“Rejuvenated!” Isaiah 40:31 06/18/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles

Rejuvenated! Introduction 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:28-29)

Rejuvenated! 30 Even youths grow tired and weary; and young men stumble and fall. 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:30-31)

Rejuvenated! Weariness is a familiar problem (Gen. 25:29-34). One cannot live without being depleted. Especially nowadays, most of us are well acquainted with the meaning of the word “exhaustion” -- the state of being used up. But, as bad as it is, physical exhaustion is not the worst kind.

Rejuvenated! THE PROBLEM OF SPIRITUAL “WEARINESS” Life is spiritually draining. We may not recognize this kind of weariness for what it really is, but living in this world depletes the spiritual resources of our inmost being. The spirit of man grows tired -- it wearies of the world.

Rejuvenated! 1 “I loathe my very life; therefore I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul. (Job 10:1).

Rejuvenated! THE INABILITY OF ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD TO TRULY REFRESH US There is nothing in the physical world that is capable of thoroughly rejuvenating a person physically or mentally, much less spiritually.

Rejuvenated! 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers (1 Peter 1:18).

Rejuvenated! Those who honestly try to live without the sustenance of anything or anyone higher than this world find life, in the long run, to be overwhelmingly oppressive. Try as one might to find true refreshment, one becomes as jaded inwardly as he is exhausted outwardly.

Rejuvenated! This life takes more than it gives. We need God to intervene! We need God to interject spiritual strength. Jesus says, “the body is weak but the spirit in willing.”

Rejuvenated! THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO IMPART VITALITY TO US Even in the Old Testament, God portrayed Himself as the Giver of rest. 12 “This is the resting place, let the weary rest”; and, “This is the place of repose”— (Isaiah 28:12).

Rejuvenated! 25 “For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul” (Jer. 31:25). One of the remarkable things about the New Testament is the evidence it contains of a “rejuvenation” that took place in the lives of the earliest Christians (Acts 2:36-47).

Rejuvenated! Becoming a Christian holds the promise of times of refreshing. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

Rejuvenated! Conclusion There is a goodness about life in the Lord that can be “tasted.” If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious (1 Peter 2:3).

Rejuvenated! 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.” (Rev 14:13)

Rejuvenated! 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30).

Rejuvenated! 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:31) Today, we can enjoy the rejuvenation experienced by New Testament Christians -- but only if we do what they did.

“Rejuvenated!” Isaiah 40:31 06/18/2006 Dr. Dane Boyles