Isaiah 59 - Part 2
Posted by Calvary Chapel Fremont at 5/12/2010 9:17 PM 
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Isaiah
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Pastor Tim Brown Calvary Chapel Fremont Isaiah
Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday May 12, 2010
ISAIAH 59
Last week vv1-2: the spiritual climate of the day was one where they weren’t experiencing the presence of the Lord. They were expecting it, but not experiencing it. Blessings were forecast, but only a dryness came. They thought they could predict the blessings of God – that their prayer/fasting obligated God. They had observance w/o obedience (cf. Is. 58)/attendance w/o attentiveness – showed up at class, but never listened to the teacher/perfect attendance record - F grade. Not only does sin harden the heart, it dulls the mind – they should have known better. Their history should have alerted them. God is a God of the all, He is not a God of the some.
They blamed God for this and said it was because God had changed. I said that it was due to their sin. The rest of the chapter continues w/ this theme of how sin alienates you from the presence of God/ destroying your life. Sin separates you from God/smothers your soul. You can’t expect the good life while living the bad life.
You were created to know God/experience His presence. What sin did to man 2700 years ago, it does today. This is why the prophets of Israel speak w/ such relevance today. What was bad 2700 yrs ago is bad today/was good 2700 yrs ago is good today.
3-8 the inner logic of sin
I is not just making a list of their sins to show the cumulative effect of the weight of sin. He is sketching out the inner logic of sin. He is demonstrating the progressive ruin of a soul that is sold out to sin.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption...Galatians 6:7-8
Violence –
3a physical blood life taken
3b intellectual lies truth taken
4a-c spiritual darkness light taken
4a – sues righteously = calls for righteousness.
4b – pleads honestly = judges truthfully
4c – trust in confusion (tohu)/speak lies = (shoah) holocaust
From the outside/in - from the inside/out they sowing to the flesh/ satisfying their selfish passions – they are planting seeds of sin that will grow a harvest of sorrow. …whatever a man sows, this he will also reap…
Eze. 14:1-5 Why doesn’t God hear my prayers? Because He sees your heart.
10 Books that screwed up the world and five more that didn’t help – common themes of pragmatism/materialism – no standard/spirit. There is no law/ Lawgiver/Creator – man is free from any constraint. That’s the seed that’s been sown. The harvest – contemporary culture: life/ truth/light are sacrificed.
* Life is trivialized – it is dangerous at both ends
* Truth is relativized – it is a preference, not a fact
* Light is minimized – the candlelight of philosophy throws shadows
The result is seen in 4d - They become pregnant with mischief – sorrow/toil/labor. They don’t sow the seeds of blessing/happiness, they become pregnant w/ that which works against their blessing/happiness.
4d – bring forth iniquity… They don’t give birth to a fruitful/fulfilled life, they bring forth more of that which will continue to destroy them. Do not be deceived…
5 – direct contact w/ them is deadly and if you try to stop them by stepping on the eggs – you’ll get bit, too.
6 – sin cannot bring forth a fruitful/fulfilled/secure life
7-8 – more of the same
An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker/lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled, and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed and covetousness that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the banker said, "Preacher, why did you ask us to come?" The old preacher mustered up his strength/said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go."
9-15a consequences of sin
9a Live in chaos
Justice is ‘right judgments’. This is the result of clear thinking based on pure motives. Since no one has pure motives, no one thinks clearly because all are self motivated and therefore injustice prevails.
Righteousness doesn’t overtake us – i.e., the fruit of righteousness. Dt. 28:2 the blessings of God will overtake you. Blessing/righteousness are pursuing you. I met righteousness the other day on the road and she was huffing/puffing. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she was trying to catch up w/ you, but your sin had outpaced her. Righteousness can’t keep pace w/ sin – she’s left behind. Cf. Mt. 6:33 Two objects moving toward one another will eventually meet. God wants to meet w/ you and bless you.
9b Live in disappointment – cf. v6 – sin cannot satisfy
10 Live in confusion – situational ethics. I don’t know what I’ll do in a specific situation unless I am in that position. There is no overarching moral principle I live by. Each circumstance is unique and my thinking about each situation will be unique. I have no grand vision – I take it as it comes.
11 Live in depression/sorrow
We hope for what we have denied others.
12-13 Live in guilty knowledge/condemnation – accusing conscience w/o confession
14 Live in oppression
Justice/righteousness/truth are gone – foundation removed
15a Morality punished (getting out of a gang)
A tobacco whistle blower/PhD in chemistry - $30K high school teacher now. Wife divorced him/lost custody of kids.
15b-20 judgment of sin/salvation from sin
What God saw – no justice
What God felt – astonishment that it registered on no one
What God did – He brought justice: wrath/redemption
God brought life/truth/clarity. John 1:1-14 Life/Truth/Light
21 the seed for future blessing
The Word and the Spirit will keep your soul from shrinking.
