Isaiah 43:25

1. Intro.
1. all the stars in the sky shine brightly, but some attract our attention more than others
2. all of the Bible is inspired by God, but some verses catch our attention more than others
3. all Scripture is profitable, but benefit of some verses are more easily seen
2. the recipients of mercy [thy]
1. who does this include
1. you and me
2. the worst of sinners
3. all sinners that will put their faith in Jesus Christ
2. prayerless people - Isaiah 43:22 [thou hast not called upon me]
1. how many are the people that do not pray
2. those that do not pray have no fellowship with Christ, and no communion with the Father
3. if you are lamenting that this has been your condition, do not despair for this mercy is for you
3. those that despise of religion - Isaiah 43:22 [thou hast been weary of me]
1. they hate God, and love not His services
2. many find Sunday services the most boring part of the week
3. for some, it is the greatest and most terrible hardship to be in services twice on Sunday
4. many would rather find some form of worldly amusement to give them comfort on this day
5. not only is religion undesirable, but it is a weariness to them
6. if convicted of this sin, there is mercy for you, if you will turn to God - Isaiah 43:26
4. those that have been thankless - Isaiah 43:23 [thou hast not brought me the small cattle of thy burnt...]
1. their flocks had multiplied, but they gave nothing to Him in return
2. they were a carnal and worldly people; received gifts, but never thanked the One Who caused it to be given
3. this is true of many who attend the house of God, they rarely give to the cause of Christ
4. a religion that does not make us generous, is worth nothing
5. God does not need our substance, but He loves our presents
6. what we give may seem small in comparison to His wealth, but to God it is great because it comes from a friend
7. if you have sinned in attributing your wealth to good luck or personal labor, God has mercy for you if you will repent and seek Him
5. those that are useless people - Isaiah 43:24 [...thou hast made me to serve with thy sins]
1. the chief purpose of man is to glorify God
2. God made the sun, moon and stars, and all His works; that they might honor Him
3. but how many are there that have never honored God with their life (what have you done)
4. rather than honoring Him, many have set a bad example and caused many to go to hell
5. if you are willing to repent, God is willing to forgive
6. those that have wearied God - Isaiah 43:24 [thou hast wearied me with thine iniquities]
1. even these, if they turn to God, He will have mercy and blot out their sins
2. He will blot them out and never remember them again
3. if we think that we are a honest, moral and upright people; then God has no mercy for us
3. the deed of mercy [blotteth out thy transgression]
1. it is divine forgiveness [I, even I, am he]
1. divine pardon is the only pardon that really matters
2. no one can forgive sin, but God only
1. it does not matter what a priest or any one else says, for only God can forgive sin
2. if a man offends me I can forgive him, but if he offends God I cannot forgive him
3. we may forgive someone for a wrong, but that is not the end of the matter; God must be dealt with
4. if God forgives us and no one else does, we have all the forgiveness we need for salvation
2. it is a surprising forgiveness [I, even I]
1. it is so surprising that it is repeated in this way, lest any of us should doubt it
2. it seems to good to be true, the mercy offered is overwhelming
3. there is no sinner not in hell so black that God cannot wash him white as snow
4. for anyone not in hell yet, God is ready, able and willing to forgive
3. it is a present forgiveness [that blotteth out]
1. this is not something He will do in the future, He will do it now
2. some people seem to think that we cannot know whether our sins are forgiven in this life
1. as soon as we trust in the crucified Christ, all our sins are forgiven
2. God will never require my debt to be paid twice
3. how dare we charge God with injustice by thinking He will require double payment for one sin
4. it is a complete forgiveness [blotteth out thy transgressions]
1. God has a book in which all of our debts are written
2. with the blood of Jesus, God blots out (wipes out, erases) our whole debt
3. "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin" - I John 1:7
4. the reason for mercy [for mine own sake]
1. there is no reason for God to forgive us, we have done nothing to deserve it
2. God does not forgive us for our sake, but for His own sake
1. God can do just as well without us as with us
2. the cattle upon a thousand hills belong to Him
3. if He wanted to, He could create a whole new race of man to serve Him
3. God forgives for His own sake, is there not hope for the guilty sinner here
1. it cannot be pleaded by anyone that his sins are to great
2. the amount of guilt is put entirely out of consideration
3. God forgives for His own sake, to make a name for himself (merciful)
5. the promise of mercy [and will not remember thy sins]
1. there are some things which God cannot do, though He is Omnipotent
1. He cannot lie
2. He cannot forsake His people
3. He cannot disown His covenant
4. is it possible for God to forget?
1. we people forget many things, but can the Almighty ever do so
2. He counts the stars and calls them all by name
3. not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge
4. the hairs of our head are all numbered by God
2. how can it be that God will forget our sins?
1. in the judgment of the last day, we will not be punished for them
1. the Christian will have many accusers, and the devil will be there
2. God is going to say, "I don’t remember"
3. if the Judge does not remember, who then will punish us
4. through the blood of Jesus we are made clean
2. when He distributes the rewards, He will not remember our sins; only our service
1. earthly fathers may put in their wills that a favorite child should get more
2. the Bible says that we are joint heirs with Christ
3. the chiefest of sinners will gain heaven, just like all other saved people
3. God has mercy for you, will you accept it?