21 ‘As for Me,’ says the Lord, ‘this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,’ says the Lord, ‘from this time and forevermore.’ ”

Introduction

I listened to a testimony of a person from North Korea and this woman was a daughter of a high official. When she was attending school, she drove a Mercedes-Benz. After she watched a South Korean drama series, she said that it completely changed her life. She lived a life without God and without knowing who God was. When she was watching this South Korean drama series, she heard about God. And when she was watching a South Korean award show, she heard someone after they received their reward giving all of their glory to God. When she heard this, she realized that God was truly alive. But one day, a conflict arose within her family and her life. She looked up at the sky and pleaded towards the sky asking if God was truly there to save her and her family. After watching the South Korean drama series, she wanted to escape North Korea so she could meet the South Korean drama actor. She gained this heart that she couldn’t live in North Korea anymore. So at the age of 18, she decided to make a plan to escape by herself. But her mother kept following after her and she was so determined to go to South Korea so she kept going. When they became separated, her mother told her, “In North Korea, there is no hope so don’t look back and keep going.” She took the train and was able to escape North Korea after facing many challenges. As she was escaping North Korea and trying to get to South Korea, whenever she faced a challenge, she kept praying to God and pleaded with God to help her. After praying to God, she was able to finally arrive in South Korea. When she arrived in South Korea, eventually her entire family was able to come to South Korea. Whenever she faced a problem, she kept praying to God. Now, this woman is working as a translator for a renowned investor, Jim Rogers. I was able to see that God truly loved this woman and took care of her till the end. We have been receiving messages so far that God truly wants us to go towards salvation and wants to help us. He is always wanting for us to go towards the direction of the gospel. Through today’s sermon and Biblical passage, God wants us to give us a tremendous gift.

1. God's Plan of Salvation

1) God the Father's plan of salvation

Verse 19 - God had planned the absolute plan of salvation and has fulfilled this absolute plan. Egypt that enslaved Israel, they faced the fury of God and judgment from God. The nation that represented the rising of the sun was the nation of Babylon. Babylon was the nation that enslaved Israel as well and tormented Israel. Babylon destroyed the temple of God and enslaved the people of Israel. God also bought judgment upon Babylon and destroyed Babylon. All people who are bound by suffering, slavery, and Satan received God’s judgment. When God’s people are suffering, God will eventually bring about His judgment and vengeance towards the people who brings suffering and torment to His people. God bought the end of man’s suffering by sending us Jesus Christ. God’s plan was to bring the Messiah to save mankind. God didn’t just bring the Messiah for no reason but He bought the Messiah to save mankind. He couldn’t stand to see His people suffering so He bought this plan to bring the Messiah to this world. We have to see that God is aware and sees all of our suffering and problems. All of our sufferings, God knows all of it. You may think that God doesn’t know but God does know. God sees everything and will continue to guide and protect us so that He can show us the best way. What is this? If we hold onto God, then there is nothing for us to worry about. 

2) The salvation ministry of Jesus Christ

Verse 20 - The Word of God is speaking about how God’s word will absolutely be fulfilled. What is this covenant? The Redeemer will come to Zion. The Messiah will absolutely come to Jerusalem. Why is that? All mankind was bound by Satan and sin, and had no choice but to go to hell. God will send us the Redeemer to Zion to save mankind. God sent Jesus Christ and resurrected, and solved the problems of mankind. God gave us the absolute solution. Not everyone will be saved. We need to hold onto God’s providence here. When God saw the Israelites, God saw how much they were idol worshiping so He sent Babylon to destroy Israel. He never wanted to see His temple in Israel that had become so corrupted so He sent Babylon to destroy it. God wanted to build a new temple. But that temple became corrupted so God destroyed it again. So, God wanted to build an eternal temple so God sent Jesus Christ. That is God’s providence. Let us look at man’s perspectives. The Israelites fell into sin and complete idolatry. God made them become enslaved and fell into captivity. Who was able to return back to Israel? It was those who repented before God. God can accept us again because we have sinned and were able to repent of our sins. God sent us Jesus Christ so that Jesus can shed His blood for our sins to be forgiven. This is tremendous. If we just believe in Jesus, then we can be cleansed and live again. We can enjoy a new temple and a new life. 

