God’s Sure Salvation • 06.15.25
Nick Lees   -   June 15, 2025

God’s Sure Salvation

Isaiah 61:1-11

Why you should trust in God’s plan to save

  1. God will anoint and send His Servant
  2. God’s transformed people will rebuild and rejoice
  3. God’s character guarantees his plan

Manuscript:

Good morning, church family! Happy Father’s Day to the men. (Welcome guests + Introduce self)

It has been so sweet to hear from our missionaries the last two weeks. I hope you’ve been edified to hear how God is advancing his Gospel around the globe. Please take time to visit with our missionaries while they are here and be sure to sign up for their newsletters so you can stay informed on how to pray for them. And, if you’d like to support them financially, I’m sure they would appreciate that too!

Dismiss 4th + 5th graders

Ushers + Bibles (Isaiah 61; page 737)

Last week in our study of chapter 60, we heard of the glory of God’s salvation. These last chapters of Isaiah are looking ahead at the end times of human history. There is a day coming when the LORD will cause his glory to radiate from Zion and the nations will be drawn to it to worship him. Through this worldwide ingathering of his people, God will be greatly glorified. The truths we are privileged to study in these final chapters are weighty matters and they ought to humble and excite us! God’s glorious salvation is available to people like you and me through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ!

Today, as we enter chapter 61, we are going to find that the truths spoken here are chronologically prior to the events of chapter 60. Meaning that these things happen first, before the glory of God radiates from Zion. These events take place leading up to the end to prepare the world for the last days.

How incredible that God chose to foretell how he would conduct world events thousands of years in advance! You have to realize that you it would be the height of folly to make these kinds of prophetic claims if you are not the One, True God who intends to bring them about. And one of the things that is amazing about our text today, is that we know that Jesus Christ has begun the fulfillment of what is spoken of here. So, without further ado, let’s dive into our study of God’s Word.

Isaiah 61:1–11 (ESV)

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,

because the Lord has anointed me

          to bring good news to the poor;

he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

          to proclaim liberty to the captives,

and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

   2      to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God;

to comfort all who mourn;

   3      to grant to those who mourn in Zion—

to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,

          the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;

          that they may be called oaks of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

   4      They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

          they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

   5      Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;

foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;

   6      but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;

they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;

          you shall eat the wealth of the nations,

and in their glory you shall boast.

   7      Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;

instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;

          therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;

they shall have everlasting joy.

   8      For I the Lord love justice;

I hate robbery and wrong;

          I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

   9      Their offspring shall be known among the nations,

and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;

          all who see them shall acknowledge them,

that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

10      I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

my soul shall exult in my God,

          for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

          as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11      For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,

          so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to sprout up before all the nations.

May we join with those who greatly rejoice in the LORD this morning! This text gives us many reasons to exult in our God. He is sure to save! And as he makes his plan of salvation known, I want to discuss with you…

Why YOU should trust in God’s plan to save

You, personally, should trust in God’s plan to save. We, corporately, as the church, should trust in God’s plan to save. He is worthy of our trust because he is the God who promises and upholds his salvation. Let’s look at how he does this in the passage, starting with what we see in verses 1-3:

  1. God will anoint and send His Servant

For those of you who have been with us throughout our study of Isaiah, you are probably wondering, “Who is speaking here? Could it be the Servant revealed in earlier chapters? Is this the promised Seed of Jesse?” You may even remember Isaiah 11, which said:

Isaiah 11:1–2 (ESV)

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse,

and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

   2      And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him,

the Spirit of wisdom and understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and might,

the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

And the answer is, “Yes! This is him.” The Suffering Servant, the shoot from the stump of Jesse, the Immanuel child… He is also the Anointed Servant of Isaiah 61.

God, through the prophet Isaiah, gives us a rich and multi-faceted view of the coming Messiah. It is like holding up a precious gem and examining it from many different angles. Each angle provides a specific perspective or observation that enhances the appreciation and understanding of the whole! That is what is happening here, God continues to reveal details about the coming Savior of the world through the prophet Isaiah.

And what incredible revelation we have about God anointing and sending his Servant! Did you pay attention to what he will do? There were seven infinitives (verbal nouns) to describe what the Servant was anointed to do:

  • To bring good news to the poor
  • To bind up the brokenhearted
  • To proclaim liberty to the captives
  • To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
  • To comfort all who mourn
  • To grant to those who mourn (CSB – to provide; NET – to strengthen)
  • To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes

Let’s talk through the beauty and power of what the anointed Servant will accomplish. He will bring good news to the poor (aka afflicted). He is a herald, crying out that changes are coming! Though they have been sitting in affliction, their condition is about to change. They will not have to suffer any longer. But he doesn’t provide mere words, he also acts – he binds up the brokenhearted (or more literally those whose hearts have been shattered). He provides comfort, likely both in word and deed. The picture painted here is of One who delights to give Good News and then takes time to apply that Good News in specific ways to those who are broken and hurting. He also proclaims/shouts a message of liberty to the captives, further stated as the opening of the prison to those who are bound (or opening the eyes of the blind). It is possible to view this as both physical and spiritual liberation. Those who are under the cruel oppression of others will be set free, but so also those who are held captive by addiction and sin. Those who are unable to break their bondage will find hope of salvation in the anointed Servant.

