Sermon Central
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Living In The Light Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 8, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: Study of the book of Isaiah, Chapter 5. A deeper examination of Chapter 5 reveals three concepts: the state of the nation, a calling to defend, and what happens when God removes His light.
Living in the Light
Introduction
- Last time discussed the vineyard and how we need to seek God in it
- We contrasted the show of ourselves against the focus on God
- Let’s unpack the remainder of Isaiah 5 to show three things …
- The state of the Nation, a calling to defend, what happens when God’s light is removed
- Stand and read verse 20-30 / Pray
State of the Nation (v1-7) (Recap)
- Remember that we need the spiritual rain of God in out lives … it is nourishment!
- The care of the Lord over the church is described by the mgmt of a vineyard
- The advantages of our situation will be brought into the account another day
- He planted it with the choicest vines; gave them a most excellent law, instituted proper ordinances. (APP: God expects fruit from those that enjoy privileges)
- There must be vineyard fruit; thoughts and affections, words and actions
- Without fruit there can be no signs of life; and without rain no life will grow
- APP: When God’s spirit departs, the removal of the Gospel shows in everything
- APP: Demonstrating that the “reign” we must submit to is God’s alone
Called to Defend
- Continuing with v20-30 – see how God’s word ties together OT and NT
- We are called to defend against the world, against the ways of the great deceiver
- God gives us these woes that we must be pay attention to as we fight
- 20: Compromise over living for God is to be avoided always
-- Rev 3:15-16, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Church compromised w/ world)
- APP: There is never a good time to compromise what God says to us on living
- 21: Wise in their own sight
-- Prov 12:15, “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”
-- Prov 13:20, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
APP: An attorney who represents himself has a fool for a client …
Luke 6:46, “"Why do you call me, ’Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”
James 4:17, “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”
- 22: Heroes at drinking (drunks) alcohol or playing drinking games
-- Eph 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
APP: Living right minded and sound for God produces a stable lifestyle
- 23: Acquit the guilty for a bribe (wheeling and dealing for self-preservation)
-- Rom 3:25, “God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice …”
APP: This is perfect atonement for his justness – there is no other justice that we need to seek
- Something we must consider though in all of this – every sin that we commit requires another sin be done to cover it up (expound) Example: Lying …
- God requires us to be blameless (Psalm 101:2-3) … will we accept that calling
What Happens When God’s Light is Removed (v24-30)
- This is a hard word to hear and to preach, but it is necessary to see the mindset
- Let not any expect to live easily who live wickedly (self deception is killing …)
- Sin weakens the strength, the root of a people; it defaces the beauty, the blossoms of a people. It allows us to convince ourselves that “we’re ok” …
- When God’s word is despised, and his law cast away, what can men expect but that God should utterly abandon them?
- When God comes forth in wrath, the hills tremble, fear seizes even great men
- Challenge: As a church we must stand at all costs; never allowing ourselves to compromise
- When God designs the ruin of a provoking people, he can find instruments to be employed in it, as he sent for the Chaldeans, and the Romans, to destroy the Jews
- God is a merciful God, but He is a just God as well who will get His glory
- Challenge: People want to talk of the love of God, but do we live for that love?
- APP of verse 30: Those who would not hear the voice of God speaking by his prophets shall hear the voice of their enemies roaring against them.
- If God frowns upon us, how can any creature smile?
- If God removes his protection from our land and brings about darkness … EVERYTHING dies without sunlight
