A Thing of Beauty
March 14th, 2011 Posted in sermons
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. ” (Isaiah 61:3, NLT)
I have been amazed at the testimonies of some people when they tell me the way they used to be.
I’ve looked at them and thought, There is no way they used to be that way. Jesus Christ has so radically changed them.
Isaiah 61:3-4, (NLT) promises that God “will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago….”
When life is a mess.
For the person who has made a mess of his or her life—a pile of ashes, so to speak—God says, “I will bring beauty.” For those who mourn because of the wrongs they have done and the sins they have committed, God says, “I will bring joy out of it.”
Only God can do that. Only He can take a tangled mess of a life, turn it around, and transform it in such a way that you wouldn’t even know that individual used to be a very different person. As Paul wrote: “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, TLB).
He can transform you.
That’s the best news ever for the person being transformed, but the change in that life also gives great hope to others, who may still despair over the condition of their lives.
If you come to Christ and say, “Lord, here I am. Forgive me of my sin,” He can transform you and change you. He can take your mistakes and your sins, turn them around, and even use them for His glory. When you commit your life to Christ, putting the broken, stained, twisted pieces into His hand, He will transform it into a thing of beauty.
Hey Pastor Greg, I am amazed too!
I was once a high school drop out, drug taker and dealer, complete rebel in everyway! I was not raised in a christian home and some how God guided me through it all to a place I never could have imagined. I am a born again christian! I have a beautiful christian wife, two children and I’m the drummer at Olive Branch Community Church.
I have more than a man deserves and it’s all because of my Lord and Savior Jesus!
Thank you for your radio ministry Greg. It has been the railing I grab hold of whenever I stumble.
Your words really touched me. I have always felt bad about myself even now as I try to live as a Christian. My terrible mistakes and blunders, I feel, would never allow me to feel clean, or worthy to be in the “full” presence of the Lord. I feel that I can only pass on the Lord’s word, but that I cannot be free because of my life before. I will try to remember your words here from Isiah and stand up straighter to reach my goal-to touch someone who needs to find their life with Christ. Thank you.
His Spirit speaks! Amen ~ Amen!
So wonderful that JESUS covers all our surrendered shortcomings with HIS white robe of HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS! It is so great that HE does more than restore us but makes us in a small manner fountains of HIM our LIVING WATER for thirsty others HE places in our path to bless. My prayer is that I won’t let the cares of this life clog my fountain.
Thank you for reminding me to choose to allow that “BEAUTY” JESUS to replace the ashes of my life by looking intently to HIM.
wonderful. Thank u pastor greg.