Commentator John Oswalt put it this way:

Furthermore, he will announce (i.e., will effectively bring to pass, as a king “announces” an amnesty) liberty and release. Only a king greater than all those others who hold his people captive can make such an announcement. This is the Messiah at work, bringing in his reign of justice and righteousness (11:3–5; cf. also 1:27). (NICOT)

I love that! “Only a king greater than all those others…” and we have such a King in Jesus! He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is able and willing to save his people!

He also proclaims the year of the LORD’s favor, which is the same message as above but from the divine perspective. God is announcing that he will show his favor upon his people, making the way of salvation and restoration for them! This idea of divine favor is not a new idea in the book of Isaiah and has been linked with the ministry of the Servant before in chapter 49:8.

God is doing incredible things through his sent and anointed Servant! Through the Servant he will accomplish a glorious transformation of his people and their circumstances!

We have every reason to rejoice as we study this today, especially given that Jesus Christ fulfills these very promises. Listen to his claim in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 4. Please note this is after he defeated Satan in the wilderness and began his public ministry.

Luke 4:16–21 (ESV)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

18      “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

          He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

19      to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

20 And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus intentionally read a portion of Isaiah 61, stopping after the first line of verse 2, and declared that he had fulfilled it before their eyes. He emphatically claims to be the sent and anointed Servant of the Lord. Why did he stop at the first line of verse 2? Because in his first coming, he came to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor. He was there with Good News of salvation and comfort for the afflicted.

Luke 4:43–44 (ESV)

43 but he said to them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Praise God for the Good News! Thank you, Lord, for sending your Son to provide the way of salvation for us!

Now, make no mistake, there will be a day when Jesus returns to proclaim the day of vengeance of our God. That is his message at his second coming. When he comes again it will be to sit in judgment on all creation. We heard several passages on this topic last week, so I won’t repeat them today.

But please understand, this does not mean that Jesus did not warn people about God’s coming judgment at his first coming. God has been faithful to proclaim both the Bad News and the Good News throughout history, and the same was true during Jesus’ life and ministry. You cannot appreciate the need for a Savior if you do not understand the condemnation that sin has earned us. As we hear in the book of Romans:

Romans 3:23 (ESV)

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23a (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death…

This is the Bad News. Here comes the Good News!

Romans 5:8 (ESV)

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 6:23b (ESV)

…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The entire Bible and all human history point us to our brokenness in sin and our need for a Savior from outside ourselves. We cannot work our way into heaven. The people of Isaiah’s day had to learn the depth of their folly through repeated rebukes and discipline of the Lord. The same was true of people in Jesus’ day and it is still true of people in our day. God has been consistent in his message – “YOU NEED A SAVIOR!” And he has sent and anointed such a Savior in his Son, Jesus Christ.

  • To bring good news to the poor
  • To bind up the brokenhearted
  • To proclaim liberty to the captives
  • To proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
  • To comfort all who mourn
  • To grant to those who mourn (CSB – to provide; NET – to strengthen)
  • To give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes

Jesus is the one who comforts those who mourn… specifically who mourn their lack of righteousness and their hopeless situation before a Holy God who is their Just Judge. He is the one who provides humbled people with new life and beautiful garments of praise. Do you recall Jesus’ own words in his Sermon on the Mount?

Matthew 5:3–12 (ESV)

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

 

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus promises the fulfillment of the teachings found in Isaiah 61. As the sent and anointed Servant of God, he exchanges the ashes of shame for a beautiful headdress, he anoints the head with the oil of gladness, he provides a garment of praise to replace your faint spirit/despairing heart… If you picture this in your mind, this is powerful imagery! A person stands beautifully transformed by the Servant’s grace as they are redeemed by God.

The outcome is that those who were once ashamed and broken in sin are now standing tall, called “oaks of righteousness” because they are planted by the Lord! He has done a great work of salvation and redemption in them! No longer are they defined by their sin but by his righteousness! And he receives all the glory for it.

Could there be anything more exciting to learn about this morning? Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus, for your salvation! And to hear that this was the plan of God all along?! We have so much to be thankful for today.

