GOD EXPECTS

This week’s lesson

Focus: Isaiah 58:1-12

We’ve heard people say the church is full of hypocrites. I think God might agree with them. In this week’s lesson, God calls out the hypocrisy of Israel’s worship and lifestyle.

As you read this portion of Scripture notice what the Jewish people consider as worship. Then notice what God considers as worship and why He doesn’t respond to their prayers.

Worship isn’t just what happens on Sunday. Worship of God is a daily, moment by moment state of being. When Christ walked this earth as one of us, He was in a constant state of worship. He loved the Father with every ounce of His being and that love was expressed in obedience to the Father and love for others— even to death. To love God is to worship God.

November 11, 2020December 20, 2020

A Reminder that our history is important.

On November 11, 1620, 400 years ago today 41 men signed the Mayflower Compact. A covenant between themselves and God as to their associations and governance in the new world.

The American Bar Association noted in 1978 “The document represents the application to the affairs of civil government of the philosophy of the church covenant which was the basis of Puritan theology. This theology found in the Scriptures the right of men to associate and covenant to form a church and civil government and to choose their own officers to administer both religious and civil affairs.”

THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc. Having undertaken for the Glory of God and advancement of the Christian Faith and Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the First Colony in the Northern Parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and one of another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together in a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute and frame such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions and Offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the 11th of November, in the year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini 1620.

November 11, 2020December 20, 2020

GOD JUSTIFIES

Context: Isaiah 51:1-57:21

Focus: Isaiah 53:1-12

It’s important to remind ourselves as we read Isaiah’s prophecy concerning God’s judgement that Judah was not at this time being threatened by Babylon. It is also important to note that Isaiah’s words concerning this judgement, the coming exile, and the provision for God’s salvation was falling on deaf ears. There were only two choices to stave off what was coming: repent and turn to God or face the same fate as the unbelieving world.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is the last of the four Servant Songs. As if looking through a telescope across a great open plain at an object far in the distance, time and space are condensed, Isaiah sees the Christ. These verses paint an accurate picture of Jesus, physically, emotionally, spiritually. He is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the promise to Abraham.

Although God was going to punish Judah for their sin the punishment was not meant to destroy them. It was meant to bring them to repentance. The nation of Israel was meant to be God’s light in the world. They had failed. But God was going to bring redemption to the world through them in the person of Jesus.

Sadly, even though Judah heard God’s message, the warnings of the coming judgement, and His promise of a future, they didn’t believe. They didn’t believe God.

“Who has believed what he has heard from us?
And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” Isaiah 53:1

Choose a pastor or evangelist that you really listen to, trust in and respect and ask yourself this question: If that person was going around the country preaching and teaching that God was going to bring a horrible judgement on this country and today was the day of salvation would you believe it? What would be your response?

Think as your read this passage (Isaiah 53:1-12) of all the Servant/Christ endured. “How do these experiences help us understand our sin?”