Series: Dog Days
Week: 2
Passage: Isaiah 56:10
Title: Two Big Dogs with a Lot of Bark and no Bite.
Focus: Maturity
INTRODUCTION: There’s one big dog in my life that is huge with little bite. (The story of Towzer, how we got him, how people perceive him, and how he really is in real life). 2 Videos.
ON ISAIAH: Isaiah was a prophet (person who spoke for the Lord’s will under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to the Kings (authorities) of the day. His main message was for those living in spiritual rituals and on a quest for God’s prosperity (great health, lots of money and extremely popular). Isaiah declared the opposite of this lifestyle. He preached that God’s heart resided in justice - people be right in their actions and attitudes, loving God with their heart and caring for others unselfishly.
In Isaiah’s declarations, his words were either taken to heart by the authorities of the day or brushed off as mere personal opinion. Therefore, in moments of despair, Isaiah would retreat to his journal, logging his revelations from God. These written prophecies served documents proving Isaiah’s validity as the revelations came true repeatedly as time passed.
One authority figure, King Hezekiah was one ruler who sought out Isaiah after being defeated in numerous battles. Isaiah, as God’s faithful servant, assured the king that his enemy would not defeat him if he was faithfully seeking the Lord. Isaiah’s truth from the Lord served as a sign to all people (in that day and ours) that God grants victories to those who are faithfully following His ways.
ON THE BOOK: While Isaiah has been broken down in many ways, I personally see eight “sections” that help us understand what we are seeking today.
1. Chapters 1-12: Isaiah preaches against greed and spiritual corruption. Seven “woes” are outlined describing how the anger of the Lord is present in people’s disobedience.
2. Chapters 13-23: An outline of how God has governs the kingdoms and nations of the world and what will happen to these kingdoms.
3. Chapters 24-27: Isaiah’s points out how problems are worldwide and not just happening locally. While God is in control, the entire universe is suffering.
4. Chapters 28-33: The people are condemned even more for being greedy, drunks, and complacent with their life and therefore Isaiah gives seven “woes” on what happens God’s protection is rejected.
5. Chapters 34-35: More revelation on the future of the nations after Isaiah’s death.
6. Chapters 36-39: A look back at Isaiah’s younger life when he has a near fatal illness and his restoration. This will serve as a set up for the last two ending themes.
7. Chapters 40-55: A nation that was once sick is now healthy enough to be a light to the world. The messiah, Jesus is spoken about. He will deliver the people once and for all.
8. Chapters 56-66: The promise of God’s city being rebuilt is identified. It will be a splendorous sight where God’s glory is constantly proclaimed. God’s people, through the power of the Messiah, will help bring God’s blessing to the world!
ON THE PASSAGE: We land this morning in chapter 56. The deliverance of a Messiah has just been revealed. God’s promises are about to be proclaimed but there are those leading that are falling short and will in turn miss out on God’s glorious proclamation and the ability to fully grasp the power of the Messiah in their everyday life. The worthless watchmen and lazy shepherds miss out on great blessings when living out of line with the laws of the Lord.
“For the leaders of my people--the Lord's watchmen, his shepherds--are blind and ignorant. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming.” Isaiah 56:10.
TITLE: Two Big Dogs with a lot of Bark and no Bite.
Big Dog #1: The Worthless Watchmen (Isaiah 56:10a)
• Explanation: God is big on people keeping watch for him. There are those like Isaiah in the Old Testament and the Disciples in the New who have been lookouts, intently watching in expectation for Christ’s return and sharing the good news about the return to people they come in contact with.
o Eli: “Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God...” 1 Samuel 4:13
o David: “In the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.” Psalm 5:4
o Jeremiah: “Stand by the way and watch…” Jeremiah 48:19
o Micah: “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation…” Micah 7:7
o Titus (Disciples): “Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13
• Illustration: Bethany is the best backseat driver ever. She will tell you when something’s coming.
• Application: We are to be God’s watchman of worth and not be worthless. We are of worth when we guard the truth we have in our hearts while watching and waiting for the Lord’s return communicating the Gospel to those who are lost.
o What if we get ambushed?
• That’s going to happen – the Lord is there. We are called to be a powerful force through the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
o Shouldn’t we hide ourselves?
• Why would we hide? We are called to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. Watchmen of worth give guidance on when trouble is coming.
• God’s true watchmen not only keep a look out but proclaim the truth when it comes! You know Jesus is coming, why are you quiet?
• Be a watchman of worth!
Big Dog #2: The Lazy Shepherds (Isaiah 56:10b)
• Explanation: Good shepherds know the best grazing ground for their flocks. They also know to lead them to places where they are going to be nourished properly. Sometimes the sheep go willingly; sometimes they put up a fight. The kings and authorities in the Old Testament (Shepherds), as well as the religious leaders in the Old and New Testament were lazy and ignorant, leading people to places where there wasn’t any proper nutrition (spiritual growth). Isaiah states that these shepherds “went their own way” in three distinct ways.
o They were more interested in their own gain than in their people’s welfare (Isaiah 1-12).
o They were concerned only with their own pleasure (Isaiah 28-33).
o They failed to consider that judgment will come (be a watchmen of worth) (Isaiah 34-35).
• “Come,” they say, “let me get wine; let us fill ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow will be like this day, great beyond measure.” (Isaiah 56:12). LIARS!
• Illustration: The Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man… Never take advice from a personal trainer that doesn’t look the part. I’ll follow any trainer that looks the way I want to look. Watchmen of worth become shepherds who lead and those shepherds MUST lead as driven leaders.
• Application: We have all not only followed worthless shepherds but we have also been worthless leaders at one time or another. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6). So how do I know if I am following the right shepherd (or watchman) and how do I know if I’m leading well?
o In the New Testament, Christ’s delegation was to be Shepherd (Chief Shepherd).
• Hebrews 13:20 “the God of peace who brought… the great shepherd of the sheep.”
• 1 Peter 2:25 “you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
• 1 Peter 5:4 “when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
o Jesus life, leadership, death and resurrection served as a template on our own leadership. It also helps us learn whom we are to follow as we look for the Lord’s arrival and how we are to preach the Gospel to the lost.
• The Evaluation of who to lead:
• Those that are far from Jesus Christ (they might know “God” but don’t know Jesus Christ).
• Those misinformed on what they are to gain from this life/those interested in their own welfare.
• Those concerned with self-gratification.
• Those that are clueless on the judgment to come.
• The evaluation of who to follow (4 Questions):
• Are they a follow of Jesus Christ (not just “God” but do they use the name of “Jesus”?
• Are they interested in their own gain or the true welfare of those around them?
• Are they concerned more with pleasure or justice?
• Have they or do they speak often of the judgment that is to come?
o The key to this is give and take with a solid standing of balance.
o Watchmen of worth become shepherds who lead and those shepherds MUST lead as driven leaders.
CONCLUSION: Worthless watchmen and lazy shepherds get their reward; an instant gratification of self and an eternity alone. However those that wait with great anticipation and lead those in their care will gain their reward as well; a eternal standing before the Lord with a declaration of a “job well done”. Be the watchmen sounding the horn and the shepherd bring the flock into the fold. You’re life will be dramatically different and your outlook on the world will never be the same. May the Lord lead you to the lost as you follow those that are seeking the Kingdom of Christ.
