LOOK AND LIVE

ISAIAH 45:22

INTRODUCTION

There are three great facts in redemption. There is the atonement, the advocacy and the advent. These three represents the shed blood of Christ, the intervention of Jesus for us at the cross and the return of Jesus Christ for His bride, the church. Conversely, there are three looks that correspond to these three facts

1. There is the Backward look (Isaiah 45:22). The eye is first carried back to the cross and to Christ’s finished work upon the cross- the place of atonement.
2. There is the upward look (Heb.12:2). There Jesus is at the place of the Advocate, a lawyer must be in the courtroom if he is to conduct the trial for his client. Christ has gone “to appear in the presence of God for us”
3. There is the onward look (Titus 2:13) the true expectation on the believer who waits for full salvation, we are waiting for His return- we are receiving an everlasting Kingdom.

The Nations have been looking to their idols for all these weary centuries but in vain. Many are looking to their philosophies in vain. False religions, politics, alliances, theories, organizations and men. All these are vain and vanity for they cannot save the nations. They must look to God, the God of all the families of the earth. If we are going to be saved we must look to the Lord. The only method to be saved “Look”

Let us learn:-

I.  WHAT IT DOES MEANS THIS WORD “LOOK” IN REFERENCE TO GOD?

1. Admit His reality by looking to him. Consider that there is a God and enthrone Him in your heart and mind as a real person, the only true God and Lord over all.
2. Address yourself to Him in prayer. Thanksgiving and supplication.
3. Acknowledge that from Him only salvation can come. Regard Him as the only possible saviour. “There is none other”.
4. Anticipate that He will bless you. Look for His interposition.
5. Abide alone in Him for salvation. Keep your eyes fixed on Him as the morning star of your day.

II.   FOR WHAT PART OF SALVATION ARE WE TO LOOK?

• For every part of it from the beginning to the end. He is the author and finisher.

1. Pardon- Pardon is only done by a sovereign. Forgiveness is done by a father. Pardon is an act of God and it can only come through the atonement provided by God in Christ Jesus.
2. Preparation for pardon- Repentance and faith. Grace must prepare us for more grace.
3. Renewal of heart is the work of the Holy Spirit- look to Him for it. Regeneration must be of the Lord alone.
4. Sustenance in Spiritual life is of God and of the Lord alone. All growth, strength, the fruit must be of the Lord alone.
5. Daily supply- is a divine gift from the Lord’ Give us this day our daily bread”

• Any matter left to self would ruin us all together.

III.   WHAT IS OUR ENCOURAGEMENT TO LOOK?

• His command- He bids us look, and therefore we must look.
• His promise- He says “Look, and be saved” He is true to His promises.
• His Godhead- “For I am God” All things are possible to Him- His Name is Glorified.
• His character- “A just God and a Savior” (v.21)
• His broad invitation- “All the ends of the earth- Universal invite, who will refuse so simple an act to look?

IV.  WHAT IS THE BEST TIME IN WHICH TO LOOK?

• “Look now” at this very moment.

1. The command is in the present tense, “Look unto me”
2. The promise is also in the present tense “And be saved”
3. Your need for salvation is urgent- You are lost without Christ.
4. Today is the only time you have. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow is only but a promise.
5. Your time may soon end- It is sudden, age creeps on us. The longest life is very short
6. “Now”, is the time which God chooses, it is ours to accept.

CONCLUSION

• All who have obeyed this verse (22) are saved.
• You are miserable and you will never ever be happy unless you obey this message “Look and live”
• Eternal Buddha” will not save, Allah and Mohamed will not save, Hinduism, African Spiritism will not save, religion and denominations will not save, Baptism and confirmation will not save- Only Jesus Christ (Sola Christos) will save.
• Look and live, Now.