Dear Brothers and Sisters, Prayer will be held at the Brown Barn.

Just after Rome was sacked by the Goths, Augustine preached a sermon saying, “”Do not hold on to the old man, the world. Do not refuse to regain your youth in Christ, who says to you; “the world is passing away, the world is losing its grip, the world is short of breath. Do not fear. Your youth shall be renewed as an eagle.” Augustine was well aware of the crumbling of the city of man and the emptiness it sells. He wrote a book about it, The City of God,” where he compared the two defining cities – the city of God and the city of man. This is the focus of a new section in Isaiah which spans from chapter 24-27. Here Isaiah pictures two cities. These chapters form one unified message.
These two cities are contrasted in chapters 24-27: There is the ruined city of man: 24:10; 25:2; 25:12; 26:5; 27:10. And there is the happy city of God – Mountt. Zion: 24:23; 25:6-7; 25:10; 27:13

Building on the previous section

In chapters 24-27, Isaiah is expanding on the previous section. He has been speaking of judgment against individual nations, and specific places in the world. Now, Isaiah seems to be bringing it all together to give a vision of what will happen after these temoral judgments. After the temporal judgments, there will be a final judgment were everything of the city of man collapses forever.

Another sermon on judgment?

This is another chapter of judgment of the wicked. The language is devastating as you will see. We have heard of much judgment so far in Isaiah. Question: Is it wise to speak of judgment so often? Should we minimize these discouraging messages? It depends on how you apply them. Is it better to know of a coming disaster? Is it better to be informed of cancer early our late? Is it better to know how to describe the wrath of God to people in this world, or is it better that you don’t have a rich language to communicate it? One thing is certain: God is merciful to declare His coming judgment. In Isaiah 24 that judgment is catastrophic and comprehensive. Why? verse 5, explains, “Because they have transgressed the laws, Changed the ordinance, Broken the everlasting covenant.”

An end in sight

Don’t think that your sorrows will continue indefinitely. Don’t think that the world will continue on with one temporal judgment from God after another forever. It will stop one day. Isaiah 24 declares various elements of what this will look like. God will “utterly’ change everything forever. In chapters 13-23, Isaiah has been warning of the end of the nations as they have come to know themselves. He has spoken of their temporal end. He has identified how and sometimes even when He would humble them while they are on the earth. Now he speaks of their final end.

This is why Augustines appeal is so important, “”Do not hold on to the old man, the world.”

On Sunday evening, we will be holding a discussion meeting regarding the proposed changes to the constitution.

The songs for Sunday are:

How Firm a Foundation #408
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

Fear not! I am with thee; O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose;
I will not, I will not desert to his foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

Psalm 2 (tune “Hintze”)
Why do heathen nations rage?
Why do peoples folly mind?
Kings of earth in plots engage,
Rulers are in league combined;
Then against Jehovah high,
And against Messiah’s sway,
“Let us break their bands,” they cry,
“Let us cast their cords away.”

But the Lord will scorn them all;
He will laugh Who sits on high.
Then His wrath will on them fall;
Sore displeased He will reply:
“Yet according to My will
I have set My King to reign,
And on Zion’s holy hill
My Anointed I’ll maintain.”

His decree I will make known;
Unto Me the Lord did say,
“Thou art My beloved Son;
I’ve begotten Thee this day.
Ask of Me, and Thee I’ll make
Heir to earth and nations all;
Them with iron Thou shalt break,
Dashing them in pieces small.”

Therefore, kings, be wise, give ear;
Hearken, judges of the earth;
Serve the Lord with godly fear;
Mingle trembling with your mirth.
Kiss the Son, His wrath to turn,
Lest ye perish in the way,
For His anger soon will burn.
Blessed are all that on Him stay.
Amen

Complete In Thee
Complete in Thee, no work of mine could take, dear Lord, the place of Thine.
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and I shall stand complete in Thee!

Yea, justified, oh blessed thought!
And sanctified salvation-wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified I, too, shall be.

Complete in Thee, each want supplied, and no good thing to me denied,
Since Thou my portion, Lord, will be, I ask no more, complete in Thee!

Yea, justified, oh blessed thought!
And sanctified salvation-wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified I, too, shall be.

Complete in Thee, no more shall sin Thy grace has conquered reign within;
Thy blood shall bid the tempter flee, and I shall stand complete in Thee!

Yea, justified, oh blessed thought!
And sanctified salvation-wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified I, too, shall be.

Dear Savior, when, before Thy bar, all tribes and tongues assembled are,
Among the chosen I shall be, at Thy right hand, complete in Thee!

Yea, justified, oh blessed thought!
And sanctified salvation-wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and glorified I, too, shall be.

God of Grace and God of Glory #435
God of grace and God of glory
On Thy people pour Thy pow’r
Crown Thine ancient Church’s story
Bring her bud to glorious flow’r
Grant us wisdom; grant us courage
For the facing of this hour
For the facing of this hour

Lo! The host of evil round us
Scorn Thy Christ, assail His ways
From the fears that long have bound us
Free our hearts to faith and praise
Grant us wisdom; grant us courage
For the living of these days
For the living of these days

Cure Thy children’s warring madness
Bend our pride to Thy control
Shame our wanton, selfish gladness
Rich in things and poor in soul
Grant us wisdom; grant us courage
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal
Lest we miss Thy kingdom’s goal

Set our feet on lofty places
Gird our lives that they may be
Armored with all Christ-like graces
In the fight to set men free
Grant us wisdom; grant us courage
That we fail not man nor Thee
That we fail not man nor Thee