I And The Children God Has Given Me

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Hebrews 2:13
Psalters: 49, 332, 243, 393
Sacrament of Baptism
  1. In Old Dispensation.
    1. Isaiah was commission to preach to a people who would not receive the word he was to bring (6:9,10).
      1. At that time the primary purpose of the preaching was so the wicked majority would be hardened in their sin.
      2. The first major sign was the virgin birth of Immanuel (7:14).
    2. The second sign is the prophet Isaiah himself and his children (two sons).
      1. ?Behold? (8:18) calls Ahaz and Judah to take notice to Isaiah (?my God is Jehovah?).
      2. Isaiah was to take his first son, Shear-jashub (?the remnant shall return?).
      3. Isaiah?s second son, Maher-shalal-hashbaz (?making speed to the spoil he hastens to the prey?) (8:3).
    3. While the ungodly shall perish, God will never forsake the remnant, His disciples (Isa. 8:16) or children.
  2. To the church of the New Dispensation Immanuel is the fulfillment of the sign of Isaiah and his children.
    1. Christ speaks, ?Behold, I and the children whom Thou hast given me.?
      1. This is the Mediator acknowledging the ?children? as God?s gift to Him.
      2. Jesus declares that he has faithfully fulfilled the task committed to Him.
    2. Who are these ?children? of Christ? Those whom God gave to Christ (cf. John 6:37; 17:3, 6,9,ff), in election.
    3. Why are these ?children? given to Christ?
  3. Implications.
    1. How dear and precious God?s elect are to Christ.
    2. Implies that Isaiah and his children separate themselves from the ungodly in Judah by their names and actions.
    3. Amazingly blessed are we and our God-given children.
      1. First, Jesus acknowledges us as ?brethren.?
      2. This speaks of how near and dear we are to Jesus.