INTRODUCTION

1. Three wonderfully connected truths found in

a) Coming of the Saviour

b) Christ Jesus the Lord revealed

c) Church of the Lord Jesus Christ

2. These are truths

a) That bring much joy

b) That bring great significance to us

 

THE CROWN OF HUMAN PRIDE

1Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim,

Whose glorious beauty is a fading flower

Which is at the head of the verdant valleys,

To those who are overcome with wine!

2 Behold, the Lord has a mighty and strong one,

Like a tempest of hail and a destroying storm,

Like a flood of mighty waters overflowing,

Who will bring them down to the earth with His hand.

3 The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim,

Will be trampled underfoot;

4 And the glorious beauty is a fading flower

Which is at the head of the verdant valley,

Like the first fruit before the summer,

Which an observer sees;

He eats it up while it is still in his hand. Isaiah 28:1-4

1. The crown of pride

2. Beauty is but a fading flower

 

THE LORD IS THE CROWN OF GLORY

5 In that day the LORD of hosts will be

For a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty

To the remnant of His people,

6 For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,

And for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate. Isaiah 28:5-6

1. The remnant

a) Those who are redeemed

b) Those who relate to the LORD

2. The LORD is

a) Their crown of glory

b) Their diadem of beauty

c) He gives the spirit of justice to those who sit in judgment

d) He gives strength to the warriors in battle

 

THE PLAN TO BUILD THE CHURCH

16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,

A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;

Whoever believes will not act hastily.

17 Also I will make justice the measuring line,

And righteousness the plummet;

The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies,

And the waters will overflow the hiding place. Isaiah 28:16-17

1. God’s plan was to build the Church

2. The Lord Jesus would be the cornerstone

a) A stone for a foundation

b) A tried stone

c) A precious cornerstone

d) A sure foundation

 

FULFILMENT OF THIS PROHECY

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

1. Members of the Church

a) No longer strangers

b) Nor foreigners

c) But fellow citizens with the saints

d) Members of the household of God

2. Building of the Church

a) The Lord Jesus is the chief cornerstone

b) The apostles and prophets lay the foundation

c) We are being built together

i) Fitted together

ii) Growing into the holy temple of God

iii) Built as the dwelling place of God

 

CONCLUSION

1. The Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) To be more deeply appreciated

b) To comprehend God’s deep plans

2. The Church of the Lord Jesus

a) Planned for

b) Paved by the apostles

3. The Challenge to be part of God’s Plan for the Church

a) Challenge to be a part of

b) Challenge to have the Church play an even greater role