“Illustrating the Wisdom of God
                                  Isaiah 28:23-29

       Three Keys to Gaining the Wisdom of God:

1.   Pay Attention to the Voice of God

•  Here we have the call of the wisdom teacher: Proverbs 4:1
• Scripture is where we hear God’s voice: 2 Timothy  3:16-17
• James says to just ask: James 1:5

2.   Follow God’s Life Principles

• There are principles in both realms upon which life depends and which, if followed, will lead to life.
•  Somehow we don’t have a problem understanding physical principles, so Isaiah reverts to that realm, to show his people, and us, the importance and the simplicity of God’s ways.

3.   Understand that God’s Discipline is not the End Game

•  Just as the purpose of threshing is to create usable wheat; God ultimate Purpose is redemption: Is. 27:12
• God’s Disciple demonstrates our position in the family: Hebrews 12:4-11
• This is the conclusion of the argument found in Isaiah. 28:14
• Wisdom denotes the foresight which plans ahead, hence effective wisdom, the wisdom which knows how to achieve results:  Isaiah 9:6

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•   They had a choice to choose life or choose the death, to trust God or trust mere humans: Isaiah 2:22
•  Jesus made it clear: John 14:6

• Scoffer or Mocker’ is a strong indictment, since scoffing, in the OT is the very last degree of ungodliness: Psalm 1:1-2
• They rule faithlessly in the city of faith: Isaiah 1:21-23

• There agreement with Egypt will not exempt them from the wave of God’s wrath: Isaiah 8:6-8

•  In his life and work all that the Bible teaches about the trustworthiness of God comes to fulfillment:  1 Peter 2:4-6

• Their defender has become a gatherer of troops against them: Isaiah 5:26

• Like the fools house in Matthew It would be swept away:  Mt. 7:26-27
• The first account was at Mount Perazim, where God broke out against the Philistines:  2 Samuel 5:19-20

• The second was in the Valley of Gibeon he sent a hail storm to demolish the Amorites: Joshua 10:11

• God never belongs to anyone, he will side with those who want to serve him:  1 John 2:3-6

• The sin from which there is no return is not merely refusing to listen to God, but making fun of the very means by which he addresses us: Heb 10:26-31

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                              Foolish Leaders/Foolish Counsel:
                                     “The Northern Kingdom”
                                                Isaiah 28:1-13

          Three Sections:

1.        Prophecy Fulfilled: A Warning to Judah - vs. 1-4

• The woe here anticipates Ephraim’s or Samaria’s imminent fall, that in fact occurred in 722:  2 Kings 17:5-6
• Pride was their main issue: Isaiah 16:6
• Drunkenness is a symptom of Pride: Isaiah 5:11
• Rather than face judgment soberly, the leaders instead drink themselves into a drunken stupor; this is a constant reaction for the ungodly: Isaiah 22:12-13
• The chastisement is described as a Hailstorm, flooding and downpour:  Isaiah 8:7-8

2.        Light for the Remnant - vs. 5-6

•  Instead of the drunken rulers Israel and Judah had come to expect, God will bring a new spirit to the throne:  Is 11:1-4
• There will be a change of atmosphere and empowerment: Isaiah 44:3

3.         Faulty Leadership -vs. 7-13

      A.    Irresponsible Self-indulgence - 7-8

•  The priest had broken the divine law: Lev. 10:9
• They should have chosen the spirit instead of wine: Eph. 5:18
• What hope is there for a nation when even its spiritual leaders have given themselves over to debauchery:  Isaiah 5:11-12

      B. Taunting - vs 9-13

•   Isaiah is responding to sarcastic taunts: Isaiah 5:19
• They failed to listen to the message of opportunity; they had a chance to rest or trust in the Lord: Isaiah 30:15
• Ultimately, the only security is in the conviction that God cares for us and will bring all the strands of the life committed to him to a joyous climax: Ps 56:10-11
• God will not be mocked!  Gal. 6:7

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                 “The Ultimate Purpose for Israel”
                                   Isaiah 27:2-13

Three facts about Israel’s Ultimate Purpose:

1.         Israel is the Lord’s Vineyard People - vs. 2-6

• This section stands over Isaiah 5:1-7

      There are five contrast in this section:

       1) Good fruit instead of bad fruit: Isaiah 5:4

       2)  Lack of water to continual watering

       3)  Abandonment to well guarded. 

•  It is not some lesser being, some hireling, but the Lord himself who watches over his own: John 10:11-13
• Instead of conflict God gives an invitation to the opponents of the vineyard; thus, indicating that vineyard membership is open to all: John 3:16
• This is the fulfillment of the promise made to   Abraham: Gen 12:2-3 
• In the light of NT teaching, Israel here must include all the children of Abraham, Jew and Gentile alike, those who walk by faith: Rom 11: 25-27

2.       The Lord’s Dealings with Israel - vs. 7-11

            Three things are said about the Judgment:

           1)   Israel’s Judgment has been less harsh than their enemies.

