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GOD’S TRANSFORMING WORK
Monday, 5 November 2018
Isaiah 61 : 1-11
“…That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” – Isaiah 61: 3
The one reason man was created was to give His Creator all the glory. But after the fall, his tarnished nature hindered him from doing so and all he thought of was his own glory and we read this in Genesis 11- when men got together to make a name for themselves and this displeased God.
How can man be restored to his original purpose?
Thank God for Jesus Christ! When He began His earthly ministry as we read in Luke 4, He highlights His work that would be accomplished on the earth. This portion was prophesied centuries ago by the prophet Isaiah now fulfilled in Christ resulting in Life-changing work in us— Jew or Gentile, all who come to Him— He will transform us for His Glory!
Today’s reading tells us the marvelous work of Christ wrought in every believer’s life, that seeing our good deeds others would glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16- paraphrased)
A Personal Transformation: Isa 61:10 says “He has clothed us in garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.” –This was the first work done in us. What we couldn’t do in our own strength God did by sending His Son to condemn sin in us and save us from eternal destruction (Romans 8:3).
Once He saved us, He loaded us with benefits that removed every past wrong and began a beautiful day in each of our lives: [Isa 61:1-3]
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He healed our broken hearts by carrying our sin and our sorrows upon Himself (Matt 8:17)
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He delivered us from captivity and gave us liberty by bringing us out of the Kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of His Son in whom there is redemption and forgiveness of sin. (Col. 1:13&14)
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He announced the year of grace and postponement of judgment by giving full amnesty to our rebellious hearts.
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He comforted and consoled us by giving us “The Comforter and Our Counselor -the Holy Spirit” (John 14) to walk alongside us on this earthly journey.
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He gave us beauty, joy and praise in the place of ashes, mourning and heaviness by transforming our ruined lives into glorious, fruitful trees planted in this world as reflectors of His Glory.
A Ministerial Transformation: Once God saves us, He raises us up to become priests and servants for Him in His kingdom. This new ministry that was once exclusively held by the tribe of Levi is now entrusted to us, the transformed.
As the priests in the Kingdom of God we are called to perform 3 duties to declare to the world that worship of God is a lifestyle that displays His Glory.
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Rebuild (Isa 61:4) – The church will be built up by people who will worship Him in truth and spirit and not by activities and traditions.
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Raise (Isa 61:4) – The church will raise up a godly generation holding godly standards of holiness within the church that will reflect the perfect nature of God.
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Repair (Isa 61:4) – The church will be a place where the broken will be made whole as they hear the message of the power of the gospel and the grace of Christ.
All this will indicate the transforming work in of God in our lives through which He is most glorified in us and we most satisfied in Him!
Quote for The Day:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.
The old has passed away;
behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
LISTEN- 'You turned my mourning'
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