Fellowshipmtz

When Fervent Religion Damns

Isaiah 58

John Piper summarizes pointedly, "The authenticity our worship on Sunday is shaped by our justice on Monday."

Grace! (And Can It Be?)

Isaiah 57:14-21

A truly amazing passage! In verse 15 the LORD declares, "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit".  He goes on to explain that He can dwell with the crushed and lowly because He "will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry" (vs 16).  That's good news, certainly!  BUT DOESN'T that just create a different sort of problem?
People haven't stopped sinning (verse 17!) -- so on what basis can the LORD make such an audacious promise without compromising His own holiness?

"Failed Leadership"

Isaiah 56:9 -- 57:13

In spite of all that the LORD has already done and promised still to do, Jerusalem's present day "watchman" are miserable failures -- "blind watchman, silent dogs, shepherds without understanding".  Sadly, the indictment is still true of governmental and church leaders!

Keep Justice & Do Righteousness

Isaiah 56:1-8

Some (more liberal) churches emphasize matters of (social) justice to the detriment of personal righteousness.  Other (more conservative) churches emphasize the Bible's teaching on sin, salvation, and righteousness to the neglect of keeping justice.  Both themes are stressed in Scripture.

Isaiah's (Fascinating) Structure...

Isaiah 56 
I don't know if you have noticed it or not, but every time Isaiah's text indicates Israel's sin and waywardness have resolved by GOD's intervention and covenant faithfulness, Isaiah turns dark and gloomy again.  Today's lesson is a "big picture" and explains what the reader should understand.

The LORD's Everlasting Covenant!

Isaiah 55:3-13

Verses 6-7: “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."

A sinner's relationship with GOD will NEVER be realized so long he relies HIS way (efforts), HIS thinking.  A sinner's relationship with GOD will NEVER be realized so long as she relies on CULTURE's methods, CULTURE's thinking.  Seeking the LORD is an all-encompassing venture
the pearl of great price! the treasure hidden in the field!

Alas! (What your soul thirsts for has been provided by the LORD!)

Isaiah 55:1-3

Alas! -- Disappointingly, the very first (Hebrew) word of the LORD's own "Gospel sermon" has either been mistranslated or poorly translated in most English versions of the Bible.

Can a Man Be Profitable to God?

Ray Clark, pastor of sister church Baptist Bible Church in Decatur, guest speaks at Fellowship today.  His church has been working its way through the poetic narrative of Job.  Our church is treated to one slice of the unfolding and intensifying drama!

Fear and Anger (In Our Current Environment)

Guest speaker, Curt Fleck, opens God's Word this week in Cliff's absence.  Curt is the Director of Civil Servant Ministries in Springfield, the Illinois State Capitol -- a ministry especially devoted to politicians and elected officials.

God's Own Gospel Sermon

Chapter 55

Charles Spurgeon (in introducing one of several sermons he preached on this chapter) begins:
"THIS very memorable chapter may be called God's own gospel-sermon.  In reading it we forget Isaiah, and only remember Jehovah.  He speaks not here by the prophet, but in the first person.  God Himself says, "Incline your ear, and come unto Me."  Now, we value every single word of Holy Writ, but especially those words which come direct from the mouth of God Himself: not so much spoken for Him as by Him.  Take heed that you turn not away from Him who speaks from heaven."