Come Now & Let Us Reason Together…

Come Now & Let Us Reason Together…

2004026

Topic # 1510

Introduction:

A. Black Hills. Often took visitors to favorite place of mine: Flag Mtn.

1. From valley floor – not that impressive.

2. Only way to top via narrow curvy road wide enough for only one vehicle. Accessible only by 4WD 9 mths/yr.

3. View on top offered an unobstructed view in 3 directions & gave person beautiful perspective of valley below.

4. What you saw from the top could not be imagined when standing in the valley below.

B. With these thoughts in mind, I think it helps illustrate that when Isaiah spoke to the people of His day – he spoke from a different perspective b/c his vantage point was higher.

1. Isaiah’s book tells what he saw.

2. Israel was in danger – but God had not given up on her.

C. Striking parallels exist between Isaiah’s day & ours.

1. World in turmoil.

2. We live in a materialistic society that is focused on acquiring more & more things.

3. Ours is a culture that enjoys deemphasizing God while exalting every perverse thing.

D. Today, let us focus on the opening chapter in Isaiah. The three themes in this chapter are noteworthy & of extreme importance even in our generation.

I. 1:1-17 – Accusations against the people.

A. Scene here: a courtroom. God, the judge has summoned His people to listen & remember.

1. In Deuteronomy, Israelites entered into a covenant w/God promising their continued faithfulness to God.

2. Book set up like an ancient treaty. Treaties of the day often followed a rough outline:

a) historical prologue – Deut 1-3

b) stipulations – Deut. 4-26

c) document clause – Deut 27

d) Blessings & curses – Deut 28-30

3. In Deut. 30:15-20 – Israelites are told to choose life.

4. Note the correlation between 30:19 and Isa. 1:2

B. The covenant has been violated – and in 1:2 the heavens & earth are called in to bear witness against the people.

1. Charges are very serious & in them we see God’s displeasure w/their outright rebellion and outward religion.

C. 1:2-10 – look at people’s outright rebellion:

1. 2b-4 – look at God’s amazement that even oxen/donkeys recognize their Master’s voice – but His children have rejected His authority.

2. Isaiah’s times were those of outright rebellion.

a) His ministry began during reign of King Uzziah. Peace/prosperity.

b) But as we know, rebellion flourishes during prosperous times.

3. Rich exploited the poor. Justice bought & sold to highest bidder.

4. Extreme gap between rich/poor. Bloodshed common.

a) 1:21-23 – a look at how corrupted they had become.

b) 1:24-25 – God says He had had enough.

D. Remember Isaiah’s perspective. He called things as he saw them.

1. How many people of his day were oblivious to the condition they were in b/c of their limited perspective?

2. How many in our day are oblivious? How many don’t care?

a) No respect for God’s word – just operate by feelings.

b) I just feel God will accept me. Even though clear teaching against such in God’s word.

c) Homosexuality; marriage/divorce; unlawful marriages

d) Throw out God’s word – what is there to stand on?

3. Not judged by feelings – but by God’s word – John 12:48-50.

4. Brethren: do we live under the authority of God & His son?

5. Do we realize we rebel against His authority by refusing to submit in EVERY area of life to His Lordship?

a) Do we realize how serious rebellion is before God? 1:27-31

E. 1:11-17 – another change against Israel was outward religion.

1. 1:11-14 – God could no longer bear their rituals.

a) Not that they had abandoned religion – but their hearts were far from him.

b) They failed to understand need to keep heart pure before God.

c) Mere profession of religion not enough!

2. God hates hypocrisy. Rev. 3:15-16

a) As we examine our lives – let the contents of these verses soak in. 3:17-19

b) Evaluate your perspective & try to see as God sees. Be honest!

c) 1 Cor. 9:27 – discipline your body – bring it into subjection.

d) Not only our bodies – but most importantly – our minds & hearts!

1) 1 Tim. 4:12-16 – not just for young preachers – but all Christians.

3. Be aware of how seriously God regards sin in his people.

II. 1:18-20 - An incredible invitation

A. Charges against the people are very serious. They are deserving of death.

1. No different for us today. Rom. 3:23; 6:23

2. But…running through Isaiah’s book - & the bible – is a message of hope – coming as a result of God’s grace.

B. How many times have we read 1:18? Sang the hymn connect w/this verse?

1. Interesting to consider 1:18 in context w/rest of Isaiah 1.

2. 1:18

C. Consider the TONE of the verse:

1. One of reason – rather than demand.

a) The righteous judge is also the loving Father.

b) God looks down in pity/sorrow over His children’s sins. 1:5-7

c) Wasn’t this the attitude of Jesus? Lk. 13:34-35; 23:34

d) What an amazing thing that God reasons w/us when we stray!

