Living In The Light Series

Living in the Light

Isaiah 5:30

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