The God of Comfort (Isaiah 40:1-11)

God is undefeated even by our most grievous sin. The Sovereign God is never more sovereign than in the work of mercy and salvation. It is those who know they have most signally erred and strayed from his ways, who, within the blessed arena of salvation, feel most gently the warmth of his shepherding arms around them. They know for sure to be the lambs of his flock.

Isaiah 40 answers the question, "Who is your God?" God is:

1. The God of Comfort (1-11).
2. The Incomparable God (12-26).
3. The God Who Makes Man Fly (27-31).

A Rock Solid Life (Matthew 7:24-27)

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Mt 7:24, NIV). "...and does them" (ESV). "...and acts on them" (NASB, HCSB). "...and follows it" (NLT).

The Sermon on the Mount is probably the most famous of all the teachings of Christ. (A General Introduction by Martyn Lloyd-Jones). The theme is that of "life in the kingdom of heaven." It is an overview of the privileges and expectations of such a truly blessed life. Mt 7:24-27 (Lk 6:46-49) is the conclusion of the Sermon on The Mount.

1. What are "these words of mine" that Scripture encourages people to take to heart (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20-21; Ps 1:2; 119:97)?

Walk in Light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5)

What does it mean to walk (live) in the light of the Lord (Isa 2:5)?

1. Be honest with yourself. This happens when we see ourselves in light of who God is (Isa 6:3; Lk 5:8).
2. Live a holy life because God is holy (Isa 1:4; 6:3, 5; Gen 17:1; Eph 1:4; Lev 11:44; 1 Pet 1:16).
3. Live by the word of God (Ps 119:105, 97; 1:2; Jn 6:63).
4. Live with no hint of darkness (Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5).
5. Trust God "alone" (Isa 2:11, 17) not man (Isa 2:22).

An Encouragement to Study Scripture (and Isaiah)

From this Sunday, May 3, 2015, West Loop UBF will begin studying of a new book of the Bible--Isaiah. As we begin I would like to encourage our church community to prayerfully study Scripture in general and Isaiah in particular over the coming year, as God willing, we will plow through all 66 chapters of Isaiah!

Personally, I regard the serious study of Scripture as the most important, significant and necessary daily activity of every Christian. Why? In a word, it is because of the countless benefits of studying Scripture from our hearts as our daily priority.

What are the benefits of studying Scripture with all of our hearts?

The Servant Sustains the Weary with His Word (Isaiah 50)

Previous post: A Light To The Nations (Isaiah 49).

Isa 50:4-9 is the 3rd of 4 Servant Songs which anticipates the Messiah (Isa 42:1-9; Isa 49:1-13; 52:13-53:12).

The Servant Suffers to Sustain Others (Isa 50:1-3, 4-9, 10,11)

God did not fail, for Israel sinned their way into exile (Isa 50:1), refusing to respond to God's word (Isa 50:2,3). God's title, "the Sovereign Lord," appearing 4 times (Isa 50:4,5,7,9), shows that God expresses his power not by being a ruling dictator, but taking the form of a servant (Phil 2:6,7). This servant is a scholar, well schooled and responsive to the Word (Isa 50:4,5), a gentle healer (Isa 42:3), a patient worker (Isa 49:4), a wise comforter (Isa 50:4), yet he was greeted with abusive opposition (Isa 50:6). The Servant's rejection intensifies as the Servant Songs progress (Isa 49:7; 50:6; 52:14-53:9), not because he was a victim nor because he was guilty (Isa 50:9). Indeed, he willingly chose his sufferings (Isa 50:7), and knew that God would vindicate him (Isa 50:8). Thus we trust him (Isa 50:10), not our own wisdom (Isa 50:11).

3 Questions:

1. Have you been rebellious (Isa 50:5)?
2. Do you "know the word that sustains the weary" (Isa 50:4)?
3. Do you know of One who was disgrace, mocked and spit at for you (Isa 50:6)?

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Our Faith is Already, But Not Yet (Heb. 4:1-16)

We Christians are like we're already the Mona Lisa--the greatest painting in the world--but not yet fully the Mona Lisa. Sorry for this corny illustration!

Strive to Enter God's Rest (Heb. 4:1-13). Have we Christians already received God's rest? Or are we yet to receive God's rest in the future? Heb. 4:1-13 answers "Yes" to both. Our rest is already inaugurated, but still awaiting consummation. We live in the time between Jesus' ascension and His 2nd Coming. Until that glorious day, we live in the humble confident state of "Already, But Not Yet." Because our present life is "Not Yet" and looks to the future, we need to continue to strive to enter God's rest (Heb. 4:1,11,14). Yet, because it is simultaneously "Already" we have the sure promise of the cessation from all the struggles of this life (Heb. 4:9,10). It is when we screw up this "balance," that our Christian lives become weird, even ugly: either blindly overconfident, arrogant, and triumphalistic, or despairing and defeatist with a victim's mentality--both leading to failure, unbelief, disobedience (Heb. 4:6,11). But with proper balance, God, by his grace alone, enables us to be both bold and humble simultaneously. We are boldly confident because we are already the Mona Lisa. Yet, we are truly humble because we are a bald Mona Lisa!

For proper balance, we need the Word of God. Heb. 4:12,13 say, "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ¹³ Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." We, in our sins, can't balance ourselves. But God Himself, through His Word, constantly exposes our innermost thoughts and intentions. Our total dependency must be on God's absolute authority (Pro. 3:5,6) expressed through His word.

Tempted, Yet Without Sin - Jesus the Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14-16). To serve as high priest on behalf of humanity, Jesus must be human (Heb. 2:17). He had to satisfy God's wrath and make propitiation for our sins by being the atoning sacrifice in our place. Our confidence in "holding firmly" (Heb. 4:14,16) to our faith, is that Jesus is not foreign to any temptation that entices us (Heb. 4:15).

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I Am Too Stupid (Prov. 30:2-4)

I am too stupid to be a man (Prov. 30:2-4). {"The words of Agur" (Prov. 30:1) are perhaps addressed to his favorite pupils.} We think that if we give of ourselves to seek wisdom and truth, we'll be quite smart. But Prov. 30:2,3 says, "Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One." Surely, he is not "stupid," but one who humbly knows of and realizes his own severe limitations, ignorance and experience as a mere human before the infinite God (Prov. 30:4; Job 38:4-39:30). Man, in his ignorance, thinks of God as an object of his investigation or speculation, not realizing his utmost overweening pride in doing so. But man who sees himself before God recognizes the sheer immensity of the mystery and majesty of God, and is humbled and awed.

God's flawless revelation (Prov. 30:5,6). Prov. 30:5 says, "Every word of God proves true; he is a shield of those who take refuge in him." These verses move from the uncertainty of human speculation to the certainty of divine revelation -- the trustworthiness and reliability of the Bible. This verse supports the doctrine of the “plenary” (full, complete) inspiration of Scripture, extending even to “every word” (2 Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30). Yet, the aim of revelation is to promote a living loving trust, not bare knowledge, toward the One God behind "every word of God."

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