Certainly, we need this kind of hope and reason to rejoice. We continue to live in a world broken by sin and suffering. Just this week, in our own nation and around the world, we continue to see the disastrous fruit of sin. Humans made in God’s image in conflict with one another, hurting one another, taking each other’s lives, plotting to do harm to each other… And those are the stories that made the headlines, not to mention those that never do, like our Christian brothers and sisters imprisoned in locked metal shipping containers in the desert in Eritrea (eh-ruh-tree-ah). Or 40-year-old Pastor Philavanh who was killed last summer (July 2024) for actively sharing the gospel and training pastors in Laos (louse).

If we went around the room, each of you could also recount ways you have personally experienced the brokenness of sin in your own life. We experientially know that sin is a harsh taskmaster who puts a heavy load on our backs that will eventually crush us if not addressed. The testimony of every Christian in the room is that Jesus Christ has freed us from that burden of sin through his death, burial, and resurrection. Doesn’t that sound glorious? Freedom from sin’s enslaving power? Freedom from sin’s condemnation?

Romans 6:6–8 (ESV)

6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

It is my hope that every person who hears this message today would avail themselves of the finished work of God’s Servant. Confess your sins, turn from them, and believe in Jesus Christ for new life. He delights to liberate captives from sin. He offers comfort to all who mourn.

Christian brother or sister, let’s make sure we are testifying to the beauty and power of God’s grace that we’ve experienced through Jesus. We must open our mouths and declare the wonders of his glorious grace. We can join our voices with the Servant in proclaiming God’s liberation and favor while there is still time. I want to encourage you to continue to take the steps outlined last week in stretching your evangelism/discipleship muscles this summer:

  • Join the Witness on Wednesday crew once a month
  • Sign up to serve at High Five Camp
  • Get plugged into a small group (for those who aren’t in one)
    • Mutual ministry + accountability
  • Invite a co-worker/family/friend to church before Isaiah is over (through July 20th)
  • Make it your aim to sit down with one other person in the month of June and talk to them about faith in Jesus

We’ve already heard some wonderful reasons to trust in God’s plan to save, but let’s keep progressing through the original text for additional reasons. Let’s review verses 4-7:

Isaiah 61:4–7 (ESV)

   4      They shall build up the ancient ruins;

they shall raise up the former devastations;

          they shall repair the ruined cities,

the devastations of many generations.

   5      Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks;

foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers;

   6      but you shall be called the priests of the Lord;

they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God;

          you shall eat the wealth of the nations,

and in their glory you shall boast.

   7      Instead of your shame there shall be a double portion;

instead of dishonor they shall rejoice in their lot;

          therefore in their land they shall possess a double portion;

they shall have everlasting joy.

These verses provide another category of reasons to trust in God’s plan to save, namely…

  1. God’s transformed people will rebuild and rejoice

Similar to what we heard last week, God’s salvation leads to the restoration of his people from every tongue, tribe and nation. This restoration is both spiritual and physical. Not only do they receive his righteousness, but they also come together in God’s city to rebuild and rejoice in their Sovereign Lord.

This passage again highlights that nothing will stand against God’s plan and succeed. Though Assyria and Babylon had devastated the nation and the city and temple, their pagan nations would eventually be torn down while the city of the One, True God, Jerusalem, is rebuilt and made ready for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And all of God’s people will do their part in the restoration process!

Here we have repeated themes from chapter 60 where the foreigners are included in the people of God, and they are taking on jobs to contribute to the wellbeing of the people. Everyone is doing their part as the rescued and restored people of God. I find that fascinating to consider… If we are alive when this occurs, what might our jobs be in the coming kingdom? Do you ever think about that? How might we be used to glorify God as we contribute to meeting the needs of his people?

There is nothing preventing us from having such a servant-hearted mindset now. Especially considering that is the kind of heart attitude Jesus called his disciples to have – sacrificial, servant-leaders. For the past week I’ve been revisiting my favorite book of the Bible, Philippians, in my own devotional time, and I spent time reflecting on this calling from chapter 2:

Philippians 2:3–5 (ESV)

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,

This is to be the kingdom mindset of Christians here and now. We learn this from our Savior, King Jesus! How much time did you spend this week actively thinking about how to serve others? Can you think of times when you wanted one thing, but instead you chose to die to yourself to serve someone else (a spouse, children, friend, SG member)?

God has gifted you with time/talent/treasure to use in serving others, especially in building up his kingdom. I want to encourage you to be on the lookout for ways to pour yourself out in joyful service to others.

  • Put down your phone and listen to your spouse/child/friend as they share what is on their heart
  • Meet needs when they arise within your spheres of influence
  • Give sacrificially of your time/talent/treasure to bless others
  • Intentionally invest in a relationship (invite them over, plan time together, talk about life and walking with Jesus)

*pause*

Let’s go back to Isaiah 61…

In the end believing Israel will be regarded as the priests and ministers of God. Their God, Yahweh, has been confirmed as the One, True God and they have had the blessing of representing him to the nations! Together, both believing Israel and Gentile believers enjoy the physical and spiritual provisions of God; the wealth of the nations is at their disposal in this time of restoration. God has abundantly provided!