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ISAIAH 59
Last week vv1-2: the spiritual climate of the day was one where they weren’t experiencing the presence of the Lord. They were expecting it, but not experiencing it. Blessings were forecast, but only a dryness came. They thought they could predict the blessings of God – that their prayer/fasting obligated God. They had observance w/o obedience (cf. Is. 58)/attendance w/o attentiveness – showed up at class, but never listened to the teacher/perfect attendance record - F grade. Not only does sin harden the heart, it dulls the mind – they should have known better. Their history should have alerted them. God is a God of the all, He is not a God of the some.
They blamed God for this and said it was because God had changed. I said that it was due to their sin. The rest of the chapter continues w/ this theme of how sin alienates you from the presence of God/ destroying your life. Sin separates you from God/smothers your soul. You can’t expect the good life while living the bad life.
You were created to know God/experience His presence. What sin did to man 2700 years ago, it does today. This is why the prophets of Israel speak w/ such relevance today. What was bad 2700 yrs ago is bad today/was good 2700 yrs ago is good today.
3-8 the inner logic of sin
I is not just making a list of their sins to show the cumulative effect of the weight of sin. He is sketching out the inner logic of sin. He is demonstrating the progressive ruin of a soul that is sold out to sin.
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption...Galatians 6:7-8
Violence –
3a physical blood life taken
3b intellectual lies truth taken
4a-c spiritual darkness light taken
4a – sues righteously = calls for righteousness.
4b – pleads honestly = judges truthfully
4c – trust in confusion (tohu)/speak lies = (shoah) holocaust
From the outside/in - from the inside/out they sowing to the flesh/ satisfying their selfish passions – they are planting seeds of sin that will grow a harvest of sorrow. …whatever a man sows, this he will also reap…
Eze. 14:1-5 Why doesn’t God hear my prayers? Because He sees your heart.
10 Books that screwed up the world and five more that didn’t help – common themes of pragmatism/materialism – no standard/spirit. There is no law/ Lawgiver/Creator – man is free from any constraint. That’s the seed that’s been sown. The harvest – contemporary culture: life/ truth/light are sacrificed.
* Life is trivialized – it is dangerous at both ends
* Truth is relativized – it is a preference, not a fact
* Light is minimized – the candlelight of philosophy throws shadows
The result is seen in 4d - They become pregnant with mischief – sorrow/toil/labor. They don’t sow the seeds of blessing/happiness, they become pregnant w/ that which works against their blessing/happiness.
4d – bring forth iniquity… They don’t give birth to a fruitful/fulfilled life, they bring forth more of that which will continue to destroy them. Do not be deceived…
5 – direct contact w/ them is deadly and if you try to stop them by stepping on the eggs – you’ll get bit, too.
6 – sin cannot bring forth a fruitful/fulfilled/secure life
7-8 – more of the same
An old preacher was dying. He sent a message for his banker/lawyer, both church members, to come to his home. When they arrived, they were ushered up to his bedroom. As they entered the room, the preacher held out his hands and motioned for them to sit on each side of the bed. The preacher grasped their hands, sighed contentedly, smiled, and stared at the ceiling. For a time, no one said anything. Both the banker and lawyer were touched and flattered that the preacher would ask them to be with him during his final moments. They were also puzzled; the preacher had never given them any indication that he particularly liked either of them. They both remembered his many long, uncomfortable sermons about greed and covetousness that made them squirm in their seats. Finally, the banker said, "Preacher, why did you ask us to come?" The old preacher mustered up his strength/said weakly, "Jesus died between two thieves, and that's how I want to go."
9-15a consequences of sin
9a Live in chaos
Justice is ‘right judgments’. This is the result of clear thinking based on pure motives. Since no one has pure motives, no one thinks clearly because all are self motivated and therefore injustice prevails.
Righteousness doesn’t overtake us – i.e., the fruit of righteousness. Dt. 28:2 the blessings of God will overtake you. Blessing/righteousness are pursuing you. I met righteousness the other day on the road and she was huffing/puffing. I asked her what was wrong and she said that she was trying to catch up w/ you, but your sin had outpaced her. Righteousness can’t keep pace w/ sin – she’s left behind. Cf. Mt. 6:33 Two objects moving toward one another will eventually meet. God wants to meet w/ you and bless you.
9b Live in disappointment – cf. v6 – sin cannot satisfy
10 Live in confusion – situational ethics. I don’t know what I’ll do in a specific situation unless I am in that position. There is no overarching moral principle I live by. Each circumstance is unique and my thinking about each situation will be unique. I have no grand vision – I take it as it comes.
11 Live in depression/sorrow
We hope for what we have denied others.
12-13 Live in guilty knowledge/condemnation – accusing conscience w/o confession
14 Live in oppression
Justice/righteousness/truth are gone – foundation removed
15a Morality punished (getting out of a gang)
A tobacco whistle blower/PhD in chemistry - $30K high school teacher now. Wife divorced him/lost custody of kids.
15b-20 judgment of sin/salvation from sin
What God saw – no justice
What God felt – astonishment that it registered on no one
What God did – He brought justice: wrath/redemption
God brought life/truth/clarity. John 1:1-14 Life/Truth/Light
21 the seed for future blessing
The Word and the Spirit will keep your soul from shrinking.
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