Date: SUN 7:00pm 13th July 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Isaiah 28:17
Judgment also will I lay to the line,
and righteousness to the plummet:
and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies,
and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.
Sermon Summary: Isaiah 28:1-17 – “Rejecting the Refuge of Lies”
Scripture Reading and Context
The sermon is based on Isaiah 28:1-17, with the key text being verse 17: “Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.” The preacher, focusing on the theme of divine judgment, uses this passage to warn against relying on false securities and to urge listeners to seek refuge in Jesus Christ.
Main Theme: Rejecting the Refuge of Lies
The sermon is structured around three key points: exposing the faulty refuge of lies, examining false refuges, and embracing the faithful refuge of the Lord. The preacher draws a vivid analogy between a physical storm (like a Category 4 or 5 hurricane) and the spiritual storm of God’s judgment, emphasizing that only a true refuge—Christ—can withstand divine scrutiny.
1. Exposing the Faulty Refuge of Lies
The preacher begins by explaining the concept of a “refuge of lies,” a false sense of security that people cling to, believing it will protect them from God’s judgment. This refuge is likened to a flimsy shelter (e.g., a tin hut or bamboo structure) that collapses under the force of a hurricane. Key points include:
- False Security: The “refuge of lies” appears safe but fails when tested by God’s judgment, described as a “tempest of hail” and “mighty waters” (v. 2, 17). Just as a weak shelter cannot withstand a storm, false refuges cannot endure God’s righteous judgment.
- Spiritual Application: People often ignore warnings about their soul’s eternal state, much like those who disregard hurricane evacuation orders. The preacher cites Mark 8:36 (“What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?”) to underscore the eternal value of the soul.
- Testing the Refuge: God uses His “line” and “plummet” (v. 17), tools of a builder, to measure the integrity of one’s refuge. These represent God’s standards of judgment and righteousness, exposing any falsehood.
- Key Questions for Self-Examination:
- Will your refuge satisfy an accusing conscience? (1 John 3:20)
- Will it free you from the power of sin? (Romans 6:14)
- Will it secure you in the hour of death? (2 Timothy 1:12)
- Will it save you from eternal judgment? (Revelation 6:16-17)
These questions challenge listeners to evaluate whether their reliance on self-made refuges (e.g., good deeds, morality) can withstand God’s scrutiny.
2. Examining the False Refuge of Lies
The preacher identifies four common false refuges that people hide in, which fail to meet God’s standard:
- Foolish Boasting: Many claim, “I’m a good person,” comparing themselves to others (e.g., “I’m not as bad as that person”). The preacher refutes this by citing Romans 3:10-12 (“There is none righteous, no, not one”) and Jeremiah 17:9 (“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked”). Self-righteousness is a flawed refuge because it does not meet God’s standard of holiness.
- Finite Behavior: Some rely on religious activities like church attendance, prayer, or Bible reading. While these are good, they lack saving merit. The preacher emphasizes Ephesians 2:8-9, stating that salvation is by grace through faith, not works. Religious behavior alone is a finite, false refuge.
- Fruitless Beliefs: Some believe sincerity or kindness is enough, or that a loving God would not send anyone to hell. The preacher counters this with Matthew 10:28, where Jesus warns of God’s ability to destroy both soul and body in hell. He also critiques universalist ideas (e.g., Rob Bell’s Love Wins), asserting that Scripture teaches eternal punishment for the unrepentant.
- Fault-Finding Blame Game: Others justify themselves by pointing to the hypocrisy of Christians, saying, “I’m better than them.” The preacher warns that this does not exonerate one’s own sinfulness before God, as each person is accountable for their own soul.
These false refuges give a temporary sense of security but will be exposed and destroyed by God’s judgment.
3. Embracing the Faithful Refuge of the Lord
The sermon concludes by pointing to the true refuge: Jesus Christ, described in Isaiah 28:16 as “a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” The preacher highlights Christ’s qualities as a refuge:
- Saving Refuge: Christ saves from sin, hell, and God’s wrath (John 3:16).
- Sure Refuge: He is tested and proven reliable, unlike human efforts (Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:6-8).
- Satisfying Refuge: He brings peace to the conscience and freedom from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:14).
- Sanctifying Refuge: Through the Holy Spirit, Christ transforms believers to live holy lives (John Owen’s teaching on sanctification).
The preacher references Isaiah 32:2, where Christ is depicted as “a hiding place from the wind” and “a shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” He urges listeners to flee to Christ, just as one would seek a secure shelter during a hurricane. A story about a dying man who wished to become a Christian illustrates the urgency of embracing Christ as the only true refuge.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The sermon closes with a call to self-examination and action, using Hebrews 6:18’s imagery of “fleeing for refuge” to Christ. The preacher urges listeners to reject false refuges—whether foolish boasting, finite behavior, fruitless beliefs, or fault-finding—and to embrace Jesus Christ as their saving, sure, satisfying, and sanctifying refuge. The message is a warning against complacency and a plea to trust in Christ alone for salvation before the storm of God’s judgment arrives.
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