Investigating God #4

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Sermon Notes, June 23, 2019 AM 

Investigating God #4

The Day The Foundations Shook

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com

 

INTRODUCTION

A. In the early mong hours of July 16, 1945, the first atomic bomb was detonated in

   the desert of New Mexico. Those who were to observe the blast from ten to twenty
    miles away were instructed to lay on the ground with their feet pointing toward the
    blast sight and cover their eye with their arm. No one was to look at the blast since it
    was expected to be brighter than the son. Some of the observers were praying.
    Nothing like this had ever occurred. Would this blast set in motion a chain of events in
    which they would all be killed. At 5:29 a.m. the countdown ended at O. There was a
    burst of energy, a brilliant light that lit up the sky, a distant rumble that grew louder
    and louder as a shock wave impacted the observers blowing sand and dust . The
    world would never be the same.
B. Have you ever witnessed something so incredibly powerful that it made an
    unforgettable impression on your mind?  
    1. This was the experience of Isaiah, an 8^th century B.C. prophet in Judah. The 8^th
        century B.C.  was a critical time in the history of the ancient world. Athens and
        Sparta had risen to political, philosophical and military prominence. The Assyrian
        empire was a rising military power that would conquer the northern kingdom of
        Israel in 722 B.C.
    2. In the southern kingdom of Judah, Uzziah became king in approximately 780 when
        he was sixteen years old. He reigned for 52 years during which Judah prospered
        economically. Although Uzziah began as a good king he became consumed with
        pride and spent the last years of his life as a leper (See 2 Chronicles 26). 
    . Against the backdrop of these sweeping changes it would be easy to wonder if
        God is still in control.
C. At this critical time in history Isaiah was witness to an event that overwhelmed every
    aspect of his life. No investigation of God is complete without considering the scene
    pictured in Isaiah 6:1-8.
 
I.  ISAIAH’S EXPERIENCE
    A. In Isaiah 6:1- 4 the prophet records his experience.
        1. It occurred during the year of Uzziah’s death. This was approximately 740 B.C.
        2. There are some dates you remember because of their significance. For some of
            you the memory of December 7, 1941 is etched in your memory. For more
            ecent generations September 11, 2001 is a date you will never forget.
        3. For Isaiah and the people of Judah the death of Uzziah was huge. For 52 years
            he had reigned. Suddenly the political stability he had brought was gone. Who
            was in control?      
    B. Isaiah described his experience. “I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and
        exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. ² Seraphim stood above Him,
        each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his
        feet, and with two he flew. ³ And one called out to another and said,
        “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.”
            ⁴ And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out,
        while the temple was filling with smoke.”
        1. Isaiah saw the Lord. Notice the three discriptions of God.
            a. His authority – sitting upon His throne.
            b. His appearance – lofty and exalted.
            c. His adornment – the train of his garment filled the temple.
        2. In our country we do not have a monarch. Our presidential inaugurations are
            modest compared to the coronation of a monarch. When Princess Elizabeth
            became Queen Elizabeth in 1952 (she is still reining at the age of 93), she wore
            a dazzling gown with a long train that required several attendants to walk behind
            her to carry it. It was a sign or royalty and splendor.  
        3. As if this wondrous scene was not enough, I saiah saw, above the Lord,
            Seraphim.        
            a. The appearance and actions of these heavenly beings demonstrate their
                purpose of praising God.
            b. They had six wings.
                1.) With two they covered their eyes. Why?> Because of the brightness of
                    God’s glory. We understand the importance of not looking directly at the
                    sun. How much brighter is the glory of God? In Acts 9:3 as Saul (Paul)
                    approached Damascas a light flashed about him blinding him. Acts 22:6
                    says this was about noontime so the light Saul encountered was brighter
                    than the noon sun.
                2,) With two they covered their feet as a sign of humility.
                3.) With two they flew.
            c. More important than their appearance was their announcement.
                “Holy, Holy, Holy!”
                1.) In English grammar we use a variety of tools to give emphasis to a word or
                    sentence. We use italics, underlining, bold type and exclamation marks.
                2.) Ancient languages utilized repetition as a means of emphasis. esus                     
                    prefaced his statements by saying “Truly, Truly.”  In Galatians 1:8-9 Paul
                    repeated his admonition, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should
                    preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to
 