John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - This is important. Those who believe, they will be saved. Those who repent, they will live. But those who don’t believe, then they will be condemned. All people who don’t believe, they are already in a state of condemnation and judgment of hell. All people are living in a state bound by Satan, sin, and hell. But who will live? Those who repent. Those who are able to hear God’s word and believe in it. This is salvation. Those who are not saved, they may say that hell is unfair. But if you choose not to believe, then you will not be saved. Those who believe in the name of Jesus Christ, they will receive salvation. God has opened His doors to His arms and allowed them to receive salvation. 

2. God's New Covenant

1) The Holy Spirit's Life-giving work

Verse 21 - This is a new thing. 

We can see the new covenant in Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.” - God gave His people the new covenant. How can we receive the new covenant? 

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” - This is a tremendous word of God. The moment we believe in the word of God, then the power of the Holy Spirit will come upon us. We have received the gift of salvation as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Ezekiel 37:5 “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.’ ” - When a prophet spoke the word of God, all of the dead bones came back to life. This is showing the power of the work of creation given by the word of God. When the word of God is spoken, then faith comes upon us. That moment, the breath of life of God comes upon us. The moment we receive salvation, the breath of life comes upon us. All power and authority of God comes upon us. We are restored of this power and authority of Genesis 1:28. What is the power of the Holy Spirit? God continues to work through the power of the Holy Spirit so that we can receive the power of life. This power comes upon us when the word of God is spoken and enters into us. 

2) The power of God's Word

Verse 21 - Those who received salvation, you continue to speak and replay the word of God. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you are filled with the word of God. 

John 14:26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” - This means that where the word of God is, the Holy Spirit is also there as well. When we speak the word of God, the Holy Spirit works. 

Ezekiel 47:9 “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.” - A tiny amount of water was flowing from a temple but the flow eventually overflowing. This shows our walk of faith when we continue to hold onto God’s word. Our life will change when we hold onto God’s word over and over again. Wherever the word of God flows, things will come to life. Power of life will come upon us. Things that were dead, they will all come back to life. Do you have a problem? Hold onto God’s word. Everything will be restored. This is because the Holy Spirit will work. The Holy Spirit works through the power of creation. All things will come to life through the power of life through the word of God. Every time I prepare the pulpit message, I immerse myself with the word of God and I feel so happy. As you continue to meditate on the pulpit message, I pray that you may experience the same joy and peace. I pray that the power of life and creation will come upon us through the word of God. 

Paul understood and experienced this as seen in 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” - We are able to live through the word of God. All of our children lived because of the word of God. If we know this power, then our children will live. This is God’s method. God has given us the best gift and that gift was the word of God and the Holy Spirit. One of the greatest gifts that God has given to us was the ability to hear and read the word of God. Be victorious. 

3. God-Given Answer to Life

1) Change your origin

Romans 8:1-2 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” - We have received God’s word until now but anyone who receives God’s word, they will be freed from the law of sin and death. We used to live within the bondage of sin and death. 

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” - Our citizenship is in heaven. Have pride in this. 

2) Change your fate

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” - We used to be within the bondage of sin and Satan but God has saved us. He has given us His authority and power. Enjoy this power and our new and changed fate. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” - Don’t be bound by your old fate and destiny. We are a new creation. The Bible tells us that we are a new creation. 

3) Change your lifestyle

If you are a child of God, you must live your life as written in Romans 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” - This was what the Apostle Paul said. The moment we change our direction towards the flesh, we will perish and suffer. But the moment we change our direction, then God will protect and save us. 

Then, we must resolve towards Romans 14:8 “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” - At the time, we must make a resolution of faith. Whether I die, I will live for the Lord. If I live, I will live for the Lord. This is because I am the Lord’s. Make this resolution. The moment we do this, then God will be the most happy and pleased. If we make God pleased, this is all we need to do. 

Conclusion

Hold onto Isaiah 45:3 “I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.” - What are your problems and difficulties? The word of God tells us today that this is when God is calling you by Your name. This means that God wants you to call out to Him. When we call out to God, then God promises us that He will answer us. May we receive answers. There is nothing for us to worry or fear. God will guide and lead us. May we receive blessings.