Can We Have Revival

Isaiah 1:18

By: Pastor Cecil Lovelace

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

Introduction:

(1) Our world is full of problems.

(2) Some are maximized because they make big news. Right now you hear a lot about the economy, fuel prices, strikes, wars, and the like.

(3) Some are minimized because the make unpopular news. The news rarely reports really good and godly things that take place in the world.

(4) But, all problems here in America and around the world have a simple solution. The marital problems, crime in the streets, drug problems etc. can be solved by a simple solution: THE SHARING, HEARING, ACCEPTING AND APPLYING OF THE GOSPEL of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let's look at this verse together:

I. NOTICE MAN'S BASIC PROBLEM. V-18

It has always been that way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden. All other ills can be traced to that. I found the following statement in the notes section of the Believer's Study Bible: "The phrase "let us reason" gives the idea of reciprocation, and calls for the people to submit them selves to the laws of God and receive divine pardon. "Scarlet" and "crimson" both were bright, glaring colors suggesting how sin glares before God. These figures suggest that even though the nation's sin is open, evident, and glaring, i.e., "blood-red," if Israel repents, God will regard them as "snow-white" because of His mercy and forgiveness."

A. Sin brings separation. This is the very nature of sin.

(1) It brings separation from God's family. This is what makes you lost to begin with.

(2) It brings separation from God's fellowship. This can make for some lonely Christians. You know you are saved, yet can't have fellowship with God.

B. Sin brings condemnation. Every sinner will stand condemned on the day of judgment.

(1) God already knows; every sin is visible to him.

(2) You are already guilty. You have to do nothing to be lost. We are born into this world with a sinful nature and a need to be reconciled to God.

C. Sin brings deterioration.  Sin is like spiritual cancer that eats away at the moral standards of this world.

(1) It brings deterioration to the body. It makes a physical wreck of the healthy.

(2) It brings deterioration of the heart. It can make a bum out of a dedicated respected Christian.

(3) It brings deterioration to the home. It can drive a wedge between family members.

(4) It brings deterioration to the churches. The basic problem in our churches today is sin. It comes in so many different forms. Think just about the sins of omission. We talked about that on Wednesday a few weeks ago.

II. NOTICE GOD'S BIGGEST PLEA. "Come.." This is the number one plea from the heart of God in America today, He is saying, "come," but few are coming.

A. It's a simple plea: "..come.." God's plea has never been hard.

(1) It's easy to understand. Even a small child or even an animal can understand the meaning of that word.

(2) It's easy to undertake. Just come and he will do the rest.

B. It's an urgent plea. He tells us WHEN to come.  He said, "...now..."

(1) We don't know when our life will end.

(2) We don't know how and where it will end.

C. It's an understanding plea. "..let us reason

together..." As I stated earlier, God is telling Israel, "let us work this out together." He is reasonable.

(1) Contrary to what you might think, God understands who you are and where you are in your relationship with him.

(2) God is not mad at you. He loves you with all his heart.

III. NOTICE GOD'S BLESSED PROMISE.

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."

A. Sin is deeply embedded. (Like scarlet)

(1) Scarlet was an indelible dye made from the scarlet worm. Very good die that would not wash out for that day.

(2) Our sins are that permanent...but God is saying, "I can handle it!"

B. Our sins are dangerously inflamed.  "..red like crimson.." A wound on your body will become red when it is inflamed or infected.

(1) Our sins will infect our spiritual life.... an infected wound is sore.

(2) God said, "I will make it as comfortable as wool."  What a promise! They shall be white as snow.

CONCLUSION:

God created man without sin. Man chose the way of sin. All of the problems in the world today stem from sin. Sin is man's very basic problem. The Gospel will cure it. Let's Spread it!