Come Now & Let Us Reason Together…

Come Now & Let Us Reason Together…

Introduction:

When Isaiah spoke to the people of His day – he spoke from a different perspective b/c his vantage point was higher. Isaiah’s book tells what he saw. Israel was in danger – but God had not given up on her. Striking parallels exist between Isaiah’s day & ours. Our world is in turmoil. We live in a materialistic society that is focused on acquiring more & more things. Ours is a culture that enjoys deemphasizing God while exalting every perverse thing. 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. Note the correlation between Deut. 30:19 and Isa. 1:2

B. Covenant violated. 1:2 the heavens & earth bear witness against the people.

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

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

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 their condition?

2. How many in our day are oblivious?

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.

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

3. Listen to these passages: 3:17-19; 1 Cor. 9:27; 1 Tim. 4:12-16

II. 1:18-20 - An incredible invitation

A. Running through Isaiah’s book - & the bible – is a message of hope – coming as a result of God’s grace. How many times have we read 1:18?

B. Consider the TONE of the verse:

1. The righteous judge is also the loving Father.

a) God has pity/sorrow over His children’s sins. 1:5-7

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

2. 1:18 – consider its TERMS: God offers the accused full pardon.

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

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

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

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

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

B. 1:28-31 – transgressors & sinners will be crushed together.

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

Conclusion:

A. Elevate your perspective! 1 Pet 2:1-10

1. God seeks to reason with us.

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

B. Have you come to Him? Will you?



Come Now & Let Us Reason Together… Introduction: When Isaiah spoke to the people of His day – he spoke from a different perspective b/c his vantage point was higher. Isaiah’s book tells what he saw. Israel was in danger – but God had not given up on her. Striking parallels exist between Isaiah’s day & ours. Our world is in turmoil. We live in a materialistic society that is focused on acquiring more & more things. Ours is a culture that enjoys deemphasizing God while exalting every perverse thing. 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. Note the correlation between Deut. 30:19 and Isa. 1:2 B. Covenant violated. 1:2 the heavens & earth bear witness against the people. C. 1:2-10 – look at people’s outright rebellion: 1. Isaiah’s times were those of outright rebellion. 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 their condition? 2. How many in our day are oblivious? 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. 2. God hates hypocrisy. Rev. 3:15-16 3. Listen to these passages: 3:17-19; 1 Cor. 9:27; 1 Tim. 4:12-16 II. 1:18-20 - An incredible invitation A. Running through Isaiah’s book - & the bible – is a message of hope – coming as a result of God’s grace. How many times have we read 1:18? B. Consider the TONE of the verse: 1. The righteous judge is also the loving Father. a) God has pity/sorrow over His children’s sins. 1:5-7 b) Wasn’t this the attitude of Jesus? Lk. 13:34-35; 23:34 2. 1:18 – consider its TERMS: God offers the accused full pardon. a) Isa. 53 – what an incredible price for pardon! 3. 1:19-20 – these terms of pardon are conditional. III. 1:21-31 – A painful purification. A. Israelites now faced w/a decision. Which way to go? Serve or reject God? 1. 1:24-27 – God would restore those who repented. B. 1:28-31 – transgressors & sinners will be crushed together. C. The decision is ours to make! Which direction are you headed? Conclusion: A. Elevate your perspective! 1 Pet 2:1-10 1. God seeks to reason with us. 2. Take advantage of God’s terms of pardon. B. Have you come to Him? Will you?