                    be accursed.”  God is not merely “Holy.” He is “Holy, Holy, Holy.” No other
                    characteristic of God is given such prominence. The word  “Holy” means
                    “separate.” God is set apart. His is higher than our highest thoughts and
                    greater than our greatest imagination.
 
II. ISAIAH’S EXCLAMATION
    A. Isaiah’s experience touched every aspect of his life.
        1. He saw the Lord.
        2. He heard the Seraphim.
        3. He felt the foundations of the temple shake. Even inanimate objects responded
            to the power of God.
        4. His nostrils were filled with the scent of the smoke that filled the room.
    B. Can you imagine what it would be like to see God? Look at Isaiah’s response in
        verse 5, ““Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips,
        and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the
        LORD of hosts.”
        1. In the midst of God’s awesome holiness Isaiah was confronted with his own
            unworthiness.
        2. “I am ruined.” The King James Version says, “I am undone.” When compared to
            the splendor, grandeur and greatness of God Isaiah was literally coming apart at
            the seams. How could someone witness the glory of God and live?
      C. Suddenly Isaiah broadsided by a startling fact. It is the fact of his personal
        unworthiness and sinfulness in the sight of the One who is “Holy,, Holy Holy.” He
        cried, “I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips.”:   
        1. In all of the Old Testament prophets this is the only occurrence where one
            pronounces a woe upon himself.
        2. When a jewler displays a diamond he lays it out against a black background to
            highlight its brilliance. Against the background of God’s holiness Isaiah
            understood his own sin and unworthiness.
    D. On this occasion Isaiah came to realize two essential truths.
        1. Who God is. Notice in verse 5 he said, “My eyes have theen the king, the LORD
            of hosts.”  The word used for “”Lord” in verses 1 and 5 are not the same. Verse
            1 is the word “Adonai” meaning “socvreign.” Verse 5 is the unpronounceable
            covenant name of God.   
     2. Who Isaiah was.
        3. It is only when we appreciate and acknowledge the incomprehensible power,
            awesomeness and holiness of God that we understand ourselves.
        3. Many years ago in Memphis there was a facility known as the “Home for
            Incurables.” It was a massive old building in the heart of the city with only the
            most severely handicapped and disabled people living there. In those days it   
            was run down, not very clean and certainly did not smell very good. Each year
            our high school class would visit and each year I dreaded going. Now that I think
            of it, I am that that person whose life is handicapped and maimed by sin. I am
            the one who exclaims, “Woe is me.”
  
 III. ISAIAH’S EAGERNESS   
    A. As this scene reached its climactic point one of the Seraphim takes a burning coal
        from the altar with a pair of tongs and touches Isaiah’s lips (verse 7). Then he
        proclaims, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and
        your sin is forgiven” (verse 8).
        1. The altar was where the sacrifices for sin were made. Without the sacrifice there
            could be no forgiveness. Hebrews 10:4 reminds Christians that it was impossible
            or the blood of bulls and goats to remove sin. It took the shedding of the Savior’s
            blood. 2.with the blood
        2. Unless our lives are cleansed by the blood of Jesus our sins will not be forgiven.
    B. On the heels of this spectacular, earth shaking event, Isaiah heard God’s call,
        “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?”  
        1. Isaiah’s experience with God did not end with the forgiveness of his sins.
        2. There was work to be done. There was a mission to be accomplished. Idaiah
            eagerly replied, “Here am I, send me.”
    C. Your encounter with God did not end when you dried off after being baptized. On
        the contrary, it was just beginning. You were enlisting in Godd’s army. You were
        joining God’s team. You were saying, “Here am I, send me.”        
 