• The Assyrian casualties: Isaiah 36:36
• There is always divine restraint: Jer. 5:18

           2)   Israel’s Judgment is carefully controlled.

• Like the searing wind roaring out of the east, here fate would come upon her and sweep her away: Jer 18:17

          3)   Israel will have to atone for her guilt in the coming judgment.

• Israel’s punishment was for the purpose of discipline and purification: Heb 12:11
• The pagan altars represented disobedience to the very first command. Ex. 20:3
• The fortified city may be Jerusalem, but more likely its representative of the many fortified cities in Judah: Isaiah 1:7
• They could not see the wisdom of entrusting themselves to the only one who could save them; there was a much better choice: Is 1:18

3. The Lord’s Harvest of Israel

              Two images are used to express the final Destiny of God’s people.

              1)  Agricultural: Harvest

• The verb to thresh was also used of beating an olive tree, which then the fruit was picked up off the ground: Isaiah  24:13
• The picture of God gathering each of the scattered ones individually is a very tender one: Is 49:14-16

           2)  Religious: Call to Worship

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• The world-wide song, entitled ‘Glory to the Righteous One’ (24:16a), is now heard in detail as the world pilgrimage arrives in Zion: Isaiah 24:16a

Three Parts of the Song of Thanksgiving:

1.        The Praise

•  God’s actions are not off-the-cuff. They are part of the divine purpose in the universe: Isaiah 14:24
• God’s plan was to humble all the works of human pride and opposition, here typified as the walled city and the fortified town: Isaiah 24:10
• Before God all humankind’s securities and do-it-yourself salvation are helpless: Isaiah 24:20
• A demonstration of God’s power leads to faith: Is. 24:15
• It’s time to bend the knee to Jesus: Phil 2:9-11
• Storms and heat are problems for desert communities; thus this metaphor is perfect; God provides relief from the heat and shelter from the storm: Psalm 46:1

2.       The Feast

• lLike the vision of Isaiah 2:2-4, this one too has both an inclusive and an exclusive aspect: it is for all peoples, but it is provided at only one place; thus the onus is on the nations to come there if they wish to partake.
• This feast is all about the food and drink of life: Jn. 6:35
• Death the great swallow-er will be swallowed: 1Cor 15:54
•  ‘The disgrace is the fact that the people of God have always been disrespected: 1 Pet 4:14

3.        The Joy

•  ‘We waited for him’ expresses a fundamental element of the OT, and the Isaianic, concept of trust: Psalm 130:5-6

4.         The Judgment

•  Moab is used as a symbol of the nations that taunted Judah: Jerimiah 48:26-27
• So Moab sinks further in her pride the more frantically it seeks to save itself: Isaiah 16:6

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•  Isaiah lived every day of his life expecting the judgment of God, as we should also do: 2 Pet 3:10
•  Scatter the inhabitance: Isaiah 2:19
• God is no respecter of persons: 1 Sam 16:7
• Every aspect of life is under sentence along with every group and individual: Phil 3:9
• The laws and statutes refer to the basic standards of right behavior given to the man and woman at creation; Isaiah is using law here just as Paul uses it in Romans: Rom 1:20-21
• This verse points to the final diagnosis; destruction is the result of a curse brought on by sin: Isaiah 13:11-12

       Four Results of the Destruction of the Earth:

1.      The Stilling of the Song of the World vs. 7-12

•   Merriment ceases wherever joy is dependent upon alcohol and material blessings instead of trust in a God whose grace does not fail: Joel 1:5
• Wine with a song: Characteristic of Judah: Isaiah 5:11-12
• The ruined city, lit. The formless city.  The Hebrew word 'tohu' is used in Gen 1:2 referring to the beginning of the creation of the earth: Jeremiah 4:23
• The city of tohu lives without the ordering, life-giving hand of God, opting for a life on its own, within itself, depending on itself; consequently, it is unstable and without purpose.

2.       The Rising of the Song of the Remnant vs. 13-16a

•  It is the new song of the redeemed: Rev 5:9-10

3.         The Hopeless Flight vs. 16b-20

•   Isaiah now feels the condemnation of others as deeply as once he felt his own: Isaiah 6:5

4.         The Lord’s Reign vs. 21-23

•  The punishment of the powers in the heavens above refers to Satan and the fallen angels: Eph 6:11-12
• Bound in a dungeon: Jude 1:6
• And so, the chapter ends fittingly with a Burst of light so brilliant that it shames the sun: Isaiah 60:19-20
• His Reign includes the Elders, the redeemed: Rev 4:10-1

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            Three Ways to Demonstrate Confidence in Your Leaders:

• Submission is about modeling: 1 Pet 5:3
• We are to be examples to the flock! 1 Cor. 11:1
• We are not talking about Authoritarianism!
• Mutual submission: Eph. 5:21
• Keep Watch: Sentry guarding His or Her post.  Why?
• They are responsible: James 3:1

• We are dependant on the prayers of the Saints.
• We need prayer in order to live godly lives!
• Success in his mission is dependent on their prayers.
• He has urged them to focus on the Word: Heb 2:1
•  This prayer summarizes the content of the Sermon.
• God brings peace to the table; he brings unity.
• God can raise the dead; He brings life!
• God is the great Shepherd: Ps. 23
• God will be with us as we suffer.
• Equip can means mend: Mt. 4:21
•  He fixes the broken.  Why?
• We are fixed to serve!
• When he calls, he empowers.
• Again, he has challenged them and us.
•  He urges them to take his sermon to heart.
• “Word of Exhortation.” Acts 13:15
•  He will come to inspect what he expects.

