Let us Study Prophecies about an everlasting name (isaiah 56:1-8)
Introduction:
1. We recently studied prophecies about God's kingdom. 2. One of the prophecies was made in a dream that we read about in Daniel 2. 3. According to Daniel 2:44, God's kingdom would be everlasting in that it will "never be destroyed," and it will "stand forever." 4. This morning we are studying "prophecies about an everlasting name."
Discussion:
I. LET US EXAMINE 3 PROPHECIES IN ISAIAH
A. From Isaiah 56:1-8 we learn that God would bless His faithful people in the future. 1. A familiar statement is made in vs.7 -- Jesus quoted it when He cleansed the temple (Matthew 21:13). 2. (vs.5) God would bless His people by giving them a special new name. a. This name would be "better than of sons and of daughters." b. It would be "an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." B. From Isaiah 65:15 we learn that God would "call his servants by another name." 1. God's people used to be called by the name "Israel" (Genesis 32:24-28, 32). 2. A time would come when God would call His people by a different name. C. From Isaiah 62:1-2 we learn when God would call His people by this new name. 1. (vs.1) Righteousness and salvation would go forth from Jerusalem. 2. (vs.2) The Gentiles would see God's righteousness.
II. LET US OBSERVE HOW THESE PROPHECIES HAVE BEEN FULFILLED
A. The book of Acts shows how the events prophesied in Isaiah 62:1-2 occurred. 1. (Acts 8:1-4) Righteousness and salvation were going forth from Jerusalem. 2. (Acts 10) The Gospel was taken to Cornelius and his household [Gentiles]. 3. (Acts 11:18) The apostles and other brethren in Jerusalem acknowledged that God had "to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life." B. (Acts 11:19-26) When the conditions prophesied by Isaiah were met, God's people were called "Christians." 1. God's people under the new covenant are sometimes referred to as "disciples," "saints," and "brethren." 2. "Christian" is the name to be worn by God's people under the new covenant.
III. LET US CONSIDER ADDITIONAL DETAILS CONCERNING THOSE WHO WEAR THE NAME "CHRISTIAN"
A. Important information is revealed in Acts 11. 1. (vs.26) A Christian is a "disciple" [a learner or follower of someone]. a. Christians are learners or followers of Christ whose name is far greater than Israel's (Philippians 2:9-11). b. A Christian must be a disciple, but there is much more to being a Christian than just being a disciple (John 8:31-32). 2. A Christian is "one who has been added to the Lord." a. (vs.24) The people in Antioch who were the first to be called Christians had been "added unto the Lord." b. We learn how a person gets into Christ in Galatians 3:26-27. 3. A Christian is "a member of the Lord's church." a. (vs.26) The people in Antioch who were the first to be called Christians made up the church there. b. The Lord adds those who are saved to His church (Acts 2:47). 4. To summarize, a Christian is a disciple of the Lord who has obeyed the Gospel, been saved from his sins, and added to the Lord's church. B. (Acts 26:28) A Christian is a changed person. C. (1 Peter 4:14-16) A Christian is committed to doing the Lord's will.
Conclusion:
1. "Christian" is a special name that is great, precious, and everlasting -- it glorifies Christ, the founder of Christianity. 2. Have you followed the teaching of the New Testament to become a Christian?
