Talawanda Baptist Church

In late November, Bro. Austin Wynn delivered one of the best and most timely sermons ever preached at Talawanda Baptist Church. Listen to his sermon on weighing our suffering against the glory of God for which He prepares us.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/luke-1-39-56.mp3Luke 1.39-56

Elizabeth, John the Baptist (from the womb), and Mary all live to give praise to God. Mary makes God’s name great through a song that tells of His mighty deeds for His People. We are compelled by their example to use our lives for the same purpose: to bring glory to God by making His works known to all people.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/luke-1-26-38-2011.mp3Luke 1.26-38

While Mary’s character can be seen in other passages, God’s character is on display here. God gives grace to whom He wills. His grace is not earned, but freely given to His People.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/luke-1-5-25.mp3Luke 1.5-25

Luke begins his account of Jesus’ birth by telling us of the day when an otherwise ordinary Jewish priest had his prayers answered. God had not spoken to His people directly for over 400 years. That all changed when Zechariah encountered an unexpected visitor inside the temple.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/isaiah-10-20-34.mp3Isaiah 10.20-34

When God sets His People free from sin, He must deliver by His Hand. We cooperate with our lusts to the point that we do not realize that we are captive.  Right when it looks like we will be destroyed, the Lord Sabaoth steps in to reclaim His People!

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/isaiah-10-5-19.mp3Isaiah 10.5-19

God uses a judgment against Assyria to show Judah the horrible nature of sin. Sin does not recognize God’s handiwork in any way, but instead puffs us up with pride.The dual nature of fire shows us how God responds to our sin through burning judgment or salvation by His light.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/isaiah-9-8-10-4.mp3Isaiah 9.8-10.4

Our culture is filled with a spirit of entitlement.  The Northern Kingdom of Israel had the same attitude after rejecting God. However, God asks a poignant question. “If you reject the True God, to whom will you cry out when His judgment falls on you?”

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/isaiah-9-2-7.mp3Isaiah 9.2-7

The tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali had every reason to feel depressed and isolated.  However, God promises they will be the first to be invaded by the Messiah.  He will throw off their chains of slavery forever.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/isaiah-8-19-9-1.mp3Isaiah 8.19-9.1

In this passage, Isaiah learns a little about what it will  look like when God comes to dwell among His people.  In a culture that wants to turn to the dead for answers, God reminds Isaiah (and us) to look to Him.

https://talawanda.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/isaiah-8-11-18.mp3Isaiah 8.11-18

God encourages Isaiah not to live with the same mind set as the culture around him. God uses Paul to tell us the same thing in Romans 12:2. Starting with verse 12, God reveals to Isaiah at least three ways to walk counter-culturally. First, he must fear God, not men. Second, he must hide himself in God. God is a rock of protection for those who trust Him, but He is a rock of stumbling and a crushing boulder to those who do not. Third, Isaiah must wait on the Lord. In other words, he has to trust to watching God’s plan unfold. People get impatient waiting for deliverance to come, but those trusting in God will wait to see Him work. All is accomplished in the continuing work of Immanuel, especially His work on the cross.