July 25, 2021

Understanding the Times

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Isaiah 5:8-30
Service Type:

Introduction

  • 1 Chronicles 12 - a list of David's might men of valor
    • v32 - the sons of Issachar had an understand of the times
    • Not enough that they were mighty men but men that could discern the times
  • Christians today must be aware of the signs of the time
    • Prevailing moral attitudes
    • The words of Isa 5 could easily apply today - they describe the society in which we live
      • particularly v20
  • Dictionary definition for immoral and amoral
    • Immoral - people who know right and wrong but chose the wrong and avoid the right
    • Amoral - people who do not believe there is a right and wrong
    • We live in an amoral society
    • Example from Frozen (Song by Elsa)
      • Seized as an anthem for our age - 'no right, no wrong'
      • How many will damage their lives by living this way?

What is the source of this moral confusion?

  • Two contributory factors in Isa 5
  1. v24 - the people have rejected God's law
    • This is a rejection of God Himself - since His law is an expression of His being, purity of His character, essence of His nature
      • If they reject His authority - there can be no absolute moral standard
      • Left with the statement of the Philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau
      • 'Right and wrong is in the eye of the beholder'
    • Can we expect unbelievers to uphold God's law / can hold them to God's law?
      • Can we impose our biblical views on society?
      • Rom 2:15 - the Gentiles have the law written on their hearts and their conscience reflected God's law
      • God's law is intended for all people
    • Upholding the law does not save
      • All have sinned and fallen short of the law - we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ
      • Jesus paid the price for sin and suffered punishment on our behalf
      • We will be credited with the perfection of Christ's life and made acceptable to God and welcomed into fellowship with Him
    • Preaching the law:
      • Helps direct people to God
      • Helps to restrain the evil in society
  1. v21 - the people trust in their own intellect
    • Men are inherently religious since they are created by / for and to worship God
      • If men reject God they fill this void with the inventions of their own mind
      • Example of "The Devils" by Dostoevsky
    • Examples of the consequences of the erosion of our mind:
      • No intrinsic worth - Example of the Beatles clothing
        • Our lives have worth in God
      • Abortion and euthanasia
      • Sexual promiscuity
      • The undermining of religious freedom

What is God's response?

  • Gal 6:7, Rom 1:24ff, Isa 5:24
    • People are given over to their sin
    • Life become worthless - if it is a life lived without God and His law
    • Particularly true of young people
  • God's judgment
    • The Assyrians came and conquered Israel
      • We are not facing an invader but are being destroyed from within
        • Our society is being torn apart
    • v14 - the final judgment
      • Example of basking shark
      • Hell is like a gaping mouth swallowing up mankind - for all those who will foolishly live without God
    • God is not mocked - that which we sow, we reap
      • We are commanded to love our neighbours
      • We cannot stand by when people bring foolish consequences upon themselves for not believing in God
      • We must look around our society and be disturbed at what we see - as Paul was in Athens
      • We must have a deep concern for what is happening in our neighbourhoods, communities and families
      • We are called to serve God by serving fellow man - by proclaiming His name and Word

What should we do?

  1. We must pray - 1 Tim 2:1
    • A priority
    • We are seek their salvation and general good - by praying for them
    • We must give thanks for common grace / our neighbours
    • We must pray for those in authority - 1 Tim 2:2
  2. To be salt and light - Matt 5:13-16
    • Remember the teaching on the sermon of the Mount
    • We are to proclaim to people the truth of Scripture with graciousness
    • We are to proclaim and 'live' what is good
      • So that people can see God really makes a difference in our lives
  3. Preach the gospel
    • To take every opportunity to share the gospel
    • Example of Paul
    • To see the nation brought to Christ
    • To see people right with God
  • These are not in competition - we are commanded to be engaged in all of them
  • Summary thoughts
  • All who serve the Lord must be like the men of Issachar - to know the times so that we will know what to do for God's glory
  • Closing Remarks
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