•  Leadership is about friendship
•  Leaders need relationships.
• It’s all about Grace!

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                               “Stability in a Shaky World”
                                            Hebrews 13:7-16

•  The Main Idea is found in V-8
• Leaders will change but Christ remains the same: Heb 1:10:12 (Ps. 102:25-27) 
• The quoted psalm is about YHWH; Jesus is God incarnate; the second person in the Trinity.  John 1:1
• It is all about Jesus: 1 Cor. 2:2

            Four Steps to Stability in a Shaky World:

1.        Remember and Imitate Godly Leaders

•   In Chapter 11, “Hero’s of the Past.” 

            Two Behaviors to  imitate:

           1)    Their focus on the Word: Acts 20:26-27
           2)   Their Faith (Trust or walk) 2 Tim 4:6-8

2.         Be Strengthened by Grace not Regulations

•  Carried away: Don’t get sidetracked!
• The gospel is not about food: Rom 14:17
• Friend of one of my daughters: Mark 7:19
• What happens outside the camp is significant: Lev 16:27

3.         Embrace the Disgrace – Come to the Cross!

•  Moses regarded this disgrace: Heb 11:26
• Sharing in his sufferings is a common theme: Phil 3:10-11
• Following Christ means preparing for hardship: Luke 9:23
•  “Here,” we are on shaky ground: Heb. 12:27

4.         Sacrifice

•  Worship and sacrifice are synonymous: Rom 12:1

            Four ways to sacrifice:

           1)   Praise: Psalm 54:6
           2)   Confession: Rom 10:9-10
           3)   Deeds of Kindness (Empathy)  Heb 13:3
           4)   Gifts:  Phil 4:18

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                             Essential Christian Qualities
                                          Hebrews 13:1-6

Five Essential Qualities:

1.         Family Love (Brotherly Love)

• Notice, Keep on: Don’t stop! Lit. let brotherly love continue
• Present tense/Continuous Action.
• Jesus gave us this command: John 13:34-35
• This is not mere sentiment: 1 John 3:16-18
• True love results in action.

2.       Hospitality

• Inn’s were filthy, expensive and full of vice.
• Some are called to be missionaries.
• Where do they lodge?
• The house church: 3 John 5-8
• He thinks back to the book of Genesis: Gen. 18:2-3
• There are angels among us.
• Angels are ministering spirits: Heb 1:14

3.        Empathy  (put ourself in their shoes)

•  Continue to do what you have done in the past.
• Brings us back to Acts 18:1-2
• Heb 10:32-34; Their response
• What we do to others; we do to Christ: Mt. 25:37-40
• When one suffers we all suffer: 1 Cor. 12:26

4.         Purity

• God has a problem with sexual immorality. 1 Cor. 6:18-20
• God is a “Consuming fire.” Heb 12:29

5.            Contentment

•  This is critical to grasp for our consumer society.
• Money loving leads to division: Mt. 6:24
• Contentment comes from trusting God: Phil 4:11-13
• Don’t act like a pagan: Mt. 6:31-33
• Contentment comes from being confident in God’s promises.
• Our author goes to the well of scripture: Psalm 118:6-7

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                                                 “The Unshakable Kingdom
                                                           Hebrews 12:25-29

Intro:   The Loma Prieta Earthquake of 1989.  Oct 17th, 7.1 centered in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  33 Years since the earthquake.

•  Main Verse: Heb 12:28

Three Responses to our standing within the Unshakable Kingdom:

1.            Obedience: “Do not refuse him who speaks.”

•  The Wilderness generation instantly disobeyed God.
• While Moses was on the mountain they had Aaron craft an Idol.
• Ex. 32:35: God sent a plague!
• He warns us from Heaven: Jesus, high-priest…
• Again, our author gives an additional how much more argument : Heb 2:3

2.            Confidence

•   We will not be shaken is a promise.
• The earth shook at Sinai: Psalm 77:18
• The earth will shake at the end of time: Haggai 2:6
• But God promises a New Heaven and … 2 Pet 3:10-13
• The physical will pass; the spiritual last.
• Remember, their physical world was coming apart.
• Esau, who clung to his appetites: Heb. 12:16
• Our earthly life does not revolve around comforts.
• This is our confidence: Rom 8:38 39

3.            Gratitude

• Confidence does not lead to arrogance.
• How do we show our Thankfulness?

    1)     Worship Acceptably  

• Worship is about how we live: Rom. 12:1-2
• God has not changed.
• Judgment is so fiery; how can we waiver?  Isaiah 33:14

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