Have your Bible open to Isaiah 55.
In Chapter 53 we looked at the suffering and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ. It was graphically illustrated. Had it not been for Chapter 53, the offer of salvation in Chapter 55 could not happen. In Chapter 54 the invitation is confined to the Jews, but in Chapter 55 it is extended to the entire world. Thank God that it begins by saying “everyone.” The gospel was first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. On the Day of Pentecost Peter preached to a mostly Jewish group. In the first few chapters of Acts the gospel is presented to the Jews. Then Peter got a message in a vision from the Lord that showed him he was to share the gospel with a Gentile named Cornelius. This was the inclusion of Gentiles into the gospel and salvation.
We see that God’s invitation is universal. It is extended to all. Verse 1 says everyone that thirsteth. It’s available to all. That includes me! The Bible says whosoever calleth on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Verses 1 and 2 say Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Food costs money and only lasts a while. Jesus feeds the soul. He says come, listen, and seek. Allow him into your heart. He offers but he must be received. Just like we will starve if we don’t eat physical food, we will starve spiritually if we don’t eat from the Word of God. It’s the nourishment that keeps us going. In Matthew 19:44 Jesus made a controversial statement when he said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to be saved. He wasn’t saying rich people can’t go to heaven. It’s my understanding there was a place called the Eye of the Needle and a camel had to position itself just right to get through the small opening. The rich depend on their riches more than God. You can have it all, as far as the world’s money, but it won’t help you get to heaven. After Jesus made this statement, the disciples asked who then can be saved.
There are some folks who can’t be saved. Those who would rather hold to sin can’t be saved. The mindset of some is “if I get saved I’ll have to give up XXX.” We have to let the Lord come in first and then we find how swiftly those things vanish away. Those who reject the atonement of the cross can’t be saved. You’ll come by the blood of the cross or you’ll not come at all. Those who trust in their works can’t be saved. I’d be afraid that when it came time to die what if I didn’t do enough. Some say if you’ve done more good than bad, it will tip the scales in your favor. No! I’m going to heaven because of the grace of God. Those who have no desire to be saved can’t be saved. The plan of salvation is clearly presented yet they don’t want it. They’re not thirsty yet. I’m glad I got thirsty one day and hungry for something the world couldn’t give. God brought satisfaction. How do people get thirsty? Matthew 5:13 says we are the salt of the earth. What does salt do if you eat it? It makes you thirsty. If people see the gospel in you, they will get thirsty for it. Do you make folks thirsty to be a Christian? Live a life that people will want to be saved. Make them thirsty.
Jesus is living water. Again verse 2 says Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. None of this satisfies. You can search all you want in the world and you’ll not find satisfaction. The newness of things wears off. We’re told to be content with what we have. The more a person has, the more he wants. Get a drink of water and you’ll need more after a while. Things of the world are fleeting. God’s water is living water. When you drink from it, you will never thirst again. In John 4, Jesus intentionally went through Samaria for a divine appointment with the woman at the well. He asked for water and she said he had nothing to get it with. He told her he could give her water that she would never thirst again. She asked for it. Upon receiving the living water, she ran into town and told everyone to come see a man who told her all things she’d ever done and proclaimed him as Christ. Notice this about the living water. It’s free. Revelation 21:6 says I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. In Revelation 22:17 he says And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. It’s already been provided and is available right now.
Those who come to God do so in true repentance. Verse 7 says Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. It’s turning from sin, not just recognizing it. Some people aren’t sorry for their sin, just sorry they got caught. Repentance is not conviction. You can be deeply convicted of your sin and not repent and never get saved. Agrippa told Paul that he had “almost persuaded” him to be a Christian. We never see again where Agrippa accepted Christ. When the Lord is near is the time to get saved. Verse 6 says seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near. David illustrated true repentance in Psalms 51:10 when he said Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Repentance is to turn away from something and to someone–God. Everyone of us likes a good deal. We got the best when we traded our filthy rotten self for a brand new life in Christ. When should you seek him? Now while he may be found. Come when he invites because he won’t always be found. You’ll not come anytime you want; you must come when he is calling. God is giving people space and time to repent right now. It is only by the mercy and grace of God that he’s holding back the Lord’s coming. When that day comes, the grace and mercy will be lifted and judgment will come. Verses 7 demands a response now. His Spirit will not always deal with mankind.
What are the results of coming to the Lord? Verse 12 says For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hand. Water for the thirsty. Joy for the sad. Peace for the troubled. What’s the price tag? There isn’t one. It’s free, taken care of at Calvary. How about some living water today? How about some joy today? How about some peace. God is offering it. Where can you get a better offer than this? Come.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 