1) Rev. 3:20 – isn’t it truly incredible that Jesus knocked on the door of the lukewarm church at Laodicea?

2) Would we have the same amount of patience?

2. 1:18 – consider its TERMS:

a) God offers the accused full pardon.

1) Wool & snow are white by nature.

b) God offers to give us a new heart & nature.

c) Neither sacrifice of animals – nor a multitude of rituals could ever cleanse the soul.

d) Judge had to descend from His throne – b/c a human being; & suffer in our place.

1) Isa. 53 – what an incredible price for pardon!

3. 1:19-20 – these terms of pardon are conditional.

a) A change of direction – repentance was/is required!

III. 1:21-31 – A painful purification.

A. Israelites now faced w/a decision. Which way to go? Serve God or reject Him?

1. 1:24-27 – God would restore those who repented.

a) Not always pleasant to purge ourselves from sin.

b) Sometimes we come to God so filthy & stained w/sin that He has to peel away the layers of spiritual dirt & filth.

1) Zack – magic marker – cleaning him….

2. 1:27 – after the cleansing process – we can be counted w/the righteous.

B. 1:28-31 – transgressors & sinners will be crushed together. Those who forsake the Lord will come to an end.

C. The decision is ours to make! Which direction are you headed?

1. Repentance or destruction?

Conclusion:

A. Isn’t this message of the entire bible? Isn’t this the gospel? Aren’t all men in need of the message that has been preached today?

1. Why going to Ukraine tomorrow?

a) There is no elegant way to explain it. Deep resolve w/in me that I need to go.

b) All men – not just Americans need to elevate their perspective & see things as God sees them.

3. Why do Christians share Jesus w/other peoples? Because we value God’s love.

a) Because we cherish God’s forgiveness.

b) Because we know the incredible encouragement of being a part of God’s universal family.

c) Because of the privilege of being part of God’s eternal purposes awes us.

4. David Chadwell: most selfish thing Christian can do is share Jesus Christ with no one. If you share with others what you have with Jesus spiritually, what would they have? Nothing we have needs to be shared more than our Savior!

B. Elevate your perspective!

1. 1 Pet 2:1-10

2. God is now seeking to reason with us. The choice is ours & the time is now.

3. Take advantage of God’s terms of pardon.

a) God will grant us spiritual amnesty.

b) Our word for amnesty comes from the word from which we get amnesia. It means to forget.

c) When God washes away our sins – they are forgotten.

d) We can become whiter than snow – purer than wool.

