The gospel that I preach to you is no new thing. It is not a novelty. It is not the product of modern thought. I will leave it to the flitting fire flies of false piety to sparkle here and there with their glowing tails of new thought – As for me, I preach the old, old gospel of the everlasting God. I look to the old paths, the good way, the solid truths of God's free and sovereign grace in Christ, which give rest to out souls. Open your Bibles once more to Isaiah Chapter 55. Read it distinctly, exactly as it is written, and you will find that the gospel Isaiah preached and the gospel preached to you are exactly the same… The gospel I preach… The gospel Isaiah preached is…
Now, I want you to look at verse 13. This is my text – "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." I want to preach to you tonight about Transforming Grace.
Proposition: The words of our text are a poetical, or allegorical description of the changes that take place in men and women when they are saved by the grace of God – Our text describes God's transforming grace.
God, by his grace, works marvellous transformations in chosen sinners. Men, who are properly comparable to thorns and briers, are so thoroughly changed by the sovereign, regenerating grace of God that they may be properly compared to fragrant and fruitful fir trees and myrtle trees.
I. When Sinners are Saved and Converted, A Marvellous Transformation Takes Place.
1. Thorns and briers are the result of the fall and the product of God's curse upon man's sin (Gen. 3:17).
2. Thorns and briers are useless things.
3. Thorns and briers waste the good influence of providence, which, falling upon wheat, would produce a great harvest.
4. Thorns and briers are hurtful injurious things.
5. Thorns and briars sow their own seed – Thistles cannot be kept to themselves!
6. Thorns and briars composed the crown that pierced our Savior's head.
7. Thorns and briars are subject, without notice to being cut down and cast into the fire.
B. But in our text, God promises that thorns and briers shall be Transformed Into Fir and Myrtle Trees. Myrtle Tree is a glossy evergreen, with white or rose colored flowers of great fragrance, and black berries.
1. They are the product of Divine Creation.II. The Cause of Transformation is The Sovereign, Irresistible, Saving Grace of God the Holy Spirit.
Spurgeon said, "When Christ descends into the human heart to reign, he seems to take this motto, 'Behold, I make all things new!'"
Note: If you read this chapter carefully, indeed, if you read the Word of God carefully, you will see that his method of operation is this – When he intends to transform a sinner, he causes that sinner to hear the gospel (vv. 3, 11; Rom. 10:17; I Pet. 1:23-25; James 1:18).
III. These Marvellous Operations of Grace, By Which Sinners Are Transformed Into Saints and Children of Wrath Into The Sons of God, Are For The Praise, Honor, and Glory of The Lord Our God – (v. 13).
· I Corinthians 1:30-31 · Ephesians 1:3-14 · Ephesians 2:7 A. Transforming grace causes a buzz wherever it is seen.D. Transforming grace will cause a buzz of praise to be heard for the honor of God's name at the day of judgment.
IV. One more thing is clearly and blessedly declared in our text – Transforming Grace is Immutable Grace – "It shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." – For any reason!
Application: Big Jake the Coal Miner*