Isaiah 2:5, “O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD."

God's given us a gracious invitation. Come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Let's live by his gospel and fellowship with him.

This invitation is for sinners. Chosen in eternal election, they will come. The gospel attracts them, and they can't resist. They are taught by God's Spirit. The gospel ONLY WORKS in the sovereignly called, but it works. 1 Cor 1:24, “but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” It doesn't need to be changed or improved. It simply needs to be preached clearly and lovingly.

Let us be about this business of calling sinners to Christ. This is the work of the church.

First, "Come." This is what we say. The gospel isn't a message of stay away. It's not about self improvement. Come as you are, weary and heavy laden. Come in your self righteousness and pride. Whoever you are, no matter your evil deeds, come to the Lord Jesus, and he will change you. He'll gives new life freely, because he died to refresh transgressors and pour on them his Spirit. Acts 3:19, “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

"Come" is our message to everyone. We make no exceptions. We have no enemies in this matter. We will bid everyone to Christ, even those who slander us, hate us, and mistreat us. No amount of sin a person has ever committed can stop us from saying, Come, because he received us, when we were filthy. He forgave us, when we had no merit and justly deserved hell. He poured upon us his Spirit! Revelation 22:17, “Both the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ Anyone who hears should say, ‘Come!’ And the one who is thirsty should come. Whoever desires should take the living water as a gift.”

Secondly, "Oh house of Jacob." He's talking to the elect, but you won't know election, until you come to Christ.

The elect have been chosen from the foundation of the world and written in the Book of Life. God set his love upon us freely to magnify his own grace. He saves sinners who’d otherwise perish. He does 100% of the work. We would not come, so he called us irresistibly. We could not see, so he opens our eyes. He makes us willing [Ps 110:3]! He does everything for our benefit, and everything works together for our good. Romans 8:28, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

God made atonement and paid for our sins, so he could deliver us in justice. He gives us the Holy Spirit to save us from unbelief. He blesses us with GOSPEL CONVICTION that destroys our self righteousness and makes Christ glorious. We see him exalted at God's right hand as a Prince and a Savior. We look upon him we've wounded, and he pities us. Zechariah 12:10, “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” He draws us with chords of love, and enters a covenant to do us good. We never again depart from him! Jeremiah 32:40, “I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.” He's angry for a moment, but his mercies are eternal. Isaiah 54:8, “In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer.” He hides our sins by cleansing our conscience, and he gives us great peace. HE gives us joyful power to obey. We walk with God.

This is the fellowship that we've been called to, and we call everyone to draw the elect. We preach to all, so that the house of Jacob may come [2 Tim 2:10]!

Thirdly, "let us walk in the light of the Lord." Let's live in this fellowship together. A church is a group of people banded together for the cause of Christ. This is the new life and new family that he's given us - the “fellowship of the concerned.” We are brothers and sisters united in his love, his gospel, and in his mission of saving others. We are a community that lives by Christ's words.

This invitation gives life meaning. It is everything to us, and everything revolves around this. Being united together in calling sinners to Christ is our life’s ambition. Loving one another honors his great work. We forsake everything for this great privilege. We live to exalt the King, and no one gets glory but him. We labor to make him known, sacrificing side by side for this great purpose. The Spirit assists us here. In fact, we can’t be happy doing anything else, and the more we do it by faith the better. Oh, be about this business, dear saints, so your joy can be full.