Isaiah 61:1-11
Beauty For Ashes

Introduction:
1. Every life has ashes: Pleasures of sin…Unwise choices (hurt us or the people we love)…
Decisions or youth…Victims of fires caused by others…Ashes of abuse. All have ashes in
our lives.
1. Are you willing to trade your ashes for His beauty?
2. Isaiah 61:1-11 Jesus Comes…it shows that only God knows the future.

Are you willing to trade your ashes for His beauty?
I. THE ARRIVAL OF JESUS (Messiah) 61:1-3
A. He Comes In Grace 1-2a
The Messiah speaks. He closes in verse 11.
1.Luke 4:16-21 Interprets this passage for us.
2.This was the message and ministry of Jesus at His first coming. When Jesus was on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:27) Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scripture the things concerning Himself. Jesus’ whole life was a fulfillment of Scripture.
3.To preach good tidings unto the meek (afflicted)…To bind up the broken hearted
Broken means, ‘to break to pieces’ It was used of ships broken by storms. To proclaim liberty to the captives…those who had been sold into bondage. To open the prison to those who are bound…millions are in prisons deeper and darker than a physical building. To proclaim the acceptable year of our Lord…This passage was fulfilled in the life of Jesus’ ministry. He stops at the words, the day of vengeance of our God. This speaks of the Tribulation Period.
B. He Comes In Glory 2b-3
1. The Resource Isaiah looks to the Millennial reign of Christ. To comfort all who
mourn…To grant to those who mourn…Let’s make a Trade: Beauty instead of
ashes…Oil of joy for mourning…The garment of praise for the spirit of
heaviness.
2. The Reason There are two that’s or in order that: That they might be called
trees of righteousness…the planting of the Lord (God does it). That He might
receive all the glory!

Are you willing to trade your ashes for His beauty?
II. THE AGENDA OF JESUS (Messiah) 61:4-9
What is it like when the trade is made?
A. Rebuilding 4
1. Shall build old wastes.
2. Shall raise up the former desolations.
3. Shall repair the waste cities…the desolations of many generations.
B. Rest 5
1. Enemies now serve Israel: Feed…Plow…Dress…
2. Old enemies that defeated us now serve us!
C. Riches 6
1. You shall be named the Priest of our Lord…Men shall call you Ministers of
our God.
2. You shall eat the riches of the nations. We are so rich!!
D. Recompense 7
1. “Double” God will bless His people beyond comparison.
2. Everlasting joy shall be unto them…(Because of Him).
E. Righteousness 8
1. God hates religious games.
2. I will direct their work in truth. I will make an everlasting covenant with them.
F. Recognition 9
1. God takes nothing and nobodies and makes them somebodies.
2. Israel will be known and loved by all.
When men see us, do they recognize that God has blessed us?

Are you willing to trade your ashes for His beauty?
III. THE ATTIRE OF JESUS (Messiah) 61:10-11
Is this One worthy to make the trade? Messiah speaks…His joy.
A. Who He Is 10
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord…My soul shall be joyful in my God. Then it is as He
is at a wedding.
1.He hath clothed me with the garment of Salvation.
2.He hath covered me with the robe of Righteousness.
Salvation and Righteousness…that is why He can make the trade!
B. What He Does 11
1. He makes things grow.
2. What springs forth: Righteousness/Praise before all nations.

Are you willing to trade your ashes for His beauty?