There is one true God
Isaiah 45
Scripture reading: Isaiah 44:6-23, 45, Ephesians 4:1-6
Does God exist? Why are there so many different religions? Who is the true God? Is it legitimate to worship God by another name? i.e call him Allah? Is there one god or many gods? What's God like? ----These are just some of the questions people have about God
I. In the book of Isaiah, over and over again, God says "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God."
Note: This assertion is made throughout the entirety of God's word
Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior"
Isaiah 44:6-8 says; "This is what the LORD says-Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
Isaiah 45:5-6 "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:21-22 says; "Declare what is to be, present it-let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 46:9 says; "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me."
The key text in Isaiah as it regards the LORD's declaration that He is God and there is no other is Isaiah 45.
Seven times in this passage- in various ways- The LORD makes this assertion (READ Isaiah 45:3,5,6,14,18,21,22)
II. WHY GOD DECLARES THAT HE IS THE ONE TRUE AND ONLY GOD
1. He wants to leave his people and us with no doubts v.3,6
-Note the wording of v.3 and v.6 "So that you may know". This paralleled in Isaiah 41:18-20; 49:22-23
2. He wanted to turn His peoples hearts from disbelief, idol worship, and rebellion. v.16, 20
III. WHY BELIEVE WHAT THE LORD SAYS ABOUT HIM BEING THE ONE TRUE GOD
The LORD gives some reasons
1. Believe on the basis of fulfilled prophecy v.1-3, 13
Note the mention of a king named Cyrus who God was going to raise up to use to restore Jerusalem and the Temple.
It's a big deal when God speaks of someone who would not be born for 150 years and who would one day become the king of the worlds largest empire up till that time (Persia)
Fulfilled prophecy is a huge reason to believe in God. God Himself makes this point repeatedly in Isaiah. Note Isaiah 41:22; 42:8-9; 43:9-10; 44:8; 48:3
2. Believe on the basis of what God has done for Israel and her very existence
Throughout Isaiah 40-51 God speaks of carrying the people of Jerusalem off into captivity and then miraculously restoring them. God also reminds them of how he had called them, how he had miraculously saved them out of Egypt, how he had blessed them, led them, settled them in the promised land, etc. Note: Isaiah 49:22-23
3. Believe on the basis of the world God has made. Consider the works of His hands
Consider its complexity, beauty, and majesty. What else can explain it's workings than an all powerful, holy, eternal God. (See v.7, 8 18, etc. Note also Psalm 19:1-4).
4. Believe on the basis of who God is: His character and attributes.
When you read the Bible, God is everything you would expect God to be.
In reading through Isaiah 40-51 which shares the same theme, God says a lot about Himself. In his description of himself, He names all the attributes that you would expect of God. He is everything you expect of one who claims to be God.
i.e I am all powerful, all knowing, eternal, unchanging, the only Savior, I have authority over nature. I have authority of nations and kings, I tell you and know the future, I am majestic. I am the one who alone can forgive your sins.
5. Believe because of the testimony of those who were once His enemies
Note Isaiah 45:14 which says; "This is what the LORD says; "The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Such, and those tall Sabeans-they will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you saying, "Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god."
NOTE: In the end, everyone will believe and confess to His glory that the LORD is God and that there is no other v.23
Note the relation of this to Christ in Philippians 2:5-11
IV. HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD- the expected response
It's not enough just to believe that there is one true God. A response is required. Throughout the Isaiah and the Bible, God tells us how to respond.
TURN TO HIM AND BE SAVED V.22
Also: Worship Him, Serve Him, Give Him the best, Obey Him (Note Isaiah 48;17-18), follow Him, trust Him.
CONCLUSION
In 1 Kings 18 Elijah, having arranged a showdown with the prophets of Baal-- a showdown that was all about who was the true god, says "Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing" At the end of the showdown, after the fire of God fell from Heaven and consumed the offering that Elijah had set before God and then drenched with water, the people "fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!"
The Bible teaches us that there is one true God: The LORD- who has revealed Himself to us through His Creation, the Scriptures, and in the glorious person of Jesus Christ.
He is worthy of our praise, our trust, our service, our obedience, our worship.
His call is this: Turn to Him and be saved-- for their there is no other Savior. As He has said "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22
Appendix
What does God say about the practice of making and worshipping other gods or images made to represent Him?
In Isaiah 44:9 God says ""All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless." The rest of Isaiah 44 goes on to explain how foolish it is to worship something that is made of wood or stone.
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul also writes on this subject, telling us in 1 Corinthians 10:18-19 that the sacrifices of the pagans, who worship before images made of wood and stone, are offered to demons and not God.
Why is there so many different religions in the world and supposed 'gods'?
In Romans 1:18-23 it says; "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
Is Allah, God by another name?
The short answer is no. While Islam is a monotheistic religion, that claims similar attributes for their god and calls Abraham their father, the god of Islam is not the same as our LORD. The god is Islam is made up god, just like all the other made up gods in the world. In addition to this, Islam commits the cardinal sin of denying the Deity and Lordship of Christ -which is a central teaching of the entirety of the Scriptures.
For more insight I commend to you Jesus' conversation with Samaritan woman in John 4 and his comments to her that "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
I also commend to you Proverbs 19:2 which says; It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way". This is picked up by Paul in Romans 10:1-3 wherein Paul says; "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."
Note: We are to reach out to Muslims and to engage them. They need Jesus just as much as we all do.