No longer do they have to fear shame and dishonor for it has been replaced with a “double portion” of God’s blessing. This is a way of saying that they are abundantly provided for as God’s promises are fulfilled. The result is rejoicing and everlasting joy. The people will experience God’s blessings for all eternity, and that leads to unending praise!

The message of Isaiah 61 is highlighting the beauty and surety of God’s salvation. He will accomplish what he has said and there will be much glory and rejoicing in it. I desperately want each of you to join in experiencing this glory and rejoicing. I do not want you to perish outside of the people of God with no hope. Believe in Jesus as your Savior and avail yourselves of his death on your behalf and receive the forgiveness of your sins today! *pause*

If you’re paying attention, I believe we have heard many reasons to trust in God’s plan to save. But let’s finish out our passage in verses 8-11 and I’ll give you one more category to consider.

Isaiah 61:8–11 (ESV)

   8      For I the Lord love justice;

I hate robbery and wrong;

          I will faithfully give them their recompense,

and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

   9      Their offspring shall be known among the nations,

and their descendants in the midst of the peoples;

          all who see them shall acknowledge them,

that they are an offspring the Lord has blessed.

10      I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;

my soul shall exult in my God,

          for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;

he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,

          as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

 

11      For as the earth brings forth its sprouts,

and as a garden causes what is sown in it to sprout up,

          so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise

to sprout up before all the nations.

You should trust God’s plan to save because…

  1. God’s character guarantees his plan

In verses 8-9 God speaks of his motivations for accomplishing his plan. He loves justice and hates robbery and wrong. God’s justice has been a recurring motive for his plan throughout Isaiah.

You may recall the Servant Song in Isaiah 42 where God said he would bring forth justice to the nations and establish his justice in the earth. Or Isaiah 51, where God said he would set his justice as a light to the peoples. He also regularly rebukes the people for failing to do justice and states that justice is far from them. In fact, God’s conclusion in Isaiah 59 was that there was no justice and that he would have to intercede to save his people!

The Lord is a JUST God and his commitment to justice leads him to act. His justice leads him to repay the wicked and to provide recompense to his people, which is further described as making an everlasting covenant with them. This must be speaking of God’s New Covenant people who have been rescued and redeemed by the finished work of the Suffering Servant. We know that no one is righteous outside of the Servant’s work. But when a sinner trusts in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and salvation of their soul, they are transformed and brought into God’s family. And, as part of the righteous family of God, he is deeply committed to doing good to them. He will ensure that they taste and see the blessings of the covenant – eternal life with God – the double portion instead of shame and dishonor!

What incredible hope for redeemed sinners! Because of our union with Christ, God’s justice means he will repay you according to Christ’s righteousness! Though we had earned nothing but wrath, now, in Christ, we receive every spiritual blessing! Who could fathom such an outcome!? Only Yahweh!

From eternity past he committed to this plan and has faithfully carried it out every step of the way. And we are beneficiaries of his grace and justice and faithfulness.

Verse 9 reveals the purposes of God for his covenant people will succeed. These purposes can be traced all the way back to passages like Deuteronomy 4, where Moses told the people:

Deuteronomy 4:4–7 (ESV)

4 But you who held fast to the Lord your God are all alive today. 5 See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him?

God has always intended for his people to live in humble obedience to him in a way that radiates his glory throughout the world. And he will accomplish this plan. His character guarantees it!

Finally, verses 10-11 are the response of one who recognizes the beauty of the Lord and the extravagant grace they’ve received! This could be the voice of the Servant or the voice of the people of Zion. It is hard to discern exactly who it might be and, frankly, it seems like an appropriate response for both.

The overall takeaway here is: the recipients of the blessing should rejoice in it! God clothes us with garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness when we did not deserve it. We are adorned with splendor when we were previously covered in ashes and shame. And the reality is that just as the plants grow up from the earth, so the LORD God (lit. Sovereign God) will cause righteousness and praise to sprout up before all the nations. It is as certain as the rhythms of creation – God will do it! His salvation is sure!

The character of our God guarantees his plan will succeed. This gives us every hope as we take the Good News to the nations, including the people living next door to us. Including our family members, co-workers, and friends. They need to know the sure salvation of God and, if your faith is in Christ, then you have been called and anointed as well to take that message to them.

May this week be full of Gospel opportunities provided and taken by his people. May we be found faithful to share the hope that we have. Lord, protect us from spiritual laziness and selfishness. Help us to forsake time wasters and vain pursuits to serve others. And we ask that as we are faithful that you would graciously allow us to see fruit from our labors. Not because we deserve it, but so that we might see and rejoice in your glorious grace together!

Let’s pray.

Pray