Loving Money Enough to Lose It

Isaiah 23

Sermon Notes:

1) Loving money leads to sadness when it departs, 1-8, 14

2) Loving money can lead to pride, which always precedes a fall, 9-14

3) Loving money is not the unforgiveable sin, but it’s hard to shake, 15-18

4) Money belongs to God, and it will return to Him, 18.

Reflection questions:

1. Do you love money? Do you like it too much? Is it an idol in your life? Either because of what it allows you to buy? Or because of the sense of security it provides?

2. Read Luke 12:16-20. What do you think Jesus means when He talks about being “rich towards God”?

3. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. What does it mean to set your hope on the uncertainty of riches? Why are riches uncertain? And how can you be rich in good works? Also read 1 Tim. 6:6-12.

The Valley of Vision = Carpe Diem or Coram Deo?

Isaiah 22

Sermon Notes:

1) The Valley of Vision Can’t See the Coming Commotion, 1-8

2) The Self-Sufficiency of God’s People Can’t Replace Repentance, 8-11

3) The ‘Senseless Revelry’ of God’s People Can’t See beyond the Now, 12-14

4) The case studies of self-centeredness can teach us, if we let them, 15-25

Reflection questions:

1. What does Carpe Diem mean? What does Coram Deo mean? Which one seems like a more Biblical way to live?

2. Read I Corinthians 15:1-34, especially v12, 19, and 29-34. What reference do you see to Isaiah 22? How does Paul correct their attitude and their beliefs in 1 Cor 15?

3. Refection quote: “The words of v11b (and of 37:26) are a striking anticipation of chs.40-66, where God is repeatedly named as (lit.) ‘making and forming’ (who made … who planned) and as doing so from of old (cf. 43:7; 44:2, 24). It is another hint of single authorship.” (Derek Kidner, p646 from the New Bible Commentary) In other words, Isaiah, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), is the single author. There are not 2 or 3 or more Isaiahs who wrote this book.

A Word from the Watchman

Isaiah 21

Sermon Notes:

1) The Watchman’s Conflict, 1-10

2) The Watchman’s Call, 11-12

3) The Watchman’s Cautionary Tale, 13-17

Reflection questions:

1. How must Isaiah have felt about the people who were the object of his bad news (the oracle of Bablyon’s destruction?) Read Is 21:2-4.

2. Compare Is 21:3-4 with Jesus’s words in Luke 19:41-44. For whom does Jesus lament? What is He doing and where is He going as He says those words? (See Luke 19:41; 19:28; 19:11; 18:31-34.)

3. God warns foreign nations in this passage of coming judgment. Where should we turn to be shielded from God’s judgment? Read Psalm 2:9-12 and reflect upon this comment from Derek Kidner: “There is no refuge from him, only in him.” (IVP Commentaries, vol 14a: Psalms 1-72)

Barrenness, Nakedness, and Blessedness

Isaiah 19-20

Sermon Notes:

1) Injury – Divided, Confused, and Defeated, 19:1-15

2) Insult – Ashamed and Laid Bare, 20:1-6

3) Infirmary – Striking and Healing, 19:16-25

Reflection questions:

1. Read Psalm 20:7. Why were people back then tempted to trust in chariots and horses? How can we today trust things equivalent to chariots and horses?

2. Is Isaiah 20 the craziest thing that God ever asked a prophet to do? Consider: Hosea 1:1-3; 3:1-5. Now ask, why did God use such drastic tactics then?

3. What good ever comes from being embarrassed and humiliated (cf Is 20:5-6)? Consider Psalm 119:71, as well as vv.65, 68.

Jesus Wins!

Isaiah 18

Sermon Notes:

1) The Lord’s Laughter at the world’s backup plans, 1-2

2) The Lord’s Aloofness when their other gods don’t save, 2-4

3) The Lord’s Last-minute Salvation, 5-6

4) The Lord’s Loot: “to his feet your tribute bring,” 7

Reflection questions:

1.    After reading Isaiah 18, read Psalm 2. How would you characterize the nations of the world in relationship to God? How does God react to them (v4)? How does the story of Psalm 2 end (vv9-12)?

2.    Read Judges 10:6-16. Why do you think God responds the way He does to Israel’s initial cry for help (see vv.11-14)? What difference do you see in Israel’s 2nd cry for help (especially v.16a)?

3.    Read Isaiah 18:3-6. Now read Galatians 4:4 and Romans 5:6. Why is it that God seems to be an “at just the right time” kind of God? Also see Psalm 46:1.

Why Should I Care About Ancient Damascus and Her Destruction?

Isaiah 17

Sermon Notes:

1) The Fleeting Hope of Mighty Nations, 1-6, 12-14

2) The Forgotten God of Our Salvation, 9-11

3) The Forgiving God of Our Creation, 4-8

Reflection questions:

1) Read Isaiah 17:1-4. Why is Ephraim (aka, the Northern Kingdom of Israel) mentioned in the judgment passage as Syria (whose capital was Damascus)? Read Is 7:1-3 for the background.

2) Israel’s attitude seemed to be, “If we form a military alliance with Syria (instead of trusting God to deliver us), then we will be ok.” If _____, then I will be ok. How would you fill in that blank? What does that tell you about _____, and your feelings towards it.

3) How can you ensure that you do not forget the God of your salvation (v.10)? Read Psalm 103 (especially vv.1-2) and Ephesians 1:3-14 (especially v3) for some ideas.

Mercy Amidst War, and a King to End All Wars

Isaiah 15-16

Sermon Notes:

1) God’s Enemies Will One Day Be Weeping, Wailing, and Wasted, 15:1-9; 16:6-14

2) God’s People Shall Be a Shelter for the Sojourner, 16:1-4a

3) God’s King Shall Reign in Steadfast Love and Faithfulness, 16:4b-5

Reflection questions:

1. “Consider how Jerusalem is supposed to treat the refugees (16:1-5). Are there any implications here for the way the Church treats unbelievers who seek mercy? If so, what are they?” (LifeChange, Isaiah, 205.)

2. Read Galatians 6:9-10. Who does v.10 say should be the recipients of our “doing good”? What does it say about when we should do good?

3. Read 2 Samuel 23:3-5. Is David talking about his own reign over Israel? Or someone else’s? Also consider 2 Samuel 7:12-16 and 2 Sam 8:15.

The Ultimate Enemy Will Fall

Isaiah 14

Sermon Notes:

1) The True People of God, 1-11

2) The True Enemy of God’s People, 3-20

3) The True End of the Enemy, 20-23

4) The True Purpose of God, 24-27

5) The True Home for the Wandering, 28-32

Reflection questions:

1. Some think Isaiah 14:1-2 is a preview of Isaiah 40-66. Read Isaiah 40. What themes do you see from Is 14:1-2 that are reflected in this chapter?

2. Who do you think of when you read Is 14:12-15? (Compare and contrast with Revelation 12:8-12) What God-opposing sins do you see in this passage? Can you see the seeds of those sins in your own heart at times? (Robert Murray McCheyne: “The seed of every sin known to man is in my heart.”)

3. Read Isaiah 14:30a, 32. How are these verses comforting? Compare to Revelation 21:3-4; 22:1-5.