Isaiah 45
Scripture reading: Isaiah 44:6-23, 45, Ephesians 4:1-6
Does God exist? Why are there so many different religions? Who is the true God? Is it legitimate to worship God by another name? i.e call him Allah? Is there one god or many gods? What's God like? ----These are just some of the questions people have about God
I. In the book of Isaiah, over and over again, God says "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God."
Note: This assertion is made throughout the entirety of God's word
Isaiah 43:11 "I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior"
Isaiah 44:6-8 says; "This is what the LORD says-Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come-yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one."
Isaiah 45:5-6 "I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:21-22 says; "Declare what is to be, present it-let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago, who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none but me. "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 46:9 says; "Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me."
The key text in Isaiah as it regards the LORD's declaration that He is God and there is no other is Isaiah 45.
Seven times in this passage- in various ways- The LORD makes this assertion (READ Isaiah 45:3,5,6,14,18,21,22)
II. WHY GOD DECLARES THAT HE IS THE ONE TRUE AND ONLY GOD
1. He wants to leave his people and us with no doubts v.3,6
-Note the wording of v.3 and v.6 "So that you may know". This paralleled in Isaiah 41:18-20; 49:22-23
2. He wanted to turn His peoples hearts from disbelief, idol worship, and rebellion. v.16, 20
III. WHY BELIEVE WHAT THE LORD SAYS ABOUT HIM BEING THE ONE TRUE GOD
The LORD gives some reasons
1. Believe on the basis of fulfilled prophecy v.1-3, 13
Note the mention of a king named Cyrus who God was going to raise up to use to restore Jerusalem and the Temple.
It's a big deal when God speaks of someone who would not be born for 150 years and who would one day become the king of the worlds largest empire up till that time (Persia)
Fulfilled prophecy is a huge reason to believe in God. God Himself makes this point repeatedly in Isaiah. Note Isaiah 41:22; 42:8-9; 43:9-10; 44:8; 48:3
2. Believe on the basis of what God has done for Israel and her very existence
Throughout Isaiah 40-51 God speaks of carrying the people of Jerusalem off into captivity and then miraculously restoring them. God also reminds them of how he had called them, how he had miraculously saved them out of Egypt, how he had blessed them, led them, settled them in the promised land, etc. Note: Isaiah 49:22-23
3. Believe on the basis of the world God has made. Consider the works of His hands
Consider its complexity, beauty, and majesty. What else can explain it's workings than an all powerful, holy, eternal God. (See v.7, 8 18, etc. Note also Psalm 19:1-4).
4. Believe on the basis of who God is: His character and attributes.
When you read the Bible, God is everything you would expect God to be.
In reading through Isaiah 40-51 which shares the same theme, God says a lot about Himself. In his description of himself, He names all the attributes that you would expect of God. He is everything you expect of one who claims to be God.
i.e I am all powerful, all knowing, eternal, unchanging, the only Savior, I have authority over nature. I have authority of nations and kings, I tell you and know the future, I am majestic. I am the one who alone can forgive your sins.
5. Believe because of the testimony of those who were once His enemies
Note Isaiah 45:14 which says; "This is what the LORD says; "The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Such, and those tall Sabeans-they will come over to you and will be yours; they will trudge behind you, coming over to you in chains. They will bow down before you and plead with you saying, "Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god."
NOTE: In the end, everyone will believe and confess to His glory that the LORD is God and that there is no other v.23
Note the relation of this to Christ in Philippians 2:5-11
IV. HOW TO RESPOND TO GOD- the expected response
It's not enough just to believe that there is one true God. A response is required. Throughout the Isaiah and the Bible, God tells us how to respond.
TURN TO HIM AND BE SAVED V.22
Also: Worship Him, Serve Him, Give Him the best, Obey Him (Note Isaiah 48;17-18), follow Him, trust Him.
CONCLUSION
In 1 Kings 18 Elijah, having arranged a showdown with the prophets of Baal-- a showdown that was all about who was the true god, says "Elijah went before the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. But the people said nothing" At the end of the showdown, after the fire of God fell from Heaven and consumed the offering that Elijah had set before God and then drenched with water, the people "fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD-he is God! The LORD-he is God!"
The Bible teaches us that there is one true God: The LORD- who has revealed Himself to us through His Creation, the Scriptures, and in the glorious person of Jesus Christ.
He is worthy of our praise, our trust, our service, our obedience, our worship.
His call is this: Turn to Him and be saved-- for their there is no other Savior. As He has said "Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:22
Appendix
What does God say about the practice of making and worshipping other gods or images made to represent Him?
In Isaiah 44:9 God says ""All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless." The rest of Isaiah 44 goes on to explain how foolish it is to worship something that is made of wood or stone.
In the New Testament the Apostle Paul also writes on this subject, telling us in 1 Corinthians 10:18-19 that the sacrifices of the pagans, who worship before images made of wood and stone, are offered to demons and not God.
Why is there so many different religions in the world and supposed 'gods'?
In Romans 1:18-23 it says; "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."
Is Allah, God by another name?
The short answer is no. While Islam is a monotheistic religion, that claims similar attributes for their god and calls Abraham their father, the god of Islam is not the same as our LORD. The god is Islam is made up god, just like all the other made up gods in the world. In addition to this, Islam commits the cardinal sin of denying the Deity and Lordship of Christ -which is a central teaching of the entirety of the Scriptures.
For more insight I commend to you Jesus' conversation with Samaritan woman in John 4 and his comments to her that "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
I also commend to you Proverbs 19:2 which says; It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way". This is picked up by Paul in Romans 10:1-3 wherein Paul says; "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness."
Note: We are to reach out to Muslims and to engage them. They need Jesus just as much as we all do.