CONCLUSION:
A. God is still on His throne. He is still “Holy, Holy, Holy.” He still offers forgiveness for
   our sins. He still calls, “Who will go for me?  
 B. Stop. Listen. Do you hear Him calling you? How will you respond?
 

Investigating God 3

 

Sermon Notes, June 16, 2019 AM

“Father”

Steve W. Reeves

steve@wschurch.net

stevewreevessermons.blogspot.com

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

A. In August of 1999 the Elmwood Church of Christ in West Lafayette, Indiana, ran an
    interesting article in their church bulletin.
 

JUVENILE DELINQUENTS - BIG ONES!

    Ever feel sorry for a rhinoceros?  Now you can.  In the South African bush they’re
    being attacked by juvenile delinquents. Big ones. Really big ones the size of
    elephants. In fact, they are elephants, according to a recent edition of 60 Minutes. In
    one season, 10% of the rhino population was wiped out. These have been protected
    animals, and the local rangers were hopping mad. But who was killing them? Answer:
    elephants. But elephants don’t attack rhinos. But the evidence was strong. Finally
    somebody put the puzzle together. Twenty years ago a decision was made to kill
    adult elephants and move the young ones to other locations. Now that the young
    ones have become teenagers, they are doing strange things like attacking rhinos and
    attacking tourist vehicles. Rangers tracked them and saw them in action: the    elephants aunted rhinos like 14-year- old schoolyard bullies, then they got nasty, and
    finally killed the hapless rhinos. Eventually the offending elephants had to be shot
    (there are no reform schools for elephants). But why this bizarre behavior? The
    rangers figured it out:  these teenage elephants were growing up without male role
    models. This apparently created a whole generation of traumatized young elephants
    without older males to teach them how to behave. 
    1. The article concludes by telling how rangers went out and found adult male
        elephants who would be surrogate fathers to the younger elephants. The younger
        elephants watched the behavior of the big bulls and learned how to act.
    2. No more rhinos were killed. No more tourist vehicles were overturned.
B. God intends for fathers to play a crucial role in children’s lives. Within our culture
    there is a deliberate effort underway to undermine masculinity and fatherhood.
    Fathers are being demeaned, diminished and disrespected. You cannot undermine
     fatherhood without affecting society in a negative way.
    1. According to the 2010  census, 1 out of every 3 children in U.S.  (33%) live
        apart from their biological fathers.  = 24 million.
    2. Children who live absent from their fathers are 2-3 times more likely to be poor,
        use drugs and encounter educational, health, emotional, and behavioral problems.
C. The role of “Fatherhood” is also important because it is where the nature of God
    intersects with family life in a tangible way.
    1. The Old Testament refers to God as “father,” fifteen times.  
        a. Deuteronomy 32:6 – “Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise
            people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?”
        b. Isaiah 63:16 – “But you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us or
            Israel acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old
        is your name.”
        c. Through Jeremiah God said, "I myself said, " 'How gladly would I treat you like
            sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.'
            I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me.”
            (Jeremiah 3:19). 
    2. In the New Testament God is referred to as “Father,” 65 times in Matthew, Mark
           and Luke and over 100 times in John.
        a. The word Jesus used for “Father” was the Aramaic word, “Abba” that conveys a
            loving, intimate relationship.       
        b. Elsewhere in the New Testament the word for Father is the greek word, “Pater.”
            Both “Abba”and “Pater” give us an idea of the close relationship God
           longs to have with us.
        c. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray he began, “Our Father” (Matthew  
            6:9; Luke 11:12).                 
        d. In Ephesians 3:14-15 Paul wrote, “For this reason I kneel before the Father,
            ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.”
C. Consider three characteristics of God that are applicable to earthly fathers.
 
