Rebels, Remnant, and Our Faithful God in Isaiah 65-66
From Pastor Robert
Isaiah 65–66 ends with both warning and hope. The One True God will judge rebellion, preserve his servants, gather the nations, and create a new heavens and new earth. With the final verse, Isaiah presses a question: Are we with the rebels or the repenting remnant?
Sermon Summary
God answers his people’s anguished prayers not by excusing sin, but by exposing rebellion as the real problem (Isa. 65:1–7). Yet judgment is not his last word. God keeps his promises to Abraham not by overlooking covenant unfaithfulness, but by preserving a faithful remnant by grace and by extending his saving purpose to the nations (Isa. 65:8–10; 66:18–21). The Lord clearly distinguishes between those who reject his word and those who belong to him as his servants, and he promises a new creation, a comforted people, a missionary task, and a worldwide gathering of worshipers in the New Jerusalem (Isa. 65:11–25; 66:10–23).
God’s Character
God’s character shines clearly in Isaiah 65–66. He is holy and just, refusing to overlook idolatry, hypocrisy, and self-made religion (Isa. 65:3–7; 66:3–4, 15–17). He is patient and merciful, stretching out his hands to a rebellious people and preserving a remnant for his servants’ sake (Isa. 65:1–2, 8–10). He is tender toward the humble, looking with favor on the contrite who tremble at his word and promising comfort to his people like a mother comforts her child (Isa. 66:2, 13). He is the sovereign Creator and covenant-keeping God, able not only to judge and save, but to gather the nations and make a new heavens and new earth by his own power (Isa. 65:17–19; 66:18–23).
Rebels vs Remnant
Isaiah draws a sharp distinction between two kinds of people. The contrast is moral, spiritual, and eternal.
Rebels follow their own insights instead of God’s word (Isa. 65:2). They may appear religious, but their worship is proud, false, and self-directed—actually idolatry (Isa. 65:3–5; 66:3–4).
They refuse to listen to God’s voice, choose what displeases him, and face judgment and shame (Isa. 65:12–15; 66:15–17, 24).
The remnant are God’s servants, preserved by grace and not by their own strength (Isa. 65:8–10).
The repenting remnant are those whom God preserves for his own name and promise. They are not marked by outward impressiveness, but by repentance and humble dependence on the Lord.
They are humble, contrite, and marked by trembling at God’s word (Isa. 66:2). They wait on the Lord and will share in his joy, comfort, and future kingdom (Isa. 65:13–19; 66:10–14).
Two peoples. Two paths. Two destinies. Isaiah invites us to be those who listen to God’s word and respond.
This week…
Read Isaiah 65–66 this week and ask God to show you, “Where does my life show resistance to God’s word and clear teaching?” (Isa. 65:2; 66:2). Confess and then return to the LORD
Turn away from any outward religious ritual that hides pride, self-rule, or unconfessed sin (Isa. 65:3–5; 66:3–4) and return to wholehearted devotion to Christ our King.
Wait on the Lord with hope as you seek to love God and neighbor in all your life and work, trusting that he will keep his servants and bring them into the world to come (Isa. 65:8–9, 17–25; 66:22–23).
Helpful Resources
Opportunities to Serve
(For Opportunities to Serve at High Pointe, click HERE)
Volunteering in nursery or children’s ministry is a great way to get to know others at High Pointe and to serve our parents on Sunday mornings and other church gatherings. Reach out to Erin at erin@highpointeaustin.org
God has blessed each of us with unique gifts and talents, and at High Pointe, we believe serving is how we use those gifts to bless others and advance His kingdom.
Whether you have 30 minutes a week or several hours, there's a place for you to serve in our children's ministry, as greeters, with the hospitality team, media/tech support, building and grounds, safety, community outreach efforts, and through administrative support. Reach out to find out more today: info@highpointeaustin.org
Life at High Pointe
Want to know what’s happening at High Pointe? Check out our weekly announcements and upcoming events to stay informed and connected with the life of our church!
Sunday AM Preaching Schedule: Pray regularly for the ministry of the Word at High Pointe. Also, prepare for our gatherings by reading the sermon text, thinking it through, and asking questions about the text before Sunday. Here is our (tentative) preaching schedule designed to help you prepare for Sundays:
July 12 | Matthew 5:1-12 | Kingdom Blessings | John Thompson
July 19 | 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 | Strength in Weakness | Pastor Mark Cambranis
July 26 | 2 Corinthians 1:12-24 | Austin Burns
August 2 | Psalm 73 | Refuge: What Worship Does | Pastor Craig Horton
August 9 | New Series: 2 Peter 1:1-11 | Grace Gives Godliness | Pastor Robert Cline
August 16 | 2 Peter 1:12-15 | Essential Pastoral Reminders | Pastor Robert Cline
August 23 | 2 Peter 1:16-21 | Trustworthy Witness and Word | Pastor Robert Cline
August 30 | Luke 18:18-30 | What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? | Pastor Juan Sanchez
September 6 | Luke 18:31-43 | The Joy of Spiritual Sight | Pastor Juan Sanchez
September 13 | Luke 19:1-10 | Salvation and the Fruits of Repentance | Pastor Juan Sanchez
September 20 | 2 Peter 2:1-10 | Don’t Be Deceived by False Teachers | Pastor Robert Cline
Begin praying as you prepare to join us this Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Gospel Partner of the Month:Reaching and Teaching International Ministries – B.M. Reaching & Teaching International Ministries (RTIM) seeks to advance the gospel by partnering with local churches as they send qualified missionaries to make mature disciples, establish healthy churches, and train local leaders around the world. You may know of RTIM because we sent the P family through this sending organization. This month, we want to highlight our support for B.M. B and his wife served for seven years as missionaries in Central Asia, working in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. After returning to the US, B spent six years as a global trainer, traveling around the world to equip international church leaders for ministry. He desires to see the gospel spread and churches established among the nations of Central Asia. B is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife have three children.
On-Call Pastor To better care for you, High Pointe, we have an “on-call” pastor available for emergencies after office hours. To reach the on-call pastor, call 512-837-7725, extension 1.
