"LIFTING UP A STANDARD FOR THE PEOPLE"-------(Isaiah 62)
Chapter 62 of Isaiah records the AMBITION of our YEARNING MESSIAH as he ANTICIPATES the giving of his eternal blessing on Israel....(We ought to ANTICIPATE HEAVEN for the right reasons!....not just to get us out of our troubles, but because of who God is!)-(STORY-A student prayed for the Lord to come when faced with a college exam, but on his honey-moon he prayed "Lord, please don't come today"!)
*The reason Israel can't have peace today is because her Messiah isn't there...but one day he will be!  (v.1) may declare "FOR ZION'S SAKE"...but (v.2) says "And the GENTILES"!!!...THAT'S US!...THE CHURCH!!!

(v.4) mentions the word "BEULAH".  People sing "Beulah Land" all the time and don't know what it means!  To understand the word "beulah", it is important to remember Israel as a FORSAKEN people among the nations of the world....but one day in the future you and I will say of Jerusalem "HEPHZIBAH" (delightful)...and "BEULAH" (married)!   In other words, the KING IS HOME TO PROTECT!!!
(Ezek. 21:27-God will "overturn, overturn, overturn it, until he comes whose right it is" to rule!)
*So what is it that we are to be doing until Christ comes to set up his kingdom on earth, and bring this peace to Jerusalem and the church?---(TOPIC-v.10)

The word "standard" means:  "an established custom serving as a test or measure for others."  Literally, a STANDARD was a flagstaff that was carried to represent the uniqueness and separation of a nation.--(i.e.-the American Flag-WTC/Christian Flag/Olympics/Bible School banners/Iwa Jima/Neal Armstrong on the moon!)
Today church, we must LIFT UP A STANDARD FOR THE PEOPLE!!!  We must declare the difference between holy and unholy living....and set an example!  (Isaiah 10:18)  when speaking of the destuction of Assyria it mentions the "FAINTING OF THE STANDARD BEARER".....people loose hope in battle if a banner falls!  (Isa.40:31-"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and NOT FAINT.")

It used to be that Preachers, Deacons, Sunday School Teachers, Song Leaders, & Members would take a stand for something....they wouldn't conform to the world; but STANDARDS ARE DETERIORATING!  (What happens when a FLAG LOOSES RESPECT?)...people don't respect church anymore...and it's because we haven't lifted a standard!--(we teach our children that other things are more important than God!)
(Haggai 1:4-"Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your ceiled houses, and THIS HOUSE lie waste?")

(1)-"GO THROUGH, GO THROUGH THE GATES"-(v.10)
Simply put, "go through the doors and MAKE A DIFFERENCE"!!!  (Ezek. 22:29-30...turn)
*Remember when we studied Ruth how that the most important things were done at the Gates of the city?  I don't care what goes on in the church building.....if it never translates to a lifted standard at work, school, at home, or in the community it is nothing more than HYPOCRISY!!!

(2)-"PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE PEOPLE"-(v.10)
This sort of reminds me of John the Baptist when he said, "PREPARE YE THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE PATHS STRAIGHT FOR HIM"!  This refers to a life of CONFESSION and REPENTANCE!!!  How are you gonna influence anyone with sin in your life?  There is another banner to consider in life...to WHITE FLAG OF SURRENDER!!!
*Here's 3 flags (standards) you can raise today:
(a)....The flag of DISCERNMENT-(know & show right from wrong!)
(b)....The flag of DECISION---------(in charge of yourself/children)
(c)....The flag of DISCOVERY------(excitement, exploration!-Moon!)

(3)-"CAST UP, CAST UP THE HIGHWAY"-(v.10)
"CASTING UP" brings things into full view....and also eliminates any foreign contact!
(John 14:6-"I am the Way....")   LIFT UP THE NAME OF JESUS!!!

(4)-"GATHER OUT THE STONES"-(v.10)
(STONES can KILL, CHOKE GROWTH, LOOSE BUILDING MATERIALS!)