C. Have you come to Him? Will you?

D. I N V I T A T I O N



Come Now & Let Us Reason Together… 2004026 Topic # 1510 Introduction: A. Black Hills. Often took visitors to favorite place of mine: Flag Mtn. 1. From valley floor – not that impressive. 2. Only way to top via narrow curvy road wide enough for only one vehicle. Accessible only by 4WD 9 mths/yr. 3. View on top offered an unobstructed view in 3 directions & gave person beautiful perspective of valley below. 4. What you saw from the top could not be imagined when standing in the valley below. B. With these thoughts in mind, I think it helps illustrate that when Isaiah spoke to the people of His day – he spoke from a different perspective b/c his vantage point was higher. 1. Isaiah’s book tells what he saw. 2. Israel was in danger – but God had not given up on her. C. Striking parallels exist between Isaiah’s day & ours. 1. World in turmoil. 2. We live in a materialistic society that is focused on acquiring more & more things. 3. Ours is a culture that enjoys deemphasizing God while exalting every perverse thing. D. Today, let us focus on the opening chapter in Isaiah. The three themes in this chapter are noteworthy & of extreme importance even in our generation. I. 1:1-17 – Accusations against the people. A. Scene here: a courtroom. God, the judge has summoned His people to listen & remember. 1. In Deuteronomy, Israelites entered into a covenant w/God promising their continued faithfulness to God. 2. Book set up like an ancient treaty. Treaties of the day often followed a rough outline: a) historical prologue – Deut 1-3 b) stipulations – Deut. 4-26 c) document clause – Deut 27 d) Blessings & curses – Deut 28-30 3. In Deut. 30:15-20 – Israelites are told to choose life. 4. Note the correlation between 30:19 and Isa. 1:2 B. The covenant has been violated – and in 1:2 the heavens & earth are called in to bear witness against the people. 1. Charges are very serious & in them we see God’s displeasure w/their outright rebellion and outward religion. C. 1:2-10 – look at people’s outright rebellion: 1. 2b-4 – look at God’s amazement that even oxen/donkeys recognize their Master’s voice – but His children have rejected His authority. 2. Isaiah’s times were those of outright rebellion. a) His ministry began during reign of King Uzziah. Peace/prosperity. b) But as we know, rebellion flourishes during prosperous times. 3. Rich exploited the poor. Justice bought & sold to highest bidder. 4. Extreme gap between rich/poor. Bloodshed common. a) 1:21-23 – a look at how corrupted they had become. b) 1:24-25 – God says He had had enough. D. Remember Isaiah’s perspective. He called things as he saw them. 1. How many people of his day were oblivious to the condition they were in b/c of their limited perspective? 2. How many in our day are oblivious? How many don’t care? a) No respect for God’s word – just operate by feelings. b) I just feel God will accept me. Even though clear teaching against such in God’s word. c) Homosexuality; marriage/divorce; unlawful marriages d) Throw out God’s word – what is there to stand on? 3. Not judged by feelings – but by God’s word – John 12:48-50. 4. Brethren: do we live under the authority of God & His son? 5. Do we realize we rebel against His authority by refusing to submit in EVERY area of life to His Lordship? a) Do we realize how serious rebellion is before God? 1:27-31 E. 1:11-17 – another change against Israel was outward religion. 1. 1:11-14 – God could no longer bear their rituals. a) Not that they had abandoned religion – but their hearts were far from him. b) They failed to understand need to keep heart pure before God. c) Mere profession of religion not enough! 2. God hates hypocrisy. Rev. 3:15-16 a) As we examine our lives – let the contents of these verses soak in. 3:17-19 b) Evaluate your perspective & try to see as God sees. Be honest! c) 1 Cor. 9:27 – discipline your body – bring it into subjection. d) Not only our bodies – but most importantly – our minds & hearts! 1) 1 Tim. 4:12-16 – not just for young preachers – but all Christians. 3. Be aware of how seriously God regards sin in his people. II. 1:18-20 - An incredible invitation A. Charges against the people are very serious. They are deserving of death. 1. No different for us today. Rom. 3:23; 6:23 2. But…running through Isaiah’s book - & the bible – is a message of hope – coming as a result of God’s grace. B. How many times have we read 1:18? Sang the hymn connect w/this verse? 1. Interesting to consider 1:18 in context w/rest of Isaiah 1. 2. 1:18 C. Consider the TONE of the verse: 1. One of reason – rather than demand. a) The righteous judge is also the loving Father. b) God looks down in pity/sorrow over His children’s sins. 1:5-7 c) Wasn’t this the attitude of Jesus? Lk. 13:34-35; 23:34 d) What an amazing thing that God reasons w/us when we stray! 1) Rev. 3:20 – isn’t it truly incredible that Jesus knocked on the door of the lukewarm church at Laodicea? 2) Would we have the same amount of patience? 2. 1:18 – consider its TERMS: a) God offers the accused full pardon. 1) Wool & snow are white by nature. b) God offers to give us a new heart & nature. c) Neither sacrifice of animals – nor a multitude of rituals could ever cleanse the soul. d) Judge had to descend from His throne – b/c a human being; & suffer in our place. 1) Isa. 53 – what an incredible price for pardon! 3. 1:19-20 – these terms of pardon are conditional. a) A change of direction – repentance was/is required! III. 1:21-31 – A painful purification. A. Israelites now faced w/a decision. Which way to go? Serve God or reject Him? 1. 1:24-27 – God would restore those who repented. a) Not always pleasant to purge ourselves from sin. b) Sometimes we come to God so filthy & stained w/sin that He has to peel away the layers of spiritual dirt & filth. 1) Zack – magic marker – cleaning him…. 2. 1:27 – after the cleansing process – we can be counted w/the righteous. B. 1:28-31 – transgressors & sinners will be crushed together. Those who forsake the Lord will come to an end. C. The decision is ours to make! Which direction are you headed? 1. Repentance or destruction? Conclusion: A. Isn’t this message of the entire bible? Isn’t this the gospel? Aren’t all men in need of the message that has been preached today? 1. Why going to Ukraine tomorrow? a) There is no elegant way to explain it. Deep resolve w/in me that I need to go. b) All men – not just Americans need to elevate their perspective & see things as God sees them. 3. Why do Christians share Jesus w/other peoples? Because we value God’s love. a) Because we cherish God’s forgiveness. b) Because we know the incredible encouragement of being a part of God’s universal family. c) Because of the privilege of being part of God’s eternal purposes awes us. 4. David Chadwell: most selfish thing Christian can do is share Jesus Christ with no one. If you share with others what you have with Jesus spiritually, what would they have? Nothing we have needs to be shared more than our Savior! B. Elevate your perspective! 1. 1 Pet 2:1-10 2. God is now seeking to reason with us. The choice is ours & the time is now. 3. Take advantage of God’s terms of pardon. a) God will grant us spiritual amnesty. b) Our word for amnesty comes from the word from which we get amnesia. It means to forget. c) When God washes away our sins – they are forgotten. d) We can become whiter than snow – purer than wool. C. Have you come to Him? Will you? D. I N V I T A T I O N