I. LIMITLESS LOVE         
    A. God love for us is not based on performance. I saw this illustrated recently in an
        episode of the “Andy Griffith” show. When Opie brought home all “A’s” on his
        report card Andy was so proud he told all of his friends and bought Opie a new
        bicycle. When Opie found out the teacher had made a mistake and hee actually
        had an “F” in arithmetic, he ran away because he was afraid his “Pa” woulddn’t
        love him anymore. When Andy found Opie walking down a road he told him that he
        loved him not because of what he did but because he was his son. This is how
        God loves us.
        1. Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have
            drawn you with lovingkindness.”
        2. Lamentations 3:22-23 - The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
           For His compassions never fail. ²³ They are new every morning; Great is Your
            faithfulness.”
        3. Romans 5:6- 8 – “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for
            the ungodly. ⁷ For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the
            good man someone would dare even to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own
            love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us .”
   B. Country singer George Strait recorded one of his best known songs in
        1990, “A Father’s Love.” The chorus goes: “Let me tell you a secret ,about a
        fathers love A secret that my daddy said was just between us. He said daddies
        don’t just love their children every now and then. It's a love without end, amen.” 
        1. The song-writer Aaron Barker, tells the story behind the song. His teenage son
            had started driving and had been given strict rules about where he could drive
            and who could ride with him. He says. "That night he'd broken both rules - and,
            when he hit a curb, a wheel came off and landed on the hood of a new
            Porsche.”
       2. Barker said that he disciplined his son severely. Later in the evening he
            wondered if he had been too harsh. He thought of his own father’s discipline
            when he had come home from school after getting in a fight and how his father
           told him he loved him. It was then that the words of the song fell into place.
  
 II. FAITHFUL FORGIVENESS
   A. As sinful as humanity has been God has always been willing to forgive when we
        have turned to Him.
       1. Exodus 34:6-7 – “Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The
            Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding
            in lovingkindness and truth; ⁷ who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who
            forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.”
        2. Psalm 85:2-3 – “You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their
            sin.”
       3. We are reminded in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to
            cleanse us from all sin and unrighteousness.”
    B. Godly fathers are those who possess forgiving hearts. When I was a junior in high
        school I was going over to a friend’s house one evening in my Dad’s pickup. I
        started the truck, put it in reverse and backed into my mother’s big, cream-colored
        Chrysler.  The truck emerged unscated but I nearly ripped the driver’s side door off
        of my mother’s car. Though I didn’t get to go to my friend’s house I was thankful
        there was forgiveness and I was permitted to drive again.
    C. A friend told me a story about her dad. In her late teens this
        precious unmarried woman had become pregnant. Her father, an elder in the
        hurch, was devastated and upset. However, shortly after learning the news he got
        up from the dinner table one night, walked around behind her as she sat and
        hugged her. He said, “I forgive you and I promise you that I will
        never, ever, bring this up again.” That had been many years earlier and she said
        he had never  said another word to her about it.
    D. Father’s, there is no need to be “historical” with our children. Instead, we need to
        offer them the forgiveness we ourselves seek from God.
 
III. DEPENDABLE DISCIPLINE  
    A. God does not hesitate to discipline us. Hebrews 12: 5-9 - “My son, do not regard
        lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him;
            ⁶ For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom
        He receives.” ⁷ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons;
        for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ⁸ But if you are without
        discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children
        and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we
        respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and
        live?”
    B. The Scriptures repeatedly give us instructions about training and instructing our
        children.
        1. Deuteronomy 6: 4-7 – “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. ⁵ Love
            the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
            strength. ⁶ These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.
            ⁷ Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and
            when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
        2. Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
            up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
   C. Just like the elephants I mentioned at the beginning of this message, if we do not
        want our children to behave like “wild Animals” it takes loving, consistent discipline
        even as God lovingly disciplines us.
 
CONCLUSION
A. I hope we have earthly father’s for which we can be thankful. I know we have a
    Heavenly Father for which we can give thanks.
B. Will you give your heart, your mind, your